>A cynic doubts everything for any reason, and usually in spite of the
>facts. A skeptic demands truth and proof. There is a difference. Blind
>optimists usually confuse one for the other..
According to Webster's dictionary, a cynic is someone who is
"contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives."
It is also possible to be skeptical about some things and optimistic about
others. I tend to be skeptical about suggestive "here's what really
happened" stories, and optimistic about the future. IMO, not such a bad
philosophy.
Ira Brodsky
Datacomm Research Company
Wilmette, Illinois