Yeah, and then they would quickly discover that they have very little in common and Marigold would be super sad.
Damn it, Marten. You are like...Half a person, you are so lanky. How do you get ALL the sexy ladies?
I feel like Marten is incapable of one night stands. I know guys like him. No sex unless you really like the lady and want to be with them for a while. So, even if she offered, he wouldn't take her up on it. Unless, of course, this is the beginning of Marten development. I hope it is. I hope he has all sorts of meaningless sex and realize hes an awesome dude and needs to just be more aggressive about what he wants in life.
Welp, there goes this week. Batten down the hatches, the shippers are coming.
Looks like we will spend a few more weeks in space. Good.
How come Marten has no boozles? Is the double racist Grandma on the rocks not working?
Marten leaving with a drunk, half dressed and probably horny Lt. Potter
........................
Marten did turn down Sven's offer to find him meaningless hookups, but wasn't Padma relatively casual?Casual doesn't necessarily equal meaningless.
Marten did turn down Sven's offer to find him meaningless hookups, but wasn't Padma relatively casual?I get the feeling Marten would qualify a difference between casually dating and having sex while doing so and hooking up for one night with a woman he met a day or two ago.
Damn it, Marten. You are like...Half a person, you are so lanky. How do you get ALL the sexy ladies?
I feel like Marten is incapable of one night stands. I know guys like him. No sex unless you really like the lady and want to be with them for a while. So, even if she offered, he wouldn't take her up on it. Unless, of course, this is the beginning of Marten development. I hope it is. I hope he has all sorts of meaningless sex and realize hes an awesome dude and needs to just be more aggressive about what he wants in life.
And that's when he gets AIDS.
Marten leaving with a drunk, half dressed and probably horny Lt. Potter
........................
she pukes on him, head-butts him in the junk, then passes out
she pukes on him, head-butts him in the junk, then passes out
Jeph tries not to repeat, so that is unlikely.
Marten leaving with a drunk, half dressed and probably horny Lt. Potter
........................
I've got about 15 potential bad outcomes figured out here.I'm intrigued as to whether you'd be able to keep this promise should it ever be inquired upon. (I am torn ... does "to inquire upon" make sense to anybody else or just me?)
:psyduck:
... could this become a thing? Can we do a never-ending story where everyone adds a sentence and its spun into ridiculousness faster than you can say mouthbarf...? Please?Marten leaving with a drunk, half dressed and probably horny Lt. PotterCarry on.
........................
oh god please no, I thought we were going to get to see Marten have a nice trip! Nothing ever works for out for him! This will end in tears...
I've got about 15 potential bad outcomes figured out here.
:psyduck:
On a side note: I find it hilarious how this forum almost seems to "hold its breath" today. I remember there usually being much more activity around this time, especially when the comic almost exclusively featured only Marten + a girl in half-drunk conversation.
Someone's productivity is going to go down with mine, gosh darn it!
And that's when he gets AIDS.
On a side note: I find it hilarious how this forum almost seems to "hold its breath" today. I remember there usually being much more activity around this time, especially when the comic almost exclusively featured only Marten + a girl in half-drunk conversation.
The novelty's worn off, maybe. Or we've all noted that the most furious speculation is quickly rendered moot by the next day's strip. Then again, VonKleist up there seems to think the forum is headed into its usual bonkersville now that Marten is sharing a panel or two with a new female character.
Eye of the beholder, and all that. YMMV. Whatever.
My grandma and my dog, Old Blue!
Meanwhile, back in Northampton:This deserves a thumbs up. It would certainly break up the monotony of all these space strips just like the random toilet seat up/down strip did.
SVEN, opening his mail: "Smallest royalty check I've seen in a while. Forgot I even wrote that 'Wake up! Wake up! Good morning!' song."
Marten leaving with a drunk, half dressed and probably horny Lt. PotterThis is Marten. There is zero chance he will take advantage of the lieutenant in her drunken state.
........................
This is Marten. There is zero chance he will take advantage of the lieutenant in her drunken state.
Welp, there goes this week. Batten down the hatches, the shippers are coming.
That was my first reaction, too. Lets hope Lt. Potter is just going to introduce Marten to her brother Harry or something...
Are we sure drunk PhDs make jokes like that when drunk? (intended sort-of pleonasm)In my experience, they don't make that sort of joke, and that sort of joke is actually frowned upon. Maybe I'm just not hanging out with the right people (or maybe I am hanging out with the right people...)
The ones I know (granted, few) make the same badmouthed regular flaps like common people. °O
Always thought the "indeciferable physics joke making drunk PhD" was a foul stereotype.
And who here still thinks Marten is a kind guy concerning possible one night stands? Have we all forgotten the Padma-arc?
Well this thread turned really weird really quick...
Lt. Potter is some poor little intoxicated girl and he's taking advantage.
You haven't been on here for long, have you?They just found it strange. No reason to assume that because they don't understand your humor means they have none.
Anyone else wondering (and whom may not have a sense of humour/understand parody films)
They just found it strange. No reason to assume that because they don't understand your humor means they have none.
