It feels like the majority of cynical and sarcastic / ironic statements are cloaked attempts at signalling how authentic a person is. Conveying idealism and trust is expensive, cynicism is cheap.
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Replying to @Meta_Aesthetic
What are some of the cheapest ways to convey idealism?
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Replying to @aaron_etc
Idealism on its own can be "cheap," in that children can believe in things like the triumph of good over evil without a second thought. What makes it expensive is the vulnerability required to convince people that you actually have an affirmative and positive view of the world.
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Replying to @Meta_Aesthetic @aaron_etc
It's hard to trust social signals that are cheap (cue the common insult of "virtue signaling" that is bandied about to describe not truly caring about a cause or ideal). Cynicism seems to bypass this concern—you don't hear people accuse others of "vice signaling" nearly as often.
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Replying to @Meta_Aesthetic @aaron_etc
I suppose the cheapest way to be idealistic is more of a stance or constant preparation to back up your views with evidence: have you taken the risk of trusting others, accepted the consequences (both negative and positive), and persisted without becoming Pollyanna-ish?
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Replying to @Meta_Aesthetic @aaron_etc
I wish I had a truly “cheap” or simple answer to this stuff, but I hope that answers your prompt or gives you something interesting to consider!
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Replying to @Meta_Aesthetic
It does, thank you. You said that the typical cynical/sarcastic/ironic statement is cheap talk; it proves almost nothing about the speaker's real attitude. I thought: Isn't that also true of idealistic/optimistic statements? I was curious if you thought differently.
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Replying to @aaron_etc @Meta_Aesthetic
If I understand you correctly, you agree that the typical idealistic statement is cheap talk. You said, reasonably, that we can more convincingly signal idealism by actually trusting others, exposing ourselves to risk. But it's unfair to compare this to mere cynical talk.
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Replying to @aaron_etc @Meta_Aesthetic
Because someone can convincingly signal cynicism by rejecting opportunities requiring trust, thereby forgoing potential reward. It seems like that's the right thing to compare to costly idealism-signaling via trusting others.
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Replying to @aaron_etc
Ah, that would be a more accurate comparison. My impression of cynicism (which may be my own confirmation bias) is that it has been the shared operating context for many people, and therefore even "cheap cynicism" feels relatable and trustworthy
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It's also true that idealism can be shallow and obscure truth. In general, it is harder to signal any truth or discern it in social contexts (once again could just be my difficulties with socializing speaking).
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Replying to @Meta_Aesthetic
Yes, I'm very open to the idea that, while cynical talk and idealistic talk are both in the same cheap ballpark, cynical talk is cheaper.
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