Schweig's Schimpf und Schande 04 Hot

I hadn't realized that Eugene paired his khaki Dockers with Nikes. I imagined him buying velcro-strap Starters from Walmart.

This cartoon is about one year late. As you can see it was devised during the Great Games Workshop Nerd Rage.

Eugene was wearing white Reeboks, but Nikes are the bomb also.

Skeletor told me not to explain the jokes, so I'm not saying anything else.

I like this one best of your recent spell of cartoons. Spot on.

GW does still suck though (like all the other evil empires involved)

Your on a roll. This batch is great work.

I love Oil, GW, Nike, KFC, Upside down Micky Dee's.. you name it. So this on really speaks to me.

Ugh. Whatever you do, avoid Googling the phrase "white Reeboks." I have SafeSearch turned on and everything. ick.

In protest, I give Google a rating of 1.

I just did. :D ;D

Oooh. Little bit of politics there. I approve :)

Eh. This one came off to me as too preachy. People can concern themselves with two things at the same time, both frivolous and more down-to-earth. I thought that's the fine line we hobby gamers tread regularly.

Besides, Eugene would get a coronary laying boom. :)

Bravo. Not too preachy at all. Yeah, people can be concerned with multiple things and most are, but if I had a nickel for every sad sack fat fuck I've met in the hobby- or in other hobbies- that cares so god damned much about meaningless, empty shit like the cancellation of Firefly, World of Warcraft nonsense,that GW business referenced in the cartoon, Anime, or whatever else yet is completely negligent of things occuring outside of the media they've selected to engorge themselves with, I'd be rich. This extends to professional and collegiate sports and other more mainstream obsessions.

It's one thing to be interested in something and pursue it as a hobby. It's another when that hobby becomes your chief identifier and you're not even able to fucking groom yourself because you're so worried about painting miniatures or pitching a fit online over Heroscape getting discontinued or whatever. It's one thing to have a pastime and devote some time and energy to it, but it's another when it's the only thing in your life that you're truly passionate or concerned about.

It's not just gamers, it's football fans and reality show addicts too. But gamers and other nerd hobbyists somehow think that what they're doing is "smarter" and doesn't fall under the ol' bread-and-circuses, distract the masses from what's really important scheme. It really sucks that there's a lot of bright, intelligent,and creative people that wind up squandering their gifts on hobby games instead of leveraging those talents to make something for themselves or to make the world a better place. All because they are unable to place hobbies like gaming in their proper context as a _pastime_ activity.

Seriously, if many over-obsessed board gamers devoted half the time, energy, and _money_ that they invest toward games into something productive and progressive, the world might get better.

The oil spill thing really brings it home though since that was going on at the same time as the GW drama. I'm sure there were plenty of BGGers that saw that on the news and didn't think twice about the fact that corporations are routinely fucking over everybody for a buck and that the environment is being completely raped by them. All while eating their god damned Big Mac (with a Diet Coke, of course) over their Caylus game at game night and filling up their massive SUVs at the gas pump. But oh, how dare GW pull their protected IP from a website _about board games_. Now that's worth a petition and a boycott- but don't take my hamburger away!

I'm not ragging on board games, playing games, talking about games online, or anything like that. I'm talking about when these things are out of proportion to the real world and real concerns.

Is that a WcDonald's bag?

BTW, I really like saying "Schimpf und Schande"/

Once again we meet at the intersection of idealism and reality :)

Your last sentence that I quoted is somewhat interesting on its own. If we weighted time spent by "importance" in terms of real world and real concern, then we would have nothing to do but devote all of our free time and resources in an effort to make the world a better place. Indeed, the entire sentence is contradictory --- how much time can one spend on a hobby before it is taking away from making the world a better place?

It is ridiculous to think that people only do these things because they don't think about it. People do it because it is in their best interest, and it is, at the end of the day, mostly a selfish act. I have become convinced that the Real Housewives of ____________ is going to be the downfall of our country. While I am not here to defend hobby gamers by any means, there is a legitimate argument that it is better than reality TV or the idolization of sports figures. The latter two are insidious because they establish false expecations for what real life is for young adults. When expectations don't meet with reality, you get what we are beginning to witness where a large chunk of the population is moving towards being unemployable (in a meaningful capacity) and the slow erosion of the empire, if you will.

