I assume the purpose in giving her human features is to aid in group bonding with her team. Humans are more likely to form an attachment with a being that looks like them than with one that looks more like a machine. Combat units require a tight sense on unity and emotional attachment to work together at maximum efficiency.
Is Pintsize's reaction because Bubbles is big and scary (i.e. bigger and stronger than Faye), or is it a reference to the mental anguish such a persistently unrepentant character would have to go through to actually apologize for anything?
Is Pintsize's reaction because Bubbles is big and scary (i.e. bigger and stronger than Faye), or is it a reference to the mental anguish such a persistently unrepentant character would have to go through to actually apologize for anything?
I think it's basically because her LOOM puts even Marten's to shame. It's certainly more intimidating than Faye with a rolling pin!
Secondly, Goddammit, the commentary under the comic is giving me a mental image of Pintsize having a pube collection. Like, some people collect trading cards, others collect stamps or figurines, but Pintsize has a collector's case for his pube collection. And now I'm thinking about how Pintsize went about acquiring all those pubes. Ugh...
... Goddammit, the commentary under the comic is giving me a mental image of Pintsize having a pube collection.
...
Addendum: Writing them as a novelty or a gimmick, mind, is a different thing entirely and I will fight you.
*snip*
*snip*
I should clarify that I mean cynical intent more than perceived poor execution. Jephs reasons for nervousness are clearly stated in the author comment text, and are what I was addressing. All the more kudos to him for doubling down on doing her right and not backing down from the attempt.
When I say cynicism I'm more referring to a character that could be summarised as "the token ____", usually used in the context of broadening demographic appeal. But then we're going off on another tangent again as to whether a well written cliche defined by their minority trait is helpful or harmful, even compared to nothing at all, which is a very interesting debate for another time.
Sorry, heading to bed now so I'll be unable to provide further clarification if I've caused any offense or misunderstandings or flat out disagreements. Genuinely very sorry about that.
I suppose it also says a bit about Bubbles herself that she shies away from believing that her own issues with self-worth and social anxiety are significant or deserving of empathy. Quite simply, someone saying: "I've been somewhere similar to where you are now" is a big help for her.
An understanding of issues such as this one strikes me as an excellent leadership quality, and Bubbles has exhibited many leadership qualities, so it would not surprise me if this were yet another.
Bubbles must just have this aura of trustworthiness.
Bubbles... stop being so cute. Do you know what happens to female cast members when they becomes to cute. The Floof sets in. Then it will grow... soon we will have reached Floofical Mass, and then no one will be spared.
This is an interesting strip because it probably says a lot about what a trustworthy person Bubbles seems to Claire. After all, this is only the third person we've seen her come out to after Marten (then-crush and now boyfriend) and Emily (best friend). Bubbles must just have this aura of trustworthiness.
I suppose it also says a bit about Bubbles herself that she shies away from believing that her own issues with self-worth and social anxiety are significant or deserving of empathy. Quite simply, someone saying: "I've been somewhere similar to where you are now" is a big help for her.
Yes, most of the people Bubbles knows (except AI vehicles) are much smaller than her. That doesn't mean that 'Small Friend' isn't something that could be unique and personal to the role Claire plays in her life. :-)
Oh, inb4 Zoe starts squealing! :-D
Either that or Pintsize needs to clean up his act around people who can cause him structural damage!
@pwhodges,
They'd actually fixed the damage caused by the reindeer. However, immediately after Strip 3336 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3336), Faye put the dent back into Pintsize's head (along with the rolling pin) when he asked Bubbles and indelicate question.
Maybe she's just nervous around Marten. Her first meeting didn't go that well.
That just raises even more questions. Like "Who else has he collected pubes from?" and "How did he get those pubes?" and "How does one go about getting a restraining order? Hypothetically speaking."Secondly, Goddammit, the commentary under the comic is giving me a mental image of Pintsize having a pube collection. Like, some people collect trading cards, others collect stamps or figurines, but Pintsize has a collector's case for his pube collection. And now I'm thinking about how Pintsize went about acquiring all those pubes. Ugh...
