So, since this is an AMA, I shall now ask for the solution to Erik's puzzle!
...
No, I really won't. Just kidding. That would just be cheap. XD
Normal people are the easiest to manipulate. Too smart and they have an annoying tendency to catch wind of your plans, too dumb and, in the words of a certain pirate, "You can never tell when they are about to do something incredibly...stupid."