Greetings,
Submitted for comments, opinions, and thoughts. If this is something useful, we can add, change, or remove parts. Is this a Hierarchy of Sinfulness? Maybe it is. Where do you see yourself? Does the next Stage seem like something you want to do? Is there something else/better? And in honesty, One is still stuck in First Stage and can't get out. One needs to find something to Create, to Offer, to Enjoy, and One is fishing around for it. You can tell this, because Shameless Screen Grabs is "Treading Water". Though One does like the coolness of a good story, or Excellent Find and there's nothing wrong with these, One would like to do more. We currently have such talented and brilliant people, One doesn't want to be holding others back.
First Stage (Entry Level) Villain
You are all about beating on Superheroes. That's the bulk of what you do, it's easy and fun, and it helps you define your Villainy. You most likely portray a Villainous Character, your personal ID is a carefully guarded secret, and you hide your appearance behind an icon or a mask/helmet.
Second Stage Villain
You have moved beyond baiting heroes and are now creating your own contributions to Villainy, for your own enjoyment, and that of others. You might have residence in the Fourth Estate ("Villainy for Villainy") or whatever area of interest you wish to understand it to be. You may not have a well kept secret about your real name or appearance, though the Villainous character is still used less for roleplay and more as tool, or professional name.
Third Stage Villain
You have integrated your Villainous qualities into your own life, and being a Villain is now a valuable talent or skill set. It enhances who you are as a person. You don't need to wear a mask or getup of any kind as you've left these behind. You don't hide that you are a Villain, and may mention it as a matter of fact. You are confident in your Villainy, no longer needing to prove anything to anyone or yourself. You've made it.
One didn't look outside our Villainy, but looked only at members in our "family", and where they are working. Obviously there are better ways to be Villains, and if you look at other Villains around you, you will see those that seem to be enjoying it more. Are there LARPers in Facebook outside of our Peerage who alternatively say they want to commit real crimes, followed by a reason why they actually have an adversarial relationship with the Batman character? Yes. But they're not part of what we do here. Soon enough, they'll do or say something rash, and will be held to (real world) account for it. If your goals include the possibility of being arrested (by anything less than the World Court), you really haven't spent sufficient time thinking about being a Villain.
-Lord Malignance
This is a great post, Malignance, I only have one disagreement. The Dr. Evil image, but really, that's it.
ReplyDeleteI would also add that a Hierarchy falls into the trap of comparing apples to oranges at different stages of development. Maybe development isn't even the goal. Maybe some of us really enjoy costuming, and others are just crazy enough to use "I'm a Super Villain" as a pick up line. Or both.
It does follow the same line of thought that many of us seem to have been struggling with. What defines a Villain? A solid love of Evil and a willingness to fall outside the norm. Do we need levels? Only if we define them for Ourselves.
Well, by these definitions I'm a third stage villain... which is actually quite useful, as I can freely share my villainous talent with others and recruit others to our cause.
ReplyDeleteSo far I've recruited about three people from where I work. Damn, it feels good to be a gangsta.
Overlord and White Skull,
ReplyDeleteThat's what One is after - a discussion. Perhaps One has fallen into this trap too - that stages denote an idea of development. Perhaps instead a VIN Diagram? One is looking at improving and how and to what direction this can be done. When One looks at other Villains - both of you as well as all our others, One sees advancements and improvements, and asks: What is holding One back, what enables you to succeed where One fails? This post has been an attempt to try and understand that.
But yes, freedom from past limitations (of which One has many) is an idea. Overlord, your most recent post addresses this, and White Skull, you ARE an example to attempt to emulate. You both are, as are others in our Peerage. Villainy informs you, and you in turn inform your Villainy. It's a synergy that One envies.
Envy IS a sin, right?
-Lord Malignance
Venn Diagram. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venn_diagram
ReplyDeleteCurse you Public Education!!
Do you have a goal? A goal worthy a Super Villain? I won't inquire as to your (or anyone else's) villainous plans, since I realize that in order for you to tell me I would have to be strapped to some ingenious device set to kill me in some incredibly horrific way as soon as you reveal said plans, but the question remains: do you have a greater villainous purpose, or theme? I think that what at many times separates the villain from the hero, or the common wo/man, is that the villain doesn't just react to a situation, s/he creates it.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Absolutely true. Though One follows the tradition, and will actually leave the Room of Death after revealing my elaborate plans. Very good analysis.
ReplyDeleteThere are Projects. Perhaps One can mix those into the Shameless Screen Grabs. Something there perhaps. Thank you as always,
-Lord Malignance