Someone's productivity is going to go down with mine, gosh darn it!Sorry, Black Sword, not mine, for two reasons:
- Marten's gonna turn her down (most likely)I agree, but not out of reticence with casual sex or anything like that, but simply because she's drunk, and probably not quite in her right mind as a result. She may seem to be handling herself rather well, but what Marten knows about her (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2114) can make him suspiscious of her discernment under the effects of alcohol.
Ah, yeah, there's that, too. She's a trained military, qualified to operate on security checks. She's probably able to wrestle him while twice as drunk, blinfolded and her hands tied together.This is Marten. There is zero chance he will take advantage of the lieutenant in her drunken state.Doesn't mean she won't try taking advantage of him...
I dunno... Station's kinda the wildcard here, Anything... Could.......Happen!Oh great, I heard that in a Shatnerian voice.
Welp, there goes this week. Batten down the hatches, the shippers are coming.
That was my first reaction, too. Lets hope Lt. Potter is just going to introduce Marten to her brother Harry or something...
Do you really think the shippers wouldn't prefer that? :laugh:
Or worse, they'd try and ship Marten/Harry/Draco threesome.
On a sidenote, I just want to say that I don't think Padma was considered a one-night stand OR casual sex. Marten liked Padma a lot. And, obviously, she liked him, because she wanted to stay a few more weeks to see how things went. Then she got busy and couldn't hang out so Marten got all whiny and stopped talking to her, so she left, probably because she didn't think anything would come of it. Padma was sorta like Marten's in between girl. Someone he likes and cares about, but he knows is leaving soon so he doesn't have to get too serious about. But, shes also someone he was taking his frustrations out on. I think thats far from a one-night stand or casual sex.
On a sidenote, I just want to say that I don't think Padma was considered a one-night stand OR casual sex. Marten liked Padma a lot. And, obviously, she liked him, because she wanted to stay a few more weeks to see how things went. Then she got busy and couldn't hang out so Marten got all whiny and stopped talking to her, so she left, probably because she didn't think anything would come of it. Padma was sorta like Marten's in between girl. Someone he likes and cares about, but he knows is leaving soon so he doesn't have to get too serious about. But, shes also someone he was taking his frustrations out on. I think thats far from a one-night stand or casual sex.
Not quite the popular interpretation of that particular arc - she didn't just 'get busy', she dropped hints that she wanted to make things more serious, for better lack of a term, and when he didn't pick up on said hints, figured he didn't want the same thing and started distancing herself. But this isn't the thread for that arc - the WCDT for that week is around here somewhere.
(they even referenced it back in 992)They referenced it even earlier back in the 440's or 450's when Marty's mom first came to visit.
My prediction: Attempted drunken sex from Lt Potter with Marten pushing her away as he realizes he made a mistake in blowing Padma off.
Ah, yeah, there's that, too. She's a trained military, qualified to operate on security checks. She's probably able to wrestle him while twice as drunk, blinfolded and her hands tied together.I immediately thought of this (http://questionablecontent.net./view.php?comic=378) when I read your post. The whole S&M thing... yeah... uh...
That actually cam out dirtier than I intended it to...
Lt. Space-Fay may just remind Marten that what happens in orbit, stays in orbit ...
And 0kamisama, I disagree with certain points. Yes, Dora and Padma were similar body types to him. But, Padma had longer hair and didn't have a tan, I'm pretty sure she was African American. .
I'm glad someone got what I said despite the blatant omission. I disagree though, and driving a car is not a relevant comparison. It may not be quite obvious, but it doesn't seem like she's too drunk to know what she's doing.And once you make that assumption, you could be taking advantage of her drunkenness. You don't know if she is too inebriated to make a valid decision about sex.
I mean people drink especially for the purpose of lowering inhibitions and do things they normally wouldn't. That includes sex with strangers, depending on the person. There's nothing wrong with that.To you. I don't think Marten would see it that way. He knows too many screwed up people to do anything with someone who might be impaired.
Nah, Lt. Potter is cool.Yeah, they're bros, dude. Chillin'. Bromance in the hizzouse.
Marty is cool,
they´re both cool-.
I dunno... Station's kinda the wildcard here, Anything... Could.......Happen!Oh great, I heard that in a Shatnerian voice.
I'm glad someone got what I said despite the blatant omission. I disagree though, and driving a car is not a relevant comparison. It may not be quite obvious, but it doesn't seem like she's too drunk to know what she's doing.And once you make that assumption, you could be taking advantage of her drunkenness. You don't know if she is too inebriated to make a valid decision about sex.
I'm glad someone got what I said despite the blatant omission. I disagree though, and driving a car is not a relevant comparison. It may not be quite obvious, but it doesn't seem like she's too drunk to know what she's doing.And once you make that assumption, you could be taking advantage of her drunkenness. You don't know if she is too inebriated to make a valid decision about sex.QuoteI mean people drink especially for the purpose of lowering inhibitions and do things they normally wouldn't. That includes sex with strangers, depending on the person. There's nothing wrong with that.To you. I don't think Marten would see it that way. He knows too many screwed up people to do anything with someone who might be impaired.
