Yes, in today’s culture, not feeling good about oneself is to be avoided at all costs. Hence, esteem must be boosted by giving “participation trophies” and graduation ceremonies in grade school.
I’m pessimistic when it comes to School too, but just like chores, you got to put up with it because the adults say so. All I tell them is, “Fine, but don’t expect me to do a great job. We can’t always get what we want.”
I find it amazing how we can eventually vilify the words we use to mollify those who are offended by the words we use to identify anything, or anyone, that we think needs classifying. “Sweety”, is a word can hurt, ask Sheldon.
I belief this is a reference to the psycho-educational fad that bullies developed because of poor self-esteem. After a couple of decades of “coddling”, we had a generation of bullies with high self-esteem. (How’s that working out?)
Ironically, this is the very system US public schools are proposing to use right now. Math is racist because there’s only one answer. I’m really hoping I’m gone before these grow up and become engineers.
You guys trying to apply today’s strip to the right have it all wrong. The language Calvin uses here is the language of the left: “impaired”, “self-esteem”, etc. Telling people it’s OK to be different and sometime using it as an excuse to justify underperformance. The right has no use for this.
No, the attitude of the right towards education is this: “who needs this book-learning crap anyway? Math? I’m never gonna use it again. Science? All lies. I only need one book and one religion and all other books are just commie indoctrination anyway.” That’s the attitude of the right: militant, in-your-face rejection of education unless you can use it to get a job.
I can’t believe that a cartoon about a little boy wanting to play in the snow instead of doing his homework turned to a political rants. This makes me sad that we can’t even read a funny comic without politics being brought in.
No homework is the norm now many public schools. It’s pains me when I see my grandson struggle because he never had to practice math problems as homework. You never learn anything without practice and homework is how students practice.
BE THIS GUY over 2 years ago
Calling yourself impaired boosts your self-esteem?
Alexander the Good Enough over 2 years ago
It would sound better if he said, “Informationally sufficient.” Calvin’s not the only one…
Robert4170 over 2 years ago
Yes, in today’s culture, not feeling good about oneself is to be avoided at all costs. Hence, esteem must be boosted by giving “participation trophies” and graduation ceremonies in grade school.
Robin Harwood over 2 years ago
Just identify as educated.
codycab over 2 years ago
I’m pessimistic when it comes to School too, but just like chores, you got to put up with it because the adults say so. All I tell them is, “Fine, but don’t expect me to do a great job. We can’t always get what we want.”
Templo S.U.D. over 2 years ago
sure
Shinrinder Premium Member over 2 years ago
I’m going to have to reading C&H, ‘cuz all I see is #45 when he was little.
Concretionist over 2 years ago
Little did he know that he was fated to lead MILLIONS of people into their promised land. And that’s just in the USA.
C over 2 years ago
This is the IG/Tik Tok motto
in.amongst over 2 years ago
Love this post-modernist Calvin!
Bullet Bronson Premium Member over 2 years ago
Man, the Trump jokes just write themselves.
The Reader Premium Member over 2 years ago
Mr Waterson is never houmorly impared!
eastern.woods.metal over 2 years ago
" Informationally impaired " gets you a handicap sticker and free parking
GROG Premium Member over 2 years ago
I prefer intellectionally challenged.
STEPUP over 2 years ago
You ‘ve got a surprise waiting at home when it’s discovered you haven’t done your homework
JonDoh over 2 years ago
This strip is 30 years old. Bill, you truly are a prophet.
Red33410 over 2 years ago
Calvin’s term has the following anagram, ’I am inferior and optimally."
Susan00100 over 2 years ago
Calvin does have a point.
Teachers nowadays pile on so much homework (often 3-4 hours a night) because they can’t be bothered by actually TEACHING!!
well-i-never over 2 years ago
I predict 450 “likes” by the end of the day.
currysteph Premium Member over 2 years ago
why does this sound like modern day progressives….
dflak over 2 years ago
Being ignorant is not a crime. Deliberately choosing to remain so, should be.
YippiKiAyMofo over 2 years ago
Sorry truth of the matter is that is exactly the mind-set in education today.
effyman over 2 years ago
And that’s how the United States got to where it is today.
guyjen2004 over 2 years ago
I wonder if this strip is where some school districts got the idea?
sandpiper over 2 years ago
Another erroneous application of self-sufficient.
Masterskrain over 2 years ago
So, Calvin IS a Republican…or he will be when he grows up.
Bubba_Boo Premium Member over 2 years ago
The kid was way ahead of his time.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 2 years ago
I find it amazing how we can eventually vilify the words we use to mollify those who are offended by the words we use to identify anything, or anyone, that we think needs classifying. “Sweety”, is a word can hurt, ask Sheldon.
Ol' me over 2 years ago
Prophetic.
john over 2 years ago
So, this is the source of our current educational failures!
