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Comic Discussion => QUESTIONABLE CONTENT => Topic started by: BenRG on 27 Mar 2016, 15:11

Title: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 27 Mar 2016, 15:11
I tried to be outlandish here because, if there is one thing I know about Jeph, he has a bizarre sense of humour sometimes.

Seriously, I'm hoping that we'll get back to Faye and Bubbles with Bubble's growing realisation that maybe Corpse Witch is not giving her room, board and a job out of the goodness of her synthetic heart and certainly has little care for the good of her performers. If Jeph does that, I'm hoping that he does so by multiple acts of CW villainy with Bubbles going 'Hmmm...' in the background, just to keep the theme going.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Tova on 27 Mar 2016, 15:56
I think it would be amusing to have a series of panels where various QC characters actually do stare right down the camera lens and tell their audience just what they think of us.  :-D
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Zebediah on 27 Mar 2016, 15:58
On April 1 the human characters will be robots and the robot characters will be human. Nobody in-comic will comment on it.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: DSL on 27 Mar 2016, 16:02
I think it would be amusing to have a series of panels where various QC characters actually do stare right down the camera lens and tell their audience just what they think of us.  :-D
Readership in general or just the forumoids? Opinion(s) might vary widely.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Tova on 27 Mar 2016, 16:26
In general, not just the forumoids. As glimpsed via the various forms of feedback he sees.

Yes, I imagine opinion would vary widely. As it does.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: mustang6172 on 27 Mar 2016, 18:20
I think it would be amusing to have a series of panels where various QC characters actually do stare right down the camera lens and tell their audience just what they think of us.  :-D

I often wonder if House of Cards will trigger a comeback for the soliloquy.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: chaospersonified on 27 Mar 2016, 20:38
And Hanners has a new counting job
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Method of Madness on 27 Mar 2016, 20:46
I think it would be amusing to have a series of panels where various QC characters actually do stare right down the camera lens and tell their audience just what they think of us.  :-D

I often wonder if House of Cards will trigger a comeback for the soliloquy.
I hope so!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 27 Mar 2016, 20:58
Ugh, I've been in Dora's position. Not with a coffee roaster, but having to train people who take instructions too literally.
Not fun in the slightest.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: jheartney on 27 Mar 2016, 21:02
Is that insulation hanging from the ceiling over the roaster? If there were cobwebs in the same room, wouldn't that suggest flying insects in the vicinity? How does Dora know that critters don't fly down into the hopper?

Don't think I'd want to get a latte at Coffee of Doom. BTW, Hanners, the beans are probably fine, but I'd question the roasting operation.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: hedgie on 27 Mar 2016, 21:18
Ugh, I've been in Dora's position. Not with a coffee roaster, but having to train people who take instructions too literally.
Not fun in the slightest.

I wouldn't say that Hanners takes everything literally, it's just that one of the manifestations of her OCD is compulsive counting.  She had previously been using her compulsion in order to make money, but outside of drumming, I don't know how much counting she is doing.  If she has been avoiding it, this may prove to be a bit of a difficulty.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 27 Mar 2016, 22:15
We know there were spiders in the basement at one point. I can't find the strip off hand, but it involved Sam being wigged out by them and Hannelore checking her orbital bombardment app.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Somebody on 27 Mar 2016, 23:06
...wait, wasn't Dora meant to do this months ago QC-time?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Welu on 27 Mar 2016, 23:10
Is that insulation hanging from the ceiling over the roaster?

I'd like to know that as well.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 27 Mar 2016, 23:15
Poor Hanners! I suspect that the most difficult thing about this is going to be learning to trust that others will do their jobs reasonably well, especially in the field of food hygiene. The problem? IRL, it is reasonable to have your doubts!

...wait, wasn't Dora meant to do this months ago QC-time?

Yes and this is Dora with her issues with letting go of areas where she normally has total control! She's probably had sleepless nights and interminable debates with Tai and herself about whether she's emotionally ready for this step.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: hedgie on 27 Mar 2016, 23:22
It just took that long for Dora to clear out the Spider Zone (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2467)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 27 Mar 2016, 23:31
That's the one! And the one after it too.

Thank you!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Pilchard123 on 28 Mar 2016, 04:24
It just took that long for Dora to clear out the Spider Zone (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2467)

Uh... would you say she'd be clearing out a zone of spiders?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Case on 28 Mar 2016, 04:56
OK, imagine Hanners trying to get a PPL-C for gliding planes.

This involves pre-flight visual checks of all the movable surfaces, checking the bolts that hold the wings together, etc.etc. ...
... and in some clubs (like mine), all members are also responsible for the seasonal maintenance ...

Yes, like THAT.

That was one of the reason I never made the PPL-C - I had endless obsessive 'loops' about being responsible for injuries, or deaths, because I had overlooked the one stress-fracture that nobody else saw.

The compulsive rituals that the Disorder forces us to perform are, admittedly, sometimes hilarious in retrospect - but trust me, it doesn't feel like fun at all for the one experiencing it. It feels horrifying, humiliating and degrading to feel like a freak and to get "that look" again, and again and again ...
(and I didn't even start on the whispers and sniggering ... and the social isolation ...)


EDIT:
Ugh, I've been in Dora's position. Not with a coffee roaster, but having to train people who take instructions too literally.
Not fun in the slightest.

I wouldn't say that Hanners takes everything literally, it's just that one of the manifestations of her OCD is compulsive counting.  She had previously been using her compulsion in order to make money, but outside of drumming, I don't know how much counting she is doing.  If she has been avoiding it, this may prove to be a bit of a difficulty.

I never had the "compulsive counting"-ritual, but the "compulsive checking" - Yup, BigTime. And nope, No Fun At All.
Though I consider myself "largely symptom-free" due to years of therapy (and SNRI), it's still hard for me to "finish shit/stop the checking". I merely don't experience the acute "Brain-lock" (http://www.amazon.de/Brain-Lock-Yourself-Obsessive-Compulsive-Behavior/dp/0060987111#reader_0060987111) anymore, and the four-steps are close to 2nd nature these days. Still, old habits die hard ... even if the reason for the maladaptive coping is all but gone.

Trouble is: In my job, precision and meticulousness is really part of the job-description - and contrary to what some colleagues say about me, I do make mistakes ...  :-\
 
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: oeoek on 28 Mar 2016, 05:06
Does Hanners have a twin-brother we don't know about yet?


Old Dutch commercial about salted peanuts, sadly in Dutch and without subtitles.
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Akima on 28 Mar 2016, 06:00
Is that insulation hanging from the ceiling over the roaster?
I wondered what that pink stuff was too. I also wonder what a fucked-up coffee bean looks like. I had to google to find out what unroasted beans even look like; I really have no idea about roasting coffee. I was impressed to see, when I googled, that Jeph's drawing of the roasting machine seems pretty accurate.

