None of which were the "bad" things about him, I stress. Until the web hit, newspaper comics WERE a solid "grindset" career choice if you could get hired and handle it. People have bills and drawing on deadline is a LABOR SKILL.
But it's important to recognize that not ever bad turn is a "fall."
3/3

...he could draw but wasn't an avowed artist (NOT a criticism!) and he pursued comics as one of *several* career options in what we'd today call a "grindstone mode," opting for it because it seemed "easiest" for his skillset and contacts at the time. When "DLLBERT" connected, he ran with it.
2/3

Take a second and think before posting the easy Eeyore reply. You might have something substantive to say instead. Or, even better, you can say nothing at all.

If you are anxious and sad about the state of the world, that's fine, and there are plenty of strategies for dealing with that. But I think you already know that drive-by online dooming isn't a strategy. It's selfish and adolescent. It's a contagion that only spreads the worst of you, not the best.

Finally, it's wrong AS A MATTER OF ETIQUETTE. Entering a total stranger's discussion and leading with your private anxiety is as off-putting in social media replies as it would be in real life. If you wouldn't interrupt a stranger at a party to announce that America is doomed, don't do it here.

Second, and probably most importantly, it's tactically wrong. "No point discussing political opposition to fascism, there won't be elections anyway" cedes victory to your enemies. It's defeatism and nihilism.

I'm not particularly interested in convincing anyone on this point and won't try, the future is the future. But if the left side of the political spectrum is still the domain of scholarship and expertise, take note that you don't find scholars and experts you worrying about canceled US elections.

First, it's factually wrong. There will be elections in 2026 and 2028 under Trump, just like there were elections last year under Trump and during his first term. This despite one of the two major parties now harboring a lot of anti-democratic elements and ideas.