Explain SMBC — the wiki for Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal

2011-02-09

2011-02-09 View on smbc-comics.com → 1 revision
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2011-02-09
Votey panel for 2011-02-09
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Explanation

This comic satirizes the common job interview question "What would you say your greatest weakness is?" by showing a man who has spent years preparing the ultimate answer. The narration explains he spent ten years bodybuilding to develop a powerful physique, then dyed his hair black, styled it perfectly, and got large black glasses -- all to resemble Superman's alter ego Clark Kent.

When the interviewer finally asks the dreaded weakness question, he removes his glasses dramatically (mirroring Clark Kent's iconic transformation reveal) and answers: "Kryptonite." The joke works on multiple levels: he has gone to absurd lengths for a single punchline, the answer is technically a "humble brag" since it implies he is Superman, and it mocks the interview question itself, which is widely regarded as formulaic and pointless since candidates never give genuine answers anyway.

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