1 | [[quoteright:220:[[ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ch_20.png]]]] |
2 | |
3 | ->''"The pessimist sees a dark tunnel;\ |
4 | The optimist sees a light at the end of the tunnel;\ |
5 | The realist sees ''two'' lights at the end of the tunnel,\ |
6 | and the engineer sees three idiots standing on the rails."'' |
7 | -->-- '''[[GermanHumour German joke]]''' |
8 | |
9 | Can ThePowerOfFriendship save the day? Or [[ViolenceIsTheOnlyOption Is Violence the Only Option]]? |
10 | |
11 | The answer depends on where the series falls in the Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism. |
12 | |
13 | A story can be idealistic or cynical towards any idea. In general, if the story values or is hopeful for a particular ideal, then it is idealistic. If the story criticizes, assaults, and [[AccentuateTheNegative accentuates the negative]] about that expectation, then it is cynical. |
14 | |
15 | For a simple, archetypal example, let's assume that the idea to believe in is HumansAreGood[=/=]RousseauWasRight. In idealistic series, [[FriendToAllLivingThings those who believed it]] got [[ThePowerOfFriendship lots of friends]] and a HappyEnding (therefore, RightMakesMight), while cynical series are {{Crapsack World}}s where [[WideEyedIdealist those who believed it]] got [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer ruthlessly bullied]] by [[HumansAreBastards everyone else]] (therefore, MightMakesRight). Of course, the definitions of "Right" and "Crapsack" in the above can technically mean whatever one wants them to mean. |
16 | |
17 | However, be careful not to confuse idealism with [[WideEyedIdealist straw optimism]], cynicism with [[StrawNihilist straw]] [[TheEeyore pessimism]] (let alone realism, for that matter), and the scale as a whole with the SlidingScaleOfSillinessVersusSeriousness. Also note that when this applies to characters, this does not mean good or evil. After all, it's perfectly possible for an idealist to be [[KnightTemplar evil]], and a cynic to be [[KnightInSourArmor good]]. Likewise, a very cynical series could be quite [[LighterAndSofter lighthearted]] (see also: CrapsaccharineWorld), conversely a very idealistic series could be extremely [[DarkerAndEdgier dark]]. It's also true that [[BlackComedy comedies]] can be cynical as all hell (see also: {{Satire}}), and dark dramas can be consistently [[EarnYourHappyEnding idealistic]] throughout (see also: AWorldHalfFull). |
18 | |
19 | See also: TheIdealist and TheCynic for the archetypal characters. Less sane characters fit in this scale in their own way, with a {{Cloudcuckoolander}} or a LoonWithAHeartOfGold leaning towards the Idealism side. For how both sides often portray each other, see WideEyedIdealist[=/=]SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids, and SillyRabbitCynicismIsForLosers. See CynicismTropes, and IdealismTropes for lists of each. |
20 | |
21 | This particular sliding scale can be the topic of fierce debate. Each person will have a different point which they tend towards. Therefore, this scale is most useful in targeting demographics and those who are sympathetic to a certain world view, and identifying where on the spectrum one's own work is. |
22 | |
23 | CerebusSyndrome describes a shift from comedy to drama and this often also results in a shift from idealism to cynicism. ReverseCerebusSyndrome is the inversion. When shows [[ZigZaggingTrope Zig Zag]] between the two, they're on a CerebusRollerCoaster. |
24 | |
25 | [[noreallife]] |
26 | ---- |
27 | !!Examples: |
28 | [[index]] |
29 | * SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism/AnimatedFilms |
30 | * SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism/AnimeAndManga |
31 | * SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism/ComicBooks |
32 | * SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism/FanWorks |
33 | * SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism/{{Film}} |
34 | * SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism/{{Literature}} |
35 | * SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism/LiveActionTV |
36 | * SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism/{{Music}} |
37 | * SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism/NewspaperComics |
38 | * SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism/RecordedAndStandUpComedy |
39 | * SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism/TabletopGames |
40 | * SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism/{{Theatre}} |
41 | * SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism/VideoGames |
42 | * SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism/VisualNovels |
43 | * SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism/{{Webcomics}} |
44 | * SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism/WebOriginal |
45 | * SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism/WesternAnimation |
46 | [[/index]] |
47 |
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