Topic: WCDT: 2156-60 (2-6 April 2012) Questionable Content Discussion (Read 57064 times)

DSL · « **Reply #150 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 17:20 »

We'd best be careful in trying to apply the Campbell/Asimov Three Laws Plus One to the QCverse; Jeph has baldly stated AIs in QCverse pretty much have free will and "it's a good thing they seem to like us." (It's in his Tumblr somewhere; go for it.) So I'd infer the Laws aren't in force here. Let's not put ourselves in the position of the newspaper reporter who was told to call Asimov for a comment on why the Three Laws failed after an assembly-line robot pinned and killed a worker who went inside the safety cage while the robot was in operation.
As for the ease of transport from Hannerdad Station to the ground and back up, others besides me have noted EC-101 is a luxury transport, what with those Boeing Business Class seats. (Definitely not acceleration couches; they're angled wrong to the aerospacecraft's centerline.) Not everyone might get to fly that way, but Ellicott-Chatham Technologies Space Systems Division clearly has delta-vee to burn. Transport's not a problem, even if the pilot occasionally forgets his "pants."
As for the mechanics of coyotes using mail order to (attempt to) kill roadrunners, it's simple: Failure is always an option.

specter177 · « **Reply #151 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 17:25 »

In somewhat unrelated news, I've decided to do another archive binge, and I'm amazed at how subtly Jeph's art changed strip-by-strip, but how drastic the change is from #1 to now.

Is it cold in here? · « **Reply #152 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 17:36 »

Quote from: DSL on 04 Apr 2012, 17:20

As for the mechanics of coyotes using mail order to (attempt to) kill roadrunners, it's simple: Failure is always an option.

"With ACME products, failure is not an option! It's standard equipment in everything we sell!"

St.Clair · « **Reply #153 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 18:32 »

To modify a famous Tsiolkovsky quote:
"Station was the cradle of Hannelore. But one cannot live in the cradle forever."

jwhouk · « **Reply #154 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 18:39 »

EDIT: We might want to go easy on our usual outrageous comments, as Jeph may not be a very happy camper right now...

Why, you ask?

Quote from: jephjacques (on twitter)

I think I just got banned from ustream for drawing a cat with a boner

Elfa · « **Reply #155 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 20:03 »

She lives in a world of Anthropomorphic PC's that can have human like bodies. Why not just take a copy of the AI and stick it in a human-like Anthro PC and go back to Earth.

Then you can have a story line where Hanner's Anthro PC falls in love with Station and a crap storm begins...

jwhouk · « **Reply #156 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 20:14 »

Essentially, Elfa, that's what I suggested. It's not like Hannerdad couldn't get another AI to take over Station's duties.

Station might find an APC body a bit confining, though. And how would he get along with Pintsize, Winslow, and Momo?

Gnomes2169 · « **Reply #157 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 20:28 »

Staying on the station? Blasphemy of the highest degree!

Quote

If she gets written out of the strip, Jeph WILL be hunted down by the angry mob!

I've already sent out a petition/ sign up sheet to the rest of Minnesota. If Mr. J does remove Hanners, he will find out first hand what "Minnesota Nice" really stands for.

On to Station coming to earth, I think that it really just does not have a high opinion for anyone or anything that does any action so primitive as walk on the ground. I also do not think that it/ he would lower himself to the level of a lesser machine, and that he/ it would not confine him/ itself to something as small and fallible as a bipedal sex toy (as would be the case of the robotic boyfriend). Why would he not lower himself? Because as a machine, Station must have run through all logical solutions to its problem already, and judged each in turn. The fact that it decided not to download itself into any robot without Hannadad's knowledge shows that it does not believe that this method would be the most effective. Also the fact that it is asking Hanners to stay on the station shows that it believes the best and most likely only way to logically stay with her is to have her stay out in space with it. Whether this is caused by arrogance or logical conclusions, Station has made its own choices.

I also think that if he did get over his own inhibitions and decided to do the illogical thing and go to earth in a robot body, Station would have many terrible series of events that destroyed it repeatedly and eventually wiped its memory of everything that it ever knew. Cause Jeph's sense of humor and karma work like that.

Carl-E · « **Reply #158 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 20:35 »

Quote from: jwhouk on 04 Apr 2012, 20:14

Station might find an APC body a bit confining, though.

After omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence in and of its evirons, I thik this qualifies as understatement.

jwhouk · « **Reply #159 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 20:35 »

...and I think you just answered the question as to why Station would d/l himself (he identifies as a male in his holo-projections) into an AnthroPC and go down to earth with Hanners.

It is totally and completely irrational. And it would show Hannelore how much he really cares for her. (Think of what Marten did with Vicki for a second).

If Jeph can get past Ustream being stupid, I'm betting on it happening.

