1000hz
+0 -0
A comment left by 1000hz was marked lame too many times and excluded. (marked lame by divot, silver_lake, tttt, dotacreepy)
A comment left by 1000hz was marked lame too many times and excluded. (marked lame by divot, silver_lake, tttt, dotacreepy)
hollis
+0 -0
A comment left by hollis was marked lame too many times and excluded. (marked lame by joeyramoney, silver_lake, erincandy)
A comment left by hollis was marked lame too many times and excluded. (marked lame by joeyramoney, silver_lake, erincandy)
mikebox
+6 -1
I think it's that he feels communion with the rat that didn't run away when threatened with hammer-smashing.
I think it's that he feels communion with the rat that didn't run away when threatened with hammer-smashing.
luckypyjamas
+9 -0
i thought he was trying to loosen the mouse's grip
i thought he was trying to loosen the mouse's grip
dusty
+0 -0
Ok, that makes sense, I was thinking maybe he didn't have the heart to smash him so he just pinched his hand a little.
Ok, that makes sense, I was thinking maybe he didn't have the heart to smash him so he just pinched his hand a little.
soticoto
+0 -0
And of course you can see the tweezers in his pocket from the start of the imaginings.
And of course you can see the tweezers in his pocket from the start of the imaginings.
henrythecad
+0 -0
A comment left by henrythecad was marked lame too many times and excluded. (marked lame by joeyramoney, silver_lake, Dainbramage)
A comment left by henrythecad was marked lame too many times and excluded. (marked lame by joeyramoney, silver_lake, Dainbramage)
silver_lake
+0 -0
A comment left by silver_lake was marked lame too many times and excluded. (marked lame by tttt2, rowboat, atticusonline)
A comment left by silver_lake was marked lame too many times and excluded. (marked lame by tttt2, rowboat, atticusonline)
straw
+17 -0
That seems the most likely explanation. When Beef imagines things it never ends happily for anyone. He doesn't want the mouse to fall to its death, but it's his job .
That seems the most likely explanation. When Beef imagines things it never ends happily for anyone. He doesn't want the mouse to fall to its death, but it's his job .
halfdirt
+10 -1
Like a lot of laboratory experiments or measurements, you start with a large tool and end with a precise tool. Start buy dumping liquid into a graduated cylinder until you're near your goal, and finish with with individual drops from a pipet. Start with a hammer, finish with tweezers.
Now I wish I could imagine the point of this experiment. The rats don't look like they're being killed.
Like a lot of laboratory experiments or measurements, you start with a large tool and end with a precise tool. Start buy dumping liquid into a graduated cylinder until you're near your goal, and finish with with individual drops from a pipet. Start with a hammer, finish with tweezers.
Now I wish I could imagine the point of this experiment. The rats don't look like they're being killed.
tessebatt
+0 -0
Wow, it's interesting to see you guys' immediate reaction to this strip. My thought was that Beef is supposed to kill all those rats (the worst job for a lab assistant that he can think of, and with the worst tools,) it doesn't work of course, one rat hangs on to the edge of the table, and Beef doesn't want to touch it. Since it's his job to kill it, he tries to pull it back up with the tweezers.
I always thought this strip was really sad. Reflects a lot of Beef and how he sees tragedy in everything, and from the utmost pessimistic point of view.
Wow, it's interesting to see you guys' immediate reaction to this strip. My thought was that Beef is supposed to kill all those rats (the worst job for a lab assistant that he can think of, and with the worst tools,) it doesn't work of course, one rat hangs on to the edge of the table, and Beef doesn't want to touch it. Since it's his job to kill it, he tries to pull it back up with the tweezers.
I always thought this strip was really sad. Reflects a lot of Beef and how he sees tragedy in everything, and from the utmost pessimistic point of view.
woodenteeth
+0 -0
Not sure where I heard it, but when you need to put down a rat from an experiment, they do it in what is called The Mouse Room (this maybe specific to one particular lab).
Which is kinda species-ist, but if you're going off to die I'm guessing that's going to be the last of your complaints.
