[2017-11-08] Happy

Blame Quintushalls for this.

Moderators: NeatNit, Kimra

Tony
Posts: 75
Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2014 3:57 pm

[2017-11-08] Happy

Post by Tony »

https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/happy

Clever (and BEAUTIFULLY drawn, Abby!), but isn't there a HUGE difference between being happy and simply having your face frozen in an idiot grin?
"I'm devastated, to the extent that's an emotion that's separate from happiness!"
I don't see how that line makes sense, even in the context of the joke.

Maybe I'm overthinking this (okay, I'm DEFINITELY overthinking this), but wouldn't it be more reasonable, and perhaps even funnier, if the protagonist was simply unable to think of anything unhappy? He loves the bright, gay color of the crime scene tape, is gladdened that neighbors are taking such an interest in his house, is cheered by the fact that his wife will not suffer from her wounds or struggle with old age. His wish-dictated myopia would progressively worsen as his circumstances deteriorate, until at last there are absolutely no happy thoughts available to him—except, of course, for the one in Zach's punchline.

Maybe something like, "The symmetry of those iron bars is so oddly satisfying!"

BloodGain
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2012 9:34 pm

Re: [2017-11-08] Happy

Post by BloodGain »

You're definitely overthinking it, but I can't help but join you.

However, I will note that if you changed it to him simply finding everything that happens amusing or even funny, but not exclusionarily to other emotions, you have an interesting new origin story for The Joker from Batman. And since it's DC, something that insane could be entirely canonical without even hinting at a violation of in-universe rules.

Tony
Posts: 75
Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2014 3:57 pm

Re: [2017-11-08] Happy

Post by Tony »

You know, genie wishes would make simple but great origin stories, with the genie's "twist" serving as the superhero's inevitable weakness:
  • "Make me super-strong, super-fast, super-everything, so nothing on Earth can harm me!"
    "As you wish, Kal-El! ...Oh, have you ever heard of kryptonite? It isn't on Earth... Yet."
  • "Make me the most powerful Amazon warrior ever known, with bracelets that deflect bullets!"
    "As you wish, Diana! ...Oh, did I mention that those are called the Bracelets of Submission?"
  • "Give me a ring that grants me extraordinary powers!"
    "As you wish, Hal Jordan! ...Oops, I forgot to include powers over anything yellow or wooden. Will that be a problem?"
  • "Make my skin as strong as titanium!"
    "As you wish, Luke Cage! ...Hey, have you ever heard of adamantium?"
  • "Make me the savior of all mankind!"
    "As you wish, J.C.! ...Hey, you won't need the power to prove your existence or accurately record your words, will you?"

gvest

Re: [2017-11-08] Happy

Post by gvest »

"I want the power to walk on water"
"as you..."
"wait, and turn it into wine!"
"as..."
"shh! and I want to heal people"
"..." :oops:
"up to and including bringing them back from the dead"
"...?"
"."
"As you wish, but... you know what? People will betray and kill you."
"Let me finish! Including myself."
"Argh, fine! But everyone you bring back from the dead is yanked right up into the celestial spheres 40 days later."
"wat"
"No backsies!"

Krowseph

Re: [2017-11-08] Happy

Post by Krowseph »

Tony wrote:Clever (and BEAUTIFULLY drawn, Abby!), but isn't there a HUGE difference between being happy and simply having your face frozen in an idiot grin?
"I'm devastated, to the extent that's an emotion that's separate from happiness!"
I don't see how that line makes sense, even in the context of the joke.
Emotions are multidimensional and multifaceted. People can experience more than one at a time (e.g. happy and sad), and people can experience elements of an emotion without really feeling the whole thing (e.g. nervous, but not quite afraid; hostile, but not quite angry).

I love the "devastated" line because it highlights this. The character can feel happiness alongside (parts of) other emotions, like some components of devastation. It's a beautiful part of the human experience, and a clever way to deliver the "careful what you wish for" genie trope. I feel like making the character utterly, exclusively happy would throw that nuance and that humour out.

I do like your idea that "his wish-dictated myopia would progressively worsen as his circumstances deteriorate, until at last there are absolutely no happy thoughts available to him," though. It's interesting to think that someone who can only feel pleasure and produce happy thoughts would think and feel nothing in an utterly dreadful circumstance.

glop

Re: [2017-11-08] Happy

Post by glop »

http://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/2008-08-17

Reusing jokes? Tzk, tzk... :)
Nice to see that Zack's running joke about becoming more and more wordy with time now has empirical evidence

User avatar
Felstaff
XKCD spy
Posts: 790
Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2009 2:37 pm

Re: [2017-11-08] Happy

Post by Felstaff »

glop wrote:http://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/2008-08-17

Reusing jokes? Tzk, tzk... :)
Nice to see that Zack's running joke about becoming more and more wordy with time now has empirical evidence
Heh, he made her teeth in the votey transparent instead of white.
255 characters of free advertising space? I'm selling these line feather jackets...

Post Reply