>> Cynical writing is like most medicines: the dose makes the poison. A healthy amount of cynicism can serve as an inoculation from being overly cynical.

I disagree. Cynicism is a toxicity and will fester. Anecdata: I only know people that are either 0% cynical or 100% cynical (kinda like how people feel about Geddy Lee's voice).

>> Tech companies have a normal mix of strong and weak engineers.

Yes, that's not "a little cynical" that's a healthy perspective.

I think OP is really trying to tell people to be stoic, not cynical, and is confused on the vocabulary.

>Anecdata: I only know people that are either 0% cynical or 100% cynical

I must have a more diverse group of friends and colleagues because I see and experience the whole spectrum. Perhaps it's worth considering why your bubble is so black and white and maybe even how to change that.