Droptma Styx over 2 years ago
“We’re up to the Civil War in American History, and the Governor says I don’t have to learn about it if it makes me feel bad.”
mindjob over 2 years ago
I think positively. Calvin is Self-Esteem Enhanced
bigcatbusiness over 2 years ago
Ignorance is bliss, but once reality comes calling to your door, then your self esteem will not only be lowered. It will be obliterated.
gantech over 2 years ago
And so opposition to critical race theory is born…
Jesquire over 2 years ago
Uncanny.
nsr60 over 2 years ago
Let’s face it, empirical observation suggests that the answer to Hobbes’s question is yes.
jrankin1959 over 2 years ago
Calvin was way ahead of his time…
jessegooddoggy over 2 years ago
Intelligent folks know they always have more to learn, it’s the ignorant that think they know everything.
Watchdog over 2 years ago
Right out of the National Education Association manual
mistercatworks over 2 years ago
I belief this is a reference to the psycho-educational fad that bullies developed because of poor self-esteem. After a couple of decades of “coddling”, we had a generation of bullies with high self-esteem. (How’s that working out?)
Skippy the Magnificent over 2 years ago
Calvin sounds like one of today’s “snowflakes “.
kab2rb over 2 years ago
Why want grades of learning?
Arghhgarrr Premium Member over 2 years ago
Calvin (and Watterson) were ahead of their times
Bucky the comic reviewer over 2 years ago
heh 8/10
diegot over 2 years ago
There seems to be a lot of this going around these days.
kathleenhicks62 over 2 years ago
This is the funniest lately and I have missed Hobbes’ in-puts.
rshive over 2 years ago
Terminology trumps everything.
walkingmancomics over 2 years ago
Lotta folks in the good old U.S.of A. proudly informationally impaired these days, alas.
perryed over 2 years ago
Seems to be afflicting about 1/3 of the country also.
tee929 over 2 years ago
It does explain Donlad Trump!
donwestonmysteries over 2 years ago
Calvin already is too smart for his own good.
globalenterprize1990 over 2 years ago
Please don’t give the Liberals / snowflakes any ideas!!
smorbie the great and beautiful over 2 years ago
Ironically, this is the very system US public schools are proposing to use right now. Math is racist because there’s only one answer. I’m really hoping I’m gone before these grow up and become engineers.
Holden Awn over 2 years ago
It was only a matter of time; Calvin’s gone ‘Woke’.
InquireWithin over 2 years ago
You guys trying to apply today’s strip to the right have it all wrong. The language Calvin uses here is the language of the left: “impaired”, “self-esteem”, etc. Telling people it’s OK to be different and sometime using it as an excuse to justify underperformance. The right has no use for this.
No, the attitude of the right towards education is this: “who needs this book-learning crap anyway? Math? I’m never gonna use it again. Science? All lies. I only need one book and one religion and all other books are just commie indoctrination anyway.” That’s the attitude of the right: militant, in-your-face rejection of education unless you can use it to get a job.
globalenterprize1990 over 2 years ago
If you don’t get a good education, the world won’t stop. The world will just pass you by and leave you behind.
DO_WHAT_DA_DOG_SEZ (NOT THE REAL ONE) over 2 years ago
pretty boring seeing calvin ranting off on something random again
8/10 though that kind of looks like one massive snowball
Nick Danger over 2 years ago
that’s exactly how it is – just look at either dumbing down the SATs or not requiring them at all… and remember, “math is racist”
hakuin over 2 years ago
Prescient commentary forecasting “progressive” education. Delightful.
rugeirn over 2 years ago
“I tell you, Marge, one day this boy will be president!”
cooterrichards over 2 years ago
a foreshadowing of our society today, perhaps?
thedogesl Premium Member over 2 years ago
Man. Hard to believe this wasn’t written today, eh? Sadly, we’re surrounded by Calvins who think ignorance is strength.
momofalex7 over 2 years ago
His vocabulary is pretty good for an ignoramus.
bunrabbit99 over 2 years ago
sounds like those snowflake republicans who want to ban books that make their white children uncomfortable.
pamela welch Premium Member over 2 years ago
LOLOL — STILL one of the funniest ’toons out there
Otis Rufus Driftwood over 2 years ago
Self esteem is asinine. Another one of Watterson’s warnings.
kamoolah over 2 years ago
Calvin is a dumb. Then again, all white kids are.
Sambora1 over 2 years ago
I can’t believe that a cartoon about a little boy wanting to play in the snow instead of doing his homework turned to a political rants. This makes me sad that we can’t even read a funny comic without politics being brought in.
klapre over 2 years ago
No homework is the norm now many public schools. It’s pains me when I see my grandson struggle because he never had to practice math problems as homework. You never learn anything without practice and homework is how students practice.