10 Times The Far Side Made Me Laugh & Feel Uncomfortably Seen at the Same Time

There have been plenty of times when I’ve laughed at one of Gary Larson’s Far Side comics, only for that laughter to trail off into an uncomfortable silence when I realize it hits a little too close to home. My internal monologue in those moments is usually, “I feel so seen right now, and I’m not sure how I feel about that,” or my characteristic Gen Z response of, “Shots fired, and I am the victim.”

Larson was a master at turning the ordinary into hilarious situations, so it’s no surprise that many of his comics reveal hard-hitting emotions, truths, and scenarios that many of us can relate to, even if we wish we couldn’t. Fortunately, even when Larson digs into the human psyche and reflects our own insecurities and shortcomings back at us, he does it in a way that still makes us laugh. Here are ten Far Side comics that I personally felt uncomfortably seen by, and that you might feel the same about too.

10

Welcome, Inferiority Complex Sufferers

When a Comic Hits Where It Hurts (But Makes You Laugh Anyway)

The moment I read the banner of this comic, I knew Larson was about to hurt my feelings, and I was absolutely correct in that assessment. But at least I still got a somewhat pained laugh out of the emotional damage he inflicted. An inferiority complex is a term that typically refers to a persistent feeling of being less than others, whether that is less intelligent, less successful, less attractive, less capable, or less worthy.

This is something that most humans have experienced at least at some point in their life, especially young adults going through their quarter-life crisis (read: me, nearly every other week). But hey, at least I’m not Mr. Johnson in The Far Side.

9

His Mother Was Nowhere In Sight

Some Childhood Traumas Are Eternal

I may be in my 20s, but this strip by Larson still managed to hit as hard as an adult as it would have as a kid, perhaps even more so. One would think that they would grow out of losing their mom in the department store or grocery store, but I can confidently say that I still haven’t managed to kick this recurring scenario that is seemingly shared by all human offspring.

Nor have I managed to kick the initial “oh, $#*@” moment when I realize my mom is nowhere in sight, which usually leads to me peeking around aisle corners as I call out in search of my mother, before remembering that I am an adult and have a cellphone and I can just call her. However, that plan is contingent on her actually answering her phone, which she swears she didn’t know was on silent mode.

8

Just Plain Nuts!

The Three-Word Diagnosis I Didn’t Want But Maybe Needed

This Far Side comic is extremely simple, but it packs a punch with the three scribbled words, “Just plain nuts!” underlined three times for emphasis. While I haven’t sought professional help for my neurotic quirks, as I am currently using my mother as my personal therapist, I feel like if I did visit a therapist, this would be his general assessment of me.

Like this Far Side character, I’m a bit neurodivergent and in a way that some of my fellow humans might label as slightly off-kilter. I like to joke about my neuroticism, but at the same time, this Far Side comic makes me wonder if I’m just using jokes and laughter as a coping mechanism. I suppose I should bring this up to my current therapist (read: mom).

Far Side, wide-eyed and wide-smiled man (foreground, color) a therapist and a crocodile patient (background.)

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7

Same Planet, Different Worlds

Romantic Disconnects Illustrated Perfectly By Larson

far side comics love romance same planet different worlds

“Same planet, different worlds” is a succinct caption by Larson that pretty much sums up my experience with other people, especially in the romance department. When it comes to finding a beau, I often feel like we are on two different wavelengths, with there being a huge disconnect in what we are looking for.

Two porcupines getting ready to go on a date in The Far Side.

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Like this comic strip, I have been both characters, sometimes overanalyzing the relationship. At the same time, the other person doesn’t even have our relationship on their mind, and then, of course, the reverse is true. This is one of Larson’s more popular comics, and I think that’s because most can relate to this particular woe when it comes to love and trying to find your perfect match.

6

Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don’t

Indecision With A Side Of Imaginary Pitchforks

“Damned if you do, damned if you don’t” could be the personal motto of my life. I often feel like I’m facing a Catch-22, where, no matter the decision I make, it’s going to have some sort of consequence I’d rather completely avoid.

