Where can one find the line between innocence and ignorance?
At that crucial moment when giving without expectations of return is overruled by pure self-interest, or by the consuming anger of blighted hopes.
Richard Orlando, Westmount, Quebec, Canada
• With difficulty for individuals, which suggests why the masses are susceptible to propaganda.
Philip Stigger, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
• In court where pleading innocence might get you acquitted, when claiming ignorance won’t.
Lawrie Bradly, Surrey Hills, Victoria, Australia
• It’s not a line; it is a wide, deep ditch! Innocence would not hurt anybody; ignorance kills millions.
Heiner Grünwaldt, Renshausen, Germany
• At a blind date.
David Tucker, Halle, Germany
I do feel better about myself
Does cynicism serve any worthwhile purpose?
Yes. It gives refuge to the most jaded among us.
R De Braganza, Kilifi, Kenya
• It is helpful when reading political manifestos.
Neil Johnson, Birmingham, UK
• Scepticism is for the wary; cynicism is for the weary.
David Isaacs, Sydney, Australia
• Cynicism, as distinct from scepticism, can serve as an early warning sign to get checked for undiagnosed depression.
Greg McCarry, Sydney, Australia
• Observing how cynical other people are makes me feel so good about myself.
Margaret Wyeth, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
• What is your motive for asking such a question?
Bob Pokrant, Perth, Western Australia
• Yes, it does, frequently by giving us the opportunity to say “I told you so”, and occasionally causing us to be pleasantly surprised when proved wrong.
Joan Dawson, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
• Perhaps it is not worthwhile, but cynicism often serves a realistic purpose.
Sunil Bajaria, Bromley, UK
• As its root kyon (dog) suggests, the growl of cynicism can give you a good warning that a bite may be in store.
R M Fransson, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, US
• Perhaps when an excess of cynicism leads to a change to refreshing optimism.
Ursula Nixon, Bodalla, NSW, Australia
Because they need money
Why does professional sport attract so many spectators?
Professional sport attracts so many spectators because if it didn’t there wouldn’t be enough money to pay the players, and so it wouldn’t be professional.
John Black, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
• Because such sport depends on crowdfunding.
Anthony Walter, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Why not ask Salvador Dali?
At what point does reality live up to the fantasy?
When we finally stop pretending to be someone we are not.
Michael Polanyi, Toronto, Canada
• When they join to create surrealism.
Bob Sherrin, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Any answers?
Which theatre performance, in any age, would you choose to see?
Paul Klenk, New York City, US
Is there such a thing as an unanswerable question?
Harvey Mitchell, Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia
Send answers to weekly.nandq@theguardian.com or Guardian Weekly, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU, UK
