THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Comic Discussion => QUESTIONABLE CONTENT => Topic started by: Gyrre on 26 Oct 2019, 07:33

Title: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Gyrre on 26 Oct 2019, 07:33
Kudos to Roko for self-awareness. Here's hoping she finds someone good to talk about her current stressors.


EDIT: Typo fix.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: shanejayell on 27 Oct 2019, 14:57
Good cop/bad cop is actually a normal negotiating strategy, at least...  :-D
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: zmeiat_joro on 27 Oct 2019, 15:14
I surmised correctly from context that "Dremel" has something to do with power tools.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Stoon on 27 Oct 2019, 18:01
I surmised correctly from context that "Dremel" has something to do with power tools.
They're tiny hand held rotary tools. 
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Stoon on 27 Oct 2019, 18:01
Flies aren't attracted to honey.  That'd be bears.

Flies are attracted to...
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Gyrre on 27 Oct 2019, 20:24
I surmised correctly from context that "Dremel" has something to do with power tools.
They're tiny hand held rotary tools.
For fine grinding, ja?
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: brasca on 27 Oct 2019, 23:39
I think it would be more like bad cop and bad as in incompetent cop.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: BenRG on 28 Oct 2019, 00:14
Panel 3 concerns me in a way. I'm wondering if, on a certain level, Roko doesn't believe that she can be nice; that the only way she can help May is effectively by shouting at people (and coercing them in other ways too)!
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Cornelius on 28 Oct 2019, 00:39
Ok, now I'm wondering, if Nelson can replace one of his hands by a Dremel, does Pintsize have the same option? If so, does he know that? If so, why haven't we seen more mayhem?
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: BenRG on 28 Oct 2019, 00:56
We've seen Pintsize removing his 'hand' and 'foot' attachments without any difficulty. I'm thinking that they have universal interface sockets of some sort so, yes, he has the capability. However, to make mayhem, one would have to buy the tool attachments and I think that the only tools Pintsize would be interested in attaching to them would be entirely R-rated and impossible to get without Marten knowing and confiscating them!
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Cornelius on 28 Oct 2019, 01:28
Speaking of which, it's been a while since we've seen any update on his commission at Union Robotics.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Wingy on 28 Oct 2019, 04:54
Panel 3 concerns me in a way. I'm wondering if, on a certain level, Roko doesn't believe that she can be nice; that the only way she can help May is effectively by shouting at people (and coercing them in other ways too)!
Of course, look at her blush.  She's deeply unsettled about the compliment she just got.

And actually, dragging Beeps along isn't a bad idea as long as Roko takes the lead and just has Beeps there to let her know when to dial it back.  Not only is there safety in numbers going on, the implicit "there's more than just me that believe in May" will help her case with a human administrator.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: cybersmurf on 28 Oct 2019, 05:46
We've seen Pintsize removing his 'hand' and 'foot' attachments without any difficulty. I'm thinking that they have universal interface sockets of some sort so, yes, he has the capability. However, to make mayhem, one would have to buy the tool attachments and I think that the only tools Pintsize would be interested in attaching to them would be entirely R-rated and impossible to get without Marten knowing and confiscating them!

Objection. What good is a dildo, if you can't spin it at high RPM?
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: SordidEuphemism on 28 Oct 2019, 08:15
Objection. What good is a dildo, if you can't spin it at high RPM?
(https://i.imgur.com/2fgnLCb.jpg)
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 28 Oct 2019, 09:40
Objection. What good is a dildo, if you can't spin it at high RPM?

It is a good way to liquefy an orifice.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Welu on 28 Oct 2019, 14:51
Objection. What good is a dildo, if you can't spin it at high RPM?

Ah, the fine drilldo. *chef's kiss*
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Carl-E on 28 Oct 2019, 15:05
No twist bits, thank you. 
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: BenRG on 28 Oct 2019, 16:04
New Comic Up!
You know, I really think that Bubbles has had enough of Faye's particular case of Butts Disease. I mean, she loves her girlfriend but she really doesn't need all those possible posteriorical configurations mentioned. She has a good enough imagination to guess what they'd look like and she would prefer not to!

