# Hobbes: Real when nobody is around or just imagined to real by Calvin?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [February 9, 2014, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927 "2014-02-09T21:51:05Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 4
### Author:  [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/61 "2014-02-10T21:45:37Z")
> [@Slade](#):
>
> He’s both/neither real and/nor imaginary. Just enjoy the ambiguity.
So you’re saying Hobbes is Schroedinger’s Cat?
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### Author:  [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/62 "2014-02-10T21:47:01Z")
The T-rex, Spaceman Spiff, and other daydreams were specified as daydreams, usually within the same comic. Calvin gets shaken out of his daydream in the sequence.
That’s not true of Hobbes or the cardboard box stuff. And, with the box as duplicator, Calvin does things that he couldn’t do alone, such as walk in from the left of the panel several times and pass tests that he couldn’t otherwise pass, and do homework while he’s still out playing.
I think there’s a difference between the Spaceman Spiff and other such daydreams and Hobbes.
Anyway, I feel like I’m wrecking it by explaining it, even to myself. Curse you, OP!
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### Author:  [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/63 "2014-02-10T21:47:13Z")
My answer to that question is a simple yes. The beauty of imagination, particularly that of a child like Calvin, is that there isn’t a distinct line that separates reality from fiction. Sure, there are certain things that seem to fall pretty clearly on one side or the other, but there’s a whole lot of stuff that is a lot less certain. In that regard, it’s a matter of perspective and how open the observer is to imagination and the possibilities it opens up. This is why he is in every meaningful way real, and for the others, he is in every meaningful way just a toy. The key here is what each sees and how they define meaningful.
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### Author:  [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/64 "2014-02-10T21:59:15Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#):
>
> "They don't believe in me, Calvin. You know what you have to do. "
That’s the one! Thanks!
Mars is amaaazing…
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### Author:  [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/65 "2014-02-10T22:12:13Z")
What Exit?
Quote:
Originally Posted by DrDeth View Post
Then- who ate the cookies? Not Calvin.
As TreacherousCretin sez, Hobbes is a Phooka, who is seen as a stuffed tiger to everyone but Calvin.
No one but Calvin can see him, but they can sometimes see the results, such as cookies eaten, Calvin messed up after a “tiger attack”. , etc
You know, I mentioned púca first in post 30. I guess I should have mentioned Harvey while I was at it.
If anyone has to have an explanation, the one given by What Exit, Dr. Deth, and Treacherous Cretin is best (though the one of Hobbes as therapist was the funniest). Dr. Deth explains it best, as in Calvin is the only one who can see and communicate with him. He hides in the stuffed tiger when others are around, the same way that Harvey is invisible to to everyone except the people to whom he choses to reveals himself. But this is too much explanation, and spoils the fun a bit.
Just as Calvin and Hobbes is my favorite comic, Harvey is my favorite movie.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/66 "2014-02-10T22:27:22Z")
> [@Tapiotar](#):
>
> What Exit?
> Quote:
> Originally Posted by DrDeth View Post
> Then- who ate the cookies? Not Calvin.
>
> As TreacherousCretin sez, Hobbes is a Phooka, who is seen as a stuffed tiger to everyone but Calvin.
> No one but Calvin can see him, but they can sometimes see the results, such as cookies eaten, Calvin messed up after a “tiger attack”. , etc
>
> You know, I mentioned púca first in post 30. I guess I should have mentioned Harvey while I was at it.
You did indeed. 🆒
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### Author:  [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2014, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/67 "2014-02-11T01:07:51Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#):
>
> You know, I mentioned púca first in post 30. I guess I should have mentioned Harvey while I was at it.
You did indeed, and even though I read it it slipped right past me, possibly because of your more accurate spelling of the term. I offer an apology and an accolade.
> [@Tapiotar](#):
>
> …Just as Calvin and Hobbes is my favorite comic, Harvey is my favorite movie.
Same here. _Calvin and Hobbes_ by a country mile; _Harvey_ is my favorite comedy and one of my top five films overall. Come to think of it, the factual answer to the OP appears in Harvey if we substitute Calvin for Elwood:
\*Q: “Is he alone?”
A: “Well, there’s two schools of thought, sir.”
\*
This is a wonderful thread, btw.
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### Author:  [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2014, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/68 "2014-02-11T03:27:56Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#):
>
> Neither of which is relevant, since Hobbes is clearly out of their field of vision.
…and in mine, Hobbes is clearly out of _Calvin’s_ field of vision, as well. Leaving only one, objective, third-person observer…the audience.
Seriously, though, what do I think it proves? Absolutely nothing. But there’s little I love more than giving crack fan theories a fighting chance to live.
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### Author:  [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2014, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/69 "2014-02-11T03:32:07Z")
Hobbs lives.
Get a life, people!
🙂
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### Author:  [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2014, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/70 "2014-02-11T04:41:54Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#):
>
> Hobbs lives.
>
> Get a life, people!
>
> 🙂
Indeed.
Four what-if’s from a cartoonist who clearly loves C&H as much as we seem to. Calvin and Suzy, 26 years later, with their daughter Francis Bacon (more philosopher names, get it?). Best to read them in this order, and you’re welcome to those who’ve never seen them.
[http://www.pantsareoverrated.com/page/4/?s=hobbes](http://www.pantsareoverrated.com/page/4/?s=hobbes)
[http://www.pantsareoverrated.com/page/3/?s=hobbes](http://www.pantsareoverrated.com/page/3/?s=hobbes)
[http://www.pantsareoverrated.com/page/2/?s=hobbes](http://www.pantsareoverrated.com/page/2/?s=hobbes)
[http://www.pantsareoverrated.com/?s=hobbes](http://www.pantsareoverrated.com/?s=hobbes)
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### Author:  [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2014, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/71 "2014-02-11T04:58:14Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#):
>
> You know, I mentioned púca first in post 30. I guess I should have mentioned Harvey while I was at it.
