Topic: WCDT Sep 27th - Oct 1st (4621-4625) (Read 14845 times)

shanejayell · « **on:** 26 Sep 2021, 19:13 »

New comic!

Well, it makes sense Robots might get depressed....

St.Clair · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Sep 2021, 21:32 »

re the corner tag, subtitle, whatever:

"oh no"

Gnabberwocky · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Sep 2021, 22:02 »

I know I've been saying this for months, but I bet Faye's gonna refer him to Dr. Buenvenida.

Gyrre · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Sep 2021, 01:22 »

Quote from: Gnabberwocky on 26 Sep 2021, 22:02

I know I've been saying this for months, but I bet Faye's gonna refer him to Dr. Buenvenida.

*scratches head*
Have we seen this bot before?

Tova · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Sep 2021, 02:45 »

https://questionablecontent.fandom.com/wiki/Doctor_Corrine_Buenvenida

BenRG · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Sep 2021, 04:02 »

I'm not sure how I view today's comic. Is it a filler or the start of a new arc? If it's the latter (which seems more likely due to the lack of a clear punchline), then it means we have another new character.

On the other hand, it does seem to support the argument that Jeph has started writing his autobiography in disconnected sections via various established and new characters.

John Allenson · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Sep 2021, 06:17 »

I honestly thought the character's name was "Howdy" as in Howdy Doody.

It would be a cool reference.

JimC · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Sep 2021, 07:24 »

I thought it was Winslow with a different haircut, but maybe its just the same chassis model.

Perfectly Reasonable · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Sep 2021, 07:38 »

Taller and bulkier than Winslow, different skin and hair color. Though Winslow has had his down moments.
I'd get the basic checks done first-- make sure everything is tight and lubed.

notStanley · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Sep 2021, 09:20 »

Oh, if only it could be "just" re-seating some chips & cables, and checking the coolant. Diagnostics, maybe replace a bad memory stick.

baronvonfritz · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Sep 2021, 09:34 »

We all had the bowl cut in the 90s Jeph

Roborat · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Sep 2021, 11:35 »

Kinda expecting his name to be Marvin.

shanejayell · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Sep 2021, 15:30 »

Quote from: Roborat on 27 Sep 2021, 11:35

Kinda expecting his name to be Marvin.

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy!

David F · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 Sep 2021, 15:43 »

Quote from: BenRG on 27 Sep 2021, 04:02

it does seem to support the argument that Jeph has started writing his autobiography in disconnected sections via various established and new characters.

Started?

I suspect there's a lot of Jeph's life tied up in his characters in many ways... but the "buy an 8-string guitar" bit felt especially so, and that was some time back. (And a look at footnote 159 on Marten's page on the wiki confirms that suspicion.) 2418 is almost half the strip's lifetime ago.

Edited for getting Marten's name wrong. Oops.

Farideh · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 Sep 2021, 18:33 »

I think it would be very hard for any piece of art to NOT be autobiographical in some way.

Re. new comic: Faye, no. It would likely be better to send him to Winslow's group and then work from there. I feel for him though: I was also always picked last for any team-based motor coordination ~~sims~~ activities.

shanejayell · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 Sep 2021, 19:13 »

Bubbles: FAYE, NO.

*lol*

neurocase · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 Sep 2021, 23:19 »

Very curious to find out how this is broken down in QC-world. What with depression being caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and all that. What's the reason for AI who don't have those, and are otherwise able to have maintenance done to fix a large variety of issues; the human versions of which would be debilitating, rather than mildly inconvenient.

Roko's disassociation, I never questioned. She's a conscious being in an unfamiliar body under traumatic circumstances. But given what we know of depression, I'm very interested to see how the root cause differs for AI.

Tova · « **Reply #17 on:** 28 Sep 2021, 01:14 »

Quote from: neurocase on 27 Sep 2021, 23:19

What with depression being caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and all that.

I don't think it's quite as simple as that.

traroth · « **Reply #18 on:** 28 Sep 2021, 01:34 »

Faye is increasingly making Bubbles her ethical compass...

BenRG · « **Reply #19 on:** 28 Sep 2021, 01:35 »

I want Faye to have a version of Lucy van Pelt's front yard therapy booth.

Therapy: $1/minute!

The Doctor is [IN]

YES! We have Percussive Reboot Therapy!
All guarantees, warranties and indemnities explicitly denied - WYSIWYG

Mr_Rose · « **Reply #20 on:** 28 Sep 2021, 04:35 »

Quote from: traroth on 28 Sep 2021, 01:34

Faye is increasingly making Bubbles her ethical compass...

This is surprising?

Tova · « **Reply #21 on:** 28 Sep 2021, 05:15 »

Did you read surprise into that comment?

snubnose · « **Reply #22 on:** 28 Sep 2021, 05:48 »

Quote from: neurocase on 27 Sep 2021, 23:19

[...] What with depression being caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and all that. [...]

Thats when theres a medical reason for the depression.

