We all remember the great comics Calvin and Hobbes. I remember fondly the hours spent pouring over pages and pages of the adventures of Calvin and his wonderful stuffed Tiger. Calvin Ball, Spaceman Spiff, The Babysitting adventures, and good ol’ exploring! Now that I’m older, I can appreciate the subtle genius behind these strips.
I found a website that outlines 16 things that were said in Calvin and Hobbes that haven’t been said better by anybody else.
Below are a couple of my favorites from the list:
On the unspoken truth behind the education system
Calvin: As you can see, I have memorized this utterly useless piece of information long enough to pass a test question. I now intend to forget it forever. You’ve taught me nothing except how to cynically manipulate the system. Congratulations.
On the gaping hole in contemporary art’s soul
Calvin: People always make the mistake of thinking art is created for them. But really, art is a private language for sophisticates to congratulate themselves on their superiority to the rest of the world. As my artist’s statement explains, my work is utterly incomprehensible and is therefore full of deep significance.
On the future
Calvin: Trick or treat!
Adult: Where’s your costume? What are you supposed to be?
Calvin: I’m yet another resource-consuming kid in an overpopulated planet, raised to an alarming extent by Madison Avenue and Hollywood, poised with my cynical and alienated peers to take over the world when you’re old and weak. Am I scary, or what?
Here is part two as well!
