Good thing

As I discovered more about how the world functions I began to take the approach that the masses are generally stupid and I went by exception 

"Prove to me you aren't one of the stupid ones" is what I adopted as a baseline.

This isn't very charitable at all. 

I have modified my approach to give the benefit of the doubt as a starting point since most people are well-intentioned even if they aren't well-informed. 

That they are susceptible to misinformation does not imply malice. Many are simply incurious and don't even bother with things outside their immediate sphere. 

Willful ignorance is what tips the scales for me which is plentiful in this world but definitely not in the majority. 

Good thing.