2012-08-27
Explanation
This comic features a debate between a man and his personified penis about which body part is truly "irrational." The man begins by saying, "God, I wish I didn'''t have a penis to make me do stupid things." The penis responds indignantly: "Really? Really? Are we going to trot out that old line? Blame the penis! I'''m the most rational part of you!" The penis then challenges the man to ask his brain what it wants to do for the next ten years, and the brain (also personified) responds: "Video games. Maybe eat. Eat cookie dough."
The penis argues that it is actually the disciplined, goal-oriented organ: "Of course it does. That'''s why I discipline you. You are constantly vigilant for sex. You'''re welcome. You practice sex once a day and twice a day on weekends. You'''re welcome." The penis further claims credit for the man'''s reproductive drive, stating that it convinces the brain to simulate thousands of sexual circumstances to ensure preparedness, and that the man'''s "any hope of extending your genes beyond the tiny blip of time in which you exist is due entirely to my training and influence." When the man tries to protest ("But hey, penis is the irrational one!"), the penis cuts him off and demands he "report in early tomorrow."
The comic cleverly inverts the common cultural assumption that sexual desire is irrational and distracting. From an evolutionary biology perspective, the penis/sexual drive is arguably the most "rational" organ in terms of fulfilling life'''s fundamental biological imperative: reproduction. Meanwhile, the brain'''s actual desires (video games, junk food) are arguably less purposeful from an evolutionary standpoint. The votey panel shows a close-up of the man'''s crotch area, serving as a visual punchline that emphasizes the comic'''s theme of giving the genitals the last word.