Regarding TCM's en passant comment that Bell's ideas are derivative: jim bell <jimbell@pacifier.com> writes:
Technically, it wasn't derived from anything directly, or for that matter even indirectly. However, since there's nothing new under the sun,
Try Gilbert & Sullivan's operetta "Utopia, Ltd." Assassinating the ruler was fine and/or encouraged, but the assassin had to take his place. Not as close as the Dirty Harry movie, though...
I generally don't feel the need to name specific people. I'm sure each reader has his own pet list to fall back on.
Aha. Gilbert & Sullivan again, this time from the Mikado: "I've got a little list of society offenders who might well be under ground, and who never would be missed." That's Koko, the Lord High Executioner, casting about for the next victim. However, in Mikado assassinating an Heir Apparent was a punishable offense. Something <lingering> involving boiling oil, as I recall. I noted recently a news article listing about 4 "dead pools" around the Web, not even counting the Idea Futures death claims. I don't recall that any of them used real money. Jim Gillogly Sterday, 18 Forelithe S.R. 1996, 15:17