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| - When a character (primarily in dramas) is asked to go beyond their job and help with "a cause", the character sometimes refuses, and afterwards the other person asks, "What's happened to you?" or "Since when did you stop caring?" the answer sometimes comes down to the character saying, "I grew up," implying that the character "grew" from a Wide-Eyed Idealist to an embittered pessimist. It's also often used by the Anti-Hero or Nietzsche Wannabe to sneer at the idealistic methods and beliefs of the Ideal Hero and his ilk; such naive and childish wishful thinking has no place in the grown-up, random, cynical world that the Anti Hero lives in. Alternatively, a Retired Badass might have genuinely gotten too old or set in retirement to do what's being asked of them.
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| abstract
| - When a character (primarily in dramas) is asked to go beyond their job and help with "a cause", the character sometimes refuses, and afterwards the other person asks, "What's happened to you?" or "Since when did you stop caring?" the answer sometimes comes down to the character saying, "I grew up," implying that the character "grew" from a Wide-Eyed Idealist to an embittered pessimist. It's also often used by the Anti-Hero or Nietzsche Wannabe to sneer at the idealistic methods and beliefs of the Ideal Hero and his ilk; such naive and childish wishful thinking has no place in the grown-up, random, cynical world that the Anti Hero lives in. Alternatively, a Retired Badass might have genuinely gotten too old or set in retirement to do what's being asked of them. Considering that many shows and media that are on the idealistic end of the Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism or are just plain Lighter and Softer are primarily targeted towards children and teenagers, while cynical media are often targeted to adults or attract controversy from Moral Guardians, there can often be a tendency, especially among more cynical people, to associate idealism with childish or naive thinking, something to outgrow, rather than an actual, legitimate, motivating philosophy that adults can also make use of. Sometimes the result of the character crossing the Despair Event Horizon. The Sour Supporter often expresses it, especially in the face of Least Is First. May be accompanied by a warning that Hope Is Scary. Subtrope of Jade-Colored Glasses. See also Silly Rabbit, Romance Is for Kids. Could also overlap with Obstructive Bureaucrat, and Noble Bigot with a Badge. Expect this phrase to be uttered in World Half Empty settings and Real Life. Contrast Good Is Old-Fashioned, where idealism is regarded as only for the children's grandparents. The intent is much the same: To imply that the good/idealistic person is unfamiliar with the here and now. The character may say that what they are dealing with is Above Good and Evil, and the idealistic character should not drag in such childish morality. It's not all one-way, however; the idealist may fire a few shots back in return. The cynic may be dismissed as a 'sell-out' who gave up on doing the right thing for their own selfish gain. For instance certain characters just aren't willing to jeopardize their careers, and livelihoods just to change the status quo (Cynically this could be Truth in Television depending on how cynical, or "realist" one is). Or maybe he'll even be called a 'coward' and a weakling who gave up the good fight because he found it too hard and instead resigns oneself in wangsting about bad things. For those kinds of call-outs, see Silly Rabbit Cynicism Is for Losers. Of course, a true cynic would also be cynical about their cynicism. Compare and contrast Knight in Sour Armor, who still hold ideals, just not as idealists. A converted holder of Silly Rabbit, Idealism Is for Kids views may turn into a Knight in Sour Armour, keeping to the appearance of cynicism while reluctantly pursuing idealistic goals. A direct antithesis of Good Is Not Dumb.
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