A fool's measuring stick

There is something mean in human nature that prefers to think evil, that gives a willing ear and a ready welcome to calumny, a sort of jealousy of goodness and greatness and things of good report.
~Richard Le Gallienne


It is hard not to feel like a pawn on a larger chessboard, one where the players are deviant enough to remain subversive, not play by acceptable rules nor even the ones they themselves have lain out.

I see. I know though I do comprehend the viciousness.

What threat am I?