> Would it not diminish my credibility? Only with some people, but it probably works on the majority. > Blatant shamelessness does not really get us very far,

> Would it not diminish my credibility? Only with some people, but it probably works on the majority. > Blatant shamelessness does not really get us very far, I think. Collectively, no. Individually, yes. It's like lying in a society that hasn't discovered lying yet and takes everything you say as truth. It will leave that society worse off, but it's practically a super power for you.