In the editorial cartoon "Mary Probe" by Mike Keele, the alien holding a baseball bat contributes to the effectiveness of the cartoon by:
1. Using humor to show that unknown factors keep damaging the probes humans send: The alien with the baseball bat symbolizes an unpredictable or unidentified threat that continuously damages the probes sent by humans. This humorously portrays the challenges faced in space exploration and the unexpected obstacles encountered.
2. Exaggerating the size of the bat in relation to the Mars probe: The oversized baseball bat in the hands of the alien exaggerates the threat posed to the Mars probe, emphasizing the destructive force or impact that the alien represents. This exaggeration helps emphasize the seriousness of the situation in a satirical and attention-grabbing way.
By incorporating these elements, the cartoon effectively conveys a message about the vulnerability of space probes to unforeseen risks and the humorous take on the complexities of space exploration.
