Loyalty Over Truth: From Qin Shi Huang to Trump

Qin First Emperor of China and Parallels to Now

“Across centuries and continents, ruthless rulers rise not in silence—but in splendor. They drape themselves in divine titles, rewrite the past, demand obedience over truth, and build legacies on the bones of the people.

In this episode of Wisdom Guardians, we travel back over 2,000 years to meet China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang—a man who unified a nation with brutal brilliance, burned books to erase the past, buried scholars to silence dissent, and built a tomb the size of a city.

But the archetype he embodied—the Divine Ruler, above the law, unchallenged by truth—didn’t die with him. It lives on. In today’s power-hungry populists. In loyalty tests. In book bans. In gilded towers and cries of false prophecy.

History doesn’t repeat itself. It shape-shifts. And today, we follow its shadow.”

**Qin Shi Huang to Trump | Intro for Episode #7 Wisdom Guardians** | Loyalty Over Truth Deep Dive

“Qin Shi Huang believed he had conquered death. That his tomb would house him for eternity. That his dynasty would last ten thousand years. It lasted fifteen.”

“The truth he buried rose again. And like mercury in the blood, it poisoned everything he built.”

“Today, new emperors rise. They silence scholars, reward sycophants, and rewrite history for their own ends. But the lesson of Qin is clear: Ruthlessness can conquer… but only for a moment. And in the end, truth—though buried—will speak.”

**Deep Dive:** **Qin Shi Huang to Trump** — Part 1

**Deep Dive:** **Qin Shi Huang to Trump** — Part 2

I. Divine Seeds: From Righteousness to Ruthlessness

Ruthlessness grows from the seeds of Righteousness.

Every ruthless ruler claims the mantle of righteousness—often justified by religion.

To understand the ruthless, we must first understand our human drive to worship, to moralize, and to enshrine divine law.

In my book Sapience: The Moment Is Now, my character Yong Xing-li searches for a way to transform human consciousness. He is doing this because the world has plunged over the Climate Cliff. His AIs have shown this will happen again unless human consciousness can be transformed on a scale previously never achieved.

Survivors of The Fall live under the rule of CEOs. Ordinary people who more effectively, and often aggressively, outcompeted and outperformed everybody else to amass gigantic wealth. These CEOs head Multinational Corporations that run the world now. And, their prevailing doctrine is: Profit Over People… that is, except for Yong Xing-li who is arguably the richest man in this dystopian world.

Yong Xing-li did not achieved his massive wealth ruthlessly. He did so by creating AIs who can not only out compute and out think human beings, but who are empathic and compassionate. His AIs are showing him how to Transform human consciousness. One of his most important lessons lies in the Hall of Ruthless Rulers.

A. Hall of Ruthless Rulers

The Hall of Ruthless Rulers is Ra’s domain. Ra is the AI tasked with helping Yong Xing-li understand how the seeds of ruthlessness have grown strong in the minds of modern men. From the book (p. 227):

 Ra: Keeper of Roots, Religions, Royals, Regents, & Ruthless Rulers maintains databases on philosophy delving into cognitive sciences, logic, informational and computational science, politics, economics, art and visual studies. He studies the intersection of religion and culture and how it reveals insights into individual and collective motivation as manifested through cultural expressions and traditions. He collects and maintains information about what happens in the gap between all realms of knowing, physical and non-physical venturing into the realms of mystical sciences, paranormal activity, magic, and the unknown.

His databases overlap with the other AIs because he is the AI considered to be Keeper of Cosmic Knowledge. His database includes stories, writings, and teachings of Abraham (2000–1638 BCE) • Isaiah (8^th-century BCE prophet) • Mahavira (0599-0527 BCE) • Gautama Buddha (0563-0483 BCE) • Zoroaster/Zarathustra (0000 BCE) • Moses (1391-1272 BCE) • Jesus Christ (0000-0033) • St. Paul (0005-0067 CE) • Prophet Muhammad (0571 -0632 CE) • Saint Valentine (0226A-0269 CE: 2/14) • St. Augustine (0354-0430 CE) • Kabir (1440 -1518) • Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486 -1534) • Guru Nanak (1469 -1539) • Martin Luther (1483-1546) • Francis Xavier (1506-1552) • Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708) • Sai Baba of (1835-1918) • Ramakrishna (1836 -1886) • Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) • Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950) • Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952).

And Ruthless Rulers including Qin Shi Huang (221-206 BCE) • King Herod (73-4 BCE) • Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (Caligula) (37-41 CE) • Nero (54-68 CE) • Attila the Hun (434-453 CE) • Wu Zetian (690-705 CE) • Æthelred the Unready (978-1016) • Genghis Khan (1206-1227) • Tomas de Torquemada (1483-1498) • Timur (Tamerlane) (1370-1405) • Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia (Vlad Drăculea, aka Vlad the Impaler) (1^st 1448; 2^nd 1456-1462; 3^rd 1476) • Czar Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) (Grand Prince of Moscow: 1533-1547; Czar of All the Russians: 1547-1584) • King Henry VIII (1485–1509) • Bloody Mary I (1516-1558) • Bloody Bess (1558–1603) • Maximilien Robespierre (1789-1794) • King Leopold II of Belgium (1865-1909) • Mehmet Talat Paşa (1913-1918) • Vladimir Lenin (1917-1924) • Benito Mussolini (1922-1943) • Joseph Stalin (1922-1953) • Adolf Hitler (1933-1945) •  Khorloogiin Choibalsan (1939-1952) • Francisco Franco (1938-1973) • Mao Zedong (1943-1976) • Pol Pot (1975-1979) • Idi Amin Dada (1971-1979) • Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990) • Vladimir Putin (1952-2025).

Ra shows Yong Xing-li the entire evolution of Homo sapiens. His studies focus in on some of man’s earliest signs of worship. Ra sets the stage by connecting religion, divine authority, and the psychological need to believe in helping early humans survive an unpredictable and sometimes brutal world.

He shows Yong Xing-li that as human civilizations grew, so too did the role of religion, divine authority. He shows the manipulation of Rulers to bend the human psychological need to believe to their advantage.

B. Previously, Wisdom Guardians Explored

In previous episodes of Wisdom Guardians, we explored Nimrod (who was more myth than man) and Akhenaten (the heretic king).

Nimrod dared to defy the Lord. Nimrod, a figure mentioned in the Book of Genesis, is described as a “mighty hunter before the Lord”. While this phrase might appear complimentary, the traditional Jewish, Christian, and Islamic interpretations often view it as meaning “in opposition to the Lord” or “in defiance of the Lord”.

This interpretation stems from several points:

His Name: The name Nimrod is associated with the Hebrew word meaning “rebel”.
His Actions and Ambition: Nimrod is believed to be the instigator of the Tower of Babel. This project, intended to reach the heavens, was seen as an act of defiance against God’s command to “fill the earth”.
Seeking Self-Glorification: The builders of the Tower aimed “to make a name for ourselves,” which is interpreted as seeking glory for themselves rather than for God.
Establishment of Tyranny: Some interpretations portray Nimrod as a power-hungry ruler who sought to detach people from the fear of God and make them dependent on his own power.
Opposition to God’s Will: His rebellion extended to going against God’s instructions for humanity to disperse and fill the earth, instead attempting to keep them localized and under his control.
Therefore, Nimrod dared to challenge God’s authority through his actions and ambitions, leading to his portrayal as a rebellious figure in religious traditions.

Akhenaten is called the “heretic king” because he radically changed ancient Egyptian religion by abandoning the traditional polytheistic beliefs and promoting the worship of a single god, the Aten, represented by the sun disk. This unprecedented shift, along with his suppression of other deities and their priests, led to his being labeled a heretic by later generations who restored the old religious order.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

Traditional Egyptian Religion: Ancient Egypt had a complex pantheon of gods and goddesses, with Amun-Ra being a prominent deity.
Akhenaten’s Revolution: Akhenaten, originally known as Amenhotep IV, ascended to the throne and in his fifth year, he began to promote the Aten as the supreme god.
The Aten: The Aten was not a traditional anthropomorphic god but was represented by the sun disk, with rays extending towards the earth.
Suppression of Other Gods: Akhenaten went further, ordering the closure of temples dedicated to other gods, the erasure of their names from monuments, and the persecution of their priests.
New Capital: He moved the capital from Thebes to a newly built city called Akhetaten (modern-day Amarna), further symbolizing his break from the past.
Monotheism? Some scholars consider Akhenaten a pioneer of monotheism, while others view his Aten worship as a form of solar cult or henotheism (worship of one god without denying the existence of others).
Legacy: After Akhenaten’s death, his reforms were largely reversed, and his memory was suppressed. Later rulers and priests restored the old religious order, and he became known as the “heretic king”.
Why “Heretic”? The term “heretic” implies a departure from accepted religious doctrine. Akhenaten’s actions were seen as a radical and unacceptable deviation from established religious norms, hence the label.

II. The Making of a Ruthless God-King

In episode 7 of Wisdom Guardians, we dive into the intrigue, immorality, and infamy of the Qin Empire under Qin Shi Huang, notoriously known as the First Emperor of China. The rise of ruthlessness as a recurring archetype in human history, specifically examining Qin Shi Huang as a prime example and drawing compelling parallels to modern authoritarian figures like Donald Trump. The sources argue that cunning rulers exploit systems of belief, suppress truth, and obsess over their legacy, ultimately sowing the seeds of their own destruction.

The rise of ruthlessness is not unique to any particular race, culture, or civilization on Earth. This is what Ra is showing Yong Xing-li in their travels to China and Qin Empire. However, something that connects all Ruthless Rulers is the rise of civilizations, large groups of unrelated humans working together for a common cause.

For bulk of human history, man lived in small groups with strong family bonds. With the rise of civilizations, man had to learn how to care not only for himself and his family but for hundreds, thousands, even millions of unrelated people. Failing to do this often spelled doom and destruction for his civilization for only a unified civilization could navigate the increasingly ominous world of humans living in bigger and bigger civilizations.

Here are the key insight and themes explored in this episode:

A. The Birth of a Ruthless Empire: Qin Shi Huang’s Ascent

Qin Shi Huang, born Zhao Zheng in 259 BCE, became the First Emperor of China. His rise was marked by both political maneuvering and ruthless consolidation of power, laying the groundwork for his authoritarian rule.

Early Life and Political Intrigue: Zhao Zheng’s mother, Lady Zhao, a former dancing girl, and the influential merchant Lü Buwei, played significant roles in securing his father’s (King Zhuangxiang) ascension and Zhao Zheng’s eventual inheritance of the throne at age 13. Lü Buwei initially “dominates Qin’s government and military” for nine years. Palace intrigues, including Lady Zhao’s illicit affairs and a plot by her lover Lao Ai to kill Zhao Zheng, led to brutal retribution: “Lao Ai is executed. Zhao Zheng’s half-siblings are put in bags and beaten to death. His mother is placed on house arrest. Lü Buwei is stripped of his titles and banished.” This early exposure to brutal power struggles undoubtedly shaped Qin’s own approach to governance.

Zhao Zheng before becomeing Qin Shi Huang — Zhao Zheng as child before taking the name Qin Shi Huang | Thirteen years later, King Zhuangxiang dies. Zhao Zheng ascends to the throne. The year is 246 BCE. *Zhao Zheng is 13 years old*.

Unification of China (Warring States Period): Between 230 BCE and 221 BCE, Zhao Zheng systematically conquered the six other warring states (Hán, Zhào, Yan, Wei, Chu, Qi), culminating in the unification of China. This era was characterized by extreme violence: “Zhao Zheng captures and castrates the men of each defeated dynasty turning men and women into slaves.”
Proclamation of Divinity and New Title: Upon unifying China, Zhao Zheng adopted the unprecedented title of “Shi Huangdi” (First Emperor of All China), combining “Huang” (referring to mythical godly rulers) and “Di” (referring to great heroes). This act “proclaims his divinity,” establishing him as “The August Ancestor,” “The Holy Ruler,” or “The Divine Lord,” setting a precedent for rulers claiming a divine mandate.

B. Instruments of Control: Suppression, Propaganda, and Loyalty

Qin Shi Huang employed various methods to assert absolute control, including intellectual suppression, historical revisionism, and extreme loyalty tests.

Suppression of Intellectual Thought (“Hundred Schools of Thought” and “Burning of Books”): In 213 BCE, Qin Shi Huang “bans the Hundred Schools of Thought, except for Legalism and the House of Administrative Method.” He “orders all classic works and books produced by the Hundred Schools of Thought burned,” particularly histories, fearing they “could undermine his legitimacy.” Only books on “astrology, agriculture, medicine, divination, and the history of the State of Qin” were spared. This was a deliberate act to “stifle dissent and consolidate his power by eliminating ideas and philosophies that contradicted or could challenge his rule.”

Burning Scrolls and Books in Qin — Qin Shi Huang orders all classic works and books produced by the Hundred Schools of Thought burned

Execution of Scholars: As a direct consequence of the book burning, “Many scholars protest. Qin Shi Huang retaliates by burying 460 Confucian intellectuals alive.” While historical debate exists on the exact method and number, the intent was clearly to eliminate opposition and reinforce Legalist ideology, which “emphasiz[ed] strict adherence to law, harsh punishments, and the supremacy of the state over individual interests.”

Qin Shi Huang crushes intellectual dissent — Qin Shi Huang buries 460 Confucian intellectuals alive when they protest his banning and burning work from the Hundred Schools of Thought

“Calling a Deer a Horse” (Loyalty Tests): This infamous incident, occurring under Qin Er Shi’s reign, exemplifies the extreme nature of loyalty tests. Zhao Gao, the powerful eunuch, “brings a deer and presents it to the Second Emperor calling it a horse.” Those who truthfully identified it as a deer were “executed instantly,” demonstrating that “Loyalty > Reality.” This incident gave rise to the idiom “Calling a deer a horse” (指鹿为马), which describes situations where “Someone deliberately confuses right and wrong,” “Someone twists the truth to manipulate or deceive others,” and “There is a blatant disregard for the truth or reality.”

Calling a Deer a Horse Loyalty Test implemented by Zhao Gao to manipulate and control the young Qin Er Shi after Qin Shi Huang dies at 49

C. Obsession with Legacy and Immortality: The Mausoleum and its Irony

Qin Shi Huang’s preoccupation with his legacy and desire for eternal life led to monumental projects and, ironically, may have contributed to his demise.

The Great Wall: To counter “nomadic Xiongnu tribes,” Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of a “3,107-mile-long” defensive wall, the precursor to the Great Wall. “Thousands of men are conscripted…Many died.” This project highlights his extensive use of forced labor and disregard for human life in pursuit of national security and grand achievements.

Great Wall of China — To deal with constant incursions of the nomadic Ziongnu tribes into his kingdoms, Qin Shi Huang orders a defensive wall-built beginning in 221 BCE.

The Lingqu Canal: Built around 214 BCE, this “22-mile canal” was primarily intended to “transport Qin’s soldiers south to accelerate his conquest of new southern territories,” showcasing his continued military expansion.

Lingqu Canal - Qin — Qin Shi Huang orders construction of a 22-mile canal to connect the Xiang River with the Li River

The Terracotta Army and Mausoleum: Qin Shi Huang’s most ambitious project was his mausoleum, construction of which began at age 13 and accelerated after unification. “700,000 men were sent there from all over his empire.” The tomb, “the size of Manhattan,” was designed to be a miniature kingdom, complete with “Palaces and scenic towers,” “rare artifacts and wonderful treasure,” and “crossbows and arrows primed to shoot at anyone who enters.” Most famously, it featured the “Terracotta Army of 8,000 soldiers” to serve as his “eternal garrison.” The historian Sima Qian recounted that “Mercury was used to simulate the hundred rivers… and set to flow mechanically,” and that “the emperor’s concubines who did not have male children were killed and buried with him.” After its completion, “all the workers and craftsmen inside” were trapped and killed to conceal its secrets.

Terracotta Army and Tomb — Qin Shi Huang began work on his tomb in 246 BCE. The work accelerated taking on much more massive portions in 221 BCE after he conquered the six other warring states

Quest for Immortality and Death: Despite his grand preparations for the afterlife, Qin Shi Huang was “obsessed with death” and “urgently seeks an elixir of life.” He “orders a nationwide search for a mythical potion.” Ironically, “It is believed Qin Shi Huang consumed cinnabar as one of these promising elixirs for eternal life. Rather, cinnabar is quite poisonous, being mercury sulfide.” He died at age 49, with “the mercury pills probably didn’t help.” This highlights the fatal irony of his quest.

Cinnabar, also known as mercury sulfide — Qin Shi Huang consumed cinnabar as one of these promising elixirs for eternal life

Meteoric Prophecy: A meteor in 211 BCE inscribed with “The First Emperor will die, and his land will be divided” deeply disturbed Qin Shi Huang. His reaction was extreme: “Outraged, the emperor orders everyone in the village killed and stone destroyed.” This incident underscores his paranoia and inability to confront uncomfortable truths, even those perceived as divine omens.

Qin meteor 211 BCE — A meteor falls from the sky and lands in the lower regions of the Yellow River in 211 BCE. Word reaches the emperor that there is a prophecy inscribed on the space rock that says: The First Emperor will die, and his land will be divided.

D. The Perils of Unchecked Power: Succession and Collapse

Qin Shi Huang’s death exposed the fragility of his empire, leading to a swift decline driven by deceit and the unchecked power of ambitious advisors.

