How in the h-e-double-hockey-sticks could pig have gathered that information so she could show the correct level of empathy towards her fellow man?! Dan aka one(1) VERY shocked dude!!!!
i confess I am tearing up a little bit…we may not have a device to tell us all those things, but maybe we can start byimaging that we cannot imagine what other people are going through!
Echos of an episode of Big Bang Theory where Sheldon tried a device that showed what people’s facial expression really meant. Naturally, the results were the opposite.
This reminds me of a story I read once about a woman who went into an ice-cream store every day at the same time and bought a container of chocolate chip cookie dough ice-cream. It’s been a long time since I read it, so I’m not sure if I have all the facts right, but I’ll do my best to tell it.
The woman was always grumpy and no one wanted to serve her. Finally, they decided to have her order ready and waiting for her every day and whoever served her always greeted her with a big smile. They basically set out to kill her with kindness and refused to allow her to get any of them down.
Then one day she came in at a different time and thanked the servers for what they’d done for her. She told them that her husband had spent the last several weeks in the hospital, dying from cancer and that he’d passed that day. Chocolate chip cookie dough was his favorite flavor of ice-cream. She told them that their kindness was greatly appreciated.
Shows all the data being collected about people is for the good, it is what makes the UNDERSTANDERER possible.Sadly though, us in the EU will be domed as over here the UNDERSTANDERER will have to run on a much limited data set.
Bad breaks doesn’t give you an excuse to drive like a sphincter, and if he’s that down on his luck, going to a bar isn’t the answer. I’d go with pouring the drink on his head.
“Meanwhile, the poor Babel fish, by effectively removing all barriers to communication between different races and cultures, has caused more and bloodier wars than anything else in the history of creation.” – Douglas Adams
Maybe send a quick prayer for peace up for the jerk who cuts you off, tailgates, gives you the bird, takes your parking space…And ask for a little peace for yourself at the same time. Effective on many levels, and less bulky than carrying around The Understanderer, so to speak.
Empathy does not excuse bad behavior but it often allows us to understand such behavior and de-escalates any violent retaliation.
I can understand and sympathize with a person whose economic and social misfortunes have led them to a life of crime, but that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be held accountable and punished for those crimes. However, the measure of punishment should be proportionate to the crime and the motivation for said crime.
Attention venture capitalists. Seriously consider development. AI could likely conflate something like her brief complaint and produce a credible sounding scenario that the user should have considered before becoming enraged. It doesn’t have to be exactly accurate, since people would not be expected to bring it up with the person they were hating on. But having heard what might be going on, they could dissipate their rage and thus become mentally healthier and perhaps less likely to get shot acting it out.
I have an idea for another versions. Pocket size, with electrodes attached to the user’s genitals. When they become angry, the device sends a jolt every three seconds until the user articulates a story that might explain why the target of their rage may have appeared to act badly. Should develp some fine reflexes.
I would also suggest that, if the Understanderer sounds like a good ides, you take a small box, label it UNDERSTANDERER, and put a dummy button on top. Mount one in your car and keep the other beside you when you watch TV news. Pushing the button reminds you to think that maybe rage isn’t the best response. (Not guaranteed for TV news use. For much of it, rage IS the appropriate response. )
I have a tee-shirt that says"Be Kind" on the front and on the back “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about”Very appropriate for this cartoon. (Available from “Til Valhalla Project”.)
Sometimes, what looks like jerky behavior, is actually just a distracted lack of paying attention. If you understand that getting cut off may not be intentionally malicious, it’s a little easier to not be so angry as a reaction.
I think there are some people I don’t want to understand, I don’t want into their thinking. There are other people that I understand all too well, and I know what they are trying to pull off.
BE THIS GUY over 1 year ago
I hope Rat uses them, and doesn’t destroy them.
BasilBruce over 1 year ago
I’m guessing Rat needs for a lot of people to “understand” him.
DanielRyanMulligan1 over 1 year ago
How in the h-e-double-hockey-sticks could pig have gathered that information so she could show the correct level of empathy towards her fellow man?! Dan aka one(1) VERY shocked dude!!!!
ronaldspence over 1 year ago
i confess I am tearing up a little bit…we may not have a device to tell us all those things, but maybe we can start byimaging that we cannot imagine what other people are going through!
carlsonbob over 1 year ago
I wouldn’t trust Rat with it!
Bilan over 1 year ago
Echos of an episode of Big Bang Theory where Sheldon tried a device that showed what people’s facial expression really meant. Naturally, the results were the opposite.
Erse IS better over 1 year ago
They guy’s face looks like he’s wondering WTF caused her to say THAT.
Maizing over 1 year ago
This reminds me of a story I read once about a woman who went into an ice-cream store every day at the same time and bought a container of chocolate chip cookie dough ice-cream. It’s been a long time since I read it, so I’m not sure if I have all the facts right, but I’ll do my best to tell it.
