They say cynicism is the worst disease of old age, and I don’t disagree. Viewing the world through a lens of distrust is extremely corrosive. It’s a philosophy that locks us into a defensive stance, stealing our power and cutting us off from life’s richest experiences: relationships, opportunities, and even joy itself.
Cynicism rewires our brains. The more we succumb to it, the more it shapes our reality, attracting negativity and reinforcing the very distrust that poisoned our perspective in the first place.
But what we need isn’t more cynicism. What we need is sharper skepticism.
Skepticism and cynicism are often mistaken for the same thing, but they couldn’t be more different. Skepticism is measured. It questions, evaluates, and skepticism seeks truth.
Cynicism, on the other hand, is reflexive and absolute. It dismisses before even considering.
“I think we too often make choices based on the safety of cynicism, and what we're led to is a life not fully lived. Cynicism is fear, and it's worse than fear - it's active disengagement.” - Ken Burns
There’s a reason the old adage “Trust but verify” remains timeless. Blind trust makes you vulnerable, while blind cynicism isolates you completely.
And in today’s world, maintaining that balance feels more exhausting than ever.
America, like much of the rest of the world, has become a 24/7 political spectacle, where social media spreads ideological spin at warp speed. People no longer analyze information; they absorb and repeat it, so long as it aligns with their pre-existing beliefs.
The result? A society locked in echo chambers, growing more divided by the day.
The most surprising part? How easily people fall for manipulation—not jst from political parties and media outlets, but from influencers, corporations, and algorithms designed to provoke outrage. Blind trust makes each of us incredibly vulnerable. We can’t just assume our side is telling the truth or that our cause is inherently righteous.
Cynicism fuels this cycle, breeding fear and outrage while shutting down curiosity, conversation, and even the possibility of common ground. It convinces people that their side is always right and the other is irredeemably wrong. This is tribalism at its worst.
What this leaves us with is more division, less understanding, and zero chance of reconciliation.
Cynicism doesn’t just erode trust in institutions—it erodes trust in each other. And if we want to evolve beyond this Age of Distrust, we need to reclaim critical thinking.
Not to blindly accept, but to question wisely—even the sources we think we can trust. We need the courage to challenge our long-held beliefs, to engage in discourse without assuming the worst in others, and to recognize that skepticism and hope must coexist.
The real challenge isn’t just avoiding gullibility, it's resisting the temptation to believe in nothing at all. And with the rapid rise of AGI, these next few months feel less like a political debate and more like a crash course in navigating an entirely new world.
How humanity survives these next few decades will depend upon whether we recognize that our greatest enemy isn’t each other. Our greatest enemy is the mindset that has driven us so far apart. If we want to stand a chance of keeping our humanity intact, each of us will need much greater immunity to this mind virus.
Be well, make the most of this day. Thank you for reading!
Growing weary of the ads and divisiveness on mainstream social media? If so, why not try Hive? Click on this link to sign-up and join our growing global community.
Want to Keep Up with My Travels? Please subscribe to my YouTube channel.
Ain’t that the truth!
Cynicism not only locks us in an isolated and destructive cycle, it saps our true power which is connection, cooperation and constructive action.
When we have witnessed mentally ill and completely out of touch with reality billionaires rip and tear what has been built over a couple hundred years in USA alone, and turn from humanitarian global citizens immediately into showboating bullies. Imagine how cynicism is an easy mindset to wear.
It is an intellectual evolution to be caring and cooperative, looking out for each other and not focusing solely on our personal survival. If someone wants to be useless and cynical, that is their choice but I spend as little time as possible with those people.
Cynicism not only locks us in an isolated and destructive cycle, it saps our true power which is connection, cooperation and constructive action.
Well said!
The key to breaking free from cynicism is refusing to be ideologically captured by any one "team." The moment we start thinking in absolutes—this side is always right, that side is inherently wrong—we open the door to cynicism. When critical thinking is replaced by blind allegiance, we become easy targets for manipulation.
Empathy is a powerful and essential trait, but in today’s world, even empathy is weaponized as a means to an end. That’s why skepticism is more valuable than ever—it keeps us vigilant, forcing us to question not just what we believe, but why we believe it. In an age of ideological warfare, maintaining that level of awareness isn’t just wise, it’s necessary.
So true. Last night my mind wouldn't rest because of this damn fever and all I could think of is how adopting cynicism seems like an easy choice to make as misery loves company. I know a couple of those who I am caring less for as time goes on as they take the cowardly route and allow themselves to be neutered by cynicism. If they are weak enough to have their spirit, attitude and energy sapped, they better save their breath around me because I have too much to fight for.
