Life — September 30, 1915 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Explanation for Modern Readers This *Life* magazine page contains two satirical pieces about education and war strategy. **"Those Diploma Holders"** critiques college graduates who treat their diplomas as final achievements rather than starting points for lifelong learning. The cartoon shows a pompous graduate, and the article argues such people stop educating themselves and gradually forget what they learned. **"The Real Line of Retreat"** appears to mock Russia's military situation during what seems to be World War I (references to "the war" and Russian retreats). An optimistic student claims Russia's retreats are merely strategic, but the piece skeptically notes Russia's actual supply problems. The Devil's Decoy illustration below appears to be a separate satirical cartoon about deception or trickery, though its exact meaning is unclear from the image alone.