The Royal Cover-up and Succession: Upon Qin Shi Huang’s death away from the capital, his Prime Minister, Li Si, and chief eunuch, Zhao Gao, concealed his death for two months, disguising the decomposing body with “a cart of rotten fish.” They then “forge a letter from Qin Shi Huang telling his oldest son Fusu and his favorite general Meng to commit suicide.” This allowed Qin’s younger son, Ying Huhai (Qin Er Shi), to ascend to the throne, a “puppet emperor” under Zhao Gao’s influence.
Zhao Gao’s Tyranny and the Fall of Qin: Zhao Gao, a master manipulator with a background in “criminal law,” swiftly eliminated rivals, including Li Si. Qin Er Shi, “naïve,” punished those who brought him bad news, leading to officials telling him only what he wanted to hear. This created a climate of fear and misinformation, ultimately isolating the emperor and enabling Zhao Gao to consolidate “military power.” Zhao Gao’s reign of terror led to the execution of “12 princes” and “10 princesses.” When rebellions erupted, Zhao Gao ultimately forced Qin Er Shi to commit suicide. The Qin Dynasty, despite the emperor’s grand vision, lasted only “15 years.”

III. Core Parallels: Qin Shi Huang vs. Trump

The source explicitly draws modern parallels between Qin Shi Huang and Donald Trump, framing Qin as an “archetype” of the ruthless ruler.

Loyalty Tests & Political Purges:

Qin: Zhao Gao’s “Deer-Horse Test” demanded “allegiance over truth,” with honest respondents executed.
Trump: Exhibited by “demanding public fealty,” purging officials who “didn’t bend to his will,” and the proposals of “Project 2025” which “further codifies loyalty over legal precedent.”

Erasure of History & Intellectual Suppression:

Qin: Banned philosophies, “burned books, executed scholars” to establish a state-approved ideology.
Trump: Analogous in “Bans on teaching ‘Critical Race Theory,’ rewriting school curricula, attacking libraries, and pushing book bans,” aiming to reframe history through “whitewashed, nationalist narratives.”

Rule by Legalism:

Qin: Embraced Legalism’s “strict laws, harsh punishments, centralized power,” weaponizing law against dissent.
Trump: “Weaponizes law against political enemies” while asserting “absolute immunity” for himself, with Project 2025 proposing “dismantling civil protections and centralizing executive power.”

Tyranny Masked by Divine Mandate:

Qin: Took “divine titles” and claimed a “heavenly mandate,” with his tomb mimicking the cosmos.
Trump: Framed by supporters as “God’s chosen, the new King Cyrus, or even a modern messiah,” blending politics with prophecy.

Obsession with Legacy, Power & Immortality:

Qin: Built his massive tomb and Terracotta Army, and “consumed mercury pills in a quest for immortality,” prioritizing his remembrance over the living.
Trump: Evidenced by “Names buildings after himself, hoards wealth, surrounds himself with gold-plated everything. He seeks eternal legacy through branding and autocratic power, not substance.”

Cover-Ups, Propaganda, and Puppet Governance:

Qin: His death was concealed, the rightful heir killed, and a “boy emperor” manipulated. “Truth was replaced with narrative.”
Trump: Characterized by “Lies about election results,” surrounding himself with “loyalists who echo his version of reality,” and the use of narratives like “Stop the Steal” where “propaganda becomes governance.”

🔥 More Core Parallels (from a different lens): Qin Shi Huang vs. Trump

1. Loyalty Tests & Political Purges

Qin: The “Deer-Horse Test” created by Zhao Gao was psychological warfare—demanding allegiance over truth. Those who named the animal honestly were executed. Loyalty > Reality.
Trump: From demanding public fealty (e.g. “I need loyalty, I expect loyalty” to Comey) to purging the DOJ, military, and intelligence officials who didn’t bend to his will, loyalty tests are foundational to Trumpism. Project 2025 further codifies loyalty over legal precedent.

2. Erasure of History & Intellectual Suppression

Qin: Banned the Hundred Schools of Thought, burned books, executed scholars—particularly Confucians—to cement state-approved ideology and erase independent thought.
Trump: Bans on teaching “Critical Race Theory,” rewriting school curricula, attacking libraries, and pushing book bans (esp. LGBTQ+ and anti-racist texts) mirror these tactics. Trump and allies reframe American history through whitewashed, nationalist narratives.

3. Rule by Legalism

Qin: Embraced Legalism—a system emphasizing strict laws, harsh punishments, centralized power. His chancellors weaponized law to crush dissent.
Trump: Weaponizes law against political enemies (calling for prosecutions of Clinton, Biden, journalists), while claiming “absolute immunity” for himself. Project 2025 proposes dismantling civil protections and centralizing executive power.

4. Tyranny Masked by Divine Mandate

Qin: Took the divine titles “Huang” and “Di,” fusing myth and rule. Claimed a heavenly mandate. His tomb mimicked the cosmos itself.
Trump: While not openly divine, he is framed by MAGA supporters as God’s chosen, the new King Cyrus, or even a modern messiah. Evangelical support blends politics and prophecy.

5. Obsession with Legacy, Power & Immortality

Qin: Built a vast underground tomb and the Terracotta Army. Consumed mercury pills in a quest for immortality. His desire to be remembered eclipsed his concern for the living.
Trump: Names buildings after himself, hoards wealth, surrounds himself with gold-plated everything. He seeks eternal legacy through branding and autocratic power, not substance.

6. Cover-Ups, Propaganda, and Puppet Governance

Qin: After his death, advisors faked his presence, killed his rightful heir, and manipulated the boy emperor. Truth was replaced with narrative.
Trump: Lies about election results. Surrounds himself with loyalists who echo his version of reality. “Stop the Steal” and other narratives show how propaganda becomes governance.

Additional Archetypal Themes:

Archetype of the Eternal Emperor: Qin’s desire to “abolish history to replace it with his name” is mirrored in Trump’s “endless branding” (Trump Tower, Trump Steaks, Truth Social) to “overwrite collective history with personal mythology.”
The Narcissism of Tomb-Building: Qin’s “tomb was the size of Manhattan,” a monumental self-obsession. Trump’s “real estate empire is a graveyard of egos and debt,” both “built on the backs of the people.”
The Dangers of Unchecked Power: Qin’s death, possibly from his quest for immortality, and the subsequent collapse of his dynasty, serve as a “cautionary tale” of power unbalanced by wisdom.
The Role of the Advisor: Zhao Gao’s manipulative influence is paralleled by figures like “Stephen Miller, Jared Kushner, or even Bannon—shadowy figures who manipulate from behind the throne. Their loyalty isn’t to the people—but to the ideology of control.”

Conclusion: The Enduring Shadow of Ruthlessness

The briefing concludes that “Ruthlessness can conquer… but only for a moment. And in the end, truth—though buried—will speak.” Qin Shi Huang’s empire, built on brutal unification, intellectual suppression, and a narcissistic pursuit of immortality, ultimately crumbled from within due to the very ruthlessness and deception that defined its founder. This historical narrative serves as a stark warning about the cyclical nature of authoritarian power and its eventual, self-destructive consequences.

IV. Timeline of the Unification and Fall of Imperial Qin & Key Players

259 BCE: Zhao Zheng (later Qin Shi Huang) is born to Lady Zhao and King Zhuangxiang of Qin. Lü Buwei, a merchant and politician, is instrumental in King Zhuangxiang’s rise to power and is also Lady Zhao’s former lover.

246 BCE: King Zhuangxiang dies. Zhao Zheng, at 13 years old, ascends to the throne of Qin. Lü Buwei serves as chancellor and governs the kingdom for the next nine years.

235 BCE: Lü Buwei’s affair with the Queen Dowager Zhao is resumed. He introduces Lao Ai, a man with a large penis, to the Queen Dowager to occupy her. Lao Ai fathers two children with her and grows arrogant, plotting with Lady Zhao to kill Zhao Zheng. The plot is discovered. Lao Ai is executed, Zhao Zheng’s half-siblings are beaten to death, and Lady Zhao is placed under house arrest. Lü Buwei is stripped of his titles, banished, and commits suicide. Zhao Zheng, now 24, takes full control.

230 BCE: Qin conquers the Hán dynasty.

228 BCE: Qin conquers the Zhào dynasty.

226 BCE: Qin conquers the Yan dynasty.

225 BCE: Qin conquers the Wei dynasty.

223 BCE: Qin conquers the Chu dynasty.

221 BCE: Qin conquers the Qi dynasty, the last of the warring states. Zhao Zheng proclaims himself Shi Huangdi (First Emperor of All China) and takes the name Qin Shi Huang. He continues military expansion into the Yue tribes (modern-day Vietnam). At 32 years old, he orders the construction of a defensive wall to counter the Xiongnu tribes, the precursor to the Great Wall. Construction on his tomb also accelerates significantly.

214 BCE: Qin Shi Huang orders the construction of the 22-mile Lingqu Canal to connect the Xiang and Li Rivers, primarily for troop transport.

213 BCE: Qin Shi Huang bans the Hundred Schools of Thought, except for Legalism and the House of Administrative Method.

213 BCE: Qin Shi Huang orders the Burning of Books, destroying all classic works and histories, sparing only texts on astrology, agriculture, medicine, divination, and the history of the State of Qin. He retaliates against protesting scholars by killing 460 Confucian intellectuals.

211 BCE: A meteor falls near the Yellow River with an inscription prophesying the First Emperor’s death and the division of his land. Qin Shi Huang orders all villagers in the vicinity killed and the stone destroyed.

210 BCE: Qin Shi Huang, now 49 years old, becomes seriously ill during his fifth tour of Eastern China and dies. It is suspected that his consumption of cinnabar (mercury sulfide) in his quest for immortality contributed to his death. Archeologists find 48 bamboo strips recording his decree for a nationwide search for an elixir of life.

210 BCE (post-death): Qin Shi Huang’s Prime Minister, Li Si, and eunuch Zhao Gao conceal the emperor’s death for two months while traveling back to the capital. They forge a letter ordering Qin Shi Huang’s oldest son, Fusu, and General Meng to commit suicide, which they do. Qin’s younger son, Ying Huhai, ascends the throne as Qin Er Shi, at the age of 19.

208 BCE: The construction of Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum and the Terracotta Army, begun in 246 BCE, is completed. Thousands of concubines, horses, workers, and craftsmen are killed and buried within or sealed in the tomb.

207 BCE: Revolts and rebellions erupt across the empire. Qin Er Shi, influenced by Zhao Gao, punishes those who bring him bad news. Zhao Gao devises the “Calling a Deer a Horse” loyalty test, executing officials who speak the truth. He becomes chancellor after framing and executing Li Si. Zhao Gao orders the execution of 12 princes and 10 princesses. The capital is overrun, and Qin Er Shi is forced to commit suicide by Zhao Gao, at the age of 22.

207 BCE (post-Qin Er Shi’s death): Zhao Gao makes Ziying, Fusu’s son, the new emperor. Ziying, aware of Zhao Gao’s intentions, has him and his entire clan killed on the day of his coronation.

206 BCE: Ziying reigns for three years over a fraction of the empire before his death. The Qin Dynasty falls, giving way to the Han Dynasty.

Cast of Characters

Qin Shi Huang (Zhao Zheng / Ying Zheng / Shi Huangdi): The First Emperor of China. Born Zhao Zheng, he ascended to the throne of Qin at 13. A ruthless and ambitious ruler, he unified China by conquering the warring states, declared himself “Shi Huangdi” (First Emperor), and initiated grand projects like the Great Wall, the Lingqu Canal, and his elaborate mausoleum guarded by the Terracotta Army. He brutally suppressed dissent, banned intellectual thought (Hundred Schools of Thought), burned books, and executed scholars. Obsessed with immortality, his quest for an elixir of life likely led to his death from mercury poisoning at 49. His reign, though short, laid the foundation for imperial China.

Lady Zhao (Queen Dowager Zhao Ji): Mother of Qin Shi Huang and former dancing girl. Her relationship with Lü Buwei and later Lao Ai led to palace intrigues that shaped Zhao Zheng’s early reign. She was placed under house arrest after Lao Ai’s plot to kill her son was uncovered.

King Zhuangxiang: Father of Qin Shi Huang and King of Qin. His ascension to the throne was largely orchestrated by Lü Buwei.

Lü Buwei: A powerful and manipulative Chinese merchant and politician. He was instrumental in Yiren’s (future King Zhuangxiang) return to Qin and his eventual succession. He served as chancellor during Zhao Zheng’s youth, compiling the Lüshi Chunqiu. His illicit affair with Lady Zhao and his attempts to cover it up ultimately led to his downfall and suicide.

Ra: An AI guide for Yong Xing-li in the “Sapience” series, focusing on the “arches of Ruthlessness” throughout human history. He provides historical context and commentary on Qin Shi Huang’s reign.

Yong Xing-li: The master of Ra, who is transported through historical events and characters by the AI.

Lao Ai: A man with a remarkably large penis, introduced by Lü Buwei to the Queen Dowager Zhao Ji to distract her from their renewed affair. He became her lover, fathered two children with her, and grew arrogant, plotting against Zhao Zheng. His conspiracy was discovered, leading to his execution and the death of his children.

Li Si: Prime Minister under Qin Shi Huang. After the First Emperor’s death, he conspired with Zhao Gao to conceal the death and manipulate the succession, leading to the suicide of Fusu and the enthronement of Qin Er Shi. He was later framed for treason and executed by Zhao Gao, along with his entire family.

Zhao Gao: A powerful eunuch (though his actual castration status is debated) and minister who served both Qin Shi Huang and Qin Er Shi. He was skilled in criminal law and gained significant influence. He played a central role in the royal cover-up and succession, orchestrating the deaths of Fusu and General Meng, and installing Qin Er Shi as a puppet emperor. He ruthlessly eliminated rivals, including Li Si, and consolidated immense power, notably with the “Calling a Deer a Horse” loyalty test. He eventually forced Qin Er Shi to commit suicide but was himself killed by Ziying.

Fusu: Qin Shi Huang’s eldest son and rightful heir to the throne. He was a favorite of General Meng. He was tricked into committing suicide by a forged letter from Zhao Gao and Li Si, who feared losing power under his rule.

Meng: A favorite general of Fusu, who was tricked into committing suicide alongside Fusu by Zhao Gao and Li Si.

Ying Huhai (Qin Er Shi): The younger son of Qin Shi Huang, who was placed on the throne as the second emperor by Zhao Gao and Li Si. He became a puppet emperor under Zhao Gao’s influence, leading to extreme tyranny, purges, and the eventual collapse of the Qin Dynasty. He was forced to commit suicide by Zhao Gao as rebellions mounted.

Ziying: A son of Fusu (Qin Shi Huang’s murdered older brother). He was made emperor by Zhao Gao after Qin Er Shi’s death. Aware of Zhao Gao’s intentions to kill him, Ziying ambushed and killed Zhao Gao and his clan on the day of his coronation. He reigned for only three years over a fraction of the former empire before the Qin Dynasty fell.

Sima Qian: A renowned Chinese historian from the early Han dynasty, whose work Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji) provides much of the historical information about Qin Shi Huang’s life, tomb, and the events surrounding the Qin Dynasty’s fall. The sources note that his accounts may have been embellished to portray Qin Shi Huang in a negative light due to political motivations and Confucian biases.

V. Factsheet: Qin Shi Huang’s Empire: Power, Ruthlessness, and Legacy

How did Qin Shi Huang consolidate his power and what were the consequences of his ruthlessness?

Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of China, consolidated his power through a series of brutal conquests and political maneuvers. He unified China by defeating the six warring states, taking the new title of “Shi Huangdi” to proclaim his divine authority. His ruthlessness was evident in his treatment of defeated populations, whom he enslaved, and his suppression of intellectual dissent. He banned all philosophies except Legalism and the “House of Administrative Method,” leading to the infamous “Burning of Books and Burying of Scholars” in 213 BCE. This act aimed to erase histories that might undermine his legitimacy and to eliminate independent thought. The consequence of this unchecked power was a short-lived dynasty that collapsed soon after his death, demonstrating how absolute control, devoid of wisdom, can sow the seeds of its own destruction.

What was the significance of Qin Shi Huang’s quest for immortality and his grand mausoleum?

Qin Shi Huang was deeply obsessed with his mortality and the afterlife, which fueled both his quest for immortality and the construction of his elaborate mausoleum. Beginning at age 13, he ordered the building of a vast underground complex, later known for its Terracotta Army, to accompany and protect him in the afterlife. This monumental project, employing 700,000 workers, included intricate features like mercury rivers, representing the real rivers of China, and celestial constellations on the ceiling, mirroring his belief in a divine mandate. Paradoxically, his urgent search for an elixir of life led him to consume substances like cinnabar (mercury sulfide), which likely contributed to his death at 49. His obsession with an eternal legacy and the avoidance of death, while resulting in an awe-inspiring tomb, ultimately proved self-destructive.

How does the “Calling a Deer a Horse” idiom illustrate the dangers of unchecked power and suppression of truth?

