In a society preoccupied with appearances, individuals often prioritize how they are perceived over their true selves. This obsession with image can lead to a superficial environment where authenticity is undermined. In such a landscape, those who have little to protect or gain are the only ones bold enough to openly showcase their transgressions or unconventional choices, including their vices.

Hunter S. Thompson's observation highlights the irony of vulnerability and authenticity. Those with the most to lose are typically cautious about exposing their flaws, while those who are liberated from the consequences of their actions take the risk of openly presenting themselves, regardless of societal judgment. This creates a paradoxical dynamic in which honesty may only surface among those who are already marginalized.