look on the bright side calvin…maybe the school bus will be hijacked …or a school shooting………….my condolences to the citizens of oregon and our country today…
Calvin to me is 100% BOY! I don’t worry about Calvin’s anti-social persona….he’s still a kid and loving it. His imagination is what drives him. Better that than sitting if front of a violent video game for hours and hours every day of the year….talk about isolation and learning how to kill without caring. No wonder we have so many school shootings….those games are just fodder for the mentally ill.
And you know that how? The last I heard, no details regarding the identity of the shooter had been released yet, despite his/her already being in custody.
I always thought it was weird that anyone likes school…..I lived on a farm, had a big box full of lego…….who the heck wants to to in school!I ended up with a Masters Degree and a job I enjoy doing…..
Calvin is at times funny, at times insightful, and at times sad, melancholy, and lonely.
What makes it a joy to read is the mix of these things – the perspective of a child at times, the perception of a savant at times, the puzzlement that he has in understanding how the ‘other half’ thinks (or other people generally), and the fact that his imagination is so powerful. He can find fun in solitude by using that imagination – if we all had this skill, we’d be less lonely I suspect.
I get the impression from all I have read that Waterson is a very private (and hence perhaps lonely and/or introverted) fellow. Perhaps in ways Calvin represents that aspect of Waterson.
Some people thrive on others and find social gatherings enlivening (extroverts) and some thrive on alone time and find social gatherings draining even if enjoyable (introverts). The world takes all kinds.
he doesn’t abhor learning, just school. school is a terribly unnatural setting in which to find oneself, and it just gets in the way of learning. he uses his wonderful imagination to navigate his way through the world. would that we were all allowed to do that.
Back in my day all the kids got toy guns for Christmas, played “cowboys and Indians” and “war” face to face and mass shootings were unheard of. Now toy weapons are essentially banned and violent anonymous computer games are embraced and slaughter is commonplace. Anyone else see a connection?
BE THIS GUY about 9 years ago
Then, wish for the probable; you won’t be happy but you won’t be disappointed.
phylum about 9 years ago
look on the bright side calvin…maybe the school bus will be hijacked …or a school shooting………….my condolences to the citizens of oregon and our country today…
Kind&Kinder about 9 years ago
Dream, when you’re feeling blue,Dream, that’s the thing to do.Things never are as bad as they seem,So dream, dream, dream.
chovil about 9 years ago
Things are never so bad, they can’t get worse.
rickray777 about 9 years ago
Calvin’s days never ARE any good anyway!
Egrayjames about 9 years ago
Calvin to me is 100% BOY! I don’t worry about Calvin’s anti-social persona….he’s still a kid and loving it. His imagination is what drives him. Better that than sitting if front of a violent video game for hours and hours every day of the year….talk about isolation and learning how to kill without caring. No wonder we have so many school shootings….those games are just fodder for the mentally ill.
Aaberon about 9 years ago
Wishing for the impossible. “Winning Lottery Ticket!”
legaleagle48 about 9 years ago
And you know that how? The last I heard, no details regarding the identity of the shooter had been released yet, despite his/her already being in custody.
jrankin1959 about 9 years ago
Before you give up, check to make sure that Miss Frizzle isn’t the bus driver…
Dour Scotsman about 9 years ago
I always thought it was weird that anyone likes school…..I lived on a farm, had a big box full of lego…….who the heck wants to to in school!I ended up with a Masters Degree and a job I enjoy doing…..
kaladorn about 9 years ago
Calvin is at times funny, at times insightful, and at times sad, melancholy, and lonely.
What makes it a joy to read is the mix of these things – the perspective of a child at times, the perception of a savant at times, the puzzlement that he has in understanding how the ‘other half’ thinks (or other people generally), and the fact that his imagination is so powerful. He can find fun in solitude by using that imagination – if we all had this skill, we’d be less lonely I suspect.
I get the impression from all I have read that Waterson is a very private (and hence perhaps lonely and/or introverted) fellow. Perhaps in ways Calvin represents that aspect of Waterson.
Some people thrive on others and find social gatherings enlivening (extroverts) and some thrive on alone time and find social gatherings draining even if enjoyable (introverts). The world takes all kinds.
Girda Clamp about 9 years ago
It’s a cartoon and it’s very very funny. End of story.
Go and psychoanalyse something else and leave us simple Wattersonistas alone.
vlad_tepes97 about 9 years ago
he doesn’t abhor learning, just school. school is a terribly unnatural setting in which to find oneself, and it just gets in the way of learning. he uses his wonderful imagination to navigate his way through the world. would that we were all allowed to do that.
cubswin2016 about 9 years ago
To dream the impossible dream!
Ermine Notyours about 9 years ago
I hated school too, but I realize now it was the bullies and the teachers indifferent to the bullies that I hated.
Poollady1 about 9 years ago
Be careful what you wish for Calvin.
JP Steve Premium Member about 9 years ago
Back in my day all the kids got toy guns for Christmas, played “cowboys and Indians” and “war” face to face and mass shootings were unheard of. Now toy weapons are essentially banned and violent anonymous computer games are embraced and slaughter is commonplace. Anyone else see a connection?
Thomas & Tifffany Connolly about 9 years ago
Someday, when he has a morgage, car payments, 2 hr commute, a wife and three kids, he’ll look back at those days as the happiest days of his life!!
Number Three about 9 years ago
Wish for miracles instead.
xxx
Puddleglum2 about 9 years ago
RIGHT NOW is the prevailing buzzword these days!
Sheila Hardie about 9 years ago
Some people do this every day…. cough praying cough
Constantinepaleologos about 9 years ago
Calvin hates school, but he loves learning. Big difference.
Susie Derkins :D about 9 years ago
Thanks for not proving his point.
QuiteDragon about 9 years ago
Sounds like you truly met the Teacher.
phylum about 9 years ago
he just happened to be a right wing conservitive republican….by his own writings…