I *can* be a Dark Lord

[e_pepys]

Oliver gave an excellent presentation (our first PowerPoint OUSFG discussion meeting?) today on Dark Lords. So it is kind of appropriate that Toby's paper has just made Slashdot (and earlier the New Scientist and The Guardian), even if many of the summaries and conclusions presented there misrepresent the argument presented in the paper

Comments

[sharaz_jek]

"Unfortunately for the drama, we ruled out groups from the category "Dark Lord". I am one of thousands of physicists working on the LHC. Also a Dark Lord must present a unique threat, and Toby's argument can be used for any number of other potential threats."

But whose idea was it? Who whispered what words into the ears of those in charge? And one hero can face multiple Dark Lords spread over several books after all.

[e_pepys]

Hush, my new henchman, lest Toby learn the truth.

Notice how I got that job offer in there? Or, given the discussion, would you prefer to be a minion?

[zengineer]

Sadly the life expectancy of evil henchmen is far too small and minions are required to be overly servile. Recruitment is always hard for dark lords. I've always seen you as more an evil scientist than a dark lord. Dark lords tend to work alone whereas evil scientists work in groups - the more socialist end of the evil axis.

[e_pepys]

Yes, Lyndsey and I were declared ineligible for dark lord status. As doctors, we could only be supervillains (of which evil scientist is a subset). But still, I can dream...

Actually, I quite like the idea of being a socialist evil genius. I'll bring down the capitalist system. All will be destroyed equally, rich and poor alike.

[exactlyhalf]

Thanks for this post, it made me smile.

That said, perhaps making me smile is not an attribute that you are aspiring to...

[e_pepys]

Smile away. Overconfidence is usually the prerogative of the dark lord, and frequently explains his demise. So a confident hero is just what I need.