Contrary to the title I chose, this is perhaps the most personal of the Sunday Funnies I’ve ever made.
This is what it feels like to be someone like me in 2026: a creative person trying to make a living in the age of generative AI—and failing spectacularly.
Every time I see people I know—and like—use AI slop imagery to promote their podcast, or in a Powerpoint presentation, or in the cover for their next book, or for just any random thing they want to share in their social media… Every. Single. Time. It feels like a punch in the gut.
“Oh, it’s just so convenient!” “Oh, I have no choice if I want to keep up with my competitors!” “Oh, I don’t like it but they force me to use it at my job!” “Oh, it’s just a tool!” (That one is the worse, by the way. That’s a punch followed by a spit in the face).
No. It’s not ‘just a tool’. It’s a plagiarism system that vomits mediocre crap, and was built upon the labor of countless artists without any form of recognition or compensation. Because, apparently, ownership is something we now honor in society *only* when it benefits big corporations who can afford expensive law firms; but when it comes to everyday citizens then, Sorry! We need to break some eggs in order to make this Brave New World omelet we’re cooking. It’s nothing personal, you know…
It’s like everyone of those ‘friends’ of mine were kneeling down near me, as I’m losing my nails on the border of that cliff I just drew, desperately trying with all my strength not fo fall down, and whispered in my ear:
“Better you than me…”
Sometimes I blame Aesop, you know? Ever since the times of the ancient Greeks we’ve been admonishing little kids that artistic people—represented by the grasshopper—deserve to die when winter comes; because they refused to toil on the earth, like the industrious ant, during the warmer seasons. There is this universal concept that if you are trying to make a living doing something you’re actually passionate about, and that—on top of that—doesn’t result in a tangible asset for society, then you must suffer for it: You will be paid pennies for a dollar for your working hours; you will have no job security; if successful, your work will not even get the recognition you deserve. But hey, at least you get the chance to ‘follow your passion’ right?
And now comes the final nail in our coffin, in the form of this algorithmic grinder that will finally get rid of us annoying grasshoppers once and for all, just the way you always wanted, my dear envious ants.
Of course, you know the grinder won’t get rid of only us… Right?
PS: Greg and I touched upon some of these ideas in our most recent Patreon segment, which will be available to our superfantastic supporters next week.
