10 Hilarious Calvin and Hobbes Cartoons About Tech That Still Nail It Today
Calvin and Hobbes ran from 1985 to 1995, well before the time of cellphones and other technology people take for granted today. In more than one instance, the strip featured stories and jokes that were ahead of their time. In some ways, its take on technology dated the series, while in others, it was surprisingly accurate in predicting where things were headed.
Some of these jokes feel painfully nostalgic, while others may confuse a younger audience. One way or another, Calvin’s frustration at his lack of tech access is easy to relate to. Technology has changed dramatically since the ’90s, but despite that, these comics remain surprisingly relatable.
Calvin and Hobbes Need the Internet!
Why Won't Somebody Help Calvin Get Online?
"Because it's bad enough we have a telephone."
The early days of the internet were extraordinary, but they were also incredibly frustrating. Hard as it may be for younger generations to believe, internet access wasn't always a given, and many households went without it. In those early days, people had to use their phone lines to connect, which came with plenty of complications.
In this Calvin and Hobbes comic, Calvin seems eager to get online , which was a possibility for kids at the time. His father, however, is far less enthusiastic, still unsure whether the phone was a good investment in the first place. His argument is fair enough, especially for introverts, who can be frustrated by inventions that make communication easier.
Calvin and Hobbes Talk About the Electronic Superhighway
Calvin's Family Disagrees About Modern Technology
"Pretty soon, computers, telephones and TVs will all be hooked together to bring instantaneous, interactive communication right into our homes!"
Families disagree on lots of things. For example, Calvin believes in having dessert first, ignoring homework, and watching television above all else . His parents don't agree with most of those points, because they have to raise a happy and healthy kid. Another thing they don't agree on is the level of technology they're willing to embrace. Calvin wants it all, and in reality, this kid probably should have been born in today's time.
Meanwhile, Calvin's dad would’ve been quite content in earlier times. While he has a phone, it's clear he begrudges it (just check out the comic above). He’s not a fan of email or anything else that demands immediate attention. Frankly, Calvin is lucky to have a TV in the house , considering how his dad feels about most modern conveniences.
Calvin's Dad Sees That Convenience Comes at a Price
This Calvin and Hobbes Comic Debates Machines and Efficiency
"These machines don't make life easier - they make life more harassed."
As already mentioned, Calvin's dad has conflicted feelings about the rise of technology. While it may seem logical to assume technology is meant to make life easier, he often doesn't feel those benefits. It's a relatable stance, especially in light of recent AI developments. People want to create art and skip chores, not the other way around.
In this comic strip, Calvin's dad laments the hustle culture of work , which has arguably gotten worse thanks to technology. Once upon a time, communication required more effort. In his view, that effort is now taken for granted, leading to more immediate expectations around workloads and deadlines. It's exhausting to think about.
A New Decade of Calvin and Hobbes Brings Big Promises
But Calvin's Still Waiting on More
"Where are the rocket packs? Where are the disintegration rays? Where are the floating cities?"
A new year brings new potential, and a new decade feels like an even bigger deal. Still, Calvin doesn't seem all that enthusiastic about it, at least not right now. Maybe the cold weather has him feeling down, which is fair. Or maybe he's feeling let down by all the promises, expecting life to be more exciting, or more just more technologically advanced, by this point.
People have gotten into the habit of expecting wild things from the future. Back to the Future had many assuming floating skateboards would be everywhere, while others are still waiting for their Replicator (thanks, Star Trek ). This Calvin and Hobbes strip shows that Calvin also had big expectations for the future , like moon colonies, flying cars, and disintegration rays. In hindsight, none of that sounds especially safe.
Calvin and Hobbes Wonders If Computers Will Erase Problems
Calvin Craves Climate-Controlled Comfort
"In the future, everything will be effortless!"
Ever since the first computer was invented, people have hoped it could solve every problem imaginable. Most would settle for help with chores or repetitive tasks. Naturally, some want technology to go much further, and Calvin is definitely in that group, while Hobbes leans toward the more practical side.
