> In short, many people believe something new is afoot. This belief
> *itself* may have pleasant consequences we can't predict. The
> 'cynicism' Zizek's addressing isn't a lack of faith in the Obama
> presidency (because, as Zizek stated at the top of his essay, you
> shouldn't have any faith), but rather, a lack of faith in the
> unforeseen happening.
That seems more like pessimism to me. (A hopeless person who thinks bad circumstances cannot change is not necessary cynical, yes?)
Miles