Dilbert cartoon first published on Sunday 1st January 2017

Dilbert//10123, first published nine years ago on Sunday 1st January 2017

Tags

happiness, work, torture, human resources, hr, manipulation, content, psychology, business

Official transcript

Catbert: The one called Dilbert is showing signs of happiness at work. Boss: That means we can give him more work and he won't quit. Excellent. Is anyone else exhibiting signs of unauthorized happiness? Catbert: No. Everyone else is in the narrow band of misery you want them to be in. If they were any happier, it would mean you're overpaying them. If they were any less happy, the would take their own lives. If you don't hear any laughing or screaming, it means you're doing something right. Boss: What about moans? Catbert: Moans are ideal. That's the sweet spot.

originally published on dilbert.com

Open source transcript

THE ONE CALLED DILBERT IS SHOWING SIGNS OF HAPPINESS AT WORK.

THAT MEANS WE CAN GIVE HIM MORE WORK AND HE WON'T QUIT. EXCELLENT.

IS ANYONE ELSE EXHIBITING SIGNS OF UNAUTHORIZED HAPPINESS?

NO. EVERYONE ELSE IS IN THE NARROW BAND OF MISERY YOU WANT THEM TO BE IN.

IF THEY WERE ANY HAPPIER, IT WOULD MEAN YOU'RE OVERPAYING THEM.

IF THEY WERE ANY LESS HAPPY, THEY WOULD TAKE THEIR OWN LIVES.

Lis dur IF YOU DON'T HEAR ANY LAUGHING OR SCREAMING, IT MEANS YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.

WHAT ABOUT MOANS?

MOANS ARE IDEAL.

THAT'S THE SWEET SPOT.

collated from github.com/jvarn/dilbert-archive

AI Analysis

Title: "Moans in the Narrow Band of Misery"

Summary:

The comic strip features Dilbert, a bespectacled office worker, sitting at his desk and contemplating the meaning of happiness. He is accompanied by his trusty red cat, Dogbert, who provides sarcastic commentary throughout the strip.

In the first panel, Dilbert reflects on the signs of happiness at work, which include giving more work and not quitting. Dogbert responds with skepticism, suggesting that these signs are not indicative of true happiness.

The second panel shows Dilbert asking if anyone else is exhibiting signs of unauthorized happiness. Dogbert retorts that no one else is in the narrow band of misery they want them to be in.

The third panel depicts Dilbert pondering whether he would be happier if he were less happy. Dogbert counters that if they were any happier, it would mean they're overpaying them.

In the fourth panel, Dilbert wonders if he would take his own life if they were any less happy. Dogbert responds that if you don't hear any laughing or screaming, it means you're doing something right.

The final panel shows Dilbert asking what about moans. Dogbert replies that moans are ideal, as they are the sweet spot.

Overall, the comic strip pokes fun at the idea of happiness in the workplace, suggesting that it's all relative and that misery can be a comfortable state to be in.

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