Credit: CC0 Public Domain The past and present are rife with examples of advisers convincing leaders of the benefits of launching an ill-advised war, or downplaying the risks of a potentially fatal flaw in the design of a car or spacecraft. Meanwhile, there has been no shortage of aides who seek to simply flatter their bosses to curry favor, rise in the ranks or bask in their glow. On the surface, there would appear to be miles of real estate between these loyal lieutenants.