Well, there are different ways of looking people in the eye. When I was a kid, I was taught by example to do that, but in a way that projected confidence and genuine interest. At Straight, we did it in a different way, it was more of a challenge that made people uncomfortable.
I learned how to not do that pretty shortly after I got out. In fact, I think I remember being at least vaguely aware of how much I hated doing it and happy that I didn't have to do it any more once I was back in the real world. Ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you how freaky that is along with the severly lazy eye.
As to knowing the thoughts and feelings of others, I used to THINK I was pretty good at pegging other people. But it started a lot of fights. Sure, I was a master at getting confessions. But that didn't mean I'd guessed right.
Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind. And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed, the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded by patriotism, will offer up all of their rights unto the leader and gladly so. How do I know? For this is what I have done. And I am Caesar.
--Julius Caesar
