Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for August 16, 2011

Tonight On National Geographic, A Sad Migration

Our patient waiting is over. Now, the vast herds of cartoonists come into sight as they roam the desolate land, seeking validation, with the hope, futile for most, of remuneration. In the vangard thunder the venerable elders, marked as survivors by their arrays of character merchandise and their ability to afford good shoes. With their status comes the prospect of mating, mostly denied to their lesser fellows. Behind them, the uncountable majority strive with little success to reach the front. For most, the only hope is to be close enough to take the place of a veteran when the elder finally falls. Far in the rear, lurking bands of commenters and bloggers methodically club down the weak and uncommitted. The rest will survive, for now, protected by nature’s safety in numbers. But, in time, they too will either move to the front and join the most successful, or they will fall behind, their existences lingering only on office bulletin boards. We can only look on and wonder at what drives them forward, year after year against such odds.