Not sure where I heard it, but when you need to put down a rat from an experiment, they do it in what is called The Mouse Room (this maybe specific to one particular lab).
Which is kinda species-ist, but if you're going off to die I'm guessing that's going to be the last of your complaints.
cracklewater
+2 -0
A fall like that won't kill a mouse, though.
We presume the ones that ran off the table are alive and well and escaped, don't we?
I'm seeing an act of compassion for the mouse, even if it's expressed via tweezers. I'm guessing Beef is either shaking paws or loosening the mouse's grip so he drop down and run off with his fellows.
A fall like that won't kill a mouse, though.
We presume the ones that ran off the table are alive and well and escaped, don't we?
I'm seeing an act of compassion for the mouse, even if it's expressed via tweezers. I'm guessing Beef is either shaking paws or loosening the mouse's grip so he drop down and run off with his fellows.
moraiat
+1 -0
Beef is no longer laying down for this pondering. He got up, or sat up, specifically to ponder this.
Beef is no longer laying down for this pondering. He got up, or sat up, specifically to ponder this.
cousinted
+17 -1
I'm pretty sure he's shaking the hand of the only mouse brave enough not to flee.
I'm pretty sure he's shaking the hand of the only mouse brave enough not to flee.
blarghamagarky
+1 -0
and I'm pretty sure it's adorable
and I'm pretty sure it's adorable
tpederson
+0 -0
I would venture a guess that the curved lines around the mouse indicate that it is shaking. And if that is true, I would guess that it is about to suffer a terrible fate. I would assume that fate to be: listening to the cure, endlessly.
I would venture a guess that the curved lines around the mouse indicate that it is shaking. And if that is true, I would guess that it is about to suffer a terrible fate. I would assume that fate to be: listening to the cure, endlessly.
hendetta
+6 -0
From the look and position of the mouse from the first panel I am assuming that the mouse is Beef's research partner (he is stunned at the results.)
From the look and position of the mouse from the first panel I am assuming that the mouse is Beef's research partner (he is stunned at the results.)
laserblade
+2 -0
This... is actually the best explanation. This is it. The mouse is hanging off the table at the start of the experiment, and they shake hands at the end. This is what I choose to believe.
This... is actually the best explanation. This is it. The mouse is hanging off the table at the start of the experiment, and they shake hands at the end. This is what I choose to believe.
landowmpg
+0 -0
I'd like to imagine a scenario where the hanging mouse had been bullied by the rest of the mice. Beef, having likely been similarily picked on at some point in his past, sympathized and took it upon himself to torment the bully mice with the hammer, allowing him to exact vengeance upon his childhood bullies, vicariously. My theory.
I'd like to imagine a scenario where the hanging mouse had been bullied by the rest of the mice. Beef, having likely been similarily picked on at some point in his past, sympathized and took it upon himself to torment the bully mice with the hammer, allowing him to exact vengeance upon his childhood bullies, vicariously. My theory.
euphemisms
+6 -0
scientifically proven: mice do not like hammers
scientifically proven: mice do not like hammers
fineoakstructure
+1 -0
It's a Fact!
[IMGS OFF]
It's a Fact!
[IMGS OFF]
gormster
+2 -1
Guys the idea is that he threatens the mice with a hammer, and they all run off the table to their deaths. That mouse was the only one with enough presence of mind to hang on to the edge.
Guys the idea is that he threatens the mice with a hammer, and they all run off the table to their deaths. That mouse was the only one with enough presence of mind to hang on to the edge.
woodenteeth
+1 -0
and then Beef decides to remove his paws from the tables edge to let the Mouse plummet to his doom in the name of science.
and then Beef decides to remove his paws from the tables edge to let the Mouse plummet to his doom in the name of science.
killwithkarate
+0 -0
This strip doesn't do much for me, but I enjoy the fact that the mouse has eyebrows and yet no eyes.
This strip doesn't do much for me, but I enjoy the fact that the mouse has eyebrows and yet no eyes.
talix18
+0 -0
Damn. I really wanted Beef to be giving the mouse a file so they could make a real break for it.
