Cynical: Overcoming America's New Mindset with Seven Principles of Hope and Humanity

By Aaron L. Jackson

What has happened to America? Over the past several years, our nation has seen a drastic decline in general civility, connection, and culture. Collectively, we are tired, angry, anxious, defensive, enraged, and alone. Suicide is up. Confidence is down. Morale is depleted. Solving this problem is a personal and societal issue. As near-peer competitors continue to rise in global power and prestige, it is also a major national security concern.
What is the problem? America is cynical. Massively cynical. We often witness the toxic exchanges that form the backbone of modern-day cynicism, but we do not understand what cynicism truly is and why it is so dangerous to our families, our workplaces, our neighborhoods, and ourselves.
Every problem demands at least one solution, and Aaron Jackson delivers seven. Dubbed the Seven C's, Aaron discusses the importance of creating cause, deepening connections, allowing communication, finding commonality, embracing conflict, demonstrating courage, and changing the culture as principles for eliminating the cynical mindset currently sweeping across America. He then provides practical ways to incorporate each of the Seven C's into our daily circles (i.e., the home, the workplace, and the neighborhood) with the goal of being the change we desperately need today.
With tragic statistics, engaging stories, funny anecdotes, and a spirit of hope and triumph, Aaron brilliantly discusses the silent threat currently facing our nation. This book sheds light on the new mindset that has taken over America and provides seven leadership solutions, rooted in hope and humanity, to overcome our nation's current, cynical state.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: May 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9798350947687

Aaron L. Jackson

Aaron Jackson is an attorney, author, speaker, and retired military service member. Passionate about people and organizations, Aaron strives each day to bring groups and ideas together to find new ways to solve the toughest problems. As a distinguished graduate from the United States Air Force Academy, Aaron delivered this same passion, energy, and purpose throughout a highly successful career as an officer and attorney in the United States Air Force. During his 20-year military career, Aaron enjoyed a wide range of experiences serving as a federal prosecutor, military defense attorney, head of legal operations for an international humanitarian exercise in the jungles of Panama, assistant professor at the United States Air Force Academy, General Counsel for a deployed combat fighter wing in the Middle East, legal counsel for the Pentagon's launch of the United States Space Force, and General Counsel for the U.S. Air Force's most highly decorated combat wing since the Vietnam War. Aaron is a passionate speaker and legal expert in various fields, including national security law, international human rights law, the law of war, and leadership ethics. In addition to now being a partner at a D.C.-based law firm, he currently serves as an adjunct professor and strategic legal consultant for two world-renowned institutions. Aaron lives with his amazing wife and four kids in Niceville, Florida.

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Cynical: Overcoming America’s New Mindset with

Seven Principles of Hope and Humanity

COPYRIGHT © 2024 by Aaron L. Jackson

All Rights Reserved.

Printed in the United States of America.

ISBN 979-8-35094-767-0

eBook ISBN 979-8-35094-768-7

Endless love and thanks to my amazing wife and kids.

Matt, Kenzie, Mary, and Mason, this book is written for you

… and future generations.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction (The Deployment)

PART I Cynical

1. The Meaning

2. The Danger

3. The Rise (Wildfire)

4. Fuel (Interconnected)

5. Oxygen (Informed)

6. Heat (Inflamed)

7. The National Security Threat

PART II Overcoming the Mindset

8. The Daily Circles

9. Creating Cause

10. Deepening Connections

11. Allowing Communication

12. Finding Commonality

13. Embracing Conflict

14. Demonstrating Courage

15. Changing the Culture

PART III Forward, Together

16. Applying the Seven C’s

17. Better Angels

18. Final Thoughts

EndNotes

Preface

You may be asking yourself right now, Who is this guy, and why did he write a book? Unless you grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in the late 1980s or 1990s, went to the United States Air Force Academy in the early 2000s, or served in the United States Air Force for the past two decades, you likely have never heard of me. While I have written numerous academic and informative articles throughout my career, my name has not appeared on the cover of a book until now. Yes, this is a first for me, a hard-earned check off the bucket list on an issue that has been building in my heart and mind for some time. But before we begin this adventure together, let me introduce myself.

My name is Aaron Jackson. Who am I? I am a husband, a father, a veteran, a lawyer, an educator, and an optimist.