The woman was always grumpy and no one wanted to serve her. Finally, they decided to have her order ready and waiting for her every day and whoever served her always greeted her with a big smile. They basically set out to kill her with kindness and refused to allow her to get any of them down.
Then one day she came in at a different time and thanked the servers for what they’d done for her. She told them that her husband had spent the last several weeks in the hospital, dying from cancer and that he’d passed that day. Chocolate chip cookie dough was his favorite flavor of ice-cream. She told them that their kindness was greatly appreciated.
Yakety Sax over 1 year ago
https://cdn.suwalls.com/wallpapers/meme/shut-up-and-take-my-money-9299-2560×1600.jpg
DennisinSeattle over 1 year ago
Good try, Pig. I hope it is a big success.
Purple People Eater over 1 year ago
That would be a useful invention. We could start by giving one to every politician in the world.
andrew5 over 1 year ago
What about those who cut you off because they’re jerks?
Askin’ for a friend.
unclebob53703 Premium Member over 1 year ago
Where do I order these?
Wizard4168 over 1 year ago
I’d definitely throw a few bucks at that Kickstarter.
Nicolas LE DREFF over 1 year ago
Well, we’re gonna need 8 billions of these.
Updesh Dosanjh Premium Member over 1 year ago
Everyone is going through something, even if you can’t see it
kaycstamper over 1 year ago
Sounds exactly like what the world needs now.
Gent over 1 year ago
Eh it not work when there be peoples who still pour drink on his head even after knowing everything.
LEOKEV over 1 year ago
It’s kind of like the “Point of View” gun from “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”.
newsbb over 1 year ago
Shows all the data being collected about people is for the good, it is what makes the UNDERSTANDERER possible.Sadly though, us in the EU will be domed as over here the UNDERSTANDERER will have to run on a much limited data set.
Hamady Sack Premium Member over 1 year ago
I don’t get it.
Klink1949 over 1 year ago
I have to say this is the most brilliant thing you have ever done Pastes
Huckleberry Hiroshima over 1 year ago
You got your ears wrong, Pig. Everything else seems pretty right though.
wrd2255 over 1 year ago
Great to see Stefan include some warmth amidst the usual stream of cynicism. (Which of course has its place)
Ellis97 over 1 year ago
I could use one of those.
aerotica69 over 1 year ago
If it spares me from having to listen to the drama and soothe the psychopath……..
Plumbob Wilson over 1 year ago
Bad breaks doesn’t give you an excuse to drive like a sphincter, and if he’s that down on his luck, going to a bar isn’t the answer. I’d go with pouring the drink on his head.
MS72 over 1 year ago
Pig stole the idea from AP Explainers.
Cary Rodda Premium Member over 1 year ago
If only…
chris_o42 over 1 year ago
Oh please make these mandatory for everyone. Especially heads of state!
tripwire45 over 1 year ago
But what happens if the Understander" says, “That guy is a self-important jerk?”
anamchara42 over 1 year ago
This is the first time ever that a comic strip brought tears to my eyes. Well done, Steph.
figuratively speaking over 1 year ago
Somebody please invent this for real.
wongo over 1 year ago
I don’t understand?
eric over 1 year ago
“Meanwhile, the poor Babel fish, by effectively removing all barriers to communication between different races and cultures, has caused more and bloodier wars than anything else in the history of creation.” – Douglas Adams
Count Olaf Premium Member over 1 year ago
From The Count and Rat Inc… The Misunderstander… push the button and it says “Put a few drops of Visine™ in his beer and lock the men’s room door”.
mfrasca over 1 year ago
Stephan Pastis must have watched the Netflix’s series “Beef” before creating this strip.
unfair.de over 1 year ago
How did Pig get access to the Meta® databases to train his Understanderer KI? And will Zuckerberg sue him?
Zebrastripes over 1 year ago
If only…..
Goat from PBS over 1 year ago
Where can I get one? I have so little patience with the entire human race…
jel354 over 1 year ago
Rat wants them? Maybe there is some character depth.
kartis over 1 year ago
Pig is too good for this world.
Squoop over 1 year ago
Disclaimer: Doesn’t work for psychopaths.
ve5ra over 1 year ago
The Law of the Garbage Truck. http://www.davidpollay.com/book_the_law_of_the_garbage_truck.html
kappy.mrnustik Premium Member over 1 year ago
Maybe send a quick prayer for peace up for the jerk who cuts you off, tailgates, gives you the bird, takes your parking space…And ask for a little peace for yourself at the same time. Effective on many levels, and less bulky than carrying around The Understanderer, so to speak.
ladykat over 1 year ago
I could use one of those, too.
leontineg22 over 1 year ago
I wouldn’t really listen to a known cannibal.
i_am_the_jam over 1 year ago
I’ll take a few!!!
snowedin, now known as Missy's mom over 1 year ago
The Understanderer could change the world! Sold!
