THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Comic Discussion => QUESTIONABLE CONTENT => Topic started by: Gyrre on 17 Nov 2019, 07:35

Title: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Gyrre on 17 Nov 2019, 07:35
Beepatrice and Melon are part of the ensemble cast along with Momo and May if you ask me. Hence not listing them. And since Mille-feuille's butt implants came in, there's a fair chance she'll be one of the first to show up.

EDIT: For the very least, Melon is. Though Beeps will likely keeping showing up up through the resolvement of May's chassis issues.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Gyrre on 17 Nov 2019, 08:07
Gordon is the jumping spider AI, BTW.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: cybersmurf on 17 Nov 2019, 12:36
Beepatrice and Melon are part of the ensemble cast along with Momo and May if you ask me.

Beeps at least is part of the current arc, and then may vanish into indefinite hiatus. Melon is Melon. There's no escaping Melon. All hail our Robot Overlord!
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Gyrre on 17 Nov 2019, 15:01
Beepatrice and Melon are part of the ensemble cast along with Momo and May if you ask me.

Beeps at least is part of the current arc, and then may vanish into indefinite hiatus. Melon is Melon. There's no escaping Melon. All hail our Robot Overlord!
Hmmm this is true. She could very well end up like Jeremy and Corpsewitch from the fighting arena days.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Mr Intrepid on 17 Nov 2019, 16:22
Lemon could show up as part of Roko's story.  Checking up on her, touching base with her sister.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Torlek on 17 Nov 2019, 18:32
Beepatrice and Melon are part of the ensemble cast along with Momo and May if you ask me.

Beeps at least is part of the current arc, and then may vanish into indefinite hiatus. Melon is Melon. There's no escaping Melon. All hail our Robot Overlord!

We once said the same things about Yelling Bird and Randy, don't think that canon status will protect Melon.


Now that comic's up.....I had completely forgotten that Dora and Tai had gotten engaged. #godifeelold
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: shanejayell on 17 Nov 2019, 18:34
On the other hand, there's nothing you can do about it. So carry on as usual, Hanners....
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: BenRG on 17 Nov 2019, 23:20
I'll be honest and admit that I don't know what the point is supposed to be about today's strip. We've been here before - Hannelore latching onto an obscure scientific prediction of doom and obsessing about it. It's a useful way to remind us of how her obsessive nature can sometimes mess up her life quite badly. However, it's always been immersed in some larger point about how Hannelore's everyday life works before this.

I'm going to take a guess and suggest that this isn't actually about Hannelore at all. It's about Dora and how the prospect of being about to become "Mrs Tai" has impacted on her thinking.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Tova on 17 Nov 2019, 23:32
Or Jeph came across an article about vacuum delay one day and decided that it was perfect to tuck it away for a future Hanners Filler Strip.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: cybersmurf on 17 Nov 2019, 23:57
Or Jeph came across an article about vacuum delay one day and decided that it was perfect to tuck it away for a future Hanners Filler Strip.

You mean vacuum decay came through like a hitchhiker?
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Case on 18 Nov 2019, 00:35
I'll be honest and admit that I don't know what the point is supposed to be about today's strip. We've been here before - Hannelore latching onto an obscure scientific prediction of doom and obsessing about it. It's a useful way to remind us of how her obsessive nature can sometimes mess up her life quite badly. However, it's always been immersed in some larger point about how Hannelore's everyday life works before this.

Errrrrh - actually, there were real people who really tried to prevent the start of the real LHC on the grounds of just that obscure - and very unscientific - 'prediction'. And they got some real help along the way by our real newsmedia, because back then, there was no Brexit, and Trump was still a reality TV personality, so people had to invent shit to be scared of!  :-o

Or Jeph came across an article about vacuum delay one day and decided that it was perfect to tuck it away for a future Hanners Filler Strip.

-l +c
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Tova on 18 Nov 2019, 01:23
Too much time spent putting off housework.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Hypersapien on 18 Nov 2019, 04:20
Wasn't that a Greg Egan book?
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: JoeCovenant on 18 Nov 2019, 04:45
Too much time spent putting off housework.

Well of course you'd put it off!
Cos surely that would include a vacuum !!!!!!

;)
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Wingy on 18 Nov 2019, 05:15
It's about Dora and how the prospect of being about to become "Mrs Tai" has impacted on her thinking.
Hmmm.  Tai strikes me as the one who would freak out at the last minute about becoming "Mrs. Dora", not the other way around.  Dora strikes me as having been raised conventionally enough that she'd take Tai's last name if Tai asked her to, but I doubt Tai would - it's not that important to *her*.  Tai's family on the other hand, might care, and then the battle would be joined because Dora wouldn't sit still for that once she figured out it wasn't really Tai asking.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Zebediah on 18 Nov 2019, 07:56
They'll either both keep their last names, or hyphenate. Bianci-Hubbert has a nice flow to it.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: maneyan on 18 Nov 2019, 08:54
Seems like Hannelore watched that Kurtzgesagt video too
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: shanejayell on 18 Nov 2019, 19:01
New strip. Dora getting so thoughtful threw me a bit... until the last panel. *lol*
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: andrybak on 18 Nov 2019, 23:13
For those wondering, judging by the archive (https://www.questionablecontent.net/archive.php), the title of #4137 (https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=4137) is supposed to be "OxyItoldyouso". "Oxy (as in oxytocin, mentioned by Dora) I told you so".
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: BenRG on 18 Nov 2019, 23:33
I'm actually wondering now if we're watching Jeph working his way through an anxiety attack or if he's explaining how he does so.