EDIT: And Carl-E - it'd be rather interesting if he chose to do this during THIS particular week on the ol' calendar.

Madmartigan · « **Reply #160 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 20:45 »

My first read through and opinion is this...

Station being relatively selfish and callous to ask such a thing of Hanners. Station was no doubt a help to Hanners growing up and set her on the path of establishing herself and getting to as close to "normal" whatever it really means in the long run.

I think it'd be a bit of stalling in her development to stay. Space is nice and all but...You got your cooky scientists, AIs, and robots.

She's made leaps and bounds living together with normal folk. She's as central to the QC Earthlings and they are to her. She learns how to cope and deal with issues by being around them. And them being around her and her innocence and her own issues, make themselves better peeps.

And that doesn't even get into the Hanners/Marten dynamic. I dunno bout the rest of you, but one of my favorite moments so far in this comic has been Marten's creation of the "worry hat" and those two or three strips that dealt with it. Hell, Marten makes her better a better person but hell, she's probably had a bigger hand in making ole' Marty a better bloke. You really see his sensitive and caring side and heck, his passivity drops a little round her.

At any rate. Don't think it's fair for Station to ask this of her, what do I know?

And as sweet as ole' Station is, still find it kinda creepy. And if he returned with her in the bot, even creepier. Just can't get past the whole most likely created to deal with Hanners' mental issues and being that intimate from a psychological aspect to go from therapist friend to anything more than just a close friend. Too strange for me, even given the QC universe.

frankwolftown · « **Reply #161 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 21:09 »

Quote from: celticgeek on 01 Apr 2012, 19:09

Spathe ham and waffles.

I want space ham!!!

jwhouk · « **Reply #162 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 21:10 »

We have a comic.

And... that has to be the best strip in a long time.

You can SEE the tears starting to form in Hanner's eye.

Omega Entity · « **Reply #163 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 21:12 »

Wait, I thought Hannelore had left the station far more recently than ten years. Like, more like 2 or 3. She hadn't been off the station all that long when she met Marten, had she?

Method of Madness · « **Reply #164 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 21:13 »

Stupid space dust in the air again

specter177 · « **Reply #165 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 21:14 »

Quote from: Omega Entity on 04 Apr 2012, 21:12

Wait, I thought Hannelore had left the station far more recently than ten years. Like, more like 2 or 3. She hadn't been off the station all that long when she met Marten, had she?

Where did she say it had been ten years? I was guessing more like 4 or 5.

jwhouk · « **Reply #166 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 21:14 »

Speculation says she's only been gone for roughly five-six years. She'd only been off the station for a few years when she met Marty.

EDIT: In looking back at Wednesday's strip (2158), I realize she's holding a pamphlet that says, "SCENIC NORTHAMPTON".

DrBear · « **Reply #167 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 21:18 »

I agree. Considering Jeph's problems tonight, he really nailed the expressions.

Oh, and thanks to him for not making us wait until Monday for Hanners' decision.

Is it cold in here? · « **Reply #168 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 21:19 »

Quote from: Station's internal thoughts

My little Hannelore is all grown up!

emeraldbeacon · « **Reply #169 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 21:24 »

Friday's Comic:

Station: "I... understand. I was just hoping to be a part of your life. But I suppose if Earth is so important to you, the least I can do is see you home..."
VRRRT VRRRT VRRRT
Hannelore: "...What's that siren?"
Station: "I redirected my maneuvering thrusters. Re-entry will begin in two point seven minutes..."

Sorflakne · « **Reply #170 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 21:36 »

Station's not going to go HAL on everyone, is he?

J · « **Reply #171 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 21:51 »

you know station, if you weren't too stuck up to pick up the damn phone once and a while, you wouldn't be having this problem.

Omega Entity · « **Reply #172 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 21:59 »

Wait, I thought Hannelore had left the station far more recently than ten years. Like, more like 2 or 3. She hadn't been off the station all that long when she met Marten, had she?

Quote from: specter177 on 04 Apr 2012, 21:14

Quote from: Omega Entity on 04 Apr 2012, 21:12
Wait, I thought Hannelore had left the station far more recently than ten years. Like, more like 2 or 3. She hadn't been off the station all that long when she met Marten, had she?

Where did she say it had been ten years? I was guessing more like 4 or 5.

Nowhere in the comic, but some posters here keep saying it.

jwhouk · « **Reply #173 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 22:36 »

There has been a lot of speculation as to how long the time difference was between, essentially, panel 3B of yesterday's comic (2158), and panel 2 of 515 (when we first meet Hannelore).

Based on what Dr. Case said in 2134, it was a kind-of sudden thing; one day she decided to get up and leave for Earth, and she was gone. Nowhere has there been any clear statements as to how old, or how long ago, that was.

