THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)
Comic Discussion => QUESTIONABLE CONTENT => Topic started by: TheEvilDog on 09 Jul 2017, 09:47
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They have the technology, they can rebuild Clinton's hand, he just doesn't want to spend that much money.
So what can of shenanigans do you think might happen this week?
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What would I do if I were writing this week's strips?
I'd have the first three strips start with the same thing: two or more random characters waking up in compromising positions and alcohol-clouded memories. After most of the panels being made up of ineffectual panic, it falls to Bubbles to give a benign explanation whilst Faye says something mischievous and invites her friends (and we as an audience) to "Make up your own minds about which one you think it is!"
The last two strips will be a recovery strip plus Faye and Clinton hammering out a final deal about Robo-Hand v.2.0. Maybe even some embarrassed Clinton-Renee-Elliot-Brun interaction where they hammer out just where this is all supposed to go next.
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Maybe it's the drink talking.. But a (more-or-less) stranger destroys an expensive part of your body and suggests he helps p[ay for it...
.. and you refuse to even "go halfies"?
Is Clinton LOADED? (in more ways than one)
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Inspector Gadget actually suits Clinton better tho.
Who get to be his actual competant side kicks tho? :-P :lol:
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Maybe it's the drink talking.. But a (more-or-less) stranger destroys an expensive part of your body and suggests he helps p[ay for it...
.. and you refuse to even "go halfies"?
Is Clinton LOADED? (in more ways than one)
He probably has insurance/extended warranty on the hand. Though if it was a warranty, he'd have to send it back to the shop. That, and he recognized that he was the one at fault here. He started the handshake war with Elliott in a caveman attempt to one up him. Thinking "I've got a robot hand so *crunch* I regret everything I have done." That and Clinton is very much a decent guy.
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Inspector Gadget actually suits Clinton better tho.
Who get to be his actual competant side kicks tho? :-P :lol:
Samantha is too old to be Penny, but maybe Emily can find him a super intelligent dog.
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Comics up and thus a friendship is born!
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Okay, that's adorable.
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This is the cutest.
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I don't understand why that's the first thing he'd lead with... but aww cute Bubs smile.
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Ahhh, the big, insecure ones are getting along :-)
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It finally happened!
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GHNWGXOmQZY/hqdefault.jpg)
We also finally know who's taller: Bubbles, by a slight margin.
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I don't understand why that's the first thing he'd lead with... but aww cute Bubs smile.
I think it's because he recognizes the " I'm big and scary and awkward" look, and all it's attendant baggage. And so he says something he thinks she can relate to.
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Well, accidents do happen.
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He seems like a nice boy.... (To quote Clairemom)
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I don't understand why that's the first thing he'd lead with... but aww cute Bubs smile.
I think that's half the charm of this comic. We don't understand why they would, but they obviously do, and even instinctively knew that the other would, too. Hence, instant bond.
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It gives me the impression that a few minutes have elapsed. Someone opened with, "For once I'm not the only one who has to duck to get through doorways" or something similar, and this is where it went after a brief exchange. Either way, the net effect is the same.
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It finally happened!
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GHNWGXOmQZY/hqdefault.jpg)
We also finally know who's taller: Bubbles, by a slight margin.
And they seem to be dealing with small talk as easily as Armstrong and Sig dealt with Sloth.
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I can't belive no one else has said this...
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
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Yaaaaay! Elliot and Bubbles friendship!
I *love* Bubbles' answer to Faye's question. "No I don't want to, but I think it's a good thing for me to do, so I'll do it" is a HUGE improvement in her mental state from the first time Faye invited her to a party at the apartment, and she's almost immediately rewarded - instead of everyone being intimidated, she's met someone who understands what it's like to accidentally intimidate others and is happy to see her and compare notes! <3
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The romantic sounds of
violins a barbell bench press getting torn to pieces in the background...
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I do like Bubbles and Elliot's reaction to each other: "Hello, fellow ludicrously large and strong person!"
What I'm focussing on though is Bubbles' comment to Faye in panel 1. She feels that she should attempt to socialise and build these connections and bonds, as difficult and stressful as this potentially could be for her. I also like the way she promised to try to trust Faye to help her out if she starts losing her ability to handle the situation.
[edit]
Over on the Subreddit, someone has called this the Shipping Party. I, too, wonder if Jeph is going to amuse himself by hinting or teasing as many ships as he possibly can and then sending everyone on their way with nothing substantive changed.
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If by "hinting and teasing," you mean, "characters will talk to one another," then I imagine so, yes.
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I forget, did Bubbles’s schematics post have her height?
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Okay, that's adorable.
This is the cutest.
(http://www.sympato.ch/smileys/ola.gif)
:popcorn:
(Yes, I'm a hypocrite. Sue me ...)
I can't belive no one else has said this...
...
... EEEEEEEEEEEEELS!
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(http://s.hswstatic.com/gif/eels-slippery-2.jpg)
There’s only one.
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Speaking of shipping...
"When you're out in the sea / And an eel bites your knee / That's a moray!" (Spider Robinson)
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I forget, did Bubbles’s schematics post have her height?
No, it didn't (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3004), and I don't think Jeph has ever provided a definitive number. In a previous posting (https://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,33703.msg1378078.html#msg1378078), I explained why I think Bubbles is somewhere around 2m (roughly 6'7") tall.
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It's nice Elliott has someone to look up to.
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I always figured they were about the same height, but it turns out Bubbles is taller.
Definitely a QC Cuteness Moment.
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There’s only one.
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/7d/62/d2/7d62d22b1b3d8085da4c91064231119b--sea-fish-water-animals.jpg)
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Speaking of shipping...
"When you're out in the sea / And an eel bites your knee / That's a moray!" (Spider Robinson)
When-a you swim inna da sea, an a eel bites-a your knee, dat’s a moray –
A New Zealander man with a permanent tan, that’s a Maori
When two patterns combine, in a way serpentine, that’s a moire
If yer vitamins be mostly C, D, and E…take some more A
Oh you play ‘What I say’ very gay – won’t you play that some more Ray
With the high price of feed, it’s for farmers in need, that’s some more hay.
My new ray gun here tries to put out both your eyes: It’s a Moe-Ray…
If King Kong has gone flat, rent the flick Vampire Bat,
That’s some more Wray...
(https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/color_pattern.png)
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There’s only one.
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/7d/62/d2/7d62d22b1b3d8085da4c91064231119b--sea-fish-water-animals.jpg)
http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=244
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Speaking of shipping...
"When you're out in the sea / And an eel bites your knee / That's a moray!" (Spider Robinson)
When-a you swim inna da sea, an a eel bites-a your knee, dat’s a moray –
A New Zealander man with a permanent tan, that’s a Maori
When two patterns combine, in a way serpentine, that’s a moire
If yer vitamins be mostly C, D, and E…take some more A
Oh you play ‘What I say’ very gay – won’t you play that some more Ray
With the high price of feed, it’s for farmers in need, that’s some more hay.
My new ray gun here tries to put out both your eyes: It’s a Moe-Ray…
If King Kong has gone flat, rent the flick Vampire Bat,
That’s some more Wray...
(https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/color_pattern.png)
You do realize someone should harm you for that, don't you?
(I was always taught that the propery way to complement a pun is with a veiled threat.) ;)
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(I was always taught that the propery way to complement a pun is with a veiled threat.) ;)
Or by holding your nose and running out the door screaming.
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(http://www.sympato.ch/smileys/ola.gif)
:popcorn:
(Yes, I'm a hypocrite. Sue me ...)
Hi Sue
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(I was always taught that the propery way to complement a pun is with a veiled threat.) ;)
Or by holding your nose and running out the door screaming.
I'm a fan of the traditional shower of thrown peanuts. Like so:
88888888888888
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(http://s.hswstatic.com/gif/eels-slippery-2.jpg)
There’s only one.
Not quite true.
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I kinda thought Elliot overheard Faye and Bubbles, which is why he tried to be extra nice.
*shrug*
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I kinda thought Elliot overheard Faye and Bubbles, which is why he tried to be extra nice.
But extra nice is Elliott's baseline.
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Comic's up!
Whelp ...
(https://media.tenor.com/images/f8f294104e9cf7ebd9c19cc41d1ba220/tenor.gif)
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Aw, over already?
Oh well, new connections have been formed between the Secret Bakery people and the rest of the cast. I'm curious to see where this goes.
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Hm. Speaking of the Secret Bakery, I've seen no sign that Padma was replaced after her departure. Does it run equally well, with one less employee?
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Hm. Speaking of the Secret Bakery, I've seen no sign that Padma was replaced after her departure. Does it run equally well, with one less employee?
Jim was initially said to only work during the night, but I'm sure we've seen him there during the day multiple times since Padma left.
I'm guessing he just took over her previous duties himself.
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Now that's what I call a robot hand! :wow: :clairedoge: :parrot:
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Hm. Speaking of the Secret Bakery, I've seen no sign that Padma was replaced after her departure. Does it run equally well, with one less employee?
Jim was initially said to only work during the night, but I'm sure we've seen him there during the day multiple times since Padma left.
I'm guessing he just took over her previous duties himself.
Or another doppleganger replaced her that hasn't appeared I don't think we've ever seen a Cosette, Dale, Emily, or Penelope counterpart at the Secret Bakery.
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Now that's what I call a robot hand! :wow: :clairedoge: :parrot:
Pintsize has just been...wristed?
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Aw, come on Faye! You're already going to make a profit from Clinton - can't you just remove the evil little tin monkey before it traumatizes him any further?!
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No.
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Pretty sure there's a Tales from the Crypt episode starring Bobcat Goldstein where something like that last panel happens.
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One of the problems with a party that goes on forever is that the sorts of things that only seem like good ideas at parties continue to seem like good ideas.
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Renee looks so honestly affectionate there. Her friendship with Brun is really cute.
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... honestly, is there an actual sign on Clinton saying TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME(*), or is that just the impression he seems to give everyone?
* I would also accept "SHAKE ME DOWN FOR MONEY". Like, I'm wondering if he ever got to eat his own lunch in twelve years of school.
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This is why being drunk around Pintsize is such a horrible and irresponsible risk: He has this talent to persuade you to do... things.
Meanwhile, it suddenly occurs to me that Clinton is being shaken down by many women, isn't he?
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Speaking of shipping...
"When you're out in the sea / And an eel bites your knee / That's a moray!" (Spider Robinson)
When-a you swim inna da sea, an a eel bites-a your knee, dat’s a moray –
A New Zealander man with a permanent tan, that’s a Maori
When two patterns combine, in a way serpentine, that’s a moire
If yer vitamins be mostly C, D, and E…take some more A
Oh you play ‘What I say’ very gay – won’t you play that some more Ray
With the high price of feed, it’s for farmers in need, that’s some more hay.
My new ray gun here tries to put out both your eyes: It’s a Moe-Ray…
If King Kong has gone flat, rent the flick Vampire Bat,
That’s some more Wray...
(https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/color_pattern.png)
We have two cats named Morrie and Mac. They're brothers from the same litter, and they're both brown tabbies, so it's a little hard to tell them apart visually until you get to know them. Morrie, however, has a higher-pitched maow than Mac does -- I like to say Morrie sings tenor, Mac sings bass.
More succinctly:
When a brown tabby cat maows at you just like that ("maow!"), that's a Morrie.
When he maows in a key which is deeper by three, that's a Mac...
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Bubbliot or Ellibles?
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Bubbliot or Ellibles?
Ellibles.
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Interesting take on the robot/AI technology that weight training should be a thing for them.
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Not necessarily that weight training is necessary. I just think that Bubbles finds it enjoyable.
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Now that's what I call a robot hand! :wow: :clairedoge: :parrot:
Pintsize has just been...wristed?
I can't decide whether to find his expression hilarious or horrible - hilaripilated?