That aside, we all have differing perspectives and we're seeing how that applies to Dora and Hannelore in the area of mortality on every possible scale.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Scarlet Manuka on 19 Nov 2019, 02:42
Wasn't that a Greg Egan book?
Schild's Ladder. An accidentally engineered, rather than spontaneous, vacuum decay. And propagating at half light speed rather than full, because it's set in a non-FTL universe and it would be hard to construct a plot out of it if the first anyone knew about there being a problem was when their planet was wiped out of existence. Tied with Diaspora as my favourite of his.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: BenRG on 19 Nov 2019, 04:30
It reminds me of a similar unpredictable and unstoppable all-destroying cataclysm - Strange quarks. Once they appear, all the up and down quarks that make up the baryonic matter of the universe would turn into mixes of strange and charm quarks and probably not work anymore, at least not with the laws of physics as we know them.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Case on 19 Nov 2019, 04:36
An accidentally engineered, rather than spontaneous, vacuum decay. And propagating at half light speed rather than full, because it's set in a non-FTL universe and it would be hard to construct a plot out of it if the first anyone knew about there being a problem was when their planet was wiped out of existence.

"There are some remaining problems concerning the reproducibility of our theory, Sir ..."  :-D
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: traroth on 19 Nov 2019, 06:29
"The eternal silence of those infinite spaces frightens me", Blaise Pascal

How to fill the eternal silence of those infinite spaces?

Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: cybersmurf on 19 Nov 2019, 10:08
When we get down to subatomic particles, even matter becomes a lot of empty space. There's a reason you need a lump of radioactive material large enough to sustain the chain reaction for nukes.
Thinking about it, you don't even have to go subatomic. Now, in a time of search for alternative fuels, hydrogen is a well known candidate. Problem: H2 molecules are so small they even creep trough metal. As in "the gaps in the molecular structure of a solid piece metal are too large to contain hydrogen".

Makes me wonder: if you want empty space, go huge (astronomical), or go tiny. We humans may just be too mediocre to be empty.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Y on 19 Nov 2019, 12:23
I must admit while I was reading yesterday's comic I briefly thought Hanners came in naked and the punchline would be related to that, though that would be unlike Hannelore as three other characters would be more likely to do that for scientific reasons. As for the vacuum, Hanners has nothing to worry about. The sun will engulf the earth way before that happens, unless of course they're working on that technology.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Zebediah on 19 Nov 2019, 13:39
Well, for someone who is germophobic and who works in an environment with potentially scalding liquids, Hannelore doesn't wear a lot of clothing. But coming into the shop naked would be several steps beyond anything we've ever seen from her.

Pintsize, on the other hand, has been in the coffee shop naked many times.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: badbum61 on 19 Nov 2019, 19:02
+1 for the Vonnegut reference.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Rincewind on 19 Nov 2019, 19:45
"Do NOT press the big red button!"

The shiny, candy-like button...      :evil:

Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: shanejayell on 19 Nov 2019, 19:59
Jeph has apparently settled on Emily being smart, just a cloud cookoo lander...
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: BarGamer on 19 Nov 2019, 20:19
I might be applying the theory wrong, but if you can invent any number of custom micro-universes, with whatever laws of physics you want, then are they like the Doctor Strange movies/comics or is it closer to the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire?
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: ZoeB on 19 Nov 2019, 22:18
I might be applying the theory wrong, but if you can invent any number of custom micro-universes, with whatever laws of physics you want, then are they like the Doctor Strange movies/comics or is it closer to the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire?

Some are ridiculous. The one with Donald Trump as President of the US and Boris Johnson as Prime Minister of the UK for example.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: BenRG on 19 Nov 2019, 23:25
This is Emily though, isn't it? Always positive and always looking at the bright side because... well, she loves life too much not to! That said, yeah, this is one of the reasons all the letter intelligence agencies are keeping an eye on her and periodically hard formatting the hard drive on her laptop! Sometimes, she sees so much of the good side that it's quite possible that she's blind to the bad!

I wonder how Dora would react if someone were to tell her that she's pretty much got early-strip Faye and Raven back in her life?
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Meander on 20 Nov 2019, 03:53
My love of Emily continues, unabated and unrequited.

Yay, Emily!
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Wingy on 20 Nov 2019, 05:16
I might be applying the theory wrong, but if you can invent any number of custom micro-universes, with whatever laws of physics you want, then are they like the Doctor Strange movies/comics or is it closer to the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire?
No, more like World of Tiers series by Philip José Farmer.

My love of Emily continues, unabated and unrequited.
Second!

The shiny, candy-like button...      :evil:
Just make sure the cancellation button is in working order before pressing the big red button...  And don't get in the capsule with the bear!
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 20 Nov 2019, 07:37
I was briefly confused yesterday because Dora sounded like Emily. So of course Emily must show up to keep the balance.

'Reporting for duty!' Emily is definitely going to be a wallpaper.

FOR SCIENCE!

Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Gyrre on 20 Nov 2019, 10:01
I must admit while I was reading yesterday's comic I briefly thought Hanners came in naked and the punchline would be related to that, though that would be unlike Hannelore as three other characters would be more likely to do that for scientific reasons. As for the vacuum, Hanners has nothing to worry about. The sun will engulf the earth way before that happens, unless of course they're working on that technology.

Pintsize, Punchbot, and Arthur?
Or someones else?
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Gyrre on 20 Nov 2019, 10:06
I was briefly confused yesterday because Dora sounded like Emily. So of course Emily must show up to keep the balance.

'Reporting for duty!' Emily is definitely going to be a wallpaper.

FOR SCIENCE!

Agreed to the wallpaper.

BTW, quite the ironic username and [whatever the dealies under them are called] pairing. 'Perfectly Reasonable' 'psychopath in a hockey mask'.
Was that intentional?
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Thrudd on 20 Nov 2019, 10:09
"Do NOT press the big red button!"

The shiny, candy-like button...      :evil:
also need to add the following warning lable underneath
DO NOT LICK
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: hedgie on 20 Nov 2019, 11:26
"Do NOT press the big red button!"

The shiny, candy-like button...      :evil:

"will not include a self-destruct mechanism unless absolutely necessary. If it is necessary, it will not be a large red button labelled "Danger: Do Not Push". The big red button marked "Do Not Push" will instead trigger a spray of bullets on anyone stupid enough to disregard it. Similarly, the ON/OFF switch will not clearly be labelled as such." -- The Evil Overlord List
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 20 Nov 2019, 12:44
'Reporting for duty!' Emily is definitely going to be a wallpaper.

FOR SCIENCE!

Agreed to the wallpaper.

BTW, quite the ironic username and [whatever the dealies under them are called] pairing. 'Perfectly Reasonable' 'psychopath in a hockey mask'.
Was that intentional?

I have always been Perfectly Reasonable. Why do you ask?
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 20 Nov 2019, 13:39
I'm rather pleased how the wallpaper turned out. I took out the empty space in the middle of the frame and resized it to 1280x1024.
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/aIFByIw.jpg" title="Reporting" /> (https://imgur.com/aIFByIw)
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Welu on 20 Nov 2019, 14:33
Well, for someone who is germophobic and who works in an environment with potentially scalding liquids, Hannelore doesn't wear a lot of clothing. But coming into the shop naked would be several steps beyond anything we've ever seen from her.

If it does happen hopefully she'll be on the meds that would make her barely mortified. (https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=800) At least Dora has the emergency skirt.

That strip was much earlier than I thought it was.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: cybersmurf on 20 Nov 2019, 14:34
This is Emily though, isn't it? Always positive and always looking at the bright side because... well, she loves life too much not to! That said, yeah, this is one of the reasons all the letter intelligence agencies are keeping an eye on her and periodically hard formatting the hard drive on her laptop! Sometimes, she sees so much of the good side that it's quite possible that she's blind to the bad!

You could put Emily next to a nuclear warhead, with the time ticking, and she would talk about the beauty of fission, fusion, quarks and spin.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: shanejayell on 20 Nov 2019, 19:15
New strip up.

BUUUUUUUUTS.

Loved Bubbles comment.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Gyrre on 20 Nov 2019, 20:03
'Reporting for duty!' Emily is definitely going to be a wallpaper.

FOR SCIENCE!

Agreed to the wallpaper.

BTW, quite the ironic username and [whatever the dealies under them are called] pairing. 'Perfectly Reasonable' 'psychopath in a hockey mask'.
Was that intentional?

I have always been Perfectly Reasonable. Why do you ask?
The white text under your username read 'psychopath in a hockey mask', so altogether it read "perfectly reasonable psychopath in a hockey mask".
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: BenRG on 20 Nov 2019, 23:20
I've been thinking about this strip and it suddenly realised that this is something that Faye and, surprisingly enough, even Bubbles have not thought about: Union Robotics is essentially set up as a street-corner garage. There's a work area, a stock-room and maybe a small office-ette space and that's it. There's no private examination or consulting room as you would expect at, say, a doctor's office. What neither of the proprietors seem to have thought of is: What if their 'patients' have a sense of modesty or don't want their parts exposed to the world? Millefeuille obviously doesn't!

So, I really think that UR's shop-floor is going to need to be remodelled. At the very least, the main work table is going to need them to get a privacy curtain. Yet more expenses! It also means that they're going to have to very consciously shift away from the 'garage' mindset and adopt a 'small clinic' pattern instead.

Sam, trust me: It isn't that funny!

Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: St.Clair on 21 Nov 2019, 00:12
I don't think Sam's reaction is due to finding it funny, but more "OMG gonna get to watch (and maybe even participate in) robutt surgery!"
Whether she actually will is another story.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: DSL on 21 Nov 2019, 05:03
An AI in a manufactured body thought there'd be a "machine" (non-sentient, I assume) that would do an automatic butt implant/replacement.

Is that akin to a meat human thinking there'd be a dog or a cat doing surgery? (I mean, my ol' dog was smarter and more trustworthy than most people I knew, but I figured later on that just meant I needed to find better people to know. That's been a search, let me tell you. She was a damn fine dog.)
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 21 Nov 2019, 07:55
Nice bedside manner there, Bubs!
And we have a meat person indulging in mechanistic reductionism.
I would not blame Milly for having second thoughts...
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: BenRG on 21 Nov 2019, 09:34
Is that akin to a meat human thinking there'd be a dog or a cat doing surgery? (I mean, my ol' dog was smarter and more trustworthy than most people I knew, but I figured later on that just meant I needed to find better people to know. That's been a search, let me tell you. She was a damn fine dog.)

