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I wish I could eat cupcakes.

2 (4%)

Being hated because of what you are is still painful.

0 (0%)

It gives ALL of us hope that one day we will be fully accepted.

0 (0%)

We're still working on racism, sexism, homophobia....

0 (0%)

We are aware that "one day" may in fact be "another rung up the evolutionary ladder."

5 (10%)

Who knows what humanity will be like in 50 years?

1 (2%)

That is the beauty of being post-Singularity. We do not know!

1 (2%)

I hope when they finally invent hoverboards I'm not too old and decrepit to enjoy them.

4 (8%)

Momo, you're with me today. Marten, I have a special tast for you. (Huh?)

0 (0%)

Fresh crop of interns (including REDHEAD GIRL!)

2 (4%)

Tai is HIGH AS HELL right now.

3 (6%)

"Permission to get high as hell and go watch Adventure Time with Ms. Hubbert?"

10 (20%)

I'm, uh, I'm Marten and I guess I'll be... showing you around today?

1 (2%)

This is the front desk... a library computer...

1 (2%)

This is a bookshelf! (Is this some kind of weird hazing ritual?) (Shhh!)

4 (8%)

Redhead: "Um, we KNOW what a BOOKSHELF is. We're all graduate students."

2 (4%)

OH, uh, well I - I'm not really a LIBRARIAN. I - WHAT?

1 (2%)

I'm not a librarian! I just work here!

2 (4%)

Okay, this is DEFINITELY some sort of hazing ritual, and I do NOT appreciate it.

1 (2%)

Am I the one being hazed?

10 (20%)

Total Members Voted: 46

[El_Flesh]

Looonnnngggggg curly hair Redhead with glasses.  My knees are weak.

[Soulsynger]

Also, Jeph tweeted that Marten has slept with 3 people since the strip started. I can only remember Dora and Padma. Who am I forgetting??

This one. Yes, I am counting that.

[Is it cold in here?]

I vote that we call Tall East Asian Girl "Akima".

Red-haired one is closer, given her willingness to question things. TEAG may be an interesting subversion of the overachiever stereotype.

What's Marten's problem? I thought he had gotten over being tongue-tied around women. Is it having to deal with three strangers at once?

[DSL]

It's the RESPONSIBILITY.

Though our hero does seem to be more comfortable in the big-brother-mentor role than in the cruising-for-chicks role. Go with your strength, Marten! FOCUS!

[cvcharger]

Shh.  He might tell us something important soon.

[ZBixby]

My bet is going to go for the east asian recruit being the TG. Just a hunch I have.

Regardless I DEMAND NAMES FOR THE NEW RECRUITS!

[DSL]

"Well, they sure have some strange names."
"You mean funny names?"
"Yes."
"Well, tell me some of the names."
"Let's see. Who thinks this is a weird hazing ritual, What's taking notes and I don't know isn't that impressed with Marten."

[cvcharger]

Also, Jeph tweeted that Marten has slept with 3 people since the strip started. I can only remember Dora and Padma. Who am I forgetting??

This one. Yes, I am counting that.

Didn't Marten have an ex-girlfriend before Dora.  I'm sure they had a fling every now and then.

[Method of Madness]

Until told otherwise, I'm going to call the tall one Talia.

[cvcharger]

"Well, they sure have some strange names."
"You mean funny names?"
"Yes."
"Well, tell me some of the names."
"Let's see. Who thinks this is a weird hazing ritual, What's taking notes and I don't know isn't that impressed with Marten."

I know, Hazel, Natasha, and... uh...
screw it I'm not good with Asian Names  2 out of 3.

[Throg]

TEAG = Motoko (either GitS or Love Hina, take yer pick).

[Is it cold in here?]

Also, Jeph tweeted that Marten has slept with 3 people since the strip started. I can only remember Dora and Padma. Who am I forgetting??

This one. Yes, I am counting that.