Featured Image: Different incarnations of the Devil from Gary Larson's Far Side

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Like this Far Side character, I often find myself stalling when it comes to making a decision, not happy about either one, only to be reminded that I can stall as long as I want. Still, eventually I’m going to have to pick because “it’s either one or the other.” Luckily for me, I don’t have a literal devil poking me with a pitchfork when it comes to making these decisions, but sometimes it sure does feel like I do.

5

First Pants, THEN Your Shoes

Sticky Notes And Mental Chaos

Far Side COmics first shoes and then pants wake up morning

This Far Side character is sadly more of a reflection of myself than I would like to admit. I am a serial sticky note user, writing notes and sticking them to places I know I will be forced to re-look at them, such as my mirror and doors. And more often than not, they are reminders for me to do the bare minimum and simplest of tasks.

Far Side wide-eyed grinning man (color, left) and the

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I have a very busy mind, there is a lot of clutter, and a near-constant buzzing of thoughts. Hence, the day-to-day things can sometimes get lost in the madhouse that is my mind, and thus, like this Far Side character, I find it more than helpful to have little reminders around the house. However, I always make sure to take down my notes before guests come over, so they don’t see my sticky note shame.

4

Chapter One… Chapter One… Chapter One…

Writer’s Block Is A Universal Curse

As a writer, this Far Side comic is particularly relatable to me. However, I think anyone who has ever had to write anything in their life, which is most of us, can relate to it. Whether it is creative writing, a work email, a school paper, most of us have suffered the maddening affliction of writer’s block, where we just can’t seem to find the words we need to properly convey our thoughts.

Or even worse, there is static in our head where there should be thoughts, making it impossible to write anything. However, I do find comfort in the reminder that even some of the world’s greatest writers most likely suffered right alongside me in writer’s block.

A man in a yellow shirt writing on a piece of paper while a bearded man, a woman, and a cow wave behind him in The Far Side.

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3

The Beaten Path / Off

The Voice In My Head Sounds A Lot Like This Far Side Character

Gary Larson puts a hilarious visual twist on the common saying, “taking the off-beaten path,” which encourages exploration of less-traveled routes, seeking out unique experiences, and engaging in unconventional pursuits. However, in this Far Side comic, Larson depicts two paths with two distinct trailhead signs, one reading “The Beaten Path” and the other reading “Off.”

What makes this comic particularly relatable to me is the wife’s commentary to her husband about them choosing to take the “Off” path, as she says, “I don’t know if this is such a wise thing to do, George.” Replace “George” with my name, and I feel like this is the recurring sentence that the voice in my head says before I make an unwise decision, but decide to go through with it anyway.

2

PULL

Every Gifted Kid Grows Up To Be The ‘Push’ Guy At Some Point

If a Far Side comic ever deserved to be a meme, it’s Larson’s famous “Midvale School for the Gifted” strip featuring his recurring Nerdy Kid. Here, the Nerdy Kid is pushing a door that is clearly labeled “Pull.” I feel like this could be a metaphor for my life at times when it comes to trying to navigate life, where I am “pushing” during situations where I should be “pulling,” and vice versa.

However, what really hits me about this comic is the Nerdy Kid’s body language. There’s a tiredness and a resignation in his posture that hits a little too close to home for me. Yet, I can’t help but give a snort of laughter every time I see this strip because it’s just too dang relatable.

1

I’ve Been Turning Into a Miserable Creature

Am I the Lagoon Monster???

Maybe it’s odd, but the Larson comic that makes me feel the most uncomfortably seen is the strip that stars the Lagoon Monster. Here, Mr. Monster is in therapy where he says, “Sure, I’m a creature—and I can accept that… but lately it seems that I’ve been turning into a miserable creature.” Replace the word “creature” with “human,” and I think more of us than we’d like to admit can relate to this sentiment.

However, I must admit that the noun “creature” also works for me, because sometimes I feel more like a creature than a human, especially when I go a day too long without a shower. However, all jokes aside, this Far Side comic is surprisingly hard-hitting, as it reminds me that I can choose the attitude with which I approach situations and life, no matter my circumstances; and if I choose to be miserable, that’s on no one but myself.