Can you help me understand why I should pot the flop when I flop the nuts - which would be VERY unlikely to get beaten regardless of what two cards come?

Isn't the idea against a maniac to let him dig his own grave? Or, are you saying that by pot betting the flop it gives him more incentive to try to make a an aggressive move against me?

I think I like that idea. I just never really thought that I would need to bet out in order to encourage his action - given his prior aggressive play.