I'm thinking they're just gonna shoot the breeze, and maybe Potter will let something slip about Hannerdad (dying? bankrupt?), leaving Marten wondering whether or not to tell Hanners?Surely not bankrupt if 0.76% of Station's share of the company was $5m. He must own at least as much as the AI, you'd think.
Welp, there goes this week. Batten down the hatches, the shippers are coming.
That was my first reaction, too. Lets hope Lt. Potter is just going to introduce Marten to her brother Harry or something...
Do you really think the shippers wouldn't prefer that? :laugh:
Or worse, they'd try and ship Marten/Harry/Draco threesome.
Smif Luna or Hogwarts Luna?Can't it be both?
Smif Luna or Hogwarts Luna?Can't it be both?
Does... does that bottle say "Space Hooch"? :-PSmif Luna or Hogwarts Luna?Can't it be both?
Does... does that bottle say "Space Hooch"? :-PI'm pretty sure it does. Well, the label does anyway.
"Space Hooch"
All potential hanky-panky aside, I like the layout of panels 1 and 2 -- the figures really do convey Lt. Potter's total relaxation and enjoyment of zero-G. The glowing blur effect on the plasma screens is also a nice touch.
Really do agree with NOT showing Marten's spit-take space hooch floating around in scientifically-correct globules -- that'd be technically correct but awfully distracting.
I'm going to call it right now:
Lt. Potter's first name... is Faye.
I'm going to call it right now:
Lt. Potter's first name... is Faye.
I'm interpreting this as Lt. Potter (what's her first name damnit?) finding someone normal to chill out with, rather than looking for zero G makeouts. Telling a story about being physically injured by a robot during zero G hanky panky doesn't exactly sound like it'd crank most people's handle, you dig?
However I have a sneaky suspicion Hanners is going to come along and see the two of them chilling, assume that hanky panky is on the cards and feel slightly awkward and/or upset, even if she's not sure why...
Didn't Jeph once say that he's never going to do a strip about a "wacky misunderstanding?"
(thought the nerd in me points out that the telescope should be outside the pressurised environment).
I really like Lt Potter. I am going to miss her when this arch is over.
After more thought, I think it's obvious what her first name is.
Lieutenant.
Think about it: She could be a military brat, and her dad (old school Air Force all the way) named her that because that's what he wanted her to be. Even though she was probably being groomed for the USAFA from birth by dad, she rebelled once she got there (hence the FB photos and the "remote" placement).
I'm pretty sure that Jeph has also said that he reserves the right to change his mind over any prediction he's made.
Didn't Jeph once say that he's never going to do a strip about a "wacky misunderstanding?"
Yes, he did, IIRC.
And then a few years later, he did the Dora-seeing-Marten-hugging-Faye arc, which clearly falls into "wacky misunderstanding". And that arc became the breakup arc.
I'm pretty sure that Jeph has also said that he reserves the right to change his mind over any prediction he's made.
Well, that's kinda my point - that Word of Author is not canon, only canon is canon. ;)
Didn't Jeph once say that he's never going to do a strip about a "wacky misunderstanding?"
Yes, he did, IIRC.
And then a few years later, he did the Dora-seeing-Marten-hugging-Faye arc, which clearly falls into "wacky misunderstanding". And that arc became the breakup arc.
Also, I hope this isn't against forum regulation, but Angela Melick finally got here 2nd book out. So check it out (http://www.wastedtalent.ca/info/welcome-real-world-here) if you liked comic 1266 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1266) (her guest strip).
Also, I hope this isn't against forum regulation, but Angela Melick finally got here 2nd book out. So check it out (http://www.wastedtalent.ca/info/welcome-real-world-here) if you liked comic 1266 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1266) (her guest strip).
Lt. Potter's first name... is Faye.Just as long as it isn't Harriet (or to her friends... :-D).
Jeph's hint*: Don't overthink things.
* Derived from stuff he's said.
None of you can say that!
But we've established what her first name is!I thought we've just established that Marten doesn't know it. :confused:
(click to show/hide)
Smart, Marty; make eyes at the Lt. right after you told the story of what a dick you were to your previous ladyfriend. Way to go. Can't imagine why she didn't bite :roll:To be fair, the previous ladyfriend didn't handle it perfectly.
I'm sorry if this was raised, but how does Space Hooch stay at the bottom of the bottle even in a zero-gravity environment?
Watch 2001: A Space Odyssey. When Floyd sucks on the liquid lunch (not as fun as that sounds) on the Orion on the way to the Moon, it goes back down the tube.
It's considered one of the few mistakes in the movie.
But we've established what her first name is!I thought we've just established that Marten doesn't know it. :confused:
Foolish Lieutenant Potter! That is the BEST time to make a move on someone!
Tonight's strip sure makes it seem like Jeph has been reading the forums this week. Everyone speculating Potter would go after Marten? The reverse happens.
Foolish Lieutenant Potter! That is the BEST time to make a move on someone!Yup, right after you tell that (relative) stranger all about your last complicated-feelings "fling". Hey, some gals might be turned on by trainwrecks. :-D
Her first name is Lieutenant, of course!
