Comic #3209: 2014-03-01

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Description

Here’s a detailed description of the comic:

Title Panel:

• Text: "It is easier to kill at a distance than close up, so we created drones."
• Image: A drone flying in the sky.

Second Panel:

• Text: "And it is easier to kill when you cannot see a face, so we created software."
• Visual: A graphic display showing a face being obscured by software (illustration of a person’s head with digital overlay).

Third Panel:

• Text: "Face recognized as enemy… Face prophylactically obscured… Proceed with mission."
• Image: A figure wearing a helmet with a digital screen showing the instructions.

Fourth Panel:

• Text: "For a time the software worked well."
• Image: A soldier looking pleased as data displays in front of them.

Fifth Panel:

• Text: "But hackers became a problem."
• Dialogue: "Sir? It's displaying their faces… and… their… families."
• Image: A worried soldier addressing a commanding officer.

Sixth Panel:

• Text: "We fought back, securing our software while protecting empathy at their soldiers."
• Dialogue: "The new program shows the enemy pictures of those you would leave behind. This reduces their kill ratio by 25%!"
• Image: A group of officers engaged in discussion.

Seventh Panel:

• Text: "The major focus of war became making enemies more empathetic than friends."
• Image: A detailed diagram showing strategies.

Eighth Panel:

• Text: "We are making sure the enemy is acutely aware that each human being contains a spark of the divine. When that distracts them, shoot for the spine."
• Image: A tactical briefing illustration.

Ninth Panel:

• Text: "But it seemed we could never stop the cyberattacks. Our enemies always seemed to find a backdoor."
• Dialogue: "They’re protecting video of her as a toddler!"
• Image: Concerned officers discussing the situation.

Tenth Panel:

• Text: "So the program was finally dismantled."
• Dialogue: "I told them we should've stuck with good old-fashioned long-distance missile strikes."
• Image: A dejected officer.

Eleventh Panel:

• Text: "I don’t know if this matters in the long run."
• Dialogue: "What if we created a vaccine for compassion?"
• Image: Reflective officers pondering the future.

Twelfth Panel:

• Text: "I just wish I’d put in that backdoor sooner."
• Image: A soldier looking regretfully at a computer screen.

The comic employs dark humor to critique modern warfare and technology’s influence on empathy and combat. The characters are drawn in a cartoon style, with exaggerated expressions to convey their emotions.