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Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science Of Human Goodness
Cynicism is making us sick; Stanford psychologist Dr Jamil Zaki has the cure - a 'ray of light for dark days' (Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author).
For thousands of years, people have argued about whether humanity is selfish or generous, cruel or kind. But recently, our answers have changed. 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 that they all think human virtue is evaporating.
Cynicism is a perfectly understandable response to a world full of injustice and inequality. But in many cases, cynicism is misplaced. Dozens of studies find that people fail to realise how kind, generous and open-minded others really are. And cynical thinking worsens social problems, because our beliefs don't just interpret 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. Through science and storytelling, Jamil Zaki imparts the secret for beating back hopeful scepticism. This approach doesn't mean putting our faith in every politician or influencer. It means thinking critically about people and our problems, while simultaneously acknowledging and encouraging our strengths. Far from being naïve, hopeful scepticism is a more precise way of understanding others, and paying closer attention re-balances how you think about human nature. As more of us do this, we can take steps towards building the world we truly want.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
For thousands of years, people have argued about whether humanity is selfish or generous, cruel or kind. But recently, our answers have changed. 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 that they all think human virtue is evaporating.
Cynicism is a perfectly understandable response to a world full of injustice and inequality. But in many cases, cynicism is misplaced. Dozens of studies find that people fail to realise how kind, generous and open-minded others really are. And cynical thinking worsens social problems, because our beliefs don't just interpret 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. Through science and storytelling, Jamil Zaki imparts the secret for beating back hopeful scepticism. This approach doesn't mean putting our faith in every politician or influencer. It means thinking critically about people and our problems, while simultaneously acknowledging and encouraging our strengths. Far from being naïve, hopeful scepticism is a more precise way of understanding others, and paying closer attention re-balances how you think about human nature. As more of us do this, we can take steps towards building the world we truly want.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
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Published September 10, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 315 reviews
September 9, 2024
This is easily one of my favorite books of the year, and I can’t recommend it enough. I’m a major cynic, and I went into this book with insane amounts of skepticism. I was thinking, “Alright. Here comes a guy completely disconnected from the real struggles of everyday people who is about to tell readers to look on the bright side.” Halfway through the introduction, I thought, “Damn it. This guy’s making a lot of good points.” Jamil Zaki killed it with this book, and I really hope it gets the attention it deserves.
I think what sold me on the author and allowed me to read with an open mind is that he starts by letting you know that he’s a cynic as well. Throughout the book, he challenges himself but turns to the science and facts to lessen his own cynicism and that of the reader. He also discusses his friend Emile a ton in this book, a fellow “hope researcher” who sadly passed away. Hearing about Emile is truly inspiring.
I have nothing bad to say about this book, but I just wanted to add a little side note for my personal introspection I had throughout.
Reading this book, I realized that I’m less cynical than I thought in certain ways. A lot of this book showcases how most people are naturally good. I haven’t questioned that in a long time since reading Roy Baumeister’s book Evil and learning about his theory of The Myth of Pure Evil. I think most people are good. While they aren’t bad or evil, I think most people are just ignorant. For example, I don’t think the people who stormed the Capitol on January 6th were bad or evil; just insanely ignorant and susceptible to believing misinformation.
But anywho, overall, this book is fantastic. I’m a recovering addict, and the only reason I’m alive today is because I found hope. This book is as much about hope as it is about cynicism, and it’s one I’ll definitely be reading again.
I think what sold me on the author and allowed me to read with an open mind is that he starts by letting you know that he’s a cynic as well. Throughout the book, he challenges himself but turns to the science and facts to lessen his own cynicism and that of the reader. He also discusses his friend Emile a ton in this book, a fellow “hope researcher” who sadly passed away. Hearing about Emile is truly inspiring.
I have nothing bad to say about this book, but I just wanted to add a little side note for my personal introspection I had throughout.
Reading this book, I realized that I’m less cynical than I thought in certain ways. A lot of this book showcases how most people are naturally good. I haven’t questioned that in a long time since reading Roy Baumeister’s book Evil and learning about his theory of The Myth of Pure Evil. I think most people are good. While they aren’t bad or evil, I think most people are just ignorant. For example, I don’t think the people who stormed the Capitol on January 6th were bad or evil; just insanely ignorant and susceptible to believing misinformation.
But anywho, overall, this book is fantastic. I’m a recovering addict, and the only reason I’m alive today is because I found hope. This book is as much about hope as it is about cynicism, and it’s one I’ll definitely be reading again.
October 7, 2024
Any book that completely upsets my worldview has GOTTA get 5 stars.
November 23, 2024
This book advocates for a stance of “hopeful skepticism,” a sort of optimism without naïveté. And while I can get on board with that outlook, I had difficulty getting into this book. It felt a bit disjointed and I felt like the interesting psychological facts were buried under anecdotes that I wasn’t particularly interested in. I think some readers are going to absolutely love this book, and it is, as a whole, well-written. I just don’t think I was the right reader for it.
