2011-01-29
Explanation
This comic presents a single-panel joke about how a political scientist might propose marriage. In the main panel, a woman with dark hair and glasses explains the concept of "Mutually Assured Destruction" (MAD) -- the Cold War nuclear deterrence doctrine where each side has enough power to destroy the other no matter what, so neither party attempts a major hostile action. The caption beneath reads: "Political scientists have a different way of proposing marriage."
The humor lies in reframing MAD as a description of marriage. The joke suggests that marriage works on the same principle as nuclear deterrence: both partners hold enough power to utterly destroy each other (emotionally, financially, socially), and it is precisely this mutual vulnerability that keeps the peace. The woman'''s serious, almost nervous expression as she delivers this "proposal" sells the comedy -- she is essentially saying "let'''s enter into a permanent state of mutually assured destruction together," which is a hilariously cynical yet arguably accurate description of the power dynamics in a committed relationship.
The votey panel shows a follow-up scene labeled "Later..." where a man in bed says "What the--" while looking up at what appears to be a large spherical object (possibly a bomb or wrecking ball) dangling above him. This suggests the political scientist'''s partner has taken the MAD metaphor literally and installed an actual weapon of destruction above the bed, ensuring that the doctrine of deterrence is maintained at all times -- even while sleeping.