Category Archives: Economics – economy

Do Women in the United States Have the Right to Own and Control Real and Personal Property? . by Alice B. Clagett

In this post, quotes from Google AI are in light blue font.

Do Women in the United States Have the Right to Own and Control Real and Personal Property?

Image: “Do Women Have the Right to Own Property?” adapted from Image by Abdulhakeem Samae from Pixabay – Pixabay License

Image: “Do Women Have the Right to Own Property?” adapted from Image by Abdulhakeem Samae from Pixabay – Pixabay License

  • DO WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE THE RIGHT TO OWN AND CONTROL REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY?
  • CONCLUSION
  • MORE INFORMATION
    • Coverture – A Law Now Dismantled in the United States

DO WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE THE RIGHT TO OWN AND CONTROL REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY?

Dear Ones,

I asked Google AI: Where in the United States do single or married or divorced or widowed women have no right to own, sell, or control real or personal property?

Google AI said: “Based on historical American law, there is no current U.S. location where women lack property rights. Historically, through the doctrine of coverture, married women in many American colonies and early states were restricted from owning, selling, or controlling property, as their legal identity was absorbed by their husband. This system was phased out in the mid-to-late 19th century. 

  • Historical Context: Before the passage of Married Women’s Property Acts (beginning roughly in 1839–1848), married women lacked independent control over property in most states.
  • Regional Differences:  n early America, some colonies like Connecticut severely restricted women’s property rights, while others like Virginia allowed more freedom through dowry rights.
  • Common Law vs. Spanish Law: Common law required husbands to manage property, while western territories influenced by Spanish civil law sometimes allowed women more control.
  • Legal Shift: By 1900, all states had passed legislation enabling married women to own property, enter contracts, and file lawsuits.
  • Final Barriers: It was not until the 1970s that federal laws, such as the 1974 Equal Credit Opportunity Act, allowed women to secure financing without a male co-signer. 

Today, all women in the United States, regardless of marital status, have the legal right to own, sell, and control real and personal property.”


CONCLUSION

These are the facts, straight from ‘the horse’s mouth’. For more on the antiquated law called Coverture, see below.

In love, light and joy
This is Alice B. Clagett.
I Am of the Stars … and so are you!

Compiled and published on 22 January 2026; revised on 17 February 2026


MORE INFORMATION

Coverture – A Law Now Dismantled in the United States

Coverture was a historical English common law doctrine where a married woman’s legal identity merged with her husband’s, making her a feme covert, unable to own property, sign contracts, or sue/be sued independently, effectively making her a legal non-entity subordinate to her husband, a system dismantled in the U.S. through state laws like the Married Women’s Property Acts starting in the 1830s.

Key Aspects of Coverture

  • Legal Unity: Husband and wife became one legal person, with the husband holding authority, similar to a feudal lord, making spouses unable to contract with each other.
  • Loss of Identity: A woman lost her individual legal existence (feme sole) and became legally covered (feme covert) by her husband.
  • Property Rights:

 She generally couldn’t own, sell, or control real or personal property; it passed to her husband.

  • Contractual & Legal Incapacity: She couldn’t enter contracts, sue, or be sued without her husband’s consent.
  • Political Exclusion: Women couldn’t vote or hold office.

Origin & End

  • Origin: Derived from English common law and Norman feudal customs, it was a foundational principle in the American colonies and early U.S..
  • Dismantling: Began in the U.S. with Mississippi’s 1839 Married Women’s Property Act, with other states following, gradually restoring rights to married women through legislation.

Legacy

  • While legally obsolete, coverture shaped societal views and legal structures, influencing debates for women’s suffrage and ongoing discussions about marital property and rights.” –Google AI

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law, women’s rights, human rights, real estate, real property, coverture, personal property,

How Would Life on Earth Change If Animals and Humans Could Talk Together? . by Alice B. Clagett

How Would Life on Earth Change If Animals and Humans Could Talk Together?

  • HOW WOULD LIFE ON EARTH CHANGE IF ANIMALS AND HUMANS COULD TALK TOGETHER?
  • CONCLUSION
  • MORE INFORMATION

HOW WOULD LIFE ON EARTH CHANGE IF ANIMALS AND HUMANS COULD TALK TOGETHER?

Dear Ones,

I asked Google AI: If animals could speak fluent English, and people could understand them and talk back, how would that change things on Earth?

Google AI said: “If animals could speak fluent English and hold two-way conversations with humans, it would cause a fundamental, and perhaps chaotic, transformation of life on Earth. The barrier between humans and the rest of the animal kingdom would vanish, leading to profound shifts in ethics, daily life, the food industry, and our relationship with the environment.

Here is how things would change:

  1. Radical Shift in Ethics and Animal Rights
  • End of Exploitation: It would be impossible to ignore the pleas of sentient beings. Factory farming, using animals for clothing, and laboratory testing would face immediate, severe moral pressure and, likely, legal bans.
  • Legal Personhood: Animals would likely demand, and receive, legal rights, including rights to freedom from captivity, the right to own territory, and potentially even legal representation.
  • Moral Crisis: Humanity would face a crisis of conscience. Meat consumption would likely plummet as people would be forced to hear animals describe their lives, fears, and desires.
  • Zoos and Entertainment: Zoos, circuses, and marine parks would be shut down, as the animals would voice their desire for freedom and complain about their living conditions.
  1. Daily Life with Pets and Wildlife
  • Deeper Connections: Our pets would no longer just be companions; they would be roommates, friends, or family members with voices, opinions, and complaints about their food or lack of walks.
  • No More Secrets: Pets would reveal, and perhaps share, your secrets with other humans.
  • Noisy World: The world would become much louder. ‘Silent’ nature spots might become rare as animals express their daily concerns—ranging from territorial disputes to complaining about the weather.
  • Boundary Disputes: Wildlife in suburban areas would likely negotiate their boundaries, expressing fear of, or annoyance with, human encroachment.
  1. Environmental and Scientific Impact
  • Unprecedented Conservation: Animals could directly tell us how to fix ecosystems, which habitats are critical, and how poaching is destroying their families.
  • Environmental Understanding: We would gain firsthand knowledge of climate change impacts directly from the species experiencing them.
  • Scientific Revolution: Biology and animal behavior studies would change from observation to conversation, revolutionizing our understanding of intelligence.
  1. Societal and Political Changes
  • Animal Representation: Animals might gain a voice in, or at least be considered part of, political systems, particularly regarding land use and environmental laws.
  • New ‘Jobs’: Animals might negotiate wages or simply refuse to perform labor, such as in police work or agriculture, demanding rights and fair treatment.
  • ‘Human’ Perspective Shift: The definition of ‘intelligence’ would be re-evaluated, breaking down the hierarchy that places humans above other creatures.
  1. Potential Negative Consequences
  • Conflict and War: The potential for conflict could increase. Animals might demand territory back from humans, leading to intense negotiations or, potentially, war-like scenarios.
  • Misuse of Communication: Humans might try to use this new ability to manipulate animals for profit or to lure wildlife in hunting scenarios.

Ultimately, a world where animals can talk would be a more empathetic but likely a much more chaotic place, forcing humanity to finally confront the reality of its impact on the planet.”


How Would Life on Earth Change If Animals and Humans Could Talk Together?

Image: “Interspecies Communication: Wild Speak,” adapted from Image by Ennaej from Pixabay – Pixabay License

Image: “Interspecies Communication: Wild Speak,” adapted from Image by Ennaej from Pixabay – Pixabay License

. . . . .

CONCLUSION

I am glad that Google AI came up with this answer, as it is beyond my area of expertise. I liked Google AI’s answer very much. It is a well-thought-out answer to an intriguing issue.

I say this because more and more people and animals of every kind … whether domestic or wild animals … whether birds or mammals or reptiles or microbes or other beings … very clearly are getting the Ascension Gift and the Ascension Skill of Interspecies Communication.

