SpongeBob Squarepants is an brilliant allegory of the modern world. Squidward seems to be the dejected neighbor stuck in a middle to lower management job, who daily regrets not having pursued his (or her) dream of a liberal or fine arts career. Squidward settled for a mediocre life of quiet desperation and assumes everyone in Bikini Bottom lives his life of quiet desperation. SpongeBob's carefree, fun life is a direct challenge to his entire life perspective, which results in Squidward's natural animus towards SpongeBob.

I like how Hillenburg portrays caricatures of the modern world through his show. The soulless, profit-driven capitalist in Mr. Krabs, the power-hungry elite with Napoleon syndrome in Plankton, the feminist scientists with questionable ethics in Sandy who literally lives under a glass ceiling (glass dome), and the easygoing, easily convinced neighbor in Patrick.

SpongeBob serves as the counterpoint to the caricatures in the show. Unlike Squidward, SpongeBob can enjoy life in what can be described as a "dead-end" job because SpongeBob pursues his dreams and appreciates the present, instead of living in his past. SpongeBob enjoys a full life by valuing interpersonal relationships, rather than being a slave to money (Mr. Krabs) or power (Plankton). Often it is SpongeBob who helps Sandy in her wacky experiments because SpongeBob has rational risk assessment without the need (compulsion?) to break the glass ceiling or to accomplish feats without help. Sandy is also embodies the typical American sentiment of effulgent optimism that are at times divorced from reality.

Unlike Patrick, SpongeBob does not need to leave his brain at home to enjoy the wonders of Bikini Bottom. Everyday is an adventure; every encounter is meaningful because SpongeBob can perceive both positive and negative aspect of life with curiosity. Entire PhD thesis could be written about this masterful kids' program.