Topic: WCDT: 2706-2710 (19 - 23 May 2014) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread (Read 43241 times)

ZoeB · « **Reply #100 on:** 22 May 2014, 02:56 »

Quote from: Schmee001 on 22 May 2014, 02:40

I'm still waiting for Marigold and Dale to sit together admiring a sunset or something, and in the distance you see a fighter jet yelling "fucken FINALLY"

You win the thread.

And as a self-confessed meganerd myself - it's just reality. Though I prefer "Awesome Geek Girl". Same thing. We tend to scare most guys off. The ones that are equally Geeky though - Oh Yeah!

Thrillho · « **Reply #101 on:** 22 May 2014, 03:11 »

Wait so how long have we leapt forward by time wise in the gap between this comic and yesterday?

Method of Madness · « **Reply #102 on:** 22 May 2014, 03:12 »

Possibly years, but it could easily be happening at the exact same time.

anahata · « **Reply #103 on:** 22 May 2014, 03:13 »

Quote from: Mlle Germain on 22 May 2014, 02:35

1) Some people are insecure about themselves and thus not too good with meeting new people and getting into relationships. This has however nothing to do with being a nerd or not.

I'd say from my own experience that there is some correlation, and maybe causation too, in the sense that if you don't find yourself comfortable with other people, you bury yourself in other interests.

Quote

2) There is also no need to desperately push other people to finally hook up with someone - your worth as an adult is not based on whether you've hooked up with anyone or not.

I agree about pushing people: when I was a nerdy insecure teenager I strenuously resisted anything that looked like an external attempt to pair me up with someone, but I still wanted that to happen (as long as I felt I was in control of it) and while "worth as an adult" is putting it a bit strongly "desire to be seen as normal" would certainly have made sense to me.

Thrillho · « **Reply #104 on:** 22 May 2014, 03:20 »

Quote from: Method of Madness on 22 May 2014, 03:12

Possibly years, but it could easily be happening at the exact same time.

But it is a bizarre turn of phrase to be using ('we never do x, we only do y') if this is like, only a couple of days later.

If I'd only been bangin' someone for like a week I wouldn't be saying 'We always stay in, why don't we ever go out?'

Mr_Rose · « **Reply #105 on:** 22 May 2014, 03:43 »

Quote from: Gareth on 22 May 2014, 03:20

Quote from: Method of Madness on 22 May 2014, 03:12
Possibly years, but it could easily be happening at the exact same time.

But it is a bizarre turn of phrase to be using ('we never do x, we only do y') if this is like, only a couple of days later.

If I'd only been bangin' someone for like a week I wouldn't be saying 'We always stay in, why don't we ever go out?'

Ah but do you have semi-crippling social anxieties that randomly pop into your head and remind you that you're doing/not doing something you're "supposed" to be not doing/doing in a relationship?
Seriously, Marigold's working her startle reflex something fierce there; I usually only get that when I remember I forgot to pick up something I wanted from the shop when I was there, usually about an hour after I already got home.

Thrillho · « **Reply #106 on:** 22 May 2014, 03:47 »

Quote from: Mr_Rose on 22 May 2014, 03:43

Quote from: Gareth on 22 May 2014, 03:20
Quote from: Method of Madness on 22 May 2014, 03:12
Possibly years, but it could easily be happening at the exact same time.

But it is a bizarre turn of phrase to be using ('we never do x, we only do y') if this is like, only a couple of days later.

If I'd only been bangin' someone for like a week I wouldn't be saying 'We always stay in, why don't we ever go out?'
Ah but do you have semi-crippling social anxieties that randomly pop into your head and remind you that you're doing/not doing something you're "supposed" to be not doing/doing in a relationship?
Seriously, Marigold's working her startle reflex something fierce there; I usually only get that when I remember I forgot to pick up something I wanted from the shop when I was there, usually about an hour after I already got home.

Not these days I don't, but I still feel the turn of phrase is slightly odd.

NilsO · « **Reply #107 on:** 22 May 2014, 04:34 »

Quote from: Mlle Germain on 22 May 2014, 02:35

Quote from: NilsO on 22 May 2014, 00:02
Meganerds like Marigold and Dale need a lot of external help, guidance, and threats if they ever are to hook up. They should be forever grateful to Momo and May.

