1022: "So It Has Come To The Claw"

[Various Varieties]

The Simpsons writers' room, some time in 1992:

Matt Groening: Hey, everyone, we're doing a clip show this season.
Jay Kogen: What should we call it?
George Meyer: How about "A Simpsons Clip Show"?
Conan O'Brien: Needs something else...
John Swartzwelder: So it has come to this.
Everyone: Brilliant!

True story.

[tally1996]

Nah. They won't eat the cat.

Cats have a way of looking at me that tells me where I am on the food chain.

Below Cat.

1. I am human.
2. The stick figures represent humans.

1. I am below real cats on the food chain.
2. Stick figures are below stick figure cats on the food chain.

That seems simple enough and problem solved.
Oh! Those stick people need some stick cat food; Now!

Unless you're Chinese, in which case nearly every animal is below you on the food chain. Speaking from personal experience.

(Though I hear it isn't so much in vogue in the mother country anymore due to an increasing rat problem...)

[cellocgw]

OK, let's find a situation in which it's not correct, and then jump all over Randall's (mis-)use of "literally."

Reminiscent of Dorothy Parker:
What if there is no "this," here?

[ahammel]

OK, let's find a situation in which it's not correct, and then jump all over Randall's (mis-)use of "literally."

Reminiscent of Dorothy Parker:
What if there is no "this," here?

There is always a this here.

This room, this situation, this infinite frictionless plane of uniform denisty, etc.

[San Fran Sam]

I would find it more believeable if one of them had a cat and/or a handgun with a scar and/or an eyepatch on his or her face.

Me: Um, so how did the gun get a scar?

Other person: So, it has come to this.

[SirMustapha]

And so, Randall's true talent is revealed: the ability to make certain people do whatever random shit he comes up with and feel extra cool about it.

They once said films were responsible for increased violence and depravity. They once said video games were influencing young people to commit crimes. But now we can say with absolute certainty: Randall can make his fans eat shit if he wants to.

Also, for the record: Randall misused "protip" AGAIN.

[Retsam]

Also, for the record: Randall misused "protip" AGAIN.

Err... according to whom exactly? Who made you the final arbiter of culture again?

[bmonk]

I understood "In Accordance With Prophecy" to do similar things. But no, this is better: it's more accurate.

So, it has come to this.

[JudeMorrigan]

I understood "In Accordance With Prophecy" to do similar things. But no, this is better: it's more accurate.

So, it has come to this.

In accordance with prophecy.

[Tyrannosaur]

So, is this like how "Guile's theme" goes with everything?

I currently have a copy of "Guile's Theme" on my phone to play loudly in the most random occasions.

[bigjeff5]

Also, for the record: Randall misused "protip" AGAIN.

I'm not sure I follow, was the comment not snarky enough to be a protip?

Perhaps the advice was too helpful?

Or maybe you just don't understand the meme?

"Protip:" is used to convey snarky, sarcastic, and/or generally unhelpful advice to others.

It is also used to convey genuinely helpful advice in a non-sarcastic manner, but usually only by those not in on the joke.

I'm not sure which angle you are coming at this from, but it doesn't seem to be a very informed one.

[neoliminal]

The possible recombination is alarming.

Alice "We need to defrost the car."
Bob "So. It has come to this."
Alice "So. It has come to this."
Bob "You. Me. This moment."
Alice "You. Me. This moment."
Bob "So. It has come to this."
Alice "So. It has come to this."
Bob "You. Me. This moment."
Alice "You. Me. This moment."
Bob "F*ck... I give up, you win. Give me the car keys."

[SirMustapha]

I'm not sure I follow, was the comment not snarky enough to be a protip?

Since when was the caption supposed to be "snarky"? What kind of snarkiness was there meant to be in today's comic? I can visualize many "styles" of humour applied to the joke, except "snarkiness". Randall is not making fun of anything: he's just suggesting something he thinks is funny. The word could perfectly be replaced simply by "Tip", and NOTHING would be lost. Or Randall could have turned it into a "My hobby" comic, and the joke would have been exactly the same.