As a teacher I have the obligation to encourage reflection, tolerance, autonomy of thought, questioning what is heard and even what is seen, but sometimes it is difficult, because today's kids find it easier to accept and “swallow” what goes “viral”, without chewing it well: if the networks say it, it's true. Of course, I must also say that as a 51 year old woman, sometimes I find it hard to “accept” some thoughts. For example, every day it becomes more difficult for me to deal with my Chavista friends because I know they defend the indefensible and in order not to “break” with friendships of many years, I prefer not to touch certain topics. Just like when you have a shoe that is about to break, but you don't put it on so that it doesn't break. So it is. Sad, but true. A Sunday hug, my friend!
I was brought up not to talk about politics, religion, football and women as at some point you will fall out with your friends. Your chavista friends are like the independence thing in Scotland.
What is the Scottish independence movement like, Ed?
Those are such valuable traits to teach the younger generations Nancy and I'm glad you're doing that important work! I wish we had more teachers like that in America. Just to get into the habit of pausing to reflect after reading something is a good trait to have. So many people just scan news headlines then believe and/or share misinformation because it neatly fits their narrative.
I can understand a little of how you feel about your Chavista friends. America is becoming the same way—each side believes their party is completely and totally right. As someone who tries to read between the lines and look for true motivations of these politicians it can be frustrating to deal with people who're so blinded by propaganda. People here are obsessed with politics now and like to talk about little else. It can be exhausting sometimes to continually try to steer conversations into other, non-political, directions. Hugs to you as well! I hope you have a great week. We have 5-8" of snow heading our way.
Wow! A little sunshine for you, Eric!
Great post and I have been a skeptic for as long as I can remember. Even more so now. People are manipulated all the time and I find it sad seeing kids now being so fluffing gullible.
Where is the questioning and not just blind acceptance without even knowing what they are accepting!
Thank you! You're a wise man. At this point I don't take anything I read or see in the media at face-value, rather I ask myself what is their motivation for spinning it this way? A whole different reality emerges when you start doing this.
Absolutely and I agree with their motivation angle. That is a great way of putting it.
Too true. It's tempting to hide yourself in cynicism, though. It's such an act of courage, living with the knowledge that you don't actually know, that you could be wrong, that it's all unpredictable and uncontrollable, hence cynicism (I think) and division.
Fantastic post, Eric. I'm glad there's still people like you who resist the cynicism and polarization traps.
PS: Did you listen to Elon on JRE yet? :)
Cynicism is so easy to slip into, even more so as you get older! I've found my tolerance for BS has diminished by huge amount these last five years.
Thanks! What the media really is conducting is idealogical warfare. I think it should be labeled as such and not just mis/disinformation.
I started listening to it yesterday! I'm about halfway through now. I always enjoy listening to his conversations. I thought it was interesting when he said his views and opinions on none of the issues have changed but now the side who used to love him hates him and vice versa. That's very telling right there!
Like Ken Burns the film maker? That is cool. I mean he is brilliant but I wouldn't have expected a quote like that to be attributed to him. I would have expected something more like: "This time let's back the camera away more slowly". :)
I probably lean towards cynicism more than I should. This is a very thoughtful post.
I believe it was the film maker--quite unexpected! It's so difficult not to be at least a little cynical these days with how the media outlets spin everything to serve their individual narrative. Thank goodness we live in the golden age of independent media so people have choices. Thank you Jay!
It is interesting to see the real stories that come out of some of these events. Even my preferred news sources are stating to be less important to me.
I don't think I trust any mainstream media outlets anymore. I used to love NPR but I can't stand to listen more than a few minutes now. Sometimes I question if it's me who's changed or them? I just don't remember everything being so politicized.
I've always been a CNN/CBS guy, but even now I can see they are spinning stuff a bit harder than they used to.
The digital era and social networks know very well what catches the human brain: color, movement and sound, based on this they designed strategies to keep us entertained, manipulated and consuming true and false information (it is our responsibility to activate our filters).
With AI we will be able to know a new world that is advancing by leaps and bounds but it also points to the personal and social disconnection resulting from collective programming (complex issue). I believe that the way is to live alert and develop awareness. greetings @ericvancewalton!
You're right, millions of dollars have been spent to determine the best ways to keep us distracted and sway us--and it works! There's no shortage of ways to be brainwashed and lulled to sleep these days but it's worth every effort to try to prevent it from happening.
Older people are cynical tend to be more cynical because that's what experience has taught them. I can be cynical but it isn't universal.
I think that Cynicism becomes valid after death as we clear of property and goods.
#hive #posh