Comic #1968: 2010-10-01
Description
Here’s a detailed transcription of the text in the comic:
HOW CONTROVERSY WORKS
STEP 1: CRAZY PERSON SAYS CRAZY THING.
My political opponents are all BONAPARTISTS!
STEP 2: MEDIA PERSONALITY ASSUMES CRAZY PERSON REPRESENTS A LARGE GROUP.
Congressman, do you support Emperor Napoleon returning from death to reign over America?
STEP 3: ASSOCIATED POLITICIANS REFUSE TO GIVE UP PUBLICITY FOR ANY REASON.
I think the “Bonapartist” statement was meant to convey a broader dissatisfaction with government.
STEP 4: THE FACT THAT THE NON-ISSUE BECAME AN ISSUE.
Why won’t this story die? We explore this question in part fourteen of our ongoing investigation.
STEP 5: ELECTION RESULTS INSTALL THE PEOPLE WHO BEST WIELDED THE CONTROVERSY. HAPPILY, HUMANS ARE PSYCHOLOGICALLY UNABLE TO CONNECT THE MASSIVE RESULT TO ITS TINY ORIGIN.
How did this reform bill not pass?
STEP 6: MEDIA GETS SICK OF THE ISSUE AND DECIDES TO MOVE ON TO MORE COMPELLING TOPICS UNLESS THE CRAZY PERSON SAYS A NEW CRAZY.
My opponents are all VIKINGS!
This captures all the text accurately from the comic.