But Occam's Razor helps us point the fact that Randall thinks memes are acceptable replacements for actual humour, and thinks the word "protip" is "roflcopter hilarious" and is sufficient to show that he knows everything about "Internet culture". But fact is that about 3 minutes of reading Know Your Meme is sufficient to see Randall is completely wrong.

[louisbiglou]

Since when was the caption supposed to be "snarky"? What kind of snarkiness was there meant to be in today's comic? I can visualize many "styles" of humour applied to the joke, except "snarkiness". Randall is not making fun of anything: he's just suggesting something he thinks is funny. The word could perfectly be replaced simply by "Tip", and NOTHING would be lost. Or Randall could have turned it into a "My hobby" comic, and the joke would have been exactly the same.

But Occam's Razor helps us point the fact that Randall thinks memes are acceptable replacements for actual humour, and thinks the word "protip" is "roflcopter hilarious" and is sufficient to show that he knows everything about "Internet culture". But fact is that about 3 minutes of reading Know Your Meme is sufficient to see Randall is completely wrong.

So, It has come to this...

[Kimarie]

My husband uses "It is what it is" when he runs out of stuff to say.

[Nigh]

And so, Randall's true talent is revealed: the ability to make certain people do whatever random shit he comes up with and feel extra cool about it.

They once said films were responsible for increased violence and depravity. They once said video games were influencing young people to commit crimes. But now we can say with absolute certainty: Randall can make his fans eat shit if he wants to.

Also, for the record: Randall misused "protip" AGAIN.

So. It has come to this.

[fcp]

I have come all the way from 1984 to say: we have run out of cat food.

I have traveled here from the year 1950 to find my intended message preempted by an upstart! Well-played, ryan.

[Fire Brns]

I'm with Sir mustapha on this comic and the whole first page of responses. I don't know how but I am.

[Vael]

I'm not sure I follow, was the comment not snarky enough to be a protip?

Since when was the caption supposed to be "snarky"? What kind of snarkiness was there meant to be in today's comic? I can visualize many "styles" of humour applied to the joke, except "snarkiness". Randall is not making fun of anything: he's just suggesting something he thinks is funny. The word could perfectly be replaced simply by "Tip", and NOTHING would be lost. Or Randall could have turned it into a "My hobby" comic, and the joke would have been exactly the same.

But Occam's Razor helps us point the fact that Randall thinks memes are acceptable replacements for actual humour, and thinks the word "protip" is "roflcopter hilarious" and is sufficient to show that he knows everything about "Internet culture". But fact is that about 3 minutes of reading Know Your Meme is sufficient to see Randall is completely wrong.

In accordance with prophecy.

Yeah, and if we use "protip" incorrectly and frequently enough, its misuse will become a new meme.

[Shidoshi]

Come it so has this? Me moment this you.

[whateveries]

And so, Randall's true talent is revealed: the ability to make certain people do whatever random shit he comes up with and feel extra cool about it.

They once said films were responsible for increased violence and depravity. They once said video games were influencing young people to commit crimes. But now we can say with absolute certainty: Randall can make his fans eat shit if he wants to.

Also, for the record: Randall misused "protip" AGAIN.

So. It has come to this.

this.is.perfect.

lets make a game of it to see who can post it as the first response to SirMustaphas first comment in every new thread. He will love it. we all will love it.

[Richard.]

zomg, this works so well. I can't stop saying it.

[Bossi]

I also like to append "Don't tell China." to the end of pretty much everything, even otherwise harmless, nonchalant, and innocent statements. It's replaced "in bed" when I read fortune cookies aloud.

[Nigh]

And so, Randall's true talent is revealed: the ability to make certain people do whatever random shit he comes up with and feel extra cool about it.

They once said films were responsible for increased violence and depravity. They once said video games were influencing young people to commit crimes. But now we can say with absolute certainty: Randall can make his fans eat shit if he wants to.

Also, for the record: Randall misused "protip" AGAIN.