But you can be depressed for real reasons, too. You lost a friend, your long lasting relationship failed, you suffer from loneliness, you are getting bullied, you are in prison and they isolated you, you got a serious permanent injury like losing a limb or going blind, you have a serious disease like cancer that hurts you and might kill you, etc etc etc.

notStanley · « **Reply #23 on:** 28 Sep 2021, 10:47 »

Quote from: BenRG on 28 Sep 2021, 01:35

...
YES! We have Percussive Reboot Therapy!
All guarantees, warranties and indemnities explicitly denied - WYSIWYG[/center]

Sounds like that would be as (in)effective as the few times I 've tried talking to someone.

Is it cold in here? · « **Reply #24 on:** 28 Sep 2021, 18:01 »

Quote from: snubnose on 28 Sep 2021, 05:48

Quote from: neurocase on 27 Sep 2021, 23:19
[...] What with depression being caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and all that. [...]
Thats when theres a medical reason for the depression.

But you can be depressed for real reasons, too. You lost a friend, your long lasting relationship failed, you suffer from loneliness, you are getting bullied, you are in prison and they isolated you, you got a serious permanent injury like losing a limb or going blind, you have a serious disease like cancer that hurts you and might kill you, etc etc etc.

Those are things to feel sad and unhappy about, which is different from the malignant nothingness of depression that Allie Brosh explained so well at Hyperbole and a Half.

The life-changing idea I got from the psychologically deep movie "Inside Out" was that sadness can counter depression.

Wombat · « **Reply #25 on:** 28 Sep 2021, 18:36 »

Quote from: Is it cold in here? on 28 Sep 2021, 18:01

Quote from: snubnose on 28 Sep 2021, 05:48
Quote from: neurocase on 27 Sep 2021, 23:19
[...] What with depression being caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and all that. [...]
Thats when theres a medical reason for the depression.

But you can be depressed for real reasons, too. You lost a friend, your long lasting relationship failed, you suffer from loneliness, you are getting bullied, you are in prison and they isolated you, you got a serious permanent injury like losing a limb or going blind, you have a serious disease like cancer that hurts you and might kill you, etc etc etc.

Those are things to feel sad and unhappy about, which is different from the malignant nothingness of depression that Allie Brosh explained so well at Hyperbole and a Half.

The life-changing idea I got from the psychologically deep movie "Inside Out" was that sadness can counter depression.

Those are also things that can contribute to depression as well. Being sad and having depression are different, yes, but there can be an overlap in contributing factors, and depression can present in a variety of ways.

Gyrre · « **Reply #26 on:** 28 Sep 2021, 20:58 »

Quote from: snubnose on 28 Sep 2021, 05:48

Quote from: neurocase on 27 Sep 2021, 23:19
[...] What with depression being caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and all that. [...]
Thats when theres a medical reason for the depression.

But you can be depressed for real reasons, too. You lost a friend, your long lasting relationship failed, you suffer from loneliness, you are getting bullied, you are in prison and they isolated you, you got a serious permanent injury like losing a limb or going blind, you have a serious disease like cancer that hurts you and might kill you, etc etc etc.

Phrasing. Maybe 'situational' in place of 'real'?

Clinical depression runs in my family. We can get double-whammied sometimes with both the chemical imbalance and depression brought about by our current situation. For example, my younger brother is a friendless extrovert (it's not my place to divulge tbe reasons why).

BenRG · « **Reply #27 on:** 28 Sep 2021, 23:02 »

Ah! So, now we get into the comedy!

Today's strip reminded me of the epilogue of Iron Man 3, when Bruce Banner tells Tony Stark that he never became a therapist because he doesn't have the temperament for it. I think that's definitely the case with Faye here: She doesn't want to listen to people's sexual hang-ups and how they think that's impacted their emotional development!

Maybe someone can help me here. For some reason, Bubbles' face seems subtly 'off model' in this strip. Is it just me or does anyone else see it too?

snubnose · « **Reply #28 on:** 29 Sep 2021, 00:38 »

Quote from: Is it cold in here? on 28 Sep 2021, 18:01

Those are things to feel sad and unhappy about, which is different from the malignant nothingness of depression that Allie Brosh explained so well at Hyperbole and a Half.

No you can get a full depression from it, and people suicide because of such things.

Like for example the author of Conan the barbarian, Robert Ervin Howard, couldnt take it that his mother had died.

Another example is PTSD that for example rape victims, prostitutes and soldiers who experienced war can get.

Quote from: BenRG on 28 Sep 2021, 23:02

[...] For some reason, Bubbles' face seems subtly 'off model' in this strip. Is it just me or does anyone else see it too?

Artstyle changes all the time ... n ot so much recently anymore, sure, but a bit of variation is to be expected.

And I dont see it, sorry.

shanejayell · « **Reply #29 on:** 29 Sep 2021, 06:59 »

Or Bubbles is manifesting, 'Dude, WTF?' face....

Farideh · « **Reply #30 on:** 29 Sep 2021, 13:48 »

I do love how Faye and Bubbles keep passing the buck back-and-forth here. Neither of them want to deal with 'Marvin'.

shanejayell · « **Reply #31 on:** 29 Sep 2021, 19:11 »

Poor Faye. "GO SEE A THERAPIST, DAMN IT."