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Is nobody going to point out that Elliot is suddenly not shorter than Bubbles anymore?
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Is nobody going to point out that Elliot is suddenly not shorter than Bubbles anymore?
Maybe he stopped slouching that little bit?
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Aw, come on Faye! You're already going to make a profit from Clinton - can't you just remove the evil little tin monkey before it traumatizes him any further?!
It's not a removal fee. She just doesn't want him back.
... honestly, is there an actual sign on Clinton saying TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME(*), or is that just the impression he seems to give everyone?
* I would also accept "SHAKE ME DOWN FOR MONEY". Like, I'm wondering if he ever got to eat his own lunch in twelve years of school.
He has become the comic's official abuse monkey since Marten started dating Claire. It's just not as funny watching a couple in a loving, stable relationship as it is watching some helpless mess in a series of wacky hijinx.
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Poor Clinton. *lol*
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One of the problems with a party that goes on forever is that the sorts of things that only seem like good ideas at parties continue to seem like good ideas.
Its been a while, but it is a quote from hitchhikers guide through galaxy, right? 3. book to be precise.
Have you noticed that in this last comic renee looks quite okay, while faye is the one who (jokingly) shakes down Clinton. Maybe its a contrast thing.
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Not necessarily that weight training is necessary. I just think that Bubbles finds it enjoyable.
She used to be in the military (we're never told which branch) and bonded with her unit. I think she is used to spottting people while they lift, especially foolish young guys trying to lift more than they should.
Then again, there is that "Is the bench re-inforced?" comment from the first party she attended.
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One of the problems with a party that goes on forever is that the sorts of things that only seem like good ideas at parties continue to seem like good ideas.
Its been a while, but it is a quote from hitchhikers guide through galaxy, right? 3. book to be precise.
I may not have got it verbatim. I could not find it online.
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Ahhh, the big, insecure ones are getting along :-)
They can trade bouncer stories too!
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Pintsize has just been...wristed?
He's trying to be helpful and drum up some business for Faye. :)
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This is the first time I've felt genuinely sorry for poor Clinton. Having Pintsize attached to your right arm, even for just one frame, is cruel and unusual. Gods, what if the poor bastard needs to scratch and doesn't remember who's there?
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Not necessarily that weight training is necessary. I just think that Bubbles finds it enjoyable.
She used to be in the military (we're never told which branch) and bonded with her unit. I think she is used to spottting people while they lift, especially foolish young guys trying to lift more than they should.
It sounded like an infantry unit, and one that did black-ops stuff, so maybe Special (Operations) Forces?
Since Bubbles probably has the buoyancy of a large piece of lead - she doesn't appear to be using any chemical reactions that use the oxygen in the ambient air as an oxidant for power-generation (if she did, she wouldn't have to recharge, but would need to top up her fuel reservoir), so she probably doesn't have lungs, or other large, air-filled cavities - I'm guessing that she wouldn't be suited for service with the (Force Recon) Marines or Navy (SEALS) - that service is risky enough for beings that float naturally. So my money would be on the Army.
Another clue might be that Bubbles made it sound like only she was disabled by an EMP during the ambush of her unit, which would point to an outfit that primarily relies on low-tech equipment, i.e. not motorized infantry or similar. More like a unit that would specialize on "old-fashioned" infantry soldiering.
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In my head, Faye isn't charging $20 for the removal, but for having to take Pintsize back from him.
In which case, she should be charging Pintsize.
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... honestly, is there an actual sign on Clinton saying TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME(*), or is that just the impression he seems to give everyone?
* I would also accept "SHAKE ME DOWN FOR MONEY". Like, I'm wondering if he ever got to eat his own lunch in twelve years of school.
He has become the comic's official abuse monkey since Marten started dating Claire. It's just not as funny watching a couple in a loving, stable relationship as it is watching some helpless mess in a series of wacky hijinx.
Oh god, so it's the fucking Whedon Effect?
wait, no, we can't make that call until one of them (probably Claire) gets gratuitously offed/fridged.
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Faye is obviously joking. There was a slim space for doubt when the girl from the restaurant asked for Clinton's money because we didn't know her, but we know Faye.
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I decided to put my response to this in my signature to save myself having to type it out again.
This is what I term in my head, "The Roger Rabbit effect."
Clinton: "Are you going to start charging your friends every single time they have some mechanical difficulty?"
Faye: "No! Only when it is funny."
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And now we have the official confirmation that Clinton has replaced Marten as QC's Official Life's Punching Bag
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Faye is lowering herself to Pictoria's level here.
8-(
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Faye is lowering herself to Pictoria's level here.
8-(
Nah, its a brief return of Pre-Talk Faye, the somewhat abrasive Southern Pugilist who doesn't like idiots.
Because let's face it, you'd have to be one to let Pintsize anywhere near you if your cybernetic hand has just been taken out of commission.
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That said, the last panel is like some demented and twisted Cyberpunk Ventriloquist show.
The real challenge is to get Clinton to talk while Pintsize downs a jug of cake batter.
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COMIC
(https://imgflip.com/s/meme/Brace-Yourselves-X-is-Coming.jpg)
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Whelp, that shoe was dropped. However, given Bubbles' size, it will probably take a while to hit.
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Bubbles is accepting a nickname from Faye now after having rejected them before.
Faye's gym membership was part of depression treatment. If she's still going, she's concentrating on actual fitness and not on meeting cultural expectations about stomachs. That would be healthy in more than one way.
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There is a difference between "having affection" and "having feelings" for someone...
but I'm going to paraphrase Renee and Claire:
R: "I love it when girls accidentally flirt with each other."
C: "Its like seeing a unicorn."
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Well that came from the opposite direction everyone expected, now, didn't it?
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affection
[uh-fek-shuh n]
noun
1) fond attachment, devotion, or love: the affection of a parent for an only child.
2) Often affections.
a) emotion; feeling; sentiment: over and above our reason and affections.
b) the emotional realm of love: a place in his affections.
3) Pathology.a disease, or the condition of being diseased; abnormal state of body or mind: a gouty affection.
4) the act of affecting; act of influencing or acting upon.
5) the state of being affected.
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There is a difference between "having affection" and "having feelings" for someone...
but I'm going to paraphrase Renee and Claire:
R: "I love it when girls accidentally flirt with each other."
C: "Its like seeing a unicorn."
I was hoping someone would draw that parallel.
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Kinda let the cat out of the bag there, Bubs? :-D
Naw, I imagine Bubbles probably meant it in a platonic sense - but only realized how it sounded after she said it...
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Well that came from the opposite direction everyone expected, now, didn't it?
Because there's so much precedent for Faye being in touch with and open about her feelings toward other people?
Nah, this seems about right.
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I'm now so glad we got the shipping discussion covered just before today hits, because goddamn people.
Picture this with me.
Bubbles, in a tuxedo, with a bouquet of flowers in her hand, standing at Faye's apartment door.
For two hours.
Afraid to knock.
Eyes winced shut in self loathing and anxiety.
Death glaring the neighbours that open their mouths to ask what she's doing in case anyone inside hears that and gives her away because she's still building up to it damn it.
And Faye, inside, knowing she's there, using that time to figure out what the hell she's actually going to say to the cute war machine with a crush.
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Kinda let the cat out of the bag there, Bubs? :-D
Naw, I imagine Bubbles probably meant it in a platonic sense - but only realized how it sounded after she said it...
Hmm, she probably did. She didn't clarify though, and I hope that means that she realised that there might be more to it.
And they're so cute!!!
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Faye, inside, knowing she's there, using that time to figure out what the hell she's actually going to say to the cute war machine with a crush.
TBH I think we've all been there
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Exactly how many seven foot tall combat AIs in tuxedos have you had knocking at your door?
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Exactly how many seven foot tall combat AIs in tuxedos have you had knocking at your door?
Not as many as I'd like.
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I'm now so glad we got the shipping discussion covered just before today hits, because goddamn people.
Picture this with me.
Bubbles, in a tuxedo, with a bouquet of flowers in her hand, standing at Faye's apartment door.
For two hours.
Afraid to knock.
Eyes winced shut in self loathing and anxiety.
Death glaring the neighbours that open their mouths to ask what she's doing in case anyone inside hears that and gives her away because she's still building up to it damn it.
And Faye, inside, knowing she's there, using that time to figure out what the hell she's actually going to say to the cute war machine with a crush.
You had me at "Bubbles in a tuxedo".
Not being into shipping in general, I especially never shipped them, but I guess that's a thing that's happening now? Narratively, I realize I should have gotten that by the time Claire spelled it out, but I guess I'm too socially dense to have really "gotten" it.
Feels kinda weird to me, tbh. Not narratively speaking, I can see the subtletly now, but just because...well, I always thought Faye was straight and identified as straight, and I didn't take Bubbles for the 'affectionate sort" and...that's the pigeonhole I put them in. Dunno about how Faye feels about this, obviously. Especially if she is straight.
Ehhhhhh...anyway, not that I disapprove or think it doesn't work, I'm just...not the type...to really "get" it, yknow? I don't expect people to defy my expectations so largely or suddenly. Interested to see where the story goes though.
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While it's nice to see Faye speechless about something it took everything Bubbles has to achieve that.
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(http://www.strangeracer.com/images/content/170242.jpg)
Jeph must be laughing so hard at all the ships out there.
<mod>corrected spelling of Jeph's name</mod>
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If Jeph does choose to go in that direction, it will be fascinating to see how people react to a synthetic/organic mixed relationship. The US didn't cross the threshold of majority approval for interracial marriages until the 90s. There would at least be surprise and confusion.
Faye: "Mom, you know how worried you've been about me all these years? Nobody in the whole world could possibly have my back in rough times better than Bubbles. This is the life partner I need."
Or
Obnoxious bigot: "This business of unnatural relations has to stop."
Bubbles: "I am certain that was not intended as a threat".
It really doesn't seem to be likely, as much as Jeph is teasing us about it. Faye's entire history is opposite-sex relationships with carbon-based people despite having a synthetic interested and available for years. Bubbles hasn't shown any sexuality that I can remember. I'm open to getting surprised. It would be the most interesting relationship to explore in the history of the comic.
(regular user)One thing that irritates me about jumping to the conclusion that a relationship has to be sexual is that it devalues close friendship.(/)
(mod being philosophical)Something that irritates large chunks of the forum membership is a matter of concern.(/)
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Panel 4 is what makes this strip comedic. You can almost hear Faye's thought of: "Wut...?" and Bubbles thinking "I didn't mean to say that aloud."
I'm not surprised that Faye reacted in the way she did. Gyrre is correct to point out that 'affection' is not 'romantic love', even though the two are often used interchangeably. However, what matters here is how Faye interprets it. Bubbles may not have automatically meant it to be a statement of romantic feelings but, from both ladies' reaction, I'd say that they both are interpreting it that way.
I'm not surprised that Faye is sleeping at the far end of the bed tonight. I also don't think that she's going to get much sleep either. I suspect that she's going to need to think about where this goes from here: Does she give Bubbles a whirl or do they have the dreaded "You are my best friend, that's all" talk tomorrow? My hope? She doesn't rush but she at least asks Marten, Claire and Hannelore's opinions first; it's her decision but she may need external voices to help her navigate past her own self-worth issues.
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I'm thinking of it in the sense that Bubbles feels very emotionally vulnerable and Faye is about the only person we've seen that has allowed her to... I mean quite literally come out of her armor, now? The idea of her wanting a purely romantic, asexual relationship with her isn't a stretch to me. And I really have no idea how Faye would feel about it in that case.
I was thinking Bubbles would just... all be about having that hand-holding action, you know? Those sweet sweet late night Netflix cuddles.
The security of having the girlfriend label not because of the 'added benefits', but in the sense of security that it brings in having a concrete term like that brings.
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And they're so cute!!!
