Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for October 12, 2010

GOOD old mom,Calvin is such an expert,gotta luv,em

I thought you were up on this stuff, Calvin.

G’Morning, Marg, Mike & Grog!

Dear Marg, I must say, sorry, I still don’t like it . The diamonds don’t help!!

Grant is always good! I’ll beg for one for poor artists!

Marg…..I don’t like skulls either…….brrrrr…..shivvvvver…..

Yes, Calvin, you ARE an expert at inventions.

I remember the internal combustion engine from fifth grade science. I believe you put it on top of a pulley, or something.

Sounds like alot of fuss just to make your bed! Check with Mythbusters I bet they could help you out with that one. They came up with Geoffrey Peterson!

Calvin, let’s hope the research proposal passes your moms criteria ;). By the way, what kind of research grant do you want? Chocolate cereals?

Not the internal combustion engine. It’s the screw. Of course you’re are young yet, but at least learn this one thing Calvin. Of the four simple machines, the screw will be the most important for most of your life. Long before (and long after) it is foremost in your life, it will be foremost in your mind.

Interesting statement there, Goatrider. It should also be remembered that there are two types. There is the one that I think you are referring to, which is a most enjoyable invention. Then there is the type that one feels so often applied by someone else.

Thanks Goatrider for the answer to the name of the fourth machine. I was thinking it might be the screw but then I thought, what is a screw but and inclined plane that goes in circles. Glad to see that the conversation is focusing on the machines rather than Calvin requesting a research grant.

First things first Calvin.

The Scientific Method [revised].

I think going to Mom won’t be a good idea, Calvin. She’ll just hound you about making your bed for yourself.

Good Morning, Marg, Mike & ♠Lonewolf♠.

By the way, I like the skull, Marg. You just can’t please some people.

You’re right GoatRider, Calvin will be getting screwed much more often than he will be incline planed!

Internal combustion? Is that what Mom’s going to do when she finds you didn’t make your bed. If I was you, Calvin, I’d work on invisibility.

Calvin is an expert at inventions. He invented the time machine and the transmogrifier.

About Marg’s avatar…it IS almost Halloween, after all…

There are actually six simple machines - the lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, and screw. And yes, I just looked that up. :)

Although I suppose, one could argue a wedge is just 2 inclined planes and the pulley is another version of the wheel and axle.

Well, at least Calvin knows the most important first step.

Dogbarian, that is actually argued, even though the wedge and pulley are listed separatedly all the same. Or so my reading et in Arcadia sum told me, if memory serves.

I also recalled the six simple machines: lever, Inclined plane, wedge,screw, wheel and axle, and pulley.

However, I always wondered why a hammer is not on the list. Maybe it was too hard to quantify its effect on work and force?

And then there are hydraulic systems, which are simple in theory, but more complex in execution–because of all the pipes, pistons and cylinders and such needed.

Another I’d add is a crank–a lever working in a circle. It’s as least as simple as a wedge (form of inclined plane) or screw (inclined plane wrapped around a rod).

(However, the Powers That Be somehow failed to consult me on this, as on so many other matters. The more fools they!)

If skulls are so offensive, perhaps we could begin legislation or evolution to get rid of them, so that we could then have soft squishy heads with no protection for what little brains we apparently have left.

Yep Calvin must be a Canadian inventor . Grant money.

All true, but it does delete that days spam post when enough people have flagged it. By the time I get around to reading gocomics, the spam is gone and all that is left are the flagging comments. To me, these are just as bad. Flag and forget.

Calvin. Grant money. Ever the lawyer/bureaucrat. Negotiations for an advance on his allowance will commence even prior to his ever having gotten one in the first place. Sounds like the Fed to me. No question what he will be in later life, if this is any indication….

@Arvelru Flagging does work. That’s how we know where they are. We’re working on ways to get rid of them, but for now it’s the best method. Thanks, John @GoComics

Marg: I like the skull! Halloween is coming fast! I’m sewing like crazy to get ready for the Halloween party and taking my granddaughter out trick or treating! Did you have a good vacation? Glad to see you back!

With what he can do with a cardboard box and a plastic ray gun, imagine what he can do with an internal combustion engine!!!

Do NOT click on anything having to do with SPAM except “flag”, DO NOT go to the links they provide, and the rest of us don’t need to know about it when you flag something. Nobody cares.

That was all BAD advice!

Even though they are “simple machines”, how they have changed the world! Maybe I will see Calvin in one of my physics classes one of these days!

@Arvelru Flagging does work. That’s how we know where they are. We’re working on ways to get rid of them, but for now it’s the best method. Thanks, John @GoComics

John,

I sent a long note through the Contact Us form a couple of days ago, but never got a response. Was it received?

Calvin, save yourself the headache of your mom yelling at you for not getting your bed made yet and just make it already!

Marg, I love the skull. It’s a nicer reminder than dust. Besides, who wouldn’t love to find a nice clean skull with diamonds looking back from a mirror!

Would this be better?

I love skulls. love drawing them. I have one on my desk (alas Poor Yorick!) I also have a complete skeleton.

JP Steve: This has got to be the cutest skull and cross bones I’ve ever seen! Love it!!!

:-)