The critic's dilemma
Two farmers saw enemy soldiers massing on the hills. They ran through the fields, into the city gates and demanded to see the Emperor. "A vast army is upon us!", they cried.
The Emperor, worried at creating mass panic, quietly sent a small expedition to investigate and had the shrill young men executed. The expedition was overpowered and the city sacked.
Many years later the farmers' sons were in the same field when the horizon blackened with thousands of enemy men. "We must inform the Emperor", said one. "But, remember what happened to our fathers!?", said the other. "Hmm, I see only a few warriors, surely nothing to worry about?".
So again, the city was sacked.
Critics Dilemma: If you tell them the truth they cannot hear it. If you hold back from the whole truth, you leave them unprepared.
Lessons in digital realism
Prepare yourself. Be ready to hear things that hurt and disappoint. Accept that people with the courage and honesty to tell you the truth are real and valuable friends. Don't get angry at them. A realistic appraisal of your situation, strengths and weaknesses, and the work necessary to survive is always preferable to a rose-tinted feelgood fantasy - in the long run.
You can still have a healthy appetite for risk, which is different from being wilfully credulous. Accept that much of digital technology is empty promises and the claims around "AI", agentic software and security automation can only lead you in the wrong direction.
Many advisers will tell you what you want to hear. They are all about sweetening, public relations and "perception management". We do upset people with our bluntness - but that is because we are one hundred percent on your side.