suspended in terror & isolation

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
Law 17

Keep Others in Suspended Terror: Cultivate an Air of Unpredictability

Humans are creatures of habit with an insatiable need to see familiarity in other people’s actions. Your predictability gives them a sense of control. Turn the tables: Be deliberately unpredictable. Behavior that seems to have no consistency or purpose will keep them off-balance, and they will wear themselves out trying to explain your moves. Taken to an extreme, this strategy can intimidate and terrorize.

This will certainly keep someone on their toes. I know I get nervous when things get somewhat unpredictable with certain things. People like knowing what will happen next so if you're unpredictable on purpose it makes sense that it could potentially cause some issues. It would probably be a "what will they think of next" kind of moment. But once in a while you do have to do something predicable.. Something other than being unpredictable. That will really drive them crazy.

Law 18

Do Not Build Fortresses to Protect Yourself – Isolation is Dangerous

The world is dangerous and enemies are everywhere – everyone has to protect themselves. A fortress seems the safest. But isolation exposes you to more dangers than it protects you from – it cuts you off from valuable information, it makes you conspicuous and an easy target. Better to circulate among people find allies, mingle. You are shielded from your enemies by the crowd.

You can't really play the spy if you are locked away in a tower.. So to speak. Hiding away especially when things get tough really can do more damage than good. You have to know what's going on. I guess this goes back to hiding in plain sight. You may need someone's help but if you can't get a hold of them... You may be screwed.