Dude, he totally does. (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=832)
That just raises even more questions. Like "Who else has he collected pubes from?" and "How did he get those pubes?" and "How does one go about getting a restraining order? Hypothetically speaking."Secondly, Goddammit, the commentary under the comic is giving me a mental image of Pintsize having a pube collection. Like, some people collect trading cards, others collect stamps or figurines, but Pintsize has a collector's case for his pube collection. And now I'm thinking about how Pintsize went about acquiring all those pubes. Ugh...
Dude, he totally does. (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=832)
Maybe she's just nervous around Marten. Her first meeting didn't go that well.
"Don't worry! She's more afraid of you than you are af... Oh dear ..."
But as I also say about Grizzly Bears: they may be more afraid of you than you are of them, but their go-to reaction to something that they're afraid of is to kill and dismember it.
Strictly as my own personal opinion, the exquisite oversensitivity on display in Tuesday's comic nauseates me. I will say no more than this.
I love Marten's deadpan reaction.
okay bubbles is 10000% gay for faye it was obvious before but there's really no denying it now. i for one wish the new butch/butch-robot couple all the best
okay bubbles is 10000% gay for faye it was obvious before but there's really no denying it now. i for one wish the new butch/butch-robot couple all the best
I don't think she's nervous about commenting because it's Faye's butt in particular, she's just never commented about anyone's butt before and she's not sure how to without causing offense.
I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that Jeph is confirming that Bubbles finds Faye physically attractive.
It's probably for the best that Faye hasn't noticed Bubbles's blushing. She's made some progress, but even good natured ribbing might ruin things.
As a side note, based on Claire's reaction to the butt reference, I'm wondering how many times she and Faye have talked about body image and the best way to compensate that has turned into a competition in being outrageous around poor, innocent Marten.... poor, innocent Marten ...
"Happy birthday, Grandma!"As a side note, based on Claire's reaction to the butt reference, I'm wondering how many times she and Faye have talked about body image and the best way to compensate that has turned into a competition in being outrageous around poor, innocent Marten.... poor, innocent Marten ...
... poor, innocent Marten ...
... poor, innocent Marten ...
... poor, innocent Marten ...
... poor, innocent Marten ...
Marten, try saying "Klaatu barada nikto!"Hmmm.... Maybe try "Bah-weep-Graaaaagnah wheep ni ni bong." if that doesn't work.
okay bubbles is 10000% gay for faye it was obvious before but there's really no denying it now. i for one wish the new butch/butch-robot couple all the best
To me it also seems to devalue the idea of close non-sexual friendship, which we know they have and which is deepening.
To me it also seems to devalue the idea of close non-sexual friendship, which we know they have and which is deepening.
That has been a growing pet peeve of mine across several areas of social media over the last couple of years. People and fandoms have forgotten that not every character interaction is or needs to be romantic in nature. At times friendships can have be deeper than romantic relationships, especially when the individuals involved become better for that relationship.
Its somewhat disheartening to see that people are defaulting to the general idea of "Two people?! They gonna bone!", while the idea of friendship rots by the wayside.
The thing is, there has been speculation on Human/AI relationships in the Forum on and off for years. I don't remember offhand, but I think that this is something Jeph himself has weighed in on on a couple of occasions (can't remember whether he was for, against or indifferent about it - others with better memories than I can probably give you a better answer on that.)
Marigold said on Twitter that the military models were easy to repair.Has anyione else noticed that the "The QC Cast on Twitter" link on the latest comic page is bwoken?
Bubbles's number on the Kinsey scale is imaginary.okay bubbles is 10000% gay for faye it was obvious before but there's really no denying it now. i for one wish the new butch/butch-robot couple all the best
With Faye being a Kinsey 0 and Bubbles a Kinsey X this is at best premature.
To me it also seems to devalue the idea of close non-sexual friendship, which we know they have and which is deepening.
Bubbles's number on the Kinsey scale is imaginary.I would have thought it was complex
That said, she's a bright girl.
So it just occurred to me, but are the QC characters all just really short?
With Pintsize around they need industrial strength furniture.It'd have to be. I wouldn't be surprised if it were held up with cinder blocks.