So. It has come to this.

this.is.perfect.

lets make a game of it to see who can post it as the first response to SirMustaphas first comment in every new thread. He will love it. we all will love it.

Yes. Just yes.

[jalohones]

And so, Randall's true talent is revealed: the ability to make certain people do whatever random shit he comes up with and feel extra cool about it.

I can't wait for the comic that reads: My hobby: Writing comics that SirMustapha hates.

[lomor]

But fact is that about 3 minutes of reading Know Your Meme is sufficient to see Randall is completely wrong.

PROTIP is a term often used in forums and comments to preface snarky, obvious, counterintuitive, or sometimes genuine advice for the novice.[italics added]

Maybe his use of PROTIP was unnecessary, but it was not incorrect.

http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/protip

[Jorpho]

I'm not sure I follow, was the comment not snarky enough to be a protip?

Since when was the caption supposed to be "snarky"?

Was that even the question?

Also effective in many of the same situations:

And your point would be...?

Excellent! My plan approaches fruition!

That's just what they want you to think.

Show me your nay-nays.

I actually like some of these better than "In accordance with prophecy". Well, maybe not the last one.

[webdude]

A webcomic catchphrase is one thing. If a candidate says, "so, it has come to this" at the next Republican debate, we'll know the phrase has hit the big time. I'd love to see a bunch of candidates of whatever political persuasion, all befuddled, replying interminably to each other, "so, it has come to this."

Do we get the government we collectively deserve, or merely the group of pinheads the majority of pinheads prefer?

Hmm... so it has come to this.

[da Doctah]

Other phrases may be more appropriate in specific contexts. For example, to let everyone join in on a few running inside jokes:

In response to any question on the John Davidson- or Tom Bergeron-hosted versions of "Hollywood Squares": "Steve Gutenberg".

In response to any question on "Wait! Wait! Don't Tell Me": either "poodles" or "yodeling".

In response to any question in Trivial Pursuit for which you have no clue: "Buffy Saint-Marie".

[Jorpho]

In response to any question in Trivial Pursuit for which you have no clue: "Buffy Saint-Marie".

Generally I've found "Gerald Ford" to be a safe bet there, even if it isn't particularly funny.

[jpk]

I'm not sure I follow, was the comment not snarky enough to be a protip?

Since when was the caption supposed to be "snarky"? What kind of snarkiness was there meant to be in today's comic? I can visualize many "styles" of humour applied to the joke, except "snarkiness".

What's important is not snarkiness.

What's important is boojumnitude.

[colincbn]

Ok, so Mustapha insults the XKCD fanbase by implying that they will go so far as to eat shit in an attempt to follow the random wanderings of Randal's humour. Simply because they repeat some of his (often very funny) jokes.

Then bitches that Randal misused a meme, thereby asserting the importance of following the random wanderings of Internet humor.

What the fuck dude. If you actually think correctly (or incorrectly) using a meme has any importance or significance in making a value judgement about another human being what kind of shit-eater does that make you?

[Kisama]

Completely off-topic, but I was bored of doing data analysis for work so I did a little for "fun".

Spoilered for vertically superlative image:

Spoiler:

"Last Post" count per user, as of 2012/02/28 08:52 UTC, excluding Page 1, for "Individual XKCD Comic Threads".
edit: Also excluding counts of 1, otherwise the chart would be many times taller.

[EpicanicusStrikes]

this.is.perfect.

Dammit. I could have sworn this was Sparta.

[SirMustapha]

Ok, so Mustapha insults the XKCD fanbase by implying that they will go so far as to eat shit in an attempt to follow the random wanderings of Randal's humour. Simply because they repeat some of his (often very funny) jokes.