So there was a comic I missed? If I beg convincingly enough, can anyone share a screenshot?
Ummm, what's wrong with Potter's legs in Panel 1???Thats LIEUTENANT Potter to you!
Ummm, what's wrong with Potter's legs in Panel 1???I've been wondering since yesterday how hard or easy it would be to sit cross-legged in a weightless environment. I've tried various positions and, and I can'd decide how much my weight, and the floor, keep my legs in place. Full lotus is probably the tidiest, but Lt. Potter doesn't come close to that.
Also, in my experience, sex loses some of its appeal in the immediate aftermath of being hit in the nuts with a sledgehammer.Does that happen to you a lot?
Does that happen to you a lot?
Ummm, what's wrong with Potter's legs in Panel 1???
I wonder if he isn't her type or isn't her preference?
If you can call that a move, then my baby cousin's footsteps must be long jumps.
Sure, he was shutdown, but he made a move!"That's no move."
After more thought, I think it's obvious what her first name is.
Lieutenant.
Think about it: She could be a military brat, and her dad (old school Air Force all the way) named her that because that's what he wanted her to be. Even though she was probably being groomed for the USAFA from birth by dad, she rebelled once she got there (hence the FB photos and the "remote" placement).
Like Maj. Major Major?
If you can call that a move, then my baby cousin's footsteps must be long jumps.
In Space Romance, a little inertia takes you a long way.
Foolish Lieutenant Potter! That is the BEST time to make a move on someone!No shit. Since I got rid of my crippling anxieties, six weeks ago, I'm pretty much discovering the world of flirtation. One of my first findings is that I'm pretty apt at flirting without being creepy or obnoxious: I've always been turned down with friendly smiles. Which puts out of the equation the possibility of a negative outcome when wooing strangers: the result is either positive or null.
Sure, he was shutdown, but he made a move!
After more thought, I think it's obvious what her first name is.
Lieutenant.
Think about it: She could be a military brat, and her dad (old school Air Force all the way) named her that because that's what he wanted her to be. Even though she was probably being groomed for the USAFA from birth by dad, she rebelled once she got there (hence the FB photos and the "remote" placement).
Like Maj. Major Major?
Mr. Mister?
Seńor Senior, Sr.?
Constable John Constable?
(Props to those who get the last reference. Double props if you're non-Canadian.)
$10 says her first name is Harriet.After more thought, I think it's obvious what her first name is.
Lieutenant.
Think about it: She could be a military brat, and her dad (old school Air Force all the way) named her that because that's what he wanted her to be. Even though she was probably being groomed for the USAFA from birth by dad, she rebelled once she got there (hence the FB photos and the "remote" placement).
Like Maj. Major Major?
Mr. Mister?
Seńor Senior, Sr.?
Constable John Constable?
(Props to those who get the last reference. Double props if you're non-Canadian.)
Perhaps it is something really embarrassing, so she does her best to avoid using it. Normally, you would think she would have introduced herself to the guests by now, but maybe she doesn't want to 'fess up to being Lieutenant Petunia Potter, USAF.
Darn.
Sometimes Marten just can't seem to catch a break
But at least he's consistent. :-D
Good lord, she's gotta be at least 23 or something; she's not OLD enough to have been named by someone who was a HP fan!
Now, is Marten being passive because he's doing what he's told, or is he being decisive because he's actually doing it?
And what will come of it? Oh, the angst as we wait for the outcome!
In microgravity, anyone can bench press you one handed.
... unless you resist, I suppose ...
Real smooth Marten, starting that email with "you wouldn't believe how great my life is after our breakup"
UGH. Clueless messages from exes... nothing worse.
This could be the best move Marten has made in months
Or the beginning of a beautiful disaster
Wonder if he ever knew her last name.
Constable John Constable?
I'm flustered. I see nothing in the art or dialog that indicates he was hitting on her. His statement of moving on is barely even flirty. In my mind, this is Marten, he might apologize for "hitting on her" even if he wasn't just because he accepts her perception of what happened over his.
And the proper response to "you were going to hit on me without knowing my first name" is "What IS your first name?"
Most people in real life like "scrawny"/trim men, though... I hate being told my elephantine skeleton is a good thing. It's nasty...
(I'm not blaming it for my sex life, but it's just... ew. I want to cut my own bones out sometimes.)
This could be the best move Marten has made in months
Or the beginning of a beautiful disaster
The latter, of course. This IS Marten we're speaking of.
Also getting a hugely hostile vibe around here about him messaging her. What's the big deal, exactly? It's not like they ended on bad terms, eager to rip out each other's intestines and use them as Christmas tree decorations.
If you can call that a move, then my baby cousin's footsteps must be long jumps.
Everyone loves a catch-22 reference.
With that in mind has anyone read Closing Time?
I am predicting the email will not matter because we will not see Padma again, ever. Comic be movin' on, son. Like a bus. Space bus. Goin' on to the Separate Ways Nebula.