October 16, 2024
This book is difficult to rate - three stars feels stingy and four feels generous, so let’s call it a 3.5. I was put off by the “neither side listens to each other” posturing peppered throughout. You know, when one (fascist, theocratic) side wins elections on human rights abuses (lest we forget the other isn’t too much better, shutting down any hint of organizing that chips away at American empire - but with a rainbow flag!), listening feels like a pathetic solution? I do believe in human potential, and I care deeply for others - I know successful organizing hinges on these one-on-one interactions - but I don’t think it’s off-base to worry that an elite few power brokers are actually evil. Like, we can’t only listen to each other, we need better political education and also the downfall of capitalism to end historical processes of exploitation. But I digress.
There were several things I liked about this book, though! As a cynic (derogatory), I found reframing hope as a kind of scientific skepticism reassuring. I was also genuinely moved by some of the stories Zaki cites - conversations really can lead to so much good, and I appreciate his focus on community-building. I’m finding it difficult to keep up my political morale these days, but remembering that I simply need to seek better data (in my media diet as well as my social interactions) helps. As Mariame Kaba says, hope is a discipline. I now feel like I have a few tools to further the pursuit of that discipline. Somebody’s got to do this shit, so it may as well be us
There were several things I liked about this book, though! As a cynic (derogatory), I found reframing hope as a kind of scientific skepticism reassuring. I was also genuinely moved by some of the stories Zaki cites - conversations really can lead to so much good, and I appreciate his focus on community-building. I’m finding it difficult to keep up my political morale these days, but remembering that I simply need to seek better data (in my media diet as well as my social interactions) helps. As Mariame Kaba says, hope is a discipline. I now feel like I have a few tools to further the pursuit of that discipline. Somebody’s got to do this shit, so it may as well be us
September 22, 2024
Bought the audiobook after hearing this guy on Huberman. He must have saved his key points for that interview cause everything else in this book is very basic. Ie “social media shows everyone’s highlight reel and Facebook quantifies with likes” is this supposed to be new?
Found the book more depressing than hopeful.
Save your audible credit. Don’t waste your money. Wish I could return it.
Found the book more depressing than hopeful.
Save your audible credit. Don’t waste your money. Wish I could return it.
April 14, 2025
[4.25] I’ve always taken a cynical view of some friends and colleagues who have branded me a chronic cynic. Hence, any book that inspires me to assess my mindset and ponder possible changes merits a high ranking.
Zaki provides a “cynicism scale” early in his user-friendly tome. It’s a simple formula for diagnosing our own levels of cynicism almost as if we would gauge the cooking of a steak (think “medium rare.”) Some friends will smile at my discovery: I’m a cynic on the “well done” side.
What’s the beef about that? “Cynics end up being sadder, sicker, poorer and more wrong,” writes Zaki. And in this digital age dominated by social media and growing polarization, there is growing cynicism.
The author makes a critical distinction between cynicism and skepticism. The latter is a reluctance to believe claims without evidence. Cynicism is a lack of faith in people. He suggests that we can turn cynicism into “hopeful skepticism” by interrupting our chain reactions of negativity.
My 45-year adventures as a journalist and communications professor have given me license to be skeptical — to ferret out evidence before embracing beliefs. But cynicism is a different and destructive animal. Put in basic terms: people are probably better than we think.
The book blends research in psychology with personal insights and anecdotes. It’s filled with thought-provoking life-lessons, some of which I’ll share as footnotes at the end of this review for interested readers. True, many of these tips have been explored in other self-help/personal growth books. Also, some of Zaki’s anecdotes and examples were a bit too drawn out for my liking.
Still, “Hope for Cynics” is one of those rare books that has prodded me to carefully and critically challenge my personal belief systems. Time will tell, but perhaps Zaki has given me some tools for “escaping the cynicism trap.” The book's hopeful theme is clear: The possibility of positive change lives within all of us.
*****
Footnote: Recaps of some life-lessons:
Stop counting and competing through life. To thrive, we need unquantifiable experiences pursued for their own sake (think hobbies).
Shred the “ledger” in your relationships.
“Fact-check” your cynical theories (example: If you view coworkers as selfish, do an experiment. Ask three people for a small favor. If even one person comes through, rethink your theory.)
Retool your brain to view the world as primarily cooperative as opposed to competitive. Cynicism often comes down to mistaken negative assumptions about people.
Practice “savoring,” a practice of noticing the best parts of life. Sometimes simple things such as savoring the taste and texture of ice cream can spur bursts of happiness.
Avoid falling prey to “negativity bias” that leads many of us to routinely overestimate the number of cheaters while ignoring signs of human goodness. Example: multiple studies have determined that a surprising number of lost wallets are returned to their rightful owners.
Practice “earned trust” by trusting people. Research shows that when we set trust expectations high, most people will live up to the expectation. As Ernest Hemingway once said: “The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” The mere act of trusting someone is often a gift that is repaid.
Take steps to avoid isolation and increase social interaction by practicing “encounter counting.” Any time there’s a chance to chat with someone, take that opportunity. Take notes and score them (extremely pleasurable, neutral, extremely unpleasurable, etc.)
Rebalance your media diet by making it a point to visit forums that focus on positive developments versus the needle shower of negative stories.
