My old friend Pal had a philosophy: “When you lack understanding, or subtlety, you can still get your… — David Brin

Oh, there’s no high quite like getting the focused attention of powerful enemies. Nothing is better guaranteed to make you feel important in the world, which may be why conspiracy theories are so popular among frustrated underachievers.

Fortunately, there is a famous inverse relation between fanaticism and competence.

None of these problems resolved by the prescriptions of shamans and priests. Not by patronizing mystics or condescending monks.

Technology. That’s what made things better! In fits and starts—and often horribly abused along the way—that’s where we found answers that were consistent, dependable, uncapricious. Answers that applied to lord and vassal alike. Answers that improved life across the board and never went away.