This is about the eighth time in two short months that someone has asked me some odd question. Over the internet and irl. And it's questions like, "How can I learn to manipulate people?" or, "How can I lie better?" I've gotten these questions before, but lately they've been from very normal, empathetic people.

It's a little disturbing that these normally very caring people are suddenly so aggressive and cynical. They don't want to be psychopaths... They want to feel emotion and care about others, but be evil all at the same time.

Why is manipulative and deceitful behavior so attractive? And what do I tell them?