CSotD: A refreshingly vague metaphor
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I've never been a big fan of the sort of international editorial cartoons that consist of metaphors instead of storytelling. I don't necessarily want a gag, and, in fact, direct attempts at humor generally seem forced,though there are some cartoonists, like David Horsey, whose art style works well with sarcasm.
But I generally want a coherent statement that makes me really think about an issue, not simply a picture of a Trojan horse or of chess pieces or of a fierce guard dog that prompts a simple "Yup, that's what it is" response.
However, Dutch cartoonist Arend Van Dam has framed a metaphor in this cartoon that does prompt thought beyond simple agreement, and it is his metaphorical vagueness that takes this away from the mountain of cartoons that, in my mind, fail through an attempt to be too specific in outlining the cause, laying the blame or dealing with individual cases.
90 times out of a 100, I want a cartoonist to step up and have the courage to lay a specific charge, not simply sit back and lob general accusations. But this is one of those 10-out-of-100 times when I don't want a specific. I'm tired of cartoons depicting Greek ruins. I'm tired of cartoons showing the Boston Tea Party. I'm tired of cars going over cliffs and boats going over waterfalls.
I'm tired of recycled talking points from partisan parrots, right or left, Fox or MSNBC. I'm tired of cartoonists who hate Obama, I'm tired of cartoonists who hate Boehner and I'm especially tired of cartoonists who hide behind the old Will Rogers cop-out of blaming "Congress" as if nobody in particular should shoulder any of the fault because, gosh, "Congress" just can't get anything done.
I guess I was just in a mood for a cartoon in which the ruin around us isn't pegged specifically to this or that particular issue and the blame isn't centered on this or that politician or political party. And I think what I particularly like about Van Dam's cartoon is that, amid the raging, destructive chaos, the experts aren't arguing or shouting or panicking over what theoretical approach will prevent the worst that is to come.
No, they are calm, even happy, all wrapped up in their discussion of spreadsheets and profits and theories and projections. Are they unaware of what is going on around them? They are untouched, but, whether they see it coming or not, whether they care about it or not, it seems unlikely they'll remain untouched.
I think to be any more specific would result in a serious misreading of the situation.
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