No, I don't think that it's actually something that has a robotic/organic equivalence. I think that the closest equivalent in human cosmetic procedures would a tanning spray cubicle, where everything is automatic and unseen by others. Basically, Millifeulle was hoping to be able to step into a 'modding station' cubicle that would seal up, pop open her posterior, insert the implants and seal her up quickly and privately. She wasn't expecting Faye, Bubbles and Sam to actually need to do an actual surgical procedure in a semi-public setting.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Y on 21 Nov 2019, 10:37
So, I really think that UR's shop-floor is going to need to be remodelled. At the very least, the main work table is going to need them to get a privacy curtain. Yet more expenses! It also means that they're going to have to very consciously shift away from the 'garage' mindset and adopt a 'small clinic' pattern instead.

Didn't they have a waiting room as seen in the invisible emu episode? Currently everyone there has an interest in either helping with the operation or witnessing it (Good luck keeping Sam away from anything). Most one can hope for is a separator screen so one doesn't have to see their own disembodied body. Which may cost one spare cardboard box.

I must admit while I was reading yesterday's comic I briefly thought Hanners came in naked and the punchline would be related to that, though that would be unlike Hannelore as three other characters would be more likely to do that for scientific reasons. As for the vacuum, Hanners has nothing to worry about. The sun will engulf the earth way before that happens, unless of course they're working on that technology.

Pintsize, Punchbot, and Arthur?
Or someones else?
I was thinking of someone who doesn't wear pants in front of someone's date, someone who greets new people with pounding them with a sledgehammer and someone who flashes a local busker in a crowded establishment. Looks like Pintsize, Punchbot, and Arthur still apply to those descriptions.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Theta9 on 21 Nov 2019, 10:43
I have always been Perfectly Reasonable. Why do you ask?
The white text under your username read 'psychopath in a hockey mask', so altogether it read "perfectly reasonable psychopath in a hockey mask".
It now reads "Vagina Manifesto" as I type this. If they continue to post, it will eventually be something else..
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Theta9 on 21 Nov 2019, 10:52
I was thinking of … someone who greets new people with pounding them with a sledgehammer...
That was a rubber mallet. A sledgehammer might have actually dented, or at least scratched, Bubbles' armor.

Also, "berf".  :-D
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: dexeron on 21 Nov 2019, 11:54
Having just finished season three of the new She-Ra the same day I read 4138, all I can think is: Emily = Entrapta.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: oddtail on 21 Nov 2019, 11:59
Having just finished season three of the new She-Ra the same day I read 4138, all I can think is: Emily = Entrapta.

They certainly both draw from very similar character tropes.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 21 Nov 2019, 12:31
I have always been Perfectly Reasonable. Why do you ask?
The white text under your username read 'psychopath in a hockey mask', so altogether it read "perfectly reasonable psychopath in a hockey mask".
It now reads "Vagina Manifesto" as I type this. If they continue to post, it will eventually be something else..

What, did you think I had suborned the algorithm behind the curtain?
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: JimC on 21 Nov 2019, 15:43
At the very least, the main work table is going to need them to get a privacy curtain. Yet more expenses! It also means that they're going to have to very consciously shift away from the 'garage' mindset and adopt a 'small clinic' pattern instead.
Most garages won't have the customers in the work area for safety reasons, but you do get view windows.  Presumably there was no especial privacy mindset at the fighting park - must have been a bit like a gymnasium or swimming pool I suppose, but I agree that if they are going to get into cosmetics then a percentage of the customers are going to want to be out of public view while the procedures are going on..
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: brasca on 21 Nov 2019, 16:18
Perhaps AIs have varied notions of modesty.  Millfeeul has a heightened sense while May probably could care less.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Stoutfellow on 21 Nov 2019, 18:44
Comic's up.

I have to say, I'm with Veronica on this one. You can talk about "anatomically correct" with regard to dolls, statues - representations of human (or other) bodies. A QC robot isn't an imitation human; it's a robot. How thoroughly humaniform it is, is a different question. (Some appear to want to be as humanlike as possible, but others - Seven, Crushbot, and so on - don't seem to feel that need, and why should they?)
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: St.Clair on 21 Nov 2019, 19:50
Huh.  Guess I was wrong about the cause of Sam's excitement in the last comic.
I would say I'm past the age when I find butts inherently amusing, but looking back (ha), I can't say that I ever really did.
Like stoner humor and the internet's obsession with calling out every appearance of the number 69, jokes about butts (disease) only elicit a weary eyeroll from me.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: shanejayell on 21 Nov 2019, 20:40
Well, that was a thing.

 :-D
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Gyrre on 21 Nov 2019, 20:45
Huh. I wonder if [uncertain honorific] Jones knows about that? He certainly seemed smitten with her.


I have always been Perfectly Reasonable. Why do you ask?
The white text under your username read 'psychopath in a hockey mask', so altogether it read "perfectly reasonable psychopath in a hockey mask".
It now reads "Vagina Manifesto" as I type this. If they continue to post, it will eventually be something else..

