Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for May 09, 2021

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    BE THIS GUY  almost 3 years ago

    That’s why they have block and mute options.

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    BasilBruce  almost 3 years ago

    I didn’t know that Rat was a member of the Rotary Club.

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    BartSimpson (Youtube is NightClaw - Brawl Stars)  almost 3 years ago

    Whoever was at the bottom of the cliff is lucky to see a falling cell phone.

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    donwestonmysteries  almost 3 years ago

    Rat. Don’t you miss that contact with humanity?

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    willispate  almost 3 years ago

    I haven’t seen that type of phone since my younger years.

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    Bilan  almost 3 years ago

    But cells phones are different. Instead of having that angry guy, you now have hundreds of angry guys.

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    Templo S.U.D.  almost 3 years ago

    good luck texting and using Siri on that old friend of yours, Rat

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    Concretionist  almost 3 years ago

    That old bakelite phone is just up Rat’s alley: You can clobber someone with the handset and knock them right DOWN!

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    Ratkin  almost 3 years ago

    Spam calls are impossible to block on that landline phone but you can ignore obnoxious social media sites and posts.

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    ronaldspence  almost 3 years ago

    Rat, well played…as I heard an old timer once say…”your opinion is like your backside, everyone has one but not everyone needs to show it” (now I am the old timer and it is still true…now stay off my lawn!)

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    Alexander the Good Enough  almost 3 years ago

    Social media is a social disease.

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    Robin Harwood  almost 3 years ago

    What is that strange thing Rat has on his head in the last frame?

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    catmom1360  almost 3 years ago

    He kinda has a point!

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    C.M.Tolbert  almost 3 years ago

    Rat is both a blessing and a curse to this world

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    The One follower   almost 3 years ago

    lol, nice strip!

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    rekam Premium Member almost 3 years ago

    If Rat really wants to use that rotary phone, he’ll need a phone cord and a phone jack to plug into.

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    Orcatime  almost 3 years ago

    Finally, something I can get behind the rodent with!

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    TwilightFaze  almost 3 years ago

    As I keep telling people, you can customize social media to not lot in that toxicity. If you are afraid of being in a bubble, don’t be. Before the internet, people have always hung around people they liked and stayed away from people they don’t. Exposing yourself to their negativity doesn’t help you and you trying to enlighten them doesn’t help them because they are set in the old saying “ignorance is bliss.” Customize, block, and enjoy your circle of friends.

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    blunebottle  almost 3 years ago

    Three cheers for Rat!

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    blunebottle  almost 3 years ago

    My new neighbour who moved in across the street just retired. He left behind the email that he had with his job, never had his own personal computer, never bought a cell phone and I don’t think he even has a TV. If you want to reach him, you have to call his land line or knock on his door.

    I am so jealous.

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    Frog-on-a-Log Premium Member almost 3 years ago

    If only we could all do that…

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    Procat Premium Member almost 3 years ago

    Rat will need a telephone book, as most people may not remember the phone number of who the want to call.

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    bignatefantic21  almost 3 years ago

    Rat could’ve gotten a flip phone instead

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    Adam-Stone(Soup)  almost 3 years ago

    Rat, your other choice is to not dwell on the “unpleasant” social media posts and just scroll past, or possibly not subscribe to social media circles where you might experience such unpleasantries. Same can be said for ignoring mainstream news media no matter which media platform is used. Plus, there is the option of not using social media or internet services at all where “unpleasantries” would be experienced on smartphones, tablets or computers.As to the symbolic gesture of tossing your smartphone off the cliff, you could just not use any social media or internet browsing services, and just relegate the smartphone to telephone duties and maybe even just a few “apps” you actually require on a day-to-day basis. Maybe even “Turn it off” when not needed.

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    Breadboard  almost 3 years ago

    Rat takes a step towards freedom by removing the electronic leash from his pocket .

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    uniquename  almost 3 years ago

    No reason to toss the phone. Just remove your social media apps. It’s still a great device for solitaire games.

