Well, the solution is deceptively simple. The point of reference is you. Same as with objective truth/knowledge debates.
Could they be acting in long-term beneficial way towards us? Sure. Let's say that they do for the sake of the argument, action X. Now, let's add two conditionals.
First conditional, they have no way to communicate effectively to us. This would be most similar to a dog going to the vet. If it involves short-term pain, is it irrational to not let them continue to let them carryout action X? I don't think so. You have no reason to believe it is in your long-term benefit and there is no way for them to effectively communicate such. Much in the same way I don't blame my dog for acting the way she does at the vet. Now, having said that, my dog is much better at the vet than she once was. She has learned. That option would be open to humans as well.
Second conditional, they can communicate effectively to us. We understand what they are trying to accomplish with action X. For the sake of the argument, we approve of their intentions and expected long-term results. Do we trust them? Trust tends to be built on past actions. Does this dynamic change if we are able to resist effectively? I think it does.
Even within this construct, do we value long-term results and goals? If not, whether they communicate effectively becomes irrelevant. We would value our short-term goals and results over anything they were either trying to accomplish or sell us via action X.
Regardless of how you, another person, or my dog approaches the dilemma above, the point of view always stays the same (irrespective of time obviously). As someone who adheres to Marcus Aurelius's philosophy, never let the future disturb you, for if you have to meet it, you will meet it with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.
In other words, we have the same problems in the present, just in different forms. In the other thread, the discussion is why should we trust the CIA/NSA/FBI etc. or John McAfee. Should I trust my wife, best friend, coworkers, neighbors, etc? Should I trust the food I ate, the medicine I took, or the device I am using to type this?