Zaki provides a “cynicism scale” early in his user-friendly tome. It’s a simple formula for diagnosing our own levels of cynicism almost as if we would gauge the cooking of a steak (think “medium rare.”) Some friends will smile at my discovery: I’m a cynic on the “well done” side.
What’s the beef about that? “Cynics end up being sadder, sicker, poorer and more wrong,” writes Zaki. And in this digital age dominated by social media and growing polarization, there is growing cynicism.
The author makes a critical distinction between cynicism and skepticism. The latter is a reluctance to believe claims without evidence. Cynicism is a lack of faith in people. He suggests that we can turn cynicism into “hopeful skepticism” by interrupting our chain reactions of negativity.
My 45-year adventures as a journalist and communications professor have given me license to be skeptical — to ferret out evidence before embracing beliefs. But cynicism is a different and destructive animal. Put in basic terms: people are probably better than we think.
The book blends research in psychology with personal insights and anecdotes. It’s filled with thought-provoking life-lessons, some of which I’ll share as footnotes at the end of this review for interested readers. True, many of these tips have been explored in other self-help/personal growth books. Also, some of Zaki’s anecdotes and examples were a bit too drawn out for my liking.
Still, “Hope for Cynics” is one of those rare books that has prodded me to carefully and critically challenge my personal belief systems. Time will tell, but perhaps Zaki has given me some tools for “escaping the cynicism trap.” The book's hopeful theme is clear: The possibility of positive change lives within all of us.
*****
Footnote: Recaps of some life-lessons:
Stop counting and competing through life. To thrive, we need unquantifiable experiences pursued for their own sake (think hobbies).
Shred the “ledger” in your relationships.
“Fact-check” your cynical theories (example: If you view coworkers as selfish, do an experiment. Ask three people for a small favor. If even one person comes through, rethink your theory.)
Retool your brain to view the world as primarily cooperative as opposed to competitive. Cynicism often comes down to mistaken negative assumptions about people.
Practice “savoring,” a practice of noticing the best parts of life. Sometimes simple things such as savoring the taste and texture of ice cream can spur bursts of happiness.
Avoid falling prey to “negativity bias” that leads many of us to routinely overestimate the number of cheaters while ignoring signs of human goodness. Example: multiple studies have determined that a surprising number of lost wallets are returned to their rightful owners.
Practice “earned trust” by trusting people. Research shows that when we set trust expectations high, most people will live up to the expectation. As Ernest Hemingway once said: “The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” The mere act of trusting someone is often a gift that is repaid.
Take steps to avoid isolation and increase social interaction by practicing “encounter counting.” Any time there’s a chance to chat with someone, take that opportunity. Take notes and score them (extremely pleasurable, neutral, extremely unpleasurable, etc.)
Rebalance your media diet by making it a point to visit forums that focus on positive developments versus the needle shower of negative stories.
Read
October 1, 2024A quick plug -- if you loved this or even if you want to get a bit of a preview into some of the lessons and evidence Jamil Zaki gets into in the book, I highly recommend the most recent series of episodes of the podcast, "The Happiness Lab" with Laurie Santos. Zaki co-hosts the episodes and discusses some of what is covered (and more!). Highly recommend.
This book was recommended to me by my former graduate school advisor. Though non-fiction is not typically my preference, I really found this helpful and practical. I've often felt immobilized by bad news, and I like the way that Zaki highlights our individual power and encourages readers to lean into community and collective action. I finished the book with practical tips for more productive conversations and facilitating positive change locally.
I do want to highlight some of the criticisms in the reviews below. Specifically that examples often lend themselves to a particular political (left-leaning) slant, which I also noticed. This was particularly frustrating because in many of the original studies, extreme opinions on both sides of the political spectrum are tested and the data often reflects the same effects regardless of political affiliation or leaning of the respondent. But I disagree with the other reviews in that I did not find the examples as preaching or lecturing, and felt that in many instances Zaki highlighted issues that had bi-partisan support but one side or the other believed the opposing side held a more polarizing view than reflected by reality.
This book was recommended to me by my former graduate school advisor. Though non-fiction is not typically my preference, I really found this helpful and practical. I've often felt immobilized by bad news, and I like the way that Zaki highlights our individual power and encourages readers to lean into community and collective action. I finished the book with practical tips for more productive conversations and facilitating positive change locally.
I do want to highlight some of the criticisms in the reviews below. Specifically that examples often lend themselves to a particular political (left-leaning) slant, which I also noticed. This was particularly frustrating because in many of the original studies, extreme opinions on both sides of the political spectrum are tested and the data often reflects the same effects regardless of political affiliation or leaning of the respondent. But I disagree with the other reviews in that I did not find the examples as preaching or lecturing, and felt that in many instances Zaki highlighted issues that had bi-partisan support but one side or the other believed the opposing side held a more polarizing view than reflected by reality.
November 10, 2024
It was more than a little ironic that I finished this book only 5 days after the election. It took me over a month to read it, not because it was poorly written- it is VERY well written - but because I was in absolute stasis the month prior to the election and trying hard to self distract from it by being hyper busy. In truth- I should have read this to prepare myself for the results of Nov. 5. In any case, I find Jamil Zaki’s research and book to be pitch perfect for the days ahead. Hope is not a PollyAnna-ish way of viewing the world nor is it based in emotional delusions. Zaki presents scientific evidence for the reasons to hold hopeful positions and how to turn cynicism into healthy skepticism which lies underneath our ability to see hope and possibilities all around us.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting ideas for navigating the road ahead and for a literary pep talk for the next four years!
