Life, 1916-02-17 · page 48 of 52
Life — February 17, 1916 — page 48: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**"The Philanthroprical Circle"** is a savage satire on capitalist hypocrisy. The text presents a circular logic trap: philanthropists claim to lower wages and raise prices to help the poor, but this creates the very poverty they claim to address. They repeat this cycle to justify further exploitation—"make more money, make more money"—until "the old machine finally breaks down." The satire exposes how businessmen use charitable rhetoric to mask self-interested profit-seeking that actually harms workers. **"Bad News for Bugs"** mocks pseudo-scientific claims. It satirizes Professor Henry G. Walters's supposed discovery that bugs have souls. Life argues this is bad news because bugs previously enjoyed carefree comfort as "soulless" creatures; now burdened with souls and moral responsibility, they'll suffer existential anxiety like humans. The joke ridicules both the absurd scientific claim and the human condition itself. The page is primarily **advertising** for Figure Mold garments and The Farmer's Encyclopedia, with these satirical pieces as editorial content.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Philanthropical Circle HE aim of every true philanthropist is to lower wages and raise prices, in order to make more money, in order to relieve the distress caused by low wages and high prices, in order that he will be justified in the public mind in further lowering wages and raising prices, in order to make more money, in order to relieve the distress due to low wages and high cost of living, in order that his business methods will not be too closely scrutinized, in order that he may go on lowering wages and raising prices, in order that he may make more money—make more money—make more money—make more money, until the old machine finally breaks down. MEN! “‘Look the part!’ Possess that emart, well-sct up appearance which speaks enc- - ceasin business orsocial afaire. Youcan acquiret by wearing > ( 6) pores es, || FARME PNB FARME! «FARMES FARM! The Beau Brummell for Slender jj Sealy Mold for Slender Women || [iq [ LOPE KYCLOPE: — CYCLOPEL. CYCLOP will instantly line up and perfect an already good form. The Magic Figure Mold for Men and Women secures a reduction of two to four inc nd thighs, and on the inner is outer side of limbs, with- out one moment's delay, diet, or discomfort of any kind. c V Vol AN ABSOLUTELY NEW METHOD These garments cause no heat, are ecie carry weight, relieve strain, improve facial expression, stimulate circul: benefi h, and beautify the figure. Have no injurious qualities, and remain in place. i ENDORSED BY PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS We make themn to iadivideal narasore Invaryieg lengths for ween and woe cen and sell themdirect. Write for iltustated booklet with full deacription, Foutirely the Only Picxre Molt 9 Existence 9 9 — T u _ arming Yours L icine MOLD GARMENT COMPANY Bad News for Bugs +a ‘ e 8 NFORMATION about practical farming that cost Cc one LL far-seeing bugs will be sorry the U. S. Government $1,000,000 and more than ten years to D we to learn of the discovery of Pro- collect—every fact worth knowing about agriculture—posi- fessor Henry G. Walters that bugs tive U.S. Dept. of Agriculture facts—yours on a wonderful offer. oni 3 a sund have souls. Souls have been the great- Read our free shipment offer. Learn how we put these form est cause of worry and altogether have facts right into your hands. Yes, and toro, besides, Above sous an be written by America’ test agriculturist, Hon. F. ura, Uronght more trouble to'us human be P This mailed to you, also, to help you study the Cyclopedia to ings than any other of our possessions. the best advantage. Just send the coupon today. Hence we have always been inclined to envy the happy, care free bugs whom 9 e we looked upon as soulless. But if e now they are going to be distracted armer S§ Cc 0 @ from the comforts and luxuries of this nether existence to the anxious s 2, -, psycl consideration of the world beyond, (CAnthentic Records, U.S, Dept. of Agricaitare) pie i ct ¢ harass: ha big volumes, containing over 5000 nages, 8,000,000 Verified facts about every branch of farmin; ven there isitio: end tothe’ harassment: that Tandreds of pictures Eive pou lweondensed will all theories cut out,’ Just ihe methods ehieh wi is before them. plete form the most valnable data which the — pro zed best in actual practice are explained. Mintel on, They will have to get a gospel the government has gathered at an enormous expense. dered so that every fact is accessible in an instan! very first thing and spend the balance Free Shipment Offer Valuable Book Free of eternity disputing over its interpre- i ye ne orc P Sina and mail the conpon below. It will bring pwaththeCyctonedia you tations. This will divide them into {hie geet lars brary of Sata Ne circa ar, rats thousands, perhaps millions, of war- 7 igclere dalvered pripad ie ring sects. The wisest bugs will have ts, Te tleee He a foxstwelee onion (LD in md ae , ‘ ee. Send for the Farmer's Cycloped to assume an academic air and dis- eigtons vtes aad soo hee’ tne great there savers prea ke, 1¢ zoo have vad i} i fallreatt course learnedly upon what they do ih not know about the immortality of bug souls. Inquisitions must be held, and martyr-burnings and all man- Partial List of Contents: ner of other things must they do Veed ond Core of Deiry Cows — This alooe if their souls are anything like as Foed-ona Footing ioe Beet ~ A wonder havi . Diasases ang tnsoet Poets — a6 . 2 ¢ van- "eats tnd crore assist the frail as our own or as Prone to wan Tney der off and lose themselves in wilder- oe nesses. “eared Avocser bose erated tre Vios'és ete lareer roll. How to ang thomands of other eubjects of Latest Fests ‘Wevestigation en every Ferm vital interest and value, Save $10.50 Send Coupon Without Money You tare $10.20 on oor oo oor Sees Sth semana No Dissension The German Prime Minister, von Beth- mann-Hollweg, complains that the allies are responsible for the continuation of war. They admit it. —Philadelphia North Americe comicbooks.com