The thing is, Bubbles and Faye are meant to be business partners, as in they should both make important decisions together.
Only that didn't happen here, Faye made a huge decision without consulting Bubbles and just came in and announced it. Considering the manipulative crap Bubbles went through with Corpse Witch, then she does have the right to feel angry that Faye made a unilateral decision without at least talking about it.
As for what Bubbles has done or is bringing to the enterprise, well I would say in no particular order; a list of associated business contacts, suppliers, a customer base, experience and technical knowledge as well as equipment and the like. You could argue that Faye could have brought that, but let's be honest, Faye was the last one into the Pitshop at the Skate Park, Bubbles was the one who had all the established connections, arguably making it easier for herself and Faye to get the business from an idea to an actual business.
Yeah, I'm going to have to come down on Faye's side on this one. This co-signing with Dora, is this something that Bubbles would disapprove of? Then she can voice her disapproval right there and bring it to a halt. Is it something she would approve of? Then whence the problem? In otherwords, she had the opportunity, right there on the couch, as an equal, to approve or disapprove. She did not take it.
If she wanted more advance warning: Faye's phrasing in the third panel is bad, but she's not wrong. She can't run every single thing by Bubbles (Nor can Bubbles run every single thing by Faye; they're on equal grounds here) and some things are time-sensitive and cannot wait for a meeting and debate. Did Faye have any reason to believe that Bubbles would not approve of this? I don't even mean a LIKELY reason; did Faye have any reason AT ALL to believe that Bubbles would be against the idea? I haven't seen any reason for her to expect that. If she (or Bubbles) believes that the other will very likely approve of an idea, then it's reasonable to go ahead with it - in fact it might get tedious to have to "rubberstamp" what the other knows full well they'll approve.
And, well, what exactly HAS Bubbles done in this enterprise? I'm not sure who contacted that landlord but it seems likely it was Faye. Bubbles did inventory and logistics calculations, which are certainly valuable, but not leadership-type things. It was Faye that made the call to the city for permits, Faye who said she poke around for a fab shop, Faye who's done all the negotiating...even with Dora, whom Bubbles had suggested they consult with. I went back a ways and didn't find ANYTHING other than "ask a friend?" that Bubbles has done of her own initiative. What is she doing RIGHT NOW to move this forward? Is she thinking of ideas? Helping look for fab shops? Securing other financial considerations? Looking for clients? Designing trademarks and advertising? Drawing up a business plan? No, she's sitting quietly, reading a book about succulent care. If she wants to be involved equally in making decisions...she needs to actually make decisions, or do things proactively to move forward with this. It isn't fair to leave all of the leadership to Faye then throw a tantrum when she does leader things or that herself is only involved in approving or disapproving the decisions Faye makes. If Faye has to sit on her ass, too, to make it "equal", then this thing will never get off the ground.
Now leader stuff is a skill, mostly for outgoing people, and Bubbles is not. I really don't think that that will be her strong suit, and that's ok, because Faye makes up for that weakness while Bubbles makes up for Faye's weaknesses. But, again, it's not reasonable to expect to be involved in a role that she can't or doesn't proactively go into.
If Bubbles is doing stuff to move forward that Faye doesn't know, that's one thing. If she's doing things that readers don't know, that's another. Since I haven't seen her do any leadership stuff, and this is a work of fantasy and conservation of detail applies, I have to assume that she hasn't done any leader stuff.
In other words, she had the opportunity, right there on the couch, as an equal, to approve or disapprove. She did not take it.She did not take it yet, you mean. Bubbles was plainly upset, and went out to cool her temper. That hardly amounts to giving up, once and for all, the opportunity to object on other grounds once she has calmed down.
Now leader stuff is a skill, mostly for outgoing people, and Bubbles is not.Perhaps, but between a leader, and the led, there is no equality. Bubbles has objected to Faye's unilateral decision-making before (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3448). Faye apologised then, but went ahead and displayed the same behaviour again, ignoring Bubbles's sensitivities on the subject. Faye and Bubbles need to work out what sort of working relationship they're going to have, and whether Bubbles is to be an equal, or a subordinate.
