a guide to incoherent and isolating social experiences
if someone is confusing or upsetting you, assume they have no sane reason for doing or saying what they are doing or saying
when ambiguous, assume intent is malicious, ignorant, or amoral. interpret others' actions in the context of your fears
do not challenge or acknowledge the existence or influence of your assumptions, wholly trust your intuition and feelings
pivot conversations when someone challenges your assumptions or cites reasoning outside your wheelhouse. avoid displaying a lack of knowledge in any domain – this is seen as weakness
if you must ask questions, imply the correctness of your originally held position by wording your question suggestively
dig in your heels when confronted with overwhelming dissent
exploit your immediate network; when the obvious merits of your narrative are exhausted, present like-minded people with tastefully curated details of your interactions with detractors, to provide a more appropriate account that your supporters can rally around to crush any lingering threats to your narrative
do not research or consider the record, acumen or credentials of those with whom you speak, unless you agree with them
do not grant grace to those who make mistakes1, especially those that you have never met or otherwise spoken to
when all hope is lost in conversation, retreat into your self
do not seek to understand those you do not already understand