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==Explanation==
 
==Explanation==
[[Hairy]] offers [[Cueball]] some {{w|beer}} from his fridge, and Cueball takes the opportunity to suggest that people should admit that beer tastes bad and stop pretending to like it. Hairy berates Cueball for making such an admission, and Cueball admits defeat, deciding to drink the beer anyway and pretend to like it to play his part in what he perceives to be a mass delusion.
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[[Hairy]] offers [[Cueball]] some beer from his fridge, and Cueball takes the opportunity to suggest that people should admit that beer tastes bad and stop pretending to like it. Hairy berates Cueball for making such an affirmation, and Cueball, having failed to break the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S1d3cNge24&t=47m34s mutual knowledge barrier], consents to drink it and pretend to like it to preserve social cohesion and what he perceives to be a mass delusion, even though Hairy tells him to not drink it if he doesn't like it.
  
There are two possible interpretations of this comic. One is that Cueball is right and that no one really likes beer, and everyone is just pretending in order to fit in. The other is that Hairy actually likes beer, but Cueball is adamant on this stance and would sarcastically consume alcohol rather then refusing it. The second is more likely, as Hairy later suggests to Cueball that he should stop drinking the beer if he dislikes it (implying that he himself, having taken a swig earlier, does enjoy it).
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There is at least two possible interpretations of this comic. One is that it is Cueball that has it right, and that no one really likes beer. The other is that Cueball is a jerk because he assumes that everyone that likes something he does not is only pretending. (It could also be interpreted as a mix of these two versions.)
  
In the case where Cueball is correct, the comic would imply that beer doesn't actually taste good, and people instead pretend to like beer to conform to social norms. The theory is that this pretense is perpetuated by advertising and {{w|peer pressure}}, which present beer as a naturally pleasant beverage. In this interpretation, Cueball, having failed to break the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S1d3cNge24&t=47m34s mutual knowledge barrier], admits defeat and joins Hairy in pretending to enjoy beer.
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In the case where Cueball is correct the comic would imply that beer doesn't actually taste good, and instead fits the definition of an {{w|acquired taste}}, with most people initially pretending to like beer to conform to social norms, and later {{w|Internalisation (sociology)|internalizing}} this belief to prevent {{w|cognitive dissonance}}. The theory is that this dissonance is perpetuated by advertising and {{w|peer pressure}}, which present beer as a naturally pleasant beverage.  
  
The second case would mean that Cueball mistaken in assuming that nobody likes beer, either because he fails to {{w|empathy|empathize}} with those who have a different experience than his, or because he's heard from other people who also admitted not to like beer, and extrapolated that opinion to everyone (perhaps assuming that such admissions are underrepresented due to the {{w|Drinking culture|cultural bias in favor of drinking}}).  
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In the second case, we see that Cueball is not ready to accept the truth, that Hairy drinks beer because he likes it, even though he is told that it would be OK not to drink the beer.
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Cueball maintains that he has to do his part to maintain the image that everyone likes beer. He feels that he has been criticized when trying to {{w|The Emperor's New Clothes|bring up the truth}}. Cueball completely fails to empathize with Hairy. He has failed to build an accurate cognitive model as he assumes that Hairy is also only pretending to like beer.
  
It can also be interpreted as poking fun at people who loudly profess their distaste for beer. Cueball brings up his dislike for the taste of beer, a criticism that many people have. Instead of not saying anything or refusing to drink, Cueball would rather continue with it so they can complain more.
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The title text {{w|sarcastic|sarcastically}} expands on Cueball's version of the truth stating that he feels no peer pressure to like beer. Actually hairy do not apply any pressure, it is Cueball that does this to him self in this comic. But there can for sure be a lot of pressure from your surroundings if you do not like to drink beer or other alcoholic drinks. Especially among student in groups where drinking at parties has become the norm.
 
 
The title text expands on Cueball's perspective, stating ({{w|sarcastic|sarcastically}}) that he feels "no peer pressure" to like beer. The pressure to drink beer or other alcoholic drinks is a well-known phenomenon, especially among {{w|Peer pressure#Substance use and adolescents|adolescents and young adults}}.
 
  
 
==Transcript==
 
==Transcript==
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:Hairy: Dude, if you don't like it, don't drink it.
 
:Hairy: Dude, if you don't like it, don't drink it.
 
:Cueball: No, no, gotta do my part! Mmmmm!!!
 
:Cueball: No, no, gotta do my part! Mmmmm!!!
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==Trivia==
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*The [http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/10/01/352771618/from-kale-to-pale-ale-a-love-of-bitter-may-be-in-your-genes like or dislike] of certain tastes, such a beer, may have a [http://news.psu.edu/story/327406/2014/09/23/research/research-shows-alcohol-sensations-influenced-genes genetic background] and is likely caused by evolution of your ancestors and genetics linked to culture of eating and drinking habits.
  
 
{{comic discussion}}
 
{{comic discussion}}
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[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
 
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
 
[[Category:Sarcasm]]
 
[[Category:Sarcasm]]
[[Category:Food]]
 

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