...judge what Bubbles may or may not currently be doing to propel the business on the mere fact that she happens to be reading a book on succulent care at this specific moment...Especially as I'm damn sure a military AI will have a significant multi tasking capability, and she could very easily be sitting there on line discussing options and issues with a whole wagonload of other AIs. Would an AI really feel the need to go and see their lawyer/banker/supplier network etc physically? I strongly suspect not. I bet Bubbles can do all the business communication required just sitting in the chair: at least if it only involves other AIs.
Okay, fair is fair, this looks like it could develop into decent conflict. I think Bubbles is being overly petty (especially since Faye didn't say that the deal was already signed, just that the problem had been solved,) but it's not entirely unreasonable.
I'm cautiously optomistic that this will develop somewhere interesting and not be solved in a few panels. Slight contrivance aside, it's looking good so far!
Yeah, I'm going to have to come down on Faye's side on this one. This co-signing with Dora, is this something that Bubbles would disapprove of? Then she can voice her disapproval right there and bring it to a halt. Is it something she would approve of? Then whence the problem? In otherwords, she had the opportunity, right there on the couch, as an equal, to approve or disapprove. She did not take it.
Basically, I think that we can say that Bubbles is somewhat neurotic.
Basically, I think that we can say that Bubbles is somewhat neurotic.
I'm not sure I'd go quite that far.
She's nervous about how people will react to her ...
... she's nervous about the possibility that Faye is ignoring her ...
... she's nervous about whether she can care for a potted plant ...
She's someone who needs a lot of reassurance and communication to help her handle her fears.
She's someone who needs a lot of reassurance and communication to help her handle her fears.
Well, she handled them quite independently before Faye came along, so I don't see that either.
I was just struck by how often Faye seems to play the "I'm mummy and I know what's good for you" role with Bubbles, going right back a long way.
And here it is again. "How come she's getting upset when I'm doing what's clearly the right thing for her"
Bubbles: Ask Dora for help.
(later)
Faye: Dora's gonna help!
An oversimplification, and Faye phrased things poorly, but there's no indication that anything was done that wasn't reversible.
Hell, Faye could have been saying "she offered, and I ran right over to let you know we had an option!" before being cut off.
Basically, I think that we can say that Bubbles is somewhat neurotic.
Yes. :-D
Basically, I think that we can say that Bubbles is somewhat neurotic.
She had to specify "old refrigerators" because newer models in the QCverse not only have feelings but talk about them all the damned time..
If it was then it would not be in the junk yard, right?She had to specify "old refrigerators" because newer models in the QCverse not only have feelings but talk about them all the damned time..
That's cold, dude.
She had to specify "old refrigerators" because newer models in the QCverse not only have feelings but talk about them all the damned time.
Two thoughts:
It would be interesting to have someone point out to Dora that she might be overcompensating in helping Faye due to residual guilt. She didn't see how bad Faye's drinking was getting until she crashed & burned, and may still feel guilty.
And it occurs to me that Bubbles may be skitish about making deals with people in general. Considering her last deal got her in near slavery for YEARS....
Yeah, where do you think this is? Bedrock?She had to specify "old refrigerators" because newer models in the QCverse not only have feelings but talk about them all the damned time.
Nah, I bet they just switch chasses [sic]. It'd be too dark to have sentient beings in a dump because they no longer work right. :(
Yeah, where do you think this is? Bedrock?She had to specify "old refrigerators" because newer models in the QCverse not only have feelings but talk about them all the damned time.
Nah, I bet they just switch chasses [sic]. It'd be too dark to have sentient beings in a dump because they no longer work right. :(
Basically, I think that we can say that Bubbles is somewhat neurotic.
More Positronic to me. #3Laws.
Any objection if I change "CDT" to "WCDT" in the thread title?
It'd be too dark to have sentient beings in a dump because they no longer work right. :(Two words: retirement communities...
You know, once I found out that a positron is just an anti-matter electron, I realized that Asimov's positronic brains didn't make any sense. Anything you can do with positrons, you can do with electrons much more easily since you don't have to worry about building your computer out of antimatter...You mean a SF author employed technobabble that wasn't 100% scientifically accurate!?!?! I am shocked, shocked I tell you! You'll be telling me next that the spaceships in The Expanse should have large heat-radiators...
