Only you can prevent Mary Sue characters

Greetings.

Jewish date:  4 Shevaṭ 5770 (Parashath Bo’).

Today’s quasi-holidays:  National Popcorn Day, Archery Day, Robert E. Lee’s Birthday, Tin Can Day.

Today’s news and commentary:

• “What's the real story with Newton and the apple? See for yourself”
  
• “Abortion and breast cancer: The manufactroversy that won’t die”
  
• “Im-Propaganda: How Effective Are Misinformation Campaigns to Manipulate Public Opinion?”
  
• “Meet Marv, The Robotic Vibraphone”

Image of “non-Sues” via Wikipedia

Today’s weird thing is “The Original Fiction Mary Sue Litmus Test”, which can be used to determine if characters are pathologically too perfect or examples of self-insertion.  To test this test, I used it to examine Ernie from Sesame Street; he rated, as expected, as a “non-Sue”.  Though to be fair, many of the questions asked are really not relevant to Muppets.  This test may also be useful in creating deliberately absurd, annoying, or over-the-top characters.  Enjoy and share the weirdness.

Aaron