At its height, the Ottoman Empire (1299-1922), controlled North Africa, much of the Mediterranean, and portions of the Balkans, Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Russia. Innovations in medicine, mathematics, astronomy, architecture, philosophy, chemistry, physics, calligraphy, weaving, music, and literature are part of their cultural legacy. They gave us scalpels, alarm clocks, and coffee.
The following notes on the decline of the Empire come from A World Undone, 2007, by G.J. Meyer, an excellent history of World War I that I have quoted before.
The high point of the Empire occurred during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, from 1520-1566. The Sultans did not have wives, but large numbers of concubines, who gave them large numbers of sons. Suleiman had 300 women in his harem, but became enamored of a red-haired Russian woman, who later became known as “the witch,” She convinced Suleiman that his favorite son was plotting against him. Suleiman had this son killed and the witch’s son, Selim, installed as his heir. Meyer says:
“Selim the Sot was short and fat and a drunk. He never saw a battlefield and died after eight years on the throne by falling down and fracturing his skull in his marble bath.” Meyer describes the Sultans that followed him as “craven.” This started the Empire’s decline.
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Let me put this in bold type:
It only took eight years for a craven leader to begin the ruin of what, for 300 years, had been the most powerful and innovative Empire in the known western world.
The First Gates 
Morgan people seem to think that there’s a normal dictionary version of what a president is. Whatever strange transformation United States has gone through, the president’s we were taught to admire doesn’t exist anymore. Don’t get me wrong I’m not defending this guy. I find him morally reprehensible and he is transactional, but not everything is about money. Mark 8:36 The world doesn’t know that yet, hopefully something will bring us to some greater aspiration? The shock value, muzzle velocity media only promotes him further? I don’t know why that is. I equivocate it to: up is down, and down is up, Bizarro world? Maybe chaos theory? We need to prognosticate this guy, cut him off at the pass, and that goes for his cronies too! We need put back & restore the balance of governmental power in the form of equality of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. We need to take the dark money out of politics and make it about service, unity progress. Don’t forget the influence of the military industrial complex that drives conflict, forever wars around the world for profits. I believe that the greater good and the social contract can co- exist in a capitalist environment… If someone could reconcile wealth and idealism into some protocol that allows everybody to win win, and thrive, that might be the solution? Randolph
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Yes, Mark 8:36. Definitely. Trump and Musk have what millions probably aspire to – power, celebrity, and riches, but one thing I doubt they ever have is peace of mind.
There’s little doubt that our world situation is unsustainable – we’re at the end of an era, like the end of Rome or the end of the Middle Ages. No certainty and lots of fear. It’s understandable, if not healthy, that people are drawn to “leaders” who will assure them they can fix things, even if it’s a lie, and tell them what to do, even if it’s nonsensical or harmful.
What really deflated me today was hearing that Trump is selling out Ukraine and Nato to kiss Putin’s ass. In less than a month, Trump has distanced us from our closest allies. Who will share key intelligence with us when Tulsi heads that department? And how can they truly trust us again, knowing that someone like Trump can get elected twice?
I think Marianne Williamson is correct in saying the outer world is not going to change until after a major shift in our inner orientation. IMO, there are two ways that inner orientation can change – wisdom or disaster. And if covid was not enough to do it…Well, the Renaissance didn’t start until a third of Europe was dead of the plague. And unfortunately, climate change could be worse…
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Trump is enlisting strategies That are not apparent to most people. They almost seem like chaos theory…
How do fractal patterns form a strategy in political thought?
Fractal patterns, which exhibit self-similarity at different scales, can be observed in various aspects of political thought and behavior. Here’s how they form and their significance in political analysis: Formation of Fractal Patterns in Politics: * Ideological Echo Chambers: Individuals tend to gravitate towards political ideologies and groups that align with their existing beliefs. This creates echo chambers where similar viewpoints are amplified and reinforced, mirroring the self-similar nature of fractals. * Social Media Polarization: Social media algorithms often reinforce existing biases by showing users content that aligns with their preferences. This can lead to the formation of polarized groups with distinct and self-similar viewpoints, further contributing to the fractal pattern. * Political Movements: Social and political movements often start with small groups of individuals who share similar concerns and goals. As the movement grows, it attracts more people with similar beliefs, creating a fractal pattern of expanding support. * Electoral Behavior: Voters often exhibit predictable patterns in their voting behavior, such as consistently voting for a particular party or candidate. This can create fractal patterns in election results, with similar voting patterns repeating across different elections and regions. Significance in Political Thought: * Understanding Political Polarization: Fractal patterns can help explain the increasing polarization in politics, as individuals and groups become more entrenched in their respective echo chambers. * Analyzing Political Communication: Fractal patterns can be used to analyze political discourse, identifying recurring themes and patterns in speeches, debates, and social media discussions. * Predicting Political Behavior: By identifying fractal patterns in past political behavior, analysts can potentially predict future trends and outcomes. * Developing Political Strategies: Understanding fractal patterns can help political strategists develop more effective campaigns and communication strategies. Examples of Fractal Patterns in Politics: * The spread of political ideologies: Similar ideological viewpoints can be found at different scales, from local communities to national and international levels. * The formation of political parties: Political parties often start as small groups with shared interests and gradually expand their base of support, exhibiting a fractal pattern of growth. * The dynamics of social movements: Social movements often start with localized protests and gradually spread to other regions and countries, creating a fractal pattern of mobilization. Limitations: While fractal patterns can provide valuable insights into political phenomena, it’s important to acknowledge their limitations. Politics is a complex and dynamic system, and fractal patterns are just one lens through which it can be analyzed. Other factors, such as individual agency, economic conditions, and historical events, also play a significant role in shaping political outcomes. Conclusion: Fractal patterns are a fascinating aspect of political thought and behavior. By understanding how these patterns form and their significance, we can gain valuable insights into the dynamics of political systems and develop more effective strategies for political engagement. Randolph
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