Many years ago, I spent an insomniac’s childhood watching teevee late at night. Being a bit awkward and easily embarrassed, this was my connection to common culture. I learned a lot from Big Wilson and his all-night all-stars, but I also had a chance to catch some of the experimental stuff that was consigned to the late hours of a medium at the height of its power.

My favorite of all was “America 2 Nite”, a fake gab show hosted by Martin Mull. I already knew Mull from his album “Near Perfect / Perfect”, and he was the funniest droll white guy I’d ever heard. In other words, he was perfect for me. And the one sketch I remember from his show best of all was the guy who was on to plug his book “Winning Through Acting Crazy”.

The basic premise is that if people think you are crazy, they will give you a lot more space. You can use craziness to define your personal space as you need to, and even to get ahead. For example, if you’re in a long line, put a cigarette in your nose and ask the person ahead of you for a light (this was the late 1970s, after all). They are likely to direct you to the person ahead of them just to get rid of you, and so you work your way to the front of the line. No one will stop you because, after all, you’re clearly crazy.

But it’s definitely true that people won’t mess with someone who may be nuts, even in a situation where they might otherwise become righteously indignant. That’s the main principle of “Winning Through Acting Crazy” (WTAC) – you define the world on your terms because people stay out of your way.

Another example I may plan to use is this: In a few months, the Republican Convention is going to be about 4 blocks from my house. I’m not worried about the Republicans doing anything bad, but there will be protesters in town and many won’t have had a good night-s sleep or a shower in days by the time it’s over. They may be in a mood to ignite things that appear flammable, such as 150 year old houses. What to do? Well, the WTAC guide says that even they will leave alone people that might possibly be nuts. So I am thinking about installing a large banner that says, “American Vegetable Growers say Give Peas a Chance!”

It’s not just that craziness is used to drive people away. If you’re too smart for the room, you may give people the impression that you’re arrogant or sullen. But a little scatter-brained behavior or just a touch of strangeness, and suddenly you’re nothing more than a harmless eccentric. That’s how WTAC can do more than just get people out of your way – it also can bring them back to you when you need them.

I’m glad I learned this at a young age, because it has helped me tremendously in my life. Just remember that you’re not likely to be elected to public office or be entrusted with government secrets if you use this strategy, and it’s all good from there.