Didn't Marten have an ex-girlfriend before Dora.  I'm sure they had a fling every now and then.

Yes, Vicky, but that one was extremely over.

[cesariojpn]

I forget, weren't there hints that one of the new recruits is transgender? If so, my guess currently goes with the darker woman.

My bet is going to go for the east asian recruit being the TG. Just a hunch I have.

Regardless I DEMAND NAMES FOR THE NEW RECRUITS!

All three have some hints that they could be TG.

Asian culture has the Kathoey, the Hijra, the Newhalf (NSFW), and others that escape me right now.....

The darker woman could be a Fa'afafine, a Fakaleiti, a Akava'ine, or a Mahu.

As for the ginger......I know someone that looks like her. She went thru the process of going MtF.

[cvcharger]

Also, Jeph tweeted that Marten has slept with 3 people since the strip started. I can only remember Dora and Padma. Who am I forgetting??

This one. Yes, I am counting that.

Didn't Marten have an ex-girlfriend before Dora.  I'm sure they had a fling every now and then.

Yes, Vicky, but that one was extremely over.

Hmm.  Yeah, I guess, Marten didn't have sex with her since the comic started.  I think I misread that the first time.

[Schmorgluck]

I stand to my initial interpretation: this is all a ploy from Tai to expand Marten's dating pool. Her pretext for affecting this job on him is ludicrous. And she's been knowing him for long enough to know that he's never more endearing than when he's bumbling and confused.

If this ploy is well thought or even wise is another matter entirely.

[Throg]

"Well, they sure have some strange names."
"You mean funny names?"
"Yes."
"Well, tell me some of the names."
"Let's see. Who thinks this is a weird hazing ritual, What's taking notes and I don't know isn't that impressed with Marten."

THIRD BASE

[Sorflakne]

I vote that we call Tall East Asian Girl "Akima".

Akima sounds too common.  I vote for Misaki.

[Barmymoo]

if an all-girls college would accept a male-to-female TG to matriculate as a student

Obviously I can't speak for all women's colleges (incidentally, whilst I refer to my college as "a girls' college", some people find it demeaning - no one ever talks about a "boys' college". We're adults, so we're women. Just a heads-up, as many women's colleges attract very fiercely feminist women!) but mine accepted a fellow who is female but was born male. There was Controversy and Fuss, and Germaine Greer resigned in protest, because Germaine Greer is a bigot.


Added because I got held up by two posts being posted at the same time anyway: I just googled to check I wasn't talking rubbish about Germaine Greer (I wasn't) and Rachael Padman has written a very interesting and very well-written article about her transition, which is worth a read if anyone is interested.

[DSL]

"Well, they sure have some strange names."
"You mean funny names?"
"Yes."
"Well, tell me some of the names."
"Let's see. Who thinks this is a weird hazing ritual, What's taking notes and I don't know isn't that impressed with Marten."

THIRD BASE

Marten's hoping for at least that, I'm sure.

[Mr_Rose]

if an all-girls college would accept a male-to-female TG to matriculate as a student

Obviously I can't speak for all women's colleges (incidentally, whilst I refer to my college as "a girls' college", some people find it demeaning - no one ever talks about a "boys' college". We're adults, so we're women. Just a heads-up, as many women's colleges attract very fiercely feminist women!) but mine accepted a fellow who is female but was born male. There was Controversy and Fuss, and Germaine Greer resigned in protest, because Germaine Greer is a bigot.


Added because I got held up by two posts being posted at the same time anyway: I just googled to check I wasn't talking rubbish about Germaine Greer (I wasn't) and Rachael Padman has written a very interesting and very well-written article about her transition, which is worth a read if anyone is interested.

Is Germaine Greer the one that published the creepy-ass book of pictures of half-naked prubescent boys on some pretext about double standards in art regarding sexuality?

