Actually, billdi, while I don’t endorse FishStix’s particular reading of “Agnes”, I’m starting to agree with him that there’s (sometimes) a quasi-socio-political subtext to the strip. I think it’s oblique, and not essential to one’s enjoyment of the strip, but it seems like it’s there if you want to look for it.
Does Tony Cochran intend to present Agnes’ schemes to “heal the world” as good ideas carried out ineffectively, or as naive pipedreams? If Agnes IS meant to be a satire of fuzzy-headed idealism, the cartoonist doesn’t seem to provide any examples of clear-minded pragmatism for comparison. (Trout is far more grounded than Agnes, but is never actually in opposition to Agnes’s plans.)
My favorite episode of this strip was one in which, in the first panel, Agnes is thinking “I am an insignificant speck floating in a vast and uncaring universe”. In the second panel, Grandma calls Agnes to assist with folding the laundry. The last panel is Agnes thinking “Well, I might as well be a HELPFUL insignificant speck.” I don’t see how that strip could be read as a condemnation of idealistic communitarian impulses…
I’m impressed by the quality of the comments today. I was prepared to feel a tad guilty about politicizing “Agnes”, but I see it has been done even better than I was prepared to. And besides, it is Obama (and/or Rahm Emmanuel) who already made “hope” a politically charged word.
Especially good is Fritzoid’s analysis although I must disagree with one aspect: The choice is not between “fuzzy-headed idealism” vs. “clear-minded pragmatism”, which is the option our culture currently foists on us (though the true pragmatist cannot really be clear-minded).
That false dichotomy of idealism vs. pragmatism is based on a deeper philosophic choice between holding principles unrelated to reality vs. facing reality without benefit of principles. In other words, dogmatism vs. skepticism. Lost in the turmoil is any idea that principles can be both true and practical if you know how principles should be discovered.
Dogmatism appears politically both Left (for example, hardcore Marxists) and Right (especially the Religious Right). Skepticism also applies to all political flavors (for example, multiculturalist “Who am I to judge?” and religionist “Judge not that ye be not judged”), although skepticism’s biggest impact may be on the vast, confused middle whose frustrations grow daily.
The Guy/Gal on the Street somehow senses they need principles but they are not convinced by what they are offered by their religions, education, and upbringing, so they are getting angry. It is too early to know how that will play out.
So what is the answer? Absolute principles rationally derived from the facts of reality. Of course, few people will have any idea what that means unless they know there is a historically new philosophic option available.
As I’ve often recommended, read all the Ayn Rand you can get your hands on. Most people start with her novel “Atlas Shrugged”, but don’t ignore the non-fiction such as “Capitalism, the Unknown Ideal”. There is good reason the sale of Rand’s books have sky-rocketed in the last year.
infinite_kydeem over 14 years ago
I love it. I think this will be my new motto.
“Inflict hope forcefully ! ! !”
rdh288 over 14 years ago
Is that an Obama slam? Nice.
Kosher71 over 14 years ago
Hoo-wah !
billdi Premium Member over 14 years ago
what a stretch it is to put a political spin on this strip today. indicates to me a certain amount of frustration on the part of a desperate few.
fritzoid Premium Member over 14 years ago
Actually, billdi, while I don’t endorse FishStix’s particular reading of “Agnes”, I’m starting to agree with him that there’s (sometimes) a quasi-socio-political subtext to the strip. I think it’s oblique, and not essential to one’s enjoyment of the strip, but it seems like it’s there if you want to look for it.
Does Tony Cochran intend to present Agnes’ schemes to “heal the world” as good ideas carried out ineffectively, or as naive pipedreams? If Agnes IS meant to be a satire of fuzzy-headed idealism, the cartoonist doesn’t seem to provide any examples of clear-minded pragmatism for comparison. (Trout is far more grounded than Agnes, but is never actually in opposition to Agnes’s plans.)
My favorite episode of this strip was one in which, in the first panel, Agnes is thinking “I am an insignificant speck floating in a vast and uncaring universe”. In the second panel, Grandma calls Agnes to assist with folding the laundry. The last panel is Agnes thinking “Well, I might as well be a HELPFUL insignificant speck.” I don’t see how that strip could be read as a condemnation of idealistic communitarian impulses…
pschearer Premium Member over 14 years ago
I’m impressed by the quality of the comments today. I was prepared to feel a tad guilty about politicizing “Agnes”, but I see it has been done even better than I was prepared to. And besides, it is Obama (and/or Rahm Emmanuel) who already made “hope” a politically charged word.
Especially good is Fritzoid’s analysis although I must disagree with one aspect: The choice is not between “fuzzy-headed idealism” vs. “clear-minded pragmatism”, which is the option our culture currently foists on us (though the true pragmatist cannot really be clear-minded).
That false dichotomy of idealism vs. pragmatism is based on a deeper philosophic choice between holding principles unrelated to reality vs. facing reality without benefit of principles. In other words, dogmatism vs. skepticism. Lost in the turmoil is any idea that principles can be both true and practical if you know how principles should be discovered.
Dogmatism appears politically both Left (for example, hardcore Marxists) and Right (especially the Religious Right). Skepticism also applies to all political flavors (for example, multiculturalist “Who am I to judge?” and religionist “Judge not that ye be not judged”), although skepticism’s biggest impact may be on the vast, confused middle whose frustrations grow daily.
The Guy/Gal on the Street somehow senses they need principles but they are not convinced by what they are offered by their religions, education, and upbringing, so they are getting angry. It is too early to know how that will play out.
So what is the answer? Absolute principles rationally derived from the facts of reality. Of course, few people will have any idea what that means unless they know there is a historically new philosophic option available.
As I’ve often recommended, read all the Ayn Rand you can get your hands on. Most people start with her novel “Atlas Shrugged”, but don’t ignore the non-fiction such as “Capitalism, the Unknown Ideal”. There is good reason the sale of Rand’s books have sky-rocketed in the last year.
Ooops! Premium Member over 14 years ago
Oh crud!
Run Away!!!!