Life, 1923-04-26 · page 23 of 36
Life — April 26, 1923 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks Americans who challenge conventional wisdom or social norms, presenting them as absurdly "daring." The humor lies in the triviality of their rebellions: - Using a Columbia needle with a Victor record (incompatible brands) - Doubting the "Six Brown Brothers" are related (likely a reference to a popular song or advertisement) - Disbelieving coffee causes wakefulness - Sneaking into a ticketed fashion show - Returning "inferior" coffee - Actually reading contracts before signing - A reverend choosing a job primarily for higher salary rather than spiritual calling The satire suggests Americans either blindly follow convention or rebel in pointless ways. The accompanying sketches show fashionable "back views" of women's clothing, while "Some Old Folk" jokes about elderly people at resorts with even older relatives present. The overall message: American society is full of petty concerns and weak nonconformity.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Few of America’s More Daring Thinkers R—, who defied scientific opinion and played a Victor record with a Columbia needle. McM—, who has openly expressed his doubt that the Six Brown Broth- ers are related. F—, who has never taken any stock in the theory that coffee keeps you awake. Mrs. B—, who walked boldly into a style show without a ticket, al- though the announcement had plainly “Admission by card only.” who returned the empty can with the assertion that the coffee had not been the best he had ever tasted. P—, who read the petition all the way through before he signed it. The Rev. Dr. N—, who thinks he will accept the call from Omaha, not so much on account of the larger field of service that is offered, as because the larger salary is so very attractive. Six of One and a Half-Dozen of the Other D—, who declares that he can tell Some Old Folk the names of the players without . . . . a scorecard. “Wuat sort of people did you find Dr. Z—, who wonders whether the at that summer-resort hotel ? scientific articles in the Sunday “Extremely old people and their papers are altogether reliable. grandparents.” Back Views comicbooks.com