Survival Tips: Lessons in Misanthropy

P. T. Barnum once said that no-one has gone bankrupt underestimating the intelligence of the American people. But, even if you are no fool, people will attempt to separate you from your money, time, or indulgences—deliberately or accidentally. The following tips may be an aid in our current civilization.

1. Trust no-one

You may trust yourself, but others would hardly be wise to trust you. It works both ways, which is why you should not trust others. Even someone that prefers to behave trust-worthy is loyal primarily to himself, or at least to his perception of what he is, and you'll come second.

2. Do not assume that someone will do anything to help you, even if they offer to

At best, they are attending their own agenda, but often they have malicious intentions and simply aim to harm you. There's no such thing as a free lunch, and anything that appears free has strings attached.

3. The more people know about you, the more they can use against you

It would be self-destructive to provide your enemy with information about yourself that may be used against you. And remember, today's friend is tomorrow's enemy. Those that you trust today may eventually turn on you, either because of you or because of them.

4. Never make yourself dependent on someone else's promises

If you make yourself dependent on someone else's promise, you're dependent on this person to fulfill this promise. The person may have only an insignificant influence, but if you make yourself dependent of this person's promises, suddenly this person has a means to control you.

5. Never make yourself dependent on someone else's power

A person that has power over you can make you do things you would not otherwise have done. This may range from neglect of those that deserve your attention to criminal offenses. This is why intelligence agencies try to determine your self-dependency when they assess your trustworthiness in security matters.

Making yourself independent on others' powers can be difficult if you're employed and hence dependent of your employer. If you have a job, make sure you can sustain yourself for months without getting a paycheck.

6. If you make plans that involve other people, never assume that they will do their duty

Do not assume that people have a strong incentive to do what is essentially your work for you. If the responsibility for solving a task lies in your hands, other hands won't solve the task, and even if responsibility lies in the hands of others, don't assume that those people are responsible. Try to plan around those people if possible, or make a back-up solution.

7. Listen to your own heart

Never ignore your gut feeling. If something feels wrong in your stomach, then it means you don't have sufficient control. But be aware of the caveat that you may have learned to appreciate what others have told you to appreciate.

8. If someone makes a statement that may impact you, verify the statement yourself before you adjust your life according to the statement

If someone tells you something, he or she does so for a reason, and the reason is usually to manipulate you in one way or another. It may not be straight-forward to determine whether a statement is true or false. If you verify the statement, you'll know.

9. Remember that people don't change

Very severe actions are required to change someone's personality, so unless you own a brainwashing facility, don't expect that anyone will alter his or her behavior. An asshole will always be an asshole, no matter if he promises to be nice. People often find different names for their behaviors, convictions, and philosophies, but they don't change.

10. Never acquire something that will cause you more grief to depart with than the joy it brings you to own it

Remember that anything you own will own you back. You may have to make periodic payments to keep it working in which case the item requires you to work for it, or you may be afraid it might be stolen. If you acquire something, make sure it is worth it.

11. Alway solve the present problems, and only those

A potential problem is not a problem until it becomes present. This does not imply that one should wait until the last minute to solve a problem. Instead, it means that one should not worry until one knows that there's something to worry about.

Once a problem exists, take action to solve it. A problem will always solve itself if left unattended, but the solution will seldom be to your advantage unless you take control.

12. Do not expect to own something until it is in your possession

If you expect someone to give you something, you do not have it until it is in your hands. Nothing weighs less than a promise.