John Allenson · « **Reply #32 on:** 29 Sep 2021, 20:13 »

Yes!
Boundaries are there for the therapists' sakes just as much as for the clients. It takes training to be able to listen to other people's problems without getting damaged.

Tova · « **Reply #33 on:** 29 Sep 2021, 20:38 »

Yes, that does mean there is a new comic, for anyone who was wondering.

shanejayell · « **Reply #34 on:** 29 Sep 2021, 20:40 »

Faye also really does need to charge him for the time, too. Its not like she could do other work with him there....

Near Lurker · « **Reply #35 on:** 29 Sep 2021, 22:36 »

On the one hand, she probably could have and did. On the other hand, she probably will, at her standard labor rate.

BenRG · « **Reply #36 on:** 29 Sep 2021, 23:16 »

Pinkerton, old son, that may be me but have you wondered that some of your problem may be due to the fact that you are self-absorbed and insist that reality conform to what you want it to be, no matter what people explicitly say to your face? This is just a guess on my part but I believe that this could lead you to lots of social problems that might impact your mental balance.

Gyrre · « **Reply #37 on:** 29 Sep 2021, 23:22 »

Faye basically embodying my attitude towards my younger brother talking/wanting to talk my ear off about al of troubles when I'm completely out of social energy.

EDIT: completing the thought

DaiJB · « **Reply #38 on:** 30 Sep 2021, 00:18 »

On the bright side, this single "therapy" session could probably pay off some of Union Robotics' more pressing bills!

snubnose · « **Reply #39 on:** 30 Sep 2021, 01:13 »

Well, Jeff Besoz could afford Faye, EASY.

He makes around $200,000 per minute. At thats assuming he would work 24/7.

(According to a quick Google, anyway)

Potato Farmer · « **Reply #40 on:** 30 Sep 2021, 05:55 »

Quote from: BenRG on 29 Sep 2021, 23:16

Pinkerton, old son, that may be me but have you wondered that some of your problem may be due to the fact that you are self-absorbed and insist that reality conform to what you want it to be, no matter what people explicitly say to your face? This is just a guess on my part but I believe that this could lead you to lots of social problems that might impact your mental balance.

Yeah, first reaction to this page was "Guy's kind of a jerk."

theMarc · « **Reply #41 on:** 30 Sep 2021, 08:56 »

"Go see a therapist. And while you're at it, you can hire a private investigator as well, because you clearly need to get a clue."

Farideh · « **Reply #42 on:** 30 Sep 2021, 19:39 »

New comic.

Jeez, that guy just can't take a hint!

DaiJB · « **Reply #43 on:** 30 Sep 2021, 20:57 »

Augh, now they'll have to add a disclaimer to their website:
"We do not claim to be psychotherapists, nor do we advertise any such service. We supply physical parts, repair and maintenance ONLY."

-And if they want to be really crystal-clear:
"Any attempt to portray our business as supplying any such service will be regarded as grounds for legal action."

BenRG · « **Reply #44 on:** 30 Sep 2021, 23:21 »

I wonder if Pinkerton is currently telling all his on-line 'friends' about Faye's 'wonderful reverse psychology'?

Poor Bubbles! She just can't fully believe that Faye is seriously into her, can she? There will always be a part of her that just doesn't believe that she is loveable. That's sad, but it says good things about Faye that she's sticking with what must be a very difficult relationship sometimes.

snubnose · « **Reply #45 on:** 30 Sep 2021, 23:40 »

So ... another prediction for the future ... *foreboding*

Besides, since robots are basically people in this comic, its an interesting longterm conflict that they cannot age.

That means one day Bubbles will be without Faye, while she will still be "young". I wonder if she will decide to "die" at this point.

With improvements of genetics, I think at some point in the future we will make our species have the same property though.

Especially since some animals already dont age either: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negligible_senescence

So far no chance of also getting a new body though, like Roko. However various animals also can basically regrow any body part - another ability that we will probably gain in future, thanks to genetics.

BenRG · « **Reply #46 on:** 01 Oct 2021, 00:08 »

Quote from: snubnose on 30 Sep 2021, 23:40

Besides, since robots are basically people in this comic, its an interesting longterm conflict that they cannot age.

That means one day Bubbles will be without Faye, while she will still be "young". I wonder if she will decide to "die" at this point.

FWIW, my headcanon is that Bubbles is working on a new body for Faye when the current one wears out.

Is it cold in here? · « **Reply #47 on:** 01 Oct 2021, 00:15 »

Agreed that Bubbles's relationship insecurity comes from within. Faye has agreed on "forever".

Tova · « **Reply #48 on:** 01 Oct 2021, 01:54 »

I am surprised by the reaction to Bubbles here. I don't see what she said as reflecting insecurity.

Sometimes relationships end in spite of the very best of intentions in the world. Sad but true.

To simply assume that a relationship will last forever, while romantic, is not just naive; it's kinda taking someone's love for granted.

Bubbles will never do that.

Tova · « **Reply #49 on:** 01 Oct 2021, 02:06 »

What is the deal with calling Winslow "Pinkerton", by the way? Out of curiosity.

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: WCDT Sep 27th - Oct 1st (4621-4625) (Read 14845 times)