Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for May 05, 2023

Hobbes, that is the definition of competition.

If you’re not first you’re last!

Calvin asked the same question we’ve been asking. Directed at Calvin, that is.

You will loose 100% of the times that you do not try.

The vote was rigged, Donald, er, I mean Calvin!

The Lottery’s new motto: You can’t lose… if you don’t play.

“I wouldn’t give a hoot in hell for the man who lost and laughed”—General Patton

But Calvin, losing all together now “BUILDS CHARACTER!” ;D

If you’re not first, you’re last!

The competition was rigged!

If at first you don’t succeed—QUIT!!

Betcha that’s Calvin’s mantra.

You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this wonderful story arc, Bill Watterson has explained that it was inspired by a competition that he entered as a boy and was disqualified from for using Snoopy in his poster. He says that he was crushed but learned a lesson from it – be original. Calvin is also crushed but is refusing to learn a lesson and is blaming others as usual. At least, he wasn’t disqualified from the competition as Bill Watterson was.

Don’t concede Calvin. The voting machines were rigged. Call the school superintendent and ask him to find 11 more votes.

This is how it used to be!

Today everyone gets a trophy and when they grow up they expect a trophy even if they didn’t do their best.

No Participation Award?

Cal is leaning but, as usual with him, he’s getting the wrong slant. And it will just build up more resentment. Next few days could be interesting for family.

The contest was rigged?!? Calvin is Presidential material! Or, more accurately, someone who thinks that they are Presidential material.

Boy does that argument have a familiar, and very current, ring!

The result of no winners and no losers is mediocrity and apathy.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” Theodore Roosevelt, The Man In The Arena Citizenship in a Republic.

Chill out! It’s only 10 measly bucks. It’s not like you can buy anything with it!

I thought this strip ran in the 80s and 90s?

I asked a friend that after he ran his first marathon and came in exactly in the middle.

Well it kinda is Hobbes…lol

Relax, Calvin. In a few short years everyone will get trophies.

The point is that you TRIED, Calvin.

Calvin is a Trump wanna-be.

Hmmmm, the date of this strip is 1993. Do you think Bill received a tip from time traveler for this strip? See panel #2

Today’s strip was way ahead of it’s time. Calvin would be the perfect leftist ‘victim’ today…growing up to be an entitled snob snowflake… Sadly, he will turn on Hobbes soon, too.

Hence the birth of the Participation prize. There are no losers. Only participants. …sigh. Well, here we are. Let’s see what happens.

This used to be funny. But ever since Trump made this a republican way of life, well it isn’t anymore.

“It is not enough to succeed; others must fail.” ~ Iris Murdoch, Gore Vidal, et al.

Oops, I always forget the purpose of competition is to have sportsmanship.

Calvin reminds me of someone here but I can’t put my finger on it…..

“Rigged,” Calvin, is the correct word. And don’t forget “unfair.”

Who know that Don-Don was the inspiration for or the reincarnation of Calvin. Wonder how many toy companies he had to pay off for the unspeakable acts he perpetrated on stuffed tigers?

Calvin, it was ONE contest, if at first you don’t succeed, there will be other contests. Who knows? Maybe one with a “most original” category…you’ll be a shoe-in.

“The journey is the worthier part.” (Shepard Book – Firefly)

Competition (and life in America) is a zero sum game. It doesn’t have to be that way but our worship of capitalism and social Darwinism cause us to make it that way.

But, you CAN be a winner.

Calvin is not usually a good winner. And certainly not a good non-winner.

And now Calvin goes from all smiles to all scowls and frowns. A great parallel from the strip two days ago where Calvin and Hobbes are also walking around outside, but in a different mood.

If you keep trying your best and keep losing you get discouraged. Participation trophy’s don’t cut it.

Appoint a commission to investigate the outcome. Stop the steal!

In our eyes, Calvin, you are a winner.

Well, Calvin, you CAN be a winner.

Calvin got it wrong, of course. Nowhere was it said he “can’t” be a winner. What he wanted was a guaranteed win, which is not competition.

I stand by my point for Wednesday’s strip.

better have a chat with the school board about this, Calvin

typical democrat

Reminds me of Donald Trump!