I think that almost 30 years of Reaganism's gift to America is a love of cynicism

[MrScorpio]

The most striking example is comparing remakes of old movies and TV shows to their hip new cynical remakes.

The media, music, art, politics, religion, fashion and even body modification... If it ain't cynical, well, it's just too boring.

No more innocent relationships, the new cynicism makes them "meaningful". Kids were always great culture chameleons, gotta be hipper than their old fashioned parents, even more than the kids have always been.

Young folks still have that hormonal drive to date and make out, but find that the cynicism gets in the way when you're stone cold sober and uncool. YAY, Binge drinking!

Angst over the current state of instability with an unhealthy dose of nostalgia are great components of the new cynicism.

Hell, life is just too cynical to go on living without a crutch these days. Gotta do something to take the cynicism away, you know?

And don't discount the anonymity of posting on the Internet, a great proponent of cynical behavior. OWNING, PWNING, Farking and like makes it great with pictures.

Your "allies" and "heroes" are not to be trusted. You're a sucker if you eschew the snark and are unable to go it alone.

Why be thoughtful when cynicism is soooo much sexier?

Both sides of the political spectrum have adopted the new cynicism, but it's no accident that the proponents of today's Reaganism have perfected the art of cynicism with a grand scheme of irrationality and fear mongering. That way the cynicism becomes the best of defense mechanisms.

Why do you think that they hate "Hope" and "Change", huh?

[SeattleGirl]

1. You've got that right, MrS.

Sometimes I feel like an outcast because I actually care about people and care about things that matter (to me). I don't walk around with a big cynical chip on my shoulder, and I don't carry a gun loaded with snark. I don't want to (though I can be cynical and snarky if I feel I like it).

[Hannah Bell]

2. i can date the mainstream onset: Saturday Night Live debut 1975.

[question everything]

3. I think that this goes to the Vietnam era when citizens realized

that their government was not telling them the truth. And then Watergate and the dirty tricks.

Even before the Internet we decided that we needed to do know the most intimate details of our candidates and elected officials. And to think that many did not know that FDR was handicapped.

And, yes, the anonymity of the Internet, and the 15 sec of fame on YouTue and twitters - there is no sense of shame, no sense of privacy.

[MrScorpio]

4. No doubt that it predates Reagan, I concede your point

But until this generation one didn't have to be pummeled by it from all angles.

Yep, now it's everywhere.

[anonymous171]

6. The public shock over Vietnam and Watergate was a sign that they were not cynical.

Today's public probably wouldn't bat an eye if Watergate happened. They would just shrug it off as "politicians being politicians."

[Lilyeye]

5. Great post Mr.Scorpio. I often feel this way too. K&R