I always thought that the fragment about presidency being there to distract people from real power was ridiculously spot on.

Douglas Adams had a great example at home with the Royal Family.

It really hit him when I went to America and was exposed to the media. Television there is in this perpetual state of total war, it's as if the news programs have to compete with the adverts for time and attention. On a slow news day you'd wake up there would be some loud fat man screaming about how the President had cornflakes for breakfast instead of Sugar Puffs. Thankfully they'd break after 30 seconds for another 20 minutes of loud and colourful commercials for various opiates with funky names (but the same active ingredient).

"Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made president, should on no account be allowed to do the job."

I do hope the true ruler of things turns out to be an old bloke in a hut with no interest in anything beyond a vague affection for his (possibly imaginary) cat.

Otherwise we’re really in trouble.

> an old bloke in a hut

Wasn't he OUTSIDE the hut?

Perhaps you're thinking of Wonko the Sane, who lived Outside of the Asylum.

Yes indeed. Thanks.

Jose Mujica almost fits the decription. BTW I don't think he was very good overall.

At least Zaphod was charming at times.

I agree. Do we know the actual rulers? I'm thinking a few Russians who gave Trump loans and owners of American steel companies, but I'm not sure who the specific billionaires are.