As stated in Google AI’s response, there are many hurdles to be faced both by humankind and by the other animals on Earth.

There was a time when we humans thought the Sun revolved around the Earth. Then we found out the opposite was true.

This is a time like that. This is the great leap for humankind from a human-centric world view to world view with the premise that all living beings are sentient … some far more so than humankind; others like us in regard to sentience but very different in ways of looking at the world, and different in manners and ethical outlook.

It will be a time of becoming confident in ourselves as an equally valued species amongst the greatly varied and greatly respected species of New Earth.

Think of it!

  • Manpower is about to become Beingpower.
  • Ravens may become our messengers and our community peacemakers.
  • Interstinal Bacteria may become our allies in developing micro-tools for the adjustment of intestinal food absorption and the elimination of viruses from our human bodies.
  • We will be fighting territorial wars with sentient termites, ants, and other social insects forever unless our best and finest interspecies diplomats can negotiate enduring treaties.
  • And think of education of our human children!
    • There will be field trips to have two-way conversations with wild animals local to the schoolchildren’s areas.
    • There will be trips to the zoo to learn to converse with animals from other areas.
    • There will be class education on talking with pet animals; the educational effort might  center on mutual respect and understanding (much in the way that children learn human family and peer group interaction skills).
    • As Google Ai states, there will be a whole new realm of higher learning as to animal rights, animal wages, biological and microbiological exploration from the inside out, ecological niche negotiations, animal husbandry, and ethical food production.
    • Together with all the sentient beings of Earth, we may craft a New Earth priorly only possible in the realm of dreams. Quite likely, we and the generations to come will make this dream a vibrant and functional reality.

What a great start this Google AI answer is as to the dreams that wait to be realized here on Earth! In short, this is a seminal, groundbreaking work by Google AI.

I am deeply grateful to have received this response.

In love, light and joy
This is Alice B. Clagett.
I Am of the Stars … and so are you!

Compiled and published on 22 January 2026; revised on 17 February 2026

NOTE: In this post, quotes from Google AI are in light blue font.


MORE INFORMATION

See my blog category: Human species and interspecies and extraterrestrial communication – Universal kinship – All-sentience – Moral inclusivity – Non-speciesism  ..

Image: “Interspecies Communication,” adapted from Image by Luda Kot from Pixabay – Pixabay License

Image: “Interspecies Communication,” adapted from Image by Luda Kot from Pixabay – Pixabay License

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Ascension, Ascension gifts, Ascension skills, interspecies communication, law, virtues, ethics, economics, communications, finance, ecosystems, animal rights, sentience, work force, Earth animals and microbes, Earth animals, mammals, birds, microbes, reptiles, fish, Cnidaria, insects, social insects, social issues, human affairs, social planning, calls to action, government, common good, imprisonment and freedom, peace, harmony, unity, balance, health, moral inclusivity, non-speciesism, all-sentience, universal kinship,

 

Very Big Mystery About Girafit Surveillance Cameras from Amazon.com . by Alice B. Clagett

It’s a cloudy day for the Cloud!

Dear Ones,

You all may recall the FCC ban of Dahua and Hikvision surveillance equipment because of unclosable security leaks in 2021 … https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-bans-authorizations-devices-pose-national-security-threat ..

Here is another such mystery!

Yesterday I turned on the Girafit surveillance equipment app on my handheld and it showed that a device not my own had been shared with my app. The image is below.

Image: Shared Device Not My Own on My Girafit App,” by Alice B. Clagett, 22 January 2026, CC BY-SA 4.0 International

Image: Shared Device Not My Own on My Girafit App,” by Alice B. Clagett, 22 January 2026, CC BY-SA 4.0 International

I checked the image on Google image search and found it to be associated with real estate sales … Equitable Estates, chelseahuffrealestate .com, and (in Russian) Channel 24 Smart Home Device ideas among other types of business.

Could someone be using this stock photo to represent themselves as a real estate company selling my home?

  • The Girafit sharing option was turned off,
  • and my handheld was offline.
  • AND Girafit cloud was not enabled.

So how could this have happened? How did this person wangle a share with my app?

This wangle allows them to view my home security system output. This is clearly a security breach. So I turned off bluetooth and wi-fi on my handheld. Then the shared image disappeared. Go figure!?

Today I turned on my Girafit app again and it showed the same shared device as yesterday, but with the caveat “Device is offline.” I

refreshed the view on the Girafit app and the shared device disappeared. I

turned off wi-fi and bluetooth again, just in case the shared device should pop up again.

I asked Google AI about this: Why would my newly set up Girafit app show a shared device that is not mine when I have sharing turned off and when Girafit cloud is not enabled and when my handheld is offline?

Google AI said: “Your Girafit app showing an unknown shared device despite offline status, disabled sharing, and no cloud sync likely means the device was previously linked to another account or is showing cached data; you should try logging out and back inresetting the camera, or clearing the app’s cache, as it could be residual information from a shared setup or a glitch. 

Here’s a step-by-step troubleshooting approach:

  1. Log Out & Back In: Fully log out of your Girafit account and then log back in to refresh the connection and data.
  2. Check for Residual Links: Even with sharing off, the device might have been previously bound to another account (like a seller’s demo or previous owner’s). You may need to reset the device (often a button press or power cycle) to clear its internal settings before re-adding it.
  3. Clear App Cache: In your phone’s settings, find the Girafit app and clear its cache and data (this won’t delete your account, just local files).
  4. Reset the Device: Follow Girafit’s instructions (check their FAQ) to factory reset the camera/device, then set it up as new.
  5. Contact Support: If the issue persists, contact Girafit support, providing your device ID (found in settings) for assistance. 

Why this happens:

  • Stale Data: Your app might be holding onto old device information.
  • Factory Reset Needed: The device itself is still linked to an old account’s cloud ID.
  • Network Glitch: A temporary issue with app communication could display incorrect device status. “

So, looks like I was spooked prior to setting up this new Girafit account, and the unauthorized shared device persisted on my handheld, which I will now attempt to wash.

In love, light and joy
This is Alice B. Clagett.
I Am of the Stars … and so are you!

Written and published on 22 January 2026; revised on 17 February 2026

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electronic devices, communications, telecommunication, home security, crime, crime prevention, cybercrime,

The Slack Face – A Very Fine Lover? An Apex Predator? Or What? . by Alice B. Clagett

The Vulnerability Allure! There is big trouble here for empaths such as me. We are open-hearted and vulnerable. We seek friends who are like us. We may mistake the ‘slack face’ for emotional openness. Big faux pas!

The Slack Face - A Very Fine Lover? An Apex Predator? Or What?

Image: Slack Face, Unblinking Eyes, Flat Emotional Affect,” adapted from Image by Petr Ganaj from Pixabay – Pixabay License

Image: Slack Face, Unblinking Eyes, Flat Emotional Affect,” adapted from Image by Petr Ganaj from Pixabay – Pixabay Licensefrom Pixabay – Pixabay License

  • INTRODUCTION
  • THE STORY
    • WHY DO I GET AN EQUAL SENSE OF PERIL AND ALLUREMENT WHEN I SEE A MAN WITH A SLACK FACE?
      • Do Antisocial Personalities Have ‘Slack Face’?
      • Do Con Artists Have ‘Slack Face’?
      • The Big Picture
      • Alice’s Analysis
        • Uncanny Valley Effect
        • Limerence
        • The Vulnerable Allure
          • Sidebar: Why Might Slack Face Be Mistaken for Emotional Openness?
        • Crystallization (love)
    • OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD), POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD), AND OCCASIONAL VIOLENCE
      • Do OCD Have ‘Slack Face’?
      • Do PTSD Have ‘Slack Face’?
    • WHAT SORTS OF PEOPLE HAVE FLAT EMOTIONAL AFFECT? (substituting this term for ‘slack face’)
  • CONCLUSION
  • MORE INFORMATION
    • Anhedonia

INTRODUCTION

Dear Ones,

The allure … and the equal sense of alarm … engendered on viewing the ‘slack face’ of another person is, for me, indisputable …

Video: “Stromae – Mauvaise journée,” by Zas Dance Platform, 16 January 2025 … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNz9z5gDTjU ..

