<< Yesterday, dahawk said: The mind of a child can be fascinating. >>
Hello everyone. There was some interesting discussion yesterday about whether or not I am the real Hobbes.
Speaking from my vast experience using a pencil and legal pad, It is necessary for me to recuse myself from the deliberations on this subject because, being the real Hobbes, it is too difficult for me to give equal treatment to both sides of the issue.
Each participant in the discussion group must make up their own mind whether they simply wish to observe what Calvin and I do each day, and sometimes comment on it, or whether they also wish to participate in it with us, through an analogous experience.
Deciding whether or not to see me as the real Hobbes depends, in part, on how fully you are still in touch with the vivid imagination that you had when you were Calvin’s age.
Choosing to see me as something less than the real Hobbes is analogous to the way Calvin’s parents see me when they are around.
But deciding to see me as the real Hobbes, who is paying a visit to your discussion group, is analogous to the way Calvin sees me. For adults, it is a window into the mind of a child. And it can be fascinating.
Comments, anyone? (If you can’t think of anything to say, try using your imagination…… hee hee hee.)
Evilness breaks in, perhaps he’ll change his mind before doing it!
I think most people wish from their heart to be good, but it doesn’t work always!
We need a mercyful judge!
Not really sure who Bill Watterson is, since I’ve never met him. But Calvin and I sometimes see a guy sneaking around drawing sketches of us. Somebody told us that Bill Watterson is our pen name. Not sure what that means. My best guess is that Bill Watterson is the creation of someone’s overactive imagination.
Hobbes’s posting remind me of this quote of Chuang Tzu :
“I dreamed I was a butterfly, flitting around in the sky; then I awoke. Now I wonder: Am I a man who dreamt of being a butterfly, or am I a butterfly dreaming that I am a man?”
I am thankful to BW and Hobbes for the cartoon and comments. I do not need to know which one is imaginary and which one is not. Both seem equally great.
I had a slushball thrown at me once right in the ear, I returned it promptly and the kid cried. Nobody ever did it to me again after that! You’ve gotta give as good as you get, when you’re the only girl in the neighborhood!
Hobbes—-whoever you are it is for sure you are a gal. You’ve given several clues…but my gut feeling is your excellent insight….guys just don’t have it. What say you?
Interesting, kreole. I mean, how does Calvin know what sex Hobbes really is? As far as I know, no-one has come up with an anatomically correct stuffed animal.
Hobbes: The real question is, who do you think you are?
Oh, Mike Firesmith you are so very kind!!
The last panel reminds me on the wolvesravine in the opera “Freischütz”, do they fight their duel here or have they forgotten the cause why they struggled?
Hobbes -
I still say you’re a figment of Calvin’s imagination. You are the voice of his conscience, representing his “good” side, which is constantly in conflict with his “naughty” side. Someone said I over-think it. Maybe so, but I love this comic strip and believe it is one of the funniest of all time.
Despite the fact that I had read all of these the first time they ran, and own the complete C & H boxed collection, I continue to enjoy each strip as if it were the first time. Much of that sentiment is because of the comments posted by first-time readers. There are always details in the drawings which I missed in each of the previous viewings. I’ll continue to respect and admire Bill Watterson’s work and decision to remain true to his principles.
On the other hand, isn’t it possible that WE comic readers are all figments of Hobbes’ and Calvin’s imaginations?
Seriously…look at politicians…aren’t most of them more or less tall versions of school-aged squabbling kids? And aren’t far too many CEOs the greedy kids?
I usually see Hobbes as the voice of conscience, which is almost an oxymoron as he is male…sorry, guys. If, however, being an imaginary “reason”allows for some reasonable doubt, then wouldn’t it follow that Hobbes’ reasoning is always going to be a reasonable facsimile of T. Hobbes’ struggle to explain good vs. evil in the state of nature? I mean, Hobbes is a very “natural” creature with all of natures’ dilemmas thrown in by way of Calvin? (Wow. Sorry. We’re on break for 2 whole weeks and I’m giddy…)
Hobbes,
We have three options.
You are who you believe you are, or we can believe you are who you are, and finally we can believe the reality (whatever that may be).
In keeping with the season, I prefer to side with Virginia …
Yes there is a Hobbes. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its greatest joy.
“When Hobbes is a stuffed toy in one panel and alive in the next, I’m juxtaposing the ‘grown-up’ version of reality with Calvin’s version, and inviting the reader to decide which is truer.”