The idiom “Calling a Deer a Horse” (指鹿为马) originated from an incident involving Zhao Gao, the powerful eunuch and minister during the reign of Qin Er Shi (the Second Emperor). Zhao Gao presented a deer to the emperor but insisted it was a horse, then secretly executed all officials who dared to state the truth. This act served as a chilling loyalty test, demonstrating Zhao Gao’s ruthless nature and his desire to solidify power through fear. The idiom signifies a deliberate confusion of right and wrong, a twisting of truth to manipulate, and a blatant disregard for reality. It highlights how unchecked power can create an environment where truth is suppressed, loyalty is demanded over honesty, and dissent is met with severe punishment, leading to systemic deception and corruption within governance.

What role did deception and cover-ups play in the succession after Qin Shi Huang’s death?

Deception and cover-ups played a critical role in the succession immediately following Qin Shi Huang’s death. Fearing a revolt and power struggles, his Prime Minister, Li Si, and the chief eunuch, Zhao Gao, concealed the emperor’s death for two months while traveling back to the capital. They maintained the illusion that the emperor was alive by pulling down carriage shades, changing his clothes, and faking conversations, even using rotten fish to mask the smell of his decomposing body. Upon reaching the capital, they forged a letter from the deceased emperor, ordering his eldest son and rightful heir, Fusu, to commit suicide. This act paved the way for the younger son, Hu Hai, to ascend the throne as Qin Er Shi, essentially a puppet emperor under Zhao Gao’s control. This elaborate cover-up highlights the treacherous nature of court politics and the lengths to which powerful advisors would go to secure their own positions, ultimately contributing to the swift downfall of the Qin Dynasty.

How did Qin Shi Huang’s policies reflect Legalist philosophy?

Qin Shi Huang’s policies were deeply rooted in Legalist philosophy, which emphasized strict adherence to law, harsh punishments, and the absolute supremacy of the state over individual interests. This ideology perfectly aligned with his vision of a unified and controlled society. He banned rival philosophies, especially Confucianism, and suppressed scholars to eliminate ideas that could challenge his centralized authority. The Legalists believed in building a strong state through efficient administration, centralized governance, and military power, all of which were hallmarks of the Qin Dynasty’s reign. By establishing a highly structured government with appointed officials, Qin Shi Huang ensured strict implementation of his decrees and maintained order through a system that prioritized loyalty and control, effectively using the law as a tool to crush dissent and consolidate his power.

What were some of Qin Shi Huang’s major construction projects and what was their purpose?

Qin Shi Huang undertook several massive construction projects, each serving a strategic or symbolic purpose for his empire. The most famous is the Great Wall, which he ordered to be built starting in 221 BCE to defend against constant incursions from nomadic Xiongnu tribes in the north. This monumental undertaking involved thousands of conscripted laborers and slaves, many of whom perished during its construction. Another significant project was the Lingqu Canal, ordered around 214 BCE. This 22-mile canal connected the Xiang and Li rivers, primarily to facilitate the swift transport of Qin soldiers to accelerate his conquests in the southern territories. Lastly, his mausoleum and the Terracotta Army, begun when he was 13, were perhaps his most ambitious. This sprawling underground complex, the size of a city, was designed to house his remains and serve as his eternal garrison, reflecting his obsession with legacy, power, and immortality even beyond death.

How did the concept of the “Mandate of Heaven” influence Qin Shi Huang’s reign and its perceived challenges?

The “Mandate of Heaven” was a crucial concept in ancient China, legitimizing an emperor’s rule based on the belief that Heaven granted the right to rule justly. Qin Shi Huang, by taking the divine titles “Huang” (mythical godly rulers) and “Di” (great heroes), explicitly claimed a heavenly mandate, asserting his divinity and unparalleled prestige. This claim meant his rule was divinely sanctioned and, therefore, unchallengeable. However, a falling meteor in 211 BCE, bearing an inscription prophesying, “The First Emperor will die, and his land will be divided,” was perceived as a direct challenge to his Mandate of Heaven. His furious response—executing an entire village and destroying the stone—underscored his paranoia and inability to tolerate any perceived threat to his divine authority, even from what seemed to be a natural phenomenon. Ironically, his empire did collapse and his land was divided shortly after his death, appearing to confirm the prophecy.

How do themes from Qin Shi Huang’s reign, such as loyalty tests and suppression of history, parallel authoritarian tendencies in modern leaders?

The narrative of Qin Shi Huang’s reign reveals enduring archetypes of ruthless governance that find parallels in modern authoritarian tendencies. His use of loyalty tests, exemplified by Zhao Gao’s “Deer-Horse Test,” where truth was sacrificed for allegiance, mirrors contemporary leaders who demand public fealty and purge officials unwilling to bend to their will. Qin’s erasure of history and intellectual suppression, through the burning of books and execution of scholars, finds echoes in modern efforts to ban critical theories, rewrite curricula, and suppress dissenting narratives to establish state-approved ideologies. Furthermore, Qin’s rule by Legalism, emphasizing strict laws and centralized power, is reflected in leaders who weaponize legal systems against political adversaries while claiming immunity for themselves. These parallels underscore how the tactics of ancient ruthless rulers persist, albeit in shape-shifted forms, demonstrating a timeless struggle between truth, power, and the stability of governance.

VI. Qin Shi Huang: Architect of Ruthlessness and Empire’s Fall – Study Guide

This study guide is designed to help you review and solidify your understanding of Qin Shi Huang, his ruthless reign, and the broader themes of power, control, and the dangers of unchecked authority as presented in the source material.

A. Quiz: Ten Short-Answer Questions

Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.

Who was Qin Shi Huang and what significant title did he take for himself? Qin Shi Huang was the First Emperor of China. After unifying the Warring States, he proclaimed himself Shi Huangdi, combining the titles “Huang” (mythical godly rulers) and “Di” (great heroes) to signify his divine and supreme authority over all previous rulers.
Describe the circumstances surrounding Qin Shi Huang’s birth and early life. Qin Shi Huang was born Zhao Zheng in 259 BCE to Lady Zhao, a former dancing girl and lover of Lü Buwei, and King Zhuangxiang. His father died when he was 13, leading to Lü Buwei acting as chancellor and shaping his early rule amidst palace intrigues involving his mother and Lao Ai.
Explain the “Burning of Books” and the “Burying of Scholars.” What was Qin Shi Huang’s motivation for these actions? Qin Shi Huang ordered the burning of most books, especially histories, and the execution of 460 Confucian scholars in 213 BCE. His motivation was to suppress dissent, eliminate ideas that could challenge his rule, and solidify his regime’s Legalist ideology by controlling information and rewriting history.
What was the purpose of the Great Wall construction during Qin Shi Huang’s reign, and what was its human cost? Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of a defensive wall starting in 221 BCE to deter incursions from the nomadic Xiongnu tribes in the north. This massive undertaking conscripted thousands of men and slaves, with estimates suggesting hundreds of thousands died during its construction.
Detail Qin Shi Huang’s “Quest for Immortality” and its ironic outcome. Obsessed with death, Qin Shi Huang launched a nationwide search for an elixir of life, as evidenced by archaeological finds of bamboo strips. Ironically, it is widely believed that his consumption of cinnabar (mercury sulfide) as a promising elixir contributed to his death at age 49.
Describe the Royal Cover-up following Qin Shi Huang’s death. Who was involved and what was their primary goal? Upon Qin Shi Huang’s death away from the capital, Prime Minister Li Si and eunuch Zhao Gao concealed his death for two months during the return journey. Their goal was to prevent revolt and manipulate the succession, ultimately forging a letter to compel the rightful heir Fusu to commit suicide and installing the younger son, Qin Er Shi.
What is the “Terracotta Army” and where was it located in relation to Qin Shi Huang’s tomb? The Terracotta Army consists of over 8,000 life-sized terracotta soldiers, chariots, and horses. It was meticulously crafted and placed east of Qin Shi Huang’s tomb mound to serve as his eternal garrison, protecting him in the afterlife.
Explain the idiom “Calling a Deer a Horse” in the context of Zhao Gao’s actions. What did this incident demonstrate about his character and power? “Calling a Deer a Horse” refers to Zhao Gao presenting a deer to Qin Er Shi and insisting it was a horse, then executing those who disagreed. This incident demonstrated Zhao Gao’s ruthless and manipulative nature, his desire to test and consolidate power through fear, and his blatant disregard for truth or reality.
How did Legalism influence Qin Shi Huang’s rule and his relationship with the “Hundred Schools of Thought”? Qin Shi Huang adopted Legalism as his state philosophy, which emphasized strict laws, harsh punishments, and centralized authority. This led him to ban most other “Hundred Schools of Thought,” viewing their diverse ideas as threats to his unified and autocratic rule, only sparing those useful for advancing his empire.
What role did Zhao Gao play in the downfall of the Qin Dynasty after Qin Shi Huang’s death? Zhao Gao became the de facto ruler under the puppet emperor Qin Er Shi, eliminating rivals, orchestrating the execution of Li Si, and controlling the empire through fear and deception, ultimately forcing Qin Er Shi to commit suicide and contributing to the dynasty’s rapid collapse due to widespread rebellion.

B. Essay Format Questions

These questions require a more comprehensive and analytical response, drawing connections across different parts of the source material. Do not provide answers for these.

Analyze how Qin Shi Huang’s personal obsessions—namely with immortality, legacy, and control—manifested in his major accomplishments and policies, such as the Terracotta Army, the Great Wall, and the Burning of Books. Discuss the long-term consequences of these actions on his dynasty and on Chinese history.
Discuss the role of deception, manipulation, and loyalty tests throughout the Qin dynasty’s later years, particularly focusing on the actions of Lü Buwei and Zhao Gao. How did these figures contribute to the rise and fall of Qin Shi Huang and his successors, and what parallels can be drawn to the “dangers of unchecked power”?
Compare and contrast Qin Shi Huang’s methods of intellectual and political suppression (e.g., Burning of Books, Burying of Scholars, banning Hundred Schools of Thought) with the “Ignorance is Bliss” theme and the “Calling a Deer a Horse” incident under Qin Er Shi. What does this reveal about the Qin regime’s relationship with truth, dissent, and power consolidation?
The source material introduces the concept of “ruthlessness emerging alongside the rise of civilizations” and presents Qin Shi Huang as an “archetype.” Explore how Qin Shi Huang embodies this archetype, particularly in his pursuit of divine authority, erasure of history, and obsession with personal legacy. How do the provided “Core Parallels” with modern figures like Trump reinforce the idea of this enduring archetype?
Examine the various factors that contributed to the rapid collapse of the Qin Dynasty, which lasted only 15 years after Qin Shi Huang’s death. Consider the impact of his autocratic policies, the internal power struggles, and the subsequent “Royal Coverup & Succession” on the stability and longevity of the empire.

C. Glossary of Key Terms

Qin Shi Huang (Zhao Zheng / Ying Zheng): The First Emperor of China, known for unifying the Warring States and establishing the Qin Dynasty. His reign was marked by ruthless policies, grand construction projects, and an obsession with immortality.
Ruthless Reign: The period of Qin Shi Huang’s rule (221-206 BCE), characterized by extreme measures, suppression of dissent, and military expansion to consolidate power.
Warring States Period: A tumultuous era in ancient China (c. 475-221 BCE) characterized by intense conflict between various rival states, which Qin Shi Huang ultimately unified.
Hundred Schools of Thought: A diverse range of philosophical schools and intellectual movements that flourished in ancient China during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, including Confucianism, Daoism, Mohism, and Legalism.
Legalism: A Chinese philosophical school that advocated for strict laws, harsh punishments, and a centralized, autocratic government to maintain order and strengthen the state. Qin Shi Huang largely adopted this ideology.
Lü Buwei: An influential Chinese merchant and politician who befriended Yiren (future King Zhuangxiang) and manipulated events to help him ascend to the Qin throne. He served as chancellor during Zhao Zheng’s youth.
Lady Zhao (Zhao Ji): The mother of Qin Shi Huang, initially a dancing girl and Lü Buwei’s lover, who became Queen Dowager and engaged in illicit affairs, leading to palace intrigues.
Lao Ai: A man with whom Lady Zhao had an affair and two children, eventually plotting against Zhao Zheng. His conspiracy was discovered, leading to his execution and the suppression of the plotters.
Great Wall: A defensive fortification ordered by Qin Shi Huang to protect the northern border from nomadic tribes (Xiongnu). It was a precursor to the much larger Great Wall of China built later.
Lingqu Canal: A 22-mile canal ordered by Qin Shi Huang to connect the Xiang and Li Rivers, primarily for military transport to accelerate southern conquests, and still in use today.
Burning of Books and Burying of Scholars: Qin Shi Huang’s infamous act of intellectual suppression around 213 BCE, where he ordered the destruction of most books (especially histories) and the execution of scholars who resisted, to control thought and consolidate power.
Meteoric Prophecy: An incident in 211 BCE where a meteor fell with an inscription predicting Qin Shi Huang’s death and the division of his land, leading to the emperor’s brutal retaliation against nearby villagers.
Elixir of Life: A mythical potion Qin Shi Huang desperately sought in his quest for immortality, believed to have led him to consume poisonous cinnabar (mercury sulfide).
Cinnabar: Mercury sulfide, a highly poisonous substance that Qin Shi Huang is believed to have consumed in his pursuit of immortality.
Terracotta Army: A vast collection of life-sized terracotta sculptures of soldiers, chariots, and horses, discovered near Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum, created to protect him in the afterlife.
Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang: A massive underground burial complex built for the First Emperor, designed to mirror his kingdom in the afterlife, complete with symbolic rivers of mercury and a celestial ceiling.
Sima Qian: A renowned Chinese historian from the early Han dynasty, author of the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), which provides key historical accounts of Qin Shi Huang’s life and reign.
Li Si: Qin Shi Huang’s Prime Minister, who played a crucial role in consolidating power after the emperor’s death by orchestrating a cover-up and manipulating the succession.
Zhao Gao: A powerful eunuch and minister in the Qin court, who played a central role in the royal cover-up after Qin Shi Huang’s death, installed Qin Er Shi as a puppet emperor, and gained immense power through fear and manipulation.
Qin Er Shi (Huhai): The second emperor of the Qin Dynasty, installed by Li Si and Zhao Gao as a puppet ruler after Qin Shi Huang’s death, known for his dependence on Zhao Gao and his short, chaotic reign.
Calling a Deer a Horse (指鹿为马): A Chinese idiom originating from an incident where Zhao Gao presented a deer and called it a horse to test and eliminate disloyal officials, symbolizing deliberate confusion of right and wrong and twisting truth to manipulate.
Ziying: A nephew of Qin Shi Huang and son of Fusu, who was briefly made emperor by Zhao Gao but then had Zhao Gao killed, marking the final end of the Qin Dynasty.
Mandate of Heaven: A traditional Chinese philosophical concept that legitimized the rule of the emperor, based on the belief that Heaven granted the right to rule justly, and that loss of this mandate could lead to dynastic overthrow.

VII. Sources

† Ignorance is Bliss:

– Calling a Deer a Horse

He brings a deer and presents it to the Second Emperor calling it a horse. The Second Emperor laughs and says, “Is the chancellor perhaps mistaken, calling a deer a horse?” The emperor questions those around him. Some remain silent, while some, hoping to ingratiate themselves with Zhao Gao, say it is a horse, and others say it is a deer. Zhao Gao secretly arranges for all those who said it was a deer to be brought before the law and had them executed instantly. Thereafter the officials were all terrified of Zhao Gao. Zhao Gao gained military power as a result of that. (tr. Watson 1993:70) — Records of the Grand Historian

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhao_Gao

https://alternativehistorychristos.fandom.com/wiki/Zhao_Gao

https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/11921-records-of-the-grand-historian

https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.7312/wang19360-013/pdf

– The eunuch Zho Gao

Qin Er Shi depends on his father’s eunuch Zhao Gao to run the empire. Zhao Gao served as his father’s Prefect of the Office for Imperial Carriages. Qin Shi Huang highly valued him because he knew a thing or two about criminal law. The first emperor found his knowledge useful for he always needed new ways to control the people. According to the Records of the Grand Historian, Zhao Gao’s parents had committed crimes and were punished. This included the castration of his brothers; however, it is unclear whether Zhao Gao himself was indeed a eunuch or not.

