This is a very common misuse and misunderstanding of that phrase.
The origin of “carrot and stick” approach comes from an old story of how you can get a donkey to move forward. You sit on the donkey’s back and tie a carrot to the end of a stick. You dangle it in front of the donkey’s nose and he moves forward to try to get it. But of course, the carrot moves with him, so he keeps going forward, trying to catch the carrot.
In other words, it’s not about alternating punishment and reward. It’s about motivating someone by dangling a reward just out of reach. But if they keep on going, maybe you’ll eventually let them have a taste.
The carrot is like the Myth of Tantalus (where we get the word “tantalize”). The stick is not like the Myth of Sisyphus, and we don’t get the word “sissy” from it. It is a great example of onomatopoeia, though. In the Greek it’s “autis epeitis pedonda kalindeto la-as anaidais.” The relentless boulder came bounding back down the side of the mountain. Pretty good in English, too. Why I took ancient Greek in high school instead of chemistry, I’ll never know. This is why I had to ask about methane. Nobody asks me about relentless boulders, though, so I have to wedge it in. Thanks for reading this far.
That is a funny line at the moment he tells his boss, “You’re thinking about hitting him with a carrot, aren’t you”. Despite the fact that this strip moves along in a certain manner at times, I am fascinated how the author can bring along the punchline so hilariously in so many of his strips.
Kaputnik about 5 years ago
This is a very common misuse and misunderstanding of that phrase.
The origin of “carrot and stick” approach comes from an old story of how you can get a donkey to move forward. You sit on the donkey’s back and tie a carrot to the end of a stick. You dangle it in front of the donkey’s nose and he moves forward to try to get it. But of course, the carrot moves with him, so he keeps going forward, trying to catch the carrot.
In other words, it’s not about alternating punishment and reward. It’s about motivating someone by dangling a reward just out of reach. But if they keep on going, maybe you’ll eventually let them have a taste.
Ray*C about 5 years ago
The carrot is like the Myth of Tantalus (where we get the word “tantalize”). The stick is not like the Myth of Sisyphus, and we don’t get the word “sissy” from it. It is a great example of onomatopoeia, though. In the Greek it’s “autis epeitis pedonda kalindeto la-as anaidais.” The relentless boulder came bounding back down the side of the mountain. Pretty good in English, too. Why I took ancient Greek in high school instead of chemistry, I’ll never know. This is why I had to ask about methane. Nobody asks me about relentless boulders, though, so I have to wedge it in. Thanks for reading this far.
DM2860 about 5 years ago
Cantaloupes are defeatist because you can’t elope.
gmu328 about 5 years ago
That is a funny line at the moment he tells his boss, “You’re thinking about hitting him with a carrot, aren’t you”. Despite the fact that this strip moves along in a certain manner at times, I am fascinated how the author can bring along the punchline so hilariously in so many of his strips.
jerry400 about 5 years ago
This is wonderful, one of Scott’s very best strips.. read it again, it is subtle
Stephen Gilberg about 5 years ago
What does Jenkins NOT hate?