Cynicism started as a skepticism about societal arrangements being in accordance with what’s best for people. It’s a critique that is, even in today’s world, still resented. It’s not against manifestation, at all, as manifestation is deeply destabilizing to the social order. I’m cynical vis-à-vis politics at the electoral and ideological level. Occasionally things work out for a bit, and then the worm turns.
I think most cynics are optimistic about themselves and other individuals, even groups, but are very questioning of the larger systems. That’s not pessimism.
I love pessimism, though, because large systems and societies have to push many of their programs in optimistic terms. Pessimism saves you from “chump” mode. It also gives you an advantage; sometimes being first to exits matters . . . a lot.
I would say that many people on the forum are cynics and pessimists about how the larger societal playbook will work out for them. That’s why they’re here. Now, if you believe that the world is rose colored, and by ‘world’ you mean larger society of human institutions, I think you are misinformed. If you by ‘world’, you mean our larger connections with the planet, each other, the great chain of being, the Universe, 42 and all that, then, yeah, I am an optimist and cynicism is how I got here. But don’t make the mistake of confusing which “world” you are talking about. That can be an expensive mistake.