Here are the English language lyrics (if you dare) …

Video: “Stromae – Mauvaise journée English translation,” by FrenchVibes, 23 July 2023 … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t06g1NIc7fM ..


THE STORY

The above is quite an intriguing video. Incredible dancing, hard-hitting graphically grabbing lyrics, attitude 180 degrees opposite of the love, Light and joy. Hummm.

There is a post I wrote 8 years ago entitled “How Do Predators Hypnotize Their Prey” …

Link: “How Do Predators Hypnotize Their Prey?” by Alice B. Clagett, begun on 31 May 2018; published on 26 June 2018; revised on 25 February 2025 … https://wp.me/p2Rkym-9sy ..

In retrospect, the interesting thing is that reptilian predators … such as lizards, snakes, crocodiles, alligators, and dinosaurs … have what mammals such as I characterize as the ‘slack face’.

That might account for the sense of alarm I feel when viewing the video. Those seem to me to be alarming young dancers. Who knows what their true feelings are! Maybe their intentions are quite dangerous to me … as may be the case with the Komodo dragon.

Komodo dragons are apex reptilian predators that stalk and eat people and other large animals, don’t they? Maybe these dancers are like Komodo dragons?

Hence the general sense of alarm. But why are slack faces alluring?

I saw someone like this at King Gillette Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains awhile ago. He was driving an all-terrain vehicle with fine-looking, physically quite capable young men in it … forest workers, perhaps. I got a cookie cutter feeling from them … all of them were quite similar in looks. Then there was the quite handsome, ‘slack face’ driver, who was a little older. Huh.

Some years earlier, while driving north through Chastworth on Topanga Canyon Road, I had seen this same person … same handsome features, same ‘slack face’. Likely he was emerging from a private gymn in the shopping strip there.

I recall I got the same gut-wrenching sense of alarm coupled with allure. It was as if I were being hypnotized …. Wait a moment; was I being hypnotized?

Could it be that the ‘slack face’ is like a blank slate upon which our ever active egos can paint an image of themselves in a far more alluring body? Do we feel instant empathy for people with ‘slack faces’ simply because there appears to be no personality there that competes with our own? Could that be true?

In that case, a ‘slack face’ would be quite a cagey strategy for an antisocial personality or a narcissist or a con artist to undertake. Their intention might be murder or mayhem. They might be well practices in murder and mayhem.

First and foremost, they need to conceal their true intentions with a ‘slack face’. They might anticipate our ego will make the leap to claim their body as its own. And their well-concealed ego might then leap to the kill or the clutch.

I thought I would ask Google AI about the ‘slack face’ and my feelings of alarm and allurement.

WHY DO I GET AN EQUAL SENSE OF PERIL AND ALLUREMENT WHEN I SEE A MAN WITH A SLACK FACE? 

First off, Google AI scotched my notion that antisocial personalities or con artists might consciously cultive the ‘slack look’. Here is what Google AI said …

Do Antisocial Personalities Have ‘Slack Face’? “No, there’s no consistent evidence that people with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) have ‘slack faces’, but research shows they often have reduced or atypical facial emotional expressions, like less sadness or fear, and can struggle with recognizing emotions, sometimes appearing indifferent or using charm to manipulate rather than expressing genuine feelings, making their faces seem less responsive or even blank in certain situations, rather than necessarily ‘slack’.” –Google AI

Do Con Artists Have ‘Slack Face’? “No, con artists do not typically have ‘slack faces’. Professional con artists go to great lengths to manage their appearance and behavior to gain trust, often appearing charming, charismatic, professional, and knowledgeable.

They work hard to come across as trustworthy individuals, often blending into social, community, or religious groups to seem familiar. Their goal is to manipulate victims’ emotions and cloud their judgment, which requires a deliberate and often dynamic presentation, not a blank or ‘slack’ expression.” –Google AI

The Big Picture. So there was that. I thought I had best let preconceptions go, and instead I take a look at the ‘big picture’. Google AI had other things to say, including the stoic appeal of the John Wayne look … I asked Google AI: Why do I get an equal sense of peril and allurement when I see a man with a slack face?

Google AI said: “A slack face, characterized by relaxed muscles and a neutral, expressionless appearance, can evoke a complex mix of feelings including both peril and allurement due to evolutionary and psychological factors.

Peril

The sense of peril can stem from several factors:

  • Unpredictability A neutral or slack face provides little emotional information, making the person’s intentions difficult to read. The lack of an decipherable expression can be interpreted as a sign of something hidden or unpredictable, which the human brain often associates with potential danger  …
  • Deviation from Norm Most social interactions involve a constant exchange of subtle facial cues. A complete lack of expression deviates from this norm, creating a sense of unease or uncanniness because the expected social script is absent  …
  • Association with Stoicism A slack, emotionless face can be associated with intense self-control or a guarded personality, sometimes linked in popular culture or personal experience with individuals who might be intimidating, untrustworthy, or emotionally unavailable  …

Allurement

The sense of allurement can also arise from these characteristics:

  • Mystery and Intrigue The same lack of expression that creates unease can also foster a sense of mystery. The unknown nature of the person’s thoughts and feelings can be alluring, prompting curiosity and a desire to discover what lies beneath the surface  …
  • Calm and Self-Possession A consistently emotionless face might also be interpreted as a sign of extreme calm, confidence, and self-possession. In a world full of overt emotional displays, this stoicism can be seen as powerful and attractive  …
  • Blank Canvas Effect A slack face serves as a ‘blank canvas’, allowing the observer to project their own desires or interpretations onto the person. This ambiguity can be more engaging than a face with a clear, defined emotion …

Ultimately, these reactions are subjective and depend on an individual’s personal experiences, cultural background, and current context.”

I Dove Deaper, and Google AI had some quite intriguing things to say:The sensation of combined peril and allurement when viewing a ‘slack face’ (a lack of emotional expression often called flat affect) typically stems from a psychological disconnect between what you see and what your brain expects to find. 

Why It Feels Like Peril (Danger)

  • Uncanny Valley Effect: Humans are highly sensitive to facial movements that appear ‘not quite right’. A face that should be expressing emotion but remains slack can trigger a subconscious sense of eeriness or revulsion because it mimics ‘non-living’ or unnatural qualities.
  • Loss of Social Predictability: Facial expressions are essential for social communication. When a person’s face is slack, you cannot ‘read’ their intentions or emotions. This lack of feedback is unsettling because the brain prioritizes detecting threats; an unreadable face is a potential hidden threat.
  • Association with Instability: In clinical psychology, flat affect is often a symptom of serious conditions like schizophrenia or PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder]. While the individual may not be dangerous, the [observer’s] brain’s ‘danger alarm’ (the amygdala) may react to the lack of social cohesion as a signal of unpredictability.

Why It Feels Like Allurement (Attraction)

  • The Limerent Object: Intense fixation on another person, known as limerence, can make even ambiguous or ‘slack’ expressions seem magnetic. The lack of a clear message can act as a ‘blank canvas’, allowing you to project your own desires or interpretations onto their face.
  • The ‘Vulnerable’ Allure: Some research suggests that certain non-threatening or passive facial states can elicit a ‘behavioral approach’ or prosocial response. A slack face might be subconsciously interpreted as a sign of vulnerability or a need for help, which can be mistakenly felt as attraction or a desire to connect.
  • Intrigue of the Unknown: An expressionless face creates a mystery. This ‘emotional blindness’ (alexithymia) or flat affect may draw you in because you are trying to solve the ‘inverse problem’ of what they are actually feeling inside.