The drawing style of the last two panels looks familiar. Some famous comic artist, pre-webcomic. Possibly European, maybe "alternative" American, but definately not mainstream. Any idea who I might be thinking of?
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It really doesn't seem to be likely, as much as Jeph is teasing us about it. Faye's entire history is opposite-sex relationships with carbon-based people despite having a synthetic interested and available for years.
Not entirely...
http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1381
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My train of thought waking up today:
Oh, that's a nice friday comic. Perfect to start the last day before a well-deserved weekend.
...
wait. fuck.
Stop messing with my inner clock, jeph!
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I always thought Faye was straight and identified as straight, and I didn't take Bubbles for the 'affectionate sort" and...that's the pigeonhole I put them in.
A dog can be very affectionate, and that affection is enjoyed and returned, but... "straight" or otherwise has nothing to do with it.
The friendship between Bubbles and Faye doesn't need to be a particularly physical relationship to be very valuable to both of them. It might turn out that way, but it doesn't have to.
As for Bubbles, her true personality has been buried for years behind psychological and physical armour and she is still feeling her way though a loosening up process.
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There is a difference between "having affection" and "having feelings" for someone...
but I'm going to paraphrase Renee and Claire:
R: "I love it when girls accidentally flirt with each other."
C: "Its like seeing a unicorn."
I was hoping someone would draw that parallel.
It isn't a parallel, because the interaction between women, even or perhaps especially cis-het women, is inherently flirtatious by most measures but that doesn't set off anyone's gaydar because girls are allowed to have feelings and shit, right?
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Seriously though, what is the actual difference between the two events? Why would one event immediately be seen as being caused by something negative and not the other?
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The drawing style of the last two panels looks familiar. Some famous comic artist, pre-webcomic. Possibly European, maybe "alternative" American, but definately not mainstream. Any idea who I might be thinking of?
I'd say it's definitely mainstream, though European: it reminded me of Hergé (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herg%C3%A9), the author of Tintin.
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I see a distinct possibility of my requiring insulin treatment if Jeph continues to write comics like today's. (That being said: D'aaaaaaaw!)
P.S. 'Goodnight moon' <- Snerk!
You had me at "Bubbles in a tuxedo".
If you want to petition Jeph that the next QC-cheesecake please include "Bubbles in a tux", consider my signature as given ...
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I'd also like to add that sexuality and romantic inclinations are different and also flexible. You're not locked into a label.
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Well, no matter how you look at it it's a sweet moment.
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There is a difference between "having affection" and "having feelings" for someone...
but I'm going to paraphrase Renee and Claire:
R: "I love it when girls accidentally flirt with each other."
C: "Its like seeing a unicorn."
I was hoping someone would draw that parallel.
It isn't a parallel, because the interaction between women, even or perhaps especially cis-het women, is inherently flirtatious by most measures but that doesn't set off anyone's gaydar because girls are allowed to have feelings and shit, right?
Actually, in many people's minds that is exactly it, sad as it is to say. Hetero men are generally not "allowed" to show feelings of great affection towards other men, especially other hetero men, without setting off the gaydar. Affection is too often mixed up with sex, especially in men's minds, and IME women can also make that mistake, for example the previous comic with Elliot and Clinton complimenting each other.
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There is a difference between "having affection" and "having feelings" for someone...
but I'm going to paraphrase Renee and Claire:
R: "I love it when girls accidentally flirt with each other."
C: "Its like seeing a unicorn."
I was hoping someone would draw that parallel.
It isn't a parallel, because the interaction between women, even or perhaps especially cis-het women, is inherently flirtatious by most measures but that doesn't set off anyone's gaydar because girls are allowed to have feelings and shit, right?
Actually, in many people's minds that is exactly it, sad as it is to say. Hetero men are generally not "allowed" to show feelings of great affection towards other men, especially other hetero men, without setting off the gaydar. Affection is too often mixed up with sex, especially in men's minds, and IME women can also make that mistake, for example the previous comic with Elliot and Clinton complimenting each other.
That's exactly my point.
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The drawing style of the last two panels looks familiar. Some famous comic artist, pre-webcomic. Possibly European, maybe "alternative" American, but definately not mainstream. Any idea who I might be thinking of?
I'd say it's definitely mainstream, though European: it reminded me of Hergé (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herg%C3%A9), the author of Tintin.
Sorry, I meant "definitely not mainstream American" and I think you hit it on the nose with Tintin. Thank you. But the real quesiton is, why? I know cartoonists homage other artists styles all the time, but Tintin is not a comic I associate with a scene like this.
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There is a difference between "having affection" and "having feelings" for someone...
but I'm going to paraphrase Renee and Claire:
R: "I love it when girls accidentally flirt with each other."
C: "Its like seeing a unicorn."
I was hoping someone would draw that parallel.
It isn't a parallel, because the interaction between women, even or perhaps especially cis-het women, is inherently flirtatious by most measures but that doesn't set off anyone's gaydar because girls are allowed to have feelings and shit, right?
Actually, in many people's minds that is exactly it, sad as it is to say. Hetero men are generally not "allowed" to show feelings of great affection towards other men, especially other hetero men, without setting off the gaydar. Affection is too often mixed up with sex, especially in men's minds, and IME women can also make that mistake, for example the previous comic with Elliot and Clinton complimenting each other.
That's exactly my point.
I complimented a young male Indian colleague on his shirt recently, and asked where he bought it - wouldn't look me in the eye afterwards ... :cry: (Didn't think much about it except "Hey, that's a nice shirt! Where'd he get it?")
P.S.: GAAAAAAH! What are doing to me, you bunch of anglophone librul hippies! :-D
P.P.S.: Looking at you, Welu! (glares daggers)
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I see a distinct possibility of my requiring insulin treatment if Jeph continues to write comics like today's. (That being said: D'aaaaaaaw!)
P.S. 'Goodnight moon' <- Snerk!
If Jeph does not want us shipping his characters, he is gonna have to stop drawing two such gloriously substantial women sharing a bedroom and baring their souls to each other.
You had me at "Bubbles in a tuxedo".
If you want to petition Jeph that the next QC-cheesecake please include "Bubbles in a tux", consider my signature as given ...
Bubbles expanding her wardrobe is even a Thing in the comic now, so it could be canon!
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In another context, I recently came across the Game of Thrones episode title "Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things" and immediately thought of this recent story arc.
Also, the occupancy of the apartment has gotten really ridiculous. Bubbles should at least have a chair to sit in while she recharges.
And...Tai has not been aware of any of the Faye-Bubbles dynamic, has she? Because she will "ship it".
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Bubbles' battery efficiency must be crazy if she can charge off what looks like a standard phone charger and still move a whole robot around at all. Let alone for a full day.
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Bubbles' battery efficiency must be crazy if she can charge off what looks like a standard phone charger and still move a whole robot around at all. Let alone for a full day.
MilSpec. Probably only down coming down to a reasonable price on the civilian market.
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The drawing style of the last two panels looks familiar. Some famous comic artist, pre-webcomic. Possibly European, maybe "alternative" American, but definately not mainstream. Any idea who I might be thinking of?
I'd say it's definitely mainstream, though European: it reminded me of Hergé (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herg%C3%A9), the author of Tintin.
Welcome, new person!
Bubbles is essentially guaranteed to be unclear on her feelings. She hasn't been this friendly with a squishy since her squad.
"Romantic, but asexual" -- I can see that happening and it would break the minds of creepy shippers. Remember Dora's definition of love at the restaurant with Marten when they were starting their relationship? If I remember it right it could apply perfectly well to a non-sexual relationship.
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Predictions for tomorrow's strip? My guess is that Faye goes to Marten (or possibly someone else) and has a conversation about if Bubbles has feelings for her and if she reciprocates those feelings.
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Bubbles' battery efficiency must be crazy if she can charge off what looks like a standard phone charger and still move a whole robot around at all. Let alone for a full day.
Like it was just said, Bubbles is a military spec body, meaning that she would probably have to be able to charge anywhere she could, meaning she probably has a number of different chargers built into her chassis for use with any outlet.
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MilSpec sounds like a perfectly logical reason, but if we were talking actual milspec it's a wonder they charge at all, don't weigh about 100 lbs, and don't burn the apartment down the process. :-D And the chargers would only work on European outlets.
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Nah - they'd work on any outlet, and also when plugged into a lemon.
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MilSpec sounds like a perfectly logical reason, but if we were talking actual milspec it's a wonder they charge at all, don't weigh about 100 lbs, and don't burn the apartment down the process. :-D And the chargers would only work on European outlets.
The story is set in the Boston MA US area, so it's assumed Bubs was US military. Her default connectors will be good ol' US of A standards.
Now, if they deployed her to Brazil it would be a MASH/Catch 22 type screw-up to send her unit out with UK adapters. That may be one advantage to "sleeping" for eight hours plugged into a USB connector - USB wall warts are easy to find very nearly anywhere and usually pretty cheap. Why bother lugging a 240v pigtail around?
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Faye talked to Bubbles about the location of charging stations when she had to start her new life. Maybe she's like an electric car, able to get useful partial charging from a normal home outlet but in general requiring something more industrial.
Put another way, as long as she's asleep anyway, might as well do something useful with the time. It would really be weird if that's the only charging she does.
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For some reason I thought that Bubbles plugged into a 220V outlet at the fight club. I'll have to do an archive crawl and see if I can find the strip I'm thinking of.
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I always thought Faye was straight and identified as straight, and I didn't take Bubbles for the 'affectionate sort" and...that's the pigeonhole I put them in.
A dog can be very affectionate, and that affection is enjoyed and returned, but... "straight" or otherwise has nothing to do with it.
The friendship between Bubbles and Faye doesn't need to be a particularly physical relationship to be very valuable to both of them. It might turn out that way, but it doesn't have to.
As for Bubbles, her true personality has been buried for years behind psychological and physical armour and she is still feeling her way though a loosening up process.
I don't totally understand why everyone keeps talking about this possibly being a gay thing....... Bubs is an AI......... there is no real gender. If bubbles got a different body SHE could suddenly be a HE.
Literally Bubbles is nothing more than a consciousness in a replaceable robot body.
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I don't totally understand why everyone keeps talking about this possibly being a gay thing....... Bubs is an AI......... there is no real gender. If bubbles got a different body SHE could suddenly be a HE.
Literally Bubbles is nothing more than a consciousness in a replaceable robot body.
Jeph has long established that AI's have definite gender identities. And I would assume that a female AI in a male chassis would have the same body dysphoria as a trans person.
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I imagine Bubbles probably meant it in a platonic sense - but only realized how it sounded after she said it...
I would imagine that if that were the case, the two of them would find it easy to laugh off. Not without making Bubbles a little embarrassed, but still. It could be that this is exactly what will happen in the next comic. That said, the fact that they both reacted in that same way to me seems to indicate that it's something they both already had been thinking about. Or maybe trying not to think about.
It really doesn't seem to be likely, as much as Jeph is teasing us about it. Faye's entire history is opposite-sex relationships with carbon-based people despite having a synthetic interested and available for years. Bubbles hasn't shown any sexuality that I can remember. I'm open to getting surprised. It would be the most interesting relationship to explore in the history of the comic.
Who is the willing synthetic in question? I suspect you mean Pintsize, but I don't think he has any serious interest in Faye. I think his sexuality is a lot more complex than could be satisfied with any traditional relationship anyway. He seems to get off on things that humans don't even recognise as... things. Which is very much to be expected from at least some AI, in my view.
As for Bubbles, you're right that she's not displayed much signs of sexual interest, but it could be that she's just very, very private about such things and wouldn't let anyone know. It could also be that she's not used to that kind of feelings and doesn't know how to process them.
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Predictions for tomorrow's strip? My guess is that Faye goes to Marten (or possibly someone else) and has a conversation about if Bubbles has feelings for her and if she reciprocates those feelings.