This is ridiculous. I’ve only now noticed that you also linked to the four cartoons I just posted. I need to start reading more carefully before posting.
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### Author:  [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2014, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/72 "2014-02-11T06:34:24Z")
> [@Flywheel](#):
>
> “Real” Hobbes also appeared in the same shot as Susie Derkins [three years earlier](http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1986/05/31#.UvjNrfZRF10).
Ah, but Susie’s head was turned away from Hobbes. Next panel, Hobbes was in plush form.
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### Author:  [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2014, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/73 "2014-02-11T06:36:45Z")
> [@Crotalus](#):
>
> I’m still expecting to see Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs in the cereal aisle one day.
Fill a bowl with malted milk balls. Add a couple tablespoons of sugar, some milk, and dig in. M&Ms would work too.
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### Author:  [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2014, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/74 "2014-02-11T07:04:34Z")
> [@dasmili](#):
>
> Of course Hobbes is real. He’s certainly more real to Calvin than the ‘real’ world he finds himself in. Whether he’s technically ‘alive’ or not is irrelevant.
You say that, but who tosses down the rope ladder if he’s not? 😕
A few videos already, but not the gritty reboot trailer: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17qyaXOFZXg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17qyaXOFZXg)
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### Author:  [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2014, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/75 "2014-02-11T12:19:37Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#):
>
> Hobbes has an independent existence: while he and Calvin share a special friendship, Hobbes doesn’t seem to me to be a particularly credible imaginary friend. For one thing he’s a lot smarter than Calvin. He certainly doesn’t agree with Calvin all or even most of the time. They have _consistently_ different outlooks.
Yes, because Calvin is good at creating characters. The other characters he makes also have a consistent outlook that is different from Calvin’s. If a real life child has a stuffed animal tha he assigns a different character than his own, I’m not going to start assuming that it must come to life when I’m not looking.
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### Author:  [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2014, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/76 "2014-02-11T12:32:46Z")
> [@RitterSport](#):
>
> The T-rex, Spaceman Spiff, and other daydreams were specified as daydreams, usually within the same comic. Calvin gets shaken out of his daydream in the sequence.
>
> That’s not true of Hobbes or the cardboard box stuff. And, with the box as duplicator, Calvin does things that he couldn’t do alone, such as walk in from the left of the panel several times and pass tests that he couldn’t otherwise pass, and do homework while he’s still out playing.
>
> I think there’s a difference between the Spaceman Spiff and other such daydreams and Hobbes.
I don’t think the T-rex stuff and such are always specified as day dreams. There is certainly sometimes where in class where it is obviously a day dream. But often it’s just presented like the other character would see him when they are looking. Exactly the same way as Hobbes is presented
If turning into a T-rex is a daydream, then (for instance) turning tiny is a day dream in the same way. And if those things are daydreams, then the duplicator and such are too, since they are presented in the same way. Whenever a normal character is looking, we snap back to realistic view.
Walking in from the left panel is the same as these other things, a day dream, possible because no normal character is looking. Same with doing two or more things at once. I don’t believe he has passed any test in a magical way. Considering that he probably is able to do school work if he had the interest.
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### Author:  [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/77 "2014-02-11T15:41:56Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#):
>
> Fill a bowl with malted milk balls. Add a couple tablespoons of sugar, some milk, and dig in. M&Ms would work too.
My teeth hurt just thinking about it.
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### Author:  [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2014, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/78 "2014-02-11T16:43:41Z")
> [@RitterSport](#):
>
> See here for an example of something Calvin couldn’t do on his own:
>
> …
>
> **Idle thoughts** – admit it, you posted this just to get some great comics posted.
Okay, yes, I admit it.
I can think of a few examples of this too other than the one in the OP…like one where Hobbes hangs Calvin from a tree branch by his underpants and then leaves him there wiggling, trying to get down. It’s a branch clearly way taller and higher than him and he’s hung on it in such a way that it would be pretty much impossible to do on his own…
…so unless it’s chalked up as “Calvin imagined that happening too”, there’s more there than meets the eye.\*
\*and again, I write all this as one of the more “Hobbes is only a figment of Calvin’s imagination” leaners.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2014, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/79 "2014-02-11T16:47:29Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#):
>
> Indeed.
> Four what-if’s from a cartoonist who clearly loves C&H as much as we seem to. Calvin and Suzy, 26 years later, with their daughter Francis Bacon (more philosopher names, get it?). Best to read them in this order, and you’re welcome to those who’ve never seen them.
>
> [http://www.pantsareoverrated.com/page/4/?s=hobbes](http://www.pantsareoverrated.com/page/4/?s=hobbes)
> [http://www.pantsareoverrated.com/page/3/?s=hobbes](http://www.pantsareoverrated.com/page/3/?s=hobbes)
> [http://www.pantsareoverrated.com/page/2/?s=hobbes](http://www.pantsareoverrated.com/page/2/?s=hobbes)
> [http://www.pantsareoverrated.com/?s=hobbes](http://www.pantsareoverrated.com/?s=hobbes)
Wow, those are great, nice tribute comics.
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### Author:  [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2014, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-real-when-nobody-is-around-or-just-imagined-to-real-by-calvin/680927/80 "2014-02-11T17:47:05Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#):
>
> Let me make sure I understand this. Some people believe that Hobbes magically comes to life?
It wasn’t my take on it, but it’s plausible.
> [@Wargamer](#):
>
> So you’re saying Hobbes is Schroedinger’s Cat?
Why not? It’s Quantum. The wave can collapse either way. It’s only narrativium that makes it collapse so that Hobbes always looks like a stuffed toy to others.
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