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    NeedaChuckle Premium Member almost 3 years ago

    When the power goes off, I don’t have to worry about recharging my land line.

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    Cameron1988 Premium Member almost 3 years ago

    Rat just play games on your phone, or watch YouTube vids of gaming walkthroughs

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    Masterskrain Premium Member almost 3 years ago

    OH MY GOD!!! Rat MADE SENSE this time around!!!

    And since my local cell provider upgraded to 4G, my old 3G Flip Phone doesn’t work any longer. Rather then have to buy a new phone, and then pay a minimum of $40 a month for basic service, guess what? I don’t have a cell phone any longer! And I don’t miss it in the least, since where I live, I don’t even HAVE cell coverage at my house.

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    Purple People Eater  almost 3 years ago

    Would an old dial phone work if you plugged it into the phone socket?

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    SALUDADOG  almost 3 years ago

    It all started downhill when rotary was replaced by push buttons.

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    diskus Premium Member almost 3 years ago

    I would say this is Rat s finest moment

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    bittenbyknittin  almost 3 years ago

    I keep my landline so I don’t have to give out my cell number. I sometimes get 10-20 robocalls a day on my landline (the system blocks them, the phone doesn’t even ring), but rarely do I get one on my cell.

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    Zebrastripes  almost 3 years ago

    Ha! I really like “the old friend” ! I still have two phones and hate the cell!

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    Ellis97  almost 3 years ago

    How’s he gonna carry that thing or keep it plugged in?

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    James Wolfenstein  almost 3 years ago

    You can use a smartphone as a smartPHONE and not as a toy. That’s a better option than a rotary phone.

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    david_42  almost 3 years ago

    My flip phone makes calls and texts, and if you really need it, can tell you where you are located. It folds up so the non-touch screen is protected and fits in any pocket.

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    Huckleberry Hiroshima  almost 3 years ago

    Rotary phones were all we had “back in the day.” I admit to dreaming of having some kind of device that would allow me to contact anybody in the world no matter where they were. In my imagination it looked like a pencil.

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    Goat from PBS  almost 3 years ago

    So… does that thing run on batteries or a 10-mile long extension cord?

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    Carl Rennhack Premium Member almost 3 years ago

    I’m surprised Rat hasn’t downgraded to two tin cans & a string! Or maybe Steph is saving that until NEXT Sunday?!?

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    ChristineMurphy  almost 3 years ago

    Rat has never made more sense than he does today.

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    Rowlajj  almost 3 years ago

    Perfect, absolutely perfect!

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    potatokilledme  almost 3 years ago

    it’s my birthday :)

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    Aladar30 Premium Member almost 3 years ago

    Sorry Rat. But this is not the solution, it’s just an illusion

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    FassEddie  almost 3 years ago

    Yeah, good luck with that old rotary.

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    Jimmyk939  almost 3 years ago

    I have a cell phone. It has many capabilities but it is cheap, sluggish and barely utilitarian. Why, you may ask. All I use it for is to make and receive phone calls and the odd text. It has a pay as you go card on it and that keeps it inexpensive. The Bluetooth in the car makes it hands free. It is a phone that keeps me away from social media! I listen to music, not drivel. I listen to Mozart, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Def Leppard, Van Halen, Nina Simone…it calms me in a world of Covidiots, right wing loonies and flat earthers.

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    tripwire45  almost 3 years ago

    Do dial phones even work anymore?

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    kartis  almost 3 years ago

    There is such a thing as spiritual pollution.

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    Otis Rufus Driftwood  almost 3 years ago

    Adding to doubts whether we have made progress as a society.

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    The Waffles are my friends  almost 3 years ago

    I know this is kind of random, isn’t Timmy Failure a lot like Calvin’s Tracer Bullet?