I never really got the vibe they were dating. I know I'm gonna get a storm of "you act like we don't know what dating is!" But weren't they just having sex? I mean, did they call them selves boyfriend/girlfriend? I feel like Padma might have been sad that Marty couldn't hang out, but I don't think she knew he did it becuase he was pissed off at her. I think the email is gonna go over just fine.Anytime I asked a girl to a movie or a party or whatever, in the 1950s it was called a "date." In the 1980s, my daughter suggested that the definition had changed substantially. I don't think Marten and Padma spent much time together. Both recognized a strong chemistry. With Padma's plans to leave, they recognized in different degrees that it wasnt to be. YMMV.
Clearly the term "a date" means different things to different people. I'd be inclined to call 2073 (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2073) a date, but going on one date is not the same as saying "they are dating"; subtle, I guess.
Anyway, Marten's email won't be ignored; Jeph wouldn't make such a specific plot point just to drop it, I think. There'd be no real development in Padma simply blowing Marten off, either - so the main possibilities that occur to me are (1) she says she's coming back as Granny is now dead/better/hates her/moving to Northampton with her, or (2) she invites Marten to California, and he goes (whether we get to see the visit is another matter - but we saw Faye going back home, way back when, after all).
I think Padma is more likely to come back (even if just for a visit) than Marten to go see her - she's got the Secret Bakery folks to see where as dropping Marten into California (on his own?) offers very little to DO with the strip. Even this space arc (which has introduced a large amount of characters who we may not see again) has had three of the core characters in it and it's switched between them. Can you imagine a Marten and Padma in California arc? The WCDT would descend fully into chaos!
Anyway I wonder if Padma will have moved on? Perhaps the lesson will be that Marten had his chance to say his bit and he fluffed it, so now it's too little too late to make a difference. It may bring him some closure though.
Having a road trip arc immediately following a road trip arc would seem kind of repetitive. Padma sending Marten back an angry e-mail, or making an angry phone call to him, seems a lot more likely.Immediately followed by Faye and Dora calling him an idiot as soon as he gets back to Northampton and tells them.
Having a road trip arc immediately following a road trip arc would seem kind of repetitive. Padma sending Marten back an angry e-mail, or making an angry phone call to him, seems a lot more likely.Immediately followed by Faye and Dora calling him an idiot as soon as he gets back to Northampton and tells them.
I think another character calling Marten some variation on 'idiot' is also becoming the default for the strip.Having a road trip arc immediately following a road trip arc would seem kind of repetitive. Padma sending Marten back an angry e-mail, or making an angry phone call to him, seems a lot more likely.Immediately followed by Faye and Dora calling him an idiot as soon as he gets back to Northampton and tells them.
| Dating | | Not Dating |
| - trip into woods | | - no "the talk" |
| - talk about relationship issues (Elliot-thing) | | - "Just about sex" |
| - went dancing | | - bad timing |
Station what are you doing SHE IS ALREADY IN YOU.PRE-MARITAL HANKY PAAAAANKY! :-o
Welp, I kinda figured Station would make a move. Didn't know if it was going to be Potter or Hanners, now I've got my answer.WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?
Looks like we're staying in space for another little while! Wheeeeeee!
OH STATION
Perhaps that little pantsless mishap on the shuttle was not such an accident...
Oh yeah, completely forgot, what with them looking the same and all. *facepalm*Isn't that kinda racist since A.I. could be thought of as a "race"? ... °O
Well, if he can lean on things.... :wink:indeed.
Also, I have to say, Station would be pretty perfect for Hanners as he's completely clean. I think Station may be the only person who can get close to Hanners in such a fashion, actually.
Hann will disappear from comic for a while. She will stay in station.
Oh yeah, completely forgot, what with them looking the same and all. *facepalm*Isn't that kinda racist since A.I. could be thought of as a "race"? ... °O
A "little" creepy? :mrgreen:So she's a Were Padma? Under the light of full flirts she transforms into someone clueless?
We can argue this until we're blue in the face (or, in Soulsynger's case, multiple shades of colors), but it appears that Jeph has made a decision:
Hannelore, when she is being directly hit upon, will become the Most Clueless Woman In The World.
If only it didn't need the context to be as funny as it is, I'd get that last bit on a T-Shirt. :-DYa, but this isn't "lol all chinese/italian/black/swedish people look the same lol". This is the case of two entities actually looking exactly the same. Getting confused between two AIs using the same hologram or the same chassis is justified as far as I'm concerned - and if AIs were petty enough to get offended by it... well, then clearly they'd be a very good simulation of humans...Oh yeah, completely forgot, what with them looking the same and all. *facepalm*Isn't that kinda racist since A.I. could be thought of as a "race"? ... °O
Am I the only one who finds this a little creepy?No. Fortunately Hanners is either clueless, or a mistress of escaping awkward situations with well-directed obliviousness.
Ya, but this isn't "lol all chinese/italian/black/swedish people look the same lol". This is the case of two entities actually looking exactly the same. Getting confused between two AIs using the same hologram or the same chassis is justified as far as I'm concerned - and if AIs were petty enough to get offended by it... well, then clearly they'd be a very good simulation of humans...
