Losing one's self-respect...that's a slippery slope but it's where so many have gone; it's like the level of what's acceptable is become lower and lower and humanity more willing to sink lower still. Disgusting and rather frightening as you say...where will it go from here? (Downward.)

Fringe-living is a good idea, I tend to do the same, sort of keep a healthy distance between me and the fucken nutbaggery. I have a tight and close circle of people and that's how I want it.