I assume this is meant jokingly, but do you have any idea how condescending this sentence sounds?
There is no need to patronise anyone like that. I know the term "meganerd" is a quote from Faye; doesn't make it any better, though. I hate when people look down on others like that.

I had no intention of being condescending. As you say, "meganerd" is a quote from Faye; therefore it should be an accepted term for these two, without any negative associations. I can relate to them and feel sympathy for them, as I have experienced similar problems in my youth.

The way Marigold and Dale are portrayed, they both have problems relating to the other sex, but also both have a deep desire to get into a relationship. Momo (and May, in her own way) recognized this; and decided to help them out. (Hanners also contributed, by the way.)

Method of Madness · « **Reply #108 on:** 22 May 2014, 04:39 »

Quote from: Gareth on 22 May 2014, 03:20

Quote from: Method of Madness on 22 May 2014, 03:12
Possibly years, but it could easily be happening at the exact same time.

But it is a bizarre turn of phrase to be using ('we never do x, we only do y') if this is like, only a couple of days later.

If I'd only been bangin' someone for like a week I wouldn't be saying 'We always stay in, why don't we ever go out?'

Yeah, but there could've been a time gap between their getting together and the Marmom plot.

Tova · « **Reply #109 on:** 22 May 2014, 04:43 »

Quote from: NilsO on 22 May 2014, 00:02

Well, Dale admitted being a virgin before meeting Marigold, so I guess Dale had a lot of insecurity issues regarding women.

Your conclusion may well be right, but on the face of it at least, that must be non sequitur of the year.

Mlle Germain · « **Reply #110 on:** 22 May 2014, 05:01 »

Quote from: NilsO on 22 May 2014, 04:34

As you say, "meganerd" is a quote from Faye; therefore it should be an accepted term for these two, without any negative associations. I can relate to them and feel sympathy for them, as I have experienced similar problems in my youth.

I disagree. Faye is occasionally a very disagreeable and judgemental person (such as in the "Dorkosaurus and Meganerd" scene) and one shouldn't follow her example.

I guess the relationship thing depends a little bit on how you define nerd: If being not very sociable and being insecure about relationships is in your definition of nerd necessary to be one, ok.
It's just my experience that almost anyone with a passionate interest in maths, science or computers automatically gets stamped with the label nerd.
And since I am in that group myself, I know that most people in it are very sociable and confident (they mostly interact with other mathematicians/scientists due to shared interests), lots have stable relationships that they got into without any external help (in my case one of 2.5 years in the last years of high school and one of currently 3 years that in my eyes realistically has the potential to be permanent) and a majority also have additional non-nerdy interests like doing sports or making music.
Thus looking down on the socially inept and dorky meganerds in general sets me off a little.

Akima · « **Reply #111 on:** 22 May 2014, 05:09 »

Just so.

Well done, Marigold. It's good to let go of what other people think you ought to be doing... Especially peddlers of commercialised "date" activities.

WAYF · « **Reply #112 on:** 22 May 2014, 05:40 »

I relate to this comic a lot. Not because I've ever been on a date, but because I'm scared of being expected to do - and failing to do - what "everyone else" is doing.

NilsO · « **Reply #113 on:** 22 May 2014, 05:59 »

I guess "nerd" is a term often used on people with borderline Asperger syndrome. Social awkwardness and all-consuming special interests are classical symptoms. By no means all scientists/mathematicians/computer people belong in this category. But in order to be really good at anything, you have to work hard, thus having little time for other activities, and thereby you automatically qualify for the nerd term.

Nerd is a positive term, if it relates to expertise on some subject. Sadly, it is also used as a derogatory term for social awkwardness.

Zebediah · « **Reply #114 on:** 22 May 2014, 06:59 »

Quote from: ZoeB on 22 May 2014, 02:56

Quote from: Schmee001 on 22 May 2014, 02:40
I'm still waiting for Marigold and Dale to sit together admiring a sunset or something, and in the distance you see a fighter jet yelling "fucken FINALLY"
You win the thread.

And as a self-confessed meganerd myself - it's just reality. Though I prefer "Awesome Geek Girl". Same thing. We tend to scare most guys off. The ones that are equally Geeky though - Oh Yeah!

