Life, 1912-07-18 · page 16 of 44
Life — July 18, 1912 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the early 20th-century fad of mystical self-help movements and pseudo-scientific "vibration" therapies. The cartoon at top shows "Our Apathetic Citizen" ignoring social problems (child labor, injustice) with the caption "Why should I worry about other people's children?" The main satire mocks a fraudulent "Swami Baa Baa" who offers absurd solutions through mental concentration and "vibration" — curing servant problems, winning romance, and solving life's issues via passive meditation and willpower. The testimonials are intentionally ridiculous: a woman throws open her entire house to a maid after "vibrating"; a man wins a millionaire's daughter through concentration rituals. The satire targets gullible wealthy people seeking magical solutions to mundane problems (hiring household staff, romantic competition) rather than addressing actual social issues. It's cynical commentary on how the privileged use spiritualism as escapism while ignoring broader injustice — connecting the cartoon's "apathetic citizen" to the foolish clients patronizing fraudulent parlors.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
n wane | [=<] oT OUR APATHETIC CITIZEN “WHY SHOULD 1 WORRY AVOUT OTHER PEOPL. S CHILDREN ? Life’s Vibration Parlors Open for the General Public—We Cure You of Anything and Everything—Remember, That You are Captain cf Your Own Soul—Terms Moderate UR vibration parlors are now open. We have succeeded in securing one of the ablest yogis in the world, Swami Baa Baa, who has entire charge of this department. We advise everyone to step in and give us a trial. We can treat you anywhere in the world, but it is better to come in first and make an initial Ceposit. We absolutely guarantee to cure the servant problem in three lessons. Classes are now forming for the fall. We place you in harmony with your cook at a moderate charge. Swami Baa Baa expresses the idea as follows The visible disharmonies on the culinary plane are due to coldness in rhythmic vibrations, and yield to con- centration. Before engaging a cook place yourself in a passive attitude and concentrate on the color green. Do not suggest to yourself the possibility of failure. Repeat constantly, ‘Iam the great power.’ Then apply freely and joyfully at any servants’ agenc: One of our patrons writes as follows: “ How can I thank the Swami for what he has done for me! The secret of success in conducting a’ house- hold is to remain passive, while vibrating to the tune of the infinite. Yesterday, after following directions, I sat in a domestic agency for nearly an hour, perfect! in harmony with all of the vibratory forces. At the end of that period a perfectly lovely woman came and I engaged her at once. She is now installed in my kitchen, and her influence can be felt throughout the establishment. I have—fully and freely—thrown open the entire house to her, given ker the run of the library and the billiard room, with the result that she cares none of these things. Iam now going into the silence for an upper maid.” Would you be captain of your own soul? Consult Swami Baa Baa. Every day classes in self-hypnosis, deal- ing specifically with the Oneness of the One. The Swami said yesterda “The base Western materialistic philosophy is responsi- ble for all unhappiness. We are living in age of dis cord, and discord is caused by failing to become passive to the great rhythmic laws.” If you are in love with a beautiful girl, we will place you in perfect harmony with her in two lessons. Call and consult Baa Baa. Here is a sample letter just received: “How can I thank you for what you have done for me? Last week at a summer resort I met the daughter of a millionaire; she was as beautiful as Taking up your Baa Baa Manual (forty cents, postage extra), I learned the first ritual by heart. and then began to concentrate. That evening she came to me voluntarily and threw her arms about my neck. It was something great. It took me four hours to get in harmony with her parents, The happy day is now set, and we leave for Europe in a month—at their expense. I am vibrating with a wave of con- tinuous joy Gratefully yours, Wittiam 3B: No matter where you are, our message will reach you meentrate on Baa Baa. Life’s Vibration Parlors comicbooks.com