Cynical (repost from 1/2/09)

cyn⋅i⋅cal  /ˈsɪnɪkəl/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [sin-i-kuhl] Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1.
like or characteristic of a cynic; distrusting or disparaging the motives of others.
2.
showing contempt for accepted standards of honesty or morality by one's actions, esp. by actions that exploit the scruples of others.
3.
bitterly or sneeringly distrustful, contemptuous, or pessimistic.
4.
(initial capital letter) cynic (def. 5).
(sourced from dictionary.com)
I think #2 is what makes me a cynic, and it's not the surface honesty that cultures demand. Cultures demand honesty in areas of human desires that are meant to use morality as a hostage-taking device for people to gain influence over others. The irony is that I distrust the very people who proclaim authority and judgement over most human elements of life. The people who claim authority over people of lesser character due to their deeper intellectual qualities usually passed down from generations past.
My cynical nature has evolved from delving into the true nature of intellectualism. Simply, the proclaimers almost uniformly inherited wealth from their family tree. Self-proclaimations of entreprenurialism, sophistication, and authority are almost always dishonest. "Entrepreneurs" who inherited the family business. Sophistication of the one who buys an expensive dress, but demeans the staff. The authority on attributes of trade skills, and the knowledge required to do such. The definition of self is least trustworthy, as one attempts to assert their authority and judgement over and on another.
In fact, I am a cynic in the bubble of greatness and experts. I find that I am the most positive person in the world of "whores, gamblers, and thieves". There is a certain honesty about humanity that exists in this world where the intention to hurt others is extremely rare. I do not encounter the same feeling in the bubble of greatness and experts. The wealth created from bubbles is often pocketed at the expense of a corporate rainy day fund. The intention of success hurts how many people? Yeah, the great ones were building up the stock price for "the people". "The people" have given their money back. The authorities and experts have run to "the people" to bail them out. Who has deeper character? It is an interesting statement about the culture today that Robin Hood is seen as a criminal. I wonder if that is going to change!

(c) kenneth martin