We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
I guess it depends what "it" is and what kind of person you are. There are a couple people I only deal with only in writing because they've lied before. If they call, I respond with an e-mail. And I don't know how many times I've had to dig out old e-mails when somebody changes their tune or attempts to throw me under the bus for one of their screw ups. I get everything I can in writing and save it all, but that might be a product of the type of work I do. We have a hand in everything, so it's well know that specialists try to scapegoat us when they fail to track their own work or do something wrong. "the site development guy never told us that" "We didn't know you needed that" etc.
contrary to the author's advice, we document everything: communications with opposing counsel, communications with clients (confidential or not), potential conflicts of interest, recommendations to them on what to say or not say, etc. for the client's safety, and, of course, for our own.
"Never write when you can speak; never speak when you can nod; never nod when you can wink." Attributed to Mr. Lomasney, ward boss for the Old West End of Boston. Knowing Boston politics it was probably good advice. However, I agree with forest - document, document, document.