Damn. I really wanted Beef to be giving the mouse a file so they could make a real break for it.
ttagxamm
+3 -0
Oh hell. I've just gone and given out chubbies to three or four different explanations, each of which seemed for an instant to finally, after three years, make sense of this strip. And in fact I still don't know what the hell happens here.
Oh hell. I've just gone and given out chubbies to three or four different explanations, each of which seemed for an instant to finally, after three years, make sense of this strip. And in fact I still don't know what the hell happens here.
rowboat
+3 -0
Thankfully, it kind of doesn't matter. I love what is happening here, no matter what it is.
Thankfully, it kind of doesn't matter. I love what is happening here, no matter what it is.
blarghamagarky
+0 -0
I see you around and you are pretty much always correct
I see you around and you are pretty much always correct
rowboat
+0 -0
Well, that's a stretch. Going back through all these comments for the first time since I made them helps me realize just wrong I can be. For example, sorry I was a dick to you once. You know, in the future. Sometimes I just shoot my mouth off. Not a good practice.
Well, that's a stretch. Going back through all these comments for the first time since I made them helps me realize just wrong I can be. For example, sorry I was a dick to you once. You know, in the future. Sometimes I just shoot my mouth off. Not a good practice.
blarghamagarky
+1 -0
it is ok rowboat, because that was a silly stupid thread. Our internet message board relations are amended.
it is ok rowboat, because that was a silly stupid thread. Our internet message board relations are amended.
rowboat
+1 -0
Done.
Done.
spenham
+0 -0
Jesus forgives everyone, silly!
Jesus forgives everyone, silly!
rowboat
+2 -0
Not if he knew....
Not if he knew....
gouldgonewild
+0 -0
For the last time, I'm not Jesu...oh wait
For the last time, I'm not Jesu...oh wait
epicurus
+0 -0
Hard to say if Beef's job is to pry the mouse's paws off so that it, too falls, or if the test was really which mouse would hang onto the edge rather than run off and he is shaking hands with it. or a sinister third option.
Hard to say if Beef's job is to pry the mouse's paws off so that it, too falls, or if the test was really which mouse would hang onto the edge rather than run off and he is shaking hands with it. or a sinister third option.
dasilodavi
+0 -1
...
...
ezcmac
+1 -0
What we need more of is dead mice.
What we need more of is dead mice.
dasilodavi
+4 -0
What the World. Needs now. Is Mice. Dead mice.
It's the one thing there's just too little of.
What the World. Needs now. Is Mice. Dead mice.
It's the one thing there's just too little of.
falseprophet
+0 -0
"Beef is not what Jay said to Nas / Beef is when working niggaz can't find jobs."
"Beef is not what Jay said to Nas / Beef is when working niggaz can't find jobs."
rarebeef
+2 -0
Mice all leaping away from the hammer. All falling off the table, twisting in mid-air as they tumble. Beef cold prying the last little fellow's paws off the edge with some tweezers. All for a little bit of paper.
Mice all leaping away from the hammer. All falling off the table, twisting in mid-air as they tumble. Beef cold prying the last little fellow's paws off the edge with some tweezers. All for a little bit of paper.
autrepoupee
+2 -0
they are mutually unafraid of death and in fact tempt it beg for it wish upon christmas wish for it
they are mutually unafraid of death and in fact tempt it beg for it wish upon christmas wish for it
xiaomimi
+20 -0
Weekend Blogs
Ray: Gnome Party clues (SPOILER: read previous entry first!)
Roast Beef: The ol' lead balloon
Teodor: Brew Company
Philippe: A scared man pooped in our yard!
Mr. Bear: A bit of a detour
Lyle: Jimmy crapped in my yard!
Onstad: Final Thoughts on my vacation to Kauai.
Weekend Blogs
Ray: Gnome Party clues (SPOILER: read previous entry first!)
Roast Beef: The ol' lead balloon
Teodor: Brew Company
Philippe: A scared man pooped in our yard!
Mr. Bear: A bit of a detour
Lyle: Jimmy crapped in my yard!
