A quick announcement for Charlotte-area Shedheads: Nic Brown, the guest on my latest SOUTHBOUND podcast, is doing a book signing for his memoir BANG BANG CRASH at Park Road Books this Wednesday at 7 p.m. Nic’s as good a writer as he is a drummer … and he is a very good drummer.
As someone who consulted with HR departments across the US for the past 35+ years, I can confirm that many had Catbert, the Evil HR Director, comic strips in break rooms, offices and cubicles...and usually some Far Side ones too...the Midvale school for the gifted one seemed to be everywhere!
If there was a post tailored perfectly for me, this hits it. I loved growing up reading comics, and Dilbert hits a niche brilliantly. When I love a person's work, it is natural to want to support the person behind it. But Adams's legacy is not limited to the facet of his work which I enjoy. There are many other things I can enjoy and do not come with the same burden of awareness. I really appreciate this post.
No one is perfect. We went years without exposure of our leaders and heroes to their not perfect sides. In retrospect, if the personal failing was limited in scope of hurt or shame, we should move on and not throw stones. But here, the wrong is broad and deeply hurtful, damning to ALL peoples. In a world of lightning transparence, the evidence was clear. Shameful action created an Immediate negative response and financial punishment. In a world in which actions are taken out of context and damned and clear harm is heralded as good truth, this one seems to be right in every meaning of the word.
A society that rewards you beyond your wildest imagination for consistently humorous drawings poking fun at mediocrity and the only bar you need to clear not to squander it is “don’t visibly be a jerk” which proved to be, at long last, too much. Mediocrity, indeed.
I loved the Holy Trinity myself, and I will confess that not only did I like Dilbert, I was actually interested in getting my local Food Lion to carry his venture into food, the Dilberito, so that I could at least try it. I was unsuccessful, but I do have that hanging over me.
I also agree with you - don’t shoot your parents and then beg for mercy because you’re an orphan.
In case you weren’t aware I thought you might want to know that Watterson has a new, non-Calvin and Hobbes book coming out this year https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Mysteries/Bill-Watterson/9781524884949
I didn't know until I was looking him up yesterday. Very interested to see this!
As someone who consulted with HR departments across the US for the past 35+ years, I can confirm that many had Catbert, the Evil HR Director, comic strips in break rooms, offices and cubicles...and usually some Far Side ones too...the Midvale school for the gifted one seemed to be everywhere!
If there was a post tailored perfectly for me, this hits it. I loved growing up reading comics, and Dilbert hits a niche brilliantly. When I love a person's work, it is natural to want to support the person behind it. But Adams's legacy is not limited to the facet of his work which I enjoy. There are many other things I can enjoy and do not come with the same burden of awareness. I really appreciate this post.
I too miss the Big Three.
Well said. And IMO, courageous to speak up.
No one is perfect. We went years without exposure of our leaders and heroes to their not perfect sides. In retrospect, if the personal failing was limited in scope of hurt or shame, we should move on and not throw stones. But here, the wrong is broad and deeply hurtful, damning to ALL peoples. In a world of lightning transparence, the evidence was clear. Shameful action created an Immediate negative response and financial punishment. In a world in which actions are taken out of context and damned and clear harm is heralded as good truth, this one seems to be right in every meaning of the word.
I always enjoyed Dilbert and couldn’t have told you who wrote it, but it is very disappointing to learn this about Scott Adams.
A society that rewards you beyond your wildest imagination for consistently humorous drawings poking fun at mediocrity and the only bar you need to clear not to squander it is “don’t visibly be a jerk” which proved to be, at long last, too much. Mediocrity, indeed.
Tommy, your description of prime Dilbert just about sums up my favorite sitcom - “The IT Crowd.” It’s on Netflix if you haven’t seen it.
I loved the Holy Trinity myself, and I will confess that not only did I like Dilbert, I was actually interested in getting my local Food Lion to carry his venture into food, the Dilberito, so that I could at least try it. I was unsuccessful, but I do have that hanging over me.
I also agree with you - don’t shoot your parents and then beg for mercy because you’re an orphan.
To his credit, the Dilbert Investment Plan (but index funds and leave them alone, don’t overthink) has made me a lot of money.