Blindly following or just paying lip service to keep being paid? How do you know somebody is a cynic if they dont express open their contempt openly?

A lot of us expressed our contempt pretty damn openly in FAANG. It didn't seem like a barrier to getting paid

I made posters openly mocking the pricks in charge. It didn't stop me getting paid.

Improved morale significantly.

I'd argue that expressing one's contempt openly is probably a sign of optimism more than anything - it shows you believe that your words might actually affect the direction of the organization rather than just getting you fired for disagreeing with your pointy-haired boss.