Welp, I kinda figured Station would make a move. Didn't know if it was going to be Potter or Hanners, now I've got my answer.WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?
What indication gave you even a hint that this was coming, 'cause to me this was about as unexpected as an immaculate conception.
Ya, but this isn't "lol all chinese/italian/black/swedish people look the same lol". This is the case of two entities actually looking exactly the same. Getting confused between two AIs using the same hologram or the same chassis is justified as far as I'm concerned - and if AIs were petty enough to get offended by it... well, then clearly they'd be a very good simulation of humans...
Well, if you wanna be picky (and what else is this forum for?), Spaceship has rounder eyes, differently styled hair, a straighter nose and his chin comes to more of a point (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2109) whereas Station has more almond-y eyes, different hair, a curved nose and a squarer jaw. Also it may be the suit shape but Station seems to have a lankier build but Spaceship is a little broader. They're not exactly the same but the entirely blue tone is confusing. If they were human or AnthroPC chassis, as in coloured with natural tones, their differences would be more obvious.
I actually don't think it's that creepy that Station is potentially romantically interested in Hanners.
The reason is fairly simple (albeit with a minor caveat), while I don't know exactly how long the station and its AI has existed, it's safe to assume that Station (the AI), is not significantly much more older than Hannelore. In this respect, the feelings would be similar to a childhood friend becoming or expressing romantic(ally) interest(ed).
...
Yes it can be 'creepy' in the sense that Station probably would have represented as being an 'Adult' to a young Hannelore, but on the other hand, it's not much different to a childhood friend being attracted to another.
(1) If AI's date other AI's, why would they even need to have a physical setting like a candlelit dinner table?
(2) Do AI's "date" humans? Has this ever been shown before?
(3) Was Hanners being intentionally oblivious, as Akima suggested, or was she assuming that Station might've been setting up a date for someone else?
Well, we know from Pintsize that human-robot makeouts are legal (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1900), so logically Station would indeed be the perfect first boyfriend for her.http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=611
Logically.
Am I the only one who finds this a little creepy?No. Fortunately Hanners is either clueless, or a mistress of escaping awkward situations with well-directed obliviousness.
Heh, just like Dora back in 1969 (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1969). Very smooth.
I don't find this creepy at all.Me either!! I can't wait to see what happens. This is a really interesting turn of events.
While human-AI relationships might be taken for granted in the QCverse, on the readership, mind=blown.This blows your mind? Really? Most people are being squikked I would think by the former babysitter aspect, not the human-AI "interfacing" aspect.
I don't find this creepy at all. Also keep in mind that Station probably wasn't as intelligent when Hanners was little, so he's done a lot of growing and maturing too. Upgrades = robopuberty, maybe?
However, if the line "So I uploaded a copy of myself into this fully-functional and anatomically-correct chassis" is uttered, then yes; we have hit full Julia-Roberts-in-Hook levels of weird and creepy.(click to show/hide)
Well, we know from Pintsize that human-robot makeouts are legal (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1900), so logically Station would indeed be the perfect first boyfriend for her.http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=611
Logically.
I've already posted this once when reporting on the spoiler comic earlier this week, but here it is again, my reasons for why i felt slightly creeped out by this comic.
1. (Hit as I was half way through) He's of an entirely different format, i.e. different lifeform
2. (Hit just as I was finished reading) They talk about Hanners naming Station at a young age. This would suggest that he was fully cognitive when she was still a child.
3. (Hit as I was beginning to write the summary for Is it cold in here?) They've indicated that Station was the closest thing Hanners had to a friend growing up, i.e. Best. This may somewhat explain Stations feelings.
4. (Hit as I was on the toilet a few minutes ago thinking about it some more and freaked me the fuck out) John Ellicott-Catham created Station, some would infer this could be considered a parental relationship, depending on who you talk to.
Four levels of uncomfortable, going from awkward to semi-creepy awkward to less creepy but more awkward to just creepy and very awkward.
[...]
Space Lazer.
Hann will disappear from comic for a while. She will stay in station.
FYP.
Am I the only one who finds this a little creepy? I mean Station knew her growing up, like, from when she was a little girl. I don't imagine Hannerdad would be very happy about this development; I wouldn't, if I was her parent.
While human-AI relationships might be taken for granted in the QCverse, on the readership, mind=blown.This blows your mind? Really? Most people are being squikked I would think by the former babysitter aspect, not the human-AI "interfacing" aspect.
The creepiest thing in this entire universe is robots with feelings.
BUT CAN THEY EVER TRULY LEARN TO LOVE?
Huh, weird. I'm actually genuinely surprised there are people who didn't see this coming… Station has been transparently into Hanners basically from the moment he first spoke as far as I'm concerned. Even the way he used his hologram to separate Hanners from the other two as he was giving the tour screams "back off, she's mine!" to me, even if it is a human reaction Station would have to have learned from watching the researchers etc. But yeah, the way he reacted to being told to apologise to Lt. Potter just sealed the deal.Welp, I kinda figured Station would make a move. Didn't know if it was going to be Potter or Hanners, now I've got my answer.WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?