So it just occurred to me, but are the QC characters all just really short? Looking at Bubbles in relation to the door behind her when she has Marten touch her abs, she has to be around or a tad over seven feet tall (going by the average doorframe height of ~7'). Marten's more or less standing straight up in panel 3, but he only comes up to her chest. Rough estimation, but if Bubbles is 7', that means Marten's only about 5'1"-5'4", with Faye being about similar height.
Bubbles realises that her Abs() have a positive value.Grrrrooooooaaaaannnnnnnn......
I like the detail that Bubbles' idea bulb is a modern energy saving kind.Uhm, those things were so last year and then some.
Grrrrooooooaaaaannnnnnnn......Sent from the floor joists
Ah, but do you have a t-shirt that makes such a claim? I have a zazzle link where you can buy a t-shirt that reads, "My number on the Kinsey scale is imaginary."Bubbles's number on the Kinsey scale is imaginary.I would have thought it was complex(click to show/hide)
Yes, but the problem with LED bulbs is that they look pretty much like old-fashioned light bulbs on the outside. So if Jeph drew one of those the joke wouldn't as clear as it is with a compact fluorescent bulb.
LED lighting systems when implemented correctly are huge energy savers and way brighter than you would expect.They're not exactly inexpensive though. A couple of months ago, I got a quote to replace the ceiling track-lights in my kitchen with compatible LED spots, and the cost was over A$1000 (supply only - I could fit them myself). There were cheaper units, but they would have required me to remove the track, get in an electrician to rewire, and make good the ceiling, so the overall cost would have been much higher.
LED lighting systems when implemented correctly are huge energy savers and way brighter than you would expect.They're not exactly inexpensive though. A couple of months ago, I got a quote to replace the ceiling track-lights in my kitchen with compatible LED spots, and the cost was over A$1000 (supply only - I could fit them myself). There were cheaper units, but they would have required me to remove the track, get in an electrician to rewire, and make good the ceiling, so the overall cost would have been much higher.
the cost was over A$1000 (supply only - I could fit them myself).
Yes, but I imagine what you save over time offsets the cost of getting the LEDs.
LED lighting systems when implemented correctly are huge energy savers and way brighter than you would expect.They're not exactly inexpensive though. A couple of months ago, I got a quote to replace the ceiling track-lights in my kitchen with compatible LED spots, and the cost was over A$1000 (supply only - I could fit them myself). There were cheaper units, but they would have required me to remove the track, get in an electrician to rewire, and make good the ceiling, so the overall cost would have been much higher.
LED lighting systems when implemented correctly are huge energy savers and way brighter than you would expect.They're not exactly inexpensive though. A couple of months ago, I got a quote to replace the ceiling track-lights in my kitchen with compatible LED spots, and the cost was over A$1000 (supply only - I could fit them myself). There were cheaper units, but they would have required me to remove the track, get in an electrician to rewire, and make good the ceiling, so the overall cost would have been much higher.
Now add a 70-year-old house and 50-plus-year-old cantankerous owner who likes things as they were to the mix, and you have my dilemma.
However, to be fair, LED technology has come a long way in the last decade. I am SLOWLY changing. Why, I just upgraded to a push button phone! I'm so progressive!
Ironically, now if I want to use bulbs that save much more electricity like CFLs or LEDs, I'll have to hire an electrician first to remove the fluorescent fixtures and reinstall standard fixtures. *sigh*I got compatible LED replacements* for a roomful of 4ft and 5ft fluorescent tubes - no rewiring needed!
I like the detail that Bubbles' idea bulb is a modern energy saving kind.Uhm, those things were so last year and then some.
Heck they were out of date when they were pushed on the mass market as energy saving, which overall they are not if you include their production.
Also they are a major environmental hazard due to toxic phosphors, mercury and the high levels of UV emitted by the cheaper ones. Also they tend to burst into flame at the most inopportune times.
LED lighting systems when implemented correctly are huge energy savers and way brighter than you would expect.
I replaced all the bathroom bulbs last week [kinda broke one and couldn't find a replacement] and boy am I glad I have a high quality dimmer on that light fixture.