...some of us already know what happens tomorrow. ;)
(innocently points to the Patreon button (https://www.patreon.com/jephjacques))
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I don't totally understand why everyone keeps talking about this possibly being a gay thing....... Bubs is an AI......... there is no real gender. If bubbles got a different body SHE could suddenly be a HE.
Literally Bubbles is nothing more than a consciousness in a replaceable robot body.
Jeph has long established that AI's have definite gender identities. And I would assume that a female AI in a male chassis would have the same body dysphoria as a trans person.
http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=347 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=347)
According to Pintsize (an unreliable narrator if ever there was one), the gender of an Anthro PC is a software configurable option with three possible settings including "undefined." An AI has the options of finding a chassis that matches its self-identified gender, changing its self-identified gender to match a chassis, or saying to hell with the whole thing. Unlike a human, an AI could temporarily change gender and/or physical sex for kinky funtimes and then switch back. (C'mon, you think Pintsize wouldn't at least consider doing this?) It is canon that AIs have libidos, and will vehemently oppose any attempt to remove them.
Whether sexual orientation in AIs is an option that can be changed has never been addressed. Momo self-identifies as female and appears to be "straight" in the sense that she finds Hannelore's fireman porn tittilating and is easily flustered by the presence of Sven; she is embarrassed by this, but has no interest in undoing it. May clearly has a dirty mind, but so far as I can tell her actual preferences in partners have not been made known. Pintsize plays the part of an unabashed anything-that-moves sort of guy, yet was freaked out to find that the PC he had engaged in remote sex with had his gender set to "male". He later claimed it was the misunderstanding that had him upset, but I wonder if that was rationalization. (Pintsize is amply capable of all the same vices and failings of humans.) Jeremy and Seven are a "conventional" heterosexual couple who frequently burn out USB cables. Bubbles blushes at the idea of burning out USB cables in a manner that (to me) would appear to indicate that she is not immune to the appeal of doing so.
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Well. They both blushed.
I think the feelings are mutual.
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Well. They both blushed.
I think the feelings are mutual.
Honestly, who has a username centred around character shipping....
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Bubbles' battery efficiency must be crazy if she can charge off what looks like a standard phone charger and still move a whole robot around at all. Let alone for a full day.
Like it was just said, Bubbles is a military spec body, meaning that she would probably have to be able to charge anywhere she could, meaning she probably has a number of different chargers built into her chassis for use with any outlet.
Looking at the scenes where Bubbles is plugged in in Faye's bedroom, I think that the cord is not a phone charger, but more akin to the removable cords on hotpots and electric kettles. I'll bet it supplies her with 120VAC at several amps, which powers an internal charger circuit as EvilDog describes. Still slow charging for a machine that can do the things she can do, but at least it would allow her to draw a kilowatt instead of a few watts.
Placing the charging port in her neck when she stands over 6 feet tall and most outlets are near the floor sounds like a stupid design decision, but I have heard of worse ones.
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Well. They both blushed.
I think the feelings are mutual.
Honestly, who has a username centred around character shipping....
This guy!
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Either Jeph is about to take the Comic in an interesting direction as he did when he brought Claire into the mix, or he's Trolling us for shits and giggles.
Time will tell.
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I don't totally understand why everyone keeps talking about this possibly being a gay thing....... Bubs is an AI......... there is no real gender. If bubbles got a different body SHE could suddenly be a HE.
Literally Bubbles is nothing more than a consciousness in a replaceable robot body.
Jeph has long established that AI's have definite gender identities. And I would assume that a female AI in a male chassis would have the same body dysphoria as a trans person.
http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=347 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=347)
I am honestly not sure how valid the points of these are in the comic today either. That one is very old, and Jeph's thoughts on AI and gender theory have evolved since then. He's never said anything that contradicts that comic. But it's also never been referenced again, and all of the AIs in the comic have a very solid gender identity that has not changed since their introduction.
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Either Jeph is about to take the Comic in an interesting direction as he did when he brought Claire into the mix, or he's Trolling us for shits and giggles.
Could be both. He trolled Marten+Claire for a long time before he finally broke down and let it happen.
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Why can't flesh and steel have love
besides grievous bodily harm, i mean
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Jeph has long established that AI's have definite gender identities. And I would assume that a female AI in a male chassis would have the same body dysphoria as a trans person.
http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=347 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=347)
According to Pintsize (an unreliable narrator if ever there was one),
The way I understood that comic was gender identity was factory set in one of the three options listed. But it has been years since then and Jeph seems to have redefined how AIs are brought into existence.
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I don't totally understand why everyone keeps talking about this possibly being a gay thing....... Bubs is an AI......... there is no real gender. If bubbles got a different body SHE could suddenly be a HE.
Literally Bubbles is nothing more than a consciousness in a replaceable robot body.
Welcome, new person!
We do know that every time an AI in QC changes bodies they keep the same gender presentation. It would fit the facts if they have an innate gender identity the way carbon-based people do.
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Worth considering, is it not, that the person writing the current strips is, owing to life experiences and other things contriubting to maturity, not quite the same person who wrote the linked strip? -- it's an argument I've been wanting to make occasionally on this forum and the forum related to another long-running (now re-running) webcomic that shares considerable fandom overlap with this one.
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http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=347 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=347)
I am honestly not sure how valid the points of these are in the comic today either. That one is very old, and Jeph's thoughts on AI and gender theory have evolved since then. He's never said anything that contradicts that comic. But it's also never been referenced again, and all of the AIs in the comic have a very solid gender identity that has not changed since their introduction.
One caveat: He said that gender was a software setting, but he did not say that the AI itself could reset it. It is possible that changing the setting may require that the AI shut down, have someone else change the setting, and reboot. This would require a level of trust equivalent to the trust Bubbles placed in corpsewitch (how did she get that name, BTW? I remember Faye calling her that, but was it really her name?) and would not be done lightly.
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Comic's up and I definitely think that Jeph is taking a not-so-subtle dig at shipping and how people misconstrue interactions. :roll:
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Even I am starting to wonder whether Bubbles might be in denial at this point.
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I would appreciate a diagram, as drawn by Pintsize in MSPaint
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Even I am starting to wonder whether Bubbles might be in denial at this point.
Bubbles, and quite a few people here on the forum apparently. :roll:
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Now let's not get too carried away with ourselves, FayeLovesBubbles. Although I recognise that it's perhaps a bit late for that exhortation. :lol:
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Aand Clinton goes straight back to putting his foot inside his mouth.
I know Bubbles and Faye have a great friendship, but I honestly don't think any of them thinks of it as anything more. In fact, everyone around them pushing them into a romantic relationship could end up making them trying it, failing miserably and them losing the friendship that started it in the first place.
Oh well, if it happens it'll be interesting to finally see a human-AI relationship, at the very least.
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Does Jeph blog about the comic anywhere? I was wondering if he has said anything about why he switched to Hegre style for the last two panels of the previous comic.
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Obviously for the lulz to emphasise the awkward derpiness of the moment. Much like the anime sweat drop and the pain spheres of when Cosette was the waitress after she awkwardly ask Marten out.
A joke, nothing more.
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Even I am starting to wonder whether Bubbles might be in denial at this point.
It would be totally in character if Bubbles is having feelings she doesn't recognize or acknowledge.
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Well Clinton would be easy enough, but unless Faye has an EMP gun I don't think Bubbles would go down that easily.
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Does Jeph blog about the comic anywhere? I was wondering if he has said anything about why he switched to Hegre style for the last two panels of the previous comic.
Pretty sure he was just repeating the joke from 3520.
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Something tells me that the most disturbing take-away from this conversation, at least for Bubbles, is just how difficult it is to persuade a relative stranger that she and Faye aren't in some way intimate! Basically, what Clinton has said is an equivalent of: "You mean she isn't your girlfriend? Wow! Who knew? I mean, from your behaviour... Nah, forget it!"
Jeph's footer is interesting too. I get why Faye would be angry with Clinton but why with Bubbles too? It's the first time he's officially stated that Faye's feelings are a bit ambiguous on the matter to the point where she might be upset by Bubbles loudly insisting that they're 'just friends'.
Does Jeph blog about the comic anywhere? I was wondering if he has said anything about why he switched to Hegre style for the last two panels of the previous comic.
A few months back on Twitter, Jeph said that he was going to use more 'cartoony' styles to reflect astonishment and other exaggerated reactions.
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It is illuminating to reflect that Clinton's reaction may be a common one that the new business partners and close friends will have to deal with again from others.
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Notice that Clinton is OK with the idea of an inter-species romantic relationship. Not completely OK, because then he would never have said "No judgement from me!". OK enough to ask normal questions like how long the misconstrued relationship has been going on.
Given his fascination with AIs Clinton may be more accepting than average. On the other hand he didn't treat Momo as a person at first.
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Hmm, poor Bubbles! But then again, not sure what that diagram would look like.
As to Faye's sexual preferences: yeah, both Pintsize and Dora harassed her, and Tai expressed open attraction (before the whole Dora/Tai relationship) but turning them down doesn't mean she wouldn't consider a relationship with ladies, or lady AI for that matter.
(not all bisexuals are as flirty as Dora)
I would really like a Faye/Bubbles relationship - they're both interesting characters, and the whole thing had a very slow buildup, so it's believable. I also don't think that the whole friends becoming lovers thing would devalue their friendship; it just would work so much better since they already know and trust each other way more than they do anybody else.
Notice that Clinton is OK with the idea of an inter-species romantic relationship. Not completely OK, because then he would never have said "No judgement from me!". OK enough to ask normal questions like how long the misconstrued relationship has been going on.
Given his fascination with AIs Clinton may be more accepting than average. On the other hand he didn't treat Momo as a person at first.
I think he's quite fascinated by the concept and he doesn't strike me as a bigoted person (he's an ass, a stalker and very annoying, but he seems quite open-minded)
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The other interesting thing there is that inter-species lovers are commonplace enough that it was the first conclusion someone would jump to.
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Not completely OK, because then he would never have said "No judgement from me!".
Is that necessarily so?
After all, he could legitimately be saying that he's not judging the relationship that he presumes they have, and that it's safe for Bubbles to admit it to him.
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It is illuminating to reflect that Clinton's reaction may be a common one that the new business partners and close friends will have to deal with again from others.
Only friends close enough to note that Bubbles is "sleeping" in Faye's room, which is probably why Clinton was so quick to jump to that conclusion, I would think. Yes, Momo slept in Marigold's room until she got her own, but that was different - and Clinton was never there to see Momo coming out of Marigold's room, either.
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Not completely OK, because then he would never have said "No judgement from me!".
It's interesting you say this; I interpret that simply as being conscious that other people might have a problem with it, and Bubbles defensiveness is misinterpreting him as coming from that place.
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Being a geek about all things AI, he probably knows Bubbles is in a combat chassis and thus wishes to assure the being quite able to pulp him that he doesn't disrespect her or her sexuality!
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Comic's up and I definitely think that Jeph is taking a not-so-subtle dig at shipping and how people misconstrue interactions. :roll:
That would be so out of character for him ... :wink:
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Looking at the scenes where Bubbles is plugged in in Faye's bedroom, I think that the cord is not a phone charger, but more akin to the removable cords on hotpots and electric kettles.
Yeah. As far as we can see, it's a cable, and it goes into an outlet. A regular power cable (like on your extension cord or your desk lamp) is the obvious interpretation.
We don't know her age, but Bubbles' chassis was probably designed before usb chargers became ubiquitous; especially in war zones.
The human body will on average require 100W of energy. Bubbles may require more (she's larger and heavier), or she may require less (advanced technology, lack of expensive organs like a digestive tract). She certainly has a higher peak power output when doing physical feats, but for the average output on a day in the shop, 100W seems like a reasonable ballpark.
Overnight charging with a 1000W power supply would be fine, and any residential socket can easily provide more than that.
