Even if the Zonker strips aren’t funny, at least they don’t inspire several days of theological argument. All praise to the slackers like Zonker, who protect us from the arrogant zealots who will never acknowledge that they are not the only source of wisdom.
You seem to be policing these strips lest they promulgate the wrong kind of “theological argument.” Of course, if you have a monopoly on “wisdom,” you’re bound to feel anxious about competition from rival prophets like Jesus and GT–and you’ll feel more comfortable with Zonker or Zipper.
Well, preaching and pontificating for the lack of a god isn’t any different than performing the same behaviors for one. Since we’re not equipped to scientifically probe the hereafter, aitheism just as much a matter of faith as is any other religion, and setting one’s self as the Pope of all knowledge is distasteful no matter who does it.
Those who are against the taint of religion bring up the topic more than those who are for it, so once in the spotlight it’s fair game to comments… even those comments who ask others not to bring it up :-)
I agree, Nemesys. When GT does an arc on military chaplains whose job concerns Last Things, he’s inviting some kind of religious response. Any reader turned off by religious comments or biblical quotes doesn’t have to join the discussion.
Anyhow, today’s strip is about acquiring learning as opposed to pseudo-knowledge (or what Zipper and his ilk consider “wisdom”). Genuine graduates, to quote the baccalaureate formula, are being welcomed “into the company of educated men and women.”
Presumably an educated person should be able to discuss–without “self-serving puffery”–any of the ideas in Doonesbury, whether those ideas are political, religious, or broadly cultural.
Trudeau himself is obviously educated; when he becomes self-serving, we stop reading him. Fans of less educated cartoonists probably get less out of Doonesbury, but why should they resent our interest in trying to make sense of a strip they don’t understand themselves?
Trudeau wrote a strip many, many years ago that had Jimmy Thudpucker, I believe, talking to Bob Dylan about the cryptic nature of Dylan’s lyrics. Dylan stated, “I just wanted it to rhyme, man.” You might want to bear that in mind as you try to crawl up Trudeau’s navel. He has an agenda, sure, but above all, he’s trying to be funny.
I don’t know Thudpucker, sandfan, but he can’t have been any better educated than Zipper aspires to be if he was looking for profound ideas in Bob Dylan’s lyrics.
Zipper does not attend College to become educated .. That is a rare reason to attend, anyway! Most go to College to learn where to go to look-it-up. A diploma has about the same purpose as a Marriage Certificate… neither one guarantees ANYTHING .. except non-harassment from parental units and mean spirited cousins. “Attending” college covers all bases.
Sigh, we’re back in repeats. I know why Zipper exists as a character, but it’s hard to enjoy such a leach. He doesn’t even have Zonker’s perpetual drug use to add levity.
What college does Zipper normally attend (or “audit”)? Walden?
If this strip makes fun of commencement at GT’s Yale, which is “the right way” to face? Does Zipper really fancy a diploma, or is he just trying on the role of hard-drinking Yalie?
lunatics_fringe Premium Member over 14 years ago
Are the Zonker strips supposed to be funny?
ksoskins over 14 years ago
Even if the Zonker strips aren’t funny, at least they don’t inspire several days of theological argument. All praise to the slackers like Zonker, who protect us from the arrogant zealots who will never acknowledge that they are not the only source of wisdom.
ocean17 over 14 years ago
This is Zipper, not Zonker. The boomer-echo edition.
lunatics_fringe Premium Member over 14 years ago
Right, right, I meant Zipper. I really need to quit posting on three hours sleep.
mksclr over 14 years ago
Hilarious, straight out of Texts From Last Night.
Now if President Brewster could make an appearance…
Nemesys over 14 years ago
Garry’s voting “present” again.
heeyuk over 14 years ago
Funny every time.
Justice22 over 14 years ago
Sad thing is Zipper will be the head of his class.
cdhaley over 14 years ago
@Sheik
You seem to be policing these strips lest they promulgate the wrong kind of “theological argument.” Of course, if you have a monopoly on “wisdom,” you’re bound to feel anxious about competition from rival prophets like Jesus and GT–and you’ll feel more comfortable with Zonker or Zipper.
ChuckTrent64 over 14 years ago
Scheik, you aren’t referring to the strips on the military chaplain, are you?
Nemesys over 14 years ago
Well, preaching and pontificating for the lack of a god isn’t any different than performing the same behaviors for one. Since we’re not equipped to scientifically probe the hereafter, aitheism just as much a matter of faith as is any other religion, and setting one’s self as the Pope of all knowledge is distasteful no matter who does it.
Those who are against the taint of religion bring up the topic more than those who are for it, so once in the spotlight it’s fair game to comments… even those comments who ask others not to bring it up :-)
cdhaley over 14 years ago
I agree, Nemesys. When GT does an arc on military chaplains whose job concerns Last Things, he’s inviting some kind of religious response. Any reader turned off by religious comments or biblical quotes doesn’t have to join the discussion.
Anyhow, today’s strip is about acquiring learning as opposed to pseudo-knowledge (or what Zipper and his ilk consider “wisdom”). Genuine graduates, to quote the baccalaureate formula, are being welcomed “into the company of educated men and women.”
Presumably an educated person should be able to discuss–without “self-serving puffery”–any of the ideas in Doonesbury, whether those ideas are political, religious, or broadly cultural.
Trudeau himself is obviously educated; when he becomes self-serving, we stop reading him. Fans of less educated cartoonists probably get less out of Doonesbury, but why should they resent our interest in trying to make sense of a strip they don’t understand themselves?
ringokarma over 14 years ago
I have only one thing to say to all you wind-bags, and I’m certain Zipper would agree with me: Yo … Dude!
Sandfan over 14 years ago
Trudeau wrote a strip many, many years ago that had Jimmy Thudpucker, I believe, talking to Bob Dylan about the cryptic nature of Dylan’s lyrics. Dylan stated, “I just wanted it to rhyme, man.” You might want to bear that in mind as you try to crawl up Trudeau’s navel. He has an agenda, sure, but above all, he’s trying to be funny.
cdhaley over 14 years ago
I don’t know Thudpucker, sandfan, but he can’t have been any better educated than Zipper aspires to be if he was looking for profound ideas in Bob Dylan’s lyrics.
jeanne1212 over 14 years ago
Zipper does not attend College to become educated .. That is a rare reason to attend, anyway! Most go to College to learn where to go to look-it-up. A diploma has about the same purpose as a Marriage Certificate… neither one guarantees ANYTHING .. except non-harassment from parental units and mean spirited cousins. “Attending” college covers all bases.
Seed_drill over 14 years ago
Sigh, we’re back in repeats. I know why Zipper exists as a character, but it’s hard to enjoy such a leach. He doesn’t even have Zonker’s perpetual drug use to add levity.
cdhaley over 14 years ago
What college does Zipper normally attend (or “audit”)? Walden?
If this strip makes fun of commencement at GT’s Yale, which is “the right way” to face? Does Zipper really fancy a diploma, or is he just trying on the role of hard-drinking Yalie?
trying2keepup over 14 years ago
Teresa, are you referring to Bloom County with Bill the Cat and a penguin named Opus. They post re-runs on this site.
Dapperdan61 Premium Member over 14 years ago
These are either reruns or this is Zippers 2nd audit for commencement
freeholder1 over 14 years ago
CONTROVERSY FANS ARE MORTAR-BORED ALREADY.
jmoondoggie over 14 years ago
Gary Larson afraid of his fans? Too bad. I think Santa’s sleigh and reindeer splattered on the nose of a 747 is funny stuff…
RinaFarina over 14 years ago
I am happy to report that I have nothing to say.