Taking over the world requires a lot, in terms of resources. Death rays and bipedal tanks aren't cheap, and the minions get unruly if they aren't well paid. One of the quickest and easiest ways to reliably bring in the necessary revenue to bankroll your evil empire is to be the guy that owns or controls the flow of vital resources. Be the guy that controls the flow of electricity, or information, or money.
We've already pointed out one such successful evil empire, HSBC. They are a bank that controls the flow of so much money that the US government has deemed them too big to prosecute This is despite the fact that they are directly aiding terrorists and drug dealers who are overtly hostile to America's interests. Their overlords have achieved a position of global dominance that only the kings of old have previously enjoyed. (Once again, well done fellow evil masterminds.)
Obviously the financial market is rife with young, aspiring evil masterminds. It can be a bit crowded and cutthroat for an up and coming evil genius. So where can you turn for the next big thing? Water, and the land it sits on.
T. Boone Pickens is one evil overlord who understands the importance of controlling this vital resource. You might even say that he is a pioneer in the area of corporate control of public commodities.
http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2008-06-11/there-will-be-water
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9O27VD80.htm
Nestle, on the other hand, has perfected the art of evil resource management. They've gone so far as to drain water from communities, and then sell it right back to them. Their Chairman, Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, has publicly stated that he prefers to think of water as a raw material or a foodstuff, and to give it a market value. This view, he says, is in opposition to what he calls the extreme view of water as a basic human right. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C29_U0Ksao
These are bold words, and have stirred up quite the controversy. A number of organizations have started petitions opposing Nestle’s activities, while Mr. Lethmathe has continued to defend and refine his public statement. Like a true mastermind, his counter argument shows careful insight, passion, and well-worded compassion for, “those less fortunate.” He even lays out an ambitious plan to solve the impending global water crisis.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-brabeckletmathe/addressing-the-water-chal_b_3152926.html
In the meantime, his company continues to buy up water rights at a truly amazing rate. They have positioned themselves as one of the world’s largest providers of foodstuffs, and are the leading private distributor of water. That means, long term, Nestle will control a large portion of humanity’s access to food and water. Well done, Nestle. Well done.
Here’s some links only the masterminds will take time to review:
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_11974140
http://globalnews.ca/news/781364/lax-water-regulations-allows-nestle-free-b-c-water-to-sell/
http://action.sumofus.org/a/nestle-water-pakistan/?sub=homepage
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Brabeck-Letmathe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C29_U0Ksao
http://www.water-challenge.com/default.aspx#.U0dEp4_NIQc
