Narcissist Grandiose: A Satirical Take on Self-Admiration in Comedy Science Fiction Works

What do a two-headed galactic president, a self-absorbed hologram, and a megalomaniac alien have in common? They’re all humorous and satirical grandiose narcissists in science fiction, using their inflated egos to reflect flaws in humanity.

In this article, we’ll explore the grandiose narcissist trait, showcasing examples from satirical science fiction, including two hilariously self-absorbed characters in L. Ron Hubbard’s Mission Earth.

What Are the Signs of a Grandiose Narcissist?

A narcissist is someone with an excessive sense of self-importance who craves attention and admiration, often disregarding the feelings of others. Grandiose narcissists exhibit a range of behaviors, including:

• An unrelenting need for admiration and praise, often at the expense of others.
• A heightened sense of superiority paired with a lack of empathy.
• Self-aggrandizement through exaggerated or unrealistic claims about their achievements.
• A preoccupation with wealth, status, and influence.
• Intense anger or frustration when their desires are unmet, or their ego feels threatened.
• A lack of remorse for harming others, often blaming the victim.
• Difficulty accepting criticism and a strong sense of entitlement.

Characters with these traits make perfect anti-heroes or antagonists, embodying qualities that drive conflict and satire in storytelling.

Five Over-the-Top Narcissists in Works of Satirical Science Fiction

Satirical science fiction often uses exaggerated narcissistic characters to critique human flaws with humor and wit. Here are five iconic examples:

1. Zaphod Beeblebrox (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams)
   Zaphod is the two-headed, three-armed former President of the Galaxy. His flamboyant personality, outlandish decisions, and utter self-absorption epitomize grandiose narcissism, making him a comedic centerpiece as he believes the universe revolves around him.
2. Lord Vetinari (Discworld series by Terry Pratchett)
   As the Patrician of Ankh-Morpork, Vetinari rules with calm manipulation and an unshakable belief in his unique ability to maintain order in chaos. His calculated narcissism highlights the absurdities of power and control.
3. Arnold Rimmer (Red Dwarf by Grant Naylor)
   Rimmer, a holographic projection aboard the spaceship Red Dwarf, constantly boasts about his imagined accomplishments and intellectual superiority. His comically puffed up ego often lands him in awkward and humorous situations.
4. President Skroob (Spaceballs, novelization of the movie)
   Skroob is the egotistical leader of the Spaceballs, whose absurd antics and disregard for others in his quest to steal fresh air lampoon the excesses of corrupt leadership.
5. Professor Umbridge (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling)
   While not strictly from a sci-fi work, Umbridge’s oppressive control and disdain for dissenters make her an entertaining example of narcissism. Her self-importance and authoritarian tendencies align with satirical critiques of power.

These characters show how self-importance can spark humor and drive biting social commentary, often mirroring the flaws of real-world leaders and systems.

What Is Mission Earth About?

Mission Earth is a 10-volume science fiction work that uses humor and satire to expose societal illnesses, including the dangers of narcissists. The author wrote in his Mission Earth notes, “It’s a fine line between comedy & satire. In comedy anything goes. Satire has a target and a social mission.”

Two Over-the-Top Narcissists in Mission Earth

L. Ron Hubbard skillfully portrays narcissism through the characters of Soltan Gris and Lombar Hisst, the story’s central antagonists. Gris, a government agent of the Coordinated Information Apparatus (CIA) on planet Voltar, embodies narcissism as he narrates the tale from a prison cell. He justifies his heinous actions, believing them to be normal with the Apparatus, a department filled with ex-prisoners and blackmailers rejected by the Space Fleet. A striking example of Gris’s narcissism is his casual attitude toward committing atrocious crimes, proudly claiming the indispensability of individuals like him to the government.

Not to be outdone, Lombar Hisst, the Chief Executive of the Apparatus, elevates narcissism to megalomania. He deludes himself into believing he’s a destined emperor, with imaginary voices bolstering his ego. His grandiosity is not met with skepticism everywhere; rather, the criminal underworld he oversees consists of sycophants who treat his proclamations as gospel truth, further inflating his ego.

The Voltar Confederacy’s multi-generation-plan to conquer the galaxy includes Earth as a waypoint, but Hisst has ulterior motives. He intends to exploit Earth’s resources (drugs) for his own gain and harbors sinister plans to eliminate those he deems inferior once he seizes power within the Confederacy. While pretending to assist the government, Hisst covertly opposes the hero’s mission to save Earth, driven by his belief in his brilliance and superiority, echoing tyrants like Hitler and Saddam Hussein.

By weaving narcissistic traits into characters like Soltan Gris and Lombar Hisst, L. Ron Hubbard not only entertains but also exposes the destructive potential of unchecked egotism in leaders—a commentary that reflects real-world parallels.

The Ultimate Antithesis of a Grandiose Narcissist

Soltan starkly contrasts the story’s hero, Jettero Heller, who is grounded and constantly extends a helping hand to those in need. On the other hand, Soltan struggles to comprehend such altruism, particularly the concept of placing trust in others. Throughout the novel, we witness instances that reflect the age-old saying that a criminal accuses others of their own transgressions, giving us a better understanding of Soltan’s character.

While Soltan manipulates people to his advantage using blackmail, threats, psychology, and force, Jettero relies on respect, camaraderie, encouragement, and an occasional modest monetary gesture to garner support. Soltan remains baffled by how his fellow “criminals” within the Apparatus readily align themselves with the hero, whereas his efforts consistently yield dissatisfying results among his colleagues. Gris attributes this to others’ envy of his achievements and their shortcomings. It’s a classic trait of a grandiose narcissist.

Why Mission Earth Is Both Entertaining and Insightful

Mission Earth offers an engaging and insightful experience by employing satire and humor within the framework of a science fiction novel to highlight various societal problems, including the pervasive presence of excessive self-admiration.

This satirical approach enables the author to humorously critique the inflated egos and self-centered tendencies exhibited by some past and present world leaders.

Don’t miss your chance to experience a satirical masterpiece that’s as entertaining as it is thought-provoking—get your copy today!