Subj : Re: Recession to Depressi
To   : Arelor
From : Dr. What
Date : Sun Jul 24 2022 09:17 am

-=> Arelor wrote to Kaelon <=-

Ar> Sorry, but people is inherently untrustworthy and this is evident for
Ar> anybody who ever tries to push forward a personal project that needs
Ar> support from other people. Friends are your friends only as long as it
Ar> does not cost them any effort. Once your friendship requires
Ar> maintenance on their part, you can kiss your friends goodbie.

The Bruce Schneier book "Liars and Outliars" comes to mind.  He goes over why
most people are honest, why a few people are almost always dishonest, and why
honest people will sometimes be dishonest.  It's actually quite interesting.

But I disagree with your idea that people are inherently untrustworthy.  They
are completely trustworthy: to do what is in **their**, not **your**, best
interests.  Once you understand that, you don't do things like always pay
upfront, for example.

The problem comes in with the mentality that we can **make** others act in
**our** best interests.  This mentality can never work and trying to force
people to do so will make them sabotage things.

Ar> Success comes from realizing that most people will backstab you for a
Ar> bag of chewing gum and keeping a close circle of trustworthy friends
Ar> from the 5% that would not murder their mothers for pocket change.

Success comes from realizing that no one but you will act in your best
interests and the others will always act in their best interests.  From that
you set up an agreement that, for the most part, is in both of your best
interests, with substantial penalties if either of you break the agreement.

This type of system has been in use for a long, long time now and is very
successful.


... Always remember you're unique - just like everyone else.
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