First and foremost, I am a husband to an amazing woman. We have enjoyed a storybook relationship, one that causes others to either smile, roll their eyes, or just plain ole gag. We were high school sweethearts: she was the cheerleader, and I was the athlete. We have been together since before I could drive and married years later in the iconic Air Force Academy chapel three days after my graduation. We have survived high school, the Academy (roughly 2 percent of relationships make it), and twenty years of military service. Having grown up in the Friday Night Lights of northeast Texas, we still get a little nostalgic when we hear a 90’s country song, and it may just compel us to join hands and start dancing regardless of the location. She’s my best friend and the love of my life, plain and simple.

Second, I’m a father to four incredible kids with ages ranging from three to seventeen years old (yep, life’s an adventure right now). They are the light of our world and why it took me so long to complete this book. I will only hit the pages during off hours once all are either sleeping or otherwise engaged. In fact, most of what you’re about to read was likely written at some point between nine o’clock and midnight, once all were safely tucked into bed. My older kids began staying up later toward the end stages of the book, which created another challenge. But we only get one chance with our kiddos, so I almost always elected to put late-night ping pong, conversations, and story time ahead of this writing project. No regrets, just worthwhile delays getting this book out.

Third, I am a veteran, having recently retired from the military after twenty years of service to my nation. I was a distinguished graduate from the United States Air Force Academy in the early 2000s. The twin towers fell at the beginning of my third year at the Academy, and it changed my life. Rather than serve the obligatory five years before moving into the private sector, I elected to give a full twenty. Military service is an incredibly rewarding experience, one I would do all over again.

Fourth, I am a lawyer. Several years after being commissioned as a military officer, I entered law school through an Air Force program that allowed me to receive my legal education and shift career fields to join the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps. For those of you who only associate JAG with the 90’s TV show, no—I have never flown off an aircraft carrier to investigate a crime or try a case. I have, however, been a federal prosecutor, a military defense attorney, deputy of a twenty-plus person legal office, an international legal consultant, a Pentagon staffer, and a national security law expert. While assigned to the Pentagon, I even had the unique opportunity to serve as legal counsel for the launch of the United States Space Force, creating the sixth military branch of our Armed Forces. I led legal offices at home and in the deployed environment, advising some of the best leaders in the United States Air Force.

While I assumed many positions and practiced the near-full spectrum of law throughout my career, my specialty was national security law. I deployed in times of peace and in times of war. Both provided incredible experiences and life-long lessons. Several of them are included in this book. My first deployment was as the head of legal operations for a humanitarian mission in the jungles of Panama (you’ll read more about this later). The second deployment was as Staff Judge Advocate (think General Counsel) for a combat fighter wing at an undisclosed location in the Middle East. Our mission was to target and stop the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. We did our job well. In my final military assignment, I was Staff Judge Advocate for an elite Air Force Special Operations organization headquartered on the Emerald Coast in northwest Florida. It is the coolest military organization in the Department of the Air Force, bar none—the perfect capstone to my military career.

Rest assured, I am no hero and do not claim to be one. I have, however, worked with many heroes, especially during my last deployment and my final military assignment. They deserve—and have earned—all the credit, though they wouldn’t tell you that (you’ll read more about humility in later chapters). I just consider myself fortunate to have experienced some things that provide a unique perspective, and I am passionate about what I have seen.

Fifth, I am an educator. Several years into my JAG career, the Air Force sent me back to school to receive an advanced law degree in National Security and U.S. Foreign Relations Law from The George Washington University. As payback for this additional education, I returned to the United States Air Force Academy as a professor in the Department of Law. It was a life-changing experience, a passion-finder for me. As a result, I continue to serve as an adjunct professor and legal consultant for two world-renowned institutions.

Finally, I am an optimist. Not a fantasyland kind of guy, but someone who, despite everything we have faced and will continue to face as a nation, keeps hope alive. Not enough of us do. Too few people take the time to let the light in—to give an encouraging smile, send a positive word, or write a book that (hopefully) will inspire people to do good things, to be good. That’s not fantasy, it’s a vision of what is possible. We need more of that today.

So who am I? In short, I am no one, but I am someone. We all are. We all have our voice, and this one is mine. Just think of me as someone who cares deeply about this nation, has experienced a few things, and now has something to say. And if you would allow me, I’d appreciate a bit of your time.

Introduction

(The Deployment)

Several years ago, I deployed to an undisclosed location in the Middle East. I left my wife and kids at home to serve my nation in a distant land during very turbulent times. My office and living quarters were in relocatable buildings—small, metal boxes called RLBs. It was like living and working in tin cans. I was the sardine.