Onstad: Final Thoughts on my vacation to Kauai.
le_baron_noir
+0 -0
It's rare that I feel this way, because I really do love the blogs. But I can't tell you how much I wish Onstad would've made Beef's "ol' lead balloon" entry into a strip, instead. I think it's unfair that I'll never get to see his vision of Ray doing the "bird is the word" dance in full scuba gear at the bottom of his pool.
I don't know. Maybe it would've been hard to convey properly.
It's rare that I feel this way, because I really do love the blogs. But I can't tell you how much I wish Onstad would've made Beef's "ol' lead balloon" entry into a strip, instead. I think it's unfair that I'll never get to see his vision of Ray doing the "bird is the word" dance in full scuba gear at the bottom of his pool.
I don't know. Maybe it would've been hard to convey properly.
echidnaboy
+0 -0
I'm just relieved he didn't make a strip out of Lyle's post. That is some disgusting (and hilarious) shit. Literally.
It's been said before, but the service Xiaomimi is providing here is ten kinds of awesome.
I'm just relieved he didn't make a strip out of Lyle's post. That is some disgusting (and hilarious) shit. Literally.
It's been said before, but the service Xiaomimi is providing here is ten kinds of awesome.
i_love_kate
+0 -0
Mr. Bear's post is amazing. Read it, even if you're not a frequent blog-reader. It is rewarding.
Mr. Bear's post is amazing. Read it, even if you're not a frequent blog-reader. It is rewarding.
tekende
+0 -0
It is wonderful.
It is wonderful.
sirfrederick
+0 -0
Wow. People's interpretations of this strip are a lot darker than mine. I read it as "Beef has to hit the mice with a hammer, they all run away immediately except one, he feels fellow-feeling for the only person left in the room with him, they shake hands."
Wow. People's interpretations of this strip are a lot darker than mine. I read it as "Beef has to hit the mice with a hammer, they all run away immediately except one, he feels fellow-feeling for the only person left in the room with him, they shake hands."
saulbellow
+0 -0
Okay, but why does he have a tweezers handy in his shirt pocket from the very first panel? Was he planning to shake hands?
Cats persecuting mice is a little too reminiscent of the ethnic assignments to different animals in "Maus", which makes me feel like RB/Ray/etc. are Nazis and I guess Cornelius is Russian. Philippe, of course, is an otter.
Okay, but why does he have a tweezers handy in his shirt pocket from the very first panel? Was he planning to shake hands?
Cats persecuting mice is a little too reminiscent of the ethnic assignments to different animals in "Maus", which makes me feel like RB/Ray/etc. are Nazis and I guess Cornelius is Russian. Philippe, of course, is an otter.
sirfrederick
+0 -0
Well, A; he's Beef, B; he's doing Science, and C; it's his imagination, so if it wasn't there before, he can just imagine it there.
Well, A; he's Beef, B; he's doing Science, and C; it's his imagination, so if it wasn't there before, he can just imagine it there.
saulbellow
+0 -0
Mary! My science tweezers!
Mary! My science tweezers!
norsef
+1 -1
No Python reference?
You disappoint me The Internet.
No Python reference?
You disappoint me The Internet.
norsef
+0 -1
Oh cock.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9nGyPz9uT0
There is that better? Is it? Is that good enough for you?
Oh cock.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9nGyPz9uT0
There is that better? Is it? Is that good enough for you?
deus
+2 -0
I thought he was going to play the bells of St. Mary.
I thought he was going to play the bells of St. Mary.
Beef looked like he was about to play Whac-a-Mole. Ironically, Ray is somewhere far off with a chessboard.
Meanwhile, Todd, Blister and Lyle attempt to play Diplomacy.
i played diplomacy with some friends once. sam and i decided to team up and take out everybody else. we did this, but during one of the final rounds of negotiation, i managed to maneuver sam outdoors, and proceeded to lock the door. i returned to the group and told everybody sam had to go home suddenly, and that as such, he forfeited the game, and i won.
by the time i remembered sam was out there, it was too late for anybody to refute me, everything had been cleaned up.
That is technically known as the Orizaba Maneuver.