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You don't want to know.

2 (2.9%)

You NEVER *want* to know.

26 (37.7%)

Subscriptions to his Porn Datbase.

10 (14.5%)

Marigold wants the Hentai directory.

7 (10.1%)

Target practice with Yelling Bird.

5 (7.2%)

Olympic 10 meter AI Room Tossing!

0 (0%)

Get a job at the library - cataloging the Victorian Porn.

6 (8.7%)

He wouldn't; he's saving up for a new, bigger chassis.

2 (2.9%)

Get a job working at LANperk, the new chain of coffee stores!

2 (2.9%)

Working in a shipping warehouse for a webcomic merch store.

3 (4.3%)

Insert Meme Here.

1 (1.4%)

Find Marten a roommate who'd pay the rent.

5 (7.2%)

Total Members Voted: 66

[jwhouk]

And here you go, another week in the books. Paddle away! 

[Carl-E]

Is it late in the evening? 


Will Marten be a gentleman and offer to walk Claire home? 





Is Claire afraid to walk home after dark?  The likelihood of her being attacked is distressingly real. 

[Rghfrgl]

 But then who will walk Marten back?!

[Is it cold in here?]

Momo?

I wonder if there's a market for AnthroPC bodyguards.

[Akima]

Momo? I wonder if there's a market for AnthroPC bodyguards.

I'm imagining Momo with an aikido subroutine... Along with the built in lightning gun...

[PintsizeForPresident]

Or Pintsize in his samurai armour. With optional paddle.

[Loki]

Aikido? Why not kendo?

[Is it cold in here?]

There are all sorts of issues with carrying a sword in public.

[Skewbrow]

I wonder if there's a market for AnthroPC bodyguards.

Market? Surely! But I'm not sure what the AIs would think about it. If they are still somewhat struggling with basic rights, then the anti AI rights political faction would surely try to use any incidents of an AI body guard using excessive force against them. Or, who would be legally responsible, if something went wrong? Hmm. I think that was discussed to death some time ago?

But if a Deathbot with laser sidearms is not ok, what about Gordon? Would he be an effective deterrent?

There are all sorts of issues with carrying a sword in public.

Even if sheathed?

[Indicible]

Even if sheathed. A shikomizue (Japanese sword-cane), however, could work.
Momo could practice Panzer Kunst, though.

[GarandMarine]

There are all sorts of issues with carrying a sword in public.

Good thing kendo only uses sticks that look like swords. Which is why I refuse to practice kendo as it happens.

[Border Reiver]

Even if sheathed. A shikomizue (Japanese sword-cane), however, could work.
Momo could practice Panzer Kunst, though.

Sword canes would count as a concealed weapon though.

And in any event a confident attitude and not looking like a target while staying clear of the danger areas is your best defense.  That and a section of infantry with automatic weapons and a radio.

So, here it was 10:30 on a Sunday morning and I thought to do the WCDT for the week to give JW a bit more of a break, only find that he'd gotten a real early start on the week.  Maybe next time.

[westrim]

There are all sorts of issues with carrying a sword in public.

By definition kendo is only practiced with shinai (what Momo is holding, also wielded once by Pintsize, which I mentioned in the last thread), basically bundled bamboo rods in a swordish shape. Outside of anime, the worst they can do is bruise or pinch. You can probably carry it anywhere, although you'll earn odd looks for being out of the ordinary, because if you don't know what it is it's not very threatening, and if you do know what it is, it's still not very threatening. Using actual swords is called kenjutsu.

Which is why I refuse to practice kendo as it happens.

Why? 

[mtmerrick]

Apparently I'm the only one who voted for momo...

[westrim]

Apparently I'm the only one who voted for momo...

Most of them are already considered initiated. My read is that Emily was the logical choice,and Faye was the funny choice.

[Is it cold in here?]

I wonder what a paddling would mean to Momo.

[jwhouk]

Live Eel Ejection?

[Is it cold in here?]

She's passionate about her dignity but also about being treated like a human being.