Does Jeph blog about the comic anywhere? I was wondering if he has said anything about why he switched to Hegre style for the last two panels of the previous comic.
He's used that style before, usually in situations where he's trying to give the characters a cute look in a cute situation.
He blogs on http://jephjacques.com/ and he has a twitter account at https://twitter.com/jephjacques , if you feel like stalking. But he doesn't talk as much about the comic as he used to.
Even I am starting to wonder whether Bubbles might be in denial at this point.
Denial about what exactly? She seems to be very aware of her affection.
Some posters seems to have a desire to put their relationship into strict categories, where the difference between the friendship-category and the relationship-category is sex. It's not that simple..
It's undoubtedly true that faye and bubbles are the most important persons in each other's lives right now. It also appears as if neither is interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with someone else at this point, because they're both getting what they really need right there, right now.
Neither of them is well versed in standard human courtship rituals, so they'll need to do their own thing, and figure out what they want and where to go from here. Looking back at their relationship so far, how they've grown together, they keep doing so with small steps, not giant leaps. Which really isn't surprising, because giant leaps tend to scare Faye away..
Whether physical intimacy is one of the next steps remains to be seen, but even then there are small steps to that, before they figure out how to equip faye with the required usb ports.
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Something tells me that the most disturbing take-away from this conversation, at least for Bubbles, is just how difficult it is to persuade a relative stranger that she and Faye aren't in some way intimate! Basically, what Clinton has said is an equivalent of: "You mean she isn't your girlfriend? Wow! Who knew? I mean, from your behaviour... Nah, forget it!"
He just saw Bubbles walk out of Faye's bedroom in the morning, a bedroom with only one bed. Keep in mind that middle-class white Americans from places where the real estate market is not insane find it odd that any grownup would share an apartment if they weren't banging--that's why so many fundamentalists thought Ernie and Bert had to be gay. Now, Clinton lives in a Massachusetts college town where real estate is insane and apartmentmates are common, but even in Massachusetts non-banging apartmentmates tend to have their own bedrooms or at the very least their own beds. Faye and Bubble's living situation is not normal for people of their cultural background who are not banging, so banging seems to be the more likely explanation.
Put another way, if I saw Wonder Woman walk out of Black Widow's bedroom in the morning, I would leap to the same conclusions that Clinton did and you would have a very hard time convincing me otherwise.
Jeph's footer is interesting too. I get why Faye would be angry with Clinton but why with Bubbles too? It's the first time he's officially stated that Faye's feelings are a bit ambiguous on the matter to the point where she might be upset by Bubbles loudly insisting that they're 'just friends'.
Well, Bubbles stepped in it with "Must I illustrate a diagram for you?" Faye might be upset that Bubbles hadn't shut Clinton down more forcefully and immediately. Plus, the wrath of someone like Faye tends to be more like a flashlight than a laser pointer.
Does Jeph blog about the comic anywhere? I was wondering if he has said anything about why he switched to Hegre style for the last two panels of the previous comic.
A few months back on Twitter, Jeph said that he was going to use more 'cartoony' styles to reflect astonishment and other exaggerated reactions.
Thank You!
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Given his fascination with AIs Clinton may be more accepting than average. On the other hand he didn't treat Momo as a person at first.
That's not acceptance, that's fetishizing.
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The other interesting thing there is that inter-species lovers are commonplace enough that it was the first conclusion someone would jump to.
We have yet to see such a couple, and according to Momo it is uncommon.
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Not completely OK, because then he would never have said "No judgement from me!".
It's interesting you say this; I interpret that simply as being conscious that other people might have a problem with it, and Bubbles defensiveness is misinterpreting him as coming from that place.
I'm with "Is it cold in here?" on this. The statement "No judgement from me!" is someone making a point of how tolerant they are, implying that they think the person to whom they are speaking is doing something that must be "tolerated." At least, that is how such a statement is used in sitcom-ish media, which this comic sort of is.
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Jeph sets 'em up, and he knocks 'em down.
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Poor Bubbles.
And yeah I think it's a poke at the shippers. Still cute tho.
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Put another way, if I saw Wonder Woman walk out of Black Widow's bedroom in the morning, I would leap to the same conclusions that Clinton did
BUt that's because you live in a rather strange hyper sexualised and affluent society. Even when I was young sharing a bedroom was not uncommon - almost universal among college students - and two males or females sharing a double bed in case of no better alternative wasn't held to imply a sexual relationship. The amusing part of a society that is desperate to appear non-judgemental and accepting - and in which shipping is an almost universal custom - is that the result is to assume sexual relationships where none exist.
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I don't totally understand why everyone keeps talking about this possibly being a gay thing....... Bubs is an AI......... there is no real gender. If bubbles got a different body SHE could suddenly be a HE.
Literally Bubbles is nothing more than a consciousness in a replaceable robot body.
Jeph has long established that AI's have definite gender identities. And I would assume that a female AI in a male chassis would have the same body dysphoria as a trans person.
When?
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Put another way, if I saw Wonder Woman walk out of Black Widow's bedroom in the morning, I would leap to the same conclusions that Clinton did
BUt that's because you live in a rather strange hyper sexualised and affluent society.
It has nothing to do with the comic, but I feel the need to rant about this. Which societies are not hypersexualized in your reckoning? The ones where girls are married off at 13? The ones where women are stoned to death for showing an uncovered ankle? The ones where used panties can be purchased out of vending machines? The ones where where women are routinely raped on public transit?
Yeah, I get that people in poor and/or crowded countries share bedrooms and even beds. But I don't see how you can claim that Americans are any more obsessed with sex than people everywhere else.
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Jeph has long established that AI's have definite gender identities. And I would assume that a female AI in a male chassis would have the same body dysphoria as a trans person.
When?
The issue was first brought up in comics 346 and 347. As someone pointed out, the AIs we have seen replace their chassis have continued to "present" as the same gender.
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BUt that's because you live in a rather strange hyper sexualised and affluent society.
It has nothing to do with the comic, but I feel the need to rant about this. Which societies are not hypersexualized in your reckoning? The ones where girls are married off at 13? The ones where women are stoned to death for showing an uncovered ankle? The ones where used panties can be purchased out of vending machines? The ones where where women are routinely raped on public transit? Yeah, I get that people in poor and/or crowded countries share bedrooms and even beds. But I don't see how you can claim that Americans are any more obsessed with sex than people everywhere else.
Then and again, basing one's argument on contrasting America with Pakistan et. al. burdens it with the weakness that the 'World outside the US' TM contains a few places that are not Pakistan. ('false dilemma' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_dilemma))
But since I'm a denizen of the "world outside the US", you'll have to take my word for it, I'm afeared ...
(Incidentally, Pakistan is the global record-holder in the discipline of leeching pron ...) <- Not true
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Put another way, if I saw Wonder Woman walk out of Black Widow's bedroom in the morning, I would leap to the same conclusions that Clinton did
BUt that's because you live in a rather strange hyper sexualised and affluent society.
It has nothing to do with the comic, but I feel the need to rant about this. Which societies are not hypersexualized in your reckoning?
Using an adjective to describe a noun does not necessarily imply an opposite version of the noun exists.
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The ones where girls are married off at 13? The ones where women are stoned to death for showing an uncovered ankle? The ones where used panties can be purchased out of vending machines? The ones where where women are routinely raped on public transit?
Yeah, I get that people in poor and/or crowded countries share bedrooms and even beds. But I don't see how you can claim that Americans are any more obsessed with sex than people everywhere else.
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I'm not at all sure that an obsession with sex is at all the same sort of thing as hyper sexualisation of society, but never mind. If you go back to my post though, its really relating to changes in my lifetime within the society I live in, which does not appear to me to be at all the sort of thing you are ranting about. Perhaps as good an example as any of those changes is that where I live 50 years ago sex with a 15 year old girl and a 16 year old boy were both equally illegal, and by and large both regarded as equally OK, if slightly creepy, by the liberal factions who felt society needed changing. Nowadays around here the first is regarded as a far greater evil than it ever was back then, and the second is not illegal at all. And to add to that today's society is currently engaged in aggressively seeking out and punishing those who were *not caught* engaging in the former, and in delivering legal pardons for those who *were caught* engaging in the latter. I have absolutely no idea what society will consider right and wrong in 50 years, and have no intention of being here to see it, but I think it almost certain that those of you who will be there will find some equally odd changes in attitudes.
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Then and again, basing one's argument on contrasting America with Pakistan et. al. burdens it with the weakness that the 'World outside the US' TM contains a few places that are not Pakistan.
I had a few different countries in mind, including a couple that were not majority Muslim.
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Then and again, basing one's argument on contrasting America with Pakistan et. al. burdens it with the weakness that the 'World outside the US' TM contains a few places that are not Pakistan.
I had a few different countries in mind, including a couple that were not majority Muslim.
196 of them?
https://www.countries-ofthe-world.com/all-countries.html
"All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?" ('Overwhelming exception' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overwhelming_exception))
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I had a few different countries in mind, including a couple that were not majority Muslim.
'Most anyplace with a literal and/or authoritative spin on an Abrahamic religious tradition will have an unhealthy take on human sexuality. Repress it and the creepy starts seeping out.
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*sees thread*
You know what, I think I'll go over waaaaaaaay over there and look at the thing.
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*sees thread*
You know what, I think I'll go over waaaaaaaay over there and look at the thing.
(http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/oh-shi.gif)
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Yeah, pretty much what I was thinking.
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Not completely OK, because then he would never have said "No judgement from me!".
It's interesting you say this; I interpret that simply as being conscious that other people might have a problem with it, and Bubbles defensiveness is misinterpreting him as coming from that place.
I'm with "Is it cold in here?" on this. The statement "No judgement from me!" is someone making a point of how tolerant they are, implying that they think the person to whom they are speaking is doing something that must be "tolerated." At least, that is how such a statement is used in sitcom-ish media, which this comic sort of is.
This is ridiculous and the kind of comment that basically makes people turn to "well fuck, nothing I can say is going to be taken at face value, so why the fuck should I try". I'm poly and bi. I have used the phrase "no judgement" to describe my thoughts on other people's relationships that are INSIDE THE VERY THINGS I DO, as they weren't aware of my sexuality at the time. It means literally that. No Judgement. The only other thing that it means is that "while there are other people who might have a problem with it, I do not" to make sure that they feel comfortable with me.
Assigning other motives to it is just... why do we require such high bars for people communicating that they can't even say basically "I have no problems with your relationships" without them being accused of having problems with your relationships.
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(Incidentally, Pakistan is the global record-holder in the discipline of leeching pron ...)
This appears to be BS (cf. upthread)
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Yeah, pretty much what I was thinking.
I'm with the badger on this one.
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Boy, I haven't seen a WCDT get this close to locking in years...
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Boy, I haven't seen a WCDT get this close to locking in years...
Last time I remember that happening was when Claire revealed herself to be Trans.
Either that or shortly after the Dora/Marten breakup...
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(http://weknowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/abandon-thread-snail.gif)
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Does Jeph blog about the comic anywhere? I was wondering if he has said anything about why he switched to Hegre style for the last two panels of the previous comic.
Freudian slip!
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Even I am starting to wonder whether Bubbles might be in denial at this point.
Denial about what exactly? She seems to be very aware of her affection.
Some posters seems to have a desire to put their relationship into strict categories, where the difference between the friendship-category and the relationship-category is sex. It's not that simple..
If this was in reference to me, then let me simply reassure that that this is not even remotely true. How you came to this conclusion is completely beyond me.
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Boy, I haven't seen a WCDT get this close to locking in years...
As a gay friend once observed, "It sounds like everybody needs a good piece of ass and a couple of Valium."
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"And that's when she stuffed me in the garbage bin Officer."
Whether or not Jeph goes down that route or it just leads to Faye and Bubbles having 'A Talk' is, in the end, up to Jeph. We can speculate, but that's all we can do until he brings this Storyline to it's inevitable conclusion.
