3 ms·

This was an annoyingly skillfully written piece. At numerous points I felt I knew better than the author, only to confront my own foolishness a few sentences la

This was an annoyingly skillfully written piece. At numerous points I felt I knew better than the author, only to confront my own foolishness a few sentences later. This kept me reading while my mind drafted the HN comment about how the author is too naive and can’t say no. But true to form, the last paragraph had me questioning everything – was it I who was duped? That said, this definitely wouldn’t have happened to me, given how cold and unapproachable I am. This is great for avoiding scams and people who want to take advantage of me. However, I suspect such standoffishness has denied me many opportunities for social connection. Someone like the author is more likely to stumble into a cult, but also more likely to meet new people. So I guess you take the good with the bad.

jozvolskyef 5y ago
The author's perspective is one that I find very relatable. I am often able to see when people are trying to take advantage of me from a distance, but I choose to "give them the benefit of the doubt", even though I may know that there is a very slim chance that they actually deserve it. I do this because I am curious. When your experience suggests that you can accurately read people's intentions and motivations, talking to bad faith actors becomes a fun game of figuring out what they're up to and learning about their world. A risky one, certainly, but I like playing.
- 3np 5y ago
  And hey, as long as you're safe you're holding them off from conning more vulnerable people
AtlasBarfed 5y ago
While I don't know you, you underestimate "social geniuses" and con men. Regardless of what you think of Trump politically, his is an example of the unrelenting assault of certain personality types, likely of the hypomania category. I have known possibly two or three hypomaniacs in my life, thankfully lacking sinister ulterior motives, but nonetheless the experience can be overwhelming.

jozvolskyef 5y ago

The author's perspective is one that I find very relatable. I am often able to see when people are trying to take advantage of me from a distance, but I choose to "give them the benefit of the doubt", even though I may know that there is a very slim chance that they actually deserve it. I do this because I am curious. When your experience suggests that you can accurately read people's intentions and motivations, talking to bad faith actors becomes a fun game of figuring out what they're up to and learning about their world. A risky one, certainly, but I like playing.

3np 5y ago
And hey, as long as you're safe you're holding them off from conning more vulnerable people

AtlasBarfed 5y ago

While I don't know you, you underestimate "social geniuses" and con men. Regardless of what you think of Trump politically, his is an example of the unrelenting assault of certain personality types, likely of the hypomania category. I have known possibly two or three hypomaniacs in my life, thankfully lacking sinister ulterior motives, but nonetheless the experience can be overwhelming.