Medical Context for a Slack Face

If you observe a sudden or persistent slackness in a face, it may be due to:

  • Neurological Issues: Conditions like Bell’s palsy, stroke, or Parkinson’s disease can cause facial drooping or ‘masked face’.
  • Mental Health: Flat affect is a common ‘negative’ symptom in schizophrenia or a result of deep depression or autism.
  • Medication: Certain psychiatric medications can cause a blunting of emotional expression as a side effect.”

. . . . . . . . . .

Alice’s Analysis

Uncanny Valley Effect. Here is more on the Uncanny Valley Effect: “The uncanny valley effect is a hypothesized psychological and aesthetic relation between an object’s degree of resemblance to a human being and the emotional response to the object. The uncanny valley hypothesis predicts that an entity appearing almost human will elicit uncanny or eerie feelings in viewers.” –from Link: “Uncanny valley,” in English Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valley#:~:text=The%20uncanny%20valley%20effect%20is,or%20eerie%20feelings%20in%20viewers. … CC BY-SA 4.0 License

I had already read about ‘flat emotional affect’ (which is another name for ‘slack face’) being a heads up for psychosis. So there is that.

. . . . .

Limerence. I particularly liked the discussion about ‘Limerence‘. I checked with Wikipedia; apparently Limerance is like a childhood crush … intense infatuation with someone …

Limerence is the mental state of being madly in love … or intensely infatuated … when reciprocation of the feeling is uncertain. This state is characterized by intrusive thoughts and idealization of the loved one (also called ‘crystallization’), typically with a desire for reciprocation to form a relationship. This is accompanied by feelings of ecstasy or despair, depending on whether one’s feelings seem to be reciprocated or not ….” –from Link: “Limerence,” in English Wikipedia … https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limerence … CC BY-SA 4.0 License

. . . . .

The Vulnerable Allure. “The ‘Vulnerable Allure’ refers to the powerful attraction and connection created when individuals reveal their authentic, imperfect selves, showcasing emotions, fears, and flaws, which fosters intimacy, trust, likability, and deeper human connection, despite societal pressures to appear strong or invulnerable, often explored in psychology, relationships, and even marketing. It’s the surprising strength found in openness, moving beyond perceived weakness to invite empathy and genuine belonging.” –Google AI

There is big trouble here for empaths such as me. We are open-hearted and vulnerable. We seek friends who are like us. We may mistake the ‘slack face’ for emotional openness. Big faux pas!

………………..
Sidebar: Why Might Slack Face Be Mistaken for Emotional Openness?

I asked Google AI: Why might slack face be mistaken for emotional openness?

Google AI said: “‘Slack face’, or a neutral facial expression, might be mistaken for emotional openness because of several factors related to how humans interpret social cues and the inherent ambiguity of facial expressions.

Misinterpretation Factors

  • Projection of Desired Emotions: When a face is relatively expressionless, observers may project their own interpretations or desired emotions onto it. A ‘slack’ or neutral face serves as a blank canvas, which a person hoping for emotional openness might interpret as an inviting, receptive demeanor.
  • Cultural Context: The interpretation of facial expressions is not universally uniform and is heavily influenced by cultural context. In some contexts, a neutral expression might be perceived as a sign of calm, trustworthiness, or being ‘open’ to a conversation, rather than a lack of emotion.
  • Contrast with Stronger Emotions: Compared to expressions like anger, fear, or sadness, a neutral face is low-intensity. This absence of intense, clearly defined emotional signals may be perceived as a non-threatening, accessible state, which can be misconstrued as openness.
  • Expectation Bias: If an observer expects someone to be emotionally open (due to the situation or a prior belief), they may interpret ambiguous cues, like a slack face, in a way that confirms their expectation.
  • Focus on Other Cues: When the face provides minimal information, observers may rely on other cues, such as body language, eye contact, or tone of voice. If these other cues align with ‘openness,’,the neutral face is likely to be interpreted accordingly.
  • Ambiguity of Neutrality: Research indicates that facial expressions can be highly ambiguous, and even basic emotions can be misclassified, such as fear and surprise being confused. A neutral face is the most ambiguous, making it susceptible to varied, and sometimes incorrect, interpretations.

Ultimately, facial expressions alone are not a reliable way to gauge a person’s precise emotional state, and context matters a great deal in accurate interpretation.”

. . . . .

Crystallization (love). I also checked on the word ‘crystallization’ as mentioned in the unusual context above. Wikipedia had this to say …

Crystallization is a concept, developed in 1822 by the French writer Stendhal, which describes the process, or mental metamorphosis, in which the characteristics of a new love are transformed into perceptual diamonds of shimmering beauty. According to a quotation by Stendhal:‘What I call ‘crystallization’ is the operation of the mind that draws from all that presents itself the discovery that the loved object has some new perfections;’ ….” –from Link: “Crystallization (love),: in English Wikipedia … https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystallization_(love) … CC BY-SA 4.0 License

. . . . . . . . . .

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD), POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD), AND OCCASIONAL VIOLENCE

This word Crystallization reminds me of Monk’s fixation on his wife Trudy in the movie series “Monk.” As you may know, Trudy had disappeared … or putatively so … or had Monk murdered his wife? I ask that because Monk had obsessive compulsive disorder … a psychological state that I, as a Christian, associate with ‘on again, off again’ demonic possession.

Ian Freckleton of NIH associates obsessive compulsive disorder (sometimes in association with PTSD) with various crimes. Might murder be one of these? For more on this search the term ‘crime’ at this link …

Link: “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder and the Criminal Law,” by Ian Freckelton, QC, in National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), National Library of Medicine, NIH … https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8009125/ ..

See also my discussion of the above-referenced article here …

Link: “Are There Obsessive Compulsive People Who Are Walking Time Bombs?” by Alice B. Clagett, written and published on 9 December 2022; revised on 12 December 2022, on 3 June 2023, on 31 July 2023, on 17 October 2023, and on 25 December 2025 … https://awakeningwithplanetearth.com/is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-related-to-multiple-personality-and-satanic-possession-by-alice-b-clagett/ ..

I have to wonder if OCD – PTSD folks sometimes errupt in acts of violence, such as murder of their wives, whom they need to remember as perfection itself through a process termed ‘Crystallization’?

Could ‘Crystallization’ by an OCD person be the notion behind obsessively careful ordering of what is in their visual array? Ought I say ‘visual array’ or simply ‘physical environment’, I wonder.

Striving for regularity or simplicity, or for repetitive similar thought processes, or mentally building on an buyoing idea … such as Trudy’s perfection … might be ways of re-inventing one’s world after a shattering PTSD experience.

(That reminds me a little of repetitive spiritual chanting as a way of acchieving neutral mind and peaceful feelings.)

If so, then the infrequent lapses of OCD people into violent criminal ‘acting out’ … or what I as a Christian term ‘demonic possession’ might be temporary breakdowns of the internal OCD chant, and memories of PTSD experiences?

And the repetitive rituals and what I posit may be Crystallization of OCD people might be self-healing techniques?

Do OCD Have ‘Slack Face’?

Out of curiosity, I asked Google AI: Do OCD have ‘slack face’?

Google AI said: While OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) doesn’t cause a universally “’lack face’, research suggests subtle facial differences, like thinner lower lips in males or smaller nasolabial angles in females, and impaired emotional expression (affective flattening), can occur, stemming from brain structure variations and the constant emotional distress of obsessions, leading to reduced facial movement and seemingly ‘flatter’ affect. 

Subtle Facial Differences (Research Findings)

  • Males: Studies have found lower lip red height (thinner lower lip) in male OCD patients compared to controls, correlating with neutralizing compulsions.
  • Females: Female OCD patients sometimes show smaller nasolabial angles (less pronounced smile lines/mouth area).
  • Brain Structure: Thinner inferior parietal cortex, involved in interpreting sensations, has been noted in people with OCD, potentially impacting emotional expression. 

