Hope for Cynics
The Surprising Science of Human Goodness
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Narrated by:
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Jamil Zaki
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Written by:
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Jamil Zaki
About this listen
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, only a third did. 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, it is misplaced. Dozens of studies find that people fail to realize how kind, generous, and open-minded others really are. Cynical thinking worsens social problems, because our beliefs don’t just interpret the world—they change it. When we expect the worst in people, we often bring it 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 cynicism: hopeful skepticism. 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 skepticism 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 NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2024 Jamil Zaki (P)2024 Grand Central PublishingWhat the critics say
“I can’t imagine a more timely topic. Hope is a skill, and one of my favorite psychologists has written its playbook. A Case For Hope is grounded in fascinating research yet deeply personal, with an outstanding practical appendix of ‘try this’ tips for escaping the snare of cynicism.”—Angela Duckworth, author of the New York Times bestseller Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
“If you think hope is naïve and cynicism is wise, get ready to think again. Jamil Zaki is at the forefront of the science of beliefs, and he shows that refusing to see possibility makes it impossible to solve problems. This book is a ray of light for dark days.”—Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Potential and Think Again, and host of the podcast Re:Thinking
"There has always been an emotional case for hope, but now there is a rational one. Jamil Zaki’s new book is beautiful, wise, and important—a sensible, scientific, and much-needed tonic for what ails us.”—Daniel Gilbert, author of the New York Times best-seller Stumbling on Happiness
What listeners say about Hope for Cynics
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Anonymous User
- 2024-09-23
Was hoping for more
Bought this with my monthly credit after hearing the author on Huberman lab. I think he must have saved all the interesting points backed by scientific studies for that interview. I’m about Three hours in now and ready to give up, Poorly written (disjointed and basic) and so far more depressing than hopeful.
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- Anonymous User
- 2024-10-06
good message, not concisely written.
One of those books with good ideas but also it could've been 75% shorter. That's the job of the writer - to delete the fluff out of his / her final writing. This book failed at implementing that step.
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- Anonymous User
- 2024-10-17
Dated Covid/vaccine information
The author repeatedly dips into content regarding the vaccine with dated and incorrect information. He also later brings up crime rates declining in the U.S. which also recently was debunked because the top 5 most crime riddled cities were not included in the studies.
Overall not a bad listen but it's imperative that you remain vigilant in your study!
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