Poor Hanners. Welcome to the "industrial" side of the coffee-shop business.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Case on 28 Mar 2016, 06:12
Does Hanners have a twin-brother we don't know about yet?
...
Old Dutch commercial about salted peanuts, sadly in Dutch and without subtitles.
(click to show/hide)

This is one of the OCD-jokes I can laugh about - en pindar zijn niet 'lekker', maar en verslaving - but ... look, not to make this a Tumblr-meltdown, but it IS kind of frustrating to see again and again how 'normal' people think they understand OCD because they experience (o)bsession and (c)ompulsion, too.
'They' do not understand - because they forget about 'the D'.
Makes all the difference ...

(Please don't consider this a critique - merely a 'reminder' of sorts ...)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 28 Mar 2016, 06:14
I will refrain from asking Google to show me "fucked up coffee beans".
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: USS Martenclaire on 28 Mar 2016, 06:35
I suspect Hanners has bean in a similar situation before...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: cesium133 on 28 Mar 2016, 06:39
You're grounded for that pun.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: comicalArchitect on 28 Mar 2016, 07:24
On April 1 the human characters will be robots and the robot characters will be human. Nobody in-comic will comment on it.

So Pintsize would just be a really short guy?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 28 Mar 2016, 08:19
(http://www.filmaluation.com/uploads/5/5/8/4/5584262/8642599_orig.jpg)
'Nuff said
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Roborat on 28 Mar 2016, 11:48
Is that insulation hanging from the ceiling over the roaster?

I'd like to know that as well.

I was wondering as well. Insulation makes sense, and would be a natural nesting place for spiders and anything else, resulting in them dropping onto people below, as well as into the grinding machine.   Maybe that's where the flovour comes from.  Based on the colour, I thought is was Choo-Choo going rogue.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Tova on 28 Mar 2016, 13:14
I figured that googling "bad coffee beans" would be safer.

https://legacy.sweetmarias.com/look.at.green.php
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Kugai on 28 Mar 2016, 13:26
I get the distinct feeling that Hanners is not yet ready for this stage of her training Master Dora.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: DrBear on 28 Mar 2016, 19:05
Hannelore’s big fear in the basement (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZw7lWd1btQ)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: mustang6172 on 28 Mar 2016, 19:35
I will refrain from asking Google to show me "fucked up coffee beans".

First image result.
(http://www.theferrett.com/pictures/mindfuck_coffee_beans.jpg)

I'm going to assume Dora's inspection is primarily to ensure no pebbles were mixed in with the beans by mistake.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 28 Mar 2016, 19:58
Ugh, I've been in Dora's position. Not with a coffee roaster, but having to train people who take instructions too literally.
Not fun in the slightest.

I wouldn't say that Hanners takes everything literally, it's just that one of the manifestations of her OCD is compulsive counting.  She had previously been using her compulsion in order to make money, but outside of drumming, I don't know how much counting she is doing.  If she has been avoiding it, this may prove to be a bit of a difficulty.
I was referring more to people I had worked with before than Hanners taking things literally.
Quick story - About three years, I was supervisor in a Chamber of Commerce/Tourism office, where I was in charge of training staff and supervising students from the Erasmus program. One student we had, had quite a difficult time comprehending instructions and it wasn't to do with the fact that he was Italian and English wasn't his first language, another Italian student we had had flawless English and she was able to translate. So it was about this time of the year when we were preparing for the Tourism season to start up again and we were doing a stock take and preparing new stock. I had to go to a meeting with my boss, and there was only an hour or so left in the day, so I told the student that if he could make note and count up the cards in stock and on the shelves and then put out some shirts and he could head off.

Now, by cards, I meant we had about 30 different types in stock, about a dozen on the shelves with the rest being new ones that had been sent to us by Bord Failte. All I wanted was for him to note how many were out and what could be brought out.

That should have taken him less than 10 minutes.

I came back from the meeting and found him counting the cards...individually. He was at around the 900 mark.

I just told him to go home and come in late the next day.

That isn't even the worst story I have from that job.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: celticgeek on 28 Mar 2016, 20:29
Hannelore may have to consult Emily, just get a feel for the inexactness of the science of coffee bean roasting.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: chaospersonified on 28 Mar 2016, 20:35
Soothing colors are indeed helpful in certain stressful times.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: MrNumbers on 28 Mar 2016, 23:09
It's okay, Hanners, bean roasting is just a form of cooking. You like cooking.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 28 Mar 2016, 23:15
Yes, Hanners! You are going to have to develop a feel for the progress of the roasting process and use your best judgement rather than a timer! Quelle horreur!

Seriously, Hannelore is really cute here. However, it's the effort that she's making to come out of her comfort zone that is really impressive here. Quantitative over qualitative very much sums up her mindset, so learning to make such judgements will be very difficult for her.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: chaospersonified on 28 Mar 2016, 23:46
Um, ex-cuse me, Ben, but, uh, the hell is Hanners NOT adorable?

This is, of course, rhetorical, because Hannelore's primary characterization, aside from and partially BECAUSE of, her mental states, is that she's adorable.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: USS Martenclaire on 29 Mar 2016, 00:35
Poor Hanners. This is turning into a real grind for her.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Tova on 29 Mar 2016, 00:43
She should know by now that making espresso is a high pressure job.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: oeoek on 29 Mar 2016, 03:55
I have complete confidence in Hanners turning it into an exact science in no time. People usualy say something is 'not an exact science' when they don't understand or control all the variables in a certain process. Go Hanners!

ps: Dad? Hi. No I'm not pregnant! I just wanted to borrow an GC-MS machine and a small electron microscope for a while... Yes, a SEM is fine, thank you daddy!

pps: If she does not have them already for exacting her cake recipes!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: gopher on 29 Mar 2016, 04:13
While eonjoyin Hanners discomfort something struck me: The complete lack of ambition amongst people in the QC-verse. Outside of Dora, a succesful Businesswoman, the only one who seemed to accomplish anything, Angus, was shipped of to Mandyville. While in my 20s I wasn't surrounded by the most dynamic of people, they mostly had worthwhile goals and were striving towards them. Allowing those still in college a pass, the rest are absolutley pathetic. Fun, adorablem, enetertaining, but pathetic. they will end up in their 40s, still working minimum wage, sharing shitty flats/apartments and not having a clue what happened.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: sitnspin on 29 Mar 2016, 04:26
While eonjoyin Hanners discomfort something struck me: The complete lack of ambition amongst people in the QC-verse. Outside of Dora, a succesful Businesswoman, the only one who seemed to accomplish anything, Angus, was shipped of to Mandyville. While in my 20s I wasn't surrounded by the most dynamic of people, they mostly had worthwhile goals and were striving towards them. Allowing those still in college a pass, the rest are absolutley pathetic. Fun, adorablem, enetertaining, but pathetic. they will end up in their 40s, still working minimum wage, sharing shitty flats/apartments and not having a clue what happened.