You know, once I found out that a positron is just an anti-matter electron, I realized that Asimov's positronic brains didn't make any sense. Anything you can do with positrons, you can do with electrons much more easily since you don't have to worry about building your computer out of antimatter...
You know, once I found out that a positron is just an anti-matter electron, I realized that Asimov's positronic brains didn't make any sense. Anything you can do with positrons, you can do with electrons much more easily since you don't have to worry about building your computer out of antimatter...Basically, I think that we can say that Bubbles is somewhat neurotic.More Positronic to me. #3Laws.
Nothing to do with particle physics though the physicists may have absconded with the term for their own use, just like spin, flavor and orientation.
As a consequence, at low energies, even neglecting the true spin, the electrons can be described by an equation that is formally equivalent to the massless Dirac equation. Hence, the electrons and holes are called Dirac fermions. (Wiki: Graphene, Electronic properties, Dispersion (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphene#Electronic))
In this case, I would be very surprised if Asimov himself didn't know perfectly well that he was spouting technobabble. He had a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, and taught at Boston University for many yearsYou know, once I found out that a positron is just an anti-matter electron, I realized that Asimov's positronic brains didn't make any sense. Anything you can do with positrons, you can do with electrons much more easily since you don't have to worry about building your computer out of antimatter...You mean a SF author employed technobabble that wasn't 100% scientifically accurate!?!?! I am shocked, shocked I tell you! You'll be telling me next that the spaceships in The Expanse should have large heat-radiators...
Yes, he was aware that it was technobabble. He says so in one of the volumes of his autobiography. (Sorry I can't remember which volume; I read them both a long time ago.)In this case, I would be very surprised if Asimov himself didn't know perfectly well that he was spouting technobabble. He had a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, and taught at Boston University for many yearsYou know, once I found out that a positron is just an anti-matter electron, I realized that Asimov's positronic brains didn't make any sense. Anything you can do with positrons, you can do with electrons much more easily since you don't have to worry about building your computer out of antimatter...You mean a SF author employed technobabble that wasn't 100% scientifically accurate!?!?! I am shocked, shocked I tell you! You'll be telling me next that the spaceships in The Expanse should have large heat-radiators...
You might want to remind Dr. Thomas Light and the other citizens of his city about that point.She had to specify "old refrigerators" because newer models in the QCverse not only have feelings but talk about them all the damned time.
Nah, I bet they just switch chasses. It'd be too dark to have sentient beings in a dump because they no longer work right. :(
Uggh. I didn't even notice it.
Any objection if I change "CDT" to "WCDT" in the thread title?
Not at all. It's been bothering me, TBH.
Okay, for those of us who don't know much about fancy coffee, why would punching coffee beans in a bucket allow them to make Turkish coffee?
And how the hell did the Turks make it before robots the size and strength of Bubbles were available to punch the beans? I am much confuzzled.
The beans for Turkish coffee are very finely ground. Traditionally this was done with a pestle and mortar. Presumably Hanners has in mind that Bubbles's fists would serve as the pestle, and the bucket as the mortar.Assuming the bucket holds up. :-D
The beans for Turkish coffee are very finely ground. Traditionally this was done with a pestle and mortar. Presumably Hanners has in mind that Bubbles's fists would serve as the pestle, and the bucket as the mortar.Previous attempts to use Pintsize's head for the bucket had unfortunate results.
Susan Calvin : first robopsychologist.
Hannelore Ellicott-Chatham: first robopsychotherapist.
Bubbles, you need to be saying this to Faye, not to Hanners. Let Faye know that the whole idea isn't going to happen absent better behavior. Then follow through if she gives you flak.And hand her a fresh cup of your Turkish coffee as a very nuanced statement.
"I am concerned that this pattern of behavior will continue. Perhaps this entire venture was a mistake."
Bubbles, you need to be saying this to Faye, not to Hanners. Let Faye know that the whole idea isn't going to happen absent better behavior. Then follow through if she gives you flak.
But that's easier said than done when the problem is a rock anda hard-case.an armored combat chassis.
Faye really is experiencing a child-like excitement here and you have to give a degree of understanding to that too.
You forget, Faye's the hard-case. :-P :-DBut that's easier said than done when the problem is a rock anda hard-case.an armored combat chassis.
