A decade ago, I believed in giving the benefit of the doubt whenever possible. Most people who are in their right minds want life to be better for everyone, but merely disagree on how to get there. I was a fool.

I still am one, but I’ve learned a few things since then.

It’s true that most people are good at heart. “Most People” is around 60% of the population.

People will believe lies because they want it to be true, or they’re afraid it might be true.

People will rather commit to believing a lie than admit to being wrong.

There have always been those who hate, and there always will be.

It’s commonly said that you should criticize beliefs, not people. Also that a person is defined by their actions not their beliefs. I disagree. Actions are guided by beliefs, and if a person believes something shitty then that person is going to do shitty things and is therefore a shitty person. That’s not to say that people can’t change. After all, I’ve changed into a sad, cynical, depressed sack. Other people can change for the better, so I’ve heard.

I’ve started paying attention to the ways that horrible people signal to each other in ways that normally aren’t recognized by anyone else. Symbols, slogans, special numbers, etc. If you know, you know. I know a few, and they’re everywhere. Sure, sometimes a tshirt is just a tshirt that the person wearing it thought it looked cool, without realizing what it means. Other things take effort, and can only be deliberate.

I don’t know how old you are, and it’s none of my business to know. You have a sense of empathy, which is good and you should nurture that. Garbage people will see it as a weakness and use it against you, don’t let them. Embrace life, seek strength without hate.

shit, I’m not even drinking tonight, how’d I get this lost in the sauce? Must be the sleep deprivation. Yeah, I’ll blame this one on sleep deprivation.