THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Comic Discussion => QUESTIONABLE CONTENT => Topic started by: shanejayell on 13 Nov 2022, 21:01

Title: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: shanejayell on 13 Nov 2022, 21:01
Hey kids! Playing with your brain chemistry is FUN!

"SHUT UP YAY."

(Added poll, two votes per user)
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Farideh on 13 Nov 2022, 21:48
I'm still on the fence on whether or not Yay it's helping.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: sitnspin on 13 Nov 2022, 23:11
I mean, I play with my brain chemistry all the time. Most of us do. In a very uncontrolled and nonsystematic way
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Tova on 14 Nov 2022, 01:24
If the only outcome is that Elliot stops thinking that therapy is for "crazy" people or that they will just send you away with drugs, then this helped.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: BenRG on 14 Nov 2022, 01:52
I'm still on the fence on whether or not Yay it's helping.

Yay is very clumsy about this but they have exposed that Elliot is in a serious anxiety loop about his whole mental health. He's aware that he has a problem but is afraid of seeking help because of anxiety about the outcome. If Yay and Renee can push him through that 'wall' to at least seek help then his situation can only improve.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Wingy on 14 Nov 2022, 11:08
Don't forget that Yay has transferred Clinton's message about the relationship.  I expect that won't get lost on anyone, perhaps enough for Eliot will go home tonight.  Which will lead to an angsty meeting with much snuggling and discussion of treatment options.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: notStanley on 14 Nov 2022, 13:06
But the scripts from a doctor are seldom much fun.  Side effects are more things like tired or constipated.  Seldom pretty colours and conversations with Dragons :{
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Tova on 14 Nov 2022, 14:30
Seldom pretty colours and conversations with Dragons :{

Disappoint.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Gyrre on 14 Nov 2022, 17:22
Here's hoping one of the characters brings up talking to the psychiatrist about how one's body is reacting to the meds and how they feel so dosing can be adjusted or a different medication tried. At least two main cast characters have the experience.

EDIT: typo correction; 'can' not 'ca'.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Stoon on 14 Nov 2022, 17:34
I'm getting a serious Socializing 101 (https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/socializing101-/list?title_no=10834) vibe from QC the past week.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: immortalfrieza on 14 Nov 2022, 18:05
If the only outcome is that Elliot stops thinking that therapy is for "crazy" people or that they will just send you away with drugs, then this helped.
Questionable Content is also one of the few pieces of fiction where therapy has both A. Happened and B. actually made the person better instead of turning them into a serial killer or something. Of course, said therapy doesn't exist when it's convenient for the plot, during like Faye's issues with her last boyfriend and subsequent self destructive alcoholism.

We'll see which direction Jeph decides to go this time.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Farideh on 14 Nov 2022, 18:21
Elliot has a middle name!
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: shanejayell on 14 Nov 2022, 18:55
Hey, Yay nearly went into 'Spookybot' mode again. Nice!!
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Lokitsu on 14 Nov 2022, 19:11
Is Yay trying to channel Mrs Augustus?
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Storel on 14 Nov 2022, 19:39
I mean, I play with my brain chemistry all the time. Most of us do. In a very uncontrolled and nonsystematic way

Yup. Caffeine, sugar, and alcohol, just for starters.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Gyrre on 14 Nov 2022, 23:22
If the only outcome is that Elliot stops thinking that therapy is for "crazy" people or that they will just send you away with drugs, then this helped.
Questionable Content is also one of the few pieces of fiction where therapy has both A. Happened and B. actually made the person better instead of turning them into a serial killer or something. Of course, said therapy doesn't exist when it's convenient for the plot, during like Faye's issues with her last boyfriend and subsequent self destructive alcoholism.

We'll see which direction Jeph decides to go this time.

..... Is is that 2nd thing something that's been portrayed outside of a DV Comics villain!?!?

EDIT: typo correction [damned useless keyboard, don't ever buy CAT phones. May be sturdy, but they cut corners.]
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Wingy on 15 Nov 2022, 04:51
Of course, if Elliot really wants to court death, he'll just deny Yay access to Hercules a few times.  OTOH, Yay appears to be figuring out that certain kinds of threats are useless, which changes their possible responses to intentional non-compliance by another entity.  Or that showing off in front of unscreened others is a bad idea.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: stayctee on 15 Nov 2022, 06:41
Ugh, Elliot. In denial AND patronizing! If a guy patted me on the head I would freak out. In fact they have, and I did. (Short women have to put up with some dumb crap.) Clinton also needs to learn how to express his needs too, though. This is all totally age-appropriate stuff, and I hope they figure it out! When I think back there are so many relationships from my early twenties that probably could have been helped with therapy and some boundary work instead of just YOU'RE CRAZY AND I HATE YOU NOW, BYE FOREVERRRR. But they're both coming from a good place but geez Elliot. Self reflect, buddy. Self reflect.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: hedgie on 15 Nov 2022, 08:40
Here's hoping one of the characters brings up talking to the psychiatrist about how one's body is reacting to the meds and how they feel so dosing can be adjusted or a different medication tried. At least two main cast characters have the experience.