I married an awesome geek girl, so I did my part.

Storel · « **Reply #115 on:** 22 May 2014, 08:16 »

I've noticed a tendency over the years for people to use "geek" to refer to people who know a field especially well -- and it doesn't have to be a technical/scientific field, either; you can be a computer geek or a math geek, sure, but there are also history geeks, literature geeks, political science geeks (the so-called "policy wonks" you heard so much about in the early days of the Obama administration are clearly poli-sci geeks), and many other types. (The Geek Code has been around since 1993, and includes geeks of all flavors.)

Whereas "nerd" seems to be applied more, generally, to people who are socially awkward and have trouble making friends. Some nerds are also geeks, but many aren't, and many geeks are not nerds. The ones who are the most socially awkward are sometimes diagnosed with Aspergers, which is somewhere between "normal" and "autistic" on the autism spectrum. Most nerds, though, may have some autistic tendencies but tend to fall closer to the "normal" end of the spectrum.

I think there's some value in having different words to describe different types of personalities, as they can reduce confusion and ambiguity in discussions like this. In particular, I think Dale and Marigold could be descibed as both geeks (gaming geeks and manga/anime geeks) and as nerds, with Dale being slightly less nerdy than Marigold.

Pilchard123 · « **Reply #116 on:** 22 May 2014, 09:21 »

https://xkcd.com/747/

freeman · « **Reply #117 on:** 22 May 2014, 10:29 »

Am I the only one who sees a little unhappy expression on Marigold's face in the last panel? Like she really would like to try these things that normal people do but doesn't want to bring it directly up as she suspect/knows that Dale would be more "stay home and rest" kind of person.

Dark clouds already.

lot_jockey · « **Reply #118 on:** 22 May 2014, 10:44 »

Quote from: freeman on 22 May 2014, 10:29

Am I the only one who sees a little unhappy expression on Marigold's face in the last panel? Like she really would like to try these things that normal people do but doesn't want to bring it directly up as she suspect/knows that Dale would be more "stay home and rest" kind of person.

Dark clouds already.

Her expression in the last panel looks more "content to be snuggling and ready to snuggle some more" than "unhappy" to me. Plus, the way that Dale smiles in the last panel makes me think Marigold said that "this is nice" in a positive tone of voice.

That being said: who knows? She does look pretty disappointed in panels 1-4.

Barmymoo · « **Reply #119 on:** 22 May 2014, 10:48 »

I definitely read it as Marigold being disappointed and sad - "meh" being more resignation to the situation than agreement. I was actually quite surprised no one had brought it up until now.

cesium133 · « **Reply #120 on:** 22 May 2014, 10:51 »

Quote from: Storel on 22 May 2014, 08:16

(The Geek Code has been around since 1993, and includes geeks of all flavors.)

Wow, it's been ages since I've seen that. It hasn't aged well (Hopefully there's nobody left who still uses Netscape...)

To avoid doing work during my lunch break, I decided to try it out again, though some of the categories I wasn't sure what to put. For example, I've heard of Doom, so 'D?' isn't correct, but I've never played it so I don't really have an opinion on it.

(click to show/hide)

anahata · « **Reply #121 on:** 22 May 2014, 10:51 »

Dale hasn't ruled it out, though - he's simply challenged Marigold to think about what she actually wants instead of what she thinks they "should be" doing. I'd say her expression is very relaxed and contented, as she gets used to the idea that she's exactly where she wants to be right now and doesn't need to change anything.
After all she wasn't keen on going out for dinner when Momo tried to engineer a date...
Maybe later. They're in a sort of honeymoon phase right now.

Thrillho · « **Reply #122 on:** 22 May 2014, 12:23 »

edit: NEVER MIND

Method of Madness · « **Reply #123 on:** 22 May 2014, 12:25 »

Agreed. Marigold specifically thinks that's what's expected of them. Dale seems more than willing to do those things, if that's what Marigold wants, but not if that's what she feels obligated to do. So he asks her, she realizes she's happy and that's what matters. That's not to say they won't try those things later, but only if they want to.

