Manipulation, sweet talk, and hypocrisy.

I'm constantly amazed how so many people are taken in bymany of the illusions of social intercourse.

That a person can be flattered into submission rather than simply be forced into it is pretty much what I'm talking about here. We surrender who and what we are only when we're given the illusion that we have the power to do so. Is it any wonder that psychopaths and sociopaths understand the power of flattery?

Yet on the other hand, so many of us are repelled by the blunt truth-teller. He, foolishly, cares enough to identify reality for people who are really just wanting their illusions to be kept in place.

How odd it is that we desire illusions? Is denial a necessary thing, in order to maintain sanity? Or is sanity merely a matter of joining the status quo in their mass illusion?

Many of us seem happy with hypocrisy as long as we're charmed as the wool is pulled over our eyes. Yet we pour every ounce of venom over the poor vulnerable fool who's fallen foul of being found out. Isn't it obvious to anyone, logically, that once a person's fallen that he's no longer the threat?

Look at the successful shoplifter as a perfect example. Unlike the scruffy urchin who hangs around in a store being watched closely by the store detective, the professional shoplifter dresses well, is immaculate, articulate, and attractive. He pulls the wool over the eyes of the person who has assumptions about reality.

And how often is that phenomenon a part of every day life?

We all get taken in by illusions; and we create illusions ourslves. Isn't it odd that we do so, though?

What dumb animals humans are.