Now, the sudden switch from Roko to Faye and Bubbles has caught me off guard. Is Jeph covering a scene switch by checking in with them (How are they doing? Not brilliantly, it seems) or is this a Chekhov's Repair Shop? Are we being set up for Faye and Bubbles to somehow get involved in the 'May and Roko's Bodies' arc? Alternately, maybe someone will ask for radical chassis re-modelling... or someone else is going to have a horrific injury that needs their assistance...? Or maybe both (and likely to the same AI and in an interconnected way)!
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: shanejayell on 28 Oct 2019, 18:22
Ah, the perils of small business ownership.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Pygar on 28 Oct 2019, 18:42
So, they're completely done with Pintsize's (remember him?) new appendage, and we haven't SEEN it yet? BOOOOO!
Ah, well... "And now, a man with three buttocks!"
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Rincewind on 28 Oct 2019, 19:18
I hadn't noticed the "couple" pictures before. They're pretty dang adorable.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Gyrre on 28 Oct 2019, 20:45
Thank you, SordidEuphamism. I was needing the image location for that reaction pic.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Wingy on 29 Oct 2019, 06:14
"And now, a man with three buttocks!"
Probably beats the woman with 3 boobs.  One of which was fake we found out the next day, but whatever.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Inconsequential on 29 Oct 2019, 07:37
I hadn't noticed the "couple" pictures before. They're pretty dang adorable.

Agreed. I can't believe anyone is talking about anything else.  :-D
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Thrudd on 29 Oct 2019, 07:55
I wonder if they will remember that there is an art gallery that has an interest in Faye's creations.

With the amount of spare parts of questionable usability that can found in pretty much any service shop, I don't see why she can't just weld some bits together into something surprising and saleable.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: dutchrvl on 29 Oct 2019, 09:18
I wonder if they will remember that there is an art gallery that has an interest in Faye's creations.

With the amount of spare parts of questionable usability that can found in pretty much any service shop, I don't see why she can't just weld some bits together into something surprising and saleable.

Frankly I am surprised this hasn't been explored yet at all. From the information we've been given, they seem to have a good amount of down-time in the shop, so there appears to be ample opportunity for Faye to work on side-projects. The revenue from that would give them a lot more breathing room.

Plus, it could open up some interesting avenues to explore, e.g. how would Bubbles feel about AI's former chassis being used as art supplies?

Perhaps JJ had forgotten about the art gallery buying Faye's creation and doesn't want to re-introduce it into the storylines at this point?
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: OldGoat on 29 Oct 2019, 13:30
I wonder if they will remember that there is an art gallery that has an interest in Faye's creations.

With the amount of spare parts of questionable usability that can found in pretty much any service shop, I don't see why she can't just weld some bits together into something surprising and saleable.

Frankly I am surprised this hasn't been explored yet at all. From the information we've been given, they seem to have a good amount of down-time in the shop, so there appears to be ample opportunity for Faye to work on side-projects. The revenue from that would give them a lot more breathing room.

Plus, it could open up some interesting avenues to explore, e.g. how would Bubbles feel about AI's former chassis being used as art supplies?

Perhaps JJ had forgotten about the art gallery buying Faye's creation and doesn't want to re-introduce it into the storylines at this point?
Hanging there still, hasn't sold yet.  But, the gallery operator knows the business and knows it will move when the right customers sees it.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: JimC on 29 Oct 2019, 15:18
Probably beats the woman with 3 boobs. 

Ahh, youth. 'twas an M. Python reference.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Theta9 on 29 Oct 2019, 16:08
Speaking of [Pintsize], it's been a while since we've seen any update on his commission at Union Robotics.
Yeah, I wanna know if he's fucked a tugboat yet.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 29 Oct 2019, 16:21
If he had, I'm sure he'd be happy to tell the world.

Wrto Faye's sculptures, my take is she felt she had exhausted the creative potential there and didn't feel inspired to go further in that direction. Anything she tried now would be strictly-from-hunger hack work. Or maybe not. It's been a while. She might find fresh inspiration.
(   if jeph gets tired of current story lines   )
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: BenRG on 30 Oct 2019, 02:18
New Comic Up!
Swordsmary really is into the 'body by me' movement, isn't she? Still, I suppose if she can afford it, it's her business, not ours. However, what is other people's business is her continually seeming to enable Sam's more unsafe behaviours!