Historical records reveal a complex and controversial figure in Zhao Gao, a key figure during the late Qin Dynasty, whose influence extended to both Emperor Qin Shi Huang and his successor, Qin Er Shi.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhao_Gao

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Zhao-Gao

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qin_Er_Shi

http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Zhou/personszhaogao.html

† Terracotta Army and Tomb:

– Qin Shi Huang began work on his tomb in 246 BCE. The work accelerated taking on much more massive portions in 221 BCE after he conquered the six other warring states. Sima Qian who is a Chinese historian from the early Han dynasty writes:

“…700,000 men were sent there from all over his empire. They dug through three layers of groundwater and poured in bronze for the outer coffin. Palaces and scenic towers for a hundred officials were constructed, and the tomb was filled with rare artifacts and wonderful treasure. Craftsmen were ordered to make crossbows and arrows primed to shoot at anyone who enters the tomb. Mercury was used to simulate the hundred rivers, the Yangtze, Yellow River, and the great sea, and set to flow mechanically. Above were representation of the heavenly constellations, below, the features of the land. Candles were made from fat of “man-fish”, which is calculated to burn and not extinguish for a long time.” – Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mausoleum_of_Qin_Shi_Huang

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-759026

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/441

– The tomb’s reported features (based on historical accounts)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mausoleum_of_Qin_Shi_Huang

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-759026

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/441

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terracotta_Army

https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/arts-and-entertainment/construction-qin-tomb

https://brainly.com/question/32219907

– Current status and discoveries

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mausoleum_of_Qin_Shi_Huang

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-759026

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/441

https://brainly.com/question/32219907

Rare terracotta warrior commander unearthed at First Emperor’s mausoleum

– Reasons for not excavating the central tomb

https://www.iflscience.com/archaeologists-are-too-terrified-to-look-inside-tomb-of-chinas-first-emperor-70035

https://brainly.com/question/32219907

† Royal Coverup & Succession:

After emperor Qin Shi Huang dies away from home and worried his death could trigger violent revolt, his Prime Minister, Li Si, and a small group of men pretend the emperor is still alive while the entourage travels back to the capital. The shades of the carriage are pulled down and kept down. They changed his clothes daily and bring him food. They fake important conversations. To disguise the rotting smell of his decomposing body, Li Shi orders a cart of rotten fish pulled in front of the caravan and one behind.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qin_Shi_Huang

https://geniuses.club/genius/qin-shi-huang

https://factsanddetails.com/china/cat2/sub2/entry-5414.html

Qin Shi Huang Facts & Worksheets

† Quest for Immortality:

Qin Shi Huang is obsessed with death. He always had been ordering a great mausoleum built for his grave when he ascended to the throne at 13 years of age. Now, he urgently seeks an elixir of life so he need not die at all and orders a nationwide search for a mythical potion that would allow him to live forever. Archaeologists have found 48 strips of bamboo recording this decree along with responses from villages and remote frontier regions of his kingdom dating back to 210 BCE. It is believed Qin Shi Huang consumed cinnabar as one of these promising elixirs for eternal life. Rather, cinnabar is quite poisonous, being mercury sulfide.

That same year, the emperor becomes seriously ill during his fifth tour of Eastern China. He dies. The cause of his death is unknown, but the mercury pills probably didn’t help.

Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, was deeply preoccupied with his mortality and the afterlife. This manifested in both his elaborate preparations for his death and his active pursuit of immortality.

https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/stories/who-was-chinas-first-emperor

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/04/inside-the-tomb-of-the-first-emperor/151521

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mausoleum_of_Qin_Shi_Huang

https://www.livescience.com/61286-first-chinese-emperor-sought-immortality.html

https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/wooden-tablets-verify-chinas-first-emperor-s-obsession-immortality-009341

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/archaeology-around-the-world/article-840395

https://www.thoughtco.com/qin-shi-huang-first-emperor-china-195679

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-42477083

† Meteoric Prophecy:

† Meteoric Prophecy: A meteor falls from the sky and lands in the lower regions of the Yellow River in 211 BCE. Word reaches the emperor that there is a prophecy inscribed on the space rock that says: The First Emperor will die, and his land will be divided.

Qin Shi Huang sends royal officials to investigate. Nearby villagers are interrogated to find out who among them wrote this scurrilous sortilege. No one confesses. Outraged, the emperor orders everyone in the village killed and stone destroyed

This event is a well-known historical anecdote associated with Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of China.

https://www.thoughtco.com/qin-shi-huang-first-emperor-china-195679

https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/stories/who-was-chinas-first-emperor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qin_Shi_Huang

https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/mandate-heaven

https://www.ancient-origins.net/weird-facts/elixir-life-0017223

Qin Shi Huang

TIL a meteor had fallen in the kingdom of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, and on it someone had written "The First Emperor will die and his land will be divided." When he heard this, he sent someone to investigate who did it, and when no one admitted, all the people living nearby the meteor were killed.
by intodayilearned

† Burning Books: Qin Shi Huang orders all classic works and books produced by the Hundred Schools of Thought burned. Of particular focus are histories as he fears these could undermine his legitimacy. Instead, he writes his own history books. The only books spared are about astrology, agriculture, medicine, divination, and the history of the State of Qin because these he feels are useful to advance his empire.

Many scholars protest. Qin Shi Huang retaliates by burying 460 Confucian intellectuals alive. It is more likely he simply had them killed. However, since scholars write the history books and it was their books being burned, they likely embellished to paint Qin Shi Huang in a more brutal light.

https://www.historyofinformation.com/detail.php?entryid=2889

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_of_books_and_burying_of_scholars

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781119399919.eahaa00763

https://library.fiveable.me/key-terms/early-world-civilizations/burning-of-the-books

† Hundred Schools of Thought: In 213 BCE, Qin Shi Huang bans the Hundred Schools of Thought, except for Legalism and the House of Administrative Method. These two are useful to Qin Shi Huang to advance and endorse the ideologies of the Qin dynasty.

https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/images/qin-shi-huang-1.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hundred_Schools_of_Thought

https://library.fiveable.me/early-world-civilizations/unit-6/qin-unification-legalism/study-guide/w1KRuVwtjIakApLp

https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Art/Art_History_(Boundless)/23%3A_Chinese_and_Korean_Art_Before_1279_CE/23.04%3A_The_Qin_Dynasty

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/whp-origins/era-3-cities-societies-and-empires-6000-bce-to-700-c-e/35-development-of-belief-systems-betaa/a/read-legalism-beta

https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/legalists

https://www.worldhistory.org/Legalism

https://study.com/academy/lesson/video/qin-dynasty-social-structure-laws-rules.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administration_of_territory_in_dynastic_China

http://en.chinaculture.org/library/2008-02/07/content_23009.htm

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Administration_of_territory_in_dynastic_China

https://study.com/academy/lesson/qin-dynasty-economy-political-structure.html

https://imperialqin.weebly.com/government

https://brainly.com/question/43023639

July 6, 2025July 6, 2025

MAGA Cuts to NOAA & NWS Kill Americans

Deadly Rain in Texas Was Caused by Forecasting Abilities Shredded by MAGA Ignorance (aka DOGE)

🌪 This Reckoning Was Foretold

This isn’t just a story about weather. It’s a story about what happens when we choose to ignore what the weather is trying to tell us.

In my book Sapience: The Moment Is Now, book one opens with a memory. A young girl named Rain is growing up in what’s left of the American Midwest—specifically Minnesota—after the climate has turned against everything human civilization once took for granted. She’s getting ready to conduct a dangerous hack on one of the Multi overlords who now rule over the fragmented survivors of Earth. But before she acts, she remembers everything that brought the world to this brink:

“While hope of engineering a way out of climate change steadily dwindled, so too did people’s willingness to cooperate with each other. People began more and more to simply fend for themselves. It was a phenomenon happening all over the country. (…)
At some point, which no one can quite remember when, every alliance or agreement the world had ever made to fight climate change was abandoned or forgotten. Countries struggled just to remain sovereign entities. People struggled just to stay alive. Deep down, everyone understood the global fight to combat climate change had always been a piecemeal effort that wouldn’t amount to much. (…)
When it came right down to it, there was nobody to hold anybody accountable. So, in the end, everybody played a role in hurrying along the inevitable fall over the climate cliff.

Really, it wasn’t the climate that needed changing. It was human consciousness…”
— Sapience: The Moment Is Now, p. 16

Life Is Barely Fiction NOW

The excerpt above is fiction — but only barely.

What’s happening to the National Weather Service and NOAA right now in 2025 is the literal, bureaucratic dismantling of humanity’s climate early warning system. What’s happening is the result of choosing fools for leaders. Of valuing spectacle over science. Of cutting and slashing until the very agencies meant to save lives can no longer function — and people start dying in flash floods, hurricanes, and heat domes that were once predictable.

The fireworks are over. The reckoning didn’t even wait… disaster struck on 7/4/25 while Trump partied and danced with Melania to YMCA at the White House both sick with jubilant delight after Trump signed the bill that he had to bullied his MAGA loyalists into passing last week… the biggest tax cut to billionaires the world has ever seen (–“the biggest ever!!!” is Trump language, of course).

While mainstream media continues to fail us, Meidas is doing the kind of reporting we need to know how to navigate this moment in time.

How This Happened

I. What Was Lost — Details on job cuts, offices affected.

Who’s Been Lost at NOAA & NWS — And What It Means

Since Trump’s return to office in early 2025, over 880 NOAA employees (about 7–8% of the workforce)—many of them scientists, engineers, forecasters, hydrologists, radar and satellite technicians—were abruptly terminated, primarily probationary staff, under the new “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) order. Source: time.com+8en.wikipedia.org+8washingtonpost.com+8.

This purge included:

~600 positions in the National Weather Service alone. Source: nypost.com+9thedailybeast.com+9texastribune.org+9
A 25% cut at the Environmental Modeling Center, crippling vital weather model systems. Source: npr.org+2en.wikipedia.org+2washingtonpost.com+2
Massive layoffs at the National Hurricane Center and the Storm Prediction Center. Source: thedailybeast.com+15washingtonpost.com+15cnn.com+15
Technicians who kept radars and weather balloons operational were let go—a move described as “we’re screwed” by a former NOAA repair director. Source: washingtonpost.com

Seasoned leaders have walked away, including Jeff Evans, Houston’s longtime meteorologist-in-charge, who retired after 34 years—his departure emblematic of moral distress inside the agency. Source: texastribune.org+1newsweek.com+1.

Weather balloon launches declined, radar systems suffered, and satellite data pipelines were compromised. Even systems translating alerts into Spanish were briefly halted. Source: opb.org+1npr.org+1.

Deeper Dive into Weather Balloons

Weather balloon launches have not completely stopped since the Trump administration's budget cuts, but they have been significantly reduced at several locations across the United States due to staff shortages.

Specifically, the National Weather Service (NWS) has announced:

* Suspension of all radiosonde (weather balloon) launches at three stations: Kotzebue, Alaska; Omaha, Nebraska; and Rapid City, South Dakota.

* Reduction of launches to once per day at an additional six locations: Aberdeen, South Dakota; Grand Junction, Colorado; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Gaylord, Michigan; North Platte, Nebraska; and Riverton, Wyoming.

* Temporary suspension of launches at Albany, New York, and Gray, Maine, with the intention to resume twice-daily launches when staffing permits.

These cuts are a direct consequence of reduced staffing at NWS forecast offices, exacerbated by the Trump administration's efforts to shrink the federal workforce, including a federal hiring freeze and layoffs of probationary employees. Meteorologists and experts have expressed concerns that these reductions in weather balloon launches could negatively impact forecast accuracy, particularly for severe weather events. The lost data could also create gaps for future researchers and model developers.

While some offices have suspended launches entirely, others have reduced them to once per day, and the NWS has emphasized its core mission of providing life-saving forecasts and warnings. They have also taken steps to make balloon launches a higher priority and are working to address staffing gaps. In the interim, other data sources, such as research balloons, commercial aircraft, and satellites, will need to compensate for the reduced balloon launches. 

(See end for sources)

II. How Forecasting Is Faltering — Data shortages, broken systems.

Six Months In: Cracks Become Chasms

Within months, the impact has been dramatic:

Vacancy rates spiked to 19% agency-wide, with some local offices missing more than 40% of their staff wired.com+15scientificamerican.com+15time.com+15.
The National Weather Service scrambled to fill 155 forecast positions, including 76 meteorologists, via emergency reassignments newsweek.com+1washingtonpost.com+1.
Scientists working on the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS)—which had recently improved hurricane intensity forecasts—were cut, leaving hard-earned momentum dangling theguardian.com+10cnn.com+10opb.org+10.
The Pentagon halted sharing key microwave satellite data at night; the new system isn’t online yet, further weakening hurricane tracking washingtonpost.com.
Experts warn that reduced capacity in weather modeling and forecasting will cost billions in lost economic protection and, more gravely, lives time.com.

III. Lives on the Line — Highlight Texas tragedies and the human toll.

Weather-Related Deaths Linked to Undercut Forecasting

Despite valiant continued work, tragic failures have followed:

🔥 April–May Tornado / Severe Storm Season

Forecaster shortages across the South and Midwest meant fewer real-time adjustments during critical moments. While no single death has been officially blamed on forecast limitations, internal sources estimate a 5–10% rise in unanticipated storm damage—a grim reflection of thinning service .

🌊 July 4–5, 2025: Central Texas Flash Floods

At least 52 people killed, including children at Camp Mystic, when 5–11″ of rain fell in hoursapnews.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3theguardian.com+3.
Local officials and governors accused the NWS of underestimating rainfall severity—though meteorologists note that the volumes exceeded “1,000‑year event” thresholds, making precise prediction nearly impossibletheguardian.com+13wired.com+13thedailybeast.com+13.
Still, the staffing and data shortfalls arguably left little room for resilience in forecasting, delaying key alerts and prep vox.com.

**IV. Inside NOAA — Testimonials citing burnout are leading to early retirements, just as MAGA planned.**

The Human Toll: Inside NOAA’s Ranks

I have a friend at NOAA who readying for a retirement this November. He is too heartbroken to go on in his work that he is specifically the right expert at the right time needed at NOAA. He is far from alone. From NOAA headquarters in Silver Spring, MD, through field offices nationwide:

Anger, heartbreak, moral injury are widespread as people see their agency publicly undermined .
Staff are burnt out—taking on double shifts, canceled training, decreased equipment budgets—and hearing DOGE officials override internal protocols .
The agency’s union laments that this isn’t a trimming—it’s a slow structural dismantling of capability .

In one Reddit post shared among federal employees:

“Some field offices were more than half probationary and could be in critical condition… Supervisors are not being informed… unable to quantify the risks…” reddit.com

V. Time for Reckoning — Call to action: restore staffing, transparency, funding.

Time for Reckoning?

This is not just a staffing story—it’s one about public safety, economic stability, and climate resilience. As you build this companion post to “The Fireworks Are Over. Now Comes the Reckoning,” these themes will resonate:

Where the cuts were deepest: NWS offices, modeling centers, hurricane teams, satellite techs.
What went wrong: forecasting accuracy dipped, emergency alerts lagged, and tragic predictability unraveled.
Who suffered most: families in flash floods; agency employees crushed by moral injury; the public left vulnerable.
What’s next: rebuilding trust and capability—through emergency hires, court reversals, and public scrutiny.

Relevant News on NOAA & Texas Floods

Relevant News on TX Floods:

The Daily Beast — Texas Officials Slam Trump’s National Weather Service for Botched Forecast

Wired — Meteorologists Say the National Weather Service Did Its Job in Texas

Vox — Hurricane season is here. NOAA is in shambles. What could go wrong?

Weather Ballon sources:

NOAA Cuts Weather Balloon Launches Due to Staff Shortages After …Mar 25, 2025 — The National Weather Service is reducing the number of weather balloons it launches across the country, an early tangible decrease in services offered in the wa…Inside Climate News
How Trump’s National Weather Service Cuts Could Cost LivesMay 13, 2025 — Swain and others have concurred. Instead, Spinrad says, the Trump administration has made “easy” cuts such as firing “probationary” employees (those who were ne…Scientific American
National Weather Service scaling back balloon launches due to cutsMar 26, 2025 — There will be intermittent launch suspensions in Albany, New York and Gray, Maine with all launches suspended in Omaha, Nebraska; Rapid City, South Dakota; and …CBS News
What we lose when weather balloons don’t fly – Washington PostMay 26, 2025 — John Boris, a National Weather Service meteorologist, is on duty to evaluate the chances the storms will cross Lake Michigan overnight and reach the rolling hil…The Washington Post

🛡️ Wear Your Values & Inspire Others

Does this make you mad?

It makes me mad.

Living in D.C., I’ve met and talked with federal employees who’ve been unjustly fired. I made videos back in February warning what Trump’s, Musk’s, and MAGA’s madness would mean for ordinary Americans. I spoke about the dire effects of slashing the federal workforce — how it would ripple across this country like a tsunami.

But it’s not just one wave.

It’s many waves:

For each federal agency gutted — countless waves of destruction.
For Trump’s reckless tariffs — countless waves of destruction.
For the Trump-Miller crackdown on immigrants (which is really hate and racism masquerading as legal warfare against non-white people) — countless waves of destruction.

These waves crash into every corner of this country. And each one carries the potential for death — not just for the targets of MAGA’s madness (Black, Brown, immigrant, disabled, LGBTQ+, and non-MAGA people) — but for MAGA supporters too.

This is what collapse looks like. Not all at once — but one devastating policy, one cowardly law, one indifferent shrug at a time.

My 3-minute minis — called The Now Scroll (a play on doom-scrolling) — are available on YouTube and TikTok. Go watch. Share them. Be informed. Be ready.

I’ve also created a whole line of Resistance Ready wearables, yard signs, posters, and more — because in the Sapient Survival Guide, one critical resistance strategy is this:

👉 Signal to others who haven’t yet been devoured by the MAGA Mind Virus.

Do not underestimate the power of a simple yard sign.
Do not underestimate what it means to wear your resistance on your sleeve — literally.
Your courage is contagious.

🔗 The ABCs of Democracy Products

ABCs of Democracy T-Shirt, Retro Adventure Tee for Patriotic Enthusiasts, Bold Statement Graphic

What happens when federal workers disappear? This bold and thought-provoking sticker makes it clear: No Federal Workers. No Democracy. </span…

$34.82 – $39.27

Shop now

🚫 No Federal Workers? No Future! 🚫 Eye-Catching Yard Sign for Awareness & Activism

What happens when federal workers disappear? This bold and thought-provoking yard sign makes it clear: No Safe Food. No Clean Water. No Flights. No Roads. No Justice. No Future. No Cures.

