Sooooo close to a win. "but it would upset the cats." Really? Why not let the CATS try to break it, after you failed? I'm pretty sure my cats would like to try. Hrmmm. Maybe I've just found the next way to waste money on an item my cats will completly ignore because I bought it FOR them . . .
I am astounded at the number of emotional buttons this strip pushed.
I have *given* my boys such helicopters, and I kind of want to shake them and say, "Do you have any idea how lucky you are that these exist and are only $25?"
I also want to shake them and say, "Let me play now, damn it!"
the topic here should be envy rather than jealousy
jealousy is a feeling of entitlement or resentment for something in the possession of another which in fact belongs to you or you believe belongs to you. Alternatively it can mean the defense or safeguarding of one's possessions.
envy on the other hand is synonymous with covetousness and describes the feeling of discontent with regards to the possessions of someone else.
the feeling is similar, but to be jealous, you own it. To be envious, someone else does.
I thought my cats would either love chasing a helicopter, or be frightened and run away from it. Instead, they ignore it. I'm not good enough to try landing it on one of my cats yet, but that might succeed in getting it destroyed.
I got one from my cow-orkers when I got my software-engineering master's, and I was like "how did you know that this is exacty what I've always wanted since before they were even invented". And the cats love it too.
XKCD had a comic about our generation's semi-secret envy of radio-controlled helicopters, too. This one's better. The part I liked the best was "it'd upset the cats." Heck, I keep meaning to buy one just to watch my cats chase it. Then attach a laser pointer to it.
Weird. I have two remote controlled helicopters. Hypothetically, I bought them for my two daughters. However, I play with them whenever I want to. They're so damned cheap, these days, that I can't imagine wanting something like that and not buying it. If only it weren't so windy around here.
We interrupt the usual Parade Of Grammatical Nitpick to bring you this brief reminder.
This is a great comic. It's consistently somewhere between funny and ROTFL. One of the first things I do on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays is check BI. It brightens up my day every time.
A comic strip is not a Doctoral dissertation. Rough edges are part of the charm of the medium. If the first thing you notice is the misspelling or syntactical error, then you're missing the point. Stop gnawing on it and just enjoy it.
I'm a writer myself, and as it happens, a really good speller. (A useless skill in the age of spellcheck.) And I don't care if there's a mistake in BI. It makes me laugh, and that's all I want from it.
How To Blend In Physically To The Webcomic Panel Borders
1. Modern comics printing doesn't require plain white borders around story panels. For instance, you can use black. This can also be effective in webcomics, if somewhat unimaginative.
2. You can make art "pop" by having a figure extend out of a panel region and into the border beyond. However, this is also liable to happen if you just can't draw inside the lines.
3. By having dark panel borders, and drawing your character in dark clothing, it won't be so noticeable if you goof and place them onto the panel border. Unless you do the same thing in two adjacent panels, and produce an accidental "Siamese Twins" effect on your character, that readers will notice and mock.
4. Characters in your comic do not have to be shown in the panel at all. They can be represented by a speech bubble with a tail leading towards the panel border, as if they are just "out of shot".[*] This is a technique called "lazy".
If the cats won't try to destroy it, it can't be any good. Picture the epic stuggle of the tiny helicopter, trying to maneuver past monstrous cats! Or the brave defender cats, fighting the enemy invader helicopter...IF you can get the cats to play with it, the possibilities are endless.
College SUCKS!!!! I'm too broke to buy a remote controlled helicopter and too old to ask for one for my birthday!!!! Jenkins, I don't even know you or your stupid kid and I am filled with envy!
From the font of all knowledge (Wikipedia): Jealousy is an emotion and typically refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something that the person values, particularly in reference to a human connection. Jealousy often consists of a combination of presenting emotions such as anger, resentment, inadequacy, helplessness and disgust. It is not to be confused with envy.
I bought my fiance a helicopter when he was injured a few weeks ago. Not sure about cats, but terrorizing the dog with it is a hoot. Keep being awesome Scott.
March 4, 2012
Reader Comments (42)
And now, a message from a lexicographical nitpicker:
I think that the topic of this comic is envy, rather than jealousy.
That guy has a kid?
I hate him and his kid.
Hah, I think I hate his son too.
Don't get all jealous, but I have a helicopter phone.
Sooooo close to a win. "but it would upset the cats." Really? Why not let the CATS try to break it, after you failed? I'm pretty sure my cats would like to try. Hrmmm. Maybe I've just found the next way to waste money on an item my cats will completly ignore because I bought it FOR them . . .
Anyone else seeing a two-headed scott in the 3rd/4th panels?
I am astounded at the number of emotional buttons this strip pushed.
I have *given* my boys such helicopters, and I kind of want to shake them and say, "Do you have any idea how lucky you are that these exist and are only $25?"
I also want to shake them and say, "Let me play now, damn it!"
That fat guy looks like me. I have several remote control helicopters. Stop spying on me.
The cats must go.
