Life, 1916-05-18 · page 11 of 48
Life — May 18, 1916 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This Life magazine page satirizes anti-preparedness advocates. The header cartoon shows a man and woman happily exchanging items labeled "PLATO," while a cherub swings a hammer—suggesting naive pacifists focused on philosophy rather than practical defense. The article "Nothing In It" mocks those claiming "anti-preparedness" is extinct. It compares such believers to the "Great Auk"—a now-extinct flightless bird—sarcastically noting the bird's uselessness mirrors the anti-preparedness position. The illustration "Some Are Born Great" depicts what appears to be a social gathering or medical scene, though its specific connection to the anti-preparedness theme remains unclear from the visible content. Overall, the page argues that anti-war/anti-military sentiment persists despite claims otherwise, and that such pacifism is as obsolete and ineffective as an extinct bird.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Nothing In It HE. anti-preparedness exponents are secking converts by displaying the likeness of a dinosaur, and explaining that though the dinosaur was all armor-plate and believed in preparedness, he is now extinct. But why is it that the anti-preparedness folk make no mention of the Great Auk? The Great Auk was an ardent believer in anti-preparedness. Although he was a bird, he had allowed his wings to become so dwarfed and useless that he was unable to fly even an inch. Compared with the rapidity, enthusiasm and over- whelming success with which the Great Auk became ex- tinct, the record of the dinosaur isn't worth putting in the record books. SOME ARE BORN GREAT comicbooks.com