I stumbled upon a movie that reminded me of a skill I’ve honed since childhood: the skill of acting to influence and adapt in tricky situations. It started in fourth grade when I was summoned for graffiti, while another kid cried and walked unscathed, teaching me the value of performance in steering decisions. Over the years, I mastered techniques like crying on cue, feigning ignorance, and even acting scared to manipulate social dynamics, and now I’m considering teaching these skills to my lineage. Not for acting "careers" but as a manipulation tool in an impending chaotic world (starts by 2036).
Back in '95, I remember having a smoke with these... dare I say... really short people (around 5’4” to 5’7”) and deliberately mispronounced their dialect to entertain them. They laughed, believing I had no idea, and kept correcting me, unaware that I was simply bored out of my wits (and wants a free cigarette), playing along for my own amusement. One even paused to SINCERELY correct me, which made the whole act even more stupid. Ironically, that same guy, who now looks like a bloated toad, completely let himself go.
If you're young, learn it. If you're a parent, teach it to your sons. I've been around. I've seen people and they're all the same. You can step up a notch if you have the skill. You level the playing field if you happen to meet an actor/actress who is trying to fool you.
This ties back to the movie: Show someone authority, and they’ll act differently. Be cautious of actors—they can laugh, cry, and lie on cue. If I could, I’d take drama classes to weaponize this skill. Sure, I can act, but it’s like me painting my house - passable, but nowhere near as seamless as a professional painter’s work. Consider this a public service.
