I can see how he’d move seamlessly from ‘fostering relationships’ to ‘fostering adversarial relationships’, but I don’t see how he could possibly be surprised about the outcome, as this happens regularly.
Remember Calvin, people (and tigers) will judge you by your actions, not your intentions.
Calvin’s passions and obsessions seem to overcome his good intentions (every time). But sometimes people with passion and obsession end up changing the world (for better or worse). The thought makes me try to imagine Calvin as an adult.
A lot depends on whether or not Calvin matures as he grows older. He could change the world, or I could see him sitting on a park bench when he is in his 80’s, throwing snowballs at little old ladies tottering by.
Some people grow older without maturing. Others mature as they grow older, but in the process, they give up most everything from their childhood, both good and bad. They may spend their adult years in a rather joyless way, unable to enjoy children very much, and judging other adults as being “too childish.”
Still others manage to mature as they grow, while gradually overcoming many of the negative behaviors of childhood, and yet retaining many of the positive characteristics. These people are able to change the world for the better, partly because they are still able to enjoy life with passion, imagination, joy, humor, wonder, excitement, spontaneity, and sheer pleasure. I like to imagine that Calvin will be one of these people when he grows up.
You’re right about Calvin’s perception of Susie as a GIRL rather than a fellow human being, but one day his now-limited viewpoint will change, hopefully for the better. It’s a problem most folks have, good intentions, but the reality of allowing a family who’s somehow different to move in next door is a problem most of us have … and I think that’s a moral that’s to be drawn here.
Oh, that old timeless “temptation” will bleep your actions all the time! As Buddha says, “Focus”! Maybe Calvin needs to change his name to Grasshopper in order to achieve his lofty goal.
It would have been very entertaining if Watterson had continued C&H for just a few more years with Calvin starting to attain puberty and getting interested in girls and the conflict that would create in his imagination. Not to mention all the past history with Susie that he would have to make up for.
Hobbes’ (the character in the cartoon) last statement about wanton indulgence of animals is a bit too Metaphysical for me to comprehend, but the comments made by Florchi and Hobbes (the gocomics member) about intentions and maturity are topics that I can comprehend to a degree. Passions and obsessions DO overcome the actions of human beings from time to time and this is usually attributed to our Lizard Brain: a primordial part of our Central Nervous System. The angels of our better nature are evolved additions but the Lizard brain still lurks beneath. As we age, it usually becomes easier to mitigate our Lizard Brain Impulses. I suspect that the Lizard Brain does not control the child-like attributes of wonder and imagination. I’d like to think that we can nurture those abilities as we “mature,” and become “aging children”
Hmmm……. I don’t know about humans, but maybe tigers have a primordial Lizard Brain underneath. One of our favorite activities is warming up in the sun or by a fireplace.
Night-Gaunt49, I agree–Calvin is not very good at overcoming his impulses, or knowing when to quit.
Many religions call this the fallen state of humankind. Until we overcome the impulse to sin, we’re right there with Calvin–and we blame other people for being scum when we re the ones really responsible.
i agree somewhat with dahawk, it would be nice to see calvin grow up. but at the same time, our imagination of him getting older is probably better.
as for the strip… it is not calvins’ fault that god made it snow, and the had susie walk by…..
Someone familiar with personality type models would point out that Calvin is a budding ENFP whose Fe (Extraverted Feeling or “Relating”) just tried to poke its head out into the sunshine and be beneficent, only to be overwhelmed by its stronger natural tendency to assume that “people are scum” and treat and be treated by them accordingly.
(no need to thank me for that MEGO Syndrome posing as enlightenment, it’s free of charge)
margueritem almost 14 years ago
His good thoughts last but a brief moment…
comicgos almost 14 years ago
I agree - I love my Shiba Inu!
rentier almost 14 years ago
Indulgence will do it!
LittleSister18 almost 14 years ago
Couldn’t resist the urge could you Calvin.
COWBOY7 almost 14 years ago
Close, but no cigar, Calvin! ROFL
legaleagle48 almost 14 years ago
Well, in Calvin’s mind, Susie isn’t “people” – she’s a GIRL!
adubman almost 14 years ago
Calvin was simply practicing what he preaches. That snowball was merely a ‘social lovetap’ to Susie!!
tis4kis almost 14 years ago
Wanton indulgence of animals = true happiness. I do believe that’s true.
Dino-1 almost 14 years ago
My dog agrees with that statement wholeheartedly!
GROG Premium Member almost 14 years ago
You’ve got to work on your interpersonal skills, Calvin.
Good Morning, Marg, Mike & ♠Lonewolf♠!
Yukoner almost 14 years ago
“Hell hath no fury like a woman ….” who’s just been smacked with an ice ball.
whims almost 14 years ago
I can see how he’d move seamlessly from ‘fostering relationships’ to ‘fostering adversarial relationships’, but I don’t see how he could possibly be surprised about the outcome, as this happens regularly.
Frogman_tg almost 14 years ago
Susie isn’t just a “GIRL she is “the diabolical arch-fiend “Annoying-Girl”
brick10 almost 14 years ago
the eternal conflict between our better and worse selves
Hobbes Premium Member almost 14 years ago
Susie not only runs faster than Calvin, she is also very fast at putting her mittens back on.
In the final frame, Calvin’s interaction with Susie has caused him to have some deep thoughts.
florchi almost 14 years ago
Remember Calvin, people (and tigers) will judge you by your actions, not your intentions.
Calvin’s passions and obsessions seem to overcome his good intentions (every time). But sometimes people with passion and obsession end up changing the world (for better or worse). The thought makes me try to imagine Calvin as an adult.