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    beindevine  almost 3 years ago

    I have an old landline phone, where you can leave a voice message. No cell phone. I have no need to be available to everyone on a 24/7 basis. I do have the internet, but I limit my time on Facbook. I am very happy that I do not have a cell phone. – And I like to read books made of paper – not reading from some specified “device” with a screen, where you can’t stick a finger in to hold your place and look back to a few pages before to check on something. – I keep being told I’m a dinosaur. I very happy to be a dinosaur of this type!

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    the lost wizard  almost 3 years ago

    I find it somewhat ironic that all these people who are so proud of their lack of need to stay socially connected just love to make comments on GoComics.

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    kd1sq Premium Member almost 3 years ago

    Every so often, ’Toon Boy hits it dead on.

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    Sir Isaac  almost 3 years ago

    The guy that used to work on my truck lived behind the Anchor Bar and to contact him I’d call the bar, leave a message and he’d eventually call me back. That’s the kind of phone I want.

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    KEA  almost 3 years ago

    Rat could get a cheap flip phone, instead of a “smart” phone (aka pocket computer)

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    DL  almost 3 years ago

    Hello rotary my old friend, I’ve come to talk on you again…

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    codedaddy  almost 3 years ago

    Rat threw away a handheld computer; not simply a “phone”. The term “phone” is a misnomer for these devices, and it deceives those who are so proud of doing without them. Try using your flip phone to research any topic; or log on to servers to play chess or bridge or solitaire; or use GPS to plan a route; or calculate something; etc. etc. You may not like the idea, and I share the feeling, but these devices are (or soon will be ) your doorway to the world. Age does not excuse you (BTW I am in my 80’s) . Ignorance may be bliss, but only for a short time.

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    marilynnbyerly  almost 3 years ago

    That’s why I’ve never understood social media and cell phones that make you a slave to anyone who calls or texts.

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    Pony99CA  almost 3 years ago

    Does anybody else wonder when Rat rode the subway? I thought they all lived in suburbia, far from cities with subways.

    At college, there was often a guy who was yelling stuff on the diag where most people had to pass by to get to class. I think most of us learned how to tune him out. You may have to hear somebody, but you don’t have to listen to them.

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    zeexenon  almost 3 years ago

    The magic world of no totally discharged batteries, sorry no bars at the worst moment, no humongously egregious first costs, and that cute Princess phone.

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    LaughterIsJoyMuliplied  almost 3 years ago

    Step One: Admit you have a problem.

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    hmofo813 Premium Member almost 3 years ago

    I was a late adopter; I resisted as getting a mobile phone for as long as I could, an internet-enabled phone longer yet, and I use it as little as possible. I go whole days without looking at my phone, and sometimes weeks without looking at any social media. I do kind of have to sometimes (obligations). But I’d pretty much rather it hadn’t been invented.

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    stamps  almost 3 years ago

    I have the local Rotary on speed dial.

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    knight1192a  almost 3 years ago

    That guy isn’t on Rat’s phone. He IS Rat.

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    bunrabbit99  almost 3 years ago

    i have a landline & i never answer it. leave a message, i’ll call you back.

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    Rand al'Thor  almost 3 years ago

    Social media is what you make it. If it bothers you, you are likely the problem. Cell phones are much more convenient than landlines. Again, they are what you make them. The convenience of internet access where ever you are. Need directions? There. Want to find a store or restaurant? There. It’s okay if you don’t want a cell phone or smart phone, but don’t think you are some how better than those that like them. That is how a lot of the comments here come across.

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    hoffquotes2  almost 3 years ago

    The old friend the telemarketer

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    Chris Sherlock  almost 3 years ago

    Added this one to my favorites. Rat speaks for me here.

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    Sisyphos  almost 3 years ago

    I’ll agree with your sentiment and even with tossing the smartphone, Rat; but you do know that a landline phone has to be connected physically and is not mobile?

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    Thinkingblade  almost 3 years ago

    My folks still have a land line – and it seems to go off every hour with a robo call, scam or threat about the IRS. I’m considering going back to letters, stamps and mail.

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