“What can an individual do to fight [climate disaster, racism, polarization etc)]? Answer: “Stop being an individual. Teach others about the sublime potential they all have to walk through darkness and spread light. This force is in us and communal. It’s not owned. The best way to activate a communal force is to be a community. That’s why we’re here.”
I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting ideas for navigating the road ahead and for a literary pep talk for the next four years!
“What can an individual do to fight [climate disaster, racism, polarization etc)]? Answer: “Stop being an individual. Teach others about the sublime potential they all have to walk through darkness and spread light. This force is in us and communal. It’s not owned. The best way to activate a communal force is to be a community. That’s why we’re here.”
March 24, 2025
This was good. I got some good tips for changing my cynical ways of thinking. I'm really trying to work on this, and the appendix at the end had concrete strategies we can all do.
September 18, 2025
Cynicism is its own self fulfilling prophecy, he’s right. I feel more optimistic about the world after reading this, but also the burden of the responsibility to do something about it.
April 29, 2025
This book has a message I've been needing to hear, so I'm giving it five stars even if at times it's not presented in the best way.
September 4, 2024
قد تظن أن المعتقدات والقيم أشبه بالشوكولاتة العادية والشوكولاتة الداكنة ــ نكهتان مختلفتان لذات الشيء. ولكن في الواقع، هما مختلفتان تماما. المعتقدات هي افتراضات أو استنتاجات؛ والقيم هي ما يمنح الشخص معنى. وتعكس المعتقدات ما تفكر فيه عن العالم؛ بينما تكشف القيم المزيد عن ذاتك. والخلط بين هذين الأمرين قد يكون عملاً خطيراً. عندما يربط شخص ما قيمته الذاتية بمعتقد ما ــ سياسي أو ديني أو شخصي أو غير ذلك ــ فإنه يحتاج بشدة إلى أن يكون على حق. والتحديات التي تواجه أفكاره تبدو وكأنها تهديدات لطريقة تفكيره ــ دليل على أنه ليس ذكياً أو جيداً بما يكفي.
Jamil Zaki
Hope For Cynics
Translated By #Maher_Razouk
Jamil Zaki
Hope For Cynics
Translated By #Maher_Razouk
May 8, 2025
“I have discovered that most people value compassion over selfishness, that donating money activates similar parts of your brain as eating chocolate, and that helping others through their stress soothes our own. The message of our work is simple: There is good in us, and it does good for us.” Jamil Zaki
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning." Albert Einstein
What a difference fifty years makes. Back in the 1970's, people mostly trusted American institutions and each other. This led to a virtuous cycle of people collaborating and building an economy and government that worked about as well as it ever had. Vietnam, a war in which generals lied about how America was winning against communism only to give up in 1974, was the first big break with trust. Watergate, a scandal that brought down President Richard Nixon after years of lies and sabotage, was the second break. The Civil Rights and Women's Rights movements made people question basic assumptions that had been passed on unquestioningly. Trust in institutions only went downhill from there.
And now here in the 2020's, trust in institutions has hit bottom. Trust in corporations, government, the media, the judicial system and science has dropped below 30% in most cases. Even our most trusted experts- doctors and medicine- suffered a huge drop in trust after the Covid-19 epidemic. According to Pew Research, Americans trust in each other has dropped from 46% in the 70's to 34% now. (and some estimates put it even lower.)
We spend a lot more time on screens being fed algorithms that enrage us about the worst of humanity, much of it made up. Crime is up when it's actually down. People being bad lead the evening news, while those doing good grab little attention. Mind you, many things and people don't deserve to be trusted, and you'd be a fool to think otherwise. But we have to put our trust in something, so how do we figure out what can be trusted and what can't in an age of rising mistrust?
I recently read the book Hope for Cynics, by Jamil Zaki that discusses this very problem. There seems to be less of a stigma tied to lying and cheating, and fewer consequences. This has led to a growing amount of cynicism that everything is bad and can't be trusted, so why bother doing the right thing or hoping for improvements? It's very easy to be cynical. That's the lazy way to exist amongst such negativity.
This book is about hope, which is the antidote to cynicism. Hope points a way to a better level of existence. Cynics discount hope as unrealistic. But as the author of this book points out, we agree on much more than we disagree on. In this polarized world, most people believe in a decent level of government services and taxation, even as government is demonized by those who profit from its shrinkage. Most believe in science and the challenges it tries to tackle in the 21st century- climate change, public health, and how to best deal with an aging population.
The first half of the book is fairly depressing as the author lays out the ways we are losing trust in each other and the future. She tries mightily in the last section to present stories of those who made a difference and took the risks that are needed to establish trust and cooperation. In order to get trust from others, we must give trust first. Employers have to treat their employees as valued and trusted collaborators, and not as greedy, lazy money suckers who need to be ranked and yanked every so often. Those at the bottom of the economy need to be treated with some sort of dignity if we want them to succeed, rather than shaming and blaming them at every opportunity while starving them of opportunities.
