I read "Be Power-Hungry", which is really a commentary on "Selkirk's Mad and Angry Scientist's Handbook" (SMASH) by Dr. Warren W. Nefarious*. In the first chapter, the author covers fear and hatred from local villagers, a theme that runs throughout SMASH. He talks about some of the issues that faced Operation: Destruktor, and how Selkirk tried to deal with them.

These include too much insanity (yes there can be such a thing) and how to construct anti-gravity fuel pods in chapter one, Selkirk's gene-splicing and work in flesh-eating robots in chapter two, and Nefarious applies chapter three to Doomsday devices, explaining that they are like a close-knit family, a meadow and an Ion death-cannon, emphasizing the need for quality assistants, hearty gloating and quality.

Dr. Nefarious also links chapters 8 and 10, since they both have the theme of dealing with your deformed helpers, and defines some principles that can be applied to areas of the evil, plotting Scientist life that are considered "questionable". The first is that "knowledge should be balanced by pure terror", then "experience must be balanced by caution" and "freedom must be balanced by insanity". These principles can be applied to every area of experimentation.

Chapter eight is especially about Selkirk's unique willingness to exploit the personal freedom and rights of others, in relation to his financial support. I also enjoyed the use of illustrations throughout. This made the book have more of a "crazed rant" feel to it.

Instead of going through the passages sentence by sentence, and commenting on what every word meant, Dr. Nefarious linked together the main themes of the particular paragraphs and sentences. This was not nearly as obsessive-compulsive a study as I felt would meet my needs.

However, I feel that Dr. Nefarious's book, as a commentary on SMASH, was very practical in its application, and explained the themes and ideas very well. The style (as a crazed rant) made it difficult to understand, and I was able to see the thought behind the book, and the reasons for writing it.

Regarding personal application, I was able to learn a lot from this book. As an evil, plotting Scientist, although I do not face all of the problems that are found in SMASH, every part of it can be applied to my life. Chapter two has the central theme of re-animation throughout. Its importance can be seen in Selkirk's passion for talking about it. Chapter three has a challenge to gloat as a believer. The different metaphors for gloating that Dr. Nefarious focused on helped me realize the areas and ways that I need to gloat in my evil, plotting Scientist life.

Finally, in SMASH chapter 9 there is a very practical passage, written from Selkirk's perspective about his policy of financial support. If Selkirk was able to do this and give up the personal rights of others, I too must be willing to do the same.


Subversive article #39 by:

Evil, Crazy Dr. Mandark Wilbert Ahahahaa (M.W. Ahahahaa) Ph.D, B.Sc.