EDIT: typo correction; 'can' not 'ca'.

I do wish that I had been more assertive in my own life and sacked one doctor after our first meeting.  Unfortunately, I was on poor people’s health care, so my options were extremely limited (I ended up losing the one doctor that I worked well with because I couldn’t even pay cash there.  If you have the shit insurance, it’s a scarlet letter, you CAN’T go elsewhere).  But I knew that SSRIs don’t work with me, and didn’t fight back at people trying to prescribe them, so I drank enough to front a Pogues tribute band every night to counteract that shit. 

And I know that it was the meds.  Off of them, I seem naturally inclined to a few beers/whiskies a *week*
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: baronvonfritz on 15 Nov 2022, 11:32
Tall people just don't see small people as a threat, no matter the danger. Much in the similar way humans don't perceive Chihuaua's as a threat. Even if they're the most aggressive dog breed in the world. I guess it would be different if Chihuauas could bite through a brick. Or not.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Mr_Rose on 15 Nov 2022, 13:00
Tall people just don't see small people as a threat, no matter the danger. Much in the similar way humans don't perceive Chihuaua's as a threat. Even if they're the most aggressive dog breed in the world. I guess it would be different if Chihuauas could bite through a brick. Or not.
Definitely not. Macaws, parrots, and similar birds kept as house pets absolutely can bite clean through pretty much any bit of human you can think of, should they decide to, but good luck convincing their keepers they’re even potentially dangerous.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Farideh on 15 Nov 2022, 13:20
IMO, whether or not something is 'dangerous' comes down to risk assessment. Most living creatures can wreak a lot of damage, but they need the right trigger to do so. For example: cats. Cats can be dangerous. They're fast and strong with sharp teeth and claws. I have 3 cats and I don't think they're dangerous, because I know them and their temperaments. They are not a risk to me (unless it involves a vet visit). Same thing goes for the macaws etc. Yes, they have powerful bites, but if you know how to handle them, they are not dangerous.

While Elliot's action is condescending (please never do that again unless specifically permitted), he does not think that Yay is dangerous to him. They have only shown him kindness and tolerance. Also, given Elliot's second job as a bouncer, his assessment of 'danger' probably differs from most people anyway.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: shanejayell on 15 Nov 2022, 18:54
New Comic

Yeah, Yay is ANNOYED. *lol*
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Farideh on 15 Nov 2022, 19:03
Good on Yay for calling out the 'boys don't cry / man up' statements. Makes you wonder where that came from anyway?
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Gyrre on 15 Nov 2022, 20:34
Tall people just don't see small people as a threat, no matter the danger. Much in the similar way humans don't perceive Chihuaua's as a threat. Even if they're the most aggressive dog breed in the world. I guess it would be different if Chihuauas could bite through a brick. Or not.

Agreed.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: SmilingCat on 15 Nov 2022, 20:49
Good on Yay for calling out the 'boys don't cry / man up' statements. Makes you wonder where that came from anyway?

Here's the thing. If you're resistant to seeking help, you look for excuses not to seek it.

Elliot wants to believe he can get past his anxieties without actually having to face them.

So even if he's not one to tell others to just "man up" or "get tougher" he's more than willing to convince himself that's what he needs to do in order to not have to face his problems. Because, sometimes, well, it's a big ask to give yourself the same benefit of the doubt you give everybody else.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Sorflakne on 15 Nov 2022, 21:01
IMO Elliot's friends need to step up and offer to help him through this, rather than him seek professional help.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Tova on 15 Nov 2022, 21:28
Good on Yay for calling out the 'boys don't cry / man up' statements. Makes you wonder where that came from anyway?

I don't know, but if Yay thinks it went away after the 1950s, they haven't been paying anywhere near as much attention to the world as we've all been led to believe.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Farideh on 15 Nov 2022, 22:34
I just looked at the comic again and realized that I made up my previous statement. Elliot says he need to 'toughen up', and combined with Yay's 1950's comment, my brain turned it into 'man up'. Sigh. Between this and today's Wordle, my brain really isn't my friend today.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Gyrre on 15 Nov 2022, 23:26
IMO Elliot's friends need to step up and offer to help him through this, rather than him seek professional help.

From Renée's dialogue, it sounds like at least dome of them already have.

[I can never remember ehich of the e's the tick mark goes over. Is it Reneé or Renée? Or does the final e ust serve the purpose of implying thr accent mark?]
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Gyrre on 15 Nov 2022, 23:28
Good on Yay for calling out the 'boys don't cry / man up' statements. Makes you wonder where that came from anyway?