Just simply based on guesses, she must have already been on Earth (and, assumably, in Northampton) for a few years when Faye and Marten moved into their current apartment. And, she must have been well established by the apartment manager for being "the lady who vacuums at odd hours sometimes" (wayyyy back in strip 313).

She may very well have come to NoHam at the same time Faye did. The only difference is that Faye actually wandered out to the local bars, where Hanners spent the first three years of her time disinfecting her apartment...

cpflux · « **Reply #174 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 22:40 »

"And that's about when he whipped out the holo-penis."

Carl-E · « **Reply #175 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 23:23 »

Really? REALLY?? You go there NOW?!?

Sheesh...

Mordhaus · « **Reply #176 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 23:35 »

Why would someone who thought of her as a family member whip out his junk? Or did I read something wrong?

pwhodges · « **Reply #177 on:** 04 Apr 2012, 23:55 »

No; that was an inane, immature, and inappropriate comment. But I guess that while publicly disapproving of UStream's action (and JustinTV's previously) in banning Jeph for drawing a cat with a boner, I shouldn't simply censor it as I was tempted to...

snubnose · « **Reply #178 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 00:26 »

I dont think Station is even able to download itself into any humanlike droid body. Thats because Station is too vast - after all, it has to operate a full spacestation.

squab · « **Reply #179 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 00:28 »

Quote from: Madmartigan on 04 Apr 2012, 20:45

My first read through and opinion is this...

Station being relatively selfish and callous to ask such a thing of Hanners. Station was no doubt a help to Hanners growing up and set her on the path of establishing herself and getting to as close to "normal" whatever it really means in the long run.

I think it'd be a bit of stalling in her development to stay. Space is nice and all but...You got your cooky scientists, AIs, and robots.

She's made leaps and bounds living together with normal folk. She's as central to the QC Earthlings and they are to her. She learns how to cope and deal with issues by being around them. And them being around her and her innocence and her own issues, make themselves better peeps.

And that doesn't even get into the Hanners/Marten dynamic. I dunno bout the rest of you, but one of my favorite moments so far in this comic has been Marten's creation of the "worry hat" and those two or three strips that dealt with it. Hell, Marten makes her better a better person but hell, she's probably had a bigger hand in making ole' Marty a better bloke. You really see his sensitive and caring side and heck, his passivity drops a little round her.

At any rate. Don't think it's fair for Station to ask this of her, what do I know?

And as sweet as ole' Station is, still find it kinda creepy. And if he returned with her in the bot, even creepier. Just can't get past the whole most likely created to deal with Hanners' mental issues and being that intimate from a psychological aspect to go from therapist friend to anything more than just a close friend. Too strange for me, even given the QC universe.

I'm pretty sure Station existed all along. Or at the very least was created to run the STATION. Seems a bit odd to create a sentient robot where the ADDITIONAL features are managing an ENTIRE FREAKING SPACE STATION.

Dr. ROFLPWN · « **Reply #180 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 00:43 »

"Don't you see, Station? If I were to stay here with you, who would people inappropriately ship Marten with? Who would the bear-hat fanboys lust after? Who would be in those terrible fanfictions with Marigold? And Jeph's readership, Station. It would drop by half. Maybe more. I just...I can't afford to stay."

</tongueincheek> in all seriousness, though, that was very sweet. And sad. And full of truth.

WAYF · « **Reply #181 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 00:54 »

Once again, Hannelore demonstrates her firm grasp on common sense.

Jeph is on a roll here.
-EDIT: Even the comic's title has just the right amount of poignancy to it.

iduguphergrave · « **Reply #182 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 00:55 »

These are all great drawings of Hannelore, but I especially love her expression in panel three. So much going on; you can tell she really doesn't want to hurt Station. But she's doing what has to be done.

trstn · « **Reply #183 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 01:16 »

Quote from: Sorflakne on 04 Apr 2012, 21:36

Station's not going to go HAL on everyone, is he?

"You cannot do that, Hannelore..."

Alchemy · « **Reply #184 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 01:18 »

I bet when they get back to Earth, something wild will have happened.
Someone got in an accident, or more Russian spies, or Dora gets a boyfriend. Something interesting happened.
And then, flashback!

steveh11 · « **Reply #185 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 01:29 »

Quote from: Method of Madness on 04 Apr 2012, 21:13

Stupid space dust in the air again

Yeah, I found some of that, too.

Jeph's got really good at making me go all "D'awwwww".

Mr_Rose · « **Reply #186 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 01:55 »

Logically, if Hanners' life is on earth, to get Hanners to stay all Station has to do is destroy the earth.
Or, at least, the relevant portions of Northampton…
Is Station armed or were the sentient defence satellites a different AI/Hannelore messing everyone around again?

