Editing 3160: Document Forgery

{{comic
| number    = 3160
| date      = October 27, 2025
| title     = Document Forgery
| image     = document_forgery_2x.png
| imagesize = 345x323px
| noexpand  = true
| titletext = It comes with a certificate of authenticity, which comes with a certificate of authenticity, which comes with a...
}}

==Explanation==

{{incomplete|This page was created recently. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
This comic depicts a diploma for a PhD in Document Forgery. While the diploma looks official, a closer inspection reveals that the diploma is offered from an exceedingly generic "East State University", when normally an institution with "State" in its name would also specify which "state" the campus is located in. In addition, the likelihood that any real university would offer a PhD level qualification in document forgery is vanishingly small. The obvious conclusion is that the document itself is a forgery.

Many awards and educational programs are represented by a physical certificate presented to the person being recognized for the accomplishment. The creation of a such a document is normally much easier than the underlying accomplishment, so some people wanting the prestige without the effort and cost will forge a document. However, the caption claims that if one were able to forge this document to a high enough degree that it could be hung in an office without attracting attention, you've earned it (i.e. the creation of such a credible-looking document without drawing any suspicion shows PhD-worthy skills in forgery, and paradoxically lends some credence to the authenticity of the document).

The title text says that the diploma comes with a certificate of authenticity; however, since the diploma is questionable, this certificate is also somewhat questionable. To remedy this, the certificate comes with its own certificate of authenticity, which also comes with a certificate of authenticity, ad infinitum. Of course, all of the certificates would likely be forged, and they really only show that the forger has a lot of time on their hands. Many important and legally binding documents lack any certificate of authenticity, but instead have something much harder to gain: the backing of a recognized and independent witness or organization that can confirm the truth when the paper is in doubt.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
[:One panel, with a PHD certificate that has decorations on the corners and sides, but the corners have more, and there is a lot of text near the big text that is illegible.]

[:Top Text]

East State University

[:Middle Text]

Doctor of philosophy

in

Document forgery

[:Bottom text. There is a logo/official-seal in the center with 4 lines with illegible text on the bottom, and on the lines are what seem to be signatures]

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