The Bipolar Otaku

I've long been thinking about the assumptions people make, and have been trying to figure out how they correlate to what is really going on in their heads. Assuming, of course, that people actually think that they think rationally, there should be more fundemental assumptions underlying the reasoning they think they have, right? But are their underlying assumptions valid or not?

Example 1 - Person is constantly assumes that any new character at work is out to get his job. Also, he assumes that any criticism of work that he has done is a personal attack against him.
Possible underlying assumptions of this person
- He has a good job that people want.
- Certain job functions are his (not someone else's).
- People are their jobs.

Example 2 - Bishop wants parish controlled by lay parishoners to hand control back to the diocese. People interviewed by local newspaper assume that he wants the parish's money.
Possible underlying assumptions of those people
- The Catholic Church is only interested in money.
- Bishops are only interested in power.

Example 3 - Person spends a lot of money at a fundraising auction at church. People assume there is something wrong with this.
Possible underlying assumptions of those people
- He makes too much money.
- He is a just showoff.
- He just throws money around.
- Jesus said you should not give alms in public, so this guy must not believe in Jesus.
- That is all that he gives, and it is obvious he can afford more.

So, based on my assumptions of their assumptions that make their assumptions, what should I learn about myself?
- People act rationally.
- Everyone makes too many assumptions (except me?).
- It is okay to guess at what people are thinking.
- I'm trying to judge people, not just their actions, but their thoughts.
- I think too much.

Like they say, when you make an assumption, you make an ass out of u and mption!