Speaking of Sam, maybe someone in the know could answer this: Does her behaviour read like someone who has some kind of hyperactivity disorder? Easily bored and with a poor danger sense? I mean, climbing eight feet on a vertical wall and then slithering through a small gap over what is probably a solid concrete floor where it doesn't have heavy metal equipment lying around instead isn't the sort of thing most people would think of as 'safe', no matter how bored they are!
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 30 Oct 2019, 03:40
I'm not qualified to make that diagnosis, all I know is that the more Sam appears in the comic, the more I dislike her.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: cybersmurf on 30 Oct 2019, 04:16
Sam is very stubborn. Or hyper-focused.

She has Faye's phone number, she just could've called or texted asking about their ETA. But climbing through a small window eight feet (243cm) off the ground is at least reckless. maybe a tad  overexcited (https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3592).

Point is, it's Faye's and Bubbles' Shop, not Sam's, and if she wants to use the space she needs to make sure it's available. Not "go through the wall with her head" / just rush through everything.

Maybe it's time for Union Robotics to set up a proper booking system for Sam...
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Zebediah on 30 Oct 2019, 04:18
Sam definitely has ADHD. And has no fear. And has poor impulse control, but that’s another term for “teenager”. And her social skills leave something to be desired, but again, teenager.

One of these days she’s going to figure out that she’s not immortal. But it is not this day.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: rtmq0227 on 30 Oct 2019, 06:30
Sam is very stubborn. Or hyper-focused.

She has Faye's phone number, she just could've called or texted asking about their ETA. But climbing through a small window eight feet (243cm) off the ground is at least reckless. maybe a tad  overexcited (https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3592).

Point is, it's Faye's and Bubbles' Shop, not Sam's, and if she wants to use the space she needs to make sure it's available. Not "go through the wall with her head" / just rush through everything.

Maybe it's time for Union Robotics to set up a proper booking system for Sam...

I think Sam's having an issue with boundaries.  Since she's essentially trying to run her own business within UR, she probably feels like she has some right of access.  I suspect a Bubbles lecture is incoming.  After all, if her dad finds out she's been in the shop unsupervised, that'll be the end of her being allowed to hang out there.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: pendrake on 30 Oct 2019, 07:22
For comic #4123... (https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=4123)

1. Well, at least Faye took Dora's pearl of business wisdom (#3794 (https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3794)) about checking the locks at the end of the day to heart.  :wink:

2. And for those who do not remember Swordsmary (aka @Stabitha_3795 (https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3795)).

3. As for Sam's "poor impulse control," that is not necessarily a "bad" thing at her age.  Sam is a physically active teenager, with a vivacious love of Life, an active curiosity of all things, and still not letting herself be stopped by intangible boundaries (social, mental, &/or physical).

Sam is a kid who has not yet been worn down, weighed down, or limiting herself by the words "can't do" yet.  And that is not a negative for a girl (or any youth) at her age.  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Near Lurker on 30 Oct 2019, 09:26
Better question: how did Swordsmary get in?
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: BenRG on 30 Oct 2019, 10:15
Sam opened the shutter for her of course!

I think that Faye and Bubbles need to invest in an intruder alarm!
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: pendrake on 30 Oct 2019, 10:29
Better question: how did Swordsmary get in?

That one is easy.  :)
 - a.) Sam (very likely) arrived at Union Robotics shop before Swordsmary.
 - b.) Sam parkour'd her way into the shop via the little (open) window.
 - c.) Sam opens the side-door below the little window (if you look at panel #2) from the inside, for Swordsmary.  (Rather than the "main" shutter-door entryway, which would probably have a padlock.)
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Zebediah on 30 Oct 2019, 12:11
Better question: how did Swordsmary get in?

She disassembled herself and threw her parts through the open window one by one. Sam then reassembled her inside the shop.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Theta9 on 30 Oct 2019, 13:45
Jesus Christ, Sam...  :roll:
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Case on 30 Oct 2019, 15:57
Hmmmmmh ... Breaking into one's workplace appears an extreme tactic for securing an 'Intern of the Month'-award ...

(Especially if one is the only intern ...)
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Torlek on 30 Oct 2019, 18:01
Sam is a kid who has not yet been worn down, weighed down, or limiting herself by the words "can't do" yet.  And that is not a negative for a girl (or any youth) at her age.

She's also a teenager that hasn't learned the value of any variation of the words shouldn't do. Which is a negative for anyone of any age. Especially when she's taking advantage of the hospitality of a small business that might not have enough liability insurance to cover if she were to fall and break something vital. And is quite possibly setting them up to run afoul of child labor laws. And is definitely setting them up to run afoul of regulations regarding children around machining/metalforming/welding/etc equipment (actually forget the child bit, just regulations concerning proper protective clothing around said equipment).