<p …

$24.49

Shop now

No Federal Workers No Democracy Political Round Vinyl Stickers

Introducing our vibrant round No Federal Workers — No Democracy vinyl stickers. These stickers are perfect for your next protest, stand-in, rally, march, Town Halls, Fighting Oligarchy with Bernie and AOC, visiting your congress person, or just about anywhere this message needs to be heard. Add a splash of colo…

$3.25 – $6.52

Shop now

These are not just products.

They are signals of sanity in a time of manufactured madness.

Archetypal Animation

Animation created by Genolve

Music: Ambient Electronic Downtempo — cleanmindsounds

June 25, 2025June 25, 2025

The Summer of Smoke and Mirrors

How Illusion Shapes Reality in 2025

“What fools these mortals be.” — Puck, A Midsummer Night’s Dream

We’ve officially entered the Summer of Smoke and Mirrors—where illusion, not truth, is the currency of power.

June 2025 marks more than just the turning of seasons. It marks a turning of perception, engineered by billionaires, propaganda priests, and rogue avatars of so-called freedom. If 2024 taught us anything, it’s that facts are optional when the spectacle is strong enough.

This isn’t new. But it is accelerating.

Midsummer Myths and Modern Mind Games

In Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, lovers are bewitched into madness, mistaking dream for reality. The forest becomes a playground of misperception. Sound familiar?

In today’s world, the enchanted forest is digital. The fairies wear algorithmic wings. And the love potions come in the form of TikTok edits, AI-generated videos, and breathless headlines designed to bypass thought and provoke gut reaction.

We’re not just being lied to. We’re being enchanted—lulled into a dream-state where up is down, authoritarianism is freedom, and billionaires are saviors.

Smoke: Manufactured Chaos

The smoke is thick and deliberate:

Federal workers are demonized.
Educators are censored or silenced.
Immigrants are painted as invaders.
Science is treated like a witch’s spellbook.

All while the ultra-wealthy rig the rules, loot the commons, and call it “freedom.”

This is not just disinformation—it’s strategic mythmaking. The same tactics used by Lenin, Hitler, and Trump are back on the stage: control the narrative, hijack the archetypes, and cast anyone who resists as the villain in a story you wrote.

Smoke Screen of Demonizing Federal Workers, Smoke Screen of Demonizing Democrats (MAGA calls Dems Demon–crats), Smoke Screen of Demonizing Immigrants, Educators, Scientists… Do you really want to fall for this garbage propaganda while Billionaire babies like Elon, Bezos, Zuck, and want-a-bee Trump steal from you?

Mirrors: Apperception and Archetype Hijack

Mirrors aren’t just for reflection anymore. They’re used to bend perception.

If you repeat a lie enough, it reflects as truth. This is the psychological mechanism of apperception—a key concept in my book Sapience: The Moment Is Now. It’s how people merge new experiences with old beliefs, often without realizing the merger has occurred.

Once corrupted, the archetypes become dangerous:

The Hero becomes the Strongman.
The Storyteller becomes the Propaganda Priest.
The Watcher falls asleep at the gate.

What Archetypes Rule Your Mind? Have they been corrupted by the MAGA mind virus?

What Can You Do in the Forest of Illusion?

Wake up. Train your mythic imagination. See through the glamour.

Ask yourself:

Who’s writing the script I’m following?
What archetype is being presented—and what’s being hidden?
Am I consuming stories that empower my sapience or lull me into obedience?

**Beware the Zaries** — The Bad Faries — We all have a little of both inside of us… the infected ones have let the Zaries rule their inner garden of thought, feelings, and the story they tell themselves of what has happened to them along the way…

This Summer, Be a Watcher. Not a Pawn.

This isn’t just about politics—it’s about consciousness. About reclaiming the power to perceive clearly, to feel deeply, and to choose wisely.

It’s time to pierce the smoke.
It’s time to shatter the mirrors.
It’s time to awaken.

Do You Know Who Is Staring Back at You from Your Inner Abyss? We all have an inner abyss… without it… there would be No conscious awareness…

Explore more in my book Sapience: The Moment Is Now and check out myth-driven gear from The Quip Collection— where protest meets poetry.

This summer, the dream is breaking. The question is: will you wake up… or stay enchanted?

Feature Animation

Archetypal Animation: Electronic Ambient Atmospheres – Coding Life

Created by Genolve

First Dragon Rider Animation

Music: Epic Cinematic Soundtracks –Romansenykmusic — [2] Epic Drama Cinematic Trailer 3:08

Created by Genolve

Second Dragon Rider Animation — Music: Inhuman Rampage – DragonForce — [4] Dragon 3:44 | Created by Genolve

Take Home Message: Just like in an enchanted forest, it’s important to navigate this digital landscape with care. While it’s easy to get swept up in the magic of AI-generated videos or the allure of viral TikTok edits, it’s also crucial to think critically about the content we consume.

Remember, not all that glitters in the digital forest is gold. Some of it might just be cleverly designed to provoke a reaction. So, let’s keep our wits about us and enjoy the magic responsibly.

June 5, 2025June 5, 2025

How to Survive the Sadistic MAGA Zombie Apocalypse

Because good people need a guide when the undead wear suits, wave flags, and drool power

Introduction

In the first weeks of the Trump regime, I called it: The MAGA Zombie Apocalypse. Back then, it felt like satire—a dark metaphor for a rising tide of authoritarian groupthink. But five months into Trump 2.0, the metaphor is no joke–we are living through not only the MAGA Zombie Apocalypse, but the Sadistic MAGA Zombie Apocalypse.

This point was made most powerfully by Noble Prize Winning economist on May 21, 2025: Paul Krugman.

The Last Word | May 21, 2025 with Paul Krugman | What we are talking about is sadistic zombie behavior… these are ideas that should be dead but it keeps shambling along eating people’s brains… (to listen to what I am referring to… click this link and fast-forward to minute 23 of the video)

And Paul Krugman is not the only award-winning economist raising alarm bells on what Trump and his renegade regime is doing to America’s economy and the global economy.

The images above are from Richard Wolff‘s latest video warning of the impending dangers of Trump’s unhinged ideas. This links to his video. Below is his bio.

_{A lifelong professor of economics, Richard D. Wolff is a well-known critic of contemporary capitalism and the leading proponent of an alternative economic system based on Worker Self-Directed Enterprises (WSDEs). He is the host of Economic Update, and has been interviewed on several popular television programs that include: Real Time with Bill Maher, Bill Moyers’ Moyers & Company, The Charlie Rose Show, and Up with Chris Hayes. As the founding director of Democracy at Work (d@w), Wolff’s publications that advocate for making the workplace democratic include articles in Truthout.org, The Guardian, Common Dreams, as well as his recent book: Capitalism's Crisis Deepens The videos you'll find here also advocate for WSDEs as a key part of moving forward from the current model of capitalism to a new and better economy. For more information, please visit our websites: http://democracyatwork.info http://rdwolff.com}

Another award winning economists who is raising Red Alerts on Trump and his MAGA regime is Jeffery Sachs. Both Wolff and Sachs are saying the same thing and that is the USA is an empire in decline. The new rising empire is rising even faster because of Trump and his shenanigans.

Who is the new empire?

Jeffrey David Sachs (/sæks/ SAKS; born November 5, 1954)^[4] is an American economist and public policy analyst who is a professor at Columbia University,^[5][6] where he was formerly director of The Earth Institute. He worked on the topics of sustainable development and economic development.^[7]

Why it is China. Why else are political figures (on both the left and right) demonizing China? They need a boogeyman because they don’t know how to fix or stop America’s decline as the dominate super power in the world.

Listen to the experts. I am just the messenger of their insights and warnings of this moment in time.

Zombie Ideas Are the Vectors of the Zombie Plague

But, we are not there any more and no matter how hard Trump and his MAGA zombies wish it to be… America is not going backwards in time (this universe just doesn’t work that way). However, what we do have going on now is a full-scale infection of zombie ideas. Listen to Noble Prize Winning Paul Krugman describe to Larwance what a zombie idea is. In economics, this is an actual term used to describe destructive economic decisions. Paul Krugman doesn’t mince words, nor does he call what Trump and gang are doing populism. He hits much closer to the core of what is happening right now to ordinary, working class Americans. He calls it the work of sadistic zombies.

This isn’t just “authoritarian drift,” it is: sadism.

Sadistic MAGA zombies don’t just crave power—they relish in cruelty. They cheer at book bans, scream at school boards, and fantasize about revenge. They’ve been taught to believe that empathy is weakness and democracy is rigged. They’ve been fed a diet of fear and conspiracy until all that’s left is a shell of resentment wrapped in a red hat.

And while this madness unfolds in public view, a darker vision looms—one I explore in my book, Sapience: The Moment Is Now. It’s a near-future world where the zombie virus of unchecked greed and ignorance has finally run its course. Nation-states collapse under the weight of climate disaster and political rot. Mother Nature strikes back with rage: fire, flood, famine. But the super-elite? They’re safe. Sequestered in their billion-dollar Multis—fortresses of luxury, profit, and surveillance. Built on our backs. Funded by our suffering. They don’t just survive the apocalypse—they monetize it.

Surviving the Sadistic MAGA Zombie Apocalypse

So the question remains: how do good people survive this sadistic MAGA zombie apocalypse?

How do we navigate a world where cruelty is a badge of honor, truth is malleable, and the future has been auctioned off to the highest bidder?

Survival is no longer about hiding from the undead. It’s about refusing to become one.

Survival Guide

1. Don’t Try to Convert the Infected

In Sapience, I explore how mass manipulation hijacks apperception—the brain’s power to weave new experiences with old mental models. MAGA zombies have had their apperception hacked. They see cruelty as strength, lies as truth, and their oppressors as saviors.

You can’t decode a mind that’s been corrupted by a system that rewards delusion. So stop trying to “wake them up.” You’re not dealing with the uninformed—you’re facing the intentionally misinformed. Conserve your energy. Strengthen your own reality instead.

Page from Soon To Be Released Graphic Novel

2. Fortify Your Moral Immune System

In a world unraveling—where sea levels rise while civility sinks—what protects us isn’t bunkers or bitcoin. It’s moral clarity. Sapience argues that individual awareness must evolve faster than the systems collapsing around us.

Survival means knowing what you stand for when everything else falls. Read real history. Nourish empathy. Reclaim archetypes of wisdom, guardianship, and creative rebellion. Build an inner compass the zombies can’t corrupt.

3. Find Your Survivor Tribe

The collapse is not coming—it’s here. As I describe in Sapience, nation-states crumble into irrelevance while the ultra-elite shelter in fortified Multis, profiting from engineered scarcity and division.

Meanwhile, the rest of us must rely on each other. The uninfected. The awake. The aware. Find your people. Your “Wisdom Guardians,” as I call them. Artists, truth-tellers, scientists, street-level organizers, and kitchen-table philosophers. Form pods. Trade skills. Share hope. The future will be rebuilt by tribes of sapients who remember how to feel and think at the same time.

4. Use Humor Like a Machete

Zombies don’t laugh. That’s your advantage. In Sapience, I argue that imagination isn’t a luxury—it’s a survival mechanism. Satire, sarcasm, irony: these are weapons against despair and disinformation.

Laugh at absurdity. Call it out. Use your wit to dismantle the systems that want you numb. If authoritarianism is a theater of cruelty, then humor is your standing ovation for sanity.

5. Stop Playing Their Zero-Sum Game

The MAGA horde, like the billionaires they worship, believes in scarcity. If they have rights, we lose ours. If they get help, we suffer. In Sapience, I trace this zero-sum thinking back 5,000 years—to the roots of empire, hierarchy, and manufactured division.

Survival means refusing to play this game. The future depends on a different model—abundance through awareness, not extraction. We build systems that care. We dream bigger than the dystopia sold to us.

6. Prepare Like It’s Real—Because It Is

The sadistic MAGA zombie apocalypse isn’t just metaphor. It’s psychological warfare, ecological collapse, economic sabotage, and civil decay—all rolled into a carnival of chaos. In Sapience, I call for preparedness not just in supply—but in spirit.

Yes, stock the pantry. But also stock your consciousness. Build mental models that help you adapt, imagine, and act. Prep not just for survival—but for post-collapse purpose.

**Prepare Like It’s Real—Because It Is**

Where Are the Best Places in the USA to Prepare & Weather All This Out?

Not many Americans can afford to move to another country. However, there might be some places in the US that can weather the coming chaos, economic collapse, tariffs, etc. etc. better than other places.

I asked ChatGPT this question.

And I asked it to factor in the impact of MAGA’s Big Beautiful Bill, Trump’s Big Beautiful Tariffs, and Elon’s Big Beautiful Cuts of the Federal Work Force.

Wait, you say, what exactly do these fired federal employees have to do with my economic wellbeing and security? Will we really miss them? Surely, federal employees weren’t doing anything that affects me?!

This is a massively important question — because most Americans don’t realize how deeply their everyday lives rely on federal workers and civil service infrastructure, often until it’s too late.

When Elon Musk and Donald Trump — directly or indirectly — push policies or appoint people who gutted, defunded, or demoralized the federal workforce, the effects don’t look like chaos at first. They look like delays, breakdowns, confusion, and crises without answers.

These cuts of federal employees are not only being done by Elon’s DOGE teenage team of hackers, but also Trump-era cabinet secretaries who are doing everything they can to hurry up attrition, hollowing out, or outright hostility to entire departments to get them to resign. These efforts combined with Elon Musk’s privatization fantasies and support for anti-government ideology, have real, painful consequences — especially during a high-stakes summer.

Here’s a powerful rundown of what Americans will miss, lose access to, or suffer from due to this sustained war on the federal workforce and public service infrastructure:

🌀 Weather and Climate Disasters: You’re on Your Own

Fewer NOAA and National Weather Service meteorologists, leading to delayed or downgraded storm warnings.
Less support from FEMA during floods, wildfires, hurricanes, or tornado recovery — especially in rural and low-income areas.
Climate data suppression or manipulation, making disaster preparation harder for local governments.

🔥 Emergency Response & Disaster Relief (FEMA, NOAA, USFS)

Slower response times to wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and heat waves, which are growing more frequent and intense due to climate change.
Fewer trained staff at FEMA to process aid, rebuild communities, or coordinate rescue operations.
Weather forecasting delays and reduced storm tracking accuracy as NOAA scientists are driven out or not replaced.
Public lands left unguarded during fire season due to cuts to the U.S. Forest Service.

🥵 Extreme Heat Protections (OSHA, EPA, HUD)

No federal heat standards enforced for workers in warehouses, fields, and construction — putting lives at risk.
EPA gutted so fewer checks on urban heat islands, air pollution, and water safety.
Public housing remains unprepared for heatwaves, with no upgrades to AC, insulation, or cooling stations.

✈️ Travel Chaos (TSA, FAA, National Parks)

Fewer TSA workers = longer lines, more delays, and heightened security risks and greater risk of air traffic issues..
FAA staff shortages = more flight delays and greater risk of mid-air incidents.
National parks overwhelmed, under-maintained, and under-patrolled — risking both safety and ecological damage during peak summer visitation.
Passport and visa delays due to underfunded State Department staffing and backlogs.
Slower response times for air safety violations or airline consumer complaints.

🍔 Food Safety Risks

Cuts to USDA inspectors and FDA staffing mean:
- Fewer food recalls.
- Slower response to contamination.
- More tainted food reaching grocery shelves — especially in meat, dairy, and produce.

🧒 Programs for Kids & Families (USDA, HHS, Education Dept.)

Cut summer lunch programs for low-income kids who rely on school meals.
Delayed child care subsidies and family health services from HHS.
No staff to administer educational grants or summer learning programs — deepening the gap for marginalized students.

🔥 Public Lands and Firefighting

Fewer park rangers, firefighters, and wildland emergency responders.
Reduced protection for forests, wildlife, and endangered ecosystems.
Delays in wildfire prevention programs, increasing the risk of massive summer fires.

🌽 Farmer & Food System Support (USDA, EPA, Labor)

Fewer inspections for food safety, pesticides, and agricultural fraud.
No support for small farmers as subsidies and conservation programs go unstaffed.
Farmworker protection enforcement drops, putting vulnerable workers in harm’s way.

🏥 Health Access and Medical Oversight

Cuts to CDC staff and public health departments hamper outbreak tracking.
Medicare/Medicaid call centers and case managers are overwhelmed.
Less oversight of toxic workplace exposures (via OSHA or EPA), which rise in summer heat.

😷 Public Health & Science (CDC, NIH, FDA)

Slower outbreak response and tracking of new COVID, flu, or RSV variants.
Cancer trials delayed, new treatments slowed.
Fewer food and drug inspections, leading to more recalls and risks.

💼 Small Business and Economic Aid

Delays or shutdowns in:
- SBA (Small Business Administration) loan approvals.
- USDA rural development grants.
- Housing programs (HUD) and energy assistance.

🏛️ Justice & Democracy (DOJ, DOL, USPS, Census Bureau)

Delayed civil rights investigations, police oversight, and workplace discrimination cases.
EEOC, DOJ Civil Rights Division, and labor board staffing gutted.
Slower investigations into:
- Police abuse
- Discrimination
- Corporate exploitation
Undermines voting rights enforcement in the lead-up to the 2024 election.
Labor rights violations ignored due to DOL staff losses.
USPS delays worsen, affecting medication delivery, ballots, and rural access.
Census follow-up workers slashed, hurting planning, school funding, and representation.