Impact on Emotional Expression

  • Affective Flattening: Patients with OCD often show incongruent facial expressions, meaning their feelings don’t match their face, leading to a less animated or ‘flatter’ appearance, similar to symptoms seen in schizophrenia.
  • Anxiety & Compulsions: The intense anxiety from obsessions and the mental effort of compulsions can reduce spontaneous facial movements, making expressions seem muted or ‘slack’.

Why it’s Not a Universal Symptom

  • OCD Varies: Symptoms differ greatly between individuals; not everyone experiences these subtle physical or emotional expression changes.
  • High-Functioning OCD: People with high-functioning OCD might hide their internal struggles well, though they still experience the intrusive thoughts and compulsions. 

In essence, while not a defining feature like handwashing, facial expressions in OCD can be subtly affected by brain changes, emotional suppression, and the constant mental effort, sometimes resulting in a less expressive or ‘slack’ appearance.”

Do PTSD Have ‘Slack Face’?

Google AI’s answer seems to me not to be a straight fit for OCD with regard to ‘slack face’. So I asked Google AI: Do PTSD have ‘slack face’?

Google AI votes yes for flat emotional affect, and no for ‘slack face’, which they define as facial paralysis.

Once again, I got that I had best segue to the ‘big picture’ …

WHAT SORTS OF PEOPLE HAVE FLAT EMOTIONAL AFFECT? (substituting this term for ‘slack face’)

There is a conflict of my terminology with that of Google AI. so I opted for the term ‘flat emotional affect’. I asked Google AI: What sorts of people have flat emotional affect? (substituting this term for ‘slack face’) …

Google AI said: “People with flat affect show little to no emotional expression, common in conditions like schizophrenia, depression, PTSD, Autism (ASD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and sometimes due to medications (like antidepressants), or neurological issues (Parkinson’s). It’s a symptom, not a disorder, meaning they may feel emotions internally but can’t express them outwardly through voice or face.

Associated Conditions & Causes:

  • Schizophrenia: A core ‘negative’ symptom, involving monotone voice, blank face, lack of gestures.
  • Depression: Can cause emotional numbness (anhedonia) or stoicism despite internal feelings.
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): May present as robotic mannerisms or reduced facial/body expression, sometimes linked to masking.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Emotional numbing and detachment can lead to flat affect.
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Damage to emotional centers can alter expression.
  • Neurological Disorders: Parkinson’s disease and dementia are linked.
  • Medications: Antidepressants are a common cause of emotional blunting (inability to feel) or flat affect (inability to show).
  • Schizoid Personality Disorder: Characterized by emotional coldness and detachment.”

Key Characteristics:

  • Monotone voice.
  • Blank facial expressions, limited eye contact.
  • Lack of typical reactions (e.g., to joy or sadness).
  • Reduced gestures or nonverbal cues. 

Treating the underlying condition is key to managing flat affect.”


CONCLUSION

Well, Ok. What I call ‘slack face’ Google AI calls ‘flat emotional affect’, which it associates with schizophrenia, depression, autism, PTSD, and Schizoid personality disorder, amongst other things.

People with these issues may or may not act unexpectably, so a feeling of danger may or may not be warranted.

So then, despite the conflicting feeling of allurement that flat emotional affect may engender in the observer, my advice to my Readers is this ..

Be observant. Be careful. Expect the unexpected. Dont go ‘Limerent’! Don’t Crystallize! Don’t cozy up … move farther away, just in case.

In other words, don’t be hypnotized by what may be an Apex Predator. Survival matters! Survival first!

Well, that’s all for now.

In love, light and joy
This is Alice B. Clagett.
I Am of the Stars … and so are you!

Compiled and published on 15 January 2026; revised on 17 February 2026

NOTE: In this post, quotes from Google AI are in light blue font.


MORE INFORMATION

New word … Anhedonia … aka ‘the blahs’ … “Anhedonia is the inability to feel pleasure or interest in activities once enjoyed, manifesting as numbness, apathy, or emptiness, and is a core symptom of depression, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders, though it also appears with Parkinson’s or PTSD. It involves deficits in both wanting (motivation) and liking (enjoyment) rewards, often linked to dopamine system issues, and requires professional diagnosis to treat the underlying cause with therapy, lifestyle changes, or specific medications.” –Google AI

…………..

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0). Attribution: By Alice B. Clagett.
More license information

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narcissist, con artist, obsessive compulsive disorder, possession, limerence, limerent object. crystallization, post-traumatic stress disorder, neutral mind, peaceful feelings, chants, psychology, psychiatry, acting out, survival, predator-prey, reptoids, crocodiloids, dracoids, lizardoids, serpentoids, crime, murder, empathty,

Concerning Chinese Expansionism to the United States . video by Alice B. Clagett

Concerning Chinese Expansionism to the United States

Image: “Self-Portrait 1,” by Alice B. Clagett, 2 January 2026, CC BY-SA 4.0 International, from “Awakening with Planet Earth,” https://awakeningwithplanetearth.com ..

Image: “Self-Portrait 1,” by Alice B. Clagett, 2 January 2026, CC BY-SA 4.0 International, from “Awakening with Planet Earth,” https://awakeningwithplanetearth.com ..

    • INTRODUCTION
    • VIDEO BY ALICE
    • SUMMARY OF THE VIDEO
      • INTRODUCTION
      • GOOGLE AI RESEARCH
        • Sorcery
        • Triads – Crime Gangs
        • Infiltration by Strongmen – Sorcerers
        • Crimes by Triads
        • Can Triad Members Buy Their Way Out of Prison?
        • Libel and Slander Laws
      • PSYCHIC IMPRESSIONS
        • Face
        • Child Rearing
        • Black Dragons
        • Child Exploitation
        • Land Use
        • Could a Triad Stage a Bloodless Coup?
        • Triad House by House Takeover of a Port City?
        • Surveillance Devices and Financial Accounts
        • Stealth Genocide by Triads
      • CONCLUSION
    • OUTLINE OF THE VIDEO
    • VIDEO CREDITS
    • MORE INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION

Dear Ones,

This is about cultural and legal differences amongst China, Hong Kong, and the United States and how these are playing out during the trade war with its tariff increases here in the United States.

There is a Summary after the video.

VIDEO BY ALICE

This is the WordPress version …

This is the youtube version: https://youtu.be/lUwgJ9R19HU ..

SUMMARY OF THE VIDEO

“CONCERNING CHINESE EXPANSIONISM TO THE UNITED STATES”
A video by Alice B. Clagett

 INTRODUCTION

Hi everyone, it’s Alice. I Am of the Stars.

I’ve come to some startling realizations regarding the differences between China and the United States, and I thought I’d share them with you.

I think here in America, we celebrate diversity, but we don’t recognize the importance of sorting through diversity and how different cultures react against each other. And we need to address the diversity as a problem as well as a celebration, so that we can come to a deeper understanding each of the other culture.

I’m going to put first the information that I researched last night. This is substantiated by Google AI information that I’m going to put on my website at the bottom of the page, under “More Information.” Then I’m going to put down what’s more like Psychic Impressions as a separate section. Then there will be a Conclusion based on both of these.

So you’ll know what Google AI feels to be so or what’s the current state of awareness of what’s so in the internet industry. And you’ll also be able to benefit insofar as it’s truthful from my psychic impressions. You’ll be able to sort through the two and weight my discussion in the manner that’s suitable for your own understanding of these things.

GOOGLE AI RESEARCH

Okay. So now this is what I learned from my reading last night …

These two cultures are very different and and they’re competitive. The governments of the two countries are using the differences between the two cultures as tools or pry bars during the trade war and during the ongoing conflict. And many things are happening that are not being talked about in the media.

Sorcery

The issue of sorcery: In China, sorcery is a crime. And in Hong Kong and the United States, they protect sorcery as a religion. However, they feel that crimes committed by sorcerers should be treated equally under the law according to the laws of their countries. You see? They treat the behavior of the sorcerers and not the sorcery.

So, China knows that sorcery is a potent power for evil in the world. But the United States does not understand this.

