Thank you 😀 There are patterns that are so ubiquitous and well accepted that you don’t really question them anymore. That’s why I love Tim & Eric: they take these pre-made, tried and true production formulas and shine a light on how flimsy and random most of those structures really are.
I think that’s only part of it. You can see this in everything from Calvin and Hobbes to Penny Arcade, but there are specific works that take this as a blueprint to fabricate false conflict, that is, it’s not the sane opinion of the author that’s being challenged, but rather the premise is based on a random misconception that isn’t based off anything real. It’s the laziest way to generate content, and sad to say, it’s old as the hills: Walt Kelly’s Pogo has beautiful artwork, but there are weeks’ worth of strips that are based on someone acting on a misunderstanding or misconception, ignoring appeals to sanity. It’s convenient, empty conflict.
That sir is BRILLIANT!
Oddly reminiscent of “A Famous Person Has Died” by John Campbell http://i0.wp.com/laughingsquid.com/wp-content/uploads/a-famous-person-has-died-20090626-121250.jpg
or “Sportsing” http://vectorbelly.com/electrical177.html
Thank you 😀 There are patterns that are so ubiquitous and well accepted that you don’t really question them anymore. That’s why I love Tim & Eric: they take these pre-made, tried and true production formulas and shine a light on how flimsy and random most of those structures really are.
I thought this was about internet comments…
Most authors have moved on from this formula, mercifully. Character based (non autobio) comics are rarer these days, now that I think about it.
Kevin Bolk did something like this with webcomics that act as a soapbox for the artist’s opinions: https://kevinbolk.deviantart.com/art/The-Straw-Man-Argument-202024841
I think that’s only part of it. You can see this in everything from Calvin and Hobbes to Penny Arcade, but there are specific works that take this as a blueprint to fabricate false conflict, that is, it’s not the sane opinion of the author that’s being challenged, but rather the premise is based on a random misconception that isn’t based off anything real. It’s the laziest way to generate content, and sad to say, it’s old as the hills: Walt Kelly’s Pogo has beautiful artwork, but there are weeks’ worth of strips that are based on someone acting on a misunderstanding or misconception, ignoring appeals to sanity. It’s convenient, empty conflict.