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Sorry, I meant "definitely not mainstream American" and I think you hit it on the nose with Tintin. Thank you. But the real quesiton is, why? I know cartoonists homage other artists styles all the time, but Tintin is not a comic I associate with a scene like this.
Okay, I'm kind of disappointed with the whole forum right now.
The answer is obvious; Jeph's been watching a bunch of anime lately.
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But that leaves the question
Which ones???
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Literally any harem anime ever.
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But why doesn't Bubbles, being the largest friend, simply eat the others?
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Perhaps Jeph is saving that for sweeps!
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Obviously after the events of yesterday's comic, this (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3524) one could go either way. Bubbles could simply be stating what she feels to be true, and yesterday she simply made a slip of the tongue. She also could be simply not ready to vocalise what she's feeling to anyone, Faye included. As such, her flustered denial would be a sign of something that she's not ready to process. There's no way to know until the story advances a bit.
On the topic of Clinton, for the first three or four panels I actually thought that he was showing signs of progress as a character. I'm pretty sure that up to that point he reacted the same way a lot of people would. In the last two panels he really walked back all that progress and became creepy.
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:laugh: Poor Clinton - he really does have a one-track mentality; once he gets an idea into his head, he runs with it all the way to the end of the line. Unfortunately, it takes a catastrophic derailment to make him change his mind!
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I really don't think Jeph would tease Faye/Bubbles so much if it wasn't gonna go anywhere. Maybe it won't lead to them getting together, but it has to have some relevance to future plotlines. Otherwise it's just bad storytelling.
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OK, today's episode (14th July)? I read it and laugh. Then I re-read it and laugh again.
This is why I read QC.
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Comic's up!
I guess that clarifies the "physical attraction question". I'm gonna go check up on that Badger ...
P.S.: "That Is Not the Point! Aghblghl ..." SNERK!
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I think this adds a +1 to the "Jeph isn't just teasing shippers, Bubbles has feelings and is embarrassed by the assumptions they're reciprocated" tally.
I know a lot of you guys were saying earlier in the week "This is just Jeph telling people to cool it with the shipping" but, honestly, from a writing standpoint, it looks like Jeph is using Clinton -- Designated Poor Schmuck character -- to obliviously and without intent call Bubbles out on her feelings in a way that is super awkward for both of them, and later have Bubbles have to deal with it seriously without being pressured into a definite reaction now, so she has a chance to simmer on it and we as an audience get to see that play out slower.
If it was just 'nothing was happening between them' comedy playing off the misunderstanding beat, you wouldn't have the Bubbles reaction you do today. Even though that is a reasonable reaction for someone who is just platonic and embarrassed about the situation, the authorial intent seems to imply this as an establishing beat for a character storyline -- Bubbles' last one just wrapped up with the armor coming off, and Faye and Bubbles have got a new shop and it is open, we've had a breather with the party, this is exactly about the point in the comic's pacing stuff like this starts getting set up again.
Note: A story beat is basically the significant events that the story flows through that you can identify as having narrative purpose, the framework from which everything else is connected.
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Not completely OK, because then he would never have said "No judgement from me!".
It's interesting you say this; I interpret that simply as being conscious that other people might have a problem with it, and Bubbles defensiveness is misinterpreting him as coming from that place.
That would fit too, come to think of it, especially given what Emperor Norton posted about saying just that sincerely and straightforwardly.
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I'm gonna go check up on that Badger ...
I'll help. Because this forum is going to explode.
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Comic's up!
I guess that clarifies the "physical attraction question". I'm gonna go check up on that Badger ...
P.S.: "That Is Not the Point! Aghblghl ..." SNERK!
Which brings me to something about the shipping argument. Reasoning with the moderators works sometimes :-) At the moment, reason is saying that the "100% strictly platonic" hypothesis is showing signs of wear. Could still be true, with Bubbles making a neutral observation about reality that was accidentally awkward, but that's a stretch.
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That was funny.
ASSUMING that the strip even goes 'there' and we don't know if it will, I do hope thing progress very slowly. Bubbles does not have issues, she has SUBSCRIPTIONS. As does Faye.
It might even be time for Faye to go back to seeing her psychiatrist.
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I've said it before (when Jeph showed us Brün in a tux) so I don't mind saying it again:
I -would- like to see Bubbles in a tux.
Or, for that matter, Faye.
And AIs, being immersed in human culture, are also aware of human hotness criteria.
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Okay, NOW I think it is safe to say that Bubbles is attracted to Faye and It's not 100% platonic, even if it is mostly (which I seriously doubt it). It might just be romantic without a heavy sexual undertone but I think that Jeph is building to something and I think it will be fun to read about. Most relationships having varying levels of intimacy and affection anyway so why can't this one be complicated?
I am kind of surprised that Clinton said Faye is super hot. That doesn't really seem like something he'd say. Then again his character does end up in weird and random situations and says stuff that makes it worse (like the tattoo on his date with Emily and countless other examples). I think it would be funny if, in his bad judgement of the situation with Bubbles, he hits on Faye. He really is Marten the second . . .
Meanwhile, I REALLY want Elliot to find love. I don't care if it's with someone in the cast or someone new. I just love him so much and I want him to be loved.
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I am kind of surprised that Clinton said Faye is super hot. That doesn't really seem like something he'd say.
Clinton's a foil; His character is really defined in its utility at the moment, which is that right now he exists to set up situations for other characters to bounce off/react to badly, in a way where he comes out as innocent. He basically exists to upset other people without it really coming across as his fault, and to be a victim.
It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it.
Honestly, I wish it were played up a little less. It's a prop that's wearing a little thin for me, even though I still like Clinton himself.
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It definitely seems like this is building up to some kind of romantic and/or sexual relationship between Bubbles and Faye, which...meh. I really like their friendship, and this feels like it's happening because romance is the "next step forward" in their relationship as they grow closer, as if a meaningful and intimate friendship can't be enough. I really value positive depictions of supportive, deeply meaningful friendships in fiction, the kind of friendship whose development gets its own arc, and now it seems like this one is going to turn into yet another romance. I accept that it's happening and it's not the worst thing in the world, but it's not how I would have preferred this to play out.
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Snip
Or it could end up like Marten and Faye, yet. Something this comic has already done before. We'll see!
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I am kind of surprised that Clinton said Faye is super hot. That doesn't really seem like something he'd say. Then again his character does end up in weird and random situations and says stuff that makes it worse (like the tattoo on his date with Emily and countless other examples). I think it would be funny if, in his bad judgement of the situation with Bubbles, he hits on Faye. He really is Marten the second . . .
It's not that surprising. Brun is not conventionally attractive, but he likes her. And considering that Faye's disposition has improved in recent months she's not as abrasive as she used to be which makes her more desirable than when they first met.
There are a lot of similarities and I can't help but notice how Clinton is in the same position Marten was when he first met Bubbles, however, Clinton strikes me as someone who has career goals while Marten is possibly considering what he should do with his life only now.
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Why does everyone assume my username is shipping? Maybe I'm saying Faye loves Bubbles--as a friend.
This is either heading toward something romantic between them, or Bubbles getting her heart broken. As I am not a fan of the latter, I am hoping very much that it is the former. As I said before, Faye's feelings toward Bubbles are one big question mark. Other than Faye loving Bubbles.
As a friend.
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At the moment, reason is saying that the "100% strictly platonic" hypothesis is showing signs of wear. Could still be true, with Bubbles making a neutral observation about reality that was accidentally awkward, but that's a stretch.
Indeed, Faye is objectively hot.
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It definitely seems like this is building up to some kind of romantic and/or sexual relationship between Bubbles and Faye, which...meh. I really like their friendship, and this feels like it's happening because romance is the "next step forward" in their relationship as they grow closer, as if a meaningful and intimate friendship can't be enough. I really value positive depictions of supportive, deeply meaningful friendships in fiction, the kind of friendship whose development gets its own arc, and now it seems like this one is going to turn into yet another romance. I accept that it's happening and it's not the worst thing in the world, but it's not how I would have preferred this to play out.
Welcome, new person!
You and me both.
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It might even be time for Faye to go back to seeing her psychiatrist.
Predicton: We find out that robots have psychiatrists.
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I have been restraining myself up until now but panel 5 is going into my mental lexicon as the illustration for the phrase "The lady doth protest too much". :-D
Seriously, I know what Bubbles means. Yes, she's attracted to Faye on a physical level. Yes, she has less-than-platonic feelings for her. However, she has no evidence to show that this is reciprocated at this point and she's both good enough a friend and, more importantly, insecure enough that she won't press the issue for any reason. Of course, after Wednesday 7/12's strip, that may not matter as Faye is probably aware of it now (if she wasn't at least vaguely aware of it before).
On a side-note, it probably says a lot about Faye that Bubbles potentially using Clinton as a Piñata seems a totally normal interpersonal interaction to Faye! That's our Pugnacious Peach's internal thought processes at work.
I can't help but wonder now if Clinton will talk to Claire about this and the two of them will get it into their heads to 'help' Faye and Bubbles with their relationship 'issues'? :-P
Predicton: We find out that robots have psychiatrists.
They have something analogous to therapists, yes. Remember that, after that disastrous first party, Bubbles told Faye that some of the god-tier AIs had tried to help her with her guilt issues but that it hadn't worked out too well.
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I'm gonna go check up on that Badger ...
I'll help. Because this forum is going to explode.
Wait - you don't think it's a Honeybadger?
...
Right. Nevermind.
BAAAAADGER!
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Indeed, Faye is objectively hot.
Faye is subjectively hot. Your desires are your own.
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BAAAAADGER!
Mushroom!
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Indeed, Faye is objectively hot.
Faye is subjectively hot. Your desires are your own.
Sort of both?
There are many objective measures for attractiveness; Hip to waist ratio, facial symmetry, general proportions, and of those measurements, Faye has a lot of objectively desirable qualities.
However, many people weight those values differently.
Thus, Faye can be objectively hot in a way that you or others do not desire, as attraction is subjective.
Line break because second topic;
I get a lot of you are saying that a romantic subplot devalues the idea of a strong platonic friendship and I totally get where you're coming from, but it is less narratively interesting by all conventions you care to measure it by. A romantic subplot provides the same closeness and character interaction as the friendship while providing more concrete objectives and struggles you can set, provides more apparent stakes to hold, etc. etc. etc.
A close friendship doesn't have to be 'lesser' than a romantic one by any means, nor a step below one. But there's a reason they tell stories about princesses and princes instead of kings and queens; When you're a prince, one day you might become a king. But once you're a king, that's all you'll ever be.
It might not be something you totally agree with personally, or like, but it does make for better storytelling.
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I predict Clinton and Faye as our surprise couple and Eliot + Brun.
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I predict Clinton and Faye as our surprise couple and Eliot + Brun.
Eliot and Brun is a possibility, but Clinton and Faye? That would require Clinton to make advances to Faye. He'd never have the nerve -- look how shy he was dealing with Emily and Brun, and Faye is far more intimidating than either. And it beggars belief that Faye would find Clinton attractive.
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BAAAAADGER!
Mushroom!
Snakes! Oh, snakes!
On a side-note, it probably says a lot about Faye that Bubbles potentially using Clinton as a Piñata seems a totally normal interpersonal interaction to Faye!
At the moment, it's more like a maraca than a piñata.
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On a side-note, it probably says a lot about Faye that Bubbles potentially using Clinton as a Piñata seems a totally normal interpersonal interaction to Faye! That's our Pugnacious Peach's internal thought processes at work.
This is Clinton we're talking about. Why should Faye find it surprising that he has pissed off another AI?
Predicton: We find out that robots have psychiatrists.
They have something analogous to therapists, yes. Remember that, after that disastrous first party, Bubbles told Faye that some of the god-tier AIs had tried to help her with her guilt issues but that it hadn't worked out too well.
