The Care and Feeding of Mad Scientists
Mad scientists have a long and honored tradition in comics pulps and more mainstream literature. Look how long Lex Luthor has bedeviled Superman. Down many times but never out should be his motto. As far back as the 1800's you had H.G. Wells introduce Griffith, the invisible man and Dr. Moreau, the very unconventional mad surgeon (that takes two more years of mad medical school and mad internship, you know). They keep turning up to the extent of Cartoon Network producing Rick and Morty where the mad scientist is the focus of the show (hoorah)!
First let's discuss what is meant by mad.
It can mean insane (though it isn't a very sensitive term). It can mean anger or rage. It can also mean 'very' or extreme as in an extreme or unusually intense scientist.
In terms of extreme the mad scientist is apt to push the boundaries of science to their limits and then beyond, unconcerned with such paltry matters as OSHA, legal funding, local statutes or local religions. While other scientists will be spending the bulk of their time in hearings and meeting to secure funds and justify their actions your mad scientist will be seeking ... unconventional funding and foraging for materials and equipment. This foraging is bound to raise the ire of the authorities since it's usually done in other people's laboratories.
Having OSHA after you is self explanatory. While your loyal minions will accept a reasonable amount of risk for promised rewards, local authorities don't see it that way. Mad scientists do pay well and treat their minions quite well. For proof look at the lack of unionizing among minions. They also have bang up medical coverage if you're not hung up on appearances or using plutonium power cells for that shiny new arm.
Okay so they do not follow laws or practices in their work for some reason. It could be a burning dedication to their work (much like cosplayers). It could be a true obsession (see the part about insanity there) and it could be true anger. You try having your funds cut and answering the questions of morons who hold office but are not fit to graduate kindergarten. The fools. THE FOOLS! Bwahahaha ...
Excuse me.
Realistically cutting corners on your work can let you research faster or cause a lot of destruction, both hallmarks of mad scientists. Rick Sanchez nerfed a bunch of worlds. Lex Luthor should get muffin baskets from the various construction companies in Metropolis. But they do crank out some shiny gear.
A common failing of mad scientists is their failure to keep extensive records. Part of this is a desire for secrecy. Their discoveries must not fall into the right hands! A more practical concern is their use as evidence in criminal court. You want to burn your notes after turning that town full of people into humanoid spiders. Just in case.
First let's discuss what is meant by mad.
It can mean insane (though it isn't a very sensitive term). It can mean anger or rage. It can also mean 'very' or extreme as in an extreme or unusually intense scientist.
The truly alt-sane might get some new insight into their projects, explaining why other scientists can't duplicate or back engineer their work very easily. The obsessed will pursue their work if it kills them (and it may if they let it get loose!)
The angry mad scientist has their efforts fueled by anger. They can have a variety of targets for that anger. Often their target is ridiculously powerful (the government did this!) or a fact of life (I will defy death itself!) It's better if the target is hard to beat because it favors a variety of approaches and a continuing story better than merely the ATM that ate your card. Note in such a case go after the bank or crash the economic system. Mad scientists think LARGE. In general they visit destruction on the entities the rest of us consider suing.
A mad scientist may have the best of intentions. They never pan out. But you get a more human character out of it. He just wanted to feed the world ... by creating giant rats and milking them. Those humanoid spiders will be great for eating the giant flies! You get the idea.
Lastly many scientists were not mad, they simply got results that challenged the accepted order. Copernicus and Galileo bought got extreme heat for discoveries in astronomy for GHU's sake. You think transferring people's consciousness into androids will go unchallenged? It's much easier to discredit a person if you characterize them as unstable. One culture's mad scientist might be another culture's benefactor.
First let's discuss what is meant by mad.
It can mean insane (though it isn't a very sensitive term). It can mean anger or rage. It can also mean 'very' or extreme as in an extreme or unusually intense scientist.
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| Me, partial to mad scientists? Why do you ask? |
Having OSHA after you is self explanatory. While your loyal minions will accept a reasonable amount of risk for promised rewards, local authorities don't see it that way. Mad scientists do pay well and treat their minions quite well. For proof look at the lack of unionizing among minions. They also have bang up medical coverage if you're not hung up on appearances or using plutonium power cells for that shiny new arm.
Okay so they do not follow laws or practices in their work for some reason. It could be a burning dedication to their work (much like cosplayers). It could be a true obsession (see the part about insanity there) and it could be true anger. You try having your funds cut and answering the questions of morons who hold office but are not fit to graduate kindergarten. The fools. THE FOOLS! Bwahahaha ...
Excuse me.
Realistically cutting corners on your work can let you research faster or cause a lot of destruction, both hallmarks of mad scientists. Rick Sanchez nerfed a bunch of worlds. Lex Luthor should get muffin baskets from the various construction companies in Metropolis. But they do crank out some shiny gear.
A common failing of mad scientists is their failure to keep extensive records. Part of this is a desire for secrecy. Their discoveries must not fall into the right hands! A more practical concern is their use as evidence in criminal court. You want to burn your notes after turning that town full of people into humanoid spiders. Just in case.
First let's discuss what is meant by mad.
It can mean insane (though it isn't a very sensitive term). It can mean anger or rage. It can also mean 'very' or extreme as in an extreme or unusually intense scientist.
The truly alt-sane might get some new insight into their projects, explaining why other scientists can't duplicate or back engineer their work very easily. The obsessed will pursue their work if it kills them (and it may if they let it get loose!)
The angry mad scientist has their efforts fueled by anger. They can have a variety of targets for that anger. Often their target is ridiculously powerful (the government did this!) or a fact of life (I will defy death itself!) It's better if the target is hard to beat because it favors a variety of approaches and a continuing story better than merely the ATM that ate your card. Note in such a case go after the bank or crash the economic system. Mad scientists think LARGE. In general they visit destruction on the entities the rest of us consider suing.
A mad scientist may have the best of intentions. They never pan out. But you get a more human character out of it. He just wanted to feed the world ... by creating giant rats and milking them. Those humanoid spiders will be great for eating the giant flies! You get the idea.
Lastly many scientists were not mad, they simply got results that challenged the accepted order. Copernicus and Galileo bought got extreme heat for discoveries in astronomy for GHU's sake. You think transferring people's consciousness into androids will go unchallenged? It's much easier to discredit a person if you characterize them as unstable. One culture's mad scientist might be another culture's benefactor.
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