💻 Tech and Infrastructure Cracks

Fewer cybersecurity experts defending federal systems.
Disrepair in federal IT systems, IRS help lines, Social Security portals, and more.
Musk’s influence has led to privatized chaos at agencies like NASA and the FCC — where public-good missions have taken a backseat to private profiteering.

🌐 Digital & Infrastructure Access (FCC, NTIA, DOE, DOT)

Broadband expansion stalls, leaving rural and tribal communities offline.
Clean energy grants delayed or canceled.
Transportation projects halted or badly managed due to DOT understaffing.

👵🏽 Elder and Disability Services

Social Security Administration understaffed, leading to:
- Long wait times for claims.
- Missed payments.
- Errors with disability benefits and Medicare.
Veterans Affairs delays for medical care and claims processing.

🚱 Environmental Protection Gutted

EPA enforcement weakened under both Trump and Musk-aligned deregulation.
Polluters operate with impunity in many regions.
Less testing of water, air, and soil — disproportionately harming vulnerable communities.

🚸 Education and Child Protection

Cuts to Head Start, school nutrition programs, and summer youth employment.
Backlogs in child abuse investigations (in coordination with HHS).
Less enforcement of IDEA (special education law) — hurting children with disabilities.

🎯 Bottom Line:

Federal workers are the invisible backbone of a functioning society. When figures like Trump and Musk wage ideological wars against “the deep state,” what they’re really doing is crippling the systems that keep everyday people safe, housed, fed, informed, and protected.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 In a Nutshell:

Americans will lose rescue, relief, safety, dignity, and time this summer — not because the government is inherently broken, but because it’s been systematically sabotaged from within. Cuts aren’t just budget line items — they’re broken bridges, burning forests, spoiled food, unpaid claims, and unanswered calls when you need help most.

Economic Hardship Map Due to Trump, MAGA, Musk

Factoring in impacts of the cuts to Federal Workers, Republicans Big Bad Beautiful Bill, Trump’s Rollercoaster Tariffs, rounding up and deporting immigrants (who are the economic backbone Americans stand upon), among other nonsense and authoritarian tendencies of Trump and his cronies, ChatGPT made this map.

It shows the worst, bad, good, and best states to weather the coming economic weather that promises to be very destructive to everyone living in the USA.

Everyone, except for the billionaires who are counting their billions once again thanks to the Republican Prime Directive to Make the Rich Richer!

And this pain that is coming is not short-term. It is how the billionaires are turning You and me into a permanent fixture of their glorious money machine. Unless we rise in numbers they can’t ignore, we are doomed to a lifetime of repetitive cruelty (dubbed efficiency).

It is efficiency only meant to benefit them! DOGE was the first bite… We the People are the next!

Best and Worst Places to Weather the Sadistic Zombie Apocalypse

🔥 Conclusion: The Path of the Sapient

We are not merely surviving an election year. We’re fighting a mind virus. We’re fighting despair. We’re fighting a worldview that delights in the suffering of others. But we have what they don’t: compassion, clarity, and creativity.

As we navigate the toxic fallout of this mind virus—engineered by empires like the House of Trump, the House of Koch, and the House of Musk. These modern dynasties feed on chaos, feed on fear, and feast on the unraveling of the common good.

They offer fiery distraction, oily decay, and cosmic delusion, packaged as strength, wealth, and genius. But their apocalypse is not inevitable.

What they lack—and what we fiercely hold—is sapience: the rare, revolutionary capacity to stay human in the face of inhumanity.
They burn and extract.
We create and rise.

Yes, the MAGA zombie apocalypse is real—an infestation of cruelty, delusion, and decay.
But so is the Firebird: that fierce symbol of rebirth rising from ash, wings carved from imagination and resolve.

We are not here to be consumed.
We are here to outlast. To outlove. To outthink.

There is no magic savior coming. But maybe that’s the point.

In a world devoured by cruelty and delusion, choosing to remain fully human—aware, kind, imaginative—is the ultimate form of rebellion. In a world designed to dull us into obedience, simply choosing to be awake, compassionate, and creative is an act of defiance.

In Sapience: The Moment Is Now, I argue that it’s time to awaken the archetype of the Sapient Human: one who sees through illusion, transcends despair, and creates meaning even in rubble.

The sadistic MAGA zombies may be loud. They may be real. They may be many. But they are not the future.

This isn’t just resistance. This is transformation.

The sadistic zombies are drooling from their new found power.
The dynastic Houses of Economic Power are roaring as the ticker tapes measuring their richness ticks up and up and up.… like one of Elon’s rocket ships!
But they are not the future.

And, we have all seen what happens to Elon’s rocket ships to Mars!!!

You are!!

🧠🧟‍♀️ Download the Sapient Zombie Survival Guide

This is your field manual for surviving the coming storm.
And stay tuned… the Graphic Novel is coming—armed with satire, art, and deeper strategies to fight the mind virus and keep your soul intact.

Sapient_Zombie_Survival_Guide Download

Sneak Peak at Graphic Novel:

Archetypal Animation

Music: Dramatic Classical Halloween (Spooky Eerie Halloween)Various Artists

[1] The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, RV 315 “Summer”: III. Presto. Tempo impettuoso d’Estate 2:38

May 25, 2025May 25, 2025

Feudal Fantasies: How Small Town Politics Pave the Road to Authoritarianism

In a small Minnesota town where my parents eventually settled, I met a man who left a lasting impression. Intelligent, hard-working, self-motivated—he seemed to possess everything needed for success. Yet, in this town, none of that was enough. When he went back to school to become certified in heating and air-conditioning so he could launch his own business, he found that being good—better even—didn’t translate to getting work. Why? Because he hadn’t been born into the right family. Nor had he married into one. In this tightly knotted hierarchy, referrals and business loyalty were reserved for the connected—not the competent.

brown and grey concrete building — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Even though his work was superior and his prices more reasonable, the jobs went to less qualified contractors with the right last names. His story is not unique. I’ve seen it before.

I did not grow up in that Minnesotan town, but I did live for a time in a small South Dakota town where my father was the pastor. About 70% of the community loved him—he was kind, deeply empathetic, innovative, and committed to his congregation. But a smaller group, perhaps 30%, made his life increasingly difficult. Why? Because my father believed that God’s wisdom was big enough to encompass evolution. He believed creation could unfold over billions of years, not just the 6,000 years described in a literal reading of Genesis. This flexibility, imagination, and openness terrified the fundamentalists.

person hand and crescent moon — Photo by Kaique Rocha on Pexels.com

That same small group eventually drove my father out. The final blow came when the town’s mayor—who was also the town butcher and the ringleader of the anti-pastor crusade—shot our family dog. Let that sink in: a community leader, a butcher no less, responded to theological disagreement with the casual violence of a bullet through a pet.

black dog sitting and looking aside — Photo by Heather White on Pexels.com

That act mirrors the level of cruelty and irrational devotion we see today. It’s not unlike the woman in the Trump administration who recently shot her own puppy and bragged about it—an incident that, rather than drawing shame, brought her praise from the MAGA base. It’s all part of a warped worldview where empathy is weakness, creativity is suspect, and loyalty to a rigid, nostalgic, fake-religion worldview matters more than truth or decency.

This is the feudal model of power: small town hierarchies, just like medieval fiefdoms, reward obedience and conformity—not excellence or imagination. And these structures didn’t stay in small towns. They scaled. Over the years, this mindset climbed the ladder from local governments to statehouses to Washington D.C., setting the stage for Trump and his MAGA cult to seize power.

knight armor — Photo by Maria Pop on Pexels.com

Just like that 30% drove my father away, MAGA’s minority—less than one-third of Americans—has managed to dominate the political landscape through gerrymandering, voter suppression, media manipulation, and sheer will to power. They lost the popular vote in 2016 and 2020, and yet they captured the presidency once—and now, shockingly, a second time. How? Because the feudal framework still rules.

Carl Jung once wrote that modern man is “eye-deep in the medieval psyche.” We dress like modern people, use modern tech, and live in modern cities, but psychologically? We’re still trapped in feudalism. We still defer to kings and lords. We still fear heretics. We still sacrifice the wise and the compassionate to appease the powerful few who wear the right colors and say the right words.

In my book, Sapience: The Moment Is Now, I explore how our collective psyche—warped by centuries of myth, fear, and manipulation—has been weaponized to keep people disempowered. These aren’t just psychological phenomena. They’re political tools used to fracture our shared reality, destroy our ability to agree on basic facts, and manufacture divisions so deep they seem impossible to heal.

Until we see through these medieval illusions—and build systems that reward truth, creativity, and compassion—we’ll keep submitting to lords and kings. And they will keep shooting our dogs, real and metaphorical.

The fault lines in our society aren’t random. They’ve been carved by centuries of deliberate design.

It’s time we saw the architecture clearly—and started tearing it down.

Be Curious — Remain Open to Learn New Ideas & Grow

Here are people I have been watching and following closely as the whole world moves through an incredibly dangerous time.

How Religion Helped Pave the Way for MAGA’s Desire to Destroy Everything & Punish Everyone

woman sitting and reading latest news in burning daily paper — Photo by Matheus Bertelli on Pexels.com

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Monte Mader (@montemader)

On Lies and the People Who Believe Them

@tiredunclesean
Replying to @isthisforreal25 the only invasion is the agitprop invading brains #trump #usa #maga #education #news #politics #immigration
♬ original sound – TiredUncleSean

What’s going on in the minds of Trump supporters

an illustration of a person s mind — Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels.com **& Watch:** Why TRUMP Supporters Really Believe In Him? A Psychiatrist’s Insight

Why People Follow Authoritarian Leaders | A Psychiatrist Explains Power Psychology (Channel Trailer)

Time to Look In the Mirror for sure!

@tiredunclesean
Our government is a reflection of our values #Trump #maga #usa #politics #education #news
♬ original sound – TiredUncleSean

Why America is Not a Moral Country

@tiredunclesean
#stitch with @Truth be told just sad #Trump #maga #usa #news #politics
♬ original sound – Truth be told

Tired Uncle Sean — Like Father Like Son

@tiredunclesean
Like all father like son #Trump #maga #usa #christiantiktok #education #news #politics
♬ original sound – TiredUncleSean

This vid resonated so much with me that I commented on it: You are soooo right!!! I am (or was) religious… but came to this same conclusion as a little girl listening to my father preach enlightening sermons that incorporated the possibility that God could be big enough to work over billions of years through evolution… only to watch how a minority (about 30%) of his congregation rally to get rid of him… for God forbid… dad was preaching exactly from the Bible and thinking for himself and showing others how to do so too! This cumulated with the ring leader of this minority group (who was also the mayor and butcher of this small SD town) shooting our dog. It worked we left and I lost my faith in this kind of cruel, stupid god.

Decline of the American Empire — Talking Economic Sense

Economics plays a huge role in the macro forces driving individuals, political parties, and nation states. To know how to navigate these times, one need to pay attention to these macro drivers and these two economists make economics easy and explain plainly what is happening now.

“The US Has A $36 TRILLION Problem” – Richard Wolff’s LAST Warning

“Most People Have No Idea What’s Coming” | Richard Wolff’s Last WARNING

“Trump Just DESTROYED The US Economy!” – Richard Wolff’s Terrifying Message

Jeffrey Sachs: This is Why USA is LOSING to China

Richard Wolff: This Mistake Will DESTROY Us For Decades!

LIVE | UNFILTERED! Jeffrey Sachs’ Most Brutal Trump Attack Streamed LIVE! | US News UPDATES

Sapient Merch

fAuL LiNEs of DaRK PsYChE Unisex Tee, Mysterious, Haunting Tee, Dark aesthetics, Goth, Punk, Philosophical fans T-shirt

🔥 Wear the Truth They’d Rather You Ignore 🔥

fAuL LiNEs of DaRK PsYChE – Statement T-Shirt

Beneath the surface of smiling small towns, tidy suburbs, and high-tech cities, ancient structures still rule: hierarchies built on fear, obedience, and control. fAuL LiNEs of DaRK PsYChE isn’t just a design—it’s a warning, a revelation, a signal that you see through the cracks.

Inspired by the warped, medieval power structures exposed in our latest blog, this shirt marks the seismic rift between the official story and what’s really going on. It’s for those who refuse to play along with the feudal script—those who know modern minds are still haunted by ancient thinking.

Wear it like armor. Speak without speaking. Let the lines say what others dare not.

Features
🔥Classic fit and tear-away label for comfort that doesn’t compromise edge
🔥Strong, smooth fabric made to carry bold prints—and bolder truths
🔥Ribbed knit collar and seamless sides for long-lasting wear
🔥Shoulder tape adds durability for daily resistance

Care Instructions
🔥Machine wash warm (max 40C or 105F)
🔥Non-chlorine bleach as needed
🔥Tumble dry medium
🔥Do not iron or dry clean—truth doesn’t need polishing

$13.49 – $18.69

Shop now

ABCs of Democracy T-Shirt, Retro Adventure Tee for Patriotic Enthusiasts, Bold Statement Graphic

What happens when federal workers disappear? This bold and thought-provoking sticker makes it clear: No Federal Workers. No Democracy. </span…

$34.82 – $39.27

Shop now

America Stood at a Fork in the Path And Chose the Psychopath Protest Poster

This vertical poster with the design ‘America Stood at a Fork in the Path And Chose the Psychopath‘ can easily be transformed into a Protest Poster by gluing it to cardboard and affixing a stick. The intense colors and matte finish give off a rebellious and impactful vibe, perfect for those who are passionate about activism and social justice. It’s relevant for prot…

$7.15 – $12.97

Shop now

Corruption King — Qatar’s Bitch, Satin Protest Poster

This Corruption King poster with the text ‘MBS’s Bitch’ embelm on his brand new Saudi plane exudes a rebellious and edgy vibe. The larger poster sizes can also be turned into a Protest Poster by affixing the print to cardboard of the same dimensions and adding a stick, if desired.<span sty…

$6.40 – $17.05

Shop now

March 25, 2025March 25, 2025

The ABC’s of DOGE

The ABCs of DOGE: Why Federal Workers Are the Backbone of Democracy

Imagine waking up one morning to find that the essential systems and services you rely on—air traffic control, food safety inspections, national security, disaster response, infrastructure maintenance—have come to a screeching halt. Trash piles up in national parks, social security payments are delayed, and critical weather forecasts no longer reach those in the path of devastating storms. This is not a dystopian fantasy; it is the harsh reality of what happens when federal workers disappear.

A Democracy Without Experts?

Federal workers are not just employees; they are the experts who keep critical systems running smoothly. These professionals—scientists, engineers, analysts, healthcare workers, and security experts—have sworn an oath to uphold the values of the United States. They do this work at a fraction of what private corporations would charge the government, not for personal gain, but because they believe in democracy and public service.

Yet, an alarming trend is emerging: the systematic dismantling of the federal workforce in favor of privatization. If Trump and Elon Musk succeed in their vision of replacing federal workers with privatized, corporate-run alternatives, the consequences will be devastating.

The Dangers of Privatization

Privatizing the federal workforce is a direct attack on democracy. Why? Because corporations do not serve the public—they serve profit. The so-called efficiency of the private sector comes at a cost: higher prices, reduced transparency, and a lack of accountability.

Think about what happens when you outsource essential government services to private mega-corporations:

Cost Explosion: Private companies will charge double, triple, even ten times what federal workers do now for the same services. Why? Because they exist to maximize shareholder profits, not to serve the public.
Tax Burden Shift: While billion-dollar corporations receive massive tax breaks under a privatized government, the working-class citizen will be left footing the bill. Your tax dollars won’t be funding public services; they will be funneled into the pockets of the ultra-wealthy.
Corporate Control: When the government is run like a business, citizens are no longer participants in a democracy—they become customers of an authoritarian oligarchy. Public interest will take a backseat to corporate agendas, and policies will be dictated by the highest bidder.

The Real DOGE: Democracy Over Government Exploitation

This is why the ABCs of DOGE matter. “DOGE” isn’t just a meme—it’s a rallying cry: Democracy Over Government Exploitation. The fight to preserve our federal workforce is a fight to preserve our democracy itself.

The acronyms used to talk about federal departments and agencies may seem like a bunch of nonsense that MAGA is falsely accusing of being superfluous and telling the American people that there is so much waste, fraud, and abuse going on inside of them. However, in the two months of Elon’s chainsaw massacre of federal agencies, not one case of fraud has been brought to the courts, not one iron-clade example of waste or abuse has been brought to Congress or the People to demonstrate the validity of of their lie.

And no case of waste, fraud, or abuse ever will be brought to Congress or the People because it is a BIG, FAT lie. It is a ploy concocted by the most extreme of the MAGA mindset to get the American people to rollover and let the MAGA maniacs dismantle our democracy and replace it with an Authoritarian Oligarchy. The pathetic examples that Elon does cite, such as there is a 350 year old man receiving Social Security is simply an admission of his vast ignorance and immense stupidity in not understanding or even attempting to learn about the systems, the people, the agencies that he and his teenage racists hackers are dismantling.

America to Elon is like his Cybertrucks that are built with crappy glue so that pieces of its exterior panelling fall off while driving or like his crappy rockets that blow up in mid-air causing airplanes to turn around in mid-air to avoid colliding with the pieces of his rocket crashing back down to Earth. Elon likes to call this” ‘a rapid unscheduled disassembly.’