[Barmymoo]

I try not to know anything about Germaine Greer's work, because of the aforementioned opinion that she is a bigot, but I believe she wrote The Female Eunuch.


My favourite Germaine Greer-related story. Just before I matriculated, there was some big hoopla about the university being 800 years old and a big theatre production was put on. Germaine Greer was at the party, rather intoxicated, and spotted a priest in his dog collar. She said to him, slightly slurred "Everything you believe... is a lie!". He looked at her, let a beat drop, and said "Madam, for your sake I hope you are right."

[ZBixby]

I vote that we call Tall East Asian Girl "Akima".

Akima sounds too common.  I vote for Misaki.

I think its gonna be Rebecca or something english, because she was more then likely born in America.

[DSL]

I vote that we call Tall East Asian Girl "Akima".

Akima sounds too common.  I vote for Misaki.

I think its gonna be Rebecca or something english, because she was more then likely born in America.

Fred.

[jwhouk]

While that sounds nice, I don't think he's going to want a character in his strip named for a certain "Friday" singer.

...and is that a takeoff on Rikki Tikki Tembo No-Sarembo Chari Bari Pip Peri Pembo?

[DonInKansas]

Her name is Jim, but some people call her.....Jim.

[Kugai]

We come in peace, shoot to kill

Until told otherwise, I'm going to call the tall one Talia.

This message tentatively approved by the PsiCorps Public Relations Division

The Corps is Mother
The Corps is Father

[Is it cold in here?]

Will this get Tai in trouble? Redhead might file a complaint.

[Lubricus]

Will this get Tai in trouble? Redhead might file a complaint.

Why should it? I doubt the Smif library is required to employ only fully educated librarians.

[Soulsynger]

Goddamnit, when will shy/insecure people finally stop rubbing their necks when confronted? That has always irritated me. oO

[jwhouk]

The Unscientific Poll We Haven't Done In A While - Your Favorite Character?

Hannelore    38 (35.5%) <-- Raise your hand if you saw this coming a mile away. I thought so.
Faye    13 (12.1%)
Marigold    12 (11.2%)
Marten    11 (10.3%)
Raven    8 (7.5%)
Momo    8 (7.5%)
Pintsize    2 (1.9%)
Sven    2 (1.9%)
Angus    2 (1.9%)
Winslow    2 (1.9%)
Dora    1 (0.9%)
Tai    1 (0.9%)
Penelope    1 (0.9%)
Steve    0 (0%)

Other (Specify)    6 (5.6%)

Total Members Voted: 107

[jwhouk]

Goddamnit, when will shy/insecure people finally stop rubbing their necks when confronted? That has always irritated me. oO

Dude - Marten's been doing it for YEARS. Heck, you could argue he first did it all the way back in strip number 7!

[idontunderstand]

*raises hand*

I didn't expect Faye to finish second though.

[Soulsynger]

Goddamnit, when will shy/insecure people finally stop rubbing their necks when confronted? That has always irritated me. oO

Dude - Marten's been doing it for YEARS. Heck, you could argue he first did it all the way back in strip number 7!

I know he has. I was a lurker back then. It finally bubbled up.
And as someone already asked: Shouldn't he be past all the insecurity crap by now?

[cesariojpn]

Will this get Tai in trouble? Redhead might file a complaint.

"There is a female Librarian that is as high as shit all the time, a MALE librarian with the education prowess of a street rat, and an AnthroPC that can throw testicles from it's vajay-jay. WHAT KINDA COLLEGE LIBRARY IS BEING RUN HERE?!?!"

[VonKleist]

I thought that´s spelled Va-jayjay!?

[pwhodges]

And as someone already asked: Shouldn't he be past all the insecurity crap by now?

Why?  I'm not - not completely, anyway.  I do the thing with the arm too.

[Y]

Didn't Tai once said she isn't a librarian either, citing required degrees to hold that title?

[HiFranc]

[...]

