1) Do Not Kneel Before Zod!
January 11th, 2009
John Scalzi wonders what Barack Obama can learn from his counterparts in science fiction films:
President: Tom Beck of Deep Impact (Morgan Freeman)
Crisis: A comet is coming to destroy us all!
Evaluation: Very positive. First, he manages to charm an investigative reporter into keeping a blockbuster secret through sheer force of being Morgan Freeman. Second, when he announces to the country that a massive comet is coming and might kill them all, he keeps everyone calm by exuding that Morgan Freeman charm. Third, when it’s clear that the comet will indeed kill them all, he gives a soothing valedictory speech that makes everyone feel okay about dying horribly, because he does it in those deep, reassuring Morgan Freeman tones. And then, when only about half of everybody dies, he tells everyone else,
Well, it’s time to get back to work,and they get back to work — because he’s Morgan Freeman.Lessons for the President-elect: Be Morgan Freeman.
