Yeah exactly, I think cynicism is frighteningly widespread (cynicism about cynicism- where does it end?!?!
) but seriously, I believe that the pessimistic view of human nature that has arisen in recent years has a lot to do with somewhat.....well, isolated economists and social scientists, who have reduced humans to the most base utility calculators to fit their elaborate mathematical models.
Humans are so much more than that, it terms of cognitive ability, our use of information, and societal needs,- we are so much more complex. When we realize that, I think we will be already half way there to ending the most egregious ills of the world.