There’s nothing like seeing someone do something well. It’s even more impressive if a problem or task seems too large to handle or too complicated to outwit. It’s why we love watching various procedural television shows, detective movies, and other media featuring problem solvers regardless of whether they are heroes or villains. Film and TV buffs on Reddit even trade favorites with one another to see what "competency pleasure” is available on streaming services.
There are some great characters that are often cited as the best thinkers, strategists, tacticians, detectives, and overall smarties in popular culture. Here are eleven of the best ones that you can observe and be impressed with their quick thinking and intricate planning.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
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Sherlock Holmes
Arguably the godfather of them all, Holmes’ stories are based on his deductive reasoning and intellect as seen on BBC’s Sherlock or on his quick strategizing in combat such as in the Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes films. For many other contemporary characters, Sherlock is the blueprint that kickstarted them all and there are various TV shows and films over the years that can point out why.
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Mike Ehrmantraut
The former police officer and Marine Corps member turned career criminal, Mike Ehrmantraut is arguably the smartest character in both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul in spite of lacking degrees in chemistry or the law. By using his hands-on ingenuity, grounded intelligence, and thorough planning, Ehrmantraut becomes a reliable hand within the criminal underworld. He’s just an old dog that knows a thing about people while being willing to hammer nails through a garden hose to take out a delivery truck.
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Andy Dufrense
While being framed for murder might make this character from The Shawshank Redemption (1994) a questionable choice for an intellect-based list, the patience to stick to an intricate decades-long plan to escape a prison like Shawshank and manipulate the funds of the corrupt police to end up in his account make Andy a contender. Dufresne was underestimated and by the end of the film it was revealed that he used that to his advantage all the way to the bank (well, actually, all the way to Zihuatanejo).
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Jean Kayak
If there is a character that personifies the benefits of trial and error, it’s the main character from the independent film hit Hundreds of Beavers (2022). While Kayak is a goof and nearly dies in every other early scene, he learns from his errors and improves his strategies. This leads to several out-of-the-box and clever traps to capture beaver pelts, usually through humorous slapsticky methods.
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Lt. Columbo
Columbo is one of the most memorable TV detectives for a reason, mostly because he uses apparently innocuous questions and his slovenly appearance to throw culprits off guard, usually causing them to make a mistake or outright confess to their crimes. He’s a sharp mind disguised as a wrinkled pile of laundry that just has one more thing to ask.
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Shikamaru Nara
Behind the lazy appearance and sulky attitude of this Naruto character lies a great tactician and intellect. When pushed, Shikamaru can provide sound strategy and instruction to his teammates, leading them to victory even if they are overpowered through his planning. His ability to manipulate his own shadow doesn’t hurt either. This is all of course if he’s even bothered to do anything but play shogi.
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Dr. Mark Watney
Listen, if you were stranded on Mars with limited supplies, would you panic from being alone in the dark void of space, allowing it to consume you until you succumb to vast nothingness or would you plant potatoes? Be honest, if you were stuck like in The Martian (2015) you’d likely act like a potato rather than grow one.
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Frank Abagnale Jr.
The charming con artist in Catch Me If You Can (2002) is based on a real criminal-turned-consultant displays cunning and intricate planning with his cons. Combining his intellect with charm, improvisation, and luck, he was able to stay ahead of the police for most of his young adult life while “working” as a pilot, doctor, and many other occupations in the process. I mean, when you look like Leonardo DiCaprio, you can pretty much get away with anything.
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Batman
A popular game among pop culture nerds is “who would win?” in which they debate over fictionalized battles between various characters. In this game, many superhero fans would likely pick “Batman with prep time” as the victor no matter who his opponent would be. While the Dark Knight doesn’t have super powers, he displays a tactical mind, psychological prowess, strategic genius, and is so well-trained in so many various disciplines that it might as well be a superpower. Being a billionaire also helps keep him resourceful, too.
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Danny Ocean
It’s one thing to incorporate a plan that relies only on yourself, but it’s another level of smarts to put together a cohesive team that can be trusted to pull off an elaborate heist. Ocean’s 11 (2001) (sometimes twelve, and occasionally thirteen) shows how Danny Ocean’s charm, strategic mind, and humility to know that he himself isn’t an expert in everything leads to great payoffs. On top of coming out a winner in Vegas, he gets the girl, too.
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21 products that are gaslighting us into thinking they’re essential when they’re not
Some things in life are actually necessary—clean water, decent healthcare, basic human decency. But then there are the things that feel like they’re gaslighting us. The things we’re told we can’t live without, even though we survived just fine before they existed. Things like "smart" fridges, lawn fertilizer services, and yes—whole body deodorant.
Recently, our sister-site Upworthy asked their Facebook audience the question: What's a product or service that feels like it's gaslighting all of us into thinking it's necessary? More than 8,000 responses poured in. The answers were passionate, funny, and surprisingly unified.
