Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for February 12, 2025

Is violence ever the answer?

The media is always subject to questions…..

Wish I knew what makes that TV bounce around in mid-air when it’s on.

A follow up: Dad comes in, says that seeing graphic violence “builds character”—and then turns the TV off and kicks Calvin out of the house!

One thing I wished this strip did was have Susie at home watching tv and to see her comments / reactions. There’s a lot of great Susie outside or at school, but never at home. Or have Susie and Calvin watch Tv together.

Not to complain. Calvin and Hobbes is absolutely wonderful. I just think it was a missed opportunity.

Once again Calvin demonstrates a pretty advanced vocabulary for a six year old.

Latest book on the topic (that I’ve read) is called “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt. It’s a broad book though the primary focus is on smartphones from around 2010.

Funny thing, my husband and I were discussing the connection the other day. He says there is none, but Calvin and I see the same.

Is the show any good?

Roses are red, violence is blue.

Wait till internet porn chum.

In the final analysis, we all have "a choice’. Just seems modern communications make the negative choice easier.

The bouncing TV set with rabbit ear antenna is cool beans, boy howdy.

Still relevant today and probably always. Turn the thing off!

I remember at school when “Kung Fu” was first shown on telly in around 1972. Suddenly, kids were making shurikens (throwing stars) in the metalwork class. They were confiscated as I recall as they were being thrown in the school yard during break. I don’t remember anyone getting hurt. Make of this what you will.

According to people in the ’90s, all those violent video games were supposed to turn me into a maniac who walks down the street and beats up anyone I come across.

Alfred Hitchcock had the right idea. He preferred to leave violence to the imagination and it worked.

No doubt regular exposure to violence has an effect on certain types and creates sociopaths.

Ad for me? I still cry at the end of the short French movie ‘The Red Balloon’. (It’s on Youtube.)

Parents with children aged 12 or under should sit them in front of the film and check out their reactions…

If they laugh at the end, worry!

Here’s a even more important question… Are you even allowed to watch whatever you are watching?

Not hard to prove, Cal. See a gun used, get a gun and use it, even though viewer’s situation doesn’t come close to resembling that on tv. Young minds or those befuddled with drugs and angst.

Oh Calvin, violence is the history of the human race, long before TV was invented.

Yes, it does cause violence.

It depends. I’ve seen plenty of violence on TV, but I did not turn into a violent person.

Yes, since Bugs Bunny has basically been banned, I have noticed children becoming much more peaceful…

Five questions……which one is right!!!!!