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We all have our own quirks, traits, preferences, and ways of sharing pieces of ourselves with other people. For the hero of this article, it's creating comics. But he needed a while to realize that.
"I'm an engineer at a well-known global software company," the artist who wanted to remain anonymous told Bored Panda.
"I frequently find myself making observations about life that I feel most other people either don't notice or want to admit. That's how I came up with the name [for my comics series, Sobering Mirror.] I'm holding up a metaphorical mirror to the reader, and the realization that they can see themselves in my jokes is – you guessed it – sobering."
Until his attempts at comedy become more widely recognized, he'd prefer not to be known as 'the guy who makes weird webcomics' at the office. So for now, let's just call him Engineer.
More info: soberingmirror.com | Patreon | Instagram | Facebook
This post may include affiliate links.
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At first glance, Engineer's comics seem... simple. He's fully aware of that. "I always laugh when anyone uses [the word] 'art' to refer to what I'm doing with Sobering Mirror. I'm very clearly not an artist, and my comics reflect that," he said.
"If anything, I'd consider myself a writer who happens to use crude drawings as a vehicle to express his thoughts." That's certainly an accurate description. What Sobering Mirror lacks in form, it makes up for in substance.
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Chich 4 years ago
Yep. happily send you off at 18 to die fighting for their right to organic kale soy lattes but NFW you can have a beer.
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troufaki13 4 years ago
I few years ago something similar happened to me. It was Sunday night and I go to sleep thinking "ugh I have to go to work tomorrow". But then I have a dream that it's Saturday and it's so vivid that I turn my alarm off and continue to sleep. My boss calls and she's like "where the hell are you? are you coming?" and me still being in the dream state and thinking it's Saturday I reply "fine... I'll come even though I don't have to". I reluctantly get up and then it hits me! She was totally cool though and we had a laugh when I explained what had happened!
あんぱんまん 4 years ago
sounds like a really understanding boss!! good for youuu hehehe
Load More Replies... Jackie Porter 4 years ago
I have horrendous anxiety nightmares that I'm still in school and I will be for a long time. I had an awful school life, I was bullied relentlessly and I suffered very badly with undiagnosed depression. I wouldn't wish to return to high school ever.
Night Owl 4 years ago (edited)
The nightmares could be your brain's way to deal with the past. Did you ever try therapy? It's never too late
Load More Replies...Most of it derives from Engineer's own experiences in one way or the other. "My inspiration typically comes from my own life or how I imagine the lives of people I encounter on a day-to-day basis."
Since Engineer is not in the business of making comics (it's merely his hobby), he's not looking to make money off of it. In fact, he has decided that 50% of all the profits he makes from Sobering Mirror (be it ad revenue, Patreon, individual contributions, future merch, etc.) will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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Just a girl with a brain 4 years ago
It’s sad to think that I probably won’t be close with my now best friends in the future
W. 5 4 years ago
Doesn't have to be this way If you're both dedicated to your friendship 🙂 Got my best friend when I was 12...and 35 years later we talk to each other almost every other day.
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Ryan Deschanel 4 years ago
I do not understand this one. Does social life and friendship not start AFTER college and everything goes uphill from there?
Bob Bobbins 4 years ago
Most of your socializing and party time happen between 16-25. After that you kind of focus on your own life and what you're doing to the point where maintaining the dozens of friendships you once had sort of feels like a job. So, you kind of whittle things down to a handful of people through attrition and just kind of hang out once in a while. It's not really sad because it's intentional. You lose interest in having a super active social life.
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XxxPotatoes_rockxxX 4 years ago
Another tip:THE PIC IS DIFFRENT FROM THE VIDEO
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"I think that a lot of charities, unfortunately, use the money that they receive from donations inefficiently (or even dishonestly). St. Jude is not one of those; 82% of each dollar received goes directly to treatment and research for childhood cancer," Engineer explained.
"Their mission is also incredible – they take in children whose families are struggling financially and provide them with world-class medical care (completely for free)."
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Mikhael Barreto 4 years ago
TV, gaming, movies, books: depressive thoughts repellent. At least with me.
Tracey Hirt 4 years ago
I really hate when my streaming service asks if I'm still watching. Stop judging me, Amazon Prime! It's my day off and I will watch 15 episodes of How I Met Your Mother if I feel like it!
Ryan Deschanel 4 years ago
The only thing that keeps people alive. Without it, people would be even more miserable.
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Bill 4 years ago
I smoke 2 joints in the mornin, I smoke 2 joints at night. I smoke 2 joints in the afternoon it makes me feel alright.
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Allan Breum 4 years ago
I may not be a constructive way of dealing with it, but its pretty damn effective.
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Ryan Deschanel 4 years ago
Life is boredom, pain, loneliness, misery and disappointment. But if you don't bother hope, you can avoid disappointment.
Nathan Pogorzala 4 years ago
I mean those are the same feelings i have but geez seeing them written out is rough. :D
Load More Replies... •𝕪øu𝒓 g𝒓𝕖𝒂𝕋𝕖s𝕋 𝕖n𝕖𝕞𝕪• 4 years ago
wait one second.....can it be possible for me to still be a famous singer/famous chemist/ or a comedian?
If you enjoy his work, Engineer would appreciate it if you could tell various social media algorithms that his posts are worth spreading. "You can do that by following, liking, commenting, and sharing. If you’re feeling extra generous, you can also subscribe to my Patreon page or make a one-time donation via PayPal, credit card, or cryptocurrency," he added. "[But] if you're tight on money, save it."
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Sky Render 4 years ago
The secret to not losing that spark is to not let life douse it! Don't let it stress you out so much that you can't have fun any more.
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Inclusion2020 4 years ago
Life of a teacher. I stay at school from 7-7:00/7:30 most days and work on weekends to improve my practice and find better materials for my kids. But if I worked within the hours that my salary dictates, I would be transferred to a different school and my kids would not receive a quality education.
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Be Potato 4 years ago
Sad but true... Still, people looking down on those working retail and at fast food chains, thinking that they never graduated college never change.
Bob Belcher 4 years ago
Truth. I didn't get an entry level position until I was half way done with my MBA
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Bob Bobbins 4 years ago
He's humorously pointing out that a lot of people who are the definition of "mundane, pedestrian, unremarkable, office workers" feel bad ass listening to a bunch of songs about robbery, drug-dealing, and murder when their lives couldn't be further from that lifestyle.
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Ryan Deschanel 4 years ago
All those comics are about how life is unfair and sucks.
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Indra Servo 4 years ago
the secret is.................................................................MONEY
Monday 4 years ago
Money can't buy you happiness....but it can buy you a house full of dogs, which is pretty damn close.
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Bob Belcher 4 years ago
Could also be Wolfenstien or Diablo. They all looked the same lol
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Inclusion2020 4 years ago
Because being human is difficult and it helps a lot of people to take their most insecure thoughts or painful experiences and turn them into humor. For example, I love George Carlin.
Monday 4 years ago
Self-depreciating humour is actually quite popular. It doesn't make us (those who enjoy it) feel down, it helps us laugh at our insecurities and move on rather than get stuck in a thought loop.
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ChinmayGhule 4 years ago
The t shirt says "RIP Juice walo", meaning RIP those people who drink juice. Was this made by one of Dani's boners?
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Full English 4 years ago
I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour But heaven knows I'm miserable now I was looking for a job and then I found a job And heaven knows I'm miserable now - Morrissey
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Ryan Deschanel 4 years ago
I mean, I know what r/wallstreetbets is, but I do not understand the joke. What is ruined by what?
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