Catastrophe Theory: "In mathematics, catastrophe theory seeks to describe the structure of phenomena in which sharply discontinuous results follow from continuous processes. The theory was first developed by French mathematician Rene Thom in a paper published in 1968, but it has its roots in such fields as topology and dynamical system theory. While its subjects would include actual catastrophes such as a girder suddenly buckling, it is intended to apply to an abrupt change in any process."

Catastrophe Theory and Chaos Theory in Microbiology: "Catastrophe theory is concerned with phenomena that show rapid change. Rene Thom, a French mathematician, proposed and developed these theories to explain some of the observed behaviors of such systems. He said there were elementary catastrophes represented by mathematical equations that described generalizations of systems that move rapidly from one state to another."

When water is gradually heated (a continuous change), the temperature gradually increases (another continuous change).

When the temperature reaches boiling point, and "heating" continues to be applied at the same rate (continuous change), the water boils or turns to steam (discontinuous or catastrophic change).

When the temperature reaches boiling point ("critical mass"), a discontinuous or catastrophic change occurs. The water becomes steam and evaporates.

The closer the temperature to boiling point, the more tenuous the liquid state of the water becomes.

Question: What actions might take tyrants to their "boiling point" and evaporate their power?