Hope for cynics The surprising science of human goodness

Jamil Zaki, 198-

Book - 2024

"Runaway cynicism is turning our world into a meaner, sicker place; director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab, Dr. Jamil Zaki, is about to disrupt this narrative. For thousands of years, people have argued about whether humanity is selfish or generous, cruel or kind. In 1972, half of Americans agreed that most people can be trusted; by 2018, that figure had fallen to 30%. Different generations, genders, religions, and political parties can't seem to agree on anything, except, perhaps, on one idea: that human virtue is evaporating. Cynicism is a perfectly understandable response to a world full of injustice, harm, and inequality. But in many cases, cynicism has become the first-or only-tool that people reach for these days. ...It is the psychological hammer of our age, and we are treating others more and more like nails. Knee-jerk cynicism worsens social problems because our beliefs don't just reflect the world-they change it. When we expect people to be awful, we coax awfulness out of them. Cynicism is a disease, with a history, symptoms, and a cure."--

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Subjects
Genres
Informational works
Instructional and educational works
Self-help publications
Published
New York, NY : Grand Central Publishing 2024.
Language
English
Main Author
Jamil Zaki, 198- (author)
Edition
First edition
Physical Description
271 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN
9781538743065
  • Introduction
  • Section I. Unlearning Cynicism
  • Chapter 1. Signs and Symptoms
  • Chapter 2. The Surprising Wisdom of Hope
  • Chapter 3. Preexisting Conditions
  • Chapter 4. Hell Isn't Other People
  • Chapter 5. Escaping the Cynicism Trap
  • Section II. Rediscovering One Another
  • Chapter 6. The (Social) Water Is Just Fine
  • Chapter 7. Building Cultures of Trust
  • Chapter 8. The Fault in Our Fault Lines
  • Section III. The Future of Hope
  • Chapter 9. Building the World We Want
  • Chapter 10. The Optimism of Activism
  • Chapter 11. Our Common Fate
  • Epilogue
  • Acknowledgments
  • Appendix A. A Practical Guide to Hopeful Skepticism
  • Appendix B. Evaluating the Evidence
  • Chapter Claim Ratings
  • Notes
  • Index
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

While the average person's trust in others might be at an all-time low, "people are probably better than you think," according to this illuminating analysis from Stanford psychology professor Zaki (The War for Kindness). Though a cynical outlook is often cast as smart and self-protective, it erodes the "psychological glue that binds us" and prevents cooperation, Zaki contends. On the flip side, a more hopeful attitude recognizes and encourages positive behavior. Corralling a wealth of research, Zaki cautions against falling prey to "negativity bias" by citing a study of 17,000 lost wallets across 40 countries that found most were returned, with rates in some countries reaching 80%. Elsewhere, he discusses a study in which Americans on opposite sides of controversial topics (gun control, abortion) had productive, exploratory conversations that led to a more than 20 point decrease in participants' "dislike of rivals" compared to before the interaction. Championing a "hopeful skepticism" that mixes healthy curiosity with a generally positive view of humanity, Zaki is optimistic about where things stand but doesn't paper over the obstacles to building trust in increasingly divided societies. This will convince readers they don't need to bury their heads in the sand to envision a more hopeful future. (Sept.)

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

A refreshing look at why "people are probably better than you think." Zaki, director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab and self-proclaimed "secret introvert," analyzes his own cynicism along with a variety of social problems exacerbated by a systemic lack of hope. Part memoir, part research project, part love letter to his friend and colleague, the late neuroscientist Emile Bruneau, the book incorporates personal experience, research, interviews, and the author's conversations with Bruneau's wife. In order to become healthier and more productive citizens, cynics must shed their pessimistic ways by seeking what they fundamentally need--i.e., building fruitful relationships through measurable forms of action. Zaki is on a journey to find enlightenment, and he takes readers with him, step by step, offering a persuasive and beautifully mapped-out dialogue between himself and those cynics who are open--albeit skeptically--to his arguments. That skepticism, he writes, is healthier than cynicism, because it leaves room for asking questions, acquiring factual answers, and ultimately giving one a sense of hope about any given situation. Much of the cynicism in the world stems from negativity bias, which is lucrative and purposeful for those spreading lies and misinformation to gain power. In other words, those who capitalize on cynicism have an agenda that is not in the best interest of the general public. As a result, cynics perceive that no one cares; that few people truly enjoy helping others; and that most people avoid evil actions only because they are worried about getting caught. In this uplifting yet never saccharine narrative, Zaki ably combines scientific data with anecdotal evidence to abundantly show how "cynical beliefs eat away at relationships, communities, economies, and society itself"--and why hope is a potent corrective. With both heart and academic rigor, Zaki should persuade many cynics to trust in hope. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.