[Carl-E]

That's one of the things I really like about last Friday's strip - Claire's indulging Pintsize, and it's making his day. 


You don't indulge things to make their day - you do that to people (and sometimes pets).  She's treating Pintsize, if not as an equal, as the child of a friend. 

More importantly, as a person. 

I think it speaks a lot to her character. 

[mtmerrick]

I think it would be a bit hypocritical of her not to...

[Litch]

Or maybe it's not about the bot and Claire just likes being paddled.

[Carl-E]

That's what I'm saying, it's not about the bot, but I don't think it's that she likes the paddlin'.  Maybe she just doesn't like to disappoint? 

[Rghfrgl]

 I think Jeph just likes butt jokes.

[westrim]

I think Jeph just likes butt jokes.

That is, of course, the correct answer both logically and according to Occam's Razor. As such, it has no place here.

That's one of the things I really like about last Friday's strip - Claire's indulging Pintsize, and it's making his day. You don't indulge things to make their day - you do that to people (and sometimes pets). She's treating Pintsize, if not as an equal, as the child of a friend. More importantly, as a person. I think it speaks a lot to her character.

On the other hand, we've never seen them treated as lesser beings by anyone, just beings that are easier to stuff in fridges when naughty and other vaguely comedic sociopathic things. We've never seen one say, get shut off for being annoying like C3P0. It might alter the tone of the comic, but it would be interesting to see a character that was prejudiced against AIs.

[K1dmor]

That's one of the things I really like about last Friday's strip - Claire's indulging Pintsize, and it's making his day. You don't indulge things to make their day - you do that to people (and sometimes pets). She's treating Pintsize, if not as an equal, as the child of a friend. More importantly, as a person. I think it speaks a lot to her character.

 

[Mmeaninglessnamee]

The only mention of prejudice against AI was in 2201 I think.

I think a AI-phobic character is more likely than a Homophobic, Trans-phobic, or [Any other group marginalized by society]-phobic character, but still probably wouldn't happen.

Also, I didn't have time to read any of last week's WCDT, but on the topic of the initiation paddle, did anyone mention Claire's reaction at a perceived hazing shortly after her introduction

[bhtooefr]

Joysticks > paddles (at least on the Apple II, not necessarily on the Atari 2600 though).

And I'm not making a double entendre on purpose.

[FunkyTuba]

Re: Poll  I was thinking that the Cosette/Steve dynamic probably has some paddling in it

[bhtooefr]

COMIC!

How Pintsize would earn the money is terrifying.

[cesariojpn]

COMIC!

How Pintsize would earn the money is terrifying.

People pay for good smut, no matter the fetish.

[K1dmor]

 Blackmailing! He has... tactics. A sort of scatological Judo.

[Loki]

People pay for good smut, no matter the fetish.

Wouldn't most people ask their own AnthroPCs? I suppose not everybody has similar reservations to Marten or Hanners.

I think whatever Pintsize would do would involve a sombrero, a matryoschka doll, and the ISS.

Ooooh, poll request! "What would Pintsize use to earn money? (up to three options)" with a few random items to choose from.

[GarandMarine]

Which is why I refuse to practice kendo as it happens.

Why? 

I find it insulting in the same way I find sport/olympic fencing insulting. One does not take a weapon art and making an amusing game out of it. If you are going to use a weapon. Then learn to use and respect the real thing. Whether that's a stick (Escrima death matches were legal till the 1940s and lasted an average of seconds), your own body, a spear, a gun or a sword. [/proud warrior race guy]

[nosaJay19]

That's a strange looking cash register... and it looks even stranger in panel 3. Come to think of it, I can't remember a strip that gave the view from behind the CoD counter.

Faye's phrasing in panel 3 also struck me as odd.

[Is it cold in here?]

That is of course, the correct answer, both logically and according to Occam's Razor. As such, it has no place here.

I hope I still remember this the next time I update my signature.

Marten powered down Pintsize when Padma slept over. It's probably not something people would do with a human roommate.

[cesariojpn]

That's a strange looking cash register... and it looks even