Judge, 1901-12-28 · page 34 of 49
Judge — December 28, 1901 — page 34: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical page mocks the arrogance of those who believe they could "improve" nature through impractical redesigns. Each panel presents absurd hypothetical improvements: smaller private volcanoes instead of dangerous large ones, luminous cats for lighting, horses with whiskers instead of men, scenery composed of giant fans for "building purposes," a globe with less ocean, and rain that falls where desired. The satire targets the turn-of-century mentality of technological optimism and human supremacy—the belief that science and reason could (and should) fundamentally reshape the natural world. The final caption, quoting the poem "It Might Have Been," suggests that wishing for such changes is foolish nostalgia rather than practical improvement. The "Practical Man" is revealed as actually quite impractical, highlighting the gap between technological confidence and actual wisdom.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘Small private volcanoes would be better than dangerous big ones—yes? Lightning-bugs aren't of much use, but think how convenient luminous cats would Instead of great wastes of salt water. wouldn't this kind of a globe suit you better? “AND THE SADDEST ARE THESE: ‘IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.’'’-~ COPIMGHT 1901 BY JUDGE COMPANY OF KEW YORK. And why couldn’t whiskers grow on horses instead of on men? And wouldn't scenery of this kind be more practical for building purposes? And wouldn't It be nice if it rained where you wanted it to? ‘THE PRACTICAL MAN SUGGESTS A FEW CHANGES, Sackett witheims rho & Pig Co ew ors comicbooks.com