2012-07-20
Explanation
This comic presents a Venn diagram with three large overlapping circles labeled "Love," "Sex," and "Friendship." The expected joke would involve the intersection of all three circles representing an ideal relationship. Instead, the "ideal relationship" arrow points to a small, separate circle labeled "Cookies" that barely overlaps with the "Sex" circle and doesn't touch the others at all.
The humor subverts the reader's expectation of a sentimental or philosophical statement about relationships. Venn diagrams about love, sex, and friendship are a common format for earnest relationship advice or romantic idealism. By completely ignoring the intersection of the three main circles and instead pointing to a tiny, almost unrelated circle called "Cookies," the comic deflates that earnestness with absurdist humor. The implication is that the truly essential ingredient in a relationship is neither deep emotional connection nor physical intimacy, but simply cookies -- a charmingly mundane and relatable preference that undercuts any grand theory of romance.