Nancy Huntting, Aesthetic Realism consultant, writes:

The new issue of TRO, “About Cynicism—& Its Beautiful Opponent,” explains in a thrilling way one of the toughest subjects. Is there any state of mind that’s keener, wiser, more powerful than cynicism? Yes, you’ll learn, including through a vivid account by a contemporary man. You’ll learn what cynicism comes from in the self—and also how every good artwork opposes it. All this—with honesty, depth, and kindness—is in the magnificent new issue of The Right of Aesthetic Realism to Be Known.

The commentary by Ellen Reiss begins:

Dear Unknown Friends:

This issue of TRO is about cynicism. There is an article by Aesthetic Realism consultant Jeffrey Carduner, from a paper he presented at an Aesthetic Realism public seminar titled “Does a Man’s Cynicism Make Him Stronger or Weaker?” Our subject, cynicism, is very immediate. As one sees injustice seeming to succeed, democracy itself in peril, lies having large power on a national scale, and a pandemic continuing, it is very easy to go for cynicism. But it’s also very foolish. And I am happy to say: Aesthetic Realism shows there is an alternative to cynicism, an alternative that’s honest, intelligent, efficient, and, in fact, beautiful—while cynicism is dishonest, unintelligent, inefficient, and ugly.

What is cynicism? What causes it? You’ll see, Jeffrey Carduner quotes Eli Siegel speaking greatly on the subject. But for now we can say: cynicism is the feeling that, fundamentally, evil is stronger than good, and will win.

People think the cause of their cynicism is the facts. Aesthetic Realism shows that the cause of one’s cynicism is one’s desire for contempt, the desire to get “a false importance or glory from the lessening of things not oneself.” And contempt is the most hurtful thing in every human mind….Read more