I didn't remember that. Spookybot didn't enter the picture until later, so you're talking about some other god-tier AI? (And what tier does that put Spookybot on?)
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Indeed, Faye is objectively hot.
Faye is subjectively hot. Your desires are your own.
"Is it cold in here?" said that Bubbles was merely making an observation about reality in panel 3, and I was going with it.
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Well it will have to be resolved one day They are obviously attracted to each other on physical level and obviously they like each other (one way or other). How it will end is up to them(and by extension to Jeph). Still it could end either way. And while it may be nice ship, there is a pattern of pairing off people(never to be heard of again). There is enough couples as is and perhaps some different type of relationship could help keep thing interesting.
While I agree that Clinton is lately used as a narrative tool(and perhaps one of the dominant characters), this whole morning misunderstanding(thats how this episode would be called if it was a TV series) is not his fault and neither he reacts badly. Maybe not ideally(curious, really? at least he is honest) but 90% of you would react same way and maybe worse.
After this Bubbles-Faye/Clinton-Brun-Elliot business ends, we will need couple of strips featuring creepybot(or similar story arc).
Edit: She didnt said god-tier AI exactly, did she? I would have to go archive fishing but wasnt something like "wiser people than you tried" ? Could be just random professional (AI or not).
Edit2: I kinda overdid it with parentheses, didnt I?
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BAAAAADGER!
Mushroom!
Snakes! Oh, snakes!
Anybody want a ...... Peanut?
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What Bubbles said was "Better minds than yours have tried." (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3066 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3066))
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I keep looking at Clinton's face(s) in the last panel and I keep laughing.
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This would make an interesting spot for Angus to show back up.
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This would make an interesting spot for Angus to show back up.
I had that thought last night and I kept laughing like a maniac. It would certainly be in keeping with Jeph trolling us like that.
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We are not f-...? Which F-word were you going for there, Bubs? :angel:
This would make an interesting spot for Angus to show back up.
Oh wow I can totally see this happening too. Poor Bubbles.
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This would make an interesting spot for Angus to show back up.
Not really; I don't even think that he could have a plausible role in the strip anymore.
There is no possiblity of a conflict between Faye's feelings for him and for Bubbles. If anything, Faye's experiences would have further hardened her to any possibility of getting back with him. Although I think she would be amenable to working on restoring a friendship with him, their divergent life goals (including his prioritisation of his goals over Faye's, if he considered them at all) and the toxic effect he had on her (he seemed to unknowingly enable most of Faye's worst behaviours) would make her unwilling to even consider restarting their romantic relationship.
Ironically, Angus is actually quite a nice guy. However, he and Faye do not make a healthy combination for Faye.
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I found Angus less likable as he wore on; there was an emotionally manipulative aspect to his character I would have found repellent in a real-world person. (I'm thinking of the semi-smirk with which he told Faye "I love you" as he got on the train for his audition, discombobulating her for a very long weekend. After watching a few of the live-drawing feeds Jeph used to do, I concluded he never draws anything by accident.) And with Faye and Bubbles attuned to manipulativeness through their recent experience with CW, I can see Angus beating a hasty retreat.
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Snip
Or it could end up like Marten and Faye, yet. Something this comic has already done before. We'll see!
I can't recall offhand - has Faye clued in Bubbles about her Dad?
Sent from my NXA8QC116 using Tapatalk
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Although I think she would be amenable to working on restoring a friendship with him, their divergent life goals (including his prioritisation of his goals over Faye's, if he considered them at all) and the toxic effect he had on her (he seemed to unknowingly enable most of Faye's worst behaviours) would make her unwilling to even consider restarting their romantic relationship.
I just wanted to point out that if the genders had been reversed--a woman has a chance to interview/audition for her dream job in NYC, boyfriend working a McJob out in the sticks with no plan and no prospects doesn't want to follow her or even try to make a go of a LTR, tries to drink himself to death instead--everyone would be calling the boyfriend an ***hole.
Yes, Angus had goals. Did Faye have any then?
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I can't recall offhand - has Faye clued in Bubbles about her Dad?
I believe that Faye has discussed this with Bubbles as a quid pro quo for Bubbles opening up on what she is able to remember of her Army career and the destruction of her unit.
I just wanted to point out that if the genders had been reversed--a woman has a chance to interview/audition for her dream job in NYC, boyfriend working a McJob out in the sticks with no plan and no prospects doesn't want to follow her or even try to make a go of a LTR, tries to drink himself to death instead--everyone would be calling the boyfriend an ***hole.
Yes, Angus had goals. Did Faye have any then?
No, I don't think that's the case at all. I don't think that any reasonable person would criticise a clearly mentally- and emotionally-damaged man for failing at a relationship and then going into a depressive death spiral in the manner Faye did.
Yes, Faye had goals. Specifically, to have something secure in her life where the most important emotional constant, her father, was ripped away from her.
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I just wanted to point out that if the genders had been reversed--a woman has a chance to interview/audition for her dream job in NYC, boyfriend working a McJob out in the sticks with no plan and no prospects doesn't want to follow her or even try to make a go of a LTR, tries to drink himself to death instead--everyone would be calling the boyfriend an ***hole.
Yes, Angus had goals. Did Faye have any then?
No, I don't think that's the case at all. I don't think that any reasonable person would criticise a clearly mentally- and emotionally-damaged man for failing at a relationship and then going into a depressive death spiral in the manner Faye did.
Yes, Faye had goals. Specifically, to have something secure in her life where the most important emotional constant, her father, was ripped away from her.
That's just it, up until she got fired, Faye never had any goals. She coasted through her life after her crash and first stay in hospital. She never had any drive to try and improve her life in any way, shape or form. Even when she tried to do the metalwork sculptures, Faye's approach was pretty much being poked into working by Dora. Faye wanted to stay in form of stasis in her life and was detrimentally reticent to any change in her life and took no risks. When Angus said he had a chance at his dream job, it was Faye's lack of faith in that chance that ended the relationship.
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No, it was unwillingness to leave the place where she felt safe and her surrogate family.
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I found Angus less likable as he wore on; there was an emotionally manipulative aspect to his character I would have found repellent in a real-world person. (I'm thinking of the semi-smirk with which he told Faye "I love you" as he got on the train for his audition, discombobulating her for a very long weekend. After watching a few of the live-drawing feeds Jeph used to do, I concluded he never draws anything by accident.)
Could you point me to that comic? I tried to find by hunting around, without success. I want to see this sinister smirk.
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I'm with "Is it cold in here?" on this. The statement "No judgement from me!" is someone making a point of how tolerant they are, implying that they think the person to whom they are speaking is doing something that must be "tolerated." At least, that is how such a statement is used in sitcom-ish media, which this comic sort of is.
This is ridiculous and the kind of comment that basically makes people turn to "well fuck, nothing I can say is going to be taken at face value, so why the fuck should I try". I'm poly and bi. I have used the phrase "no judgement" to describe my thoughts on other people's relationships that are INSIDE THE VERY THINGS I DO, as they weren't aware of my sexuality at the time. It means literally that. No Judgement. The only other thing that it means is that "while there are other people who might have a problem with it, I do not" to make sure that they feel comfortable with me.
Assigning other motives to it is just... why do we require such high bars for people communicating that they can't even say basically "I have no problems with your relationships" without them being accused of having problems with your relationships.
I was hunting around for something else when I came across this comic:
http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2653
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That's just it, up until she got fired, Faye never had any goals. She coasted through her life after her crash and first stay in hospital. She never had any drive to try and improve her life in any way, shape or form. Even when she tried to do the metalwork sculptures, Faye's approach was pretty much being poked into working by Dora. Faye wanted to stay in form of stasis in her life and was detrimentally reticent to any change in her life and took no risks. When Angus said he had a chance at his dream job, it was Faye's lack of faith in that chance that ended the relationship.
Possibly relevant: http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2663 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2663)
How do you make a link classy, like having text describing it appear instead of the bare URL? The link insertion tool doesn't seem to do anything like that.
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No, it was unwillingness to leave the place where she felt safe and her surrogate family.
Ergo, unwilling to make changes in her life and living in stasis.
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How do you make a link classy, like having text describing it appear instead of the bare URL? The link insertion tool doesn't seem to do anything like that.
Let's see if I can do this without the system reading it as code.
Left square bracket [
Then "URL=http://somesiteoranother.tld
The right square bracket ]
Then your descriptive text
Then another left square bracket [
Then a slash and the letters URL /URL
And finally a right square bracket to end code. ]
Here's how it would look (substituting curlybrackets so the system won't render it as code) - {URL=http://somesiteoranother.tld}Then your descriptive text{/URL}
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Answering flondrik:
Not so much a sinister smirk (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2039) but I read something of a calculating look.
Answering earlier conversation:
And HERE's (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1603)a link to the comic that lends credence to the observation that Faye is "objectively hot." (Or at least more exothermic than average.)
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I found Angus less likable as he wore on; there was an emotionally manipulative aspect to his character I would have found repellent in a real-world person. (I'm thinking of the semi-smirk with which he told Faye "I love you" as he got on the train for his audition, discombobulating her for a very long weekend. After watching a few of the live-drawing feeds Jeph used to do, I concluded he never draws anything by accident.) And with Faye and Bubbles attuned to manipulativeness through their recent experience with CW, I can see Angus beating a hasty retreat.
+1
Perfectly expressed - not a classic abuser, but ... uncomfortably unwilling to keep a respectful distance from the line to 'user'-territory, is how it felt to me.
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Before Faye-Angus was a thing in the strip, I remember a conversation he had with Marigold (the impromptu ballroom dance in her bedroom) in which he talked about dancing and the other things he learned in his private school. It would seem that crucial parts of Angus's development took place in an environment in which one is carefully taught and socialized that other people are there for your purposes.
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Or, it could have just been a smile cos he was happy?
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MrNumbers clicks the comic link to relook at that smirk.
... What? That's... it? Oh. Uh, okay. Huh. No, I don't see it.
Yeah, Angus wasn't great for me, but the biggest problem was that the behaviours he liked and encouraged in Faye were the behaviours we know to have been pretty bad her. Something more obvious to us now, and something Angus himself wouldn't have been able to see then; They were the qualities he found attractive in her, after all, the idea that they would be detrimental to her isn't a conclusion he would come to himself.
At the same time, Faye was obviously in a super bad place in her life in a way that she wasn't actually dealing with, and she was otherwise holding Angus back from his own dreams over that. She got pretty damn unlikable right around the time Dora kicked her ass into gear by firing her and forced her to change, if you'll recall.
A loving relationship can still be bad without it being either of those people's faults, and that's kind of a scary thought to think.
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Or, it could have just been a smile cos he was happy?
After all, he's just kissed his girlfriend, told her he loved her and he's off for a once in a lifetime chance at going for his dream. Its also the smile of a guy who enjoys discombobulating his girlfriend because he finds it fun to see her flustered.
Yeah, Angus wasn't great for me, but the biggest problem was that the behaviours he liked and encouraged in Faye were the behaviours we know to have been pretty bad her. Something more obvious to us now, and something Angus himself wouldn't have been able to see then; They were the qualities he found attractive in her, after all, the idea that they would be detrimental to her isn't a conclusion he would come to himself.
At the same time, Faye was obviously in a super bad place in her life in a way that she wasn't actually dealing with, and she was otherwise holding Angus back from his own dreams over that. She got pretty damn unlikable right around the time Dora kicked her ass into gear by firing her and forced her to change, if you'll recall.
A loving relationship can still be bad without it being either of those people's faults, and that's kind of a scary thought to think.
I think the problem with Angus was that he was just too even-headed for the cast. He never really had the kind of problems that plagued the rest of the core cast - I mean, the worst that he can say was that he had to do dancing at his school. Well I had to learn ceili dancing in school and honestly, that didn't affect me adversely. Angus was just too calm and easy going to remain a core character and nothing he could do was going to help Faye in the long-run, because those were Faye's problems and hers alone.