If they are happy, does it matter? Not everyone follows the same measure of what success means. To me success is having a life you enjoy with people you like being with. Not all of buy into the bullshit idea that money equals success.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 29 Mar 2016, 04:27
Claire has a strong ambition too - She wants to progress in her chosen vocation (and that can involve rising quite high in academia and even the Federal government).

However, yes, 'post-college rut' was one of the early character themes of Questionable Content. One of the reasons for Faye's angst during her relationship with Angus was her realisation that she found 'comfortable' and stopped. Similarly, Marten found the same thing about himself, only in the area of his personal relationships rather than his career (his dreams and ambitions about which he remains unwilling to put too much effort into). It was his determination to actually take charge of his personal life that led him to taking a risk on a relationship with Claire.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: gopher on 29 Mar 2016, 05:51
, does it matter? Not everyone follows the same measure of what success means. To me success is having a life you enjoy with people you like being with. Not all of buy into the bullshit idea that money equals success.

But most of them aren't particularly happy.
Faye's job is dodgy as hell and her boss sucks.
Marten does not want to be a librarian.
Penelope wants to work in publishing, but is doing nothing about it.
Will is a bar man, but does nothing about being a published poet.
Dunno about Steve, maybe he is still a spy on the QT.

I don't see earning enough cash to get by while working in an unfulfilling job and not doing anythong about getting a fulfilling job as particularly happinees affirming. Surrounded yourself with similar people mey help you get by, but you still are going to wonder what the hell happened when you are 40, in a dead end job, lice in a shared home with nothing, no accomplishments, no family, no job, to show for it.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: MrNumbers on 29 Mar 2016, 06:50
, does it matter? Not everyone follows the same measure of what success means. To me success is having a life you enjoy with people you like being with. Not all of buy into the bullshit idea that money equals success.

But most of them aren't particularly happy.
Faye's job is dodgy as hell and her boss sucks.

Ascribing your own values to the character. Right now it looks like Faye finds her job super cool, mentally and physically rewarding. Other characters have been noting in the short time since how much happier she looks, she doesn't appear to be drinking, and she seems much healthier too.

Quote
Marten does not want to be a librarian.

He's found teaching the interns rewarding, and his time with Claire as well. Right now, Marten's happy but directionless. The latter does not invalidate the former.

Quote
Penelope wants to work in publishing, but is doing nothing about it.

A lit major then. *Self-deprecating rimshot*

Quote
Will is a bar man, but does nothing about being a published poet.

Not for lack of pursuing his goals, but from needing a stable income in the meantime. Otherwise his girlfriend might be mildly miffed at him. Also he gets to work in an environment that respects his aesthetic, and damn if that isn't happiness right there.

Quote
I don't see earning enough cash to get by while working in an unfulfilling job and not doing anythong about getting a fulfilling job as particularly happinees affirming. Surrounded yourself with similar people mey help you get by, but you still are going to wonder what the hell happened when you are 40, in a dead end job, lice in a shared home with nothing, no accomplishments, no family, no job, to show for it.

I think fulfillment is where you find it.

Because they're not forty yet, and while that's a possibility, it's not their reality. They don't see themselves being in the same rut in ten years, even if they'll be in it if they keep going about things the way they are.

Until then, they're doing reasonably well for themselves in the company of people they like while keeping their end objectives at the back of their mind as an everpresent possibility.

And that's better than most of us will ever get.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: sitnspin on 29 Mar 2016, 07:29
, does it matter? Not everyone follows the same measure of what success means. To me success is having a life you enjoy with people you like being with. Not all of buy into the bullshit idea that money equals success.
I don't see earning enough cash to get by while working in an unfulfilling job and not doing anythong about getting a fulfilling job as particularly happinees affirming. Surrounded yourself with similar people mey help you get by, but you still are going to wonder what the hell happened when you are 40, in a dead end job, lice in a shared home with nothing, no accomplishments, no family, no job, to show for it.

Not everyone depends on their job for fulfillment and not everyone wants a family. It really seems like you are projecting your own values and assuming everyone shares them. There are a lot of ways to find fulfillment in life, a job is a pretty weak and, frankly, sad source in my opinion. Fulfillment from strong personal connections and internal contentment are much better sources.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: USS Martenclaire on 29 Mar 2016, 09:16
While eonjoyin Hanners discomfort something struck me: The complete lack of ambition amongst people in the QC-verse. Outside of Dora, a succesful Businesswoman, the only one who seemed to accomplish anything, Angus, was shipped of to Mandyville. While in my 20s I wasn't surrounded by the most dynamic of people, they mostly had worthwhile goals and were striving towards them. Allowing those still in college a pass, the rest are absolutley pathetic. Fun, adorablem, enetertaining, but pathetic. they will end up in their 40s, still working minimum wage, sharing shitty flats/apartments and not having a clue what happened.

If they are happy, does it matter? Not everyone follows the same measure of what success means. To me success is having a life you enjoy with people you like being with. Not all of buy into the bullshit idea that money equals success.

I always thought happiness was success.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: MooskiNet on 29 Mar 2016, 09:44
I always thought happiness was success.

It's the top shelf, sure, but I'll settle for a few hours where I'm not obsessed with horrible things that will probably never happen or worrying if that person I liked fifteen years ago still thinks I'm an idiot.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: cesium133 on 29 Mar 2016, 10:07
To be fair, that person I liked 15 years ago was right that I was an idiot. What matters now is that hopefully I'm no longer an idiot.


(edit by time-travelling Cesium from the future: Still an idiot)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Kugai on 29 Mar 2016, 15:34
At this rate it should be late April when the first of Hanners Roasted Coffee Beans are done.

Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: cesium133 on 29 Mar 2016, 15:49
So like 2019 our time?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Tova on 29 Mar 2016, 16:28
I don't see earning enough cash to get by while working in an unfulfilling job and not doing anythong about getting a fulfilling job as particularly happinees affirming. Surrounded yourself with similar people mey help you get by, but you still are going to wonder what the hell happened when you are 40, in a dead end job, lice in a shared home with nothing, no accomplishments, no family, no job, to show for it.

Lack of (or attempting to find) direction and ambition is a long-running theme of QC. So I do actually think this is a reasonable enough concern, but I do have a few quibbles with your examples.

But most of them aren't particularly happy.
Faye's job is dodgy as hell and her boss sucks.

Faye's move was the best one I've seen in the history of the comic. She's learning a trade in a craft she loves and in which she possesses obvious talent. Yeah, her boss sucks, but her immediate superior and her work she loves. She won't go down as the very first talented person who had to endure a crappy boss in order to learn to ply her craft.

Marten does not want to be a librarian.