Negativity bias is at the heart of cynicism. We think the worst of others in order to feel better about ourselves. But other people aren't the enemy, and tribalism only results in a race to the bottom of hate and division. The author doesn't exactly present how to overcome negativity bias, but the first step is always recognizing that it's there.
There are always stories of people out there who help me keep faith in humanity. One resource I learned from this book is Reasons to Be Cheerful, a wonderful website full of stories of people around the world who are making a positive difference. Other worthwhile resources include the Random Acts of Kindness group and Greater Good Magazine.
Embrace the world with both curiosity and skepticism. Look for the good, but be prepared for the few bad actors out there. Most people want to trust and be trusted, to love and be loved. We can't let the haters and cynics divide us anymore. There is too much at stake for a future that is coming whether we believe in it or not.
The author of Hope For Cynics admits that he was mostly inspired by the work Emile Bruneau, an inspiring figure himself. Bruneau was the "founder of the Peace and Conflict Neuroscience Lab at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication, has worked to find actionable strategies for healing the divisions between groups such as Israelis and Palestinians, Democrats and Republicans, Muslims and non-Muslims, Hungarians and Roma, Colombians and the FARC, and many others. His mission is to "put science to work for peace." He died of brain cancer at age 47 but inspired all whose lives he touched.
Apparently, hope, like cynicism is contagious. Here's hoping that even in times such as these we all strive to be beacons of hope and not harbingers of doom.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning." Albert Einstein
What a difference fifty years makes. Back in the 1970's, people mostly trusted American institutions and each other. This led to a virtuous cycle of people collaborating and building an economy and government that worked about as well as it ever had. Vietnam, a war in which generals lied about how America was winning against communism only to give up in 1974, was the first big break with trust. Watergate, a scandal that brought down President Richard Nixon after years of lies and sabotage, was the second break. The Civil Rights and Women's Rights movements made people question basic assumptions that had been passed on unquestioningly. Trust in institutions only went downhill from there.
And now here in the 2020's, trust in institutions has hit bottom. Trust in corporations, government, the media, the judicial system and science has dropped below 30% in most cases. Even our most trusted experts- doctors and medicine- suffered a huge drop in trust after the Covid-19 epidemic. According to Pew Research, Americans trust in each other has dropped from 46% in the 70's to 34% now. (and some estimates put it even lower.)
We spend a lot more time on screens being fed algorithms that enrage us about the worst of humanity, much of it made up. Crime is up when it's actually down. People being bad lead the evening news, while those doing good grab little attention. Mind you, many things and people don't deserve to be trusted, and you'd be a fool to think otherwise. But we have to put our trust in something, so how do we figure out what can be trusted and what can't in an age of rising mistrust?
I recently read the book Hope for Cynics, by Jamil Zaki that discusses this very problem. There seems to be less of a stigma tied to lying and cheating, and fewer consequences. This has led to a growing amount of cynicism that everything is bad and can't be trusted, so why bother doing the right thing or hoping for improvements? It's very easy to be cynical. That's the lazy way to exist amongst such negativity.
This book is about hope, which is the antidote to cynicism. Hope points a way to a better level of existence. Cynics discount hope as unrealistic. But as the author of this book points out, we agree on much more than we disagree on. In this polarized world, most people believe in a decent level of government services and taxation, even as government is demonized by those who profit from its shrinkage. Most believe in science and the challenges it tries to tackle in the 21st century- climate change, public health, and how to best deal with an aging population.
The first half of the book is fairly depressing as the author lays out the ways we are losing trust in each other and the future. She tries mightily in the last section to present stories of those who made a difference and took the risks that are needed to establish trust and cooperation. In order to get trust from others, we must give trust first. Employers have to treat their employees as valued and trusted collaborators, and not as greedy, lazy money suckers who need to be ranked and yanked every so often. Those at the bottom of the economy need to be treated with some sort of dignity if we want them to succeed, rather than shaming and blaming them at every opportunity while starving them of opportunities.
Negativity bias is at the heart of cynicism. We think the worst of others in order to feel better about ourselves. But other people aren't the enemy, and tribalism only results in a race to the bottom of hate and division. The author doesn't exactly present how to overcome negativity bias, but the first step is always recognizing that it's there.
There are always stories of people out there who help me keep faith in humanity. One resource I learned from this book is Reasons to Be Cheerful, a wonderful website full of stories of people around the world who are making a positive difference. Other worthwhile resources include the Random Acts of Kindness group and Greater Good Magazine.
Embrace the world with both curiosity and skepticism. Look for the good, but be prepared for the few bad actors out there. Most people want to trust and be trusted, to love and be loved. We can't let the haters and cynics divide us anymore. There is too much at stake for a future that is coming whether we believe in it or not.
The author of Hope For Cynics admits that he was mostly inspired by the work Emile Bruneau, an inspiring figure himself. Bruneau was the "founder of the Peace and Conflict Neuroscience Lab at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication, has worked to find actionable strategies for healing the divisions between groups such as Israelis and Palestinians, Democrats and Republicans, Muslims and non-Muslims, Hungarians and Roma, Colombians and the FARC, and many others. His mission is to "put science to work for peace." He died of brain cancer at age 47 but inspired all whose lives he touched.