"There is a female Librarian that is as high as shit all the time, a MALE librarian with the education prowess of a street rat, and an AnthroPC that can throw testicles from it's vajay-jay. WHAT KINDA COLLEGE LIBRARY IS BEING RUN HERE?!?!"

The obvious answer is one that values the bottom line over most other considerations.  I'm betting that Marten and Momo are cheaper to hire.

However, the fact that Tai got high when she knew they were coming in and assigned Marten to them was probably a way of putting them off that library so that she can keep Marten and Momo on the payroll, and run the library the way she wants to (rather than be questioned all the time).  Furthermore, if the internship remains vacant and/or she can put someone she wants in it, there's less chance that the new person would replace Tai.

[TinPenguin]

As he says, Marten is not a Librarian. He is only a library assistant. Some people seem to think anyone who works in a library is a librarian, which is like thinking anyone who works in a kitchen is a chef.

Mind, he should nonetheless know enough by now to display a little more adeptness.

[pwhodges]

My wife is not a librarian (she is a biologist who has moved into use of computers in education), but she is nevertheless deputy director of the library of a university.

[VonKleist]

Yeah. you don't really have to be a librarian for a lot of things you´ll do in a library.
I did an Internship at the local college library and the head of departement (loan/lending etc.) said she basically never did any library-specific stuff anymore because it´s gotten to be just like middle-management. Which is the case with a lot of jobs in public service, I guess.

On the other hand the system (of scientific libraries) is quite complex, so to really know what you are doing and why you should have the BA or something.

My professor in library marketing is a chemist.

[jmucchiello]

I don't usually make comments like this but regarding panel 4:

Eh, What's up, Doc?

[Akima]

I think its gonna be Rebecca or something english, because she was more then likely born in America.

Isn't Rebecca Hebrew? But a Western-style name, legal or assumed for convenience, is quite likely. It's interesting that the East Asian names that have been suggested here so far are all Japanese. The influence of manga and anime, presumably. I vote for Korean!

The red-head has a stare like a basilisk.

I try not to know anything about Germaine Greer's work, because of the aforementioned opinion that she is a bigot, but I believe she wrote The Female Eunuch.

Indeed she did, but she's written a lot of things since, and it's a bit weird that people are so fixated on a book first published in 1970. The depressing thing about The Female Eunuch is not its anger (which is easy to understand and indeed share), or that it is chaotic and poorly-written (which it is IMHO), but that so many of the things it said about the position of women in society are still true more than 40 years later.

[Y]

Didn't Tai once said she isn't a librarian either, citing required degrees to hold that title?

Ah yes, just looked it up, Tai did say it but it was in a guest comic. She said 'I just work here' too.

[Soulsynger]

A thought! ... Jeph is building up "another CoD". Like tSB was a CoD. A place to let characters converse and let arcs start and end or unfold.
We are witnessing the introduction to "Questionable Content: The Library Files"...

[Near Lurker]

Or this gets all three of them fired, and they wind up on the hunt together.

[CompSarge]

an AnthroPC that can throw testicles from it's vajay-jay

I think that you meant to type "tentacles," but the mental image of an AnthroPC firing testicles from its crotch is traumatizing hilarious.

Also, Ginger needs to get laid asap so she can chill the f- out.

[Lubricus]

It's interesting that the East Asian names that have been suggested here so far are all Japanese. The influence of manga and anime, presumably. I vote for Korean!

I say Korean or Chinese. There are not many really tall people in Japan, after all. Not that it matters much - Jeph might not let us know anyway.

[TinPenguin]

Also, Ginger needs to get laid asap so she can chill the f- out.

And luckily, she's right there on the platform to jump aboard the Marten-train to Orgasm-town.

[Lubricus]

Also, Ginger needs to get laid asap so she can chill the f- out.

And luckily, she's right there on the platform to jump aboard the Marten-train to Orgasm-town.

She looks like she's already been to Bitter-Recriminations-Ville...