Anyway, nice cartoon.

We used to kill each other over what government style we implemented, but now we argue about what brand of toilet paper to use.

Marshall McLuhan said something like this once and it strikes me as relevant. It's amazing the effect that mass media and extreme edvertising has had on us.

Wow, that Barnes rant alone was worth drawing the cartoon.

It's also exactly what I meant to say with this.

(whispering) Uh, my corporation routinely saves the environment and pays people more for their hazardous waste than my competitors.... (/whispering)

Yeah! Fuck the MAN! The (insert source of rage) has been fucking us all over for years! It's about time we do something about it! ;D

Not all corporations are evil. Let's not get into that. This is about individuals more than collective entities.

Space Ghost, is retreating into fantasy worlds and accomplishing things vicariously through a game any better than the false expectations of those kinds of shows? I agree with you, those sorts of programs create this illusion of affluence that is in fact insidious and vile. But I'd also argue that kids learning that playing games is some kind of accomplishment and even an "intelligent" one at that is false too. Playing D&D all day isn't any better than watching an all day marathon of Jersey Shore at face value. It comes down to what you like. If you like Jersey Shore, then watching that show all day is the smarter choice. Regardless of content.

I call that civilisation. Instead of brutally bashing each others heads in over vital resources like land ownership, freedom of speech and religion, we now have created the institutions to solve most conflicts peacably (if not at optimal efficiency) and the wealth to enjoy our leisure.

I think the best sign of civilisation is that we have discussion about how people should spend more time to improve the world. It's a concept alien to less civilised cultures, like Europe in the middle ages. The guy that invented progress as a concept deserves a *big* statue

By granting moral equivalence to an activity such as watching Jersey Shore versus doing ANYTHING productive is ridiculous. By that standard, anything can be granted a positive societal value. Just because one likes to do something does not grant it intrinsic value, even to the person viewing. The Red River Killer liked to hack up hookers, so the "content" he chose is clearly not superior to being at home watching Cops reruns, even though those reruns don't have much intrinsic value on their own.

Playing D&D allows people to think creatively, problem solve, and be imaginitive where watching Jersey Shore only allows you to learn that "calling dibs on the smash room" is the best way to ensure you have a place to sow your seeds in a random chick. Those "Juicehead Guido Gorilla" fucks on that show give a bad name to all the residents of not only the New Jersey/New York area, but to all of the residents of planet Earth.

Not saying either is intrinsically good, but I am saying that watching a bunch of pampered fucking morons and their slutty bitches walk the streets trolling for a hookup while drinking heavily is in no way equivalent to ANYTHING that involves thought.

Well, your knowledge of the show outstrips mine...I just knew it was about ugly, illiterate orange people.

@Barnes: So, to show it's not preachy, you decided to write a multi-paragraph diatribe, scolding hypothetical gamers who you see as not caring enough about what you care about? :)

I do see your point, I just had to make that little jab.

That's exactly right. I wanted to show you what "preachy" really means. ;D

I know this has nothing to do with the cartoon's point, but I inexplicably find it hilarious that Eugene is eating from a bucket of fried chicken that's on the floor.

It looks like the arm is already stretched to it's extreme... how did he reach that chicken... I suspect he had to bend over a little more.

Incidentally there absolutely is a heiarchy of pastimes in terms of quality.. but it requires some balls to recognize.

Isn't Jersey Shore basically just the equivalent of (in terms of purpose) the Roman Coliseum, cage-fighting, NASCAR, wrestling and maybe even sports in general?

Keep the population happy and distracted so they don't get bored and revolt?

The Oil Spill carry on was basically the GW fiasco of the dirty hippy world.

You think the jersey shore could have saved president ben ali of tunisia?

What he does is clean the bone and then use the bone to tilt the bucket and grab another piece --- no bending required. And, we both know it would be too much effort to move the bucket closer.

Space Ghost, that's some good detective work right there.