I don't know, but if Yay thinks it went away after the 1950s, they haven't been paying anywhere near as much attention to the world as we've all been led to believe.

Perhaps that's when they believe it has the best chance of being taught out? McCarthyism did a real number on the USA's collective psyche.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: ihaveavoice on 15 Nov 2022, 23:48
IMO Elliot's friends need to step up and offer to help him through this, rather than him seek professional help.

From Renée's dialogue, it sounds like at least dome of them already have.

[I can never remember ehich of the e's the tick mark goes over. Is it Reneé or Renée? Or does the final e ust serve the purpose of implying thr accent mark?]

It's Renée, and the final e is just because it's the female version of René.  Reneé creates a weird pronunciation, something like Ren-uh-ay.

And someone with anxiety or other mental health issues on a level like Elliot's really shouldn't be having their friends try to do the job of a trained therapist. There is a reason that they've done that training. Things can go so wrong when laypeople try to do that, both in unwitting damage to the person they want to help and in the havoc wrought on their own mental health by taking on that kind of stressful, boundary-breaking burden in a relationship.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 16 Nov 2022, 06:55
Google is your friend:

Renée is the female form of René, with the extra –e making it feminine according to French grammar. The name Renée is the French form of the late Roman name Renatus and the meaning is reborn or born again.

( now ask about brun and her umlaut )
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: hedgie on 16 Nov 2022, 07:01
I know better than to ask strangers about their umlauts.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: traroth on 16 Nov 2022, 08:31
Looks like Yay is trying to avoid  "Roko's basilisk" situation...
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Stoon on 16 Nov 2022, 17:13
Oh, Jeph's a Doctor Who fan.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: shanejayell on 16 Nov 2022, 17:33
Oh, Jeph's a Doctor Who fan.

Yay had better not start quoting Ten.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Farideh on 16 Nov 2022, 17:58
(https://pics.me.me/25-times-subtitles-failed-so-magnificently-they-almost-won-hair-26783370.png)
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Wombat on 16 Nov 2022, 18:12
I love Yay and their silly crush on Roko. I don't know if I want them to get together, but I enjoy how it comes up.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Farideh on 16 Nov 2022, 18:21
Oh, Yay. So wise and yet so naïve.

Depending on how many of Yay's bodies join in, this could end up being an orgy!
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Near Lurker on 16 Nov 2022, 18:36
I feel like a threesome with Yay would quickly turn into that scene from Watchmen...
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: shanejayell on 16 Nov 2022, 19:29
Yay: "I am NOT doing this for Roko's approval."

(Everyone just LOOKS at them)

Yay: "REALLY. Am not."
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: baronvonfritz on 16 Nov 2022, 19:48
Yay IS the worst, and I love them so much.

but I fear that Yay will unfortunately get the realistic maturation and self aware dynamism like all the other damaged characters in this show. Don't get me wrong, it is extremely cathartic that the cast isn't hamstrung by Hollywood sitcom convention and real issues have real resolutions. My only bitch is that the chaos goblins always have the best jokes, but when the chaos settles, they lose their edge. I love May, but gargantuan tits only can do so much. Know what I mean?
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: hedgie on 16 Nov 2022, 20:00
Of course, the biggest goblins in the comic aren’t the most frightening.  Hanners and Momo are a LOT more terrifying, since they keep their dark sides in check most of the time.  And the former had actually considered orbital bombardment to deal with a spider nest. Who knows what she’d do if her mother got into her brain a la “Children of Dune”.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Sorflakne on 16 Nov 2022, 21:27
Yay IS the worst, and I love them so much.

but I fear that Yay will unfortunately get the realistic maturation and self aware dynamism like all the other damaged characters in this show. Don't get me wrong, it is extremely cathartic that the cast isn't hamstrung by Hollywood sitcom convention and real issues have real resolutions. My only bitch is that the chaos goblins always have the best jokes, but when the chaos settles, they lose their edge. I love May, but gargantuan tits only can do so much. Know what I mean?
IMO May and Yay are the best characters. Some amorality and rough edges are good for an otherwise saccharine comic. Though yeah, Yay is undergoing the treatment--first installment Yay had some serious potential.  May seems to have avoided it for the most part, even if she is using her powers and abilities for good, though she was always a good AI, just a jerk with a heart of gold.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Dinaverg on 17 Nov 2022, 02:26
...but gargantuan tits only can do so much. Know what I mean?