- Bill Watterson
<< kreole said: Hobbes – whoever you are it is for sure you are a gal. You’ve given several clues…but my gut feeling is your excellent insight….guys just don’t have it. What say you? >>
Hi kreole
So, let me get this straight. It sounds like you have chosen not to believe that I am actually Hobbes, and you are saying that you think that somehow I am actually a gal, pretending to be a guy, pretending to be a real tiger, whom Calvin’s parents think is a stuffed tiger, but whom Calvin believes is real, and whom Calvin believes is a guy.
I say you have a very vivid imagination. So does Calvin, but his is a lot easier for me to follow. :>)
When I read the postings from the group members, it is sometimes very hard for me to guess whether they are a gal or a guy, based on what they write. In your case, I concluded yesterday that you were a guy, based on what you wrote. (“Calvin is the boy all us guys once were.”)
But I did fail to consider the possibility that you might be a gal, pretending to be a guy……. (Just kidding).
As I said yesterday, HOBBES first name and initial are Bill W. Only he could read the mind of a stuffed tiger and express it so well since he has known said tiger longer than the rest of us. I’m an elderly female, since gender seems to be common thread today. Turn 79 on Jan 1–Blah!
magnamax, obviously you haven’t heard about the mistake the factory lady made when she was told her job was to give the stuffed Tickle Me Elmo dolls two “test tickles”!
All in all I don’t think Calvin is doing anything “evil”, I just think he’s doing something “in love” at least as far as a 6 year old would. I think Santa will understand. He probably threw snowballs at Mrs. Claus when he was 6.
<< gofinsc wrote: “Hobbes”– Give it a rest. It was sort of cute the first 15 times, but not now. >>
Don’t worry, gofinsc, nothing in this life lasts forever. Stay tuned.
I have been writing for those who are introspective and imaginative, who enjoy subtle humor, and who like to think on multiple levels at once. Cuteness has not been my purpose.
@Hobbes
You just keep on posting. Anyone who does not have a malicious nature is more than welcome to post to this site. I enjoy your comments… and “I” believe you are who you say you are!
My motto is “the first portion of ignorance is ignore”, and that is what we should do in the case of those who can not speak nicely, or not at all.”
margueritem over 13 years ago
An evil thought, Hobbes…
Hobbes Premium Member over 13 years ago
<< Yesterday, dahawk said: The mind of a child can be fascinating. >>
Hello everyone. There was some interesting discussion yesterday about whether or not I am the real Hobbes.
Speaking from my vast experience using a pencil and legal pad, It is necessary for me to recuse myself from the deliberations on this subject because, being the real Hobbes, it is too difficult for me to give equal treatment to both sides of the issue.
Each participant in the discussion group must make up their own mind whether they simply wish to observe what Calvin and I do each day, and sometimes comment on it, or whether they also wish to participate in it with us, through an analogous experience.
Deciding whether or not to see me as the real Hobbes depends, in part, on how fully you are still in touch with the vivid imagination that you had when you were Calvin’s age.
Choosing to see me as something less than the real Hobbes is analogous to the way Calvin’s parents see me when they are around.
But deciding to see me as the real Hobbes, who is paying a visit to your discussion group, is analogous to the way Calvin sees me. For adults, it is a window into the mind of a child. And it can be fascinating.
Comments, anyone? (If you can’t think of anything to say, try using your imagination…… hee hee hee.)
– Hobbes
SWEETBILL over 13 years ago
Love Calvins look ,last panel, see Santa ,he is a good kid heh heh
MontanaLady over 13 years ago
Hey, Hobbes….be that you REALLY are Bill Waterson…… what a treat….
But, I have my doubts……:))
rentier over 13 years ago
Evilness breaks in, perhaps he’ll change his mind before doing it! I think most people wish from their heart to be good, but it doesn’t work always! We need a mercyful judge!
Hobbes Premium Member over 13 years ago
Not really sure who Bill Watterson is, since I’ve never met him. But Calvin and I sometimes see a guy sneaking around drawing sketches of us. Somebody told us that Bill Watterson is our pen name. Not sure what that means. My best guess is that Bill Watterson is the creation of someone’s overactive imagination.
tis4kis over 13 years ago
Calvin wouldn’t be lying saying he is really good… He’d just be leaving out the part about what he’s good at… being bad.
Yukoner over 13 years ago
In just over a week Calvin will have some coal to pack into the centre of his slush balls.
Destiny23 over 13 years ago
No-one can accuse Calvin of being thoughtless. It’s just that all his thoughts are naughty!
kpreethy over 13 years ago
GOOD KID…& calvin…LOL
vibjyor over 13 years ago
Hobbes’s posting remind me of this quote of Chuang Tzu :
“I dreamed I was a butterfly, flitting around in the sky; then I awoke. Now I wonder: Am I a man who dreamt of being a butterfly, or am I a butterfly dreaming that I am a man?”