Apparently, hope, like cynicism is contagious. Here's hoping that even in times such as these we all strive to be beacons of hope and not harbingers of doom.
November 10, 2024
It's (understandably) a little US-centric but feels like it should be essential reading. It could so easily have become a fluffy bundle of self-help "truisms" but instead opts for real world examples. It was a little challenging to read because honestly, there's a real temptation to write it off (How can something that flies in the face of our natural tendency to cynicism be real?), but that's kind of the whole point.
I was wavering around 4 stars, but the section at the end attempting to provide some weight on the scientific claims and studies almost cinched the extra one. A little transparency goes a long way.
I was wavering around 4 stars, but the section at the end attempting to provide some weight on the scientific claims and studies almost cinched the extra one. A little transparency goes a long way.
xx-dnf-skim-reference
December 24, 2024Tried it, but it's not the right thing for me; I prefer The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times. But anything that can convince cynical people not to give up on working for a better future is a Good Thing.
Dec. 2024
Dec. 2024
April 26, 2025
Read this book. If you want to feel better about the state of the world and your ability to trust in others, read this book. The world is safer than we realize, and the people more trustworthy than we believe. More people agree on solutions that we often consider wedge issues and dealbreakers than we realize. The data presented in this book are enlightening and incredibly useful in these times that can feel hopeless. The book helps to show that the people we think we know everything about are often very different from our cynical expectations, notably "political rivals." The book gives a guide for becoming a hopeful skeptic and pathways towards trust and openness with people who may vote differently than we did in the last election. The story about a group of people organizing around ending gerrymandering in Michigan was particularly inspiring, learning that the group was made of the reddest of red voters and the bluest of blue, finding that they agreed that gerrymandering was wrong and needed to end in their state. Don't skip on the appendices either. I am a psychologist and had previously been familiar with Dr. Zaki's scientific publications before reading his book, and I was pleasantly surprised by just how approachable the book was to read. Many of the people I work with (of both major parties in the US) have been upset by their perceptions of a changing political landscape and have grown more cynical of their neighbors, friends, and family who may support a different political party than their own. This book helps to bridge gaps and find common ground where we may feel like it does not exist. Dr. Zaki’s personal stories help to show what is possible when we look at real data, work to recognize and reduce negativity bias, and look at world history to find hope in times that feel dark.
January 5, 2025
I loved this book! Hearing the science behind the goodness of people felt like a helpful antidote for the constant influx of negative news we ingest every day. This feels like it would be a good annual read. It’s going to encourage me to expect positive interactions and outcomes, because if I think something is going to go well, it’s actually more likely to go well! Wild.
April 27, 2025
I loved this book so much that I listened to it twice because I wanted to make sure I got it all. I do not think I am a dreadful cynic but I vow to work on any cynical ideas that have crept into my brain! I now follow the author on Instagram.
December 19, 2024
This book was written in a way that really grabs the attention of cynics like me. It made me calm down and think about stuff I already knew but almost willfully ignored. Humanity is not as bad as it seems. Bad things do happen, but negatively framed media makes it seem so much worse. This is purposeful; keeping the masses angry and disenfranchised helps keep things as they are. When people get beaten down enough, they lose hope, which is exactly what the system wants. A lack of hope means a lack of change. Zaki gives some great tools on how to change the way cynics think. Skepticism is the way to fight cynicism. Instead of automatically assuming the worst in people, give them the benefit of the doubt, and remember that everyone is different; just because you got screwed over once doesn't mean it'll happen again.
This book gave me a lot to think about and made me clean out my socials.
This book gave me a lot to think about and made me clean out my socials.
November 10, 2025
highly recommend this book for anyone else who would classify themselves as a cynic….. this is an awesome SCIENCE-BASED(!!!) book on hope!!!
March 2, 2025
Read this book! It will set you up to handle these next 4 years with some useful tools. Seriously.
March 17, 2025
This book is so timely. I needed to read it and I suspect I’m not alone. It’s an antidote to the doomscroll and the scaremongering news while also being a catalyst for kindness, trust, and activism.
October 15, 2024
As a non-American I found that this book did not really talk to me. Half of the book is centred around resolving the current antipathy between Democrats and Republicans, or how messed up and cynical the American system is. That is not at all the kind of book I was expecting. I actually downloaded and read the free sample on Kindle before ordering the book. It sounded promising. I've been struggling with anxiety, depression and a general sense of hopelessness about where the world was heading for several years. I've been called cynical by many people, but according to this book I am a sceptic, not a cynic. I don't believe that most people are inherently bad, dishonest or selfish. I believe that a minority is, but that their impact is disproportionate. I can usually read people quite well. My default mode is neutral but I quickly know if I can trust someone or not. Most people are ok. However I do think that a lot of people are stupid and ignorant and not really willing to learn and improve themselves, and that is part of the reason for some of the world's problem. In other words this book did not give me hope. Just being reminded how ignorant most Americans are regarding other Americans just made me more depressed. For example on page 132 the author says that "Democrats think 44 percent of Republicans earn more than $250,000 a year". How could it be the case when less than 2% of Americans earn that kind of salary? That's an example of just how stupid people are and how easy they can be manipulated.
