Being naive is easy.
Anybody can be brave when they don't understand the concept of danger. It's convenient, but not admirable.
The same is true of cynicism. If everything is fundamentally corrupt, at least we can feel morally justified while doing nothing about it.
But I propose a third option.
I propose accepting the tragedy of existence, and striving upward anyway.
Our backs are against the wall. If we stay in stasis, the world will overwhelm us. The only way out is through.
Maybe we've chosen the wrong priorities.
Maybe our attempts at making things better will fail miserably.
But eventually, something has to work. And when it does, we can leave our learnings for future generations.