A number of flaws with this plan: First, since when does Calvin help people? Second, what and how exactly does he know about things like sex appeal? Third, isn’t thinking about yourself a way to motivate yourself? I’ve got a long list but I think this will be enough.
The first few panels describes perfectly what some cable news channels and social media sites are like. Calvin really did a good job at predicting the future.
Today’s reprint is a marvellous example of Calvin’s cynical side and also of the big ambitions which he fails to carry out. Watterson has explained that he often disagrees with what Calvin says but this time Calvin is saying out loud what Bill Watterson feels about how people are willingly manipulated.
You know, it seems to me like there was a thing called “est” training some time back in history. It sounds like what Calvin plans to write about. Boot Camp for civilians.
Every school textbook, and every instructional book, and all friendly advice, could be described that way. You have a cut on the sole of your foot from a piece of glass in the swimming pool. You can’t hold pressure on it long enough to get it to stop. Another swimmer says, “fold a towel over a couple times and sit, leaning forward, with the towel under your foot for ten minutes or so.” You have learned a new trick to get through life.
The basis of the self-help industry is each author thinks “one size fits all”. For individual problems, you need individual solutions.
There is a cycle in pop psychology. A charismatic professional helps a lot of people. He thinks it is due to his theory more than his charisma. He tries to teach it to more people. In general, they fail to have the same success due to lacking charisma or other non-transferrable skills. Time for a new fad. My second wife was a psychotherapist and we lived through several of these fads.
BE THIS GUY over 1 year ago
Calvin should buy the first copy of his book.
Imagine over 1 year ago
The problem with problems is that they are problems.
codycab over 1 year ago
A number of flaws with this plan: First, since when does Calvin help people? Second, what and how exactly does he know about things like sex appeal? Third, isn’t thinking about yourself a way to motivate yourself? I’ve got a long list but I think this will be enough.
Bilan over 1 year ago
The title should be: The Self-Helpless Self Help Book.
JudasPeckerwood over 1 year ago
Sure you can write a sequel — just call it “I Can Still Hear You Whining…”
The Reader Premium Member over 1 year ago
I think I’ll wait for Hobbes’s ‘A Tiger’s Book About Life!’
Dr. Quatermass over 1 year ago
Panel 6 starts a self-help book inception!
snsurone76 over 1 year ago
Think that book will be made into a movie?? Or find a place on Oprah’s bookshelf??
Scorpio Premium Member over 1 year ago
The first few panels describes perfectly what some cable news channels and social media sites are like. Calvin really did a good job at predicting the future.
Calvinist1966 over 1 year ago
Today’s reprint is a marvellous example of Calvin’s cynical side and also of the big ambitions which he fails to carry out. Watterson has explained that he often disagrees with what Calvin says but this time Calvin is saying out loud what Bill Watterson feels about how people are willingly manipulated.
boniface22 over 1 year ago
Brilliant strip and so close to real life. He could actually have a point.
Johnny Q Premium Member over 1 year ago
Self-help culture goes back to Benjamin Franklin…
rmercer Premium Member over 1 year ago
Sequel? Piece o’ cake. “It’s Not Your Fault: Why your family, friends, and country are failing to make your life as great as you deserve”
Little Caesar over 1 year ago
“The World’s 10 Most Humble Men (and How I Met the Other 9)”
[Traveler] Premium Member over 1 year ago
This could easily have a political sub caption
aerotica69 over 1 year ago
Thanks for the idea, Calvin. Hopefully I can have it out by Christmas.
tripwire45 over 1 year ago
Watterson totally nailed the 2020s and social media. The guy was a prophet.
sandpiper over 1 year ago
Cal just verbalized a Mobius strip. That’s hard to do in one sitting.
Detroit Dan over 1 year ago
Nailed it, as most commercials sell fear and insecurity.
Saddenedby Premium Member over 1 year ago
silly humans, we’ll believe anything – “this way to the egress”
Brent Rosenthal Premium Member over 1 year ago
Wow what a prescient strip! And a wonderful concept for a book
Redd Panda over 1 year ago
I got the DVD set. Really works. And retiring helped too.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 1 year ago
You know, it seems to me like there was a thing called “est” training some time back in history. It sounds like what Calvin plans to write about. Boot Camp for civilians.
gantech over 1 year ago
♪♫
I turn on the tube what do I see
A whole lotta people cryin’ don’t blame me
They point their crooked little fingers everybody else
Spend all their time feelin’ sorry for themselves
Victim of this victim of that
Your momma’s too thin and your daddy’s too fat
Get over it
Get over it
All this whinin’ cryin’ pitchin’ a fit
Get over it get over it
♪♫
rshive over 1 year ago
These days, Calvin, a sequel is a must.
flagmichael over 1 year ago
Every school textbook, and every instructional book, and all friendly advice, could be described that way. You have a cut on the sole of your foot from a piece of glass in the swimming pool. You can’t hold pressure on it long enough to get it to stop. Another swimmer says, “fold a towel over a couple times and sit, leaning forward, with the towel under your foot for ten minutes or so.” You have learned a new trick to get through life.
loveabulldesign over 1 year ago
A very good summary of Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning”
ladykat over 1 year ago
I don’t think this will work, Calvin.
French Persons Premium Member over 1 year ago
Watterson was always really good at using this comic for social commentary.
formathe over 1 year ago
20 years later this is needed more than ever.
BoydAdams over 1 year ago
Inspirational!
smsrt over 1 year ago
I would SO buy that!
smsrt over 1 year ago
By the way… is there a chapter about reparations?
bolo over 1 year ago
who would give one second to an influencer?
jdsven over 1 year ago
No…but you could write a heck of a revised second edition that includes social media.
g04922 over 1 year ago
Calvin is a genius at figuring out how to manipulate people.
Templo S.U.D. over 1 year ago
sure, Calvin
The Wolf In Your Midst over 1 year ago
Ha ha! This sure shows how stupid those young folks are today! Not like back in my day, where we were all smart and wise and perfect!
.
Some of you don’t need others to fool you. You do a fantastic job of fooling yourselves!
cmxx over 1 year ago
An author had better not spend his advance until his book sells well, in case it doesn’t and he’s required to give the advance back.
liberalnlovinit over 1 year ago
20 years ago – the creation of the current Republican playbook…
Spacetech over 1 year ago
JORDAN PETERSEN has the market cornered.
viniragu over 1 year ago
The WOKE culture could use this book!!!
BiggerNate91 over 1 year ago
Now I can’t tell if Calvin and Hobbes was ahead of its time or the world simply just hasn’t changed.
mindjob over 1 year ago
I don’t think people will take advice from a 6 year old. Maybe when he turns 7.
kathleenhicks62 over 1 year ago
Thinking about one’s self is human nature. . . .
willie_mctell over 1 year ago
Don’t worry. Dr Phil made an entire career out of this strategy. “How’s that working for you?”
mistercatworks over 1 year ago
The basis of the self-help industry is each author thinks “one size fits all”. For individual problems, you need individual solutions.
There is a cycle in pop psychology. A charismatic professional helps a lot of people. He thinks it is due to his theory more than his charisma. He tries to teach it to more people. In general, they fail to have the same success due to lacking charisma or other non-transferrable skills. Time for a new fad. My second wife was a psychotherapist and we lived through several of these fads.
einarbt over 1 year ago
Brilliant, as usual.