Barren desert is hot—very hot—and the work was hard. I averaged fourteen-plus hour days, six days a week. And while Sundays were supposed to be off, I rarely avoided going in. A layer of dirt covered everything. Keeping the office clean was an endless battle. No matter how hard you scrubbed one day, the layer was back the following morning. Next to the desk in my office hung a flack vest and helmet in the event we were attacked. We practiced maneuvers to prepare for mortar attack or hostile fire, but fortunately, the closest we came to any real danger was a missile that flew directly over us.

Almost every morning, I would get up at four o’clock to call my wife and kids back home, tell them I loved them, and tuck our children into bed. It was our time to talk, to read, and to pray. Regardless of the day before or the time of night (or morning) I finally went to bed, I was up again at four o’ clock. No excuses. In my entire military career, this commitment to my family may be the thing of which I am most proud. Thank God for good communications.

Downtime was minimal, but vital to staying focused. For the most part, I spent my time either in the gym or the chapel. But there was one other important option available to recharge our batteries: we had television. This was our link to the outside world, our bridge to home.

We had four channels: one movie, one sports, one military, and one news. Turn on a game and you were instantly transported back to the states, at home with your people, cheering on your team as you always did. But sports were hit or miss, the movies weren’t always great, and we tended to bypass the military network (except for the hilarious commercials). For me, the real link was the news, the happenings of the day—a chance to see what people were saying and doing back home while I was away serving my country. I was on the outside looking in, watching the United States living, working, and interacting from a distance. It was my source of home, of connection and sustainment during extremely challenging circumstances.

At least it should have been. Let’s just say that what I saw did not uplift. It did not encourage. It did not sustain. Not at all. In fact, my experiences as a service member watching the news from a combat base in the middle of nowhere is the reason I wrote this book.

It’s often easier to see a problem when we take a step or two back. Distance provides perspective. Like an astronaut orbiting 250 miles above the Earth, things just seem to become clearer with a little separation. Distance is what it took for me, and the perspective I gained during that time has stayed with me—has haunted me—ever since. Though I was looking at the same picture as those watching back in the states, it just struck me differently while deployed half the world away.

So what did I see?

Bottom line, we are cynical. Massively cynical. Tragically cynical. Don’t believe me? Try watching the news while serving in a combat environment. We have lost the ability to engage in intellectual, compassionate, or even logical debate (if we are willing to engage at all). We treat one another as targets of attack, ignoring our humanity and choosing rather to lob insults and reiterate talking points designed to score the best possible sound bite. Respect has been replaced with resentment, demonstrated daily by amplified voices filling our minds with tired stereotypes and demagoguery. Eyes have been shut. Ears closed. Minds turned off. We treat opposing persons and viewpoints with loathing, hatred, or, at a minimum, contemptuous distrust. Cynical.

As a nation, we have retreated from a position of strength, hope, and endless possibility. We have lost the high ground and an American mindset that believes we can accomplish anything as a nation. That feeling has been replaced with a perpetual state of doom and gloom. We are losing our humanity, our faith, and our connection to fellow citizens—even connection, trust, and hope in ourselves. In short, America has become cynical. And it’s ruining our nation.

Rest assured, this is not a political book. This is a both-sides—or better yet—all-sides problem. No political positions are taken. Like the justices of the Supreme Court and the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the annual State of the Union Address, I do not stand or applaud for any particular social or political argument. That’s not the point. Like the Court and the Chiefs, I will remain metaphorically seated throughout the entirety of this book.

Rather, this book is about leadership and hope, wherein I offer observations and solutions to address the pervading cynicism facing our nation. The message is applicable to everyone. We all need to hear it. Whether you are a corporate executive, a stay-at-home parent, a teacher, a student, a manager, a pastor, or an agnostic, you will find there is something—or perhaps quite a bit—in here for you.

The book begins by familiarizing you with the concept of cynicism—its nature, how it has come to be what it is today, its inherent dangers, and why it is one of the greatest long-term threats currently facing our nation. Next, I propose several solutions (what I call the Seven C’s) for overcoming the cynical mindset. I will discuss each of the C’s independently, then provide practical examples for how to incorporate each one into the three primary aspects of our lives, or what I refer to as our daily circles. Finally, I’ll put it all together and leave you with a few parting thoughts I hope will encourage and inspire you to be the change we all need.

Despite the title and cover of the book, I recognize this is not actually an American problem. It truly is a global issue. I chose, however, to focus on America for several reasons. Most importantly, I love this country. It is my home, and my home is in need of repair. So I begin here by tackling the issue head-on, acknowledging the reality of our current state, and encouraging us all to take the necessary steps to shore up our foundation, fix the leaky roof, and patch the walls. Only by addressing the problems in our own backyard can we begin to move outward, inspiring others beyond our borders to change with the same message of hope and humanity. In other words, it begins with us. Or, shall I say, it begins with US.