Faye really is experiencing a child-like excitement here and you have to give a degree of understanding to that too.
I'm not at all sure that understanding that my business partner was making flawed decisions due to child-like excitement would in any way add to my confidence and security...
Faye really is experiencing a child-like excitement here and you have to give a degree of understanding to that too.
I'm not at all sure that understanding that my business partner was making flawed decisions due to child-like excitement would in any way add to my confidence and security...
I think that you're overstating the seriousness of Faye's social faux pas somewhat. She didn't flush the business down the toilet, she just failed to consult in advance on a completely reasonable call due to excitement.
I think that you're overstating the seriousness of Faye's social faux pas somewhat.
I think that you're overstating the seriousness of Faye's social faux pas somewhat.
Think we'd better abandon plans for BenRg & JimC Enterprises PLC, I foresee culture clashes [grin]
She wasn't running over to tell Bubbles first though. The first person she called was the landlord to agree to the lease. She cut Bubbles out of the decision to get a co-signer. In fact she never even brought it up.But...that's not what happened. Her phone call with the landlord was not legally binding - that's both obvious, and indicated by the fact that she said she'd send the paperwork (which WOULD be legally binding). And of course she'd check that the idea was ok with the landlord - it would be pointless to bother Bubbles with it if the landlord was going to tell her to get bent halfway through her sentence.
She wasn't running over to tell Bubbles first though. The first person she called was the landlord to agree to the lease. She cut Bubbles out of the decision to get a co-signer. In fact she never even brought it up.Bubbles isn't cut out of the decision at all. Nothing has been signed. Faye's made sure the idea wasn't a dud, and personally speaking, if *I* was in Bubbles' position that's what I'd want her to do before coming to me, too - I wouldn't want Faye to waste my time with something that she hasn't even verified is feasible.
Basically, what it comes down to is that Bubbles has serious anger issues and serious betrayal issues. Both of these are entirely understandable. However, you can't deny the truth of what Hannelore said: Faye really is experiencing a child-like excitement here and you have to give a degree of understanding to that too.
What is needed is for Faye and Bubbles to actually tell each other these things. Of course, neither of them are good with social stuff so I don't imagine something like that would happen quickly or easily.
Meanwhile, they really need to get Bubbles' punching bag back.
Yet another long-haired character chops it all off.
Nooooo. Claire does look super cute but I'm always a little bummed when Jeph gives a long-haired character a haircut.
I know that this might sound odd but the thing is... I can't help but wonder just how often Claire ends up reading 'interesting-seeming' books rather than stacking them. I mean, it isn't wrong but maybe she needs to work on her focus a little.If you came across an interesting sounding old book, like say 'Nature Cure' (1930s) or 'How to Never Be Tired' (1945), wouldn't you read it too?
I know that this might sound odd but the thing is... I can't help but wonder just how often Claire ends up reading 'interesting-seeming' books rather than stacking them. I mean, it isn't wrong but maybe she needs to work on her focus a little.
If you came across an interesting sounding old book, like say 'Nature Cure' (1930s) or 'How to Never Be Tired' (1945), wouldn't you read it too?
I know that Jeph is into the back of women's necks in a big way
I know that Jeph is into the back of women's necks in a big way
...What?
I know that this might sound odd but the thing is... I can't help but wonder just how often Claire ends up reading 'interesting-seeming' books rather than stacking them. I mean, it isn't wrong but maybe she needs to work on her focus a little. That said, this is clearly something Jeph wants to add to the character of Claire - She might suddenly expositing on some random subject because she read the book and there's no telling in advance what subject she might have book knowledge on. This could turn out to be useful but it might also turn out to be annoying, depending on the context.
So... yeah. Not a great fan of Claire's new look. I know that Jeph is into the back of women's necks in a big way but that's what Claire's ponytail was all about. No, sorry, Jeph; it's not working for her.
It doesn't help that the length of Claire's hair changes noticeably between panels 1 and 3 making me think that it is some kind of mutant growth that changes length depending on her mood. Can she grab things with it?
Claire's hair tried to strangle Marten in his sleep, so she cut it off.
Claire's hair tried to strangle Marten in his sleep, so she cut it off.
Having woken up more than once in the middle of the night with a mouth full of hair from a sleeping partner, I can say that this is every guy's secret fear regarding floofy hair.