He is the one clear example of what you are bringing up. You could fill a book with this forum's previous discussion of Marten's lack of ambition. But I thought he was pretty content, actually. As others have pointed out, not everyone has huge career ambitions. Claire does, of course.

Penelope wants to work in publishing, but is doing nothing about it.

Do we know that?

Will is a bar man, but does nothing about being a published poet.

Again - I don't think we know that. Actually, working in a bar could be the ideal job for a poet. Plenty of raw material available there. I can certainly imagine him being happy enough working there.

Long story short (too late) - I don't think you've quite adequately supported your assertion that "most of them aren't particularly happy."
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: hedgie on 29 Mar 2016, 17:26
Other QC characters also have things that they want to achieve in life, which are quite important, but still matter.  Hanners most likely has access to more money than Bill Gates, but she just wants to be able to cope with her anxieties.  Speaking as someone who has to deal with the anxiety thing (no billions, sadly), it's a major struggle.  Momo wants to be treated as a person, and not an artificial person.  Claire not only wants to be a librarian, but also to be treated just as any other young woman. 

When it comes to success, Jeph seems to be going with what brings one happiness, not something that is easily quantified.  Sven seems to have no problems at all, but is increasingly hating his shallow existence. 
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: War Sparrow on 29 Mar 2016, 18:02
As my father likes to say "so what if you aren't happy and hate your job? No one is happy, and you're lucky you have a job at all." Paraphrasing, but it's true. No person trying to provide for themselves is pathetic. That includes you, person on government assistance doing their damnedest to find work or improve skills or just getting up everyday, doing what you can!

Define "accomplishments." Not everyone finds fulfillment in a large bank account or kids. Hanners and Faye are working on some mental issues. How far they have come is an achievement, to me. Wil and Penelope have founded a pretty strong relationship and have overcome a number of personal difficulties and personality clashes. And Penelope is an assistant manager, which is a perfectly respectable thing to be. Maybe they will be forty and wonder what happened. Or maybe they will turn forty and think they did pretty alright.

Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: cesium133 on 29 Mar 2016, 18:06
or a pack of brats.
I just realized I've now been in Wisconsin for too long, because what my mind read that as is probably not what you meant.  :clairedoge:
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: War Sparrow on 29 Mar 2016, 18:13
I realized it just now, ya. I will change it for politeness, but it is an amusing mental image.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: cesium133 on 29 Mar 2016, 18:13
Nah, don't change it. I prefer it that way.  :-D
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: SomeCanadianWeirdo on 29 Mar 2016, 18:54
Cartoon!  Wolf urine!  Claire gets one on Pintsize!  Exclamation point!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Method of Madness on 29 Mar 2016, 18:57
It's not Granny's lemonade, that's for sure.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Channelore HellicottAtham on 29 Mar 2016, 19:04
Better wolf pee than worf pee.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Tova on 29 Mar 2016, 19:13
By the way, as a card-carrying member of the post-forty crowd, I would like to point out that it is not too late at the age of forty to send your life in a new direction. Not even close. The world has seen many late bloomers, and some people simply take longer than others to find their life goals.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 29 Mar 2016, 19:13

Penelope wants to work in publishing, but is doing nothing about it.

Do we know that?


Here's the strip where Pennelope talks about it:
http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1649
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Storel on 29 Mar 2016, 19:14
Hannelore’s big fear in the basement (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZw7lWd1btQ)

I've never heard that particular song, but it turns out they're the same group that did "Don't Let the Rain Come Down". Wow, I haven't heard that song since I was a kid in the '60s, but I remembered it surprisingly well -- even the way they pronounce "drown" as a 2-syllable word.  8-)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 29 Mar 2016, 19:16
Aaaand that's how you shut down a Pintsize prank and a really dogged effort by Claire to do so.
...
Heh
 :clairedoge:
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Tova on 29 Mar 2016, 19:18

Penelope wants to work in publishing, but is doing nothing about it.

Do we know that?


Here's the strip where Pennelope talks about it:
http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1649

I knew I was just asking for someone with archive-fu to demonstrate their prowess.  :lol:

So, that is likely to still be the case. That was a long time ago, though, so it's vaguely possible that something has changed.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: sitnspin on 29 Mar 2016, 19:21
In the end "life goals" and "accomplishments" are meaningless, the same fate awaits us all. What matters is if you enjoyed the journey. All the money, so-called success, and legacies in the world count for nothing. Enjoy what time you have. And don't judge other people for how they choose to live thier lives if they aren't hurting anyone.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Tova on 29 Mar 2016, 19:27
In the end "life goals" and "accomplishments" are meaningless, the same fate awaits us all. What matters is if you enjoyed the journey. All the money, so-called success, and legacies in the world count for nothing. Enjoy what time you have. And don't judge other people for how they choose to live thier lives if they aren't hurting anyone.

The goal is the destination of the journey, and thus is far from meaningless when it fundamentally affects where the journey takes you.

Of course the journey is what counts, but that doesn't preclude setting goals.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Undrneath on 29 Mar 2016, 19:30
Wait, is this the first time we've seen Claire with an off the neck updo? I don't think I'm a fan.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Fen on 29 Mar 2016, 19:30
While eonjoyin Hanners discomfort something struck me: The complete lack of ambition amongst people in the QC-verse. Outside of Dora, a succesful Businesswoman, the only one who seemed to accomplish anything, Angus, was shipped of to Mandyville. While in my 20s I wasn't surrounded by the most dynamic of people, they mostly had worthwhile goals and were striving towards them. Allowing those still in college a pass, the rest are absolutley pathetic. Fun, adorablem, enetertaining, but pathetic. they will end up in their 40s, still working minimum wage, sharing shitty flats/apartments and not having a clue what happened.

The thing that I realised reading this webcomic for (oh my god) 12 years is that not only does Jeph's stance change, but also that of his demographic. At first, sure, the point was to look at some hipsters having a good time after work, with some quirky sense of humour and hijings on top. But then Faye started getting called a bitch, and not in a good way (I used to look up to Faye so much when I was 14; looking back, it was not my smartest social move... but I needed about 5-6 years for that epitome). Marten started getting called out for his passive nature. Faye and Angus had the career talk, etc. Momo came along and replaced the 'casually running around' robots with issues related to cyberrights. The fact that they are kind of at a pathetic place is totally a theme of this comic. And a bit of social commentary :P
Think about it, when the characters were made, jeph was working a shitty job and drawing the comics as stress-relief. Then he actually started working like crazy on his (then) hobby and turned it into a job where he gets to display his work to millions of global readers. That's pretty damned badass, but time passes faster IRL than in the QCverse. To boot, the people reading this comic are also growing up, so the way that people read it also changes how their actions are perceived.

