Editing 998: 2012
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{{comic | {{comic | ||
| number = 998 | | number = 998 | ||
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | + | Happy New Year everyone! This comic is in reference to the fact that the {{w|Maya civilization|Mayans}}, an ancient civilization in the {{w|Central America|America}}s, created a calendar that ends (or, more accurately, restarts) on Dec 21st, 2012. This date is regarded as the end-date of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the calendar used by the Mayan culture. Knowing this, some thought that the world was going to end on that date. | |
− | Consequently, a lot of people were talking about the Mayans, concerned that the world might end. After December | + | Consequently, a lot of people were talking about the Mayans, concerned that the world might end. After December 21st, 2012 passed uneventfully, everyone was less concerned about the Mayans, because the world didn't end. It is worthy of note that this comic was published nearly a year ''before'' the "significant" date and that Randal predicted both the hype and the aftermath perfectly. |
There is a measure of irony to be had in how the Mayans who still exist today were largely ignored by the doomsayers. "Or acknowledging that huge city-building ancient American civilizations existed at all." | There is a measure of irony to be had in how the Mayans who still exist today were largely ignored by the doomsayers. "Or acknowledging that huge city-building ancient American civilizations existed at all." | ||
− | In the final frame, [[Megan]] parodies the phrase, "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it," applying a twist to suggest an academic context. In most American schools, a Grade Point Average is computed by assigning numeric value to each letter grade: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, and F=0; receiving high marks (all A's) thus yields a 4.0 GPA. However, if you "Fail to learn from History" — that is, get a failing grade, F, and had at least 3 other classes (not an unusual course load) — you would still get a 3.0 with A's in those other classes. | + | In the final frame, [[Megan]] parodies the phrase, "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it," applying a twist to suggest an academic context. In most American schools, a Grade Point Average is computed by assigning numeric value to each letter grade: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, and F=0; receiving high marks (all A's) thus yields a 4.0 GPA. However, if you "Fail to learn from History" — that is, get a failing grade, F, and had at least 3 other classes (not an unusual course load) — you would still get a 3.0 with A's in those other classes. She is making the callous — if roundabout — observation that failing to grasp history, while no doubt troubling, isn't an academic show-stopper (perhaps explaining why so many Americans are so bad at it.) |
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==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
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:Cueball: Well, it's 2012. | :Cueball: Well, it's 2012. | ||
− | :[ | + | :[[This panel has no upper and lower borders.] |
− | : | + | :Cueball: Yup. |
:Megan: Only 354 days left until everybody abruptly stops talking about Mayans. | :Megan: Only 354 days left until everybody abruptly stops talking about Mayans. | ||
+ | :Cueball: Or thinking about Mayans. | ||
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:Cueball: Or acknowledging that huge city-building ancient American civilizations existed at all. | :Cueball: Or acknowledging that huge city-building ancient American civilizations existed at all. | ||
:Megan: You know what they say — those who fail to learn from history can still manage a 3.0 if they ace their other subjects. | :Megan: You know what they say — those who fail to learn from history can still manage a 3.0 if they ace their other subjects. | ||
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
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[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | ||
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