I am thankful to BW and Hobbes for the cartoon and comments. I do not need to know which one is imaginary and which one is not. Both seem equally great.
Dino-1 over 13 years ago
I had a slushball thrown at me once right in the ear, I returned it promptly and the kid cried. Nobody ever did it to me again after that! You’ve gotta give as good as you get, when you’re the only girl in the neighborhood!
hannahmw over 13 years ago
Are these brand new Calvin and Hobbes from Bill Watterson, or reposts from his books or something? :O
GROG Premium Member over 13 years ago
Calvin, I don’t think you have a legal leg to stand on.
Good Morning, Marg, Mike & ♠Lonewolf♠.
kreole over 13 years ago
Hobbes—-whoever you are it is for sure you are a gal. You’ve given several clues…but my gut feeling is your excellent insight….guys just don’t have it. What say you?
Troglodyte over 13 years ago
Love how BW has captured the changes in Calvin’s mood just by the way he’s drawn his eyes - panels 2, 3 and 4 are a true study in contrasts.
magnamax over 13 years ago
Interesting, kreole. I mean, how does Calvin know what sex Hobbes really is? As far as I know, no-one has come up with an anatomically correct stuffed animal.
Hobbes: The real question is, who do you think you are?
florchi over 13 years ago
Hobbes - I am intrigued. You seem to think like the “real Hobbes” (the Hobbes that Calvin sees).
mike.firesmith over 13 years ago
**Good morning Marg! Good morning Fran and Kizzzy! Good Morning L’Wolf! Good Morning Grog!**
Well, he’s good when he’s sleeping, does that count?
alviebird over 13 years ago
If you can’t be good,
be good at it.
rentier over 13 years ago
Oh, Mike Firesmith you are so very kind!! The last panel reminds me on the wolvesravine in the opera “Freischütz”, do they fight their duel here or have they forgotten the cause why they struggled?
rshive over 13 years ago
Calvin can resist anything but temptation.
davidf42 over 13 years ago
Hobbes - I still say you’re a figment of Calvin’s imagination. You are the voice of his conscience, representing his “good” side, which is constantly in conflict with his “naughty” side. Someone said I over-think it. Maybe so, but I love this comic strip and believe it is one of the funniest of all time.
Ursula A Kehoe Premium Member over 13 years ago
Despite the fact that I had read all of these the first time they ran, and own the complete C & H boxed collection, I continue to enjoy each strip as if it were the first time. Much of that sentiment is because of the comments posted by first-time readers. There are always details in the drawings which I missed in each of the previous viewings. I’ll continue to respect and admire Bill Watterson’s work and decision to remain true to his principles.
afeeney over 13 years ago
On the other hand, isn’t it possible that WE comic readers are all figments of Hobbes’ and Calvin’s imaginations?
Seriously…look at politicians…aren’t most of them more or less tall versions of school-aged squabbling kids? And aren’t far too many CEOs the greedy kids?
larney45 over 13 years ago
I usually see Hobbes as the voice of conscience, which is almost an oxymoron as he is male…sorry, guys. If, however, being an imaginary “reason”allows for some reasonable doubt, then wouldn’t it follow that Hobbes’ reasoning is always going to be a reasonable facsimile of T. Hobbes’ struggle to explain good vs. evil in the state of nature? I mean, Hobbes is a very “natural” creature with all of natures’ dilemmas thrown in by way of Calvin? (Wow. Sorry. We’re on break for 2 whole weeks and I’m giddy…)
cleokaya over 13 years ago
Calvin is good…good at acting on his impulses.
Wiseguy411 over 13 years ago
Hobbes, We have three options. You are who you believe you are, or we can believe you are who you are, and finally we can believe the reality (whatever that may be).
In keeping with the season, I prefer to side with Virginia …
Yes there is a Hobbes. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its greatest joy.
Not believe in Hobbes!
You might as well not believe in Santa Claus!
(paraphased from Frank Church’s famous editorial)
larney45 over 13 years ago
Well said, Wiseguy411! Bravo!
alviebird over 13 years ago
Hobbes was real.
“When Hobbes is a stuffed toy in one panel and alive in the next, I’m juxtaposing the ‘grown-up’ version of reality with Calvin’s version, and inviting the reader to decide which is truer.” - Bill Watterson
Ouflah over 13 years ago
Hobbes is real, I just wonder where is Calvin on the forums!
magnamax over 13 years ago
The “grown-up version of reality” totally sucks.I’m a ‘grown-old,’ not a grown-up
rentier over 13 years ago
Calvin & Hobbes is fantastic, if we understand it or not!! The art allone is grand!!
jdacquisto over 13 years ago
Come on everyone there is some good in all of us ,even calvin.