~~Schmorgluck~~ · « **Reply #187 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 02:07 »

Quote from: WAYF on 05 Apr 2012, 00:54

Once again, Hannelore demonstrates her firm grasp on common sense.

My guess: Station will console himself by being proud of her for that.

Mr. Doctor · « **Reply #188 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 03:01 »

Sad strip. You can see how she doesn't want to hurt him, but yeah... It has to be done

Filias · « **Reply #189 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 05:15 »

I am sad that she can not embrace the station, I think it need one now.

Skewbrow · « **Reply #190 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 05:17 »

Prediction for tomorrow: Holohugs and tears. Station will accept Hannelore's explanation. He will not go HAL...

... but the lights on the station will dim for a moment, as he temporarily loses control of some subroutines.

Akima · « **Reply #191 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 05:48 »

Quote from: iduguphergrave on 05 Apr 2012, 00:55

These are all great drawings of Hannelore, but I especially love her expression in panel three. So much going on; you can tell she really doesn't want to hurt Station. But she's doing what has to be done.

Yes, very much so, and the drawing is superb. But I find Hannelore's eyebrow-on-top-of-her-hair distracting. I know it's a manga convention, and Jeph often does it, but it's extra-obvious in this strip.

jwhouk · « **Reply #192 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 07:15 »

I think that's still a reminder of how occasionally unkempt/unruly Hanner's hair can get.

DSL · « **Reply #193 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 08:13 »

I was thinking how much fun it would be if the whole reason Hanners was in Northampton in the first place was a toirist brochure that just happened to be laying about the space station because someone riding up on the spaceplane picked it up at Bradley to have something to read on the flight up.

Carl-E · « **Reply #194 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 08:27 »

"Come to scenic Northhampton! We have buskers!

sitnspin · « **Reply #195 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 08:41 »

Awwwww, Hanners, my childhood was full of dark and scary things too, and I also had someone who was the one good thing I remember about it and without who I would be in a padded cell or dead. It is nice to have that person, but you are right, you have a good life, going backward is out of the question.

jmucchiello · « **Reply #196 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 09:10 »

Quote from: DrBear on 04 Apr 2012, 16:42

TOMORROW: The mechanics of how coyotes use mail order to kill roadrunners.

C'mon, that was fully documented throughout the 40s and 50s.

Quote from: Eohelm on 04 Apr 2012, 17:08

I think you quoted the wrong section. We were discussing parental neglect and what Station may or may not have thought of it. You're looking for a couple of other different people. Read it all beforehand, I suppose?

The person I meant to quote was hung up on the expense of space travel and how frequently could the station (little s) be resupplied. I have no idea how I missed so badly.

Quote from: Dr. ROFLPWN on 05 Apr 2012, 00:43

"Don't you see, Station? If I were to stay here with you, who would people inappropriately ship Marten with? Who would the bear-hat fanboys lust after? Who would be in those terrible fanfictions with Marigold? And Jeph's readership, Station. It would drop by half. Maybe more. I just...I can't afford to stay."

And assuming I didn't screw this up, Dr. ROFLPWN wins the thread!

Welu · « **Reply #197 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 09:40 »

I adore the art in this strip. Great example of Jeph's ability to draw complex expressions.

Mr. Doctor · « **Reply #198 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 09:45 »

Quote from: Akima on 05 Apr 2012, 05:48

But I find Hannelore's eyebrow-on-top-of-her-hair distracting. I know it's a manga convention, and Jeph often does it, but it's extra-obvious in this strip.

Aaaaaaaaaah shit, now you ruined it for me. I didn't noticed it before.

rcs · « **Reply #199 on:** 05 Apr 2012, 11:35 »

Hello all, first time poster/long time lurker here.

I find this conversation between Hanners and Station very demonstrative of her backstory and character development. For me, it brings to mind Faye's conversations with her mother, sister, and the musing at her father's grave.

It's such a growing up story. So many people have had family pulling at them to come back "home" where home is good for the parent (or parental figure) but not for the growth of the one leaving. To me, it often points out the insecurity and/or selfishness of the one staying behind.

Faye's mother finds it good for Faye to strike out on her own (behind the crazy daughter snark.) Marten's parents seem to encourage independence for their son - with a bit of protective lioness mother thrown in. Hannelore's parents are brilliant people but clueless emotionally. Dora's parents seemed to be so involved with each other and traveling that Dora and Sven raised themselves. We don't know much about Marigold's parents. That could also be a really interesting development story.

Sorry for my first comment to be so rambling, but I'm just really loving this.

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Author Topic: WCDT: 2156-60 (2-6 April 2012) Questionable Content Discussion (Read 57064 times)

Filias