Basically, yeah, they are kind of pathetic. But that is one of the underlying themes in the comic. And, as other posters have stated, the small narrative of the character's personal fulfillment is also important; it's why Sven is miserable but Dale is feeling great.
(as for Penelope, remember that she used to work in a library and thus was on course for her dream, but she had problems with her manager. She would like to work in publishing but it's a field that's pretty hard to get into, and involves spending your first 5-10 years in a pretty poor position... the need for the realisation that some dreams are maybe not worth pursuing is, I think, pretty important for us millenials)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: FunkyTuba on 29 Mar 2016, 19:47
Wait, is this the first time we've seen Claire with an off the neck updo? I don't think I'm a fan.
Her first appearance (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2203) looks pretty much like an off-the-neck updo (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2204)?

She was also sporting it back in the (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2796) late (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2797) 2700s (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2798). (or is that just a ponytail?)

I think the main difference is that she's somehow figured out how to tame that jagged floof that usually hangs out over her right eye.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: sitnspin on 29 Mar 2016, 19:48
In the end "life goals" and "accomplishments" are meaningless, the same fate awaits us all. What matters is if you enjoyed the journey. All the money, so-called success, and legacies in the world count for nothing. Enjoy what time you have. And don't judge other people for how they choose to live thier lives if they aren't hurting anyone.

The goal is the destination of the journey, and thus is far from meaningless when it fundamentally affects where the journey takes you.

Of course the journey is what counts, but that doesn't preclude setting goals.
My point is, decrying someone's lack of accomplishments or direction is stupid if that person is satisfied and happy. Yes, for some people having a goal and pursuing it is a source of happiness and fulfillment, and more power to them, but it's not true for everyone. The goals and accomplishments themselves are meaningless, which isn't to say they don't have an effect. The destination of the journey is the same for everyone.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Tova on 29 Mar 2016, 20:03
I think I understand what you're saying, and I agree that different people get entirely different things out of life, so one shouldn't look down on someone else's values.

I guess I was provoked into replying because saying that goals and accomplishments are meaningless because we all die in the end is disturbingly nihilistic. I can only assume that you meant to say that goals and accomplishments are meaningless to you personally. Obviously not to everyone. This is the flip side of what you've already said.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Gladstone on 29 Mar 2016, 20:19
Later that day, after sending several long emails further dissecting the "prank," Claire returns home with a jar labeled "Wolf Urine," walks up to Pintsize, sets it on the couch beside him (while maintaining eye contact throughout), and walks away without a word.

Pintsize never bothers Claire again.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Undrneath on 29 Mar 2016, 20:22
Her first appearance (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2203) looks pretty much like an off-the-neck updo (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2204)?

She was also sporting it back in the (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2796) late (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2797) 2700s (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2798). (or is that just a ponytail?)

I think the main difference is that she's somehow figured out how to tame that jagged floof that usually hangs out over her right eye.

I think each of those was a high ponytail, this however looks like a poof sticking out of the back of her head.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: DSL on 29 Mar 2016, 20:38
All I can think of is, Claire and Hannelore joining forces -- attention to detail and a wicked, wocked sense of humor -- woukd probable create the Future Evil Hannelore QC has taught us to gleefully anticipate fear.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: SubaruStephen on 29 Mar 2016, 20:49
Aaaaand Claire once again demonstrates why she's my favorite character  :-D
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 29 Mar 2016, 21:02
Claire seems to be channeling Faz here. Anyone else would have used Pintsize to make a new dent in the drywall.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: sitnspin on 29 Mar 2016, 21:23


I guess I was provoked into replying because saying that goals and accomplishments are meaningless because we all die in the end is disturbingly nihilistic.
To be fair, I am a nihilist. Among other things.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Tova on 29 Mar 2016, 21:30
Well, that would explain it. Carry on. 8-)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Mad Cat on 29 Mar 2016, 21:42
Claire is busting Pintsize's balls.

I'm quite certain there's a joke or two in there, but I'm equally certain that if I make any of them, I'll be banned.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: USS Martenclaire on 29 Mar 2016, 22:42
*somewhere at the National Folical Agency, an alert sound has been triggered. The computer attendant checks the data and, his face slowly turning pale, rechecks it. The supervisor is called over.*

"Ma'am, it's as you predicted. Claire's hair has moved from Category 2 to Category 3 floofiness."

"I see. If the enfloofification continues at this rate, the conseques for the rest of QC cast could be catastrophic."

"What would the timeline be?"

"By the end of Day 1, it fills the apartment. Day Four, the building. In two weeks, the entire QC universe will be drowned under a sea of fluffy red hair."

"Mother of God..."
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: neurocase on 29 Mar 2016, 23:02
Claire just dragged Pintsize's attempt through the dirt, and she did it with a smile. I love it. nowifonlyshewouldgetridofthosehorridplugsandthebullringpiercing
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 29 Mar 2016, 23:41
I have only one thing to say to Pintsize right now: "Brother, with her, you're going to have to seriously up your game...

"If you can!"

What blows my mind is the amount of effort Claire put into this. Just doing the visual aid was probably a couple of hours' work all in itself! I'm supposing that she's one of those believers in "A pound of prevention is better than an ounce of cure". I think that the work may pay off, though. At this rate, Pintsize is going to start associating pranking Claire with such traumatic experiences that he'll develop a phobic response to them!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: SubaruStephen on 29 Mar 2016, 23:46
Later that day, after sending several long emails further dissecting the "prank," Claire returns home with a jar labeled "Wolf Urine," walks up to Pintsize, sets it on the couch beside him (while maintaining eye contact throughout), and walks away without a word.

Several long emails? Hah.

More like 2 seconds on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Predator-Pee-Urine-Trigger-Bottle/dp/B01AL5GZV6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1459320080&sr=8-4&keywords=wolf+urine

Best part would be waiting for it to arrive, Pintsize would've forgotten about it by then. :evil:
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: HiFranc on 30 Mar 2016, 02:49
I like how she references Freud in her presentation.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: chaospersonified on 30 Mar 2016, 09:29
To be fair, I am a nihilist. Among other things.

Stay away from my rug. It really ties the room together.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: sitnspin on 30 Mar 2016, 09:40
To be fair, I am a nihilist. Among other things.

Stay away from my rug. It really ties the room together.
The nihilists didn't soil the rug, Wu did, he worked for Jackie Treehorn. The nihilists had the marmet. Besides, I'm housebroken.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: cesium133 on 30 Mar 2016, 11:43
You're good at breaking houses?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: sitnspin on 30 Mar 2016, 11:59
I have many talents.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: swapna on 30 Mar 2016, 12:44
This explains soo much about Claire, so much. On the one hand - we're back to wall-o-text-comics! Has an early-QC-feel to it, now that we're talking history. On the other, if all that it takes to have a productive conversation with Claire is to agree with her it explains why Marten and her are still lovey-dovey with each other after months (?).
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Kugai on 30 Mar 2016, 16:21
Aaand Pintsize is shut down and we all learn the Claire has learned how to deal with the bugger
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: bhtooefr on 30 Mar 2016, 16:23
It's interesting to see a completely confident Claire. (It suits her well, I'd say.)

