Why are some people cynical?

Experience. Observing that optimism seldom is realistic.

Pain, bitterness, disappointment and being let down by trusted people. All these lead to being cynical.

Based solely on the part of the definition of the word that means “concerned only with one’s own interests” … if one is going to choose a way to be, then that would be the natural choice.

Reading further in the definition ”… and typically disregarding accepted or appropriate standards in order to achieve them”, that’s also a natural (naïve, unschooled, non “civilized”) mode.

So be cynical! It’s the natural choice. Maybe the real question should be “Why aren’t people more cynical than they already seem to be?”

But that seems to be a non-affirmative question, so I won’t ask that.

Because of all the idiocy? Seen politics lately? Listened to some parents projecting their unhealed bullshit onto their children righteously and unconsciously?

Of course, there are many flavors of cynicism. I’m often considered cynical, or at least sarcastic. I’m also considered an unrealistic romantic and a utopian by some. I feel my own cynicism is mainly a coping mechanism for not being able to deal with how wrong so many things seem, and how little awareness and audience there seems to be about it.

Chronic disappointment leads to lowered expectations.

Turn on the news. There is bad news everywhere, every day. People have bad life experiences that make it seem like reality is all messed up, and that there is not likely any chance of goodness, or kindness, or happiness. If you are exposed to too much of that bad stuff, and you don’t experience enough goodness or kindness of happiness, it is likely that you will view most things as kind of a joke.

The triumph of experience over hope.

Personality and temperament is genetic by nature and some people are just naturally gloom and doomer pessimists while others are more optimistic types. Life experience comes into play of course, but, for the most part it is a case of nature trumping nurture.

Facebook.

I would prefer to think Facebook has honed my critical thinking skills, rather than causing me to feel cynical. Doubtful of much of what I read, yes, but not cynical.

You become cynical only when you give up on yourself and your ability to influence things.