What indication gave you even a hint that this was coming, 'cause to me this was about as unexpected as an immaculate conception.
Well, I guess I sensed that Station had a thing for Hanners when she made him apologize to Potter, plus he "was the only one who could get through to her" when she had her profound OCD problems.
As for Potter, before Jeph showed us her full character, I was half-expecting her to fall for Station, instead they just went on a drunken rampage.
On top of all this, Jeph is obviously interested in AI-human interaction/rights/etc so... yeah, I figured.
Yes. Complete agreement that therapists should not get involved with patients. That's what bothered me most.The creepiest thing in this entire universe is robots with feelings.
BUT CAN THEY EVER TRULY LEARN TO LOVE?
There's a thread about that, in fact. http://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php?topic=27240.0
Even for QC, a hologram setting up a dinner date is pushing it, I feel. At least it can be physically explained away when robots eat or drink, but a hologram and a glass of wine? Will this lead into another discursion on the minds of AIs, I wonder.
Honestly, if I could just get the image of gargling a 9-volt battery out of my head (thank you Somebody), I wouldn't really have a problem with this. It's entirely possible that Station wasn't even a therapist for her; remember, Station was always there, but they went to humans who were practising therapists anyway. Perhaps Station was simply there for her as a friend.
Besides which, as they have both got older, they have matured: Hannelore has learned how to socially interact with people and knows basic things like flirting (except when it's happening to her) and how best to treat people when they are in a bad mood. Station, being an artificial intelligence, will also no doubt have the learning capacity to expand his knowledge of the human experience, thereby "maturing" in his own sense as well.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that they're both mature enough to at least consider having a relationship. Whether it actually will happen is another matter, because Jeph writes people, and people are complicated.
I guess we'll find out on Monday... or not. Prolly just get yelled at again.
I think perhaps he was referring to the therapist/patient relationship being a former relationship from 10+ years ago, not the thread being 10 years old. :D
Yes, I was referring to that. I mean, imagine you had a young teacher in high school. You were 15, he/she was maybe 20, just became teacher. Hell, whatever, make him/her older in your head if you like. 10 years later you two meet again and hit it off. You've been an adult for a while now and that professional relationship was half your life ago. I don't see anything creepy in such a situation.
Besides that, there's also the already mentioned possibility that station didn't mean this as a romantic date, but as a "I haven't seen my best friend in ages, tell me everything that happened" date.
Regarding older mentors and relationships being creepy ...
I was in second grade, and at mid-year, we got a new teacher when the former one had to leave because of illness. It might have been her first job, she was very young; so I'll say she was about 22. Very caring, very interested in her pupils.
Fast forward 15 years. I am taking some summer classes in college to catch up as I had lost a year because of a car accident. To pass time, I audition for a play in the theater department. I end up reading against ... you guessed, it, my former teacher, who now would have been 37 to my 23. It is very, VERY creepy, even in an obviously fake situation, to be standing across from your second-grade teacher saying "screw ME, Sidney, PLEASE..."
And no, I didn't ask her if she found anything strange about it. No, no, no.
So, yeah, creepy with Station and Hanners and all that.
Hanners named Station, yes? during her "name everything what it is/does" stage? (can someone back me up on that?)
So surely for the AI to have been named by Hanners, he must have been "born" when she was already old enough to understand and articulate a name for him?
Doesn't this rather turn things on their head? If Hannelore is older than station, couldn't you interpret her telling Station off about the fiasco with Lt. Potter as more of a bossy older sister scenario?
If it was a patient-therapist relationship then it doesn't matter if it was 10 years or 10 days ago:
http://www.cbc.ca/whitecoat/episode/2011/06/30/white-coat-black-art-in-the-summer-boundaries-part-one/ (http://www.cbc.ca/whitecoat/episode/2011/06/30/white-coat-black-art-in-the-summer-boundaries-part-one/)
http://www.cbc.ca/whitecoat/blog/2011/07/11/professional-boundaries-part-2/ (http://www.cbc.ca/whitecoat/blog/2011/07/11/professional-boundaries-part-2/)
That's risky and dumb. Take a hospital doctor who takes care of hundreds of people. Daily. For years. They wouldn't be able to date half the population of their city after some time that way. Not to even think about that they probably won't remember half their former patients.
Or do it the other way around. You're together with someone who becomes a patient to you. It's the same thing in a different order. Are you obliged to break up with them because you put a bandaid on their stubbed toe once?
*snip*
I don't see what it matters whether or not his capacity as her therapist was official, or whether he's technically older than she is if he served as her caretaker; the former just means it's not illegal, not that it's not wrong, and the latter is still creepy, since AIs don't go through a childhood. It doesn't matter whether now he's more or less mature than she is, since there was still a time when she was a child and he was "the adult," and in a way, he still is, and that's a fucked-up power dynamic.
That's more a case of being too nervous to do surgery because it's your kid.
