Sometimes I wonder if we are specially willing to be bamboozled. I mean, we've demonstrated our capacity to be bamboozled pretty thoroughly at least once and I'm aware of having been bamboozled myself at least a couple of times since realising I was a twit in a cult - despite a determination not to be fooled again, a conscious effort to be sceptical. I've steered my ship to avoid trouble a few times, but still hit the rocks twice at least (literally and metaphorically!).
At least we are evidence that 'once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back' is probably not true. But could it be that if you're the type to give a charlatan power over you, you'll probably keep on doing it? I'd hate to think so, but I've no room for complacency!