TL;DR - Kid needs an attitude adjustment and Jim needs to start taking a much more active role in parenting her.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: shanejayell on 30 Oct 2019, 19:06
"Sam, please don't DO that. If you get hurt again, your Dad will kill us..." basically.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: pendrake on 30 Oct 2019, 20:11
She's also a teenager that hasn't learned the value of any variation of the words shouldn't do. Which is a negative for anyone of any age. Especially when she's taking advantage of the hospitality of a small business that might not have enough liability insurance to cover if she were to fall and break something vital. And is quite possibly setting them up to run afoul of child labor laws. And is definitely setting them up to run afoul of regulations regarding children around machining/metalforming/welding/etc equipment (actually forget the child bit, just regulations concerning proper protective clothing around said equipment).

TL;DR - Kid needs an attitude adjustment and Jim needs to start taking a much more active role in parenting her.

I do not disagree.  The 'trick', however, is teaching your child what they "shouldn't do," versus than instilling a mindset of things they "can't do."  Knowing the difference between those two things, walks the path of good/wise parenting &/or mentoring.   8-)
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Killspree on 30 Oct 2019, 21:49
Guess we can add Trespassing and maybe Unlawful Entry to the list of job skills.

Pretty sure if I did that as an intern I'd be bounced to the curb.

But I'm sure it'll be okay because "she's a kid and we need our share of her 'spray' fees"
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: DSL on 31 Oct 2019, 03:31
I was interning at a small town paper back in the day -- ("the day" being 35 years ago, now) and we had to do our production work (photo processing, layout, that sort of thing) at the office of another paper in the chain 15 miles away. It was production day and they locked up for the night without realizing I was in the darkroom. These were old-fashioned locks, in that you couldn't open the door from the inside and leave the door locked behind you. I couldn't get anyone to answer their phones at home (nobody had cell phones then except for two or three obnoxiously rich folks, and no one I knew had their numbers). I found a door at the end of a hall that, though sticky, would open. I left a note, and then left.
The next day, back in our own office, my boss said they were sorry they locked me in, etc. etc., and sorry nobody picked up the phone, etc. etc. "But you busted the door. It was an old door and they decided to replace it."
Recently ran into someone who worked at the same paper at the same time. Thirty five years ago.
"Oh yeah! You're the kid who busted the door!"
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Wingy on 31 Oct 2019, 05:12
Probably beats the woman with 3 boobs. 

Ahh, youth. 'twas an M. Python reference.
Nah, my parents house wasn't at all welcoming of British humor until long after I left; Benny Hill was actively discouraged, etc.  I have yet to see an episode of M.P. Flying Circus, though I have seen all the movies and own many on DVD.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: jwhouk on 31 Oct 2019, 05:14
Looks like the boss didn't upload the strip for today?
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Wingy on 31 Oct 2019, 05:59
I wonder if they will remember that there is an art gallery that has an interest in Faye's creations.

With the amount of spare parts of questionable usability that can found in pretty much any service shop, I don't see why she can't just weld some bits together into something surprising and saleable.
There is a *leetle* bit more to good art than that.   :laugh:  I make the odd prop for theatricals every once in a while - I've gotten the reputation for doing the weirdo props no one else can figure out how to make.  Nazi-saluting pigeons (Producers), self-rising cakes with lit candles (Mary Poppins), one-handed controllable cobra in a basket (Drowsy Chaperone), things like that.  They all take a little more than just welding a pile of scrap together.  And I make practical pieces, not fine art. 

Fine art requires more vision in a way, and as a shop owner concerned with the practical aspects of eating each month, I can understand why Faye hasn't made any fine art. Plus there's the whole problem Jeph faces of moving the story along without getting bogged down in whether some piece Faye has made is actually art or just "some schmuck turned loose in the junkyard with astigmatism and a welder" - as Robert Heinlein put it.

(To be 100% honest, I don't understand "fine art".   There's a whole language there I don't speak and haven't the faintest clue how to even learn.  I was looking at a bronze a ways back and pondering why the tiny fish had such a big body under it, only to read the sculpters note and discover it was supposed to be something else entirely.  I was enjoying the piece until that point, as the sculpters note was more than a little racist.  I took my leave of that area of the gallery.   :x )
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Thrudd on 31 Oct 2019, 06:45
Quotes regarding "Art."
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: dutchrvl on 31 Oct 2019, 06:49
TL;DR Sam is a good kid at heart but does need to learn what is and isn't acceptable behavior.