Correction: I have insulted a part of Randall's fanbase, not all of it. I said certain people would eat shit if Randall said it was cool. I am absolutely sure that there was a good portion of people who enjoyed the comic but who did NOT proceed to repeat that phrase at every occasion and then laugh at their own ability of being completely unimaginative dumbfucks, OR keep making up mental images of how AWESUM it would be to repeat that phrase at every occasion and then laugh at their own ability of being completely unimaginative dumbfucks and post about it here. It's the same thing with Wikipedia Randallism: there are CERTAIN people who look for absolutely anything that appears on xkcd -- say, a wooden chair, and then go to the "Wooden chair" article on Wikipedia, click "edit" and add a reference to the xkcd comic that referenced a wooden chair. Not everyone does that, but people like that exist.

Then bitches that Randal misused a meme, thereby asserting the importance of following the random wanderings of Internet humor.

I don't think it's important to know what "Protip" is. On the contrary: I don't give it any importance at all. BUT, if you do insert "Protip" on your webcomic, it should be expected that you know what it means.

What the fuck dude. If you actually think correctly (or incorrectly) using a meme has any importance or significance in making a value judgement about another human being what kind of shit-eater does that make you?

I am making a judgement about Randall as a webcomic author, not as a "human being". And I'm not doing anything that Randall himself hasn't done: he has published a comic criticising Garfield, remember that? And he occasionally makes jokes with people he doesn't like (Carlos Mencia comes to mind).

Besides, the misuse of a meme was just a detail in this comic. What truly caught me is Randall's ability to create little fashionable acts that certain wannabe geeks feel the need to imitate. You know, on the "Kerning" comic, some people said that Randall was trolling his fanbase. And I actually think he's doing exactly that! He's manipulating his fans and laughing at the things they do on his will. That certainly makes a funny mental image.

[Red Hal]

Another one of my favourites is "No, that's just what they would be expecting us to do."

[Ronsonic]

A webcomic catchphrase is one thing. If a candidate says, "so, it has come to this" at the next Republican debate, we'll know the phrase has hit the big time.

White phone for Mr. Gingrich. Mr Newt Gingrich, please pick up the white phone.

[thesingingaccountant]

lets make a game of it to see who can post it as the first response to SirMustaphas first comment in every new thread. He will love it. we all will love it.

I'm in. See y'all tomorrow.

I can't wait for the comic that reads: My hobby: Writing comics that SirMustapha hates.

I can't remember the last time I literally laughed out loud at something I saw on the Internet. Thanks. I must point out, though, that SirMustapha appears to be what the experts call a "hater." Thus, writing comics he hates isn't really any different from writing comics, period.

My personal favorite line for when I've run out of constructive responses is "So what??" Calvin (of "Calvin and Hobbes") adopted it as his rallying cry. It doesn't work so well for interrogatories, but that's where "And your point would be...?" comes in.

THAT, SirMustapha, is snarky. Sit on it.

[addams]

Nah. They won't eat the cat.

Cats have a way of looking at me that tells me where I am on the food chain.

Below Cat.

1. I am human.
2. The stick figures represent humans.

1. I am below real cats on the food chain.
2. Stick figures are below stick figure cats on the food chain.

That seems simple enough and problem solved.
Oh! Those stick people need some stick cat food; Now!

You assume the cat's look is not just a defence mechanism designed to make you think that you are below it on a food chain, much like some non-dangerous animals have evolved to look dangerous.

You also assume that all humans are at the same point on the food chain.

Right. Well; No. Wrong.
We are all on the food chain that has bacteria, fungi and worms eat us.

Cats that are little are not smart enough to know that people are not on their menu.
Cats that are big DO eat people.
In Asia, in Africa and in California these cats hunt and kill people.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cougar

The house cat that looks deeply into your eyes may be doing the Math.
This thing produces food and is nice to cuddle with=Do not kill it, yet.

I know cats really do have affection for us. I know that cats really do like some of us better than others.
I, also, know the cat is a bloodthirsty killer. They will kill before they know what they have done.

Sometimes they will bring a kill home as a gift. "Nice Kitty. Sure glad I outweigh you."

[San Fran Sam]

A phrase that i have found useful in almost any situation is "I'm sorry, but you obviously have me confused with someone you think gives a damn."

If you want to be more aggressive you can substitute s**t or f**k for "damn".