In this comic, Calvin imagines a computer that does everything for him , from controlling the household climate to cutting off all human interaction. The more he describes it, the more depressing it sounds. What’s the point of life if everything is handed over? It’d be interesting to see if Calvin would still feel the same in today’s tech-driven world.
Calvin Has a Lot to Learn About Tech
Who Wants to Tell Calvin About ChatBots?
"You'd still have to read the book and tell the computer what you want to say, you know."
This is one of those times when Calvin and Hobbes comics were a bit ahead of their time . At the time, though, it was probably hilarious to see Calvin overestimate the powers of a computer. These days, computer-generated (read: AI-written) homework is all too common a problem for teachers . What was once a funny comic of the time is now something that could make a teacher burst into tears.
Calvin wants a computer because he thinks it'll do all his homework for him. Once that hope is crushed, he doesn't understand why anyone would want one. Of course, knowing Calvin, by the time morning rolled around, he was probably craving a computer again, thinking of all the fun things (like computer games) it could offer.
Calvin and Hobbes Talk About Computers That Can Think
Hobbes Thinks Computers Show Irrational Behavior
"Isn't that weird?? If computers can think, what will people be better at than machines?"
Remember, Calvin and Hobbes is a couple of decades old now (ouch), and with how fast technology moves, that’s always worth keeping in mind. It helps explain why Calvin is both fascinated and horrified by the idea of a computer that can think. That idea felt far-fetched in the early ’90s, but now, it’s pretty much a given.
The premise of this comic wasn’t the only thing ahead of its time, and now, Calvin’s joke hits a little too close to home. Of course, this was nearly a decade after the first Terminator movie, so fear of machines wasn’t new. Still, Calvin’s little rant taps into a very real anxiety about the difference between computer and human intelligence.
Calvin and Hobbes Shows That Imagination Can Create All Sorts of Technology
What Would Hobbes Do With an Iguana Maker?
"Now you can transmorgrify things just by pointing at them! Say you don't like the color of your bedspread. Well, you just zap it, and presto, it's an iguana!"
The race to invent the next great piece of technology is always ongoing, but maybe it's worth stopping to listen to the ideas of a child. Kids, Calvin included, have incredible imaginations and aren't limited by the practical constraints that adults often stick to. They can think outside the box and come up with strange, creative solutions to problems.
This Calvin and Hobbes comic is about the kind of technology only a child could dream up . In Calvin's mind, his new water pistol is actually a transmogrifier—a device that lets him transform his ugly bedspread into an iguana. It’s all in his imagination, of course, but it’s still funny to think about—though his mom probably wouldn’t be too thrilled.
Calvin Thinks Humans No Longer Need Math
Calvin and Hobbes Knew That Technology Was Always Evolving
"Given the pace of technology, I propose we leave math to the machines and go play outside."
Up through the '90s, teachers loved to say, "You won't always be carrying a calculator in your pocket." They had no idea how technology would soon make that argument obsolete. In that sense, Calvin is ahead of his time. Ironically, he sees the writing on the wall based on a story from his dad.
In this Calvin and Hobbes comic, Calvin points out that when his dad was a student, he had to use a slide rule , but that changed when calculators came along. So Calvin reasons that something else will eventually come along to change how math is done. While he’s not wrong, that doesn’t mean skipping a math lesson is a good idea, no matter how tempting it sounds.
Calvin and Hobbes Talk About Weapons Technology
Hobbes Knows a Stick Can Be a Powerful Weapon
"That's the trouble with weapons technology. It becomes obsolete so quickly."
Readers have to admit that Calvin is oddly insightful. He often cuts right to the heart of a problem without even realizing it, which only makes his observations funnier and more endearing. In this Calvin and Hobbes comic, Calvin's moment of insight starts with a weapon : the infamous water balloon.
For a brief moment, Calvin sees the water balloon as the ultimate weapon. Unfortunately for him, Hobbes picks up a stick and quickly proves that nature can offer even more powerful tools. This sparks Calvin’s realization that weapons technology is a constant arms race. At least he learned that lesson early.
Post a Comment