I don't know man, sometimes I agree with your point of view quite a bit. But I can't go with the full-time cynicism thing. It can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, certainly in personal encounters. The world is never going to be perfect. We will never have the guarantee of not encountering various flavors of slimeballs on the public thoroughfare, sidewalk, you name it.

I think the best defense is to adopt fearlessness. Studies have shown that muggers and rapists choose people with nervous body language. They know it will be easier to get over on them. It's different with politicians, of course, but I don't think all of them are complete scum.

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K