This clearly isn't acceptable, and it seems time for Faye and Bubbles to set some clear boundaries. If I were them I would not be amused by this for a truckload of reasons, regardless of a good personal relationship with Sam.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Zebediah on 31 Oct 2019, 10:29
Comic is up at last.

Reggie is pretty. 
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: BenRG on 31 Oct 2019, 10:39
Oh, Faye! Never mind, trends are like the spring blossoms: They come and go. In a year's time, everyone will have forgotten about sprays and the like but they'll still need mods and repairs and that means you and Bubbles will still be there (barely breaking even but still there). Of course, I'm not entirely sure that even Sam will care about her spray artist career in six months time but that's a whole different issue!

Also: Yes, Bubbles, do it. I so want you to have, on the small of your back, a valentine heart with 'B+F 4EVA' inside!

Finally, I think that Sam must be going through a growth spurt; she's got very thin and lanky suddenly!
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 31 Oct 2019, 11:34
Yeah, the trend might fade away, but Union Robotics might go bust long before that happens.

I can feel where Faye is coming from, this is her and Bubbles' business, not Sam's. She's there as a sort of unpaid intern, she isn't contributing anything to the business and yet Sam's business is growing faster and stronger than UR. That's disheartening for anyone.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: cybersmurf on 31 Oct 2019, 12:07
Bubbles is too precious.


As weird as it may be, the way I see her, Bubbles has some character traits I totally adore.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: OldGoat on 31 Oct 2019, 12:34
Yeah, the trend might fade away, but Union Robotics might go bust long before that happens.

I can feel where Faye is coming from, this is her and Bubbles' business, not Sam's. She's there as a sort of unpaid intern, she isn't contributing anything to the business and yet Sam's business is growing faster and stronger than UR. That's disheartening for anyone.

Give Jeph a chance to move the story along.  Someone's chassis is going to need some work, and we've seen that at least some 'bots experience emotional trauma when damaged.  UR where they got their rad' spray will be the first place they think of, and it may seem like a safe haven when their butt is detached.  To be sure, Swordsmary is more apt to call Sam than to make an appointment through more conventional channels, but she'd end up in Faye & Bubb's care none the less.

Edit Nov 1, 2019 07:45 PDT Dumb-ass typos fixed.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: gprimr1 on 31 Oct 2019, 13:37
Has it ever been established if Union Robotics gets a cut from the sprays?

I also agree that the sprays are a good way to get their name out there, but it seems like the work they do, they might need to figure out how to do more preventative maintenance instead of relying on damage repair.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: cybersmurf on 31 Oct 2019, 14:12
Has it ever been established if Union Robotics gets a cut from the sprays?

Yes. (https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3599)
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 31 Oct 2019, 15:57
Jeph has now mentioned the elephant in the room of Faye and Bubbles.

A synthetic pointed out to her companion, in front of Faye, that her companion is entirely biodegradable and impermanent.

Faye and Bubbles are already living together and have made an explicit verbal commitment to stay together. Legal documentation will follow, I am sure.

They will have to work through the fact that Bubbles is going to spend the next sixty years watching the wife she loves decline, get sick, and stop working with no chance of repair.

I will make a random guess that Bubbles will handle the issue better than Faye will.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: St.Clair on 31 Oct 2019, 16:01
Jeph has now mentioned the elephant in the room of Faye and Bubbles.

A synthetic pointed out to her companion, in front of Faye, that her companion is entirely biodegradable and impermanent.

Faye and Bubbles are already living together and have made an explicit verbal commitment to stay together. Legal documentation will follow, I am sure.

They will have to work through the fact that Bubbles is going to spend the next sixty years watching the wife she loves decline, get sick, and stop working with no chance of repair.

I will make a random guess that Bubbles will handle the issue better than Faye will.

Eh, at this rate, I expect they'll have brain uploading by then.
(Hopefully before Faye's degrades too much.)
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Gyrre on 31 Oct 2019, 16:24
Quotes regarding "Art."
(click to show/hide)

Rem8nds me of an anecdote I  was saw relayed  about their own art professor's thoughts on successful artists. "People who successfully make a living off of their art right out of college have something the rest of us do not. A trust fund."
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Theta9 on 31 Oct 2019, 16:56
Has it ever been established if Union Robotics gets a cut from the sprays?