Would I be wrong in saying that it feels like Marten's apartment, at least when Faye isn't around, is now her territory - and possibly the first time she's really had something she could treat as "her territory"? Especially considering Marten's passivity (sure, he took the lead early in their relationship, but ultimately he's still Marten), and Pintsize's fear of her, and both of their acceptance of her with the knowledge that she's trans?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: celticgeek on 30 Mar 2016, 21:53
Then there's a bunch of people whose last words were "Here, hold my beer, watch this...".
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 30 Mar 2016, 23:36
Now I think that we are getting an insight into the origins of Hannelore's neuroses: She spent too much time in her dad's laboratory as a girl. There is nothing better for teaching a child to be afraid of everything than to be in an environment where everything is potentially lethal! After being told "Don't touch that! It's dangerous!" enough times, she just got into the habit of preemptive fear!

The unanticipated downside of being the child of a mad scientist!

Would I be wrong in saying that it feels like Marten's apartment, at least when Faye isn't around, is now her territory - and possibly the first time she's really had something she could treat as "her territory"?

She's certainly the Beta in the pride, I think.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Doc on 31 Mar 2016, 01:09
What's that large pink bubble in the basement above their heads?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Lubricus on 31 Mar 2016, 01:54
It's the Shame Orb! Or more likely just a strange-looking fixture.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: DSL on 31 Mar 2016, 06:33
The cocoon in which Sara's slowly-dissolving corpse is kept while Dora feeds on it.

Actually, it's probably just some sagging Owens-Corning Fiberglas insulation, but what's the fun in that?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: cesium133 on 31 Mar 2016, 06:36
I also figured it was insulation, but Hanners would freak if insulation were hanging from the ceiling right above the coffee roaster.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: MooskiNet on 31 Mar 2016, 06:47
It's the Shame Orb! Or more likely just a strange-looking fixture.

Probably a lawn umbrella to keep the spiders out of the bean hopper.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: katsmeat on 31 Mar 2016, 12:32
Duck and Cover - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_and_cover (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_and_cover)

Isn't Hanners about two generations too young to be familiar with that?  Or is it still a phrase sometimes used in that part of the world?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Neko_Ali on 31 Mar 2016, 12:38
Yes, it's still used. A lot of people probably don't even know the origin of the phrase, but use it anyway.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 31 Mar 2016, 12:54
Something very close to that is the current standard advice for what to do if you're indoors during an earthquake.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Zebediah on 31 Mar 2016, 13:29
I'm a bit too young for "duck and cover" drills but a couple of my sisters remember doing them in the early primary grades. It was a simpler time, when people actually thought a nuclear war was survivable.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Y on 31 Mar 2016, 14:25
Well when I was in college we did the opposite: the nuclear alarm went off and we went outside. Turned out it was some test of a nearby building but we weren't supposed to hear that.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: War Sparrow on 31 Mar 2016, 14:33
I'm a bit too young for "duck and cover" drills but a couple of my sisters remember doing them in the early primary grades. It was a simpler time, when people actually thought a nuclear war was survivable.

I was told they taught kids to duck and cover on the offchance their bodies wouldn't vapourize and they would be identifiable.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Storel on 31 Mar 2016, 14:38
I'm a bit too young for "duck and cover" drills but a couple of my sisters remember doing them in the early primary grades. It was a simpler time, when people actually thought a nuclear war was survivable.

I was told they taught kids to duck and cover on the offchance their bodies wouldn't vapourize and they would be identifiable.

Identifiable by whom? That still presumes survivors.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: katsmeat on 31 Mar 2016, 14:42
I was told they taught kids to duck and cover on the offchance their bodies wouldn't vapourize and they would be identifiable.

The Wikipedia article seems to suggest it was reasonable advice (and under the circumstances, the best advice)  derived from the experiences of Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors.

But it was probably only applicable to Hiroshima-sized bombs, and not a great deal of use given how quickly hydrogen bombs, 100 times more powerful, were developed.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Zebediah on 31 Mar 2016, 14:44
US Civil Defense in the 1950s and 60s was political theater. The guys in charge knew that what they were doing would probably be useless, but they were tasked with doing something because it would look bad if the government did nothing.

We have the same thing today with the TSA.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Kugai on 31 Mar 2016, 15:10
That reaction and it's explanation certainly shows us where some of Hanners neurosis come from.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: SmilingCat on 31 Mar 2016, 15:12
I was told they taught kids to duck and cover on the offchance their bodies wouldn't vapourize and they would be identifiable.

The Wikipedia article seems to suggest it was reasonable advice (and under the circumstances, the best advice)  derived from the experiences of Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors.

But it was probably only applicable to Hiroshima-sized bombs, and not a great deal of use given how quickly hydrogen bombs, 100 times more powerful, were developed.

It was still applicable even with higher yield weapons. Possibly even more so.  The actual "vaporization" range of even a high yield weapon (five megatons) is fairly small (around a mile or so). The majority of immediate destructive force is from the overpressure (seven and a half miles to collapse most buildings) and thermal bloom (fifteen miles for third degree burns). Even in a densely populated area, the vast majority of people who see the flash and don't die instantly will increase their chances of survival by ducking and covering (which protects vital areas from burns or flying debris).

Basically, what it leaves out is that it's pretty much ALL you can do. And it doesn't cover surviving the injuries you do sustain long term, or whether the survivors will envy the dead. For education on that matter, I suggest the film "Threads".

EDIT: This is easily the most depressing first post I've ever written...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 31 Mar 2016, 16:47
Welcome, informative new person!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: TRenn on 31 Mar 2016, 17:19
Duck and Cover - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_and_cover (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_and_cover)

Isn't Hanners about two generations too young to be familiar with that?  Or is it still a phrase sometimes used in that part of the world?

It might still be a commonly used expression in the specific place(s) Hanners grew up, primarily due to the proximity to HannerDad. The other adults probably had plenty of occasions to use that phrase, joking or not, and the younger generation continues its use.

Those that survived, anyway. :-o
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Spoe on 31 Mar 2016, 18:15
For education on that matter, I suggest the film "Threads".

The Day After is almost upbeat in comparison.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: jwhouk on 31 Mar 2016, 21:23
Ah, yes, April 1st.

Conde Nast.  :roll:
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 31 Mar 2016, 21:28
Bravo Mr Jacques, bravo.
You almost had us, but better luck next year.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: jwhouk on 31 Mar 2016, 21:33
Double-dog dare anyone to call 902-420-6969.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: user 18 on 31 Mar 2016, 21:48
Double-dog dare anyone to call 902-420-6969.

