They don’t have to be smarter than you. They only have to know what you’re thirsty for. Belonging. Certainty. Purpose. Anger. Revenge. Someone to blame. Someone to follow. And then they hand you the glass. In THE KOOL-AID DRINKERS: BOTH SUGAR AND SUGAR FREE, Erik Von Schmidt takes a vicious look at the people who surrender their judgment to politicians, preachers, movements, influencers, racial ideologies, conspiracy merchants, and anyone else promising simple answers to complicated lives. They are intelligent people. Educated people. Loving parents. Successful professionals. Ordinary men and women who would never believe they could be manipulated. Until the bill comes due. A career. A marriage. A fortune. A family. A child. A life. Different people drink for different reasons. Some eventually recognize the poison. Some blame everyone but themselves. And some, even after losing everything, hold out the empty glass and ask for a refill. Different flavors. Different labels. Same pitcher. The question isn’t whether someone is trying to sell you the Kool-Aid. The question is: Why the fuck are you waiting for somebody else to pour your glass?