This cartoon plays on the unfairness of American health care by satirizing the pharmaceutical industry’s claim that high drug prices are driven by “research” by exposing how that “research” includes not just new drug development but also marketing, advertising, lobbying, and influencing doctors and politicians. While the figure in the cartoon tries to frame it as a scientific commitment, the visual breakdown shows how a large portion of the cost is allocated to activities that focus on public and political manipulation than actually researching new medicine

This cartoon relates well to the chapter’s point research’s intended purposes. In the chapter, it points out that research should serve a clear and meaningful purpose, whether it’s to increase understanding, predict behavior, or create social change. In contrast, the cartoon suggests that the pharmaceutical industry’s “research” serves corporate goals, not societal ones. Instead of using research to drive positive change or improve communication (like in health campaigns), the cartoon reveals how research can be co-opted to justify exploitation under the guise of innovation.

Personally, I experienced this when a family member had to choose between two toothpastes—one brand-name and one generic. 9 out of 10 doctor strongly recommended the more expensive one, even though research showed both were equally effective. It made me question whether we were being influenced by science or by marketing dressed up as research.

In this cartoon, it shows a grandfather listing behavioral rules to his grandson, in case he gets stopped by the police. This cartoon relates deeply to the Human Rules Theory described in the chapter 5. The list includes warnings like “don’t run,” “don’t put your hands in your pocket,” and “don’t ride around with a broken taillight.” Even though these are not formal laws, they’re rules born out of lived experience. This can also be interpreted as the troubling experience with police brutality, especially within the Black community, where interactions with law enforcement can be even more dangerous compared to others. Human Rules Theory explains that such rules are not universally fixed, but socially constructed, culturally specific, and dynamic, shaped by real-world experience and social systems.

The cartoon further illustrates how certain groups live by following unwritten social rules. While these rules don’t carry legal consequences if broken, unlike law, they can still result in severe, even fatal, outcomes due to how systems of authority interpret those actions. This adds a deeper layer of urgency and emotional weight to the theory.

In my experience, I remember my mom giving me a similar talk before I got my driver’s license. She told me to always keep both hands visible during traffic stops and speak calmly, even if I felt nervous. At the time, I thought she was overreacting, but now I realize she was trying to prepare me, a young adult who just got his license and is driving a sports car, for a system that doesn’t treat everyone equally, where rules are applied differently depending on who you are.

In the cartoon ,“The Evolution of Pop Culture Scapegoats”, it talked about the ideas in Chapter 8 about how popular culture is often misunderstood and unfairly blamed for societal issues. Within the comic’s depiction, it highlights how society has shifted from blaming rock musicians like Marilyn Manson for tragedies like the Columbine shooting, a school-shooting incident, while also blaming internet creations like Slender Man for violent behavior. This reflects chapter 8’s idea that popular culture doesn’t need to be consumed by everyone to be influential—it’s embedded enough in society that people are familiar with it and often react strongly, especially when tragedy strikes. The cartoon also shows how politicians and media figures sometimes simplify complex social issues by pointing fingers at pop culture rather than addressing root causes like mental health or social isolation.

I remember growing up that I always enjoyed playing Grand Theft Auto (GTA).In that video game, you act as a criminal and are allowed to do illegal stuff. A few years ago, GTA was blamed for promoting violence among teens and several school shootings as well. As someone who grew up playing video games with friends, I found it frustrating that the media never talked about the benefits of playing video games and never pointed out the hypocrisy in their argument. For us gamers, video games was just a way to connect and unwind. This made me realize how easily misunderstood pop culture can be by those who aren’t part of it, and how dangerous that misunderstanding can become when it shapes public opinion or policy.