Comic #4985: literary-turing

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Description

Here’s a detailed, accessible description of the comic:

Title: "The Literary Turing Test"

The comic consists of six panels, laid out in a grid format.

1. Panel 1: A title at the top reads, "Proposal: 'The Literary Turing Test' to evaluate if a non-fiction book should've been a paragraph." Below the title, three circles labeled "A," "B," and "C" are present. "A" is connected by arrows to a figure reading an actual book and the circle "C," which implies reading a paragraph summary. The figure for "A" is simple and has a round head with no distinct features.

2. Panel 2: Instructions continue with "Step 2: One month after reading, pair each member of group 'A' with exactly one member of group 'B' and one of group 'C.'" There are illustrations of pairs from groups "A," "B," and "C."

3. Panel 3: "Step 3: Each group 'A' member separately interrogates their assigned people from groups 'B' and 'C.'" There are two figures, one labeled "A" and the other "B," engaging in a conversation.

4. Panel 4: "Step 4: Each group 'A' member writes down who they believe read the paragraph and who they believe read the book." One character is shown writing while looking at another labeled "B."

5. Panel 5: "Step 5: Tabulate results." A character is seen calculating results with a calculator.

6. Panel 6: This panel encompasses multiple outcomes based on group 'A's guesses:

   • "If group 'A' is correct on more than two-thirds of their guesses, the book passes the test," accompanied by a note that reads "Especially Uninteresting Episodes in History," which is ticked.
   • "If group 'A' does no better than chance, the book fails the test," next to a book titled "American America: Why America is gooder than not-America," which is marked with an 'X.'
   • "If group 'A' is correct on fewer than one-third of their guesses, the book is assigned for a class on philosophical modernism." This section shows a classroom with a professor stating, "The goal of this course is to read Foucault until you break down and buy the Cliff Notes."

The comic employs humor and irony to critique the depth (or lack thereof) in some non-fiction works, suggesting how some might fail or succeed based on readers' perceptions.

Overall, the layout is colorful, with distinct character designs and text that offer a satirical commentary on literature and academic evaluation.