"...cynicism is a sorry kind of wisdom..."
"...this is what change looks like when it happens from the ground up..."
"We will invest in you, but we'll ask you to invest in your country."
"It’s time to stand up and reach for what’s possible, because together, people who love their country can change it."
"The politics of hope does not mean hoping things come easy. Because nothing worthwhile in this country has ever happened unless somebody, somewhere stood up when it was hard; stood up when they were told – no you can’t, and said yes we can."
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5 comments:
I disagree with his cynicism sentiment, but i'm sure he meant to say pessimism.
Cynicism can be a brilliant philosophical tool.
His third quote is very JFK-esque in the "ask not what your country can do for you..." kind of way.
I, for one, am very tired of cynicism.
In the quote that sounded like JFK, Obama was talking about a tax credit up to $4,000 for tuition and books for college students, if they volunteer or work in community service. I don't know the details, but here's from the speech:
"That’s why I’ll make college affordable with an annual $4,000 tax credit if you’re willing to do community service, or national service. We will invest in you, but we’ll ask you to invest in your country."
yeah, i definitely see a big difference between cynicism and a healthy dose of skepticism or simple questioning.
nothing wrong with asking questions, but i definitely think it's unfortunate if your first response to every situation is doubt or distrust. or this from wiki, "Currently, the word 'cynicism' generally describes the opinions of those who maintain that self-interest is the primary motive of human behaviour, and are disinclined to rely upon sincerity, human virtue, or altruism as motivations"
I guess I prefer to operate with a different kind of cynicism than that Ed. I was thinking more of the satire, and biting commentary that lead to questioning of status quo.
Also from Wiki:
"Nearly 2000 years after Greek philosophers embraced cynicism, 17th and 18th century writers such as Shakespeare, Swift, and Voltaire used irony, sarcasm, and satire to ridicule human conduct and revive cynicism."
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