Space Ghost, is retreating into fantasy worlds and accomplishing things vicariously through a game any better than the false expectations of those kinds of shows? I agree with you, those sorts of programs create this illusion of affluence that is in fact insidious and vile. But I'd also argue that kids learning that playing games is some kind of accomplishment and even an "intelligent" one at that is false too. Playing D&D all day isn't any better than watching an all day marathon of Jersey Shore at face value. It comes down to what you like. If you like Jersey Shore, then watching that show all day is the smarter choice. Regardless of content.

I've tried to say this exact same thing here many times and people get pissed about it. Understandable I suppose because it feels like your being attacked directly, especially if you relate.

In all honesty I do nothing of value for society... but I could. My wife has friends who have, as their "hobby", helping homeless people in our lower east side with food, housing, clothes... etc. What do I do? Nothing. I volunteer my band to play is about the best and that's not exactly helpfull. Yes I do believe that one hobby can be intrinsically better than another. Your free to disagree if you think that all morality is objective but that's a bit of a cop out.

So sure, whether you watch Jersey Shore (I dont' even know what that is) or play Crokinole it makes no difference.

But those are not your only two options, and some do matter.

Good question! Obviously Jersey Shore wouldn't solve that problem but I DO THINK that if some sort of massive entertainment for the masses program was put into place by the gov't years ago, then I do not think that it would have happened.

This cartoon really hit home to me, because worse happened this last week or so. We were having an Aussie Math trade and the guy running it was in Brisbane. About when the deadline for results was coming through they suddenly realized that Brisbane was about to be flooded and many people were immediately ordered home from work to get out of the flood zone, protect properties, etc. There were a few comments that the guy running it should swim through the floodwaters to still run the trade, and while they put a smiley at the end you could tell they were half serious.

That's how gamers are, man. It's all about getting their soma. I had people at AGF, students, that couldn't afford more than ramen noodles and bulk cereal to eat but SOMEHOW they had money to buy 40k minis or the hot new board game.

When the store went down, I was dealing with all kinds of legal, financial, and personal problems. And still, every day...emails and phone calls from people "I need to come pick up my order NOW."

Even all of these boo-fucking-hoo tragedy geeklists are an example of that. You mean to tell me that somebody DIES and you have to loop it somehow back into god damned board gaming? On Board Game Fucking Geek? It's fucking disgusting. "My child died of cancer, here is a geeklist of FUCKING BOARD GAMES as a tribute". Seriously, how pathetic are you that it all has to be about games?

Nobody wants to own up to the fact that their hobbies and passions are trivial, particularly when they invest so much time and money into them. Try telling a Green Bay Packers fan that the football game they won last week really doesn't mean anything signficant. Try telling a bunch of cheesed-off D&D minis fans that their "outrage" amounts to zero in the scope of things and on WotC's annual report.

I'll completely and unapologetically admit that my playing games is trivial and ultimately selfish and shallow. It doesn't benefit anyone but me, really, and it takes away from time I could be spending time with my family, writing, volunteering at an animal welfare organization, planting a garden, or donating time and money to a good cause.

I think games are important, just like film and music are, but there is a threshold at which entertainment and cultural expression become obsessive, addictive, and potentially harmful. At at some point, all of these "creative, imaginative" people in games really should stop living in worlds created by someone else and make their own.

Let's all go watch BIG FAN and have a good cry.

One of my favorite parts of the book, Bimbos of the Death Sun, is when the main character is lamenting how the people at the Gen-Con-like convention spend hundreds of dollars and hours making lavish costumes, yet they work dead end jobs. Truth.

Sounds like my post-gencon report...but when I said it, I was a mysoginistic, homophobic asshat.

I embrace that. :)

I've spent about five years of my life trying to do just that - create worlds of my own in books I am writing. What's more I attempt to do something other than retheme Lord of the Rings as if it were some generic board game. The times when in junior high I used to try and re-write the Battle of Helm's Deep as fought by the new combatants of the undead versus a pile of warrior monks inspired by Warhammer 40,000 are over. I have bigger fish to fry than half baked glorified 40k fanfiction.