October 6, 2024
A social science/self-helpy book that actually zips along and holds a reader’s interest with enough detail and data.
April 22, 2025
DNF! I wanted to like this, but this was sooo boring (at least for me). Felt more like a memoir for his friend who passed...
October 14, 2025
I saw this at the airport Tattered Cover and immediately added it to my list. In these trying political times, where opening the news is wearying, this was a much needed breath of fresh air. It was a quick, breezy, and enjoyable read that has good insights and some compelling data and arguments.
Written partially as a non-fiction account and partially as a tribute to his late friend Emile (who is frequently mentioned), the book tells the story of a positive (almost radically so) view of the world, in contrast with the seemingly prevailing cynicism which Zaki argues isn’t as common as it may appear.
Zaki defines and dismantles the logic behind cynicism, arguing that it ultimately closes us off and reduces the potential for positive outcomes. As someone who is pretty cynical on a global level but hopeful in individual interactions, this spoke to me and gave me good perspective on the upward march of humanity. I could recognize negativity in some of my thought patterns and felt affirmed in others where I display trust and personalization.
Zaki also argues that more people are good than we give credit for, and that we have more common ground than we think. His concept of the social shark attack is relatable and compelling, and provides an actionable framework. Because I tended to agree with his thesis, not all of these points were super commanding to me, but I did appreciate the argumentation.
The book was very well-written and had an excellent and approachable tone, however I took issue with the references. The references were not footnotes, and there was no easy way to view the specific details (as I hate notes at the end starting with the first line of a sentence). As a result, this likely well-researched book felt softer than it was because it was all paraphrased and lacked concrete citations.
I found this to be a beautifully written tribute to Emile and a refreshing breath of fresh air to read. At just over 200 pages, it is quick and easy. I liked the relaxed tone interesting perspectives, however really loathed the reference style. It also began to feel a bit repetitive by the end, so I think it was the perfect length.
3.5 stars rounded down to 3. I doubt I will remember any specific details in the absence of the citations, but the overall message added to my resolve to stay radically positive and was feel good in the moment.
Written partially as a non-fiction account and partially as a tribute to his late friend Emile (who is frequently mentioned), the book tells the story of a positive (almost radically so) view of the world, in contrast with the seemingly prevailing cynicism which Zaki argues isn’t as common as it may appear.
Zaki defines and dismantles the logic behind cynicism, arguing that it ultimately closes us off and reduces the potential for positive outcomes. As someone who is pretty cynical on a global level but hopeful in individual interactions, this spoke to me and gave me good perspective on the upward march of humanity. I could recognize negativity in some of my thought patterns and felt affirmed in others where I display trust and personalization.
Zaki also argues that more people are good than we give credit for, and that we have more common ground than we think. His concept of the social shark attack is relatable and compelling, and provides an actionable framework. Because I tended to agree with his thesis, not all of these points were super commanding to me, but I did appreciate the argumentation.
The book was very well-written and had an excellent and approachable tone, however I took issue with the references. The references were not footnotes, and there was no easy way to view the specific details (as I hate notes at the end starting with the first line of a sentence). As a result, this likely well-researched book felt softer than it was because it was all paraphrased and lacked concrete citations.
I found this to be a beautifully written tribute to Emile and a refreshing breath of fresh air to read. At just over 200 pages, it is quick and easy. I liked the relaxed tone interesting perspectives, however really loathed the reference style. It also began to feel a bit repetitive by the end, so I think it was the perfect length.
3.5 stars rounded down to 3. I doubt I will remember any specific details in the absence of the citations, but the overall message added to my resolve to stay radically positive and was feel good in the moment.
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October 13, 2024my whole life ppl have said i’m either too cynical or too naive! while i’ve been a self-proclaimed optimist, i’ve never vibed with the idea of “everything will work out” or “meant to be.” i don’t like the inaction it implies, i think good things happen because people make active choices, often in spite of difficult circumstances! after reading this book i’m so happy to find a title i identify with more (and it’s not just me being pedantic) – “hopeful skepticism!” skepticism itself is quite morally neutral, simply questioning the claims rather than assuming they’re right/wrong or good/bad. the “hopeful” part just represents our desire for things/people to be good – we can be skeptics and question everything yet still choose to see/do good. AND there’s so much evidence behind it!
i think everyone should be aware of the “cynical genius illusion,” the idea that cynical are smarter than non-cynical, and instead consider what stuck out to me: if you think everyone is lying to you, how can you actually be good at discerning who the real liars are?
more generally, if you assume the worst in people, how can you let people prove you wrong? people often treat you how you treat them. it’s all a big game of prisoner’s dilemma. not to simplify life too much, but maybe we’d all be better off if we adopt a generous tit for tat (gtft) strategy. that’s what the research says, at least!
might be back in my non-fiction era bc this did a lot for meeeeee.
i think everyone should be aware of the “cynical genius illusion,” the idea that cynical are smarter than non-cynical, and instead consider what stuck out to me: if you think everyone is lying to you, how can you actually be good at discerning who the real liars are?
more generally, if you assume the worst in people, how can you let people prove you wrong? people often treat you how you treat them. it’s all a big game of prisoner’s dilemma. not to simplify life too much, but maybe we’d all be better off if we adopt a generous tit for tat (gtft) strategy. that’s what the research says, at least!
might be back in my non-fiction era bc this did a lot for meeeeee.