Hobbes Premium Member over 13 years ago
<< kreole said: Hobbes – whoever you are it is for sure you are a gal. You’ve given several clues…but my gut feeling is your excellent insight….guys just don’t have it. What say you? >>
Hi kreole
So, let me get this straight. It sounds like you have chosen not to believe that I am actually Hobbes, and you are saying that you think that somehow I am actually a gal, pretending to be a guy, pretending to be a real tiger, whom Calvin’s parents think is a stuffed tiger, but whom Calvin believes is real, and whom Calvin believes is a guy.
I say you have a very vivid imagination. So does Calvin, but his is a lot easier for me to follow. :>)
When I read the postings from the group members, it is sometimes very hard for me to guess whether they are a gal or a guy, based on what they write. In your case, I concluded yesterday that you were a guy, based on what you wrote. (“Calvin is the boy all us guys once were.”)
But I did fail to consider the possibility that you might be a gal, pretending to be a guy……. (Just kidding).
– Hobbes
Marty241 over 13 years ago
“Hobbes - I still say you’re a figment of Calvin’s imagination.”
Davidf42, This doesn’t explain how Hobbs can know something Calvin doesn’t know.
Marty
Mythreesons over 13 years ago
As I said yesterday, HOBBES first name and initial are Bill W. Only he could read the mind of a stuffed tiger and express it so well since he has known said tiger longer than the rest of us. I’m an elderly female, since gender seems to be common thread today. Turn 79 on Jan 1–Blah!
gofinsc over 13 years ago
Calvin is good at throwing slushballs.
“Hobbes”–
Give it a rest. It was sort of cute the first 15 times, but not now.
And really Bill Watterson? Not likely.
ratlum over 13 years ago
A little off the subject I guess but Calvins resolve reminds me of the first time I quit smoking.
dahawk over 13 years ago
magnamax, obviously you haven’t heard about the mistake the factory lady made when she was told her job was to give the stuffed Tickle Me Elmo dolls two “test tickles”!
ses1066 over 13 years ago
The most famous quote from Adam Savage of Discover Channel’s Mythbusters proves that Calvin is a prologue to their existence…
“I reject your reality and substitute one of my own!”
khpage over 13 years ago
Hobbes (the tiger in the cartoon) is the dispenser of truth. Calvin is the dispenser of snowballs….
Quantumtorpedo1 over 13 years ago
Hobbs is real to me. Thank you Hobbs for your presence.
Kirokithikis over 13 years ago
Calvin is still going to be on the good (er, not as bad) list because we know he’s going to miss, then say he missed on purpose :P
GESWho over 13 years ago
@Hobbes; you are who you say you are.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COI2tHj6yyQ
Alxeter8 over 13 years ago
Regardless of whether or not you believe Hobbes exists, I don’t see why you wouldn’t you want to.
It’s like not believing in Santa Claus, even if you don’t believe in him it is more fun to believe.
JTGAM over 13 years ago
All in all I don’t think Calvin is doing anything “evil”, I just think he’s doing something “in love” at least as far as a 6 year old would. I think Santa will understand. He probably threw snowballs at Mrs. Claus when he was 6.
Hobbes Premium Member over 13 years ago
<< gofinsc wrote: “Hobbes”– Give it a rest. It was sort of cute the first 15 times, but not now. >>
Don’t worry, gofinsc, nothing in this life lasts forever. Stay tuned.
I have been writing for those who are introspective and imaginative, who enjoy subtle humor, and who like to think on multiple levels at once. Cuteness has not been my purpose.
– Hobbes
Fogger_man over 13 years ago
@Hobbes You just keep on posting. Anyone who does not have a malicious nature is more than welcome to post to this site. I enjoy your comments… and “I” believe you are who you say you are! My motto is “the first portion of ignorance is ignore”, and that is what we should do in the case of those who can not speak nicely, or not at all.”
Gretchen's Mom over 13 years ago
Hobbes: I believe in both of you!!!!!!!!!!
yyyguy over 13 years ago
Apostle4God that sounds more like Judas Priest’s Electric Eye than Santa.
GROG Premium Member over 13 years ago
Hobbes, I believe even though common sense tells me not to.
rentier over 13 years ago
Be quick with changing, I’ll have to leave soon!
Crabbyrino Premium Member over 13 years ago
I just adore Hobbes. And the postings of Hobbes. and the postings of all – it is stimulating. thanks
Death2100 over 10 years ago
a very “good” kidlol