Dilbert cartoon first published on Sunday 17th March 1996

Dilbert//2528, first published thirty years ago on Sunday 17th March 1996

Tags

ethical question low quality product timely fashion lie about prodcut bugs are fixed assistant dogbert smacks rat bert

Official transcript

Dogbert sits on the couch backrest. Dilbert says, "I have an ethical question, Dogbert."

Dogbert replies, "I'm here to help."

Dilbert asks, "Is it better to give customers a low quality product in a timely fashion . . ."

Dilbert continues, "Or is it better to lie about product availability until the bugs are fixed?"

Dogbert snaps his paw and replies, "I will need my assistant, Ratbert, to address your ethical question."

Ratbert stands next to Dogbert on the backrest. Dogbert says, "Let's say Ratbert is a trusting and innocent customer."

Dogbert slaps Ratbert on the back and says, "Suppose somebody abuses his trust like this . . ."

Ratbert falls between the couch cushions. Dilbert sits with his leg crossed under him and looks at Ratbert. Dilbert asks, "How does this relate to my situation?"

Dogbert replies, "To be honest, I wasn't listening to you."

originally published on dilbert.com

Open source transcript

I HAVE AN ETHICAL QUESTION, DOGBERT.

I'M HERE TO HELP IS IT BETTER TO GIVE CUSTOMERS A LOW QUALITY PRODUCT IN A TIMELY FASHION...

OR IS IT BETTER TO LIE ABOUT PRODUCT AVAILABILITY UNTIL THE BUGS ARE FIXED?

I WILL NEED MY ASSISTANT, RATBERT, TO ADDRESS YOUR ETHICAL QUESTION SNAP LET'S SAY RATBERT IS A TRUSTING AND INNOCENT CUSTOMER.

SUPPOSE SOMEBODY ABUSES HIS TRUST LIKE THIS SMACK HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO MY SITUATION?

TO BE HONEST, I WASN'T LISTENING TO YOU.

collated from github.com/jvarn/dilbert-archive

AI Analysis

The comic strip is titled "Ethical Dilemma" and features Dilbert, Dogbert, and Ratbert in a humorous scenario.

Summary:

Dilbert seeks advice from Dogbert on how to address a low-quality product in a timely manner. Dogbert suggests lying about the product's availability until the bugs are fixed, but Dilbert is hesitant due to ethical concerns. Ratbert, a customer, accuses Dilbert of abusing his trust, leading to a chaotic confrontation between the two.

Key Points:

• Dilbert faces an ethical dilemma in addressing a low-quality product.
• Dogbert proposes lying about the product's availability, but Dilbert is unsure.
• Ratbert accuses Dilbert of abusing his trust, leading to a confrontation.
• The comic strip pokes fun at the challenges of balancing business needs with ethical considerations.

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