Here are 21 products, services, and systems people called out for pretending to be essential—when they might actually be optional, overpriced, or flat-out invented.
1. Whole body deodorant
"Take a shower," said Shannon H.
“How did we ever manage all those years without it!! 😂😵💫” added Karen R.
Others noted it may help people with medical conditions—but for the average person, it's definitely a marketing creation.
2. Health insurance
It topped the list. Erica L. explained: “My doctor prescribes, the pharmacist issues meds, nurses care for people, surgeons do surgery—Health Insurance stands between health care and patients and says no, exclusively on whether they think it’s financially effective to treat you.”
Important note: Health insurance can provide life-saving access for many—but what people are frustrated by here is the profit-first system, not care itself.
3. The wedding industry
Multiple people slammed the high cost of modern weddings.
JoElla B. put it plainly: “We spend too much time and money planning one day, and not enough thought on how to blend two lives in a mutually beneficial one.”
Others called out expensive dresses, venues, and pressure to perform for social media.
4. Bottled water
Carole D. said: “Water in plastic bottles! Get a cup!”
While bottled water has value in emergencies, it’s often just filtered tap water—sold for profit in plastic.
5. Baby product overload
“Most baby products,” wrote Kelli O. “They really aren’t as needy and complicated as companies want us to think.”
6. Fabric softener
“It’s bad for clothes, bad for the Earth, bad for the wallet, and totally unnecessary,” said Gail H.
Some experts agree—many softeners contain chemicals that can reduce fabric lifespan and irritate skin.
7. Smart appliances
“Adding ‘phone controls’ to every appliance instead of making them last as long as they used to,” wrote Sherry S.
When your fridge needs a software update, something’s gone off the rails.
8. Makeup and anti-aging products
“Anything anti-aging,” said Melissa T., “Please just let me age into the gargoyle I was meant to become.”
Others questioned products designed to “fix” eyelashes, eyebrows, pores, and graying hair.
April S. added, “Products that women are convinced they MUST have in order to be ‘beautiful’ and therefore ‘loved.’”
9. Cosmetic surgery
Ron P. called out the industry as a whole. And while body autonomy matters, many commenters questioned whether insecurities are being commodified and sold back to us.
10. Ticketmaster and “convenience fees”
“Let’s go back to waiting in line at a record store,” wrote Nicole C.
Zaida B. added: “Convenience fee for online purchases—then charging $10 more at the actual event.”
11. Engagement rings
James P. didn’t mince words: “Engagement rings.”
The diamond industry has long been criticized for manufactured scarcity and marketing-fueled necessity.
12. Lawn chemicals and services
“Plant native grasses and you don’t have the pests or need for constant watering,” wrote Jamie B.
Environmental groups have raised similar concerns over runoff and unnecessary pesticide use.
13. AI and generative tech
“This stuff squeezes the lifeblood and individuality out of the human experience,” said Teresa L.
Saskia D. and others echoed skepticism about its necessity, even as many of us are being pushed to use it.
14. Funeral services
Amy W. shared: “My parents both have already paid to have themselves cremated and are very adamant that they do not want anything big done for them. In their words, ‘I won’t care, I’m dead.’”
Of course, some families find comfort in tradition—but the cost and pressure can feel overwhelming and predatory.
15. Rinse and repeat
Amy D. nailed it: “It’s just to sell more. Not even sure you need it at all.”
16. Credit Card Surcharges
Shawn S. took aim at the extra fees popping up at checkout: “That is the cost of doing business and shouldn’t be the burden of the purchaser.”
Many questioned why customers are increasingly being asked to pay extra simply for the convenience of using a card.
17. Constant phone upgrades
“Apple are notorious for releasing the same shit every year,” said Steph S.
Diana H. added, “Needing to upgrade our phones so frequently.”
Built-in obsolescence and marketing cycles drive most of the demand.
18. Vitamins and supplements
“If I took every supplement they say I NEED I wouldn’t need food. Nor could I afford it,” said Tausha L.
19. Fake pockets on women’s pants
Jessica W. said, “I have to buy men’s pants for work because women’s pants would just get torn up too fast!”
Form over function, and then they charge more for it.
20. Disposable everything
“The ‘convenience’ of disposable everything,” said Rick R.
It’s killing the planet—and draining wallets.
21. Tipping
“I’m sick of supplementing for corporations that refuse to pay a living wage,” wrote Susan V.
Tipping culture has evolved into something far removed from its original intent, and for many, it now feels like a burden shifted onto the customer.
The bigger picture
People aren’t saying all these things should vanish tomorrow. But when we start seeing convenience sold as necessity, and insecurity turned into billion-dollar markets, it's worth asking: who benefits from all of this?
And more importantly—who pays?
This article originally appeared earlier this year.