The Pattersons borrowed a camp stove and a mini fridge and Gordon interrupts Michael before he can say what the next item is, so we are supposed to assume it was the microwave. While it would be easy to assume they borrowed the microwave too, considering the last time we saw Elly cooking she was using the hot plate, John actually bought the microwave 7 years ago. This is the first time we have heard of it since.
As to whether Gordon could get a fly in a microwave, I have no idea how he could do that. Catching a live fly and then getting the fly into the microwave and closing the door on it seems like a very difficult task to me. I have a hard time just herding a fly in a general direction. My inclination is to think that Gordon is just talking about something he would like to do instead of something he has actually done.
It’s disgusting to show this as an exciting prank, Lynn Johnston. Children who can show a total lack of empathy for even the smallest living creatures don’t have a bright future. Yes, it’s just a fly. I’ll swat at a mosquito, but I wouldn’t gruesomely torture anything, then chortle with glee at its plight.
This was drawn back in 1980s when the mentality was “boys will be boys” was the norm. A lot of people back then thought something like this was just something boys did. With all those serial killings happening in 80s, 90s, histology of these killers showed they abused animals as children, we now know it is not just childhood fun and experiment…it could be an indicator of deviant physiology. So we are more alert about children’s behavior and treatment around animals now. My thinking is why did GoComics choose to run this strip? It is considered politically and socially wrong. GoComics could have skipped this strip/arc part of the kitchen remodel.
This strip originally ran a few years after the movie “GREMLINS”, where one of the gremlins was killed by microwave oven. Maybe that’s where Gordon got the idea from.
There have been no remarks so far of “Lighten up folks, its just a comic”. Probably because what is being depicted is considered depraved behavior, or borderline.
We are to the gods as flies to little boys. They kill us for their sport. Shakespeare said that (or something like it). Yet: “I won’t put you in my microwave if you don’t put me in yours.” Bob Dylan said that (or something like it.)
“ALTHOUGH small children have taboos against stepping on ants because such actions are said to bring on rain, there has never seemed to be a taboo against pulling off the legs or wings of flies. Most children eventually outgrow this behavior. Those who do not either come to a bad end or become biologists.”
Argythree over 7 years ago
I didn’t realize Michael’s friend was so gross…
howtheduck over 7 years ago
The Pattersons borrowed a camp stove and a mini fridge and Gordon interrupts Michael before he can say what the next item is, so we are supposed to assume it was the microwave. While it would be easy to assume they borrowed the microwave too, considering the last time we saw Elly cooking she was using the hot plate, John actually bought the microwave 7 years ago. This is the first time we have heard of it since.
As to whether Gordon could get a fly in a microwave, I have no idea how he could do that. Catching a live fly and then getting the fly into the microwave and closing the door on it seems like a very difficult task to me. I have a hard time just herding a fly in a general direction. My inclination is to think that Gordon is just talking about something he would like to do instead of something he has actually done.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 7 years ago
Some children like things like that.
I have found quite by accident that roaches are made of sterner stuff. Though I have done no experiments.
Templo S.U.D. over 7 years ago
starting to wonder how Michael & Gordon became such bizarre friends
JD'Huntsville'AL over 7 years ago
Research has found that children to like to do stuff like that to animals turn out to be abusers.
zippykatz over 7 years ago
Even a fly deserves better than this.
rfeinberg over 7 years ago
It’s disgusting to show this as an exciting prank, Lynn Johnston. Children who can show a total lack of empathy for even the smallest living creatures don’t have a bright future. Yes, it’s just a fly. I’ll swat at a mosquito, but I wouldn’t gruesomely torture anything, then chortle with glee at its plight.
capricorn9th over 7 years ago
This was drawn back in 1980s when the mentality was “boys will be boys” was the norm. A lot of people back then thought something like this was just something boys did. With all those serial killings happening in 80s, 90s, histology of these killers showed they abused animals as children, we now know it is not just childhood fun and experiment…it could be an indicator of deviant physiology. So we are more alert about children’s behavior and treatment around animals now. My thinking is why did GoComics choose to run this strip? It is considered politically and socially wrong. GoComics could have skipped this strip/arc part of the kitchen remodel.
MMoops322 over 7 years ago
Disgusting.
Asharah over 7 years ago
This strip originally ran a few years after the movie “GREMLINS”, where one of the gremlins was killed by microwave oven. Maybe that’s where Gordon got the idea from.
USN1977 over 7 years ago
There have been no remarks so far of “Lighten up folks, its just a comic”. Probably because what is being depicted is considered depraved behavior, or borderline.
Malcolm Hall over 7 years ago
We are to the gods as flies to little boys. They kill us for their sport. Shakespeare said that (or something like it). Yet: “I won’t put you in my microwave if you don’t put me in yours.” Bob Dylan said that (or something like it.)
JP Steve Premium Member over 7 years ago
“ALTHOUGH small children have taboos against stepping on ants because such actions are said to bring on rain, there has never seemed to be a taboo against pulling off the legs or wings of flies. Most children eventually outgrow this behavior. Those who do not either come to a bad end or become biologists.”
Vincent Dethier, “To Know a Fly”