Maybe you'll see some of my stuff released in a bookshop some day if I'm good enough. I just don't talk about my ideas for books that much in case some fool tries to take one of them.

In any case I'm a bit beyond having nothing to eat but Cup Noodle to sustain buying games all the time. Ever since I got my raise I've been learning to make my paycheck last a bit longer through the week than it usually does. I went to Target today and it was depressing because there was almost nothing left for me to buy there except slightly comfier undies, and that's just sad. Where before I saw a plethora of plastic joy as a child I now see muddled shelves of things that no longer hold any interest.

Yeah, I think I'm turning into a jaded adult when I even see the value in my slightly damaged on some of the tokens copy of Earth Reborn. Normally if it had the slightest damage I wouldn't touch it. But not anymore. The me who attends the occasional Wikileaks protest is far different from the boy who assumed if Howard went the problems would be solved.

I think I missed that report. Is it still around anywhere Pete?

Even all of these boo-fucking-hoo tragedy geeklists are an example of that. You mean to tell me that somebody DIES and you have to loop it somehow back into god damned board gaming? On Board Game Fucking Geek? It's fucking disgusting. "My child died of cancer, here is a geeklist of FUCKING BOARD GAMES as a tribute". Seriously, how pathetic are you that it all has to be about games?

I was just railing about that the other day. I wholeheartedly agree.

I like the comic. Makes a very valid point about misplaced priorities, and getting angry about small stuff while ignoring big stuff.

Of all the things that piss me off, I don't think a GL about a child dying of cancer as a tribute is one of them. I just figure people mourn in different ways, and I am lucky not to have to have had that experience --- so I am mum on the topic.

Good cartoon Simon. Says a lot.

Unfortunately I can't get past your rant Michael. I was rolling my eyes a little concerning the sweeping judgments against anyone who uses entertainment as an escape but this bit here is total horseshit.

Even all of these boo-fucking-hoo tragedy geeklists are an example of that. You mean to tell me that somebody DIES and you have to loop it somehow back into god damned board gaming? On Board Game Fucking Geek? It's fucking disgusting. "My child died of cancer, here is a geeklist of FUCKING BOARD GAMES as a tribute". Seriously, how pathetic are you that it all has to be about games?

Do you know what this man did with the other 23 hours and 50 minutes of his day before and after writing this geeklist? Or every day since the death of his child? Spaceghost said it best. I read the same thing on BGG (or a similar case) before the death of my own daughter and all I could think was - "My God you poor man."

Rather that put yourself through the pointless exercise of trying to put yourself in his shoes I would suggest holding your child close tonight, look into his eyes and thank whoever you thank each day that you have not had to experience that and what you would or would not do. I also hope and pray for you and everyone else here that you never have to...and I really mean that.

Please stick to railing against Peterson or the Hubert family for turning this hobby into a Borg-like cash grab machine and don't throw stones at some poor man who is obviously trying to cope with something that is too much for any of us to deal with, or understand. I can't begin to understand what this guy is feeling and I should having gone through the same hell as losing a child. I'd be willing to spend the rest of my life being gang raped in prison (by Frank no less) if it meant the rest of my family could get one hour back with my deceased daughter. Think about that before you call anyone pathetic.

I think you lost your point by exhibiting the same lack of understanding with real world issues that you are trying to speak of. I can understand the point you might have been trying to make as there are clueless people in all walks of life but to think that a huge fan of a sports club doesn't perhaps foster children of give some time to the community through coaching kids, just because he's not telling you, is pretty weak. Maybe no one is talking to you about these things because they think you don't give a shit.

I'm not passing judgment but please be careful in the future before the online bullshit we all enjoy around here becomes a soapbox to make sweeping judgments on the lives of others you or we cannot relate to, or haven't bothered to enquire about. Simon's cartoon speaks for itself in that there is always more to the picture than we let on.

Sorry everyone I just thought this should be mentioned.

Are you sure you want to see it...? Not a whole lot of game news in it, rather more observations about the people-watching.
http://superflycircus.blogspot.com/2010/08/gencon-2010-where-dreams-come- true.html