The Ascendant Project

Brian and Julius discuss praises and criticisms of the 3rd No Kings Protest and movement. The post No Kings 3 Discussion appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

After I quit bartending and drinking I found a voice, opinions, hills I was willing to die onthat I hadn’t realized or explored prior. When I was a bartender my boss at the timeasked me to, essentially, keep my opinions to myself, so as not to alienate anycustomers who may want to come in withContinue reading "From Silence to Strength" The post From Silence to Strength appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

National and World events have been moving at a very fast clip, seemingly accelerating every day.  As a result, Stories that 10 years ago would have garnered large print headlines have become buried by war and threats of war. This essay is an attempt to take a step outside of my experience and my viewContinue reading "Feared or Loved (USA from the Outside)" The post Feared or Loved (USA from the Outside) appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

An exploration of political philosophy founded in mathematical principles It was an obsession. The pointless but worthwhile pursuit had taken a hold of my psyche. Appealing to my ego in a special way that many Mathematicians would recognize, but that few others could understand. At its core is the belief that every problem can be solved, given enough enthusiastic patience and arrogantContinue reading "Politicking Mathematicians" The post Politicking Mathematicians appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

In a time of political divisiveness and heated passions, as we are in now, it is important to remember those we disagree with love America as much as we do.    You may think they are misguided, as they probably think you are.  Often our echo chambers become so intense and our belief becomes soContinue reading "Of The First Amendment and the Concept of Loyal Opposition" The post Of The First Amendment and the Concept of Loyal Opposition appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

This episode is a discussion of the whole season: how we grew, what we learned and where we want this podcast to go. We also made some crass jokes about the Pillsbury Dough Boy. During the break between recording the last episode and this one, we went camping. Enjoy this photo dump of our timeContinue reading "Season 1 Conclusion" The post Season 1 Conclusion appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

You turn on the news, whether it be the TV, website, or podcast, and you find yourself immediately becoming depressed. The news just keeps getting worse and worse, and there is more uncertainty from the top, whether it be from the government, your employer, or family members. Politically, this is a high stress time. When oneContinue reading "The Crisis of Hope" The post The Crisis of Hope appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

Julius explains his decision to change his voting stance from Unaffiliated to Republican. Living in a liberal state, he felt he would have more voice in choosing a nominee in the Republican Party. The post Re-Affiliated appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

This article and interview examines some pretty famous conspiracy theories and what drives them. The post Of Conspiracy Theories and Toxic Skepticism appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

No Article with this post. Rather a discussion between Julius Knapp, Susan Smyers, and Brian Smyers on the reactions, coverage, social media impact, and implications of the Charlie Kirk Assassination. These “Wednesday Insert Editions” are rare, meant to cover an event that has large potential to affect people’s world view, whether it be in areasContinue reading "Discussion: Charlie Kirk Assassination" The post Discussion: Charlie Kirk Assassination appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

Among the many companies I’ve worked for and roles that I’ve filled, was a brief time as a Teacher and Assistant Center Director at Huntington Learning Center. I worked there from 2001 to 2004, at just the right time to be part of the public debate around the passage of the NCLB, better known asContinue reading "Left Behind" The post Left Behind appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

The Ascendant Project examines the origins of racism, its forms today, and how to fight it in yourself and in society. The post On Racism: A Limited History and Personal Prevention. appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

Julius Knapp III Entrepreneur I still remember the first protest I saw. I was about 15 or 16 and had traveled to Long Island with my parents and siblings to visit my grandmother and other relatives. We went to Roosevelt Field Mall, memorable for the massive Zeppelin that hung above the food court, to getContinue reading "Our American Tradition" The post Our American Tradition appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

The Ascendant Project explores how mortality intensifies our politics and creates drive in our lives. The post Of Monsters, and Heroes, and Men appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

Julius explores the 14th Amendment and cases that look to redefine what Birthright Citizenship means. The post Birthright appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

Brian and Julius read and discuss the Declaration of Independence. We look at it through the lens of today as well as discuss historical context. The post The Declaration of Independence appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

One of your friends brings ups a current event. You are on the opposite side of the political aisle than your friend. What do you do? The post Ambushed!!! How to Survive a Surprise Political Conversation appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

Julius explores the process of how a Bill becomes Law and how much input the citizenry really has. The post The Birth of Bill appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

Pontius Pilate once dismissed Jesus derisively with the question, "What is Truth?". Sometimes it seems that our media and leaders have the same attitude. How do we discern information in this climate of division? The post What is Truth? appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

There was a time when the Republican Party seemed, at least, to subscribe to Christian morals. Morals are no longer important as they follow a man who has none.  The post My Background and Reasons Why I am a Never-Trumper appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

Julius Knapp writes about using the power of skepticism to break through the echo chambers that influence our lives. The post On Cynicism and Skepticism appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

A deep friendship forms across political lines through mutual acts of empathy and respect. The post An Unexpected Friendship appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

Julius and Brian discuss the Hands Off Protests that occurred 4/5/25, with special attention paid to Frederick and Westminster Maryland. The post Discussion:  Hands Off appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

Now that we are in Trump 2.0, Democrats must ask themselves if they were better off with Joe Manchin in their party than they are today. The post Joe Manchin Reconsidered appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

I registered to vote when I turned 18. I remember being so excited to practice what I felt was my civic duty. Being able to finally participate in American democracy, in “the great experiment”, was an honor. So few people before me (historically speaking) or globally had the option to experience that honor. And soContinue reading "Unaffiliated" The post Unaffiliated appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

As I have mentioned in previous posts and interviews, it has been a long time since I’ve been able to see out of my left eye.   The lens with the cataract was removed 4 weeks ago, but the cataract had spread to the capsule around the lens.  However, as the inflammation has lessened, now I’mContinue reading "Dueling Visions" The post Dueling Visions appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

It’s difficult, verging on impossible, to articulate all the feelings of the past several weeks. President Donald Trump was inaugurated on January 20 and has been hard at work stretching the limits of executive authority and power. Among the more alarming executive orders are: On their face, these executive orders would seem to be anythingContinue reading "The Constitutional Crisis" The post The Constitutional Crisis appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

Here it is 5 years later, and I have decided to start this project anew. Trump has been elected for the second time and has already issued a flurry of executive orders and brought in Elon Musk to shake up government and apparently strip it down to it's core. The post Rising through Turmoil appeared first on The Ascendant Project.

I’m starting this blog because I am 46 years old and we are divided more than we ever have been. I write this on June 4, 2020 and there are protests in the streets across this nation. We are exiting the first wave of the Corona virus pandemic, and many people still feel raw fromContinue reading "The Ascendant Project" The post The Ascendant Project appeared first on The Ascendant Project.