Comic #4640: stotting

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Description

Here's a detailed transcription of the comic text:

Panel 1: "Many quadrupeds engage in a strange behavior called 'stotting.'"

Panel 2: "When a predator is near, they jump up high, in a conspicuous display that appears to waste calories."

Panel 3: "The best evolutionary theory is that stotting is an 'honest signal.' It tells the predator 'I’m too athletic to catch, eat someone else.'"

Panel 4: "In order to test the theory, we equipped a random deer with jet-boots. It was then able to 'stott' up to 4000 meters high."

Panel 5: "As expected, local carnivores came to worship the modified deer as a god."

Panel 6: "The effect was so robust that it also affected omnivores." "Hey, anyone else wanna go worship the all-glorious sky-deer?" "You read my mind, dude!"

Panel 7: "The results were transmitted via peer-reviewed journals."

Panel 8: "The new god’s magisterium expanded." "By presidential decree, from now on, the reindeer drive Santa."

Panel 9: "The unifying effects were profound." "LET US END WAR." "LET US END BORDERS." "BROTHERS UNDER JET-DEER'S HEAVEN."

Panel 10: "A bird of prey took down the deer." "Squawk! Where is your god now?"

Panel 11: "Humans adjusted to decline with remarkable ease." "Honestly, I’ve gotten used to having my fundamental beliefs about the world shatter at least six times a year."

Panel 12: "It's nice to have things back to normal." "Hey listen. Turns out I still want to kill you. Sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking earlier." "It’s funny. I can’t even recall why we stopped fighting in the first place!"

This transcription provides a comprehensive view of the comic's narrative and dialogue. Let me know if you need further assistance!