Why there are no heroes or villains in development

From Aid | The Guardian Fri Apr 18 2014, 09:00:00

Harry Potter had Voldemort, Batman had the Joker but real life is complex, and the good-versus-evil narrative is sounding tired

A despicable villain is a critical element of any successful narrative. Heroes are important, but where would Harry Potter be without Voldemort? Or Batman without the Joker? Heroes aren't heroes unless they have someone or something terrible to conquer.

Villains are just as vital in non-fiction as fiction. Take this month's news as an example. The west has been riveted and incensed by Russia's annexation of Crimea. The media and public's consistent focus on this story is, on the surface, unlikely. Crimea has limited strategic significance to the west, its population is overwhelmingly in favour of union with Russia, and its shift to Russia has been nearly bloodless and largely unchallenged.

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