I’m actually sleeping…
I’m not a magician. If you possess the uncanny ability to elucidate concepts like open source software/hardware to the average consumer and their relation to consumer products then — you’re a literal magician. Magic.
In my country, political has at least three classes/levels. These are: spin doctor, spin master, and spin grand–master. Most citizens are easily spooked, so it’s easy pickings for politicians/journalists/pundits — the usual. It’s best to ignore news/politics. Tracking outrage is a fundamental futility, unless it’s your job. ;-)
In freelancing your job is not to be a hero, but to attract blame and lose arguments swiftly and strategically.
Customer service, you know?
People problems >
technical problems. This is an axiom. Your
tools don’t resolve people problems, only technical problems.
Everything’s dandy when accolades go up and around. Compliments directed only at you? Bad news.
Style beats substance.
Attitude beats competence.
Foreign beats local credibility.
Scapegoats (blame deflection) and messengers/prophets (indirection) are the norm. Navigating this is a dark art, and yes, the human mind is magical and highly superstitious.