Figuring ‘It’ Out
In the past five years or so, I have experienced a recurrent and surprisingly urgent need to “figure it out.” It must be that the changing scenery and conditions of my young life cause me to attempt to assure myself I’m on the “right” path. As a result, I’ve taken a simultaneous keen yet shallow interest in philosophy: as if a cursory overview of the topic would yield the viewpoint for which I search. The Weepies sing that, perhaps, “this is not your year.” However, if I was to take guidance on life from media, it would not be that particular song (great though it may be). I would, in fact, take inspiration from the most profound (and, incidentally, most existential) comic I have ever read. That would be this strip of Zippy the Pinhead published on my Mom’s birthday, the 16th of September:
While slightly fatiguing to read when directly quoted, I’ll nevertheless reproduce Zippy’s conclusion here: “It’s not th’ journey or the destination that matters most — it’s th’ thrill of not understanding th’ paradox!” So, I’m where I started, but better equipped to move on: you figure it out for yourself, don’t you? I believe that doing so can be enjoyable. Let’s make it so.
Comments
Nils
That comic reminds me of a song by Cloud Cult called Transistor Radio. The guy sings about his deceased grandpa talking to him through his old transistor radio and going on some journey with him. He keeps asking his grandpa where it is they are going and he keeps telling him to wait. The guy eventually finds out that the journey was the destination, just like in the comic. You should check it out. But if you are going to talk about existential comics, have you completely forgotten about Calvin & Hobbes? THAT has to be the most existential comic series ever. And just the plain best.
Dan McKeown
Sagert always loved this comic if I recall correctly. Often times I have read it just to see why. Sometimes it really does deliver but it does not make me miss Calvin and Hobbes or Frumpy the Clown any less.
Dan McKeown
One more thing, I could not comment on the album journal where this comment would have made much more sense so here is where I am. The new Foo Fighters album (called: Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace) comes out on the 25th (interestingly the same day as Halo 3, I wonder which will sell more…). I very much hope that reaction to their new album comes close to your love for Joshua Radin’s newest effort.
Sagert +1
Yes, I was quite a fan of Zippy a few years ago. I kind of fell off that horse, but this is a reminder of what a great comic it is. Oh, and I feel I must also add: Calvin and Hobbes.
Alexander Micek
Ahhh - I was not thinking of the comic most dear to me: Calvin and Hobbes. My wording makes it sound like the entire Zippy strip is existential… I really meant to say that that was the case for this single daily Zippy edition. In general, Zippy tends towards pop culture commentary. Of course, I forgot about the exceedingly philosophical talks that Calvin and Hobbes had on their wagon rides. Silly me.
Good musical recommendations, guys; always happy to hear them!
Additionally, I have come up with a fundamental law for tumbledry: “As any commenting thread continues to an arbitrary length, Sagert Sheets will unavoidably be named.”
Dan McKeown
If only we got to see the actual Sagert as much as he is referenced in Tumbledry.
Sagert
I still can’t figure out an appropriate response to this.
Alexander Micek
Video conferencing. The fact that we do not have this technology doesn’t matter in the slightest.
Alexander Micek
Come now, surely someone remembers the hidden reference in the previous comment.
Nils
I could have sworn that it was from a comment I made a while ago. Now I’m clicking this link to find out.
Nils
Aha! I knew it. I forgot all about that Mentos post though. 36 comments from one post. That just may have been TumbleDry’s watershed moment. Was it, Alex?
Alexander Micek
36 comments on that picture makes it the second most commented item on tumbledry. The longest conversation ever was attached to a post called “Away Message Redux” back in March of 2006. Those were the days.
Dan McKeown
A couple of things. First of all those were a magical two weeks for tumbledry, although I realize that most of my posts were very negative. Especially toward John T F Larson. Happy birthday John (it was his birthday yesterday). Secondly, I am surprised by how similar Nils and I am after reading this post. Tumbledry sure does a great job of character development. Oh and one more thing, I still cannot find the hidden reference. I guess I am not looking hard enough.
Nils
I just read through all sixty-some comments from the away message redux post. Those really were the glory days. It seems that the TumbleDry commenting has receded into a very dark ice age in comparison….. and I won’t stand for it. I pledge to once again begin commenting on the most trivial of thoughts I have regarding anything Alex decides to put on this blessed website. Now who’s with me?
Markoe
Your what hurts?