I have to acknowledge my favorite science fiction: The Far Side.

Gary Larson’s cartoons are absolutely fantastic, and mostly beyond explantation. But I’ll briefly touch upon them.

A lot of Gary Larson cartoons might not be considered science fiction, but a lot can be. And I think he offers anyone interested in how humor can work in science fiction some pretty great inspiration. The cartoon above is a reminder that science fiction only need take itself seriously and feel less real than “literature” if it such limitations are self imposed.

Science fiction can similarly highlight what is right in front of our nose in this world better than if we attempted to describe it factually. This is somewhat obvious but Gary Larson reminds of it so well.

Science fiction can be simple and insightful.

Is this a commentary on industrial agriculture? Or is it just a cow phone? Gary Larson doesn’t shove any messages down our throats.

I’ll admit, this post might’ve just been an excuse to enjoy The Far Side.