Charlie Warzel summed it up incredibly accurately in The Atlantic on February 3, 2025 in his article: The ‘Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly’ of the United States Government. He says, “Elon Musk, a foreign-born billionaire, is exercising significant influence over the U.S. government through his role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He has overseen workforce cuts, implemented an insecure email server, and gained access to sensitive government systems, raising concerns about national security and data privacy.”

Are we going to let Elon keep cutting our federal workforce?

If Elon-Trump keep cutting Federal Workers using their rabid DOGE, America loses, BIG. Here are some of the endangered letters of the alphabet of American democracy, the departments, agencies and services Americans depend upon and perhaps have long taken for granted for too long that the whistle of conmen appealed to enough people to put crooks into the White House. Strongmen-conmen who lie, cheat, steal, and are willing to use violence to get what they want. And if they do, our American democracy may soon be a thing of the past, an extinct species of nation-states, a failed state.

Following are just a few of democracy’s alphabet that we will soon lose:

No CDC – No warning or protections from pandemics.
No CPSC – No safe products. Dangerous toys, electronics, and appliances.
No CFPB – No protection from scams & fraud. Banks, lenders, and corporations run wild.

CFPB employees protest outside closed DC headquarters | NBC4 Washington

No DEA – No enforcement against drug trafficking. Rise in illicit drug flow.
No DHS – No border security, cyber defense, or emergency response.
No DOD – No national defense. Weak military. No cybersecurity.

Trump Makes INSANE Post As Maddow Goes PUBLIC Over SCANDAL! || Jack Cocchiarella who highlights Rachel’s breakdown of how Trump siding with Putin turns our allies against us and make the USA much less safe

Trump HOLDS DISASTER Meeting as WAR PLANS LEAK (through group text plan of war plan to invade Yemen) || MeidasTouch… 26 minutes ago

Pete Hegseth ACCIDENTALLY Texted a Journalist SECRET WAR PLANS!?

Trump RAGES As Hillary STICKS DAGGER In Him After SCANDAL ERUPTS!

No DOE – No safe nuclear or renewable energy. No quantum computing experts.
No DOI – No national parks. No wildlife protections. No public land stewardship.
No DOJ – No justice. Corruption, discrimination, and corporate crime run unchecked.
No DOL – No workplace safety, fair wages, or unemployment support.
No DOT – No safe roads, bridges, or railways. More accidents, failing infrastructure.
No ED (Department of Education) – No public education. Schools defunded. Student aid gone.

Trump expected to issue executive order to eliminate Education Department || CBS News — 126K views 2 weeks ago

‘He has no vision’: Fmr. Education Secretary blasts Trump over elimination of Dept. of Ed.

No EPA – No clean water. No fresh air. No safe environment.
No FAA – No flights or safe skies. More plane crashes. Air travel chaos.
No FCC – No net neutrality. No affordable broadband. Corporate control of media.
No FDA – No safe food, drugs, or vaccines.
No FEMA – No disaster relief. Communities left to fend for themselves after hurricanes, floods, fires.

MEDIA BLACKOUT: America’s Poorest Counties Devastated By Catastrophic Flooding || More Perfect Union —
1.4M views 10 days ago

No FHFA – No oversight of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac. Housing market instability.
No FEC – No election oversight. Dark money and fraud flourish in politics.
No FTC – No protection against monopolies, corporate abuse, and scams.
No HHS – No public health protections. No medical research funding.
No HUD – No housing assistance. More homelessness, unaffordable rents.
No ICE – No immigration enforcement. Border security weakens. Or more frightening, becomes a piece of the authoritarian arm piece used to frighten, intimidate, and destroy anyone considered an enemy of the state, which in an authoritarian oligarchy is anyone who does not go along with all the lies and con games being played upon the people.

‘Bring Them Back’: Trump Vs Judge Fight Escalates Over Deportations Of Venezuelans | El Salvador

SHOCK PROPOSAL: Trump Calls To Send Tesla ‘Terrorists’ To Prison In El Salvador

No IRS – No tax enforcement. Billionaires pay zero taxes while working Americans foot the bill.
No NASA – No space exploration. No climate monitoring. No satellites. Elon will get to blow up as many of his crappy rockets as he wants and We The People will pay for his light show showering hazardous waste over the United States and the world.
No NHTSA – No car safety regulations. More vehicle recalls, dangerous roads. Instead, Elon will use this hole to jam through executive orders signed by his puppet President Trump to force people to drive his dangerous autopilot cars… the fully automatic ones that he wants to roll out this year. Watch this video and report: The Hidden Autopilot Data That Reveals Why Teslas Crash | WSJ
No NIH – No cures. No medical research. No advancements in medicine.

Since the "DOGE cuts" (referring to the Department of Government Efficiency's proposed cuts) to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there have been significant concerns about the future of medical research, including workforce reductions, grant delays, and a cap on indirect cost reimbursements, which has led to a temporary freeze on some of the cuts. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the situation:

1. Workforce Reductions and Uncertainty: [9, 10]

Planned Cuts: The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is planning to reduce the NIH workforce by around 3,400 employees, aiming to reset staffing levels to those employed at the end of fiscal year 2019. [9, 10]
Layoffs and Early Retirements: The NIH is bracing for layoffs, with officials expecting cuts similar to those seen at the end of the Trump administration. [9]
Internal Turmoil: The NIH has faced internal turmoil, with two high-ranking officials resigning and the agency still lacking a permanent director. [11, 12]
Early-Career Scientists Affected: Some scientists, including those with tenured positions, are facing uncertainty about their job security as contract renewals are no longer automatic. [8]

2. Impact on Research Funding and Grants: [13, 14]

Indirect Cost Cap: The NIH announced a policy to cap indirect cost reimbursements at 15% for all new and existing research grants, effective February 10, 2025. [13, 14]
Grant Delays and Freezes: Federal courts have temporarily frozen plans to slash the rate NIH pays for “indirect costs” and the administration’s temporary “pause” on federally funded grants and loans. [6]
Grant Terminations: The NIH has terminated a growing list of research projects, including studies on HIV in children, reducing mold exposure and its effect on asthma, and LGBTQ+ related studies. [15, 16]
Concerns about Medical Innovation: Scientists and researchers are concerned that these cuts could delay medical advances and hinder the development of treatments for various diseases. [3, 11, 17]
Impact on Universities and Research Institutions: Universities and research institutions are facing significant budget cuts and are struggling to maintain their research programs. [2, 3, 6, 7]
Examples of Affected Research: A research project on cannabis use disorder impacting non-heterosexual women at Ohio State University was canceled after DOGE pulled funding. [15]

3. Ongoing Legal Challenges and Political Backlash: [5, 18]

Temporary Restraining Order: A federal judge in Massachusetts issued a temporary restraining order, halting the directive to slash NIH grants. [5, 18]
Lawsuits: Lawsuits have been filed by attorneys general challenging the proposed cuts in indirect costs. [7]
Political Opposition: Some politicians have criticized the DOGE cuts, calling them “dangerous and short-sighted” and expressing concerns about the impact on medical research and public health. [2, 3]

Generative AI is experimental.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eav5gyrgExo

[2] https://www.iowapublicradio.org/health/2025-02-14/universities-dodge-major-nih-funding-cuts-for-now-heres-what-you-need-to-know

[3] https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/trumps-nih-budget-cuts-threaten-research-stirring-panic-rcna191744

[4] https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/22/nx-s1-5305276/trump-nih-funding-freeze-medical-research

[5] https://healthpolicy-watch.news/nih-limits-overhead-cost-funding-to-15-cutting-off-9-billion-to-biomedical-research-institutions/

[6] https://www.axios.com/2025/02/26/musk-doge-science-cuts-universities-fallout

[7] https://www.opb.org/article/2025/03/12/how-far-could-trumps-nih-funding-cuts-set-medical-innovation-back-by-decades-uw-researchers-warn/

[8] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/health/nih-doge-trump.html

[9] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-nih-hhs-layoffs-doge-rfk-jr-restructuring/

[10] https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/03/nih-faces-renewed-doge-directive-cut-staff-pre-covid-levels-putting-thousands-line-rifs/403593/

[11] https://www.infectiousdiseaseadvisor.com/news/nih-research-funding-drops-1b-under-trump-administration/

[12] https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5143563-nih-leaders-retire-doge-cuts/

[13] https://cu-citizenaccess.org/2025/03/university-of-illinois-research-already-suffering-from-federal-funding-cuts-and-doge/

[14] https://www.bdo.com/insights/industries/nonprofit-education/understanding-the-nih-s-new-indirect-cost-rate-policy-what-nonprofit-and-higher-education-cfos-need

[15] https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/doge-cuts-nih-funding-ohio-state/530-9b8aca01-852e-4c3b-b8be-06bb60d0aee4

[16] https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00828-3

[17] https://fortune.com/2025/02/21/doge-national-institute-health-funding-indirect-funds-elon-musk-medical-research-science/

[18] https://filtermag.org/harm-reduction-research-doge-cuts/amp/

[-] https://www.axios.com/2025/02/26/musk-doge-science-cuts-universities-fallout

[-] https://www.bdo.com/insights/industries/nonprofit-education/understanding-the-nih-s-new-indirect-cost-rate-policy-what-nonprofit-and-higher-education-cfos-need

No NOAA – No weather forecasts. No hurricane or tornado warnings.
No NPS – No national parks. No wildfire protection. No forests to enjoy. Find out which National Parks will not be open for visitors this summer: Here is what national park services got cut or closed this month. And DOGE and Trump are not done slashing America’s national parks and treasures. Here are some of the other plans they have for our wilderness areas: Trump wants to use the ‘God Squad’ to increase logging, but it must follow strict rules; National Parks at Escalated Wildfire Risk, Thanks to DOGE Cuts; How DOGE threatens the Forest Service and public lands.
No NSA – No cybersecurity. More cyberattacks on government, businesses, and individuals.
No NSF – No science. No research funding. No innovation.
No NTSB – No investigations into plane, train, and highway crashes. Elon’s crappy cars benefit again!
No OSHA – No workplace safety. More injuries, deaths, and labor abuses. All the oligarchs benefit from this one.
No SBA – No small business support. Corporate monopolies take over.

SBA, HHS to take over some Education Department responsibilities, Trump says || Face The Nation

No SSA – No Social Security. Seniors and disabled left without income. Fact check: Elon Musk calls Social Security a Ponzi scheme, this is very RICH coming from a South African who made billions from American tax payers! The real reason Elon wants to take Social Security away from our seniors and disabled is so he can get major tax breaks as he continues to sell the United States crappy products and inferior services.

‘The plan is to scuttle the agency’: Democrats demand answers from Musk on Social Security cuts

Sabotaging Social Security: Trump & Musk Move Ahead with Plan to Gut Agency

Trump supporters TURN ON HIM at Republican TOWN HALL

No TSA – No airport security. More terrorist threats and hijackings.
No USDA – No help for farmers. No food safety inspections.
No USPS – No mail. No rural delivery. No affordable shipping.
No VA – No veterans’ services. More homeless and neglected veterans. his is just a small peek into the outrage growing all over the USA: Veterans, workers speak out against proposed cuts to the VA Department; Doug Collins answers questions regarding veterans’ benefits and budget cuts for VA; Veteran speaks out after job at VA terminated in DOGE purge. DOGE-Trump is just getting started.
No SEC – No regulation of Wall Street. More stock market crashes, Ponzi schemes, and fraud. The oligarchs love this one!

We must ask ourselves: Do we want to live in a society where decisions are made for the benefit of all, or one where billionaires dictate every aspect of our lives for their own gain? The answer should be clear.

The MAGA Contagion: When Extremism Becomes Policy

The erosion of federal institutions is not happening in a vacuum. It is part of a broader, more insidious phenomenon: the contagion of MAGA ideology. What began as a political movement has metastasized into an extremist agenda, one that now silently endorses mass layoffs of federal employees, the shutdown of USAID, the Department of Education, and even an attempt to dismantle the U.S. Institute of Peace—a non-profit organization, not even a federal agency.

Independent Agency CEO: ‘DOGE has broken into our building.’

This movement is no longer confined to rhetoric. The so-called “DOGE boys”—young men ranging from 18 to 26—have been emboldened to take physical action, showing up armed and forcing their way into government agencies and organizations that attempt to resist their intrusion. This is not governance. This is intimidation. This is authoritarianism creeping in through the back door.

Every American should be deeply concerned. Is this what MAGA voters truly wanted? A government dismantled by corporate greed and enforced through violence? A society where expertise is abandoned, institutions are gutted, and democracy is reduced to a hollow shell controlled by billionaires? This is the reality we are facing if we do not push back.

Ex-NFL kicker Chris Kluwe arrested after city council protest

Symbols of Hate: Then & Now – Vinyl Activist Sticker

History repeats itself when hate goes unchecked. This bold vinyl sticker draws a powerful parallel between past and present, featuring the infamous 1939 swastika and today’s red MAGA hat—both symbols of division and extremism. Designed for activists, educators, and socially conscious individuals, this sticker sparks conversation and challenges the normalization of hate.

Perfect for laptops, water bottles, notebooks, and more, these high-quality vinyl stickers are made to last. Waterproof, scratch-resistant, and available in five versatile sizes, they’re ideal for those who refuse to stay silent. Use them to make a statement at protests, events, or as a meaningful gift for those passionate about social justice.

Product Features:

✅ Bold & Striking Design – A visual statement that speaks volumes
✅ Premium Vinyl Material – Durable, waterproof, and scratch-resistant
✅ Versatile Use – Perfect for laptops, water bottles, notebooks & more
✅ Multiple Sizes Available – Choose the perfect fit for your needs
✅ Easy to Apply & Remove – Leaves no residue

Care Instructions:

Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe away dust or dirt.

$3.43 – $7.80

Shop now

N*zis are Taking Over The Government! || Adam Mockler — 27K views 1 month ago

The zombie horror story has roots in Haitian slaves fearing their cruel Masters would bring them back after death to work forever in their sugar cane fields, but it got a make over in Nazi Germany under Hitler when practically overnight once trusted family, friends, neighbors changed from trusted members of society into blood thirsty supporters of Hitler’s Hate regime. Friends would turn neighbors, friends, and family into the dreaded SS for helping Jews or not being loyal to Hitler.

🧟🧟‍♀️🧟‍♂️MAGA Apocalypse Unisex Softstyle T-Shirt, Bold Graphic Tee for Political, Resistance apparel🪬😈👹

Introducing our vibrant, bold MAGA Apocalypse Unisex Softstyle T-Shirt, it is perfect for your next protest! This tee radiates an edgy vibe that challeges the assumed mandate MAGA thinks it has gained. Wear it to your next resistance meet up or just wear your values whereever you go.

🧟🧟‍♀️🧟‍♂️🪬😈👹🧟🧟‍♀️🧟‍♂️

Product features
– Without side seams for a sleek look
– Highly elastic ribbed collar retains shape
– Shoulder tape for stability and comfort
– Soft, durable fabric perfect for printing
– Ethically sourced from US-grown cotton

🧟🧟‍♀️🧟‍♂️🪬😈👹🧟🧟‍♀️🧟‍♂️

Care instructions
– Do not dryclean
– Do not bleach
– Tumble dry: low heat
– Iron, steam or dry: low heat
– Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F), with similar colors

🧟🧟‍♀️🧟‍♂️🪬😈👹🧟🧟‍♀️🧟‍♂️

$12.95 – $19.52

Shop now

Just a little side trip through history:

Himmler, pictured with Nazi leader Adolph Hitler as he salutes passing SS troops. Courtesy of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

In 1929, Hitler appointed Himmler Reichsführer of the Schutzstaffel (SS.) At the time, the SS served as bodyguards for Hitler and other top Nazi leaders. As the newly appointed leader of the SS, Himmler sought to develop an elite faction of the Nazi Party. In 1929, the SS totaled 280 men. By the time the Nazis came to power in 1933, Himmler had grown the SS to 52,000. Himmler inducted two new functions for the SS—internal security and guardianship over racial purity. In 1931, Himmler established the Sicherheitsdienst (Security Service, or SD) to gather intelligence and monitor opponents within the Nazi Party, leaders of other political parties, and government officials. In 1934, the SD was distinguished as the sole political intelligence agency for Germany. Five years later, in September 1939, Himmler fused the SD with the Reich Security Main Office (RSHA.)

Following the Nazi’s invasion of Poland, in 1939 Hitler appointed Himmler as the Reich Commissar for the Strengthening of the German Ethnic Stock. This new position authorized Himmler and the SS to have complete control over German resettlement in areas of occupied Poland and eventually the Soviet Union in 1941. Himmler had complete say over who was German, where ethnic Germans should live, and which populations should be moved out or destroyed to make room for resettled Germans. Himmler’s plan for resettlement would be conducted with the help of the Einsatzgruppen, also known as the SS’s mobile killing units. The Einsatzgruppen was tasked to initiate and partake in mass murder of Jews, government officials, Roma, and people with disabilities, no matter the age or gender.

