Dilbert cartoon first published on Sunday 1st July 2001

Dilbert//4460, first published 25 years ago on Sunday 1st July 2001

Tags

approval computer purchse capital budget ceo apparoval asks for things assemble computer cubicles cheap boss need approval

Official transcript

Dilbert approaches the Boss' desk with a piece of paper. Dilbert says, "I need your approval for to buy a new computer."

The Boss says, "Eh! Eh!"

as Dilbert speaks. The Boss replies, "There's a freeze on the capital budget. Only our CEO can approve it."

Dilbert holds out the slip of paper again and says, "Could you ask him to..."

as The Boss says, "Eh! Eh!"

The Boss replies, "I don't want to be the guy who always asks for things."

The Boss continues, "Maybe you could assemble a computer from components that are each within my approval limit?"

Dilbert asks, "What's your approval limit?"

The Boss replies, "Ten dollars."

Dilbert says, "If you need me, I'll be in my cubicle banging my head against the wall."

The Boss stands overlooking the cubicles from his office door as sounds of "Thud! Thud! Thud! come from a cubicle. The Boss thinks to himself, "This is why I keep them in soft-walled containers."

originally published on dilbert.com

Open source transcript

I NEED YOUR APPROVAL TO BUY A COMPUTER.

THERE'S A FREEZE ON THE CAPITAL BUDGET. ONLY OUR CEO CAN APPROVE IT.

COULD YOU ASK HIM TO.

I DON'T WANT TO BE KNOWN AS THE GUY WHO ALWAYS ASKS !

EH!

MAYBE YOU COULD ASSEMBLE A COMPUTER FROM COMPONENTS THAT ARE EACH WITHIN MY APPROVAL LIMIT.

WHAT'S YOUR APPROVAL LIMIT?

TEN DOLLARS.

!

!

IF YOU NEED ME, I'LL BE IN MY CUBICLE, BANGING MY HEAD AGAINST THE WALL.

THIS IS WHY I KEEP THEM IN SOFT-WALLED CONTAINERS.

THUD THUO

collated from github.com/jvarn/dilbert-archive

AI Analysis

Comic Strip Title: "Approval Limit"

Summary:

The comic strip, originally published in 2001, features Dilbert, a bespectacled man with a distinctive hairstyle, in a humorous exchange with his boss. The conversation revolves around obtaining approval for a computer purchase.

Key Points:

• Dilbert requests approval to buy a computer.
• The boss asks for a freeze on the capital budget, citing the CEO's approval requirement.
• Dilbert inquires about the approval limit, receiving a response of ten dollars.
• He then asks to be in his cubicle, where he can bang his head against the wall, and is told to keep the computer in soft-walled containers.

Humor and Satire:

The comic strip pokes fun at the bureaucratic red tape and absurdity of office politics, highlighting the frustration and humor in dealing with seemingly nonsensical requests.

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