From xkcd.com. I used to think this way too (perhaps due to a little too much Ayn Rand) when it suddenly occurred to me that it was a prideful point of view. Why should I assume my fellowman knows less than I do or thinks less than I do? When I tried working an honest living (cleaning houses) for a summer, I learned that the "average person" seems to be a pretty decent sort. Like me, he can be deceived, but like me, he tries not to be. I could be good friends with the average person.
Sorry about the sporadic updates ... I am working on a big project that is going to be a surprise. I promise to tell you all about it when it's done -- or at least, more done than it is right now.