Ex-
– tract: land to be isolated, titled, massaged, pulverized for maximal maximality.

– pert: momentary flush of hormonal zest in an otherwise untidy emotional jungle.

– hume: portly thinker whose popping off in 1776 coincided roughly with the industrial revolution; sceptical for good reason.

Em-
– pire: French for the worst.

– battle: proof of the efficacy of slaughter.

– bitter: after-taste of 2.5 centuries of kool-aid.

Originally appeared on my blog as Ex.ploit/Em.power