I work in the entertainment industry and am trying to get out because I had an epiphany very similar to what you just wrote. I found myself nodding furiously. I cringe when I look at my social media feed and see people SO into certain stars...the buy in on the illusion is just pathetic.

Re: tip number one, Mad Men fans have heard the anecdote about Hitler holding his negotiations with Chamberlain in a castle that did not allow smoking, and after a few hours Chamberlain would've put pen to anything in order to get out of the meeting.