Where's the pun?
It's a public holiday here in Oz, FWIW.And in the UK.
....That is the Friday strip....
And I'm not too sure about this, but I don't think Good Friday is a public holiday. And Easter Sunday doesn't count as a public holiday because, obviously, its always on a Sunday. But also, Good Friday isn't typically a day that's taken off in the Anglosphere world.
I know there was a joke in today's comic and some insight into cooperation but all I can think about is floof.
Flooooooooooof. @.@
I could go for a haircut, tattoo, seafood and plastic surgery combo deal right now. Supersized, please.
Yet another long-haired character chops it all off.Nooooo. Claire does look super cute but I'm always a little bummed when Jeph gives a long-haired character a haircut.
Jeph is aware. From Twitter:
https://twitter.com/jephjacques/status/850135361913315333
It's a public holiday here in Oz, FWIW.And in the UK.
UK also has Easter Monday as well as Good Friday.
Although banks are closed on bank holidays (though that's not true in all cases in Scotland), the holidays are not otherwise enforced. Most employers give them as paid days off (they may count them as part of your holiday allowance or not, but the number is adjusted accordingly so it makes no odds), but xx/7 jobs (broadcasting, many shops) may make no special allowance.
In the UK we have the curiosity that Easter Sunday is the one day in the year when shops over a certain size are forbidden by law to open - that's one of the very few direct effects of some people's religious observance that is enshrined in law here. That and restricted hours for the same shops (max six hours between 10am and 6pm) made up the compromise which enabled Sunday shopping to be allowed.
Sigh. Look, Marten, if you learned ANYTHING from your last serious relationship it would be that your partner has complete control over your hairstyle and any changes will have to be checked and double checked beforehand.And Claire, as his partner, is exercising that control. Which s why he asked. I'm not sure what you're trying to say?
Sigh. Look, Marten, if you learned ANYTHING from your last serious relationship it would be that your partner has complete control over your hairstyle and any changes will have to be checked and double checked beforehand.And Claire, as his partner, is exercising that control. Which s why he asked. I'm not sure what you're trying to say?
And I'm not too sure about this, but I don't think Good Friday is a public holiday. And Easter Sunday doesn't count as a public holiday because, obviously, its always on a Sunday. But also, Good Friday isn't typically a day that's taken off in the Anglosphere world.Good Friday is, as Tova pointed out, a public holiday in Australia, and so is Easter Monday. In NSW there are three and a half days a year when you will find nearly all shops closed: Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, and ANZAC Day before 1pm. Otherwise, you can shop seven days a week in all the big retailers.
I'm not quite certain about Claire's new hairstyle. Perhaps it will... grow on me? :claireface:
Pay no attention to that smiley behind the curtain.Sigh. Look, Marten, if you learned ANYTHING from your last serious relationship it would be that your partner has complete control over your hairstyle and any changes will have to be checked and double checked beforehand.And Claire, as his partner, is exercising that control. Which s why he asked. I'm not sure what you're trying to say?
An (attempted) joke isn't funny if it has to be explained. (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=857)
Also I talk at least 95% in sarcasm.
"They're just spray on tattoos! Really!"
"MY BABY!"
How has no one brought up that this combo business also has a daycare?
Okay, at the raw seafood bar, I can't stress this enough: stay away from the fugu (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugu).
Okay, at the raw seafood bar, I can't stress this enough: stay away from the fugu (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugu).
47 begs to differ ...
Okay, at the raw seafood bar, I can't stress this enough: stay away from the fugu (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugu).
47 begs to differ ...
In which case, they're fugone.
The toxin wouldn't be affected by cooking in any event. I don't know about the US, but that stuff is pretty tightly regulated in Japan.
So, not only is there what is possibly the world's the single weirdest possible combination business in QC-verse Northampton, it's run by Jeph's SO. I wonder what this tells us about Karla that she'd honestly combine body modification with Japanese seafood and daycare? :wink:I just noticed it now! Poor Pintsize.
Oh, and as no-one else has noticed, Pintsize has had his head caved in. Again. Either he was being himself somewhere or Bubbles punched him on the way out (possibly because he made a crack about "lovers' tiff").