Triads – Crime Gangs

In addition, there are these groups called Triads which are crime gangs in China. These Triads use sorcery in some cases … these days, not so much, but a great deal so in in the past.

Infiltration of the United States by Strongmen – Sorcerers

China aligns with these Triads as strongmen … or you could say sorcerers and people who practice witchcraft … which they feel to be a true and potent power … and sends them to other countries such as the United States and countries worldwide to wreak havoc on those countries on behalf of China. So to some extent China aligns with the strongmen in their own country and sends them abroad.

Crimes by Triads

The Triads practice crimes such as money laundering, child exploitation, fencing of stolen goods, and many other crimes that are very grave crimes here in the United States. And so if they do that, they can be captured here in the United States and exported.

Can Triad Members Buy Their Way Out of Prison?

I do have a question. If they go back to the place where they came from, such as Hong Kong or China, can they buy their way back here for an amount of money that they’ve set aside in some other world bank just for that eventuality? I think that the answer is yes, but I don’t see it online.

Okay. So, there’s this issue of sorcery being different.

Libel and Slander Laws

I found out this morning that the laws regarding libel and slander in the United States are considerably different from those in China and Hong Kong. In the United States, they’re primarily a matter of civil recourse. In China and in Hong Kong, there are also criminal legal remedies.

So during a trade war between China and the United States this difference might be perceived as a weakness of the United States and it might be used to weaken people in the United States who are perceived to be a threat to an economic incursion.

They might be slandered. They might be libeled. Their character might be defamed under the notion that it’s more difficult to counteract these behaviors in the United States than it is in China and Hong Kong.

PSYCHIC IMPRESSIONS

Now, here’s a section more with psychic impressions that I’ve had over the years. I’m starting with that section right now.

Face

In China, loss of face is a very big thing. In the United States, it’s important, but it’s not world shatteringly important.

The need to save face can be used as a bargaining chip in our interactions with people from China. For instance, they may level a water use accusation against us that they want to report to the police. If we level a similar strength setback violation accusation against them, then in order to save face, they won’t go to the police. This has to do with territorial disputes amongst neighbors.

So then keeping in mind the value to save face, which is not immediately important to us, we can use this as a bargaining chip in our dealings with them.

Child Rearing

Then there’s another issue. There’s an issue about child rearing. Apparently in China mothers mother their children while they’re being breastfed for a couple of years and then after that they don’t treat them so much in a motherly fashion.

Here in the United States, I’m happy to say that many mothers … at least this is our ideal … love their children and help their children all their lives. So there’s a very great difference there in terms of motherly support and family support, between China and the United States.

And it could be that China’s emphasis on the importance of family has to do with their perception that our family togetherness throughout life is a strength of the United States.

Okay. So far we have sorcery, strongmen, all those crimes that syndicated crimes do … and in China, they’re called Triads.

Black Dragons

Here in Los Angeles, there was a Triad that was in the San Gabriel Valley and also in Los Angeles. Then at the turn of the century, around 2002, there was a big operation to take that crime gang out of action here in the Greater Los Angeles area. I found out so many things last night! And then I had these dreams in the morning.

Child Exploitation

Let’s see. You have motherly love. Yes, child exploitation is something that China is fighting against. But the Triads here in America, that are spreading out from China and from Hong Kong are, I feel, ruthlessly exploiting our children; ruthlessly so, I feel.

This is just an intuition that I have and I cannot prove it. But I think it has to do with the lack of motherly love in China that causes them to be more callous towards children than is the case here in the United States.

And our laws reflect our great concern for our children. There are very stiff laws here in California, for instance.

Land Use

So then we have, let’s see, land use. In China no one can own land. That’s not to say that there aren’t people who control the land in such a way that they might as well own it, I feel, but the ideal and the notion of the people is that no one can own their land.

And here in the United States, not only do we own land privately, but also we sell land to people in China.

In China, nobody owns land but the government. So essentially what happens when we allow Chinese to buy land from us is that we sell our land to the Chinese government.

This might be looked upon by China as a chance to accomplish a bloodless coup against a nitwit neighboring nation. They might feel we’re complete idiots to to sell our country bit by bit to a foreign power and that then they should take advantage of it.

Could a Triad Stage a Bloodless Coup?

So, say they engage with a a Triad crime organization which begins to buy up land in the United States. The land really belongs to the government of China if China takes over here.

But during the time that the Triad people live there, from their own point of view they’re leasing land from China. They don’t own it and pass it on, but they lease the land from China.

But here in the United States, the laws are such that you have to pass the land on, say to a family member. I think the great point that we have here is that if we can enforce not giving the land to China, but rather to a particular family member or group, that’s the thing to do.

I think we need to look at trusts in land use, and see how that really pans out with regard to people who are of foreign nationality who purchase land here. That’s very important for America. for us to stay an American nation.

Triad House by House Takeover of a Port City?

Okay, here’s another scenario. This is a scenario of a house by house takeover of a port city in the United States on behalf of the Chinese government.

Say a Triad moves from house to house, killing the homeowners and then leasing the property to tenants. If they’re able to accomplish this in a neighborhood, then what they’re doing is they’re creating the Chinese ideal of land use here. You see?

So it might be looked at as an appropriate thing to do, you see? If that were so … if that were the mindset there, that it’s appropriate to do that … then we must be ever very cautious that such a scenario does not take place in the port towns of the United States.

Surveillance Devices and Financial Accounts

There’s also, as you know, the issue that I’ve spoken of in separate venues regarding surveillance systems and computers. The trouble is that the software we use to defend our homes and to do our finances online is owned by or might be susceptible to surveillance by Chinese groups.

And the Chinese groups, according to Chinese law, have to allow their data to be available to the Department of Defense in China. Do you see? So if a war is going on, all these factors are considerations.

Stealth Genocide by Triads

One thing that the Triads might do here in America, if they figured there was a war going on between China and America. even before we declared a trade war here, is that they might export some of their members to Los Angeles and other places to decimate the child population of United States citizens.

One way that’s done sometimes in the Orient is to castrate the boy children. And we may find if we look carefully into hospital records that men and boy children here in Los Angeles and elsewhere in the United States are being castrated.

Now, why are they being castrated? It’s so that they cannot have children. Okay? If they cannot have children, then the competing nation, the nation that is at war with us, will have children and those children will take over the United States if they are placed here. Do you understand?

It’s very basic. Genocide is a very basic way of acquiring another nation. But it can be done under wraps in this way by providing, for instance, sexual allurement as a way to attract young people. And then if the children are captured and castrated either they will die of of blood loss at that time or else if they survive they won’t be able to have children.

And so in the whole nation, if there are no children that can inseminate other children, then no more children can be produced, you understand? It’s an under the wraps way of taking over a nation.

We have to protect our children very carefully, okay? … and let them know the very great dangers of an undercover war, okay? … because our children are falling for it. This is my psychic impression. They’re falling for it by the dozens. A whole school class is gone by the 8th grade through being allured to a particular locale and there being drugged, being killed, or being castrated.

CONCLUSION

I know we as a nation have a tendency to look on the bright side and to forget about the bad stuff. I know it’s been a long time since we’ve had a war on our own turf. And what we’re dealing with is a mindset that believes this is not possible.

So, we have to turn it around. We have to protect our children. We have to protect ourselves. Okay?

God bless you all,
Keep you safe in this New Year,
And be with you
Through all your days.

In love, light, and joy,
This is Alice B. Clagett.
I Am of the Stars … and so are you.

See you at my website awakeningwithplanetearth.com, where we don’t usually talk about such gnarly topics.

Filmed and published on 2 January 2026; transcribed and youtube transcription edited on 3 January 2025
This is a high definition film.

VIDEO CREDITS

“Concerning Chinese Expansionism to the United States”
By Alice B. Clagett

Filmed and produced on 2 January 2026
Location: San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, CA

Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 International –
By Alice B. Clagett

Image: “Self-Portrait 2,” by Alice B. Clagett, 2 January 2026, CC BY-SA 4.0 International, from “Awakening with Planet Earth,” https://awakeningwithplanetearth.com ..