The last line is gold. Point Jenkins!
beat me to it...
the topic here should be envy rather than jealousy
jealousy is a feeling of entitlement or resentment for something in the possession of another which in fact belongs to you or you believe belongs to you. Alternatively it can mean the defense or safeguarding of one's possessions.
envy on the other hand is synonymous with covetousness and describes the feeling of discontent with regards to the possessions of someone else.
the feeling is similar, but to be jealous, you own it. To be envious, someone else does.
@anon mmmh two heads and three arms... he's Zaphod Beeblebrox!
I thought my cats would either love chasing a helicopter, or be frightened and run away from it. Instead, they ignore it. I'm not good enough to try landing it on one of my cats yet, but that might succeed in getting it destroyed.
I got one from my cow-orkers when I got my software-engineering master's, and I was like "how did you know that this is exacty what I've always wanted since before they were even invented". And the cats love it too.
Maybe it's just me, but today's strip feels a bit saturated with the jokes.
My god, it's my life!
"Me too!" WIN C:
XKCD had a comic about our generation's semi-secret envy of radio-controlled helicopters, too. This one's better. The part I liked the best was "it'd upset the cats." Heck, I keep meaning to buy one just to watch my cats chase it. Then attach a laser pointer to it.
The needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many ... the cats have to go.
I didn't before, but now I can never unsee it
*sigh* This cartoon pretty much sums up my life. It's frighteningly accurate.
I love the inclusion of Missy spoiling all your hopes and dreams. I presume she thought this was hilarious.
Awesome, Scott. You make my day three times a week. I will be ordering the book shortly.
Craig Steffen
The last line cinched it for me. Brilliant!
DANG!
I also hate Jenkin's son; I want a smart phone-controlled helicopter now.
Weird. I have two remote controlled helicopters. Hypothetically, I bought them for my two daughters. However, I play with them whenever I want to. They're so damned cheap, these days, that I can't imagine wanting something like that and not buying it. If only it weren't so windy around here.
We interrupt the usual Parade Of Grammatical Nitpick to bring you this brief reminder.
This is a great comic. It's consistently somewhere between funny and ROTFL. One of the first things I do on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays is check BI. It brightens up my day every time.
A comic strip is not a Doctoral dissertation. Rough edges are part of the charm of the medium. If the first thing you notice is the misspelling or syntactical error, then you're missing the point. Stop gnawing on it and just enjoy it.
I'm a writer myself, and as it happens, a really good speller. (A useless skill in the age of spellcheck.) And I don't care if there's a mistake in BI. It makes me laugh, and that's all I want from it.
My indoor remote control helicopter drove my dogs into a barking leaping paroxysm of frenzy. Then they ate it.
How To Blend In Physically To The Webcomic Panel Borders
1. Modern comics printing doesn't require plain white borders around story panels. For instance, you can use black. This can also be effective in webcomics, if somewhat unimaginative.
2. You can make art "pop" by having a figure extend out of a panel region and into the border beyond. However, this is also liable to happen if you just can't draw inside the lines.
3. By having dark panel borders, and drawing your character in dark clothing, it won't be so noticeable if you goof and place them onto the panel border. Unless you do the same thing in two adjacent panels, and produce an accidental "Siamese Twins" effect on your character, that readers will notice and mock.
4. Characters in your comic do not have to be shown in the panel at all. They can be represented by a speech bubble with a tail leading towards the panel border, as if they are just "out of shot".[*] This is a technique called "lazy".
[*] In fact, no one even knows what I look like.
Smart phones rock!
The punchline to this strip rocks.
If the cats won't try to destroy it, it can't be any good.
Picture the epic stuggle of the tiny helicopter, trying to maneuver past monstrous cats! Or the brave defender cats, fighting the enemy invader helicopter...IF you can get the cats to play with it, the possibilities are endless.
Me too; that was hilarious!
Great. Now I want a remote controlled helicopter to scare things out of the garden. A Huey, considering what I want to scare.
College SUCKS!!!! I'm too broke to buy a remote controlled helicopter and too old to ask for one for my birthday!!!! Jenkins, I don't even know you or your stupid kid and I am filled with envy!
I'd be happier if Scott had said, "I hate your son. Is he hard to break, too?".
From the font of all knowledge (Wikipedia): Jealousy is an emotion and typically refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something that the person values, particularly in reference to a human connection. Jealousy often consists of a combination of presenting emotions such as anger, resentment, inadequacy, helplessness and disgust. It is not to be confused with envy.
@anon: yes I saw the Two-Headed Scott Monster as well. Glad it's not just me!
I bought my fiance a helicopter when he was injured a few weeks ago. Not sure about cats, but terrorizing the dog with it is a hoot. Keep being awesome Scott.
Okay, I laughed out loud at this one. Probably a sad reflection of my own jealousy, but, hey...laugh out loud!
@Hannah: "I'm too old to ask for one for my birthday!"
Rubbish. If that is really how you feel, you are going to be a very dull adult and a dreary parent. The attitude is making you miserable already.
If you want to do something, and it doesn't hurt others, just do it. You'll be a long time dead and regrets last forever.