What has happened to America? How many times have you heard this question in recent years? I seem to hear it on repeat. We are a people that redefined social government, defeated slavery, conquered oppression, survived depression, saved the world from war (twice), played golf on the moon, created the internet, and so much more. And, hopefully, this is just the beginning. That is not to say we are, or have ever been, a perfect society. America has tragedies both past and present. What makes us remarkable, however, is our intentional and tireless effort to perpetually form a more perfect Union through dialogue, debate, reason, and faith in one another. That’s no accident. We were designed for it. Today’s cynical mindset, however, erodes this process, making further advancement as a nation difficult, if not impossible.

The cynicism fueling America today is a serious issue. It is a personal issue, a social issue … a national issue. We must stop the madness and overcome America’s dangerous, new mindset. Our nation is desperate for leadership. We crave it—in our homes, our schools/workplaces, and our neighborhoods. We need it. It is time to lead our nation toward greater promise with a new vision for tomorrow, one that embraces hope and humanity. We start by incorporating seven basic principles into our daily lives … easier said than done, but we can do this. We must do this.

Let’s begin.

PART I

Cynical

1.

The Meaning

We hear it all the time: I’m just being cynical. People love to use the term. But what does that mean? What does it mean to be cynical? An academic might answer the question by taking you to Ancient Greece and the intellectual pursuits of Diogenes, the man generally known for spreading the Cynic philosophy. That answer certainly has its place in the halls of academia. But for this book, that approach is relatively inapplicable. Since its beginnings, cynicism has largely evolved from a philosophical practice to a modern-day state of mind. Today’s cynicism is wholly separate from its ancient counterpart. Therefore, rather than checking out volumes of Greek philosophy at your local library, the best way to answer the question what is cynicism is to reach for a single book, one that is likely in your home right now.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines twenty-first century cynicism as having an attitude that is contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives.¹ This simple definition becomes the foundation for understanding the new American mindset. At its core, cynicism is about how we see and treat other people, even humankind altogether. It is a viewpoint, a character, a feeling, an attitude, a sentiment, a position, a posture, a mindset we adopt when facing situations, approaching issues, or engaging with others today.

A mindset is extremely important—and powerful. It defines our thinking, guides our behavior, and largely determines success or failure. Any professional athlete or Olympian will testify to the importance of maintaining a focused and positive mindset. The body and mind are inextricably linked. Loss of the mental element leads to decreased performance. When an athlete loses the right mindset before the big competition, they have essentially lost the edge, which may lead to another year off the podium. Mindsets are not simply for athletes. We all operate within a mindset, and it is vital that mindset remains healthy, focused, positive, and controlled. When we lose the mindset, we, too, have lost the edge and set ourselves up for missed opportunities and/or failure of some kind. That’s what makes this book so important. In America (and beyond) today, we have largely adopted a cynical mindset, a mental posture that is rooted—deeply rooted—in a contemptuous distrust of the person (or people) categorized as on the other side of any given issue.

This is our daily existence. Our collective lives are largely defined by it. It’s everywhere. Social media. Cable news outlets. Debates gone wild. Articles. Books. Memes. Videos. Advertisements. The cynical mindset is all around us. America is swimming in it.

From the definition, two words are crucial to understanding America’s cynical mindset. Let’s take them one at a time.

Distrust

First, distrust. A lack of trust or confidence. Why? There are many possible reasons. Perhaps your distrust is silently based on the person’s race or ethnicity. They may belong to a particular social, political, or religious group you dislike. Your distrust may even transcend specific people groups, representing a fundamental distrust in all of humanity. Or perhaps your distrust is limited only to the person you see when looking in the mirror (i.e., you). Regardless, you have an intense feeling of distrust. You just don’t trust their motives. You don’t trust them.

Let me emphasize one important thing up front. For the cynical mindset, this intense feeling of distrust is felt from the beginning, when going into an exchange rather than at some point while the conversation is taking place or once the interaction has concluded. Motives are inherently assumed to be malign from the outset. The person hasn’t specifically done anything to you. You may not even know them. You only know of them, likely relying on a very small and narrow set of facts, cues, or presumptions that leads you to a certain, cynical conclusion. I distrust you simply because of who you are or (more often) who I perceive you to be. Nothing more is needed. Tragically, nothing more is attempted.

At its core, such distrust is a judgment call. Prejudgment. In other words, it’s prejudice. Reasonable people may be skeptical when approaching a particular exchange, but it is important to let that exchange play out by adopting a we’ll see how this goes