I know that "traditionalists" place a premium on having a "high-trust society" and to a degree, I agree with them, but I feel that distrust should be the default state of things. If an "expert" tells you something, you should seek to verify it yourself to the best of your ability. If the government tells you something, you should think of why they are saying that to you and how rationally justifiable it is. And lastly, you should not trust your average person. Niceness is not the same as trustworthiness. Loyalty is not the same as morality.