Is there anyone else in public view right now who regularly asks insightful philosophical questions the way you do? Certainly not in a way that’s as enjoyable as you do it!
The answer to today’s question is: Forget the pond, you’ve got lungs! Which is to say, an individual’s significance is best judged in relation to his or her own actions and not in relation to others. Are you happy? Do you positively influence the happiness of others?
Hah! I am commenting under two names now apparently: this one the product of an internet cookie’s superior memory compared to this puny hu-man’s, and the other a fault of laziness on my part to go back to my original comments and copy verbatim what should have gone into the appropriate fields. Well, now you’ll know which computer I’m at depending upon my identity. I’ll give you a hint, one’s at work…
Jeff: Wouldn’t “positively influencing the happiness of others” constitute as judging your significance in relation to others? Is there such thing as a value that exists alone in its universe with no relations to any other values? I would think all of an individual’s actions, to have a value attached to them, must necessarily be comparative.
And yes, I will always pine for nice grocery stores when I find myself in places of cultural worth.
But if everyone happily embraces their insignificance, then nothing will get done, and we will all slowly cook to death on a warming planet. Carefree is an option we no longer have. (Doesn’t mean you can’t also have fun, of course.)
i have a small circle of very big fish and somehow we survive living in a fucking desert. believe me, it’s the fish who are significant, ponds don’t get up and leave.
i don’t know.. what about the watershed? maybe it has nothing to do with the importance of the fish or a pride in the importance of the pond. Maybe the fish has an intellectual and spiritual vision that can comprehend beyond that which is immediate and find source outside itself that inspires – and nonetheless supplies energy enough to work for the general well-being of the the pond and itself. And does it have to be a lie of significance? I would counter that it could be a truth of insignificance – or a truth of significance. Not to negate the very real and relatable sentiments voiced in this cartoon – but chin up, Cat! Not everything we stand on has to be a castle built upon artificial sand! There is still truth to be sought and meaning to attempt to contain and comprehend! wwjbd? (uh, that’s joseph beuys in case that doesn’t come across.)
Why don’t you live by the way of not seeking significance (as if that meant something, significance only exists when it is observed, so basically you’re looking for approval of others), and just doing and being what pleases you as much as you can? Just sayin’
February 20th, 2009 at 1:16 am
I dunno, but as a 2-time tourist, I really do like New York City.
February 20th, 2009 at 1:18 am
this is how i feel right now
February 20th, 2009 at 4:36 am
this is so very very true
February 20th, 2009 at 6:50 am
Dorothy,
Is there anyone else in public view right now who regularly asks insightful philosophical questions the way you do? Certainly not in a way that’s as enjoyable as you do it!
The answer to today’s question is: Forget the pond, you’ve got lungs! Which is to say, an individual’s significance is best judged in relation to his or her own actions and not in relation to others. Are you happy? Do you positively influence the happiness of others?
February 20th, 2009 at 7:58 am
This tea used to be too hot.
February 20th, 2009 at 8:06 am
I’ve heard fish usually grow to fit the size of their tank. Probably true with ponds, too.
February 20th, 2009 at 9:07 am
One of your better strips. I like it even if I don’t understand it.
February 20th, 2009 at 10:47 am
But the big pond is actually made up of many small ponds. Best of both worlds.
February 20th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Hah! I am commenting under two names now apparently: this one the product of an internet cookie’s superior memory compared to this puny hu-man’s, and the other a fault of laziness on my part to go back to my original comments and copy verbatim what should have gone into the appropriate fields. Well, now you’ll know which computer I’m at depending upon my identity. I’ll give you a hint, one’s at work…
Jeff: Wouldn’t “positively influencing the happiness of others” constitute as judging your significance in relation to others? Is there such thing as a value that exists alone in its universe with no relations to any other values? I would think all of an individual’s actions, to have a value attached to them, must necessarily be comparative.
And yes, I will always pine for nice grocery stores when I find myself in places of cultural worth.
February 20th, 2009 at 11:24 am
and in this pond, we call the supermarkets “Bodegas”
February 20th, 2009 at 11:31 am
ah i wish i gotta chance to meet you
but yeah seems like the big pond is the way to be
February 20th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Or option C, embrace your insignificance and enjoy a carefree life. ;-)
February 20th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
But if everyone happily embraces their insignificance, then nothing will get done, and we will all slowly cook to death on a warming planet. Carefree is an option we no longer have. (Doesn’t mean you can’t also have fun, of course.)
February 20th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Tucson has prettier sunsets.
February 20th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
what is he drinking? i want some.
February 20th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
A little fish in a big pond has more room to move around.
Unless the big pond is jam-packed with other fish.
February 21st, 2009 at 12:06 am
[...] to Live By, or, “Welcome to New York”. http://catandgirl.com/?p=1858 [...]
February 21st, 2009 at 11:34 am
i have a small circle of very big fish and somehow we survive living in a fucking desert. believe me, it’s the fish who are significant, ponds don’t get up and leave.
February 21st, 2009 at 2:48 pm
It’s not fish/pond. You’re insignificant where-ever you go. Welcome to the human race. Have yourself a beer.
February 21st, 2009 at 11:06 pm
[...] Cat and Girl » Archive » Lies to Live By (tags: localism satire Ann-Arbor comix via:mitten) [...]
February 22nd, 2009 at 3:12 pm
HA HA!!
That made me laugh out loud. So true and so funny.
February 22nd, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Very appropriate post for Oscar night.
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:20 pm
This is so true and amazing. Thanks for clarifying my current life quandary about graduate schools.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
i don’t know.. what about the watershed? maybe it has nothing to do with the importance of the fish or a pride in the importance of the pond. Maybe the fish has an intellectual and spiritual vision that can comprehend beyond that which is immediate and find source outside itself that inspires – and nonetheless supplies energy enough to work for the general well-being of the the pond and itself. And does it have to be a lie of significance? I would counter that it could be a truth of insignificance – or a truth of significance. Not to negate the very real and relatable sentiments voiced in this cartoon – but chin up, Cat! Not everything we stand on has to be a castle built upon artificial sand! There is still truth to be sought and meaning to attempt to contain and comprehend! wwjbd? (uh, that’s joseph beuys in case that doesn’t come across.)
February 24th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
or perhaps i meant, “chin up, girl!” well, both, why not?
March 6th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
But C, what if I am the president of the United States?
March 6th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Agh, bedoelde ik Nalano.
April 27th, 2009 at 5:28 am
Girl, I’m surprised! The little fish could end up thinking the bigger fish is more important than the pond. :(
Or vice-versa. :)
January 19th, 2010 at 4:02 am
Why don’t you live by the way of not seeking significance (as if that meant something, significance only exists when it is observed, so basically you’re looking for approval of others), and just doing and being what pleases you as much as you can? Just sayin’