It appears to be an unassigned number.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: SomeCanadianWeirdo on 31 Mar 2016, 22:00
The real joke is that Jeff has sold out to Time Warner, and will henceforth use the name Jeff Jacks as his author name, focus groups having found Jeph Jacques sounds too French to many Americans.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Tova on 31 Mar 2016, 22:03
Someone hasn't seen the new pinned post by The Shame Orb.  :lol:
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: jwhouk on 31 Mar 2016, 22:07
Someone hasn't seen the new pinned post by The Shame Orb.  :lol:

Oh, I saw that.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: cesium133 on 31 Mar 2016, 22:11
Doora should be careful about scaring Hannelore like that. Hannelore will tell Martin and Fay about it, and they'll conspire with Clair to force Pintsighs to fill Doora's apartment with the used condoms from Dail's apartment that Mae has been complaining about. Boy, will The Shaim Orb get some dirt on Marygold after that. Moemoe will turn red with embarrassment.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: SubaruStephen on 31 Mar 2016, 22:17
Oh. Jeph, you son-of-a....

You really had me going there, mostly because it was still March when that popped up on my screen!

Oh, and look, J.e.p.h is coming up as Jeff.... :-P

I hate April 1st on the Internet.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: cesium133 on 31 Mar 2016, 22:25
Heh. I guessed right at random on three of the filters in place when I wrote that post above.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 31 Mar 2016, 22:34
Double-dog dare anyone to call 902-420-6969.

It appears to be an unassigned number.

Welcome, new person!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Tova on 31 Mar 2016, 22:36
Ah.  :psyduck:

This Maye be everyone's best opportunity to misspell Martin's name with impunity.

Edit: not May! "may"! ... oh never mind.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Fen on 31 Mar 2016, 22:38
In the end "life goals" and "accomplishments" are meaningless, the same fate awaits us all. What matters is if you enjoyed the journey. All the money, so-called success, and legacies in the world count for nothing. Enjoy what time you have. And don't judge other people for how they choose to live thier lives if they aren't hurting anyone.

The goal is the destination of the journey, and thus is far from meaningless when it fundamentally affects where the journey takes you.

Of course the journey is what counts, but that doesn't preclude setting goals.
My point is, decrying someone's lack of accomplishments or direction is stupid if that person is satisfied and happy. Yes, for some people having a goal and pursuing it is a source of happiness and fulfillment, and more power to them, but it's not true for everyone. The goals and accomplishments themselves are meaningless, which isn't to say they don't have an effect. The destination of the journey is the same for everyone.
I disagree with this. You can be satisfied and happy simply because you choose to be ignorant about things (your own future, society, national and global issues, etc.). On an temporary individual level it's pretty cool, but it's just inherently shallow. It's how I spent my early 20s and, looking back, it was just a waste of life. We're not animals, we need to do more than just be satisfied with a somewhat pleasing present; that is simply not a life worth living.

(nihilist from the other side of the philosophical coin here)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 31 Mar 2016, 23:11
I've got a horrible feeling that some of those spiders will end up as Hannelore's good friends. Just imagine nervous Hanners babbling away and imagining how a spider might respond. Before you know it, she's imagining two-way conversations with them. By the next time Dora visits, Hannelore will be tackling her anxiety by practically writing fan-fiction in her head about the CoD spiders and insisting that its all 'canon-compliant'!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: St.Clair on 31 Mar 2016, 23:29
I was told they taught kids to duck and cover on the offchance their bodies wouldn't vapourize and they would be identifiable.

The Wikipedia article seems to suggest it was reasonable advice (and under the circumstances, the best advice)  derived from the experiences of Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors.

But it was probably only applicable to Hiroshima-sized bombs, and not a great deal of use given how quickly hydrogen bombs, 100 times more powerful, were developed.

Also, it was during the pre-ICBM era, when the bombs would be delivered by bombers, probably to just a few urban centers and other high-value targets.  More like a really nasty version of the London Blitz than what I and others grew up with toward the end, which was "when it's all over, half an hour later, the entire northern hemisphere will be glassed, flattened, and/or on fire, or in the fallout plume from something that is.  then the endless winter sets in."

I do not miss the Cold War, no.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: USS Martenclaire on 31 Mar 2016, 23:39
Sun of a beach. This is how years of loyal readership is repaid...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: sitnspin on 31 Mar 2016, 23:56
I disagree with this. You can be satisfied and happy simply because you choose to be ignorant about things (your own future, society, national and global issues, etc.). On an temporary individual level it's pretty cool, but it's just inherently shallow. It's how I spent my early 20s and, looking back, it was just a waste of life. We're not animals, we need to do more than just be satisfied with a somewhat pleasing present; that is simply not a life worth living.

(nihilist from the other side of the philosophical coin here)

We don't need to do anything. We are under no obligation to do anything. We are animals. What makes life worth living is a decision made by the person living it. It is not my, or anyone else's, place to tell someone else how to find satisfaction and fulfillment in life as long as they are not harming others to do so.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: The Shame Orb on 01 Apr 2016, 00:06
Administrator Comment No mere human can be trusted to tell others how to live. Fortunately you have me to guide you.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: USS Martenclaire on 01 Apr 2016, 00:40
... insisting that it's all 'canon-compliant'!

Or tungsten rod compliant at the very least.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Thrillho on 01 Apr 2016, 01:00
Isn't Hanners about two generations too young to be familiar with that?

Well, how old are you?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: oeoek on 01 Apr 2016, 01:16
@!#@% Jeph had me going there! Don't do that while I am waiting for my morning coffee!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Fen on 01 Apr 2016, 01:30


We don't need to do anything. We are under no obligation to do anything. We are animals. What makes life worth living is a decision made by the person living it. It is not my, or anyone else's, place to tell someone else how to find satisfaction and fulfillment in life as long as they are not harming others to do so.

But the comfortable middle-class lifestyle *is* harming others. Sure, if you live like an animal - independent, in a place where you have no direct negative impact on anything beyond your immediate circumstance - then feel free to do so. But the average life in a civilised city is dependent on the sacrifice of others; you can derive happiness and satisfaction in it, sure, but it doesn't make it less irresponsible and shallow. Life demands resources, and those resources are quickly depleting; making those resources count is our duty as people with access to education, power, and information.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Thrillho on 01 Apr 2016, 02:01


We don't need to do anything. We are under no obligation to do anything. We are animals. What makes life worth living is a decision made by the person living it. It is not my, or anyone else's, place to tell someone else how to find satisfaction and fulfillment in life as long as they are not harming others to do so.

But the comfortable middle-class lifestyle *is* harming others. Sure, if you live like an animal - independent, in a place where you have no direct negative impact on anything beyond your immediate circumstance - then feel free to do so. But the average life in a civilised city is dependent on the sacrifice of others; you can derive happiness and satisfaction in it, sure, but it doesn't make it less irresponsible and shallow. Life demands resources, and those resources are quickly depleting; making those resources count is our duty as people with access to education, power, and information.