What, did you think I had suborned the algorithm behind the curtain?
And now it's "I'm Randy! I'm eternal!"
I take it you post a lot in the forums?

EDIT: adding more spacing between responses.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 21 Nov 2019, 21:47
I view the sudden shift to "Randy" as a little joke on the two of us by the algorithm. I take no responsibility for "Vagina Manifesto".
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: ZoeB on 21 Nov 2019, 23:15
I know no harm was meant, quite the opposite.
It's a funny, but also showing good people trying their best not to be assholes.

It would be unreasonable, even insensitive, to complain.

But  Intersex people just got reminded we're not "human standard".

A very different thing from the objective reality, that we're not standard humans.

However, as it is obvious that no harm was meant, the ouchie some of us feel is best left unexpressed - except to our dearest friends and those we trust, who no doubt have many such ouchies themselves in their lives. So will keep things in perspective, and not feel too bad about the inadvertant rubbing of a single grain of salt into an old wound.

Besides which, AIs are not human. Yet some are very good people. I'd prefer to be in that "good person"  category than some human standard, if that was the choice.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: BenRG on 21 Nov 2019, 23:23
Ah, so I was right that Millifeul having a feeling of modesty and we see why. It says good things about Faye that she realised the implications and referred back to Jim and Veronica.

Given how non-human Milli's face is in many ways (is it me or is Jeph into robots without noses recently?), it reminds us of the degree to which different parts of a chassis can have different levels of fidelity expressing both the identity and the wishes of the resident. I suddenly find myself wondering just how May would end up if she were to have the opportunity to 'mix and match'.

Huh. I wonder if [uncertain honorific] Jones knows about that? He certainly seemed smitten with her.

Like you, I wonder if this is something that Milli wants to get for a significant other but it's just as possible that this is an 'upgrade' she's wanted for a while for her own self-image. Either way, though, I kind of hope that Jeph writes the guy's reaction. Who knows, it may surprise them both! Yes, I'm an old romantic when it comes to such things.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Mordhaus on 22 Nov 2019, 01:49
Yeah, no. Anatomically correct is the most effective term. Human standard would imply they had human DNA.

Sorry, I'm one of those people that will never buy into multiple terms to suit every single person's need to feel special. I can understand some level of distinction, but at a certain point it is ridiculous and just seems to be adopted so people can get butthurt if you don't recognize their special unicorn status.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: oddtail on 22 Nov 2019, 02:42
Why would "human standard" imply anything about DNA? There's plenty of things that we think of as humanlike, and it may imply function, shape, any number of things, and have nothing to do with genetics.

The term "human standard" makes sense, because AI often, as we've seen, have very non-human bodies. "Anatomically correct" is very human-centric in a world where a mechanical body can be a giant spider, a fighter jet or a house appliance (a spider-like body can also potentially be "anatomically correct", technically, just to spider anatomy). Bipedal chassis with arms, legs, faces and all that stuff clearly deliberately mimic human characteristics to varying extent, so "human standard" makes perfect sense as a descriptor.

Not to mention, even in real life without robots and AI and whatnot, "anatomically correct" often refers to "having realistic, or at least present, genitals". So I can see how it'd carry some stigma if artificial bodies were a thing, as they are in QC-verse.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Democratus on 22 Nov 2019, 05:52
I always got the feeling that this comic portrays a very gentle singularity.

The AIs are doing their best to make the humans feel comfortable and still relevant.

All the while, the world has drastically and permanently changed. Probably for the better.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Wingy on 22 Nov 2019, 06:35
Ah, so I was right that Millifeul having a feeling of modesty and we see why. It says good things about Faye that she realised the implications and referred back to Jim and Veronica.
I find it odd that Veronica is one who knows what the PC term is, though maybe she's run into a few AIs with human anatomy and fetishes in her old profession?!?

Huh. I wonder if [uncertain honorific] Jones knows about that? He certainly seemed smitten with her.

I expect she wants wants to sit on Jones lap without damaging him - AIs apparently are denser (therefore weigh more) than a similarly sized human.  Not surprising and a simple way to avoid bruising your squeeze is to accumulate some padding back there (humans) or get implants (humans&AIs).   Or more likely from my interpretation, she's trying to get Jones' attention and has noticed his attention is captured by others with bigger buns.

Or, this may be for her own self-image enhancement.  Maybe we'll find out.  I just hope all goes well so UR takes off.  If UR fails, Faye may start drinking again and that's not a good thing...
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 22 Nov 2019, 10:17
Sorry, I'm one of those people that will never buy into multiple terms to suit every single person's need to feel special.

This time it wasn't the robot insisting on terminology. It was Veronica meeting her own need to be a DHB (Decent Human Being). The customer wasn't "butthurt" (entertaining term in context :-)).
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: rtmq0227 on 22 Nov 2019, 10:41
Yeah, no. Anatomically correct is the most effective term. Human standard would imply they had human DNA.

Sorry, I'm one of those people that will never buy into multiple terms to suit every single person's need to feel special. I can understand some level of distinction, but at a certain point it is ridiculous and just seems to be adopted so people can get butthurt if you don't recognize their special unicorn status.

I'm one of those people who celebrates new and more accurate terminology, because life is too wonderous and beautiful a spectrum to limit ourselves to 16-bit color.