Counterpoint, gargantuan tits can do quite a lot, but not in the context of a PG-13 at best (swearing, sexual content, pintsize) medium. 
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: stayctee on 17 Nov 2022, 08:27
Am I the only one who doesn't think Yay has a crush on Roko? If someone can point to a definite instance when they have displayed romantic feelings, I will stand corrected. But to me it just seems like friendly affection and competition.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: hedgie on 17 Nov 2022, 08:48
The line between those is a wide and fuzzy one, so there is a fair bit of ambiguity.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 17 Nov 2022, 09:15
I'd like to see Dr. Corrine become Elliot's therapist. (I don't think he counts as part of Hannelore's circle.)
----
A thing I love about QC is that it gives Jeph a chance to portray characters that are sort of, but not exactly human. AIs can transcend humanity, but they can also comically fail.
Crushbot aspires to be a patissier, but his chassis is not up to the task. If however, he persists and prevails, he will show us something amazing.

Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: shanejayell on 17 Nov 2022, 18:11
New comic

Roko, NOT HELPING. *lol*
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Near Lurker on 17 Nov 2022, 18:20
Admittedly, talking to Yay is kind of moral zugzwang.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Farideh on 17 Nov 2022, 18:40
TIL what 'zugzwang' is. My vocabulary has been extended! :D

At least Roko tried, and she has a point. Yay could've gotten a very different result if they had tried this approach on someone less obliging.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: sitnspin on 17 Nov 2022, 20:37
In a sense, Yay is correct. Persuasion is a form of manipulation and it does involve exploiting people's emotions.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Jimor on 17 Nov 2022, 23:00
I have never gotten into a more heated argument with other writers than when I said it was the primary *goal* of a story to manipulate the reader into feeling what you want them to feel.

Just because it's a loaded word doesn't make it less true in a lot of circumstances.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Tova on 17 Nov 2022, 23:30
I think it was on Cinema Therapy that it was said that the thing that filmmakers and therapists have in common is that they both manipulate you into feeling things.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Farideh on 18 Nov 2022, 00:21
That very much sounds like a Cinema Therapy thing to say.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Storel on 18 Nov 2022, 01:12
I have never gotten into a more heated argument with other writers than when I said it was the primary *goal* of a story to manipulate the reader into feeling what you want them to feel.

Just because it's a loaded word doesn't make it less true in a lot of circumstances.

This. "Manipulate" has such negative connotations for so many people that it's difficult to have a calm, reasonable discussion about good forms of manipulation.

For that specific example, you might get a less heated argument if you said it's the primary goal of a story to make the reader feel what you want them to feel.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Dinaverg on 18 Nov 2022, 03:03
TIL what 'zugzwang' is. My vocabulary has been extended! :D

At least Roko tried, and she has a point. Yay could've gotten a very different result if they had tried this approach on someone less obliging.

although, after all our comparisons to Yay as a teenager in maturity; roko's cynicism really does seem to be getting in the way of the level of sincere, uncompromised (cf "it's good, but...") praise that Yay probably needs?

I dunno, not like I've ever raised a teenager. but I tutor people sometimes, and it's often important to start with what they've done well, or did right before you start talking about the mistakes they made, or, 'more tactfully', how they could improve, and do even better next time.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: Potato Farmer on 18 Nov 2022, 07:39
I have never gotten into a more heated argument with other writers than when I said it was the primary *goal* of a story to manipulate the reader into feeling what you want them to feel.

Just because it's a loaded word doesn't make it less true in a lot of circumstances.

This. "Manipulate" has such negative connotations for so many people that it's difficult to have a calm, reasonable discussion about good forms of manipulation.

For that specific example, you might get a less heated argument if you said it's the primary goal of a story to make the reader feel what you want them to feel.
People always make such a fuss about the idea of manipulation. Every form of interaction is manipulation, whether intentional or accidental.

And yet I have to deal with people thinking I'm a psychopath.

Instead of backtracking Roko should explain that it's important to avoid malicious manipulation, where you utilise falsehoods and coercion to push someone in a direction which is beneficial for your own goals but neglects their goals and/or well-being.
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: John Allenson on 18 Nov 2022, 09:08
By giving unasked advice, Roko demonstrates one of the problems of giving unasked advice.

I adore Yay's look in the last panel.

And I'm completely on side with Elliot in that just getting relief from anxiety can feel like a better solution than increasing anxiety by trying to deal with underlying problems.  (When I get a vaccine, I tense up like anything over the needle - which is no more than a mosquito bite.  But the big thing I've learned from dealing with anxiety is that I can deal with anxiety.  The other thing is to know when to get a support human.)
Title: Re: WCDT Nov 14th - Nov 18th (4916-4920)
Post by: baronvonfritz on 18 Nov 2022, 11:35
...but gargantuan tits only can do so much. Know what I mean?


Counterpoint, gargantuan tits can do quite a lot, but not in the context of a PG-13 at best (swearing, sexual content, pintsize) medium. 

Pintsize as an adjective - yes!