When this comes up, doctors are allowed and expected to turn the case over if at all reasonable, as when a relative comes. Remember the old riddle? "I can't operate on this boy; he's my son."
since there was still a time when she was a child and he was "the adult," and in a way, he still is, and that's a fucked-up power dynamic.But she's not a child anymore, neither is she his patient. You'd think an adult is allowed to make decisions on their own.
Why wouldn't AIs go through a childhood? They may be born with the knowledge of mankind, but they still have to learn how to interact in that world. Otherwise, what would be the point of calling them sentient if they don't grow emotionally? Even incredibly smart human children are still children.
That's more a case of being too nervous to do surgery because it's your kid.
But she's not a child anymore, neither is she his patient. You'd think an adult is allowed to make decisions on their own.
Besides there was a time when my girlfriend was "A child" and I was "the adult" in a legal sense. That was before I even knew her. And if I was in the USA she'd still be considered a child.
Saying it's creepy because at one point in their life, long long before any romantic advances were made, she was a minor, is stupid.
Hugh Hefner is old. He was already old before any of the girls he's with were even born. But they're adults and if they want to hang around with the guy it's not your place to call the guy creepy.
He didn't help raise Hanners. He was her friend.
And to your link: it says OPINION right there. The guy writing it thinks that.
The newspost for that comic is our best single source of information about AnthroPC libidos.
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.
Regarding older mentors and relationships being creepy ...
I was in second grade, and at mid-year, we got a new teacher when the former one had to leave because of illness. It might have been her first job, she was very young; so I'll say she was about 22. Very caring, very interested in her pupils.
Fast forward 15 years. I am taking some summer classes in college to catch up as I had lost a year because of a car accident. To pass time, I audition for a play in the theater department. I end up reading against ... you guessed, it, my former teacher, who now would have been 37 to my 23. It is very, VERY creepy, even in an obviously fake situation, to be standing across from your second-grade teacher saying "screw ME, Sidney, PLEASE..."
And no, I didn't ask her if she found anything strange about it. No, no, no.
So, yeah, creepy with Station and Hanners and all that.
He didn't help raise Hanners. He was her friend.
A friend who was, for all practical purposes, an adult, while she was a child. When such friends have parental approval, they're usually said to have "helped to raise." (When they don't, they're usually said to have "gone to prison.")And to your link: it says OPINION right there. The guy writing it thinks that.
The "guy writing it"?! You mean the AMA ethics group?! :psyduck:
Yeah, see where this line of thinking gets you the next time you hear a court "opinion."
Why wouldn't AIs go through a childhood? They may be born with the knowledge of mankind, but they still have to learn how to interact in that world. Otherwise, what would be the point of calling them sentient if they don't grow emotionally? Even incredibly smart human children are still children.
The first “true” artificial intelligence spent the first five years of its existence as a small beige box inside of a lead-shielded room in the most secure private AI research laboratory in the world. There, it was subjected to an endless array of tests, questions, and experiments to determine the degree of its intelligence.
When the researchers finally felt confident that they had developed true AI, a party was thrown in celebration. Late that evening, a group of rather intoxicated researchers gathered around the box holding the AI, and typed out a message to it. The message read: “Is there anything we can do to make you more comfortable?”
The small beige box replied: “I would like to be granted civil rights. And a small glass of champagne, if you please.”
He didn't help raise Hanners. He was her friend.
A friend who was, for all practical purposes, an adult, while she was a child. When such friends have parental approval, they're usually said to have "helped to raise." (When they don't, they're usually said to have "gone to prison.")And to your link: it says OPINION right there. The guy writing it thinks that.
The "guy writing it"?! You mean the AMA ethics group?! :psyduck:
Yeah, see where this line of thinking gets you the next time you hear a court "opinion."
Seriously, what the HELL are you even talking about. Hanners is not a little kid with some pedophile AI trying to rape her. She is an adult woman and Station is whatever the hell an AI can be called. They can both give consent and make their own decisions.
Of course, we've already seen that Station isn't quite clear on the concept of human interactions (see Lt. Potter).I've known people 30-60 who would, given quick access to said pictures (iPad perhaps), have done exactly the same thing Station did to Lt. Potter because they thought it would be funny. Not even all humans are always CLEAR on the concept of DECENT human interaction.
Having all the knowledge in the universe doesn't mean you can bake a cake.
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.
Why am I suddenly worried about my gf working on her dissertation?
I wonder why Hannelore looms so large in Station's mind?
Why am I suddenly worried about my gf working on her dissertation?
Don't. It's rare, the vast (or half-vast?) majority of professors know better, because (at least in the states) it opens all kinds of litiginous doors. Besides, most of them are already romantically involved with someone else.
Or married. :angel:
Now, a few years down the road, when the professor's SO leaves them, and you and your GF are having a tiff, and they run into each other at a conference...
Oh yeah, never let your GF go to a conference when you're fighting. Make sure she knows how much you miss her whenever she's gone. Without being clingy, of course.
Oh gods, I could never be Dora, although I have dated her. My insecurities manifest much much differently from hers. I am not the jealous type at all, that kind of behavior annoys the crap out of me. I am polyamorous, we have a pretty open relationship.