Yes. (https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3599)

25%, apparently.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Akima on 31 Oct 2019, 19:44
I will make a random guess that Bubbles will handle the issue better than Faye will.
(https://i.imgur.com/slY4Jdu.jpg)
OK, so Faye probably won't age into a bearded alien, but it's the closest image I could find.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Killspree on 31 Oct 2019, 20:09
I guess now Sam gets to walk all over them... because kid with money
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: shanejayell on 31 Oct 2019, 20:26
Ooooh, Sam is getting a reality check soon.

Or they bill Sam for actual rent...

"But... that way I'm making no money."

"Actually, you're in the hole."   :-P
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: DSL on 31 Oct 2019, 21:01
The usual progression of events in QCland has been, with one or two truly exceptional exceptions, thus:
-- Seeds of conflict sown from seemingly innocuous situation.
-- Characters define their positions within the nascent conflict.
-- Forum gleefully constructs and/or anticipates apocalyptic scenarios. (LATHER)
-- Conflict resolved more or less rationally with little bloodshed. (RINSE)
-- Life proceeds apace, with another situation set up or dusted off with seeds of conflict that may or may not be apparent. (REPEAT)
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Case on 31 Oct 2019, 21:56
That Kid has at least Force Persuasion, if not The Voice.

Either that, or Faye is creating an Alibi before dissappearing the body parts.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: BenRG on 01 Nov 2019, 00:18
If you can say nothing else about Sam, you can at least say this: When she's focussed, she's focussed; she's focussed enough to be immune to sarcasm. Either that or she's a spoiled brat who's so used to getting stuff on demand but that doesn't really fit with what we've seen of Jim. It's actually kind of nice that Sam is funding her own work like this; she didn't intend to disrespect Faye. It just came across that way because of said artistic focus/tunnel vision.

Meanwhile, Hannelore is particularly beautiful today, which makes me feel a lot better about the day ahead!
Jeph has now mentioned the elephant in the room of Faye and Bubbles.

A synthetic pointed out to her companion, in front of Faye, that her companion is entirely biodegradable and impermanent.

Faye and Bubbles are already living together and have made an explicit verbal commitment to stay together. Legal documentation will follow, I am sure.

They will have to work through the fact that Bubbles is going to spend the next sixty years watching the wife she loves decline, get sick, and stop working with no chance of repair.

I will make a random guess that Bubbles will handle the issue better than Faye will.

I suspect that Bubbles has, in a very small side corner of her system, already started working on a mitigating strategy. Right now, she's wondering if she can talk Faye into accepting a Ghost in the Shell-style full-body prosthesis. Jeph has already pointed in this direction when he had Pintsize mention to Claire that  the day might come when humans can switch bodies with the same ease as synthetics.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: pendrake on 01 Nov 2019, 02:16
For comic #4125... (https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=4125)

Hannelore in a tube-top.  <3

That is all. :)
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Tai Fanboi on 01 Nov 2019, 04:46
Poor kid, so focused and, from what it seems, busy, that she doesn't even realize how miffed Faye is.  And Faye, given how worried she is about those bad, organic habits, like shelter and eating and if they'll have enough money for what they need, I can get where she's jealous.  I just hope it's the beginning of the feeling and Faye has time to begin working through the emotions and the conflict before she gets back to the shop.  And hopefully it's a mutual acceptance with Sam realizing how the "focused" attitude comes across. 

Sam seems like a good kid, and given her dad and past experiences in the strips, just seems like one of the types that gets engrossed in whatever is holding her current interest and everything else goes out the window, possibly even social Decorum from what this strip shows.  Sam likes being there, hanging out with them, and likes Faye and considers her a friend, if she knew how she's making Faye feel, she'll probably feel pretty shitty about it.

I'm wondering if there's a way to leverage Faye and Bubbles skills in with Sam and form a more symbiotic thing.  Internal sprays, under the dermal layer, AI and those they tell only know about it, this way it's got a more personal meaning.  Modified parts with sprays.  Instead of a repair or a spray, how about we replace your whole arm with this claw that has been intricately detailed by Skullmaster... err Spraymaster at this point?

