the-chosen-one
Explanation
The Joke
The comic opens with a parent telling their child: "You could be the chosen one! One day you will stand really good and tall, and through you, our society will gain glory." The child asks "Really?" and the parent confirms "It is foretold in prophecy."
In the next panel, the child announces: "Hey Dad! I'm giving up on learning, thinking, and good behavior!" The parent is alarmed, but the child explains their perfectly logical reasoning: since prophecy says they are the Chosen One who will succeed no matter what, there is no need to put in any effort. They declare they will "do nothing, take vast draughts of knowledge and debauchery, and await" their destiny. The parent objects that this "isn't really kept in the spirit of the rules," but cannot actually refute the logic.
The comic then cuts to an interview scene, where it is revealed that this is the backstory of a villain. The interviewer asks the person how they defeated "the wicked dragon" (or similar evil), and the former Chosen One explains that they simply gave up on self-improvement because they knew they were destined for greatness regardless. The final panel has the interviewer noting that "a lot of people have been making the Chosen One argument for months" -- suggesting this loophole in prophecy-based motivation is being widely exploited.
The Humor
The comic brilliantly deconstructs the "Chosen One" trope found in countless fantasy and sci-fi stories (Harry Potter, Star Wars, The Matrix, etc.). If you truly believe you are destined to fulfill a prophecy, then logically, nothing you do in the meantime matters -- the prophecy will ensure the outcome regardless. This creates a massive moral hazard: why study, behave well, or develop skills if cosmic destiny guarantees your success?
The satire extends beyond fantasy tropes to real-world parallels. Many belief systems and motivational frameworks tell people they are "special" or "destined for greatness," which can paradoxically reduce motivation rather than increase it. The comic highlights this by showing that a rational response to guaranteed success is to stop trying entirely -- the opposite of what the prophecy-givers intended.
References
The "Chosen One" is a pervasive trope in fantasy literature and film, where a single individual is prophesied to save the world or accomplish a great feat. Examples include Harry Potter (the boy who lived), Luke Skywalker (bringing balance to the Force), Neo (The Matrix), Frodo (The Lord of the Rings), and Anakin Skywalker (the prophecy of the Chosen One who would destroy the Sith). The comic's critique touches on the philosophical concept of moral hazard -- when the assurance of a positive outcome reduces the incentive to behave responsibly.