Gareth: I'm on Facebook, message me now

hedgie · « **Reply #124 on:** 22 May 2014, 13:09 »

Well, they're both new at this sort of thing. This is just part of their process.

Kugai · « **Reply #125 on:** 22 May 2014, 13:56 »

Time is an illusion.

cesium133 · « **Reply #126 on:** 22 May 2014, 13:57 »

Lunchtime doubly so.

Fenriswolf · « **Reply #127 on:** 22 May 2014, 15:38 »

Quote from: cesium133 on 22 May 2014, 10:51

Wow, it's been ages since I've seen that. It hasn't aged well (Hopefully there's nobody left who still uses Netscape...)

Ooooo. There is a fair amount of redundancy now but the specificity makes me happy. I just put ! for everything I knew about, didn't have a strong opinion on or use. Not as accurate as I would like but overall still interesting.

Doing it pretty much revealed how much I deviate from the old school "computer geek": I just don't care that much about my OS, though I do complain a lot about the way Windows is going. Considering I regularly confuse people with my enthusiasm for dry facts and "disgusting" medical things, the Geek Police can bite me.

(click to show/hide)

jwhouk · « **Reply #128 on:** 22 May 2014, 16:37 »

Had to update; original one is from the 1990's.

Code: [Select]

-----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
Version: 3.1.2[a]
GSS/J$ d(-) s--:++ a+ C+(++) UB ?P L- E---- W++(+++) N !o !K w[7(+)][8--]
o- @M [iM+] V- PS(+/-) PE>- Y— @PGP t+[trb---] @5— X—- R+(-/*) tv+ 
b+>++ DI++ D-(--) G e++>+++ h--- r+++ y+++
------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------

P.S. - [7] = Windows 7; [8] = Windows 8; [iM] = iOS; [trb] = Trek reboot. For "N" I would substitute "FF" (since Firefox is the spiritual heir to Netscape/Mozilla).

FunkyTuba · « **Reply #129 on:** 22 May 2014, 18:17 »

Somehow I knew this was where this storyline was going.

St.Clair · « **Reply #130 on:** 22 May 2014, 18:29 »

OH HAI

greywolfe · « **Reply #131 on:** 22 May 2014, 18:31 »

Momo vs May, epicrobotbattles.com

hedgie · « **Reply #132 on:** 22 May 2014, 18:35 »

Hmm. I think this is a little less of "hey, I'm out of gaol now, nice to see you" and more of "I just got out of prison and need a place to recharge.

Rghfrgl · « **Reply #133 on:** 22 May 2014, 18:51 »

It's going to be rough for Marigold when her boyfriend goes to jail for harboring a fugitive.

Mmeaninglessnamee · « **Reply #134 on:** 22 May 2014, 19:27 »

I haven't been on the forums in months, roughly since May was last in the comic but stopped in to say that I enjoy this development, wherever it leads.
This is the first comic in a while that's left me with a grin for several minutes afterward.

~~SuctionCup Caper Two~~ · « **Reply #135 on:** 22 May 2014, 19:35 »

Quote from: Schmee001 on 22 May 2014, 02:40

I'm still waiting for Marigold and Dale to sit together admiring a sunset or something, and in the distance you see a fighter jet yelling "fucken FINALLY"

Guess they ran out of fighter-jets.

SomeCanadianWeirdo · « **Reply #136 on:** 22 May 2014, 19:39 »

So, what will happen when May first meets Pintsize? Pornageddon?

~~SuctionCup Caper Two~~ · « **Reply #137 on:** 22 May 2014, 19:54 »

Quote from: SomeCanadianWeirdo on 22 May 2014, 19:39

So, what will happen when May first meets Pintsize? Pornageddon?

Porn SINGULARITY.

FunkyTuba · « **Reply #138 on:** 22 May 2014, 20:08 »

Prongularity

jmucchiello · « **Reply #139 on:** 22 May 2014, 20:14 »

Does Jealousy come in shades of light blue?

Or will May have some kind of pride reaction to having gotten them together?

jwhouk · « **Reply #140 on:** 22 May 2014, 20:15 »

Uh oh. Marten Mom and Jim the Baker. What' s next?

