2009-11-09
Explanation
This multi-panel comic presents a darkly humorous future scenario about overpopulation. It begins: "In 60 years, overpopulation is a serious problem." The proposed solution is to randomly terminate humans via a space-based laser. However, this creates an unexpected feedback loop: the constant dread of random death causes a steep rise in unprotected sex (people living recklessly because they might die at any moment), which necessitates more laser blasts to control the growing population, which only exacerbates the dread, leading to even more reckless behavior. The narration notes, "Somewhere in the vicious cycle, we realized it wasn't all that bad," showing people partying and having a good time amid the chaos and laser blasts. The final panel adds: "And bonus: alien invasion is no longer a concern," showing aliens looking at the hedonistic spectacle in horror, saying "What the f--k, humans?! What the f--k!"
The comic satirizes several things at once. First, it parodies the unintended consequences of heavy-handed policy solutions -- the laser meant to reduce population actually increases it by creating a fatalistic, live-for-today mentality. Second, it comments on human nature's remarkable ability to adapt to and even enjoy terrible circumstances. The people eventually embrace the death-laser lifestyle, turning existential terror into a party. Third, the alien punchline suggests that humanity's chaotic, self-destructive hedonism is so alarming that even would-be alien invaders want nothing to do with us.
The votey panel shows an alien on the phone saying, "Yeah, no need to invade. Just explode them." This serves as a final punchline, with the aliens deciding that humanity is so far gone that invasion (implying conquest and subjugation) is pointless -- total destruction is the only reasonable response to what they have witnessed.