Comments on: The End Of Cynicism? http://dougist.com/2008/11/the-end-of-cynicism/ Douglas Barone Wed, 14 Mar 2012 22:39:22 +0000 hourly 1 By: Doug http://dougist.com/2008/11/the-end-of-cynicism/comment-page-1/#comment-221 Doug Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:26:34 +0000 http://dougist.com/?p=58#comment-221 <p>As I have said, one of the groups is right.</p> As I have said, one of the groups is right.

]]> By: Shannon http://dougist.com/2008/11/the-end-of-cynicism/comment-page-1/#comment-220 Shannon Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:24:08 +0000 http://dougist.com/?p=58#comment-220 <p>I'm puzzled as to why the equities markets have not reacted as positively to the outcome of the election as your readers, Doug.</p> I’m puzzled as to why the equities markets have not reacted as positively to the outcome of the election as your readers, Doug.

]]> By: Caroline Jaine http://dougist.com/2008/11/the-end-of-cynicism/comment-page-1/#comment-170 Caroline Jaine Sun, 09 Nov 2008 14:39:24 +0000 http://dougist.com/?p=58#comment-170 <p>I am also across the pond and I can say that I have witnessed a genuine buzz of hope certainly in the capital). Obama's victory shows us what is possible. It brings those marginalised back into the room. It gives us courage to be part of change, but it also shows us the power in new media democracy. The internet has bought us lots of bad things, but at last it has revealed how it can harness the postive.</p> I am also across the pond and I can say that I have witnessed a genuine buzz of hope certainly in the capital). Obama’s victory shows us what is possible. It brings those marginalised back into the room. It gives us courage to be part of change, but it also shows us the power in new media democracy. The internet has bought us lots of bad things, but at last it has revealed how it can harness the postive.

]]> By: thomas http://dougist.com/2008/11/the-end-of-cynicism/comment-page-1/#comment-169 thomas Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:46:54 +0000 http://dougist.com/?p=58#comment-169 <p>Hi Doug, speaking from the other side of the Atlantic I can definitely say that cynicism is alive and kicking over here. Obama's victory hasn't done anything about the elected officials who supposedly represent me! I'm glad you're optimistic and I agree this election has opened a window of opportunity in political and social discourse for people around the world as well as in the US, but I also think it is a constant challenge to stop legitimate scepticism spilling over into cynicism - one vote every four years doesn't amount to an engaged society and if we aren't engaged we will only ever grow frustrated at our continuing powerlessness. I'm in agreement that politics is a serious business and the serious issues affecting all our lives need to be treated with consideration. The gung-ho approach based on instinct is vainglorious and counterproductive, but symbolic change isn't enough in the long run - we need real change!</p> Hi Doug, speaking from the other side of the Atlantic I can definitely say that cynicism is alive and kicking over here. Obama’s victory hasn’t done anything about the elected officials who supposedly represent me! I’m glad you’re optimistic and I agree this election has opened a window of opportunity in political and social discourse for people around the world as well as in the US, but I also think it is a constant challenge to stop legitimate scepticism spilling over into cynicism – one vote every four years doesn’t amount to an engaged society and if we aren’t engaged we will only ever grow frustrated at our continuing powerlessness. I’m in agreement that politics is a serious business and the serious issues affecting all our lives need to be treated with consideration. The gung-ho approach based on instinct is vainglorious and counterproductive, but symbolic change isn’t enough in the long run – we need real change!

]]> By: Doug http://dougist.com/2008/11/the-end-of-cynicism/comment-page-1/#comment-168 Doug Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:36:59 +0000 http://dougist.com/?p=58#comment-168 <p>thomas,</p> <p>I'm not suggesting an end of democracy, just an end (possibly) of cynicism in discourse.</p> <p>My article was about how the symbolism of the new administration, and its affirmation of academe and media goals, will cause a change in tone since the "outs" are now the "ins" and throwing bricks is best done from the street not from in the house.</p> <p>Doug</p> thomas,

I’m not suggesting an end of democracy, just an end (possibly) of cynicism in discourse.

My article was about how the symbolism of the new administration, and its affirmation of academe and media goals, will cause a change in tone since the “outs” are now the “ins” and throwing bricks is best done from the street not from in the house.