All of which can be achieved without actively making any larger social change. If you make a point of sourcing everything you use ethically, there's no reason why anyone should progress any further.

Also, in a free world, someone should be allowed to just not give a shit about anyone but themselves if they aren't causing any direct harm, otherwise you're getting into dictatorship territory.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: J on 01 Apr 2016, 02:07
FEN!


the thing is that whatever position a person takes on any issue like this is going to be based on values that are inherently subjective and arbitrary. even people who believe in some sort of divine mandate have absolutely nothing to back up their claims about correct way to live.

responsibility, obligation, morality; they are all nothing more and nothing less than Whatever The Hell We Say They Are
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Case on 01 Apr 2016, 02:09
While eonjoyin Hanners discomfort something struck me: ...

Uhmmmmh, srsly? That sounds like an achievement ...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Akima on 01 Apr 2016, 04:43
Isn't Hanners about two generations too young to be familiar with that?  Or is it still a phrase sometimes used in that part of the world?
I admit that I'm somewhat older than Hanners, but I've certainly heard of "duck and cover", despite growing up in China and Australia. I think it's a pretty well known meme in popular culture.

An friend of mine told me about certain beers made in Belgium where micro-organisms and cobwebs up the rafters of old buildings where it is brewed are held to improve the flavour. Perhaps spider-droppings in the beans are the secret of CoD's great coffee...

Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 01 Apr 2016, 04:50
An friend of mine told me about certain beers made in Belgium where micro-organisms and cobwebs up the rafters of old buildings are held to improve the flavour. Perhaps spider-droppings in the beans are the secret of CoD's great coffee...

Just don't tell Hanners that; I think that she would either have a nervous breakdown or try to drink industrial antiseptic.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Method of Madness on 01 Apr 2016, 05:04
That wacky Jeph.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: HiFranc on 01 Apr 2016, 05:05
I'm surprised that Dora didn't reserve that name for a lighter coloured spider.

[...]

An friend of mine told me about certain beers made in Belgium where micro-organisms and cobwebs up the rafters of old buildings are held to improve the flavour. Perhaps spider-droppings in the beans are the secret of CoD's great coffee...

You might be interested in this programme (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07414kl).  It might not play outside the UK but the key details are in the summary on the webpage.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Method of Madness on 01 Apr 2016, 05:11
I will confess to checking Google Maps to ser if Moose Hump, Nova Scotia existed :parrot:

I figured it was a joke, but crazier town names exist.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Zebediah on 01 Apr 2016, 05:45
It's not an unreasonable name, considering that there actually is a town in Ontario named Moose Factory.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: cesium133 on 01 Apr 2016, 05:46
Bucksnort, Tennessee...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Neko_Ali on 01 Apr 2016, 06:40
I used to live not that far from Intercourse, Pennsylvania. Which is in Amish country, ironically.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: DSL on 01 Apr 2016, 06:49
You can't forget Engagement, Ohio.
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Zebediah on 01 Apr 2016, 07:00
All right, if we're going this route, then: Lizard Lick, North Carolina (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizard_Lick,_North_Carolina).

I have a friend who grew up in a trailer park there. He is a genuine Lizard Licker.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Nepiophage on 01 Apr 2016, 07:25
An friend of mine told me about certain beers made in Belgium where micro-organisms and cobwebs up the rafters of old buildings where it is brewed are held to improve the flavour. Perhaps spider-droppings in the beans are the secret of CoD's great coffee...
It's An old English tradition (http://www.exclassics.com/skelton/skel027.htm)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: sitnspin on 01 Apr 2016, 11:30
making those resources count is our duty as people with access to education, power, and information.

Duty according to whom?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Case on 01 Apr 2016, 11:35
You can't forget Engagement, Ohio.
(click to show/hide)

Or Fucking, Austria (https://www.google.de/maps/place/5121+Fucking,+%C3%96sterreich/@48.0244062,12.8268624,12.5z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x4775d4854dbcba19:0x802456ee60b72a17) ...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 01 Apr 2016, 11:41
A lot of different ethical systems wind up in broadly similar places about self-improvement and contributing to the general welfare. There are so many, starting from such different angles, that there might be something to it.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Roborat on 01 Apr 2016, 11:57
Nice one, you had me going for a bit there.

Also, Yay, Debbie Hairy, you go girl.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: WareWolf on 01 Apr 2016, 12:05
All right, if we're going this route, then: Lizard Lick, North Carolina (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizard_Lick,_North_Carolina).

I have a friend who grew up in a trailer park there. He is a genuine Lizard Licker.

We also have Climax and Bunn Level. Also, Bat Cave and Whynot.

EDIT: I live right down the road from Whynot.

EDIT #2: A friend just reminded me there is also a town named Erect, which is, as you might expect, not that far from Climax.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Kugai on 01 Apr 2016, 12:09
OK, 07:56 and I hadn't downed my second cup of Coffee after Brekkie yet.

Well done sir, well done.




Hanners will eventually usurp Dora and become the new Spider Overlord
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: J on 01 Apr 2016, 12:15
An friend of mine told me about certain beers made in Belgium where micro-organisms and cobwebs up the rafters of old buildings where it is brewed are held to improve the flavour. Perhaps spider-droppings in the beans are the secret of CoD's great coffee...

well, it certainly wouldn't be the weirdest thing for people to drink (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_Luwak)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: jheartney on 01 Apr 2016, 12:46

Or Fucking, Austria (https://www.google.de/maps/place/5121+Fucking,+%C3%96sterreich/@48.0244062,12.8268624,12.5z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x4775d4854dbcba19:0x802456ee60b72a17) ...

I heard that people keep stealing the Fucking signs on the roads there.

Never been there, but have seen on a map: Dirty Nose Lake (http://minnesota.hometownlocator.com/maps/feature-map,ftc,1,fid,656003,n,dirty%20nose%20lake.cfm). For when you really want to brown nose.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 01 Apr 2016, 14:24
The sign theft got so bad that last I heard they were about to change their name.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: War Sparrow on 01 Apr 2016, 15:49
I want a Barry Mandibles.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Stoon on 01 Apr 2016, 18:32
It's not an unreasonable name, considering that there actually is a town in Ontario named Moose Factory.
I lived in, and went to college for a couple of years in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 01 Apr 2016, 19:07
That wacky Jeph.

The name of the comic is now "Estimable Content".
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Apr 2016, 21:37
My dad was born in Oconomowoc.



/end_discussion
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: DSL on 02 Apr 2016, 04:34
Where does a Yooper wear a chook? Ontonagon!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: cesium133 on 02 Apr 2016, 06:35
Now I'm wondering how many sides an Ontonagon has. Thanks.  :clairedoge:
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3186 to 3190 (28th March to 1st April 2016)
Post by: Carl-E on 02 Apr 2016, 06:37
On-too many. 


</rimshot>