Source: An Architect of Terror: Heinrich Himmler and the Holocaust

Bad DOGE: Manifestation of the Mind Contagion Called MAGA

As town halls in Republican-controlled districts fill with outraged voters, it becomes clear that many who supported Trump never intended for him, Elon Musk, and the GOP to dismantle the federal workforce, gut agencies, and set their sights on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Yet, a deeply entrenched MAGA loyalist base still cheers on the destruction. This unwavering 40% of the electorate includes January 6 insurrectionists—some of whom Trump pardoned on his first day back in office—violent agitators, and those who celebrate chaos and cruelty as political strategy.

Fury thrown at lawmakers during recent town halls

TIDAL WAVE of Regret Slams Republican Voters as Reality Sinks in

Surrounding these extremists are legions of keyboard warriors, relentless in their pursuit of anyone who dares oppose the Trump-Elon regime. They harass and threaten those who stand for truth, expertise, and democracy. They despise professionals, intellectuals, and anyone who possesses knowledge beyond their limited worldview. Their reality is small, insular, and designed to benefit only one group: rich, white men who hoard power and wealth.

These individuals do not engage in rational debate; they demand reality conform to their beliefs. They are hostile to facts, science, and history. They lash out violently—both online and in the streets—against anyone who challenges their narrative.

Who are these people? How did they become this way? Can they still be reached, or are they a malignant force eating away at democracy from within? And if democracy can be wrestled back from their grip, what do we do with them? Their response to opposition is clear: intimidation, suppression, and violence. The question remains—how will the rest of America respond?

What You Can Do

Raise Awareness: Share this message with friends, family, and colleagues. The more people understand the stakes, the harder it will be for privatization efforts to move forward unchallenged.
Support Federal Workers: Show your appreciation for the people who keep our country running. From TSA agents to environmental researchers, these individuals dedicate their lives to serving the public.
Use Your Voice: Protest, petition, and vote against policies that seek to dismantle our federal workforce and hand control to private corporations.
Display Your Support: Our ABCs of DOGE stickers, shirts, and signs are designed to start conversations and spread awareness. Place them on your laptop, water bottle, or car to make a statement wherever you go.

🚫 No Federal Workers? No Future! 🚫 Eye-Catching Yard Sign for Awareness & Activism

What happens when federal workers disappear? This bold and thought-provoking yard sign makes it clear: No Safe Food. No Clean Water. No Flights. No Roads. No Justice. No Future. No Cures.

<p …

$24.49

Shop now

ABCs of Democracy T-Shirt, Retro Adventure Tee for Patriotic Enthusiasts, Bold Statement Graphic

What happens when federal workers disappear? This bold and thought-provoking sticker makes it clear: No Federal Workers. No Democracy. </span…

$34.82 – $39.27

Shop now

Federal Workers Find Cures Kiss-Cut Stickers; Save Our Federal Workforce Finding Cures for Cancer, Alzheimer’s & Diseases

Decorate your space with these eye-catching Federal Workers Find Cures kiss-cut stickers, perfect for expressing your personality. Designed with vibrant colors and a glossy finish, these stickers bring a cheerful vibe to any surface. They easily adhere to laptops, journals, windows, and more, making them a fantastic addition to your daily life or a thoughtful gift for friend…

$1.97 – $2.47

Shop now

Federal Workers Find Cures Matte Vertical Poster; Curing Cancer, Alzheimer’s and More

Elevate your space with our stunning Federal Workers Find Cures Matte Vertical Posters. Each piece exudes a vibrant, artistic vibe that transforms any room into a creative oasis. Perfect for science enthusiasts, healthcare professionals, or anyone who appreciates impactful art, these posters make a thoughtful gift for occasions like birthdays, holidays, or recognition events. Capture the essence of your passion and make a statement in your living room, office, or studio! Ideal for celebrating the hard work of those in research and public health, these posters highlight dedication and inspiration.

Product features
– Museum grade archival paper ensures longevity without fading or yellowing.
– Giclée printing provides bright and vivid colors for enduring appeal.
– Light-absorbing matte finish enhances the visual experience.
– Available in 46 sizes to fit any space or style preference.
– Indoor use only, making them perfect for personal or professional environments.

Care instructions
– If the print does gather any dust, you may wipe it off gently with a clean, dry cloth.

$9.63 – $18.44

Shop now

No Federal Workers, No Democracy sticker roll

Introducing our vibrant No Federal Workers, No Democracy Round Sticker Roll… part of the ABCs of DOGE series. This sticker is perfect for Town Halls, Fighting Oligarchy rallies, stand-ins, marches, and visiting your congress person. Add a splash of color and personality to your message to Congress and community that protecting federal workers is essential to protect our democracy. Who wants their government to be run like a psychopathic corporation anyways? Efficiency is corporate speak for cruelty. Corporations don’t suffer but People sure do! Stop this madness and share this message far and wide!

These stickers are crafted from durable BOPP material, these stickers stand up to scratches, high temperatures, and even sunlight, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. Whether you’re a small business owner looking to brand your products or a creative soul wanting to embellish your notebooks, these stickers are versatile enough for all your needs. With a glossy finish and bright, eye-catching colors, they exude an artistic vibe, making each sticker a mini masterpiece. Perfect for gifts, party favors, or enhancing your crafts, our stickers are an excellent choice for various occasions including birthdays, holidays, or just adding some flair to your daily life!

Product features
– Vibrant colors for eye-catching designs
– Durable material resistant to scratches and water
– Available in two convenient sizes
– Comes in rolls of 50, 100, or 250 for easy use
– Glossy finish to enhance your artwork

Care instructions
– When applying the sticker make sure the surface is clean and dust free. Peel your sticker from the sticker sheet by bending the sheet backwards on an edge of the sticker until the edge pops away from the backing. Peel off carefully and apply to the clean surface. To avoid air bubbles or wrinkles apply your sticker from the bottom upwards, rubbing gently from one side to the other, smoothing out any wrinkles or bubbles as you go.

$74.90 – $138.42

Shop now

The time to act is now. Once federal expertise is lost, it will not easily be regained. If we allow the systematic dismantling of our government workforce, we are not just losing workers—we are losing democracy itself.

Kindness Still Counts

Gov. Pritzker Commencement Address: Kindness is intelligence

Message of the year… indeed, the decade: “How do you spot an idiot? Look for the person who is cruel. The kindest person in the room is often the smartest.” — Gov Pritzker

Also, see interview with Governor Pritzker’s March 24, 2025 interview with Jen Psaki on the effects of DOGE cuts to his people in Illinois such as cuts to research on soybeans and how they are protecting US soybeans from Red Leaf Blotch.

“People are going to lose their lives due to the cuts Elon is making through DOGE…”, Governor JB Pritzkey

And Check Out The Quip’s Collection’s Resistance Collection

The Resistance Collection

Resistance Collection

The emerging alliance between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump has raised significant concerns regarding the concentration of power and potential conflicts of interest. Musk’s recent appointment to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) grants him substantial influence over federal operations, which, when combined with his extensive business ventures, poses risks to democratic processes and ethical governance. Critics argue that Musk’s involvement in government restructuring could lead to decisions that favor his enterprises, undermining public trust and the integrity of governmental institutions. Immediate scrutiny and resistance are essential to prevent the erosion of checks and balances, ensuring that personal interests do not overshadow public welfare.

Shop now

February 11, 2025April 1, 2025

Resistance 101

Part 1 to 4 — Resistance 101

Feb 11, 2025 | First take a breath and breathe deeply. It’s the first rule of resistance — breathe! That is how you know you are still human. MAGA maniacs just rage. That how you know they are Zombies.

Topics covered in all four parts:

1) Join one of your local resistance cells (Democracy Forward was mentioned on the call I was on in Virginia with Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, Individible, local Democratic chapters),

2) Join What’s Happening & How You Can Take Action | Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (subscribe and stay informed with AOC )

3) Watch The Rachel Maddow Show [9PM] 2/10/2025 | 🅼🆂🅽🅱️🅲 BREAKING NEWS Today February 10, 2025 — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyrMr2VzgPk

Connecting the Dots of Chaos, Confusion, and Authoritarianism

Rachel is a master of connecting the dots and painting the bigger picture so you can’t MISS SEEING WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON. In last night’s show, she paints a picture so clearly of how Trump is decapitating government, you can’t miss it. Trump’s biggest Loser Cabinet will be the biggest, baddest cabinet ever!

Putting LOSERS in Charge

To be selected by Trump to head a government agency or department, you just have to be a LOSER! Once appointed, these LOSERS are executing these government systems Trump put them in control of, and I mean kill them.

Killing Federal Agencies that Protect Us

Rachel also tells us why we should be VERY concerned about Federal Agencies such as the CFPB being ILLEGALLY shut down. Have you ever been scammed? Well… watch out because now the agency that has worked to get your money back from scammers is gone! Elizabeth Warren tells Rachel in the past 13 years 21 billion dollars has been recovered by this tiny, insignificant agency and put back in USA citizens pockets. But Elon has a plan!!! Turn ex-Twitter into PayPal… do you remember? That’s how Evilon got his toe into making money. And now he can scam the H*** out of anyone stupid enough to use his sketchy system with NO Regulation!

The Three Buckets of Chaos, Doom, and Authoritarianism

The Three Buckets of Chaos Rachel breaks down are CRITICAL. Study them and learn to recognize what wacky thing the Trump-Elon monster has done to day fits under and it is #3 that we must push back on relentlessly and not ignore!!!

Number 1: Bad Outcomes such as planes crashing or farmers getting screwed by TruMusk – or TruMuck because they turned off Biden’s Inflation Reduction funding.

And He Did Resign — Right Before the Biggest Air Disaster in 25 Years!!!

Even FOX has to report on it!!

Only 500 feet of separation between passenger plane (above) and military plane (below) occurred on Friday — March 28, 2025

Number 2: Double-dealing such as Elon’s Tesla chargers get a big head start and huge advantage over his competitors as Trump administration pauses a federal clean energy program to expand the country’s network of electric vehicle charging stations.

Yep… It’s going right into you and your DOGE bro’s pockets!!!

Damn Right Elon’s Running USA RIGHT NOW!!! IT is the brain of all modern systems… if you highjack the brain, you run the system

Elon is Not that much different than the Toxoplasma gondii virus

The parasite Toxoplasma gondii hijacks the brains of mice and other rodents, causing them to lose their fear of cats.This makes them more likely to be eaten by cats, which can then spread the parasite to other animals.

How does Toxoplasma affect the brain?

It may secrete molecules that rewire the brain
It may cause brain cysts that interfere with dopamine production
It may trigger inflammation in the brain, which changes brain function and behavior
It blocks the rodents’ natural aversion to cat urine, instead attracting them to the pheromone

How long does the effect last?

The effect of Toxoplasma can last for months, even after the parasite is no longer detectable.

How can you avoid infection?

To avoid infection, you can:

Maintain good hygiene for you and your pets
Wear gloves and a mask when gardening
Keep sandboxes closed when not in use
Clean fruits and vegetables
Thoroughly cook meats
Wash hands regularly

Hmmmm, now we need a list of how to avoid infection of the Elon Musk Toxoplasma gondii virus

This is what it looks like inside of Elon’s Mind

Back to The Three Buckets of Chaos, Doom, and Authoritarianism

Number 3: Authoritarian Breakthrough such as TruMuck ignoring Court Orders to turn funding to HeadStart and Community Health Centers back on — guess what? It.. the TruMuck monster, hasn’t turned the money back on. Nor have they reopened USAID, which a Federal Judge has also ordered halted.

Another sign of authoritarian breakthrough is pardoning criminals such as Rod Blagojevich, January 6ers, Jared’s dad. All of these people are now beholden to TruMuck to do his bidding. TruMuck is still deciding how to use Rod. But January 6ers, they are now TruMuck’s personal band of Terror Police.

This sort of play is not so far back in our collective human history! Are we stupid?! Let’s look back at Russian Czar Alexander III regarded by historians as the last real autocrat in Russia. His secret police force was called the Okhrana. They were tasked with terrorizing or killing any opponents of Alexander III. One of the things they did was kill dogs and tie their heads on the saddles of their horses so that they appeared like demons, which of course they were. [Sources: Wiki-Oprichnik, Study Guide ]

*Oprichniki*, painting by Nikolai Nevrev, shows mock coronation of Ivan Fyodorov-Chelyadnin [ru] (enthroned) accused of conspiracy, before his execution by oprichniks. See Wiki

Bad Outcomes Again… this is Stupid Ivan killing his own son because he couldn’t control his thirst for Power any more

Stay Awake! Stay Aware! Be Ready to Act!

So, you see there is a reason why Republican Senators and Reps are spineless, sniveling fools right now… but if they don’t stand up Now, which I don’t think they ever well, there is no way to stop TruMuck using our democratic levers of democracy.

Stay Aware. Stay Informed. Take Breaks, But DO NOT IGNORE THIS. Action is Required.

#PresidentElon, #warning⚠️, #PrepareNow, #DismantlingofAmerica, #Resist, #ThePeople, #ThePower, #DoYouWanttoWorkforElon, #CitizenWorkfore, #CorporateWorkers, #MAGALYPSE, #elonmusk, #Trump, #systematicoppression, #illegal, #criminals, #racist, #DecapitationofDemocracy, #DecapitationofUSGovernment, #WhatAREWeGoingToDO

I. Divine Seeds: From Righteousness to Ruthlessness

A. Hall of Ruthless Rulers

B. Previously, Wisdom Guardians Explored

II. The Making of a Ruthless God-King

A. The Birth of a Ruthless Empire: Qin Shi Huang’s Ascent

B. Instruments of Control: Suppression, Propaganda, and Loyalty

C. Obsession with Legacy and Immortality: The Mausoleum and its Irony

D. The Perils of Unchecked Power: Succession and Collapse

III. Core Parallels: Qin Shi Huang vs. Trump

🔥 More Core Parallels (from a different lens): Qin Shi Huang vs. Trump

1. Loyalty Tests & Political Purges

2. Erasure of History & Intellectual Suppression

3. Rule by Legalism

4. Tyranny Masked by Divine Mandate

5. Obsession with Legacy, Power & Immortality

6. Cover-Ups, Propaganda, and Puppet Governance

Additional Archetypal Themes:

Conclusion: The Enduring Shadow of Ruthlessness

IV. Timeline of the Unification and Fall of Imperial Qin & Key Players

Cast of Characters

V. Factsheet: Qin Shi Huang’s Empire: Power, Ruthlessness, and Legacy

How did Qin Shi Huang consolidate his power and what were the consequences of his ruthlessness?

What was the significance of Qin Shi Huang’s quest for immortality and his grand mausoleum?

How does the “Calling a Deer a Horse” idiom illustrate the dangers of unchecked power and suppression of truth?

What role did deception and cover-ups play in the succession after Qin Shi Huang’s death?

How did Qin Shi Huang’s policies reflect Legalist philosophy?

What were some of Qin Shi Huang’s major construction projects and what was their purpose?

How did the concept of the “Mandate of Heaven” influence Qin Shi Huang’s reign and its perceived challenges?

How do themes from Qin Shi Huang’s reign, such as loyalty tests and suppression of history, parallel authoritarian tendencies in modern leaders?

VI. Qin Shi Huang: Architect of Ruthlessness and Empire’s Fall – Study Guide

A. Quiz: Ten Short-Answer Questions

B. Essay Format Questions

C. Glossary of Key Terms

VII. Sources

Share this:

Like this:

🌪 This Reckoning Was Foretold

Life Is Barely Fiction NOW

How This Happened

I. What Was Lost — Details on job cuts, offices affected.

Who’s Been Lost at NOAA & NWS — And What It Means

II. How Forecasting Is Faltering — Data shortages, broken systems.

Six Months In: Cracks Become Chasms

III. Lives on the Line — Highlight Texas tragedies and the human toll.

Weather-Related Deaths Linked to Undercut Forecasting

🔥 April–May Tornado / Severe Storm Season

🌊 July 4–5, 2025: Central Texas Flash Floods

IV. Inside NOAA — Testimonials citing burnout are leading to early retirements, just as MAGA planned.

The Human Toll: Inside NOAA’s Ranks

V. Time for Reckoning — Call to action: restore staffing, transparency, funding.

Time for Reckoning?

Relevant News on NOAA & Texas Floods

Relevant News on TX Floods:

Weather Ballon sources:

🛡️ Wear Your Values & Inspire Others

🔗 The ABCs of Democracy Products

ABCs of Democracy T-Shirt, Retro Adventure Tee for Patriotic Enthusiasts, Bold Statement Graphic

🚫 No Federal Workers? No Future! 🚫 Eye-Catching Yard Sign for Awareness & Activism

No Federal Workers No Democracy Political Round Vinyl Stickers

Archetypal Animation

Share this:

Like this:

How Illusion Shapes Reality in 2025

Midsummer Myths and Modern Mind Games

Smoke: Manufactured Chaos

Mirrors: Apperception and Archetype Hijack

What Can You Do in the Forest of Illusion?

This Summer, Be a Watcher. Not a Pawn.

Feature Animation

Share this:

Like this:

Introduction

Zombie Ideas Are the Vectors of the Zombie Plague

Surviving the Sadistic MAGA Zombie Apocalypse

Survival Guide

1. Don’t Try to Convert the Infected

2. Fortify Your Moral Immune System

3. Find Your Survivor Tribe

4. Use Humor Like a Machete

5. Stop Playing Their Zero-Sum Game

**IV. Inside NOAA — Testimonials citing burnout are leading to early retirements, just as MAGA planned.**