Hi Kat. Gotta take as much control of your personal environment as possible. Gotta put the effort into cultivating personal relationships that make you happy. Gotta seek out others who share your hobbies. Gotta keep at arm's length, those who seek power over others, NO MATTER WHAT THEIR MOTIVES ARE.
These days the stakes are so high for so many folks that desperation seems to rule their every action. ie. so desperate for respect that they'll kill when they don't think they've received it. So desperate for revenge that they'll attack someone who's cut them off in traffic. So desperate for new sensations that they involve themselves in unspeakable actions and voyeurism. So desperate to bring others down that they'll push the well known buttons to stir folks up and then gleefully watch the carnage.
Always keep bringing good folks into your life and no matter how hard it gets - you'll never be THAT desperate.

Rick