Editing Talk:1176: Those Not Present

Seems pretty straight forward. The more a group talks badly of a person who's not present, a bad habit, the less Munroe wants to be associated with it. Therefore, he slowly scoots away, until he eventually reaches an other group, who, hopefully, won't have said bad habit. [[Special:Contributions/95.35.63.88|95.35.63.88]] 05:28, 20 February 2013 (UTC)
:I don't think there's much more to say about this one. [[User:Alpha|Alpha]] ([[User talk:Alpha|talk]]) 06:39, 20 February 2013 (UTC)
::There's much more to say about it, actually.  The comic is pointing out that it is the nature of certain groups to talk about those not present.  The scooting from one to another (which is doing the same thing, even when the subject is something like squid), shows that there's no escape from the continuous gossip.[[Special:Contributions/24.70.188.179|24.70.188.179]] 15:56, 20 February 2013 (UTC)
One can make assuptions about the age of those in the first group because of the shape of the beverage vessels.  A wine or champagne glass might be used for it's name sake. Suggesting that they are older than the legal drinking age. Though the conversation seems like one expected in high school or college.{{unsigned|74.215.40.250}}
Is this actually this simple or are we missing something?
[[ Special:Contributions/134.226.83.27|134.226.83.27]] 14:03, 20 February 2013 (UTC)
:I was actually expecting it to proceed to some sort of equilibrium situation where the various groups slowly force him into some stationary position at a distance from each group relative to their various levels of behind the back talking.[[User:Schmammel|Schmammel]] ([[User talk:Schmammel|talk]]) 15:22, 20 February 2013 (UTC)
::I was expecting the same thing--[[User:Dangerkeith3000|Dangerkeith3000]] ([[User talk:Dangerkeith3000|talk]]) 16:08, 20 February 2013 (UTC)
:::I was expecting the first group will start talking about him, when he's away. [[Special:Contributions/37.108.11.242|37.108.11.242]] 23:31, 20 February 2013 (UTC)
:::: They will. But that doesn't affect him, because he doesn't want to be associated with them anyway. It might be the reason why he doesn't want to associate with them. As the conventional warning against indulging in gossip goes: "Be wary of people that say things about others behind their backs, because they might do the same about you." Of course, the real reason we ought not to engage in gossip is beyond niceties. Contrary to what most people believe, it isn't about with-holding all criticism. It's about fair representation, and accurate communication. However, given umwelt, it's not like everyone will have the same viewpoint anyway. Still, understanding that and being non-judgmental involves no slagging-people-behind-their-back.[[Special:Contributions/220.224.246.97|220.224.246.97]] 12:19, 21 February 2013 (UTC)

Is that person ''actually'' called Harry? [[Special:Contributions/117.194.203.214|117.194.203.214]] 16:23, 20 February 2013 (UTC)
:Nope, it was made up in [[1028: Communication]] to describe generic male characters with hair. [[User:Alpha|Alpha]] ([[User talk:Alpha|talk]]) 20:51, 20 February 2013 (UTC)

Technically, by scooting away, they are free to talk badly about him, as he is no longer present. [[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.9|173.245.54.9]] 02:15, 10 June 2014 (UTC)

;What can we learn from this?
I've learned that talk shows don't work, unless they allow the person they are talking about to represent their point of view. If you see someone doing this on purpose, switch the channel as you are not missing much. - e-inspired [[Special:Contributions/24.51.197.187|24.51.197.187]] 19:11, 27 February 2013 (UTC)

;A dissenting view
Evidently Randall is not familiar with the concept of "Minnesota Nice". Where people from Minnesota burst from repression if they don't criticize others when they're not present.  Trash-talking people while safely outside their presence is for some reason a perfectly reasonable pressure-release valve for them; the only sin is indiscretion, which isn't really defined, but for them, the only crime is allowing the "victim" to learn that they were "attacked". [[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.52|173.245.54.52]] 19:32, 30 October 2015 (UTC)