> drags behind them a retinue of trusted aides ... shitting on the remnants of whatever came before them My first exposure to that idea was the process of re-m

> drags behind them a retinue of trusted aides ... shitting on the remnants of whatever came before them My first exposure to that idea was the process of re-mything after a regime change, as described in The Chalice and the Blade (Riane Eisler). Yesterday's godhead, deity, creation myth, ledger of debts was obviously deeply wrong. Appropriate, subvert, coopt, as able, all the narratives and levers of power. Utterly obliterate the rest. Then there's The Prince, of course. Sage advice that usurpers should immediately behead any potential challengers, lest they organize and rebel, covertly or overtly, at some future date. Same as it ever was. I'm only ever surprised, nay disappointed, when someone doesn't clean the slate. They're either not very good, non-serious, or worse.