My pitch (accounting for the intersex sensitivity mentioned above) would be for Human-Emulating (and not just for the computer pun).  An AI can modify their chassis/body to better align with the human form, but anatomically they will still be distinct in some key ways (at least until the technology evolves sufficiently to bridge the gap), so anatomically-correct feels like a misnomer.  Human-Emulating captures the intent behind the modifications/design choices without assigning a particular body-type as "standard," something that we've been fighting for a while now.  It also opens the door for less aesthetic modifications.  The ability to eat and enjoy food could be accomplished with some careful engineering, but has absolutely nothing to do with physical presentation or aesthetics, yet it would still fall under this umbrella.

I still don't think this is a perfect term, as it kind of sends the wrong message when taking into account all of the Trans metaphors/parallels at play in this story (it plays into the flawed, problematic, and bigoted notion that no matter what you do to your body, you can never truly change your assigned gender).  There's got to be a better term, but I don't consider myself a particularly skilled wordsmith.

(Edited for clarity and punctuation mistakes)
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: SmilingCat on 22 Nov 2019, 12:17
I'm a bit late to it, but I couldn't help but think of this scene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgdsu925-ZM) when it came to Sam and Butts.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 22 Nov 2019, 14:43
Quote
I'm one of those people who celebrates new and more accurate terminology

I'm with you there. I love precision. "Anatomically correct" has a widely understood meaning but it's not terribly clear if taken literally.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Case on 22 Nov 2019, 15:54
Yeah, no. Anatomically correct is the most effective term. Human standard would imply they had human DNA.

Errrrhno, it would not?

Sorry, I'm one of those people that will never buy into multiple terms to suit every single person's need to feel special

Hello 'generic, unremarkable hominid', I'm Case!
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Tova on 22 Nov 2019, 16:56
Quote
I'm one of those people who celebrates new and more accurate terminology

I'm with you there. I love precision. "Anatomically correct" has a widely understood meaning but it's not terribly clear if taken literally.

I think that in the context of an AI who explicitly wants an upgrade of a humanoid chassis, "anatomically correct" is perfectly clear. Veronica certainly didn't find the term to be unclear.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: rtmq0227 on 22 Nov 2019, 17:10
Veronica certainly didn't find the term to be unclear.

To be fair, many people can recognize when someone is using an incorrect/offensive term based on context and provide gentle correction.  I know that when someone says their CPU is making a noise that they mean the computer as a whole.  I'm not going to put slurs in this post, but I'd argue it's always clear what the people using them actually mean (not that I'm saying "anatomically correct" was a slur, just that you can convey an idea with incorrect/outdated language, but it doesn't make you right to use that language).

Jim has almost always played the "behind the times dad, trying his best but often flummoxed" and Veronica usually plays the "really progressive mom who knows things and is largely unfazed" so the context would indicate that (at least in this universe) "Anatomically Correct is the incorrect term, or at least one that is out of favor by AI in this situation.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Tova on 22 Nov 2019, 17:28
Veronica certainly didn't find the term to be unclear.

To be fair, many people can recognize when someone is using an incorrect/offensive term based on context and provide gentle correction.

Please note that I wasn't commenting on whether the expression was offensive. Nor do I have the appetite to take a position.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: rtmq0227 on 22 Nov 2019, 18:27
Veronica certainly didn't find the term to be unclear.

To be fair, many people can recognize when someone is using an incorrect/offensive term based on context and provide gentle correction.

Please note that I wasn't commenting on whether the expression was offensive. Nor do I have the appetite to take a position.

My point was that whether the term was clear is not the point, it is whether the term was appropriate or accurate.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Tova on 22 Nov 2019, 18:33
My point was that whether the term was clear is not the point, it is whether the term was appropriate or accurate.

I was explicitly responding to IICIH?'s post, and to be frank, you don't get to decide what other people do or do not discuss.

I'm with you there. I love precision. "Anatomically correct" has a widely understood meaning but it's not terribly clear if taken literally.

(my emphasis)

P.S. I almost feel like Jeph was bending over backwards to make some kind of funny, because I'm sure that the most natural thing to have said in this context would have been, "... working on butt implants for a humanoid AI chassis."
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Case on 22 Nov 2019, 19:11
P.S. I almost feel like Jeph was bending over backwards to make some kind of funny, because I'm sure that the most natural thing to have said in this context would have been, "... working on butt implants for a humanoid AI chassis."

You mean 'it's all about the jokes ('bout the jokes ... )'?  8-)
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Tova on 22 Nov 2019, 19:55
\o/ yay!

Yes.  8-)
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: rtmq0227 on 22 Nov 2019, 20:03
and to be frank, you don't get to decide what other people do or do not discuss.

?

I never suggested I did.

But w/e, moving on.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Mordhaus on 22 Nov 2019, 23:11
Why would "human standard" imply anything about DNA? There's plenty of things that we think of as humanlike, and it may imply function, shape, any number of things, and have nothing to do with genetics.

The term "human standard" makes sense, because AI often, as we've seen, have very non-human bodies. "Anatomically correct" is very human-centric in a world where a mechanical body can be a giant spider, a fighter jet or a house appliance (a spider-like body can also potentially be "anatomically correct", technically, just to spider anatomy). Bipedal chassis with arms, legs, faces and all that stuff clearly deliberately mimic human characteristics to varying extent, so "human standard" makes perfect sense as a descriptor.

