First off, that’s not the orb’s fault. Denethor’s Palantir was hacked by Sauron. If a Maia wants to hack your wizardry equipment, then they’re going to get in, orb or not. Any threat model that tries to defend from the fucking Dark Lord himself is completely bonkers. The only way to protect yourself from threat actors with that much power is to not make yourself interesting enough to be worth their time (see the Blue Wizards).
Second, Denethor wasn’t even a wizard. If he was, he may have been able to recognize Sauron’s influence and avoid pondering. But again, it’s ridiculous to think you can defend yourself from those kind of threats.
Aragorn did use the orb, but he admitted himself he had barely enough strength to bend it to his will. Aragorn only survived that encounter (and the Battle of the Black Gate) because Sauron was arrogant and unprepared. If Sauron had played it smart, Aragorn and the rest of the fellowship would be dead.
One day you’re pondering the orb. The next you’re strung out, fuckeating some tomatoes, and denying that your son even exists
First off, that’s not the orb’s fault. Denethor’s Palantir was hacked by Sauron. If a Maia wants to hack your wizardry equipment, then they’re going to get in, orb or not. Any threat model that tries to defend from the fucking Dark Lord himself is completely bonkers. The only way to protect yourself from threat actors with that much power is to not make yourself interesting enough to be worth their time (see the Blue Wizards).
Second, Denethor wasn’t even a wizard. If he was, he may have been able to recognize Sauron’s influence and avoid pondering. But again, it’s ridiculous to think you can defend yourself from those kind of threats.
Well Aragorn didn’t use an orb, and he was just fine. He even defeated the armies of Mordor.
Aragorn did use the orb, but he admitted himself he had barely enough strength to bend it to his will. Aragorn only survived that encounter (and the Battle of the Black Gate) because Sauron was arrogant and unprepared. If Sauron had played it smart, Aragorn and the rest of the fellowship would be dead.