November 21, 2024
Jamil Zaki’s Hope for Cynics is an intriguing exploration of cynicism—what it is, how it shapes our lives, and whether it can be transformed into something more constructive. Zaki provides a strong foundation, distinguishing cynicism from related concepts like skepticism or pessimism, and offers actionable suggestions for reframing cynical perspectives. The book starts off compellingly, blending research, anecdotes, and practical advice to encourage readers to question their assumptions and find a more balanced outlook.
Midway, however, the focus shifts toward broader global issues like climate change and political unrest. While these topics are relevant to the cynicism many feel today, the transition feels abrupt, steering the narrative away from the personal and psychological focus established earlier. For some, this shift might add depth, but for me, it overshadowed the original premise of the book.
Despite this, Hope for Cynics is a thought-provoking read that I would recommend to anyone grappling with cynicism. It provides valuable insights into breaking free from a cycle of negativity, even if the later chapters may resonate differently depending on the reader’s perspective. For those willing to navigate the shift in focus, Zaki’s work offers both hope and practical wisdom.
Midway, however, the focus shifts toward broader global issues like climate change and political unrest. While these topics are relevant to the cynicism many feel today, the transition feels abrupt, steering the narrative away from the personal and psychological focus established earlier. For some, this shift might add depth, but for me, it overshadowed the original premise of the book.
Despite this, Hope for Cynics is a thought-provoking read that I would recommend to anyone grappling with cynicism. It provides valuable insights into breaking free from a cycle of negativity, even if the later chapters may resonate differently depending on the reader’s perspective. For those willing to navigate the shift in focus, Zaki’s work offers both hope and practical wisdom.
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May 9, 2025Obviously what this book is saying isn’t anything new. But there were some useful tidbits that pretty much are reworked and adapted to the current timeline we live in. I particularly liked the sections about asset-based reporting, reframing the way we view calling out people’s actions (via shaming) with a more empathetic “calling in” approach, and questioning zero-sum thinking that most people who choose to have kids unknowingly perpetuate generation after generation. I myself have cynically viewed the world the exact same way the author describes, and surprisingly, I did feel like I took a lot away from it. The part about the rat race in academia perpetuating a culture of cynical competition felt all too real.
I think on the surface his mindset leans very California liberal - the cynism he describes almost exclusively focuses on social anxiety, societal distrust of the poor and disabled, cheating in schools, the us political divide, and environmentalism. So I think his specific examples are also limited to a very niche type of person and lived experience. His relationship with his friend and academic colleague who has passed away was touching; at the same time, it felt like he was trying to portray this man as a model for living. But not everyone thinks this way or would ever want to go to a Montessori school (lol).
I think on the surface his mindset leans very California liberal - the cynism he describes almost exclusively focuses on social anxiety, societal distrust of the poor and disabled, cheating in schools, the us political divide, and environmentalism. So I think his specific examples are also limited to a very niche type of person and lived experience. His relationship with his friend and academic colleague who has passed away was touching; at the same time, it felt like he was trying to portray this man as a model for living. But not everyone thinks this way or would ever want to go to a Montessori school (lol).
April 21, 2025
4.5 stars.
First of all, this did help to remind me that the world isn’t as broken as social media click bait articles want and need you to believe.
I enjoyed that it provided a lot of small and actionable steps on ways to reframe your mind and to create connections.
That being said, it could’ve really pushed more into the how we create community, which is something I think as a society we really lack. Maybe this could be the follow on book topic.
I really enjoyed the interwoven, personal story, scientific fact, and small vignettes
It really humanized a very scary topic. It also isn’t super exciting to go through a list of facts.
I learned that I was not a cynic through this book but like many people have cynic tendencies, which hurt hurt me in the way that I show up for myself and other people
I will say the .5 is because the final chapter on climate change was sad to hear that the only real thing is to hope (this is to encourage you to take actions, but honestly, I just was a little letdown when I think about the future. The author admits that he is as well quoting that he is also a doomer many days).
First of all, this did help to remind me that the world isn’t as broken as social media click bait articles want and need you to believe.
I enjoyed that it provided a lot of small and actionable steps on ways to reframe your mind and to create connections.
That being said, it could’ve really pushed more into the how we create community, which is something I think as a society we really lack. Maybe this could be the follow on book topic.
I really enjoyed the interwoven, personal story, scientific fact, and small vignettes
It really humanized a very scary topic. It also isn’t super exciting to go through a list of facts.
I learned that I was not a cynic through this book but like many people have cynic tendencies, which hurt hurt me in the way that I show up for myself and other people
I will say the .5 is because the final chapter on climate change was sad to hear that the only real thing is to hope (this is to encourage you to take actions, but honestly, I just was a little letdown when I think about the future. The author admits that he is as well quoting that he is also a doomer many days).
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