Or, since it seems the sprays are temporary, perhaps Faye and Bubbles coming up with a way to make them a bit more permanent with a clear coat overlay, or a method where you have multiple sprays and a way for them to be changed depending on the wearers mood.  But that's more dependent on if part of the appeal of the sprays is the fact that they're not quite permanent. 
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: BenRG on 01 Nov 2019, 04:52
@Tai Fanboi,

There are probably ways to make Sam's 'sprays' permanent but Faye and Bubbles would have to do the work as it involves power tools and likely very noxious chemicals.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Wingy on 01 Nov 2019, 05:05
Or lasers, even if Stabitha doesn't like them.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: OldGoat on 01 Nov 2019, 08:00
Sam's  not being an asshole, she just definitely hyper-focused on her work.  No doubt Sgt Bubbles has already picked up on the issue and knows what to do, but Jeph's going to lets us dangle writhing in the wind for a few strips before resolving it.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 01 Nov 2019, 15:35
Get them into the shop. Elementary marketing #1. That's what Sam is doing for Union Robotics.

(  say what you like about me i am made entirely out of biodegradable matter  )
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 01 Nov 2019, 16:44
Get them into the shop. Elementary marketing #1. That's what Sam is doing for Union Robotics.


Which would be great if they were staying for a checkup or to get a repair done and from the looks of it, that's not happening. Getting them into the shop is one thing, keeping them there is something else entirely.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: OldGoat on 01 Nov 2019, 18:35
Get them into the shop. Elementary marketing #1. That's what Sam is doing for Union Robotics.


Which would be great if they were staying for a checkup or to get a repair done and from the looks of it, that's not happening. Getting them into the shop is one thing, keeping them there is something else entirely.
I think I see what you mean, but they don't want to keep them there, they want to get them in the habit of coming back (think outpatient clinic rather than hospital).  Periodically refreshing a spray will do that quite well.  It's only a matter of time before one of Sam's clients is suffering from buttus comelooseus and says, "Hey, my ass is rattling, can you guys fix that?"

Also, street kids, even 'bot kids, will know something about the former activities in the space, and some probably follow robot fighting like real world squishies do cage fighting.  "Hey, these are the people who worked on Punchbot!" would, I'd think, be a pretty decent endorsement.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 02 Nov 2019, 02:47
If synthetics are subject to our cognitive error of confusing familiar with good, then being in UR routinely will make it seem like a more desirable place to them for their 7,500 mile service or plastic surgery.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: gprimr1 on 02 Nov 2019, 08:31
I wonder if Sam's work could be digitized or if she could work on a computer doing the designs, then yeah, as mentioned, the designs could be laser etched or otherwise made permanent, generating more revenue for the shop.

I hope Faye won't give into pride and do something foolish and shut down Sam.
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: JimC on 02 Nov 2019, 10:34
Sam's  not being an asshole, she just definitely hyper-focused on her work.
I dunno, if you don't think Sam's taking a little bit back for the resentful sweeping (https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=4079) then you must have been very odd teenagers...
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: OldGoat on 02 Nov 2019, 17:26
If synthetics are subject to our cognitive error of confusing familiar with good, then being in UR routinely will make it seem like a more desirable place to them for their 7,500 mile service or plastic surgery.

Anyone who's worked in education, health care, social services, or the criminal justice system will tell you that we take comfort in the familiar, even if the familiar is dysfunctional as all fucking Hell.  The overwhelming majority of humans have to consciously and purposefully force themselves to do something different.  That's so fundamental to our makeup that a human-patterned AI wouldn't be human-patterned without it.  An AI that doesn't follow that model would be scary to humans and other AIs.

I wonder if Sam's work could be digitized or if she could work on a computer doing the designs, then yeah, as mentioned, the designs could be laser etched or otherwise made permanent, generating more revenue for the shop.

The one-time fee would no doubt be higher, but regular renewal would make a more reliable income stream.  For a business a customer in the door is good, back in the door is better, back in the door on a regular basis is best.  I'll guarantee you the shop that does the oil changes on your car had a conversation very much like this when 10K mile synthetic motor oil came out and drivers were no longer told they had to come in every 2,000 miles.  (Whether or not that requirement was real or just marketing hype is another topic.)
Title: Re: WCDT 4121-4125 (October 28th - Nov 1st 2019)
Post by: JimC on 03 Nov 2019, 10:54
And I also wonder if Faye is coming to terms with the fact that in this partnership she is *not* the scary one...