Dad’s reading a book, so maybe he’s just putting Calvin off till the end of the chapter. It takes only a few words to give an explanation that’s on a kid’s level, but Calvin’s very bright and he would start down that long path of digging for a better answer. Google would help, if it existed when this comic was first drawn.
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” (Clarke’s Third Law) I doubt that one in a hundred people truly understand how an incandescent lamp works. That number goes down by a order of magnitude or two if the lamp is a compact fluorescent or LED.
Magic is a good an answer for electricity as any other. I mean just because we know how to create it and how to use it, it doesn’t mean we really know what it is.
It just occurred to me Calvin’s father is a patent attorney; he would need a pretty good idea of how almost everything works to research related existing patents. That means he is just yanking Calvin’s chain beyond all reason.
It all starts with the electrical current exciting the tungsten atoms and increasing their kinetic energy. This causes the temperature in the filament to increase and temporarily elevates electrons in the atoms to a higher energy state. When the electrons drop back to their natural state, they emit photons. Are you with me son?
Parental cooperation and having each other’s back. What couple hasn’t told their child that they’re going to send them to that wonderful summer camp, Camp Lejeune? And then gotten a note from the teacher about the “What I’m going to be doing on my summer vacation” essay.
My once-girlfriend’s father liked to take the family for a drive around the agricultural area near where they lived. She would ask him “What’s that crop” and he’d answer authoritatively. She said she was a teenager before she realized what was happening there.
BE THIS GUY about 5 years ago
Sure, Mom, make the kid lose faith in his father.
The Calvinosaurus That Calvin Wanted To Discover about 5 years ago
I thought a great magician never revealed their secret.
Watcher about 5 years ago
No wonder Calvin is not good in school, Dad.
Templo S.U.D. about 5 years ago
I bet that if an Amish kid asks its parents how an “English” device works, the parents’ reply will be the Devil.
Bilan about 5 years ago
All Dad had to do was look up the patent.
ChukLitl Premium Member about 5 years ago
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
codycab about 5 years ago
“Are you NOT entertained!?”
The Reader Premium Member about 5 years ago
It’s only magic when Dad uses the vacuum.
Cnon20 about 5 years ago
Happy 4th of July!
su43dipta about 5 years ago
Calvin’s better off asking cockroaches in his kitchen about stuff, since they’re around lot longer than his mom and dad!
sandpiper about 5 years ago
Go, Dad!!
kathleenhicks62 about 5 years ago
Mom-ever the realist…..
YippiKiAyMofo about 5 years ago
Party pooper!
cubswin2016 about 5 years ago
Why doesn’t he just ask Mom these questions?
uniquename about 5 years ago
Geez, next she’s going to tell him about Santa Claus.
Troglodyte about 5 years ago
And this is where she begins to doubt if Calvin is a bright boy…
flemmingo about 5 years ago
Okay Mom then how does it work?
Omniman about 5 years ago
Sometimes, Calvin’s dad seems like kind of a jerk. Giving your kid bullshit answers when they ask honest questions is cruel.
tripwire45 about 5 years ago
Today, he could just look it up on Google. Back then, it was either an encyclopedia set or a trip to the library.
Ray*C about 5 years ago
Dad’s reading a book, so maybe he’s just putting Calvin off till the end of the chapter. It takes only a few words to give an explanation that’s on a kid’s level, but Calvin’s very bright and he would start down that long path of digging for a better answer. Google would help, if it existed when this comic was first drawn.
JudyHendrickson about 5 years ago
Iwouldn trust that brat with no lightbulb!!
gladimadad about 5 years ago
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” (Clarke’s Third Law) I doubt that one in a hundred people truly understand how an incandescent lamp works. That number goes down by a order of magnitude or two if the lamp is a compact fluorescent or LED.
Indycar about 5 years ago
I don’t think dad is a very good teacher.
Doug Taylor Premium Member about 5 years ago
Ha ha ha. When I was Calvin’s age I used to wonder who turned on and off the street lights.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member about 5 years ago
Magic is a good an answer for electricity as any other. I mean just because we know how to create it and how to use it, it doesn’t mean we really know what it is.
flagmichael about 5 years ago
It just occurred to me Calvin’s father is a patent attorney; he would need a pretty good idea of how almost everything works to research related existing patents. That means he is just yanking Calvin’s chain beyond all reason.
Flatworm about 5 years ago
I love Dad’s “explanations.” My favorite was his explanation about why old photos and movies were in black & white.
Lee26 Premium Member about 5 years ago
Dad’s way of getting back at Calvin for all of his shenanigans. I love it!
gantech about 5 years ago
Umm, Calvin, why don’t you watch some TV. Dad and I are going to have a little talk.
DanFlak about 5 years ago
It all starts with the electrical current exciting the tungsten atoms and increasing their kinetic energy. This causes the temperature in the filament to increase and temporarily elevates electrons in the atoms to a higher energy state. When the electrons drop back to their natural state, they emit photons. Are you with me son?
No?
OK, it’s magic.
DanWolfie about 5 years ago
LOL at the last panel! I bet the parents had a long talk with each other after that…
yangeldf about 5 years ago
and they wonder why their kid does so poorly in school, don’t lie to your kids folks!
Display about 5 years ago
Parental cooperation and having each other’s back. What couple hasn’t told their child that they’re going to send them to that wonderful summer camp, Camp Lejeune? And then gotten a note from the teacher about the “What I’m going to be doing on my summer vacation” essay.
swanridge about 5 years ago
Yes it is! FAKE NEWS!!!
Concretionist about 5 years ago
My once-girlfriend’s father liked to take the family for a drive around the agricultural area near where they lived. She would ask him “What’s that crop” and he’d answer authoritatively. She said she was a teenager before she realized what was happening there.
Longhair about 5 years ago
Dad’s got some ‘splainin’ to do.