is it ridiculous to be an idealist in the 21st century?

is there even such a thing as an idealist, or just people who consider themselves to be so, in a kind of post-modern, meta sense, in that they're aware of what idealism is, but it's actually an impossibility in these gosh darn crazy times we live in?

does idealist necessarily mean romantic?

is it ridiculous to be a romantic in the 21st century?

is it ridiculous to maintain an air of romance beyond your early 20's?

does growing up and older necessarily make you more of a realist, i.e. more cynical? and are 'cynic' and 'realist' synonyms?

answers on a postcard please.