Doug

]]> By: thomas http://dougist.com/2008/11/the-end-of-cynicism/comment-page-1/#comment-167 thomas Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:22:13 +0000 http://dougist.com/?p=58#comment-167 <p>The election is already over. It is already in the past, so we should forget about it already. We can't change what has already happened. We can only change what is yet to happen, so we need to look to the future clear-eyed with realism about the risks which will face us and with clear heads and optimism about what we can do. I would rather we were able to enthusiastically disagree about the direction we want to take as we all put our collective efforts together to influence change than sit back and idly get angry about our different subjective interpretations of the past in our distaste at the actions of others. The election of Obama is not the end of democracy - it is a sign that it still lives. The election of Obama is the start of something new - but only if we start pulling on the levers of power which we've put back in our own hands. If this is now our time, it is now time we made use of it.</p> The election is already over. It is already in the past, so we should forget about it already. We can’t change what has already happened. We can only change what is yet to happen, so we need to look to the future clear-eyed with realism about the risks which will face us and with clear heads and optimism about what we can do. I would rather we were able to enthusiastically disagree about the direction we want to take as we all put our collective efforts together to influence change than sit back and idly get angry about our different subjective interpretations of the past in our distaste at the actions of others. The election of Obama is not the end of democracy – it is a sign that it still lives. The election of Obama is the start of something new – but only if we start pulling on the levers of power which we’ve put back in our own hands. If this is now our time, it is now time we made use of it.

]]> By: Julia http://dougist.com/2008/11/the-end-of-cynicism/comment-page-1/#comment-166 Julia Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:16:49 +0000 http://dougist.com/?p=58#comment-166 <p>Doug,</p> <p>As an historian, I look at these events and don't necessarily see "Camelot 2", but perhaps an end to the political supremacy of those whose idealism was dashed so horribly by Vietnam and Watergate. Young voters did not live through that, but did experience the bitter cynicism of presidential attack, from Reagan and Iran/Contra to Clinton and Whitewater/Lewinsky to the crony-ist no-bid debacle that has been the Bush Administration. (Does that sound cynical??) In the face of such relentless, prosecutorial attitudes, who can blame people for grasping at something hopeful for a change?</p> <p>Still, many I know are waiting for the other shoe to drop. The pressure on President Obama will be great, because once hopes have been dashed, even in politics, people always sleep with one eye open.</p> <ul> <li>Julia</li> </ul> Doug,

As an historian, I look at these events and don’t necessarily see “Camelot 2″, but perhaps an end to the political supremacy of those whose idealism was dashed so horribly by Vietnam and Watergate. Young voters did not live through that, but did experience the bitter cynicism of presidential attack, from Reagan and Iran/Contra to Clinton and Whitewater/Lewinsky to the crony-ist no-bid debacle that has been the Bush Administration. (Does that sound cynical??) In the face of such relentless, prosecutorial attitudes, who can blame people for grasping at something hopeful for a change?

Still, many I know are waiting for the other shoe to drop. The pressure on President Obama will be great, because once hopes have been dashed, even in politics, people always sleep with one eye open.

  • Julia
]]> By: Doug http://dougist.com/2008/11/the-end-of-cynicism/comment-page-1/#comment-165 Doug Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:45:22 +0000 http://dougist.com/?p=58#comment-165 <p>Ash:</p> <p>It seems like after being Against for so long, many "institutions of voice" will have an adjustment to make to adopt your disposition.</p> Ash:

It seems like after being Against for so long, many “institutions of voice” will have an adjustment to make to adopt your disposition.

]]> By: Ash http://dougist.com/2008/11/the-end-of-cynicism/comment-page-1/#comment-164 Ash Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:54:32 +0000 http://dougist.com/?p=58#comment-164 <p>I'm a positivist. I believe that we (collectively, as a people) are far more successful at accomplishing the things we wish when we focus on what we want.</p> <p>I am thrilled to give it a try, even if it doesn't work right away. Life will be happier, and if there's any other purpose in this life besides being happy, I sure as heck haven't figured it out.</p> I’m a positivist. I believe that we (collectively, as a people) are far more successful at accomplishing the things we wish when we focus on what we want.

I am thrilled to give it a try, even if it doesn’t work right away. Life will be happier, and if there’s any other purpose in this life besides being happy, I sure as heck haven’t figured it out.

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