Room went for something out of a Bogart film to a clean room inspection suite.
Now I have to repaint the walls or go with wallpaper because you now you can see every [censored] flaw and blemish..... on the walls dammit.
I can relate. My house (which I inherited from my late parents) is about 90 years old, and sometime back in the Nineties my father had most of the overhead light fixtures replaced with flourescent lights (the old-fashioned kind with 4-foot long tubes), presumably to save electricity. Unfortunately, they don't really save much; each of those 4-foot tubes uses about 40 watts, and all the light fixtures have at least 2, sometimes 4 tubes in them. Ironically, now if I want to use bulbs that save much more electricity like CFLs or LEDs, I'll have to hire an electrician first to remove the fluorescent fixtures and reinstall standard fixtures. *sigh*All hope is not lost - One of my brothers-in-law works with light message systems and one of the products he installs is an LED replacement for the tubes that keeps the fixtures but pulls out the ballast and original mounts. He usually only puts in two for the old 4 lamp fixtures because they are so dang bright. For domestic installations the better dimmers are compatible as well so you can save even more on operating costs while limiting the electrical headaches.
I got compatible LED replacements* for a roomful of 4ft and 5ft fluorescent tubes - no rewiring needed!
(you can optionally short out the ballast if you're VERY SURE that nobody will ever put a real fluorescent tube back)
*Chinese made, "Emprex" brand. I expect they aren't the only ones
All hope is not lost - One of my brothers-in-law works with light message systems and one of the products he installs is an LED replacement for the tubes that keeps the fixtures but pulls out the ballast and original mounts. He usually only puts in two for the old 4 lamp fixtures because they are so dang bright. For domestic installations the better dimmers are compatible as well so you can save even more on operating costs while limiting the electrical headaches.
Claire didn't need to explain what gender dysphoria is.
I'm just trying to wrap my head around the idea of someone being offended by the fact that someone else is trying not to be offensive. No offense meant.
The thing is, there has been speculation on Human/AI relationships in the Forum on and off for years. I don't remember offhand, but I think that this is something Jeph himself has weighed in on on a couple of occasions (can't remember whether he was for, against or indifferent about it - others with better memories than I can probably give you a better answer on that.)
So it just occurred to me, but are the QC characters all just really short? Looking at Bubbles in relation to the door behind her when she has Marten touch her abs, she has to be around or a tad over seven feet tall (going by the average doorframe height of ~7'). Marten's more or less standing straight up in panel 3, but he only comes up to her chest. Rough estimation, but if Bubbles is 7', that means Marten's only about 5'1"-5'4", with Faye being about similar height.
The ironic thing about energy efficient light bulbs is that, if you are in a building with thermostat controlled heating, then as soon as the heating is on all the energy saved from incandescent bulbs goes straight on the heating bill, since that energy doesn't go into thin air, but is simply dissipated as heat. So energy savings are rather less than the headline values would have you believe. On the other hand, if you have airconditioning, the incandescent light heat goes straight onto the cooling bill, so in that case the savings are probably greater than headline cost.This is all true, but incomplete. In most locales, heating with other fuels (whether it's natural gas, heating oil, whatever) is much cheaper than heating with electricity. And lights are usually up near the ceiling, which is not where you usually want your heat. So you're better off with the energy-efficient lights even though you're "losing" about 80% of the previously wasted heat. You can buy that heat much more cheaply from the gas or oil supplier.
So it just occurred to me, but are the QC characters all just really short? Looking at Bubbles in relation to the door behind her when she has Marten touch her abs, she has to be around or a tad over seven feet tall (going by the average doorframe height of ~7'). Marten's more or less standing straight up in panel 3, but he only comes up to her chest. Rough estimation, but if Bubbles is 7', that means Marten's only about 5'1"-5'4", with Faye being about similar height.
My mental canon has Bubbles height at 220 cm - or about seven feet eight inches. Sometimes she seems to loom larger, sometimes lesser. But in open shots where there aren't a bunch of things to distract the artist or make scale difficult to judge, it seems fairly consistent.