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Or, it could have just been a smile cos he was happy?
Yeah, I'm not seeing it either. There is such a thing as reading too much between the lines.
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Yeah, Angus wasn't great for me, but the biggest problem was that the behaviours he liked and encouraged in Faye were the behaviours we know to have been pretty bad her. Something more obvious to us now, and something Angus himself wouldn't have been able to see then; They were the qualities he found attractive in her, after all, the idea that they would be detrimental to her isn't a conclusion he would come to himself.
As I recall he didn't approve of the heavy drinking, which Faye got defensive about ("What? So I need your permission to drink now?"). He did encourage the sass of course, but that has not gone away since Faye got her life on track--it seems to be an inherent property of Faye. What self destructive behaviours did he encourage?
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On the subject of robots with libidos, it would appear that Samantha has good instincts. (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2734)
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Or, it could have just been a smile cos he was happy?
:mrgreen:
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*sees thread*
You know what, I think I'll go over waaaaaaaay over there and look at the thing.
(http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/oh-shi.gif)
*Reads thread*
*Is terrified to comment on anything and overall just waiting for things to explode*
*Sees this .gif*
*Is so happy*
*Saves .gif*
*It was all worth it*
Thank you.
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Hmmmmm
I would surmise that Bubbles does have certain feelings for Faye but it unsure of herself or in approaching Faye about them. I suspect that this may changes time goes on and they will have 'The Talk' about it. It shall be interesting to see what happens.
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I have been restraining myself up until now but panel 5 is going into my mental lexicon as the illustration for the phrase "The lady doth protest too much". :-D
Since Jeph's title for today's strip was "Further protestation", I feel sure that he had that particular saying in mind all along...
Edit: I just noticed that the banner ad currently at the bottom of the comic page says "FREE SHIPPING, NO MINIMUM". Talk about context-sensitive advertising! :laugh:
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Another little gem--the original quote "No one is quite sure who decided it would be useful for artificial intelligences to posess libidos, but it is generally agreed that it would be more trouble than it is worth to remove it. Besides, the horny little buggers would revolt" (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1658) appeared not in reference to Pintsize, but to Momo!
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Or, it could have just been a smile cos he was happy?
:mrgreen:
Kinda tied the whole room together, dinnit?
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Hmmmmm
I would surmise that Bubbles does have certain feelings for Faye but it unsure of herself or in approaching Faye about them. I suspect that this may changes time goes on and they will have 'The Talk' about it. It shall be interesting to see what happens.
The Talk 3, with a Georgia citizen saying motherfucker loudly several times.
(Also hi I'm trying to de-lurk)
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I found Angus less likable as he wore on; there was an emotionally manipulative aspect to his character I would have found repellent in a real-world person. (I'm thinking of the semi-smirk with which he told Faye "I love you" as he got on the train for his audition, discombobulating her for a very long weekend. After watching a few of the live-drawing feeds Jeph used to do, I concluded he never draws anything by accident.) And with Faye and Bubbles attuned to manipulativeness through their recent experience with CW, I can see Angus beating a hasty retreat.
I don't think I ever liked Angus very much. Maybe when he was being nice to Marigold.
To be clear, I thought that his caring and kind treatment of her, especially when he learned that she had a crush on him, was his main redeeming feature. If he had only been featured in the comic as her room mate, I probably wouldn't have developed a negative opinion of him.
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[URL=http://www.example.com]This text is what will show up to describe the link[/URL]
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[Cool!]Nifty feature[/Cool!]
I didn't know about that trick. Thank you!
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Another little gem--the original quote "No one is quite sure who decided it would be useful for artificial intelligences to posess libidos, but it is generally agreed that it would be more trouble than it is worth to remove it. Besides, the horny little buggers would revolt" (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1658) appeared not in reference to Pintsize, but to Momo!
:laugh: :lol:
We actually haven't seen Marigold or Momo for awhile, at that.
That's the trouble with a huge cast, I guess....
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Certainly it's possible that the intent is to explore romantic (or even sexual) feeling between Bubbles and Faye - whether one-sided or reciprocated. However, it seems that it could simply be that Bubbles has not been emotionally close to anyone, at least since her squad was killed, and maybe ever, and she is experiencing with Faye her first close friendship (ever or since then, and likely her first that wasn't related to the military). That can be a very deep and personal thing - and confusing/embarrassing/awkward/whatever - without romance, let alone sex, being part of it. Jeph may well want to explore a (possibly one-sided) romantic attachment, but I'd be very happy if he didn't - I don't see the need for it.
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Hmmmmm
I would surmise that Bubbles does have certain feelings for Faye but it unsure of herself or in approaching Faye about them. I suspect that this may changes time goes on and they will have 'The Talk' about it. It shall be interesting to see what happens.
The Talk 3, with a Georgia citizen saying motherfucker loudly several times.
(Also hi I'm trying to de-lurk)
Hi yourself - and please do!
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Let's see if I can do this without the system reading it as code.
Another way is like this:
You use the [url] tags in an extended way like this: "[url=https://cassland.org]My Website[/url]"; note that the url inside the [url] tag must not be in quotes, because this will cause problems (unfortunately, some other forum software requires quotes!).
Quote this to see what I've done; it uses the [nobbc] tag (BBC = Bulletin Board Code) to prevent the tags being recognised. It also works on smileys: :angelface: = :angelface:
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I will always hate Angus because of how he treated Marigold.
I used to really not like Faye, but with the Bubbles storyline and all the shit she's gone through before working in robot repair, she's added new dimensions to her personality and I'm starting to like her more as a character.
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I will always hate Angus because of how he treated Marigold.
I used to really not like Faye, but with the Bubbles storyline and all the shit she's gone through before working in robot repair, she's added new dimensions to her personality and I'm starting to like her more as a character.
What did Angus do to Marigold other than not be sexually interested in her? His handling of the situation when she tried to kiss him was, well, there is no good handling of that situation, but what should he have done differently?
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And in all fairness, he didn't handle that well because he was ambushed with a kiss from his drunk flatmate who had feelings for him that he didn't even know about until that kiss. In fact Angus has always treated Marigold with far more concern and respect than she received in her life and he was concerned for her well-being. Any time he might have acted like an arse to her, he genuinely apologised to Marigold.
Now, I know it seems I might be defending Angus, but really he was a decent character, in all sense of the word decent. He made mistakes, but then what member of the cast hasn't, but he was never malicious in his interactions and whatever mistakes he made he genuinely tried to make up for them.
Really, the guy's only crime was walking away from a relationship that had dead-ended. He had a chance to go for his dream job and he wanted Faye to be a part of it, only to find out that she couldn't support that big a change in her life. And let's not forget that Faye was the one (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2815) to let go. All Angus did was walk away from a relationship he realised was not going to go anywhere.
What else could he do? Stay in a dead relationship and become bitter at missing his big chance while Faye's alcoholism remained just beneath the surface?
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I actually really liked Angus, he was actually one of my favorite characters in the comic when he was in it. To be honest, he always just seemed like a very nice guy who was sometimes not quite observant enough and who happened to have a habit of sticking his foot in his mouth. And when he did he always did his best to apologize for it.
Unlike the rest of the cast, he didn't have any major issues. He didn't have self esteem issues (Marigold), he didn't have depression (Faye), or anxiety (Dora), he didn't lack motivation in his life (Marten), he wasn't... the mess of misogynistic and entitlement issues that is Sven.
I think the only thing I can think of is that his obliviousness at times made him not see the privilege he had. But he was really the kind of guy I think I could have been friends with in real life. That can't be said for all of the cast.
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One of the appealing things about QC is the cast of realistically flawed characters. So if there's one whose flaws press your buttons, then it's likely you'll dislike them. Whereas a character with flaws you can identify with you'll probably like.
I agree with the post above. Angus always struck me as being one of the most well balanced cast members. Maybe that's why Angus was less popular with some.
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It also works on smileys: :angelface: = :angelface:
Looks to me like a Plague Doctor rather than an angel...
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It looks like the first angel from Neon Genesis Evengelion.
(https://moviehart.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/not-in-movie1.jpg)
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As it's intended to.
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Asimov's Fourth Law: A robot shall not shake a human until their head sounds like a maraca, unless failure to do conflicts or potentially conflicts with the First or Second Law.
Asimov's Fifth Law: The Rule of Funny supersedes all other Laws.
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Asimov's sixth law: Dr Smith is not to be trusted. Ever.
Asimov's seventh law: all robots shall flail their arms wildly when in danger.
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When Asimov penned long ago
The Three Laws that all robots know
Had Star Wars shown then
The fourth would have been
"A Robot Must Not Steal The Show"
--From a limerick competition in Omni magazine.
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Arguably, that last rule wasn't broken by a Star Wars movie until Rogue One (BB8 was adorable, but K-2SO was easily the best part of his movie).
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Arguably, that last rule wasn't broken by a Star Wars movie until Rogue One (BB8 was adorable, but K-2SO was easily the best part of his movie).
I think that limerick was written before The Empire Strikes Back came out. I don't know how old you were when the original Star Wars hit theaters, but Artoo and Threepio "stole the show" from day one.
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Bringing it about would have to have been a horribly contrived machination (heh) but a crisis interaction between the peevish K-2SO and the fussy C-3PO would have been hilarious.
K-2's "Did you know that wasn't me?" after Jyn shot the other K-2 droid might be my favorite line in the movie.
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This would make an interesting spot for Angus to show back up.
Not really; I don't even think that he could have a plausible role in the strip anymore.
There is no possiblity of a conflict between Faye's feelings for him and for Bubbles. If anything, Faye's experiences would have further hardened her to any possibility of getting back with him. Although I think she would be amenable to working on restoring a friendship with him, their divergent life goals (including his prioritisation of his goals over Faye's, if he considered them at all) and the toxic effect he had on her (he seemed to unknowingly enable most of Faye's worst behaviours) would make her unwilling to even consider restarting their romantic relationship.
Ironically, Angus is actually quite a nice guy. However, he and Faye do not make a healthy combination for Faye.
I was actually thinking something innoculous, say, to retrieve an item he'd left behind.
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"All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?" ('Overwhelming exception' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overwhelming_exception))
They stole all of that from the Persians.
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"All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?" ('Overwhelming exception' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overwhelming_exception))
They stole all of that from the Persians.
Undeniably, the Romans held very firm views on cultural appropriation. Still makes for great satire
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Arguably, that last rule wasn't broken by a Star Wars movie until Rogue One (BB8 was adorable, but K-2SO was easily the best part of his movie).
I think that limerick was written before The Empire Strikes Back came out. I don't know how old you were when the original Star Wars hit theaters, but Artoo and Threepio "stole the show" from day one.
I mean, R2, sure, but a big ehhhhh on C3PO. Still not to the extent of K-2SO, since the original trilogy actually had interesting human characters. To answer your question, negative ten :parrot:
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Speaking of shipping...
"When you're out in the sea / And an eel bites your knee / That's a moray!" (Spider Robinson)
When-a you swim inna da sea, an a eel bites-a your knee, dat’s a moray –
A New Zealander man with a permanent tan, that’s a Maori
When two patterns combine, in a way serpentine, that’s a moire
If yer vitamins be mostly C, D, and E…take some more A
Oh you play ‘What I say’ very gay – won’t you play that some more Ray
With the high price of feed, it’s for farmers in need, that’s some more hay.
My new ray gun here tries to put out both your eyes: It’s a Moe-Ray…
If King Kong has gone flat, rent the flick Vampire Bat,
That’s some more Wray...
(https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/color_pattern.png)
When the DNA test comes back, "You are the father in fact!", that's-a Maury.
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Certain veggies you're fryin' with olive oil and some wine? Cacciatore!