Fundamentalism is a brain virus that operates as a control mechanism: it’s typically imposed from outside the individual (conformity to gain entry and acceptance to a group), but it becomes ingrained and habitual over time (to remain within the group) and departures from it receive group “punishment.”
It’s found in politics, science, and academia, as well as in religions.
Realizing you’ve been part of a psychological operation your whole life is an unsettling experience. True catharsis. Not everyone is able to transition to life outside whatever matrix or matrices they’ve been ensnared by. It helps to have frens!
Most matrix breakers do eventually manage to forge an independent but integrated existence within “society”. But they’re typically viewed by the majority as oddities or only marginally sane.
Interesting thing about the aging phenomenon, when most conventional presidents aren’t truly exercising control or directing the course of events. Being a puppet must wear on both body and soul.
Clearly POTUS is unique in many respects; but perhaps really being the President is liberating, especially when you’ve prepared for the responsibility for decades.
They’re not humans. They have been stripped of their humanity.