[HettyLip]

The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words.
-Philip K. Dick-

See above. It explains repulsive Richard's modus operandi in 31 exquisitely well-chosen words. Let me explain.
The repulsive one is marginally more cultured than his housemates, he has a larger vocabulary and uses it
to good effect to convey a picture of reality as he sees it, which, naturally, favours his world view and agendum.
Marshall McLuhan said "The medium is the message" and slimy Richard's modest eloquence (the medium)
gives credence to his slyly inserted suggestions (the message) in the eyes of the housemates.
By presenting the others with a picture of reality shaped with his words, which the others accept, he can
control the people who consequently assess reality on his terms.
He did this to great effect when the quorum of four newly arrived dolts had to decide on whom to bestow the
poisoned orbs. He played them like a fiddle.

Let me do a Richard by hinting "isn't it strange that one of the two people chosen is trans-gender and the
other is Asian", both, in my opinion innocent of transgressing the laws of the civilzed world, but evidently
guilty of unspeakable deeds in the eyes of repulsive Richard. It gives him no credit that he managed to persuade
the others, as he knows that they - unbelievably - have given elevated status to this manipulative slimebag.