Linguist over 1 year ago
Empathy does not excuse bad behavior but it often allows us to understand such behavior and de-escalates any violent retaliation.
I can understand and sympathize with a person whose economic and social misfortunes have led them to a life of crime, but that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be held accountable and punished for those crimes. However, the measure of punishment should be proportionate to the crime and the motivation for said crime.
WCraft Premium Member over 1 year ago
And then the citizens in red states joined hands with the citizens of blue states and they all sang together , “ We are One!”
socalvillaguy Premium Member over 1 year ago
“The Understanderer” (patent pending) is more likely to come before a world where people aren’t jerks to their fellow humans.
MeGoNow Premium Member over 1 year ago
Attention venture capitalists. Seriously consider development. AI could likely conflate something like her brief complaint and produce a credible sounding scenario that the user should have considered before becoming enraged. It doesn’t have to be exactly accurate, since people would not be expected to bring it up with the person they were hating on. But having heard what might be going on, they could dissipate their rage and thus become mentally healthier and perhaps less likely to get shot acting it out.
I have an idea for another versions. Pocket size, with electrodes attached to the user’s genitals. When they become angry, the device sends a jolt every three seconds until the user articulates a story that might explain why the target of their rage may have appeared to act badly. Should develp some fine reflexes.
MeGoNow Premium Member over 1 year ago
I would also suggest that, if the Understanderer sounds like a good ides, you take a small box, label it UNDERSTANDERER, and put a dummy button on top. Mount one in your car and keep the other beside you when you watch TV news. Pushing the button reminds you to think that maybe rage isn’t the best response. (Not guaranteed for TV news use. For much of it, rage IS the appropriate response. )
FireAnt_Hater over 1 year ago
My world was shook when I saw Pig’s ears – but the last panel restored my equanimity.
LaughterIsJoyMuliplied over 1 year ago
Thanks Steph.
Cincoflex over 1 year ago
Actually . . . that button could be part of an entire Compassion Kit.
happyinvenice23 over 1 year ago
Good Morning Steph, Great Story, keep it up.
mbourg63 Premium Member over 1 year ago
“We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their actions.” – Stephen Covey
hooglah over 1 year ago
If only…………….
nostall over 1 year ago
“Were it so easy.” Arbiter
oldfunnyfacesmk Premium Member over 1 year ago
I have a tee-shirt that says"Be Kind" on the front and on the back “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about”Very appropriate for this cartoon. (Available from “Til Valhalla Project”.)
mwksix over 1 year ago
How did Pig get dirty in the last frame?
Rick Hutchins Premium Member over 1 year ago
Cartoon of the year, right here.
dlaemmerhirt999 over 1 year ago
One can certainly ASSUME this of everyone to help the world, but there really are just bitter _ssholes too.
Rexlibris.rutgers over 1 year ago
What a really decent strip; as usual, the best comic out there!
pchemcat over 1 year ago
I wish it were that easy.
Spoonbone over 1 year ago
Sometimes, what looks like jerky behavior, is actually just a distracted lack of paying attention. If you understand that getting cut off may not be intentionally malicious, it’s a little easier to not be so angry as a reaction.
michael3114 over 1 year ago
Sadly, some people are just arrogant jerks.
zeexenon over 1 year ago
Twelve? Yes, great detectives spot the odd one out.
_lounger_ over 1 year ago
if Pig didn’t build at least 12 of them things are turning bad for Goat…
Ka`ōnōhi`ula`okahōkūmiomio`ehiku Premium Member over 1 year ago
As long as Rat has one.
Anonamoose Premium Member over 1 year ago
This should get a Pulitzer
AndromedaMike over 1 year ago
I think there are some people I don’t want to understand, I don’t want into their thinking. There are other people that I understand all too well, and I know what they are trying to pull off.
John Jorgensen over 1 year ago
Wow, even Rat is in!
swenbu Premium Member over 1 year ago
Pastis showing his better side!
Otis Rufus Driftwood over 1 year ago
Rat wants one? That is something
Zyxian over 1 year ago
I’d buy one…
Ender.exe over 1 year ago
That really could change the world…Unless you use it against someone with no reason.
Sisyphos over 1 year ago
Sadly, it’s NOT going to save the World, Pig. And your gullible friends are buying into a fantasy….
chriscc63 over 1 year ago
And the most beautiful strip of the year award goes to..
FrostbiteFalls over 1 year ago
It’s all about giving the benefit of the doubt, a phrase and a concept that goes “nyooowww” over the heads of too many people these days.
rossevrymn over 1 year ago
What about the situations, where we find out he’s just a selfish bleep…………………….Rat and the bat?:
love2cook over 1 year ago
This would be really great for many many people.
byamrcn over 1 year ago
It’s been two weeks and I cannot get this one out of my head. Well done Mr. Pastis.
Ceeg22 Premium Member over 1 year ago
Oversharer