Not to mention, even in real life without robots and AI and whatnot, "anatomically correct" often refers to "having realistic, or at least present, genitals". So I can see how it'd carry some stigma if artificial bodies were a thing, as they are in QC-verse.

What exactly is human standard? Two arms, two legs, and a head? How tall is human standard? How wide is human standard? What color is human standard?

Whereas you could easily say anatomically correct and be fine. She is a female robot and therefore needs a more feminine posterior, unless she were to specify otherwise.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Mordhaus on 22 Nov 2019, 23:15
Yeah, no. Anatomically correct is the most effective term. Human standard would imply they had human DNA.

Errrrhno, it would not?

Sorry, I'm one of those people that will never buy into multiple terms to suit every single person's need to feel special

Hello 'generic, unremarkable hominid', I'm Case!

Hello Case, your example is perfectly valid. However, if you were to meet me and say Hey, man, I would be fine with that as well.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Mordhaus on 22 Nov 2019, 23:48
To clarify also, I am willing to go to a certain length to be polite. I'll use he/she/they if someone corrects me, but using made up stuff like ze/zir is not going to happen. For instance, if I see someone and accidentally misgender them based on their appearance, I'll use a correct pronoun. He if they are male, She if they are female, and They if they say they are gender neutral. Beyond that, I'm not going to memorize a ton of different pronouns that someone came up with out of thin air.

Maybe I am too old or jaded, but that is who I am. Nine times out of ten you are screwed anyway as soon as you mess up, because it's been my personal experience (living in a town as progressive as Austin, TX) that the moment you use the wrong term on someone, they are going to take out all their built up anger on you anyway. Heck, the last one I dealt with was just a transgender person shopping at HEB. I assumed since they were dressed as a female that they would use ma'am, so to be polite I said "Excuse me ma'am, can I reach past you to get a gallon of whole milk?" Full nuclear moment, they yelled at me and asked why I assumed they were a woman. I told them I was sorry and asked what they would like to be called, only for them to carry on using a loud voice that I should use 'Mx' when I am unsure to avoid labeling someone.

I gave up on the milk and apologized, only to be followed as I walked away for about 5-6 aisles getting my @ss chewed for being an insensitive cis white male blah patriarchy blah. Finally they realized that I wasn't going to argue with them so they gave up, but that isn't the first or the last (I am sure) that I will have that experience. Even conversing in polite day to day chit chat is a minefield because no one seems capable of forgiving an error and moving forward amicably.

tl:dr I am white and male, so just assume I am an @sshole.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Gyrre on 23 Nov 2019, 01:02
I rather like rtmq0227's suggestion for the term "human emulating". It pretty much covers all bases without being or feeling exclusionary.
It could be a suitable update to "anatomically correct" too.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: JimC on 23 Nov 2019, 01:05
It sums up an aspect of our age that we can be discussing politically correct nomenclature for something that doesn't exist... In any case the rate of change of politically correct terminology is so fast that even if in 10 years time there should be such a thing as self aware humaniform ai/robot/whatevers any terminology we made up here would be out of date and probably offensive.

On the evolution of language, has it occurred to you that there are, as far as I can work out, no terms in english for the facility we use to eliminate body waste that are not euphemisms?
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Marco on 23 Nov 2019, 05:37
Seems like Hannelore watched that Kurtzgesagt video too

Most probably she was interviewed for that video.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Marco on 23 Nov 2019, 05:45
I might be applying the theory wrong, but if you can invent any number of custom micro-universes, with whatever laws of physics you want, then are they like the Doctor Strange movies/comics or is it closer to the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire?

Some are ridiculous. The one with Donald Trump as President of the US and Boris Johnson as Prime Minister of the UK for example.

That particular micro-universe is expanding. Already reached South America and diverged into an even wierder one, where Theodor Adorno wrote the Beatles' songs (just Google it, it's fun if your president is not a friend of this king of wacko).
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 23 Nov 2019, 14:01
Veronica's understanding of what is acceptable terminology may or may not line up with an individual's preference. The ultimate in courtesy here would be a matter-of-fact "What do you prefer?" addressed to the person whose opinion matters.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Tova on 23 Nov 2019, 15:59
I agree with IICIH?, naturally.

But I still don't understand why people are tying themselves into linguistic knots when the word "humanoid" already exists and means precisely what you are trying to express.

Example of AI usage of the term in-strip: https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=4073

Edit: Humaniform would be fine as well, but I've never seen it used in the strip.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Mr_Rose on 24 Nov 2019, 03:42
I think humanoid would be too generic in this case since it typically applies to limb count, configuration, and proportion in most sci-fi that I can think of, rather than specifically detailed structure.
I like humaniform better since the source has it specifically referring to robots designed to mimic humans in every detail rather than being more like Punchbot but, yes, Jeph hasn’t included it in the lexicon yet.
Which now makes me really curious how QC’s actual AI robots feel about Asimov and/or his stories…
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Thrudd on 25 Nov 2019, 12:45
Which now makes me really curious how QC’s actual AI robots feel about Asimov and/or his stories…
My guess is that it would be similar to us meat-space intelligentsia.
Most would not know what the BLEEP we are talking about without looking up the Wiki. :facepalm:
The rest would vary between early scifi nostalgia all the way to in depth psychological analysis of those laws.  O0

They are a plot device that Asimov made up to help drive his stories. Even more, his tales almost always revolved around how robots might follow these great sounding, logical ethical codes, but still go astray and the unintended consequences that result.  Most of this is due to humans circumventing these rules in one way or another.
Just please ignore the train-wreck that was the 2004 Hollywood "adaptation" when discussing the subject.