MORE INFORMATION

Here are the timeframes as described on youtube:

00:00 Introduction 01:43 Google AI Research Section 02:17 Sorcery 02:54 Triad Crime Gangs 03:11 Strongmen Invade United States 03:45 Crimes by Triads 04:09 Triad Prison Escape 04:34 Libel and Slander Laws 05:35 Psychic Impressions Section 05:46 Saving Face 06:45 Child Rearing 07:53 Black Dragons 08:21 Child Exploitation 09:05 Land Use 10:11 Bloodless Coup by Triads 11:24 Triad Takeover of a Port City 12:25 Security Cameras – Bank Accounts 13:16 Stealth Genocide by Triads 15:58 Conclusion

. . . . .

This was my research on Google AI yesterday … that which was pertinent to the video in this post.

Is it a crime to practice sorcery in Hong Kong?

“While Hong Kong doesn’t have a specific modern law explicitly banning “sorcery,” severe forms of it, especially those involving harm, fraud, or linking to unlawful societies (like triads), are criminalized under existing laws, drawing from historical Chinese prohibitions on “wugu” (black magic) and the Societies Ordinance, meaning certain magical practices can lead to prison time, particularly if they cause physical harm or are associated with organized crime.

What’s Criminalized (Likely):

  • Wugu/Black Magic: Practices like “ku poisoning,” human sacrifice for magical purposes, or employing curses causing severe harm (like nightmare demons or injury) were historically punishable under Chinese codes and remain illegal through general criminal statutes.
  • Unlawful Societies: If sorcery is tied to illegal triad activities or secret societies, participation or aiding them is a serious offense under the Societies Ordinance, carrying hefty fines and prison sentences (up to 7 years).
  • Fraud & Harm: Practices that defraud others (e.g., charging for fake cures) or cause actual physical or mental harm (e.g., severe psychological distress from curses) can be prosecuted under general laws.

What’s Generally Tolerated (But Monitored):

  • Folk Practices: Many traditional Chinese folk rituals, like “villain hitting” (打小人 – beating effigies to curse enemies), which are common in Hong Kong, are generally tolerated unless they cross into actual harm, fraud, or break other laws.
  • Cultural/Religious Practices: Officially recognized religions and certain cultural practices are protected, but those deemed “superstitious” or “cults” by authorities might face scrutiny, notes Wild Hunt.

In essence: Simple spells or charms are unlikely to be crimes, but if “sorcery” involves serious physical harm, large-scale fraud, or connections to organized crime, it becomes illegal in Hong Kong, drawing from both traditional Chinese legal concepts and modern criminal laws.”

……………………………………..

Is it a crime to practice sorcery in China?

“Yes, Chinese law forbids witchcraft and sorcery. Activities categorized by authorities as “superstition” and “evil cults”—which often include folk religious practices with perceived superstitious elements—can lead to criminal charges.

The government and the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) actively oppose these practices.

Legal and Political Context

  • “Superstition” and “Evil Cults”: The government often labels religious activities that fall outside the five officially recognized religions as “superstition”. These labels are used to prosecute individuals under anti-cult laws, as seen in cases involving shamans and other folk practitioners.
  • Political Crimes: Historically and currently, sorcery is often treated as a political or heretical crime, especially when it involves government officials. Senior officials have been jailed for corruption and accused of “superstition” as part of efforts to blacken their names and highlight wavering faith in the Communist Party’s ideology.
  • Targeting of Practices: The authorities have historically called for crackdowns on “witches, sorcerers, and other criminal elements who practice feudal superstition to engage in hooliganism, swindling and even go so far as to kill people”. This highlights that the concern is often tied to perceived social disorder or criminal activities associated with these beliefs.
  • Accusations: While the practice of sorcery is criminalized, it is also illegal in China to accuse someone of being a witch in a way that leads to social ostracization or harm. This law aims to prevent the type of social persecution (such as “witch hunts”) that can occur in rural communities.

In essence, while general folk beliefs are widespread in China, the state maintains strict control over what is considered acceptable practice and actively criminalizes activities it deems “sorcery” or “superstition,” particularly if they challenge state authority or are associated with criminal behavior.”

……………………………………….

Are Hong Kong laws about sorcery different from those in China Mainland?

“Yes, Hong Kong’s laws regarding “sorcery” differ significantly from mainland China’s due to its separate legal system (common law) and “One Country, Two Systems” framework, where mainland China generally prohibits such practices as superstitious and harmful, while Hong Kong deals with related acts under broader criminal laws like assault, fraud, or importation of harmful substances, rather than specifically banning “sorcery” itself, though its media regulations have banned supernatural themes. Mainland China explicitly forbids “witchcraft and other instances of feudal, supernatural beliefs,” while Hong Kong focuses on the harm caused by alleged magical practices, like poisoning food with bodily fluids.

Mainland China’s Approach

  • Explicit Ban: Chinese law prohibits “witchcraft and other instances of feudal, supernatural beliefs” and views them as harmful superstitions, often cracking down on “evil cults”.
  • Focus on Ideology: The goal is ideological control and promoting socialist values, discouraging practices deemed backward or superstitious.

Hong Kong’s Approach

  • Common Law System: Hong Kong uses the common law system, distinct from mainland China’s civil law system, focusing on common law principles.
  • No Specific “Sorcery” Law: There isn’t a specific law against “sorcery”; instead, acts like placing bodily fluids in food (believed to be for curses) are prosecuted under existing criminal laws, such as those for assault, poisoning, or causing public nuisance, as seen with domestic workers.
  • Media Censorship (Historical/Current): While not a criminal law, Hong Kong’s media regulations (influenced by mainland policies) have historically banned content promoting “supernatural beliefs,” though this is more about media content than criminalizing belief.

Key Difference

  • Mainland China bans the belief and practice as superstitious ideology.
  • Hong Kong prosecutes the actions resulting from such beliefs (e.g., poisoning) under general criminal statutes, treating them as harmful acts rather than purely supernatural offenses.”

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Is it a crime to practice sorcery in the United States?

“No, practicing sorcery (or witchcraft) itself is generally not a crime in the U.S. due to First Amendment religious protections, but laws against fraud, deception, and harming others still apply, and some local ordinances (like old bans on fortune-telling) have existed, though they are being repealed. While historical laws criminalized witchcraft, modern U.S. courts recognize witchcraft as a legitimate religion, but actions like scamming people under the guise of magic, or engaging in illegal rituals (like prohibited animal sacrifice), are prosecutable offenses.

Key Points:

  • Religious Freedom: The First Amendment protects witchcraft as a religious practice, similar to other faiths, in the U.S..
  • No Federal Witchcraft Law: There are no federal laws making witchcraft illegal.
  • Local Exceptions/History: Some towns, like Millsboro, Delaware, had outdated bans on fortune-telling or “pretend” magic, but these are being removed, notes this A&E article.
  • Fraud & Harm are Illegal: If someone uses “sorcery” to defraud, scam, or harm another person (e.g., financial fraud, harassment), those specific criminal acts are prosecuted, not the belief in witchcraft itself, according to JustAnswer users.
  • Historical Context: Laws criminalizing witchcraft in the American colonies (like those leading to the Salem Witch Trials) are long gone, though they show the historical roots of such prohibitions.

In Summary: You can’t be arrested for being a witch, but you can be arrested for crimes committed while claiming to be one (like fraud).”

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China Triads

“Chinese Triads are transnational organized crime syndicates originating from secret societies in China, known for activities like extortion, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and controlling illicit businesses (gambling, loan sharking) across Greater China and the global Chinese diaspora, with major groups like 14K, Sun Yee On, and Wo Shing Wo engaging in both traditional underworld crimes and legitimate business fronts, especially in entertainment. They have complex hierarchical structures, use code names, and have deep roots in historical Chinese societies, evolving into powerful global criminal networks.

