The world is abundant with brilliant minds, and the whimsical realm of The Far Side is no exception. While these intellectuals may seem daunting, they occasionally display a comical lack of common sense. The following collection of Far Side comics illustrates how even the sharpest thinkers can act foolishly.
From catastrophic scientific experiments to renowned historical figures revealing their unexpected shortcomings, Gary Larson’s comics critique the perception of genius. Below are ten Far Side comics that humorously remind us that intelligence doesn’t always equate to wisdom.
10 Gifted Students: Not Always the Brightest
First Published: November 24th, 1986
This comic features the fan-favorite character, Nerdy Kid, who should embody intelligence. Yet, he hilariously struggles with a simple task that many might find trivial. As he pushes against a door at the Midvale School for the Gifted, he fails to notice the instruction to “pull,”humorously demonstrating that even gifted individuals can overlook the obvious.
9 Genius Workouts: Not What You Think
First Published: May 27th, 1986
When it comes to exercising the mind, this comic takes an absurdly literal approach. Depicting scientists engaged in “brain aerobics,”the cartoon comically suggests that they are following a physical workout routine to enhance their cognitive abilities. Clearly, these geniuses fail to understand that intellectual enhancement doesn’t involve physical exercise, highlighting their humorous misunderstanding of basic concepts.
8 Nerds and Pranks: A Relentless Cycle
First Published: April 23rd, 1990
This comic highlights the ongoing trope of nerds being the target of juvenile pranks. Set in the Old West, a nerdy cowboy emerges from an outhouse, oblivious to the toilet paper trailing behind him, leading to a spirit of humor that showcases how intelligence does not always shield one from embarrassment.
7 Scientists and Their Experimental Mishaps
First Published: October 30th, 1990
This comic satirizes the inadequacies of scientists when conducting research. Professor Dickle’s unfortunate outcome—a gruesome transformation into a sludge pile due to hazardous materials—showcases a lack of caution prevalent among scientists, who instead of mourning their colleague, seem more interested in studying the mishap. It cleverly critiques priorities in the scientific community.
6 Questionable Scientific Pursuits
First Published: December 10th, 1985
This comic humorously portrays scientists conducting a ridiculous study to determine if animals can kiss. It playfully questions the intellect of those we consider geniuses, suggesting that sometimes, learned individuals engage in frivolous experiments that seem beneath their capabilities.
5 Geniuses Missing the Social Cue
First Published: January 2nd, 1981
In this comic, scientists mistakenly choose an elephant for an experiment to determine its fear of mice. The enraged elephant’s reaction highlights their serious misjudgment and demonstrates that even those hailed as geniuses can fails to assess their environment, resulting in potentially perilous consequences.
4 The Founding Fathers and Their Wordplay
First Published: August 5th, 1982
Even the Founding Fathers, revered for their intellect, face humorous dilemmas in this comic as they draft the U.S. Constitution. Stuck on the correct phrasing of “us the people”versus “we the people,”the cartoon highlights the human aspect behind these historical figures, suggesting they were not infallible.
3 Scientists and Their Machinery
First Published: January 13th, 1982
This cartoon portrays a group of scientists struggling to turn on their giant invention. While eventually one finds the ‘on’ switch, it’s amusing to see highly educated individuals face a challenge as basic as turning on a machine—making them relatable to readers who have experienced similar frustrations.
2 Einstein’s Struggles with His Own Equation
First Published: January 14th, 1985
This comic humorously suggests that Einstein’s genius may have had external assistance—specifically from a cleaning lady who remarks, “Everything’s squared away.”The implication is that even monumental minds can benefit from simpler perspectives, which in this case led to a major breakthrough.
1 Rocket Scientists: Realizing Their Limitations
First Published: 1993
In this final comic, a group of scientists reflects on their lopsided rocket creation, leading to a moment of self-awareness. One remarks, “It’s time we face reality, my friends…we’re not exactly rocket scientists.”Here, Larson effectively uses humor to highlight that intelligence does not exempt one from failure, a definitive testament to the relatability and charm of The Far Side.