Three dads! $&#* yeah! 15 (24.6%)
She moves, he avoids, shenanigans ensue. 3 (4.9%)
He dumps her - and mom ends up moving in with MARTEN! 2 (3.3%)
Sam becomes Veronica's prodigy! 5 (8.2%)
Step-sibling hi-jinks! 6 (9.8%)
"AUNTIE FAYE!" is heard at least ONCE this next week. 8 (13.1%)
"Auntie Dora" never will be. 3 (4.9%)
Marten Dad and Dad Two (Dad Harder) show up. Hilarity Ensues(tm). 7 (11.5%)
A week of Yelling Bird strips - because Jeph's between comic shows. 5 (8.2%)
Spathe Ham, Waffles, and stars in Claire's eyes! 4 (6.6%)
A very, very, VERY hot moderator, sweltering in the jungle. 3 (4.9%)
As always: OTHER (please specify) 0 (0%)

Total Members Voted: 61

NilsO · « **Reply #141 on:** 22 May 2014, 20:20 »

Quote from: NilsO on 22 May 2014, 01:10

Not this May

Has Dale stopped using his Augmented Reality glasses completely? If that is the case, May may never return

Well, I was totally wrong, as usual. But I am happy, I have been waiting for May to return.

May has probably been released from robot jail, embodied in a cheap Iduro model (without artificial skin), and told not to cause any more trouble. What is a poor robot to do? Naturally, she would go to her only friend in the world, which she already has bonded with emotionally.

Dale's welcome was shitty (he was probably thinking of the sex that had to be postponed). But he will be happy with May as his robot companion. Marigold, however, has not really met May yet. She may not be happy with May's attitude. Also, there is bound to be conflicts between May and Momo.

They are going to need a bigger apartment

Mr. Doctor · « **Reply #142 on:** 22 May 2014, 20:58 »

Yesssssss!!!! This is going to be awesome.

MightionNY · « **Reply #143 on:** 22 May 2014, 21:07 »

May seems somewhat sad.

I hope next week we find out why she's so blue.

Kugai · « **Reply #144 on:** 22 May 2014, 21:18 »

Aziraphale · « **Reply #145 on:** 22 May 2014, 21:23 »

Quote from: NilsO on 22 May 2014, 20:20

Quote from: NilsO on 22 May 2014, 01:10
Dale's welcome was shitty (he was probably thinking of the sex that had to be postponed). But he will be happy with May as his robot companion. Marigold, however, has not really met May yet. She may not be happy with May's attitude. Also, there is bound to be conflicts between May and Momo.

They are going to need a bigger apartment

He may have been thinking less of the sex and more of how much of a loose cannon May was the last time she was around. Remember, he and Momo were the only ones who could see her the last time; this time, whatever shenanigans she's up to will be apparent to everybody. Marigold may relent a bit given that May helped get them together, but I'd think there'll be friction between May and Momo.

Then again, knowing Jeph, the answer will be "D: None of the above." $:-\$

ironwolf69 · « **Reply #146 on:** 22 May 2014, 21:24 »

Embassed to say I sat here for 10 minutes trying to remember, May. Had to rejoin the forums to work out who she was.

Nepiophage · « **Reply #147 on:** 22 May 2014, 21:37 »

And why has she a name badge? Maybe she got one of Dale's former service jobs. I can't see her holding one down, though.

cesium133 · « **Reply #148 on:** 22 May 2014, 21:41 »

Considering the orangeness of her clothes*, I'm guessing that's her jail uniform (i.e. she just got out and Dale's place is the first place she went).

* I should note that my entire knowledge of prison uniforms comes from watching that Lockup show on MSNBC, so I could be talking out of my ass.

celticgeek · « **Reply #149 on:** 22 May 2014, 21:54 »

I notice that Dale can see May without his glasses at this point.

Also: Geek Code (very old geek code, at this point):
GS:GIT d- s:+ a+++ C++ UL++ P++ !E W+++ !N o+ K++
!w--- !O !M V PS+++ PE Y+ PGP t 5 X !R tv b++++
DI++ !D G++ e+++ h--- r+++ y+++

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Poll

MOMENT OF THE WEEK TIME!

Author Topic: WCDT: 2706-2710 (19 - 23 May 2014) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread (Read 43241 times)