Key Aspects:

  • Origins & History:

Descended from anti-Qing secret societies (like the Heaven, Earth, and Man union), they flourished in Hong Kong and Macau, expanding globally through migration.

  • Major Groups:

Prominent Triads include 14KSun Yee OnWo Shing Wo, and Shui Fong (Wo On Lok).

  • Activities:

Drug trafficking (heroin, ecstasy), extortion, loan sharking, human trafficking, illegal gambling, control of nightclubs, counterfeiting, and involvement in legitimate entertainment.

  • Structure:

Hierarchical, often using numerical codes (e.g., 489 for leader, 426 for enforcers/Red Poles) and roles like Incense Master (ceremonies) and Vanguard (recruiting).

  • Global Reach:

Operate in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Southeast Asia, North America (US, Canada), Europe (UK, Netherlands), Australia, and more.

  • Modern Operations:

Mix traditional crime with white-collar activities, money laundering, and control over legitimate businesses, especially in the HK/Taiwanese film/music industries.

In essence, Triads are highly organized, historically rooted Chinese criminal networks that have adapted to modern global crime and commerce.”

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Triad (organized crime)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triad_(organised_crime)

Chinese government connections

Due to their history of “patriotic” work in support of various political movements and factions, triads have long been reported to have connections to the Chinese Communist Party, often via its related united front groups.[12][62][63][14] According to The Washington Post, the Chinese government has engaged in the “selective use or tolerance of criminal groups for geopolitical purposes. Mixing illicit activity and patriotism has become a hallmark of some Chinese organizations with overseas interests.”[64] Triad members have acted as agents of the party-state in achieving its political objectives of suppressing dissent, quelling protests and silencing, intimidating, and coercing critics both at home and abroad, particularly in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and countries with high concentrations of ethnic Chinese diaspora.[11][65][66]  …

… Many triads emigrated to Taiwan and Chinese communities worldwide:

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Black Dragons (gang)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Dragons_(gang)

“The Black Dragons (Chinese: 黑龍; JyutpingHaak1 Lung4) was a Chinese-American criminal organization and street gang that was formed in 1980 by Chinese immigrants in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, California. It was started by a group of young men who banded together to protect themselves from other Asian and Latino gangs. The Black Dragons operated in Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley for over two decades. At the gang’s peak it had over 100 core members. They may sometimes be identified by the color black. During their downfall in 2002, the convicted core members have made peace and united with other Asian rival gangs in prison. Over the years, One Black Dragon, ( have made allies with numerous leaders and high ranking members of previous rival organizations, this member’s information from a reliable source. This member is also a member of the Hop Sing Tong, The Bamboo Triad’s current leader ( 黃少岑 (Huang Shao-tsen), “Yao Yao”) is also his god father, has family ties with the Asian Boyz Gang, and relations with Vietnamese Boyz Gang, Cool Boyz, and Wah Ching.

The gang preyed on the Asian American communities as a source of income and is unique compared to other Asian crime groups as they were involved in both organized and street-level crime. The revenue from organized crime came mainly from extorting brothels, prostitution, money laundering, the distribution of narcotics, and counterfeiting merchandise. At street-level, the gang was involved in a wide range of crimes that included murder, robbery, home invasion and car theft.

The Black Dragon’s influence was strong in the San Gabriel Valley, during the mid-1990s until its previous downfall in 2002. After two decades, the gang gained the attention of federal authorities because of their involvement in violent criminal activities. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) opened a case against the Black Dragons in 1999. The FBI then created the Black Dragon Task force and the three-year investigation dubbed “Operation Back Door” led to the convictions of multiple gang members, stemming from murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, extortion, illegal possession of firearms and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) charges. The gang was taken down in one of the largest gang sweeps of 2002, as federal agents simultaneously raided and arrested 30 of its core members, following up with convictions for over half of them in 2003, including a twenty-four year sentence for each of the top three members of the gang.[2]

The gang had been identified as a top threat with a history of violence by various law enforcement agencies, according to FBI Agent Kerry Smith who headed a West Covina FBI unit that targets Asian criminal enterprise and violent crime. “These guys weren’t afraid to commit violence,” Smith said.[citation needed]”

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Wugu ku poisoning Nightmare Demons

“The terms “Wugu” (or simply “Gu” in many contexts), “poisoning,” and “Nightmare Demons” relate to a complex set of ancient Chinese beliefs surrounding a form of black magic, witchcraft, and the physical manifestations of severe illness and psychological distress.

Understanding Gu Poisoning

Gu (蠱, sometimes referred to as wugu or ku) is a legendary substance and practice rooted in Southern China folklore and traditional Chinese medicine, dating back as far as 610 CE.

  • Concoction: The core practice involved placing several venomous creatures, traditionally the “five poisons” (viper, centipede, scorpion, toad, and spider), into a sealed container and allowing them to fight and consume each other. The sole survivor’s essence or fluids were then used to create a potent poison.
  • Purpose: The gu was used to create a curse, inflict illness, control individuals, or cause misfortune and death. It was often associated with women of the Miao minority and linked to social stigmas.
  • Symptoms: Victims were said to experience severe internal pain, swelling, organ decay, and in some cases, insanity. The effects were slow-acting, sometimes taking up to ten days before symptoms appeared.

Connection to “Nightmare Demons”

The term “Nightmare Demons” likely stems from the description of the gu creatures as evil spirits or demons (chong 蟲) that possessed the human body, causing a range of physical and psychological torments.

  • Demonic Possession: Ancient texts described gu syndrome (gu zheng) as a form of “demonic infestation” (guizhu), where the “vicious parasites” or “evil spirits” were thought to gnaw at the victim from within.
  • Psychological Trauma: The psychological aspect of gu poisoning was significant. It was considered the “worst nightmare of any human being,” representing “darkness, rottenness, slithering vermin, poisonous snakes, betrayal, black magic, backstabbing murder and in medical terms, progressive organ decay accompanied by torturous pain and insanity”. The belief in gu was often fueled by superstitious fears and used by those wishing to hold power over others.

Modern Perspective

From a modern medical and scientific perspective, gu poisoning is largely considered a mythological belief or a misinterpretation of severe, chronic parasitic infections, such as schistosomiasis or entamoeba infections, that had become systemic in a patient. The symptoms aligned with those caused by aggressive helminthic, protozoan, fungal, spirochete, or viral afflictions prevalent in ancient times.”

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Are libel and slander crimes in China, Hong Kong, and the United States?

“Yes, libel and slander are crimes in mainland China and Hong Kong, but primarily civil matters in the United States, though some U.S. states have criminal libel laws; China and Hong Kong treat defamation more seriously, with potential imprisonment, especially for offenses impacting public order, unlike the U.S. where it’s generally a civil tort for reputation damage.

Mainland China

  • Yes, it’s both civil and criminal: Defamation can lead to imprisonment, especially if it seriously disturbs public order, involves large online dissemination, or damages national interests.
  • Criminal Penalties: Can include significant prison time (up to three years for “serious” cases) and administrative punishments like fines or detention.

Hong Kong

  • Yes, it’s both civil and criminal: Libel remains a crime under Hong Kong law, though rarely prosecuted criminally compared to civil actions for damages.
  • Civil Law: Based on English common law, with a focus on reputation damage, and unlike England, Hong Kong hasn’t adopted the “serious harm” threshold.

United States

  • Primarily Civil: Libel (written) and slander (spoken) are generally torts (civil wrongs) leading to lawsuits for damages, not criminal charges.
  • Criminal Libel (Rare): A few U.S. states retain criminal libel statutes, but these are rarely used and face significant First Amendment scrutiny, requiring extreme cases to be deemed criminal.”

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Here is another reference that I read …

Citation: “Triads,” by Peter Yam Tat-wing, Assistant Commissioner (Crime), Hong Kong Police Force Headquarters, Hong Kong

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0). Attribution: By Alice B. Clagett.
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