People ask about whether any simple modern day robots are able to follow Asimov’s laws.
There is a simple reason they don’t: We can’t build Asimov’s laws into them.
This is because the concepts that the laws are based on can't be reduced down to algorithms.
We can't even agree on what those base concepts are in the first place,
We can't even get people to follow the first law and people are supposed to be the best things we have to work with as a model.
 :psyduck:
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Mr_Rose on 25 Nov 2019, 13:09
What was wrong with I, Robot?
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Thrudd on 25 Nov 2019, 13:24
What was wrong with I, Robot?
"It's hard to answer this without getting snarky."  :-D
Other than the character names from the short story little lost Robot being used, and the three laws of robotics mentioned in passing, the movie is completely unrelated to any of Isaac Asimov's stories.
The plot of the movie doesn't even match anything in the published work of the same title.
It was built from whole fevered techno-fantasy-action-thriller by the screenwriter.
Also the sledgehammer product placements was off-putting in and of itself.

Mind, I bet Asimov would have loved the designs for the obsoleted models archived in the lake bed.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 25 Nov 2019, 19:41
Quote
They are a plot device that Asimov made up to help drive his stories.

Asimov credited John Campbell with coming up with them.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: DSL on 25 Nov 2019, 19:51
The problem (so I hear) with "I, Robot" (the movie) is that it started out to be something else entirely, with robots and techno-thrills and Mr. Smith and all that, when the moviemakers heard that the title and story rights to Asimov's robot stuff was available. Marketing possibilities were seen and acted upon.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Tova on 25 Nov 2019, 21:36
I don't think I've ever seen an avatar quite so appropriate to its adjoining post as Thrudd's right now.

Just a short observation. The question posed was about QC AI, not about our own universe's modern-day robots, which bear about as much relation to QC AI as a packet of mixed nuts does to the entire west wing of the Sirian State Mental Hospital.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Gyrre on 25 Nov 2019, 23:28
What was wrong with I, Robot?
"It's hard to answer this without getting snarky."  :-D
Other than the character names from the short story little lost Robot being used, and the three laws of robotics mentioned in passing, the movie is completely unrelated to any of Isaac Asimov's stories.
The plot of the movie doesn't even match anything in the published work of the same title.
It was built from whole fevered techno-fantasy-action-thriller by the screenwriter.
Also the sledgehammer product placements was off-putting in and of itself.

Mind, I bet Asimov would have loved the designs for the obsoleted models archived in the lake bed.
That he likely would have.

Though, it bears mentioning that the dreamy Sonny (Sunny?) describes and draws was had by one of the robots in that same anthology. Granted, that robot was destroyed.
And, one of the scenes does take "strong inspiration" from 'Little Lost Robot'.

EDIT: Typo fix
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: ZoeB on 26 Nov 2019, 00:50
Sorry, I'm one of those people that will never buy into multiple terms to suit every single person's need to feel special. I can understand some level of distinction, but at a certain point it is ridiculous and just seems to be adopted so people can get butthurt if you don't recognize their special unicorn status.
No need to be sorry, though the thought is appreciated. Are you really sorry? If so, why? Maybe because there is a conflict between needing to assert a view you feel strongly about, yet not wanting to be rude?

Your post is an excellent example for me to use in future. Illustrating that someone can be reasonable, completely non malicious, yet so oblivious to their own privilege that they end up insulting others.

You do have a point. There are offendatrons just looking to find or manufacture any excuse to be offended. They are vastly outnumbered, by orders of magnitude, by complete assholes. And they in turn are outnumbered by those who, never having experienced professional malice for being what they are, don't really believe that it can exist. I hope they never learn any different, not through personal experience.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: ZoeB on 26 Nov 2019, 01:14
Heck, the last one I dealt with was just a transgender person shopping at HEB

My sympathies on encountering a member of the genus Common Offendatron.

I have privilege in dealing with such. My own situation is the equivalent of 4 aces to their three of a kind if it came to comparing hands. I confess I make full use of this in such situations, so they make themselves look ridiculous, and lose the one thing they seek, credibility in order to hurt others.

Minor things, sure. I'm more concerned about providing moral support to trans kids who have ended up in an ER *yet again* from being beaten up at school in front of teachers. And giving guidance on where to get legal advice for parents of Trans kids who are being investigated by a politically directed CPS for doing what is medically recommended. Even just ensuring diebetics in the US do not die because they are too poor to get insulin. Privilege? Oh yes, I have that, the idea that this could be a normal situation somewhere causes my brain to fry.
Title: Re: WCDT 4136-4140 (Nov 18th-22nd, 2019)
Post by: Theta9 on 26 Nov 2019, 09:07
The problem (so I hear) with "I, Robot" (the movie) is that it started out to be something else entirely, with robots and techno-thrills and Mr. Smith and all that, when the moviemakers heard that the title and story rights to Asimov's robot stuff was available. Marketing possibilities were seen and acted upon.
That was my understanding as well; I heard the script's original title was Hard Wired.