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Plot Technology (view source)

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High technology (or magic) available to characters never seems to trickle down to the populace. In particular, if a villain is in possession of a weapon which would be worth millions to the Pentagon, why would he limit himself to robbing banks with it? This especially applies to one-shot enemies on [[Speculative Fiction]] series with amazing inventions that have never been seen before -- and are never seen again, unless that villain recurs. One suspect is the short half-life of the necessary [[Unobtanium|Plotonium-186]] required to power this type of technology.
 
See also [[No Plans, No Prototype, No Backup]], [[Cut Lex Luthor a Check]], [[Reed Richards Is Useless]].
{{examples|Examples}}
 
== [[Comic Books]] ==
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== [[Web Comics]] ==
* ''[[A Miracle of Science]]'' throws a spin on this by having "[[Science -Related Memetic Disorder]]" as a plot device, and after the Mad Scientist is treated for said disorder (and prevented from doing stereotypical mad science activities, another parody AMOS uses), the "Plot Tech" devices ''can'' be used by the general population. For example, early in the series the Lunar Cannons - remarkably similar to those used in ''[[Final Fantasy]] VIII'' - were introduced as made by the ''first'' [[Mad Scientist]].
* In ''[[Sluggy Freelance]]'' there seem to be a handful of [[Mad Scientist|Mad Scientists]] with extremely advanced technology, but at most they share their inventions with one corporation, not the entire world. Riff ''has'' tried selling his inventions on occasion, but they tend to be [http://sluggy.com/daily.php?date=021228 too dangerous] for most people to handle.
 
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** This is probably justified by having super-technology be so expensive that only billionaires could afford it. One is mentioned as having risked bankrupting his company making said airship.
** That seems like [[Truth in Television]], as most shiny new technology costs millions (on the low side) to develop.
** ''Gargoyles'' also averts this and justifies [[Family -Friendly Firearms]]? in one swoop by having an arms shipment get hijacked and distributed on the black market.
* All over the place in ''[[Kim Possible]]'', especially with her [[Mad Scientist]] [[Arch Enemy]] Dr. Drakken and [[Gadgeteer Genius]] [[Mission Control]] Wade. With only a few exceptions, many of their creations appear once and [[No Plans, No Prototype, No Backup|never again]].
 
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