Hobbes Premium Member almost 14 years ago
Very good, Florchi.
A lot depends on whether or not Calvin matures as he grows older. He could change the world, or I could see him sitting on a park bench when he is in his 80’s, throwing snowballs at little old ladies tottering by.
Some people grow older without maturing. Others mature as they grow older, but in the process, they give up most everything from their childhood, both good and bad. They may spend their adult years in a rather joyless way, unable to enjoy children very much, and judging other adults as being “too childish.”
Still others manage to mature as they grow, while gradually overcoming many of the negative behaviors of childhood, and yet retaining many of the positive characteristics. These people are able to change the world for the better, partly because they are still able to enjoy life with passion, imagination, joy, humor, wonder, excitement, spontaneity, and sheer pleasure. I like to imagine that Calvin will be one of these people when he grows up.
– Hobbes
jonathan.james almost 14 years ago
You’re right about Calvin’s perception of Susie as a GIRL rather than a fellow human being, but one day his now-limited viewpoint will change, hopefully for the better. It’s a problem most folks have, good intentions, but the reality of allowing a family who’s somehow different to move in next door is a problem most of us have … and I think that’s a moral that’s to be drawn here.
woowie almost 14 years ago
Oh, that old timeless “temptation” will bleep your actions all the time! As Buddha says, “Focus”! Maybe Calvin needs to change his name to Grasshopper in order to achieve his lofty goal.
rshive almost 14 years ago
You can’t judge all people by the actions of one snowball-plunked one.
bruzze almost 14 years ago
its all susie fault she is holding calvin back
cleokaya almost 14 years ago
I embrace the wanton indulgence of animals.
florchi almost 14 years ago
Excerpt from Hobbes’ comments above: “I like to imagine that Calvin will be one of these people when he grows up.”
Me too, Hobbes. Me too.
dahawk almost 14 years ago
It would have been very entertaining if Watterson had continued C&H for just a few more years with Calvin starting to attain puberty and getting interested in girls and the conflict that would create in his imagination. Not to mention all the past history with Susie that he would have to make up for.
kab2rb almost 14 years ago
Well Calvin so much for making friends especailly when you have to pelt them with snow balls or are girls off limits to friendships.
witewater almost 14 years ago
Hobbes’ (the character in the cartoon) last statement about wanton indulgence of animals is a bit too Metaphysical for me to comprehend, but the comments made by Florchi and Hobbes (the gocomics member) about intentions and maturity are topics that I can comprehend to a degree. Passions and obsessions DO overcome the actions of human beings from time to time and this is usually attributed to our Lizard Brain: a primordial part of our Central Nervous System. The angels of our better nature are evolved additions but the Lizard brain still lurks beneath. As we age, it usually becomes easier to mitigate our Lizard Brain Impulses. I suspect that the Lizard Brain does not control the child-like attributes of wonder and imagination. I’d like to think that we can nurture those abilities as we “mature,” and become “aging children”
mac47 almost 14 years ago
Calvin, you don’t become a people person to get presents. Virtue is its own reward.
Hello GoComics!!
Hobbes Premium Member almost 14 years ago
Hmmm……. I don’t know about humans, but maybe tigers have a primordial Lizard Brain underneath. One of our favorite activities is warming up in the sun or by a fireplace.
ratlum almost 14 years ago
Calvin are you in for a surprise Suzie is going to get her way someday by looking at you with those beautiful eyes and telling you what see wants.
George Arnold almost 14 years ago
Great toon and comments!
bmonk almost 14 years ago
Night-Gaunt49, I agree–Calvin is not very good at overcoming his impulses, or knowing when to quit.
Many religions call this the fallen state of humankind. Until we overcome the impulse to sin, we’re right there with Calvin–and we blame other people for being scum when we re the ones really responsible.
gofinsc almost 14 years ago
Calvin, your last statement in this strip is the key. To you.
beentheredonethat almost 14 years ago
i agree somewhat with dahawk, it would be nice to see calvin grow up. but at the same time, our imagination of him getting older is probably better. as for the strip… it is not calvins’ fault that god made it snow, and the had susie walk by…..
Gretchen's Mom almost 14 years ago
I fully agree with (cartoon) Hobbes … and so does my spoiled rotten dog!
SWEETBILL almost 14 years ago
@Night-Gaunt49 Excellant ,you nailed it , stay in touch..
wolfbyte36 almost 14 years ago
Sounds a little greed got to him.
LeStats almost 14 years ago
I agree with them both in the last panel.
zeeny almost 14 years ago
I love calv when he preaches!!
rentier almost 14 years ago
Where is the new strip? Patience?
Rakkav almost 14 years ago
Someone familiar with personality type models would point out that Calvin is a budding ENFP whose Fe (Extraverted Feeling or “Relating”) just tried to poke its head out into the sunshine and be beneficent, only to be overwhelmed by its stronger natural tendency to assume that “people are scum” and treat and be treated by them accordingly.
(no need to thank me for that MEGO Syndrome posing as enlightenment, it’s free of charge)
Kerovan almost 14 years ago
OK, What happened to today’s comic? I still see yesterdays.
Allison Nunn Premium Member almost 14 years ago
wondering the same thing! Went to the site and updates it all, still no strip today. Going to have withdrawal symptoms soon!
woowie almost 14 years ago
I’ve been waiting since 06:00AM CDT! I think someone’s asleep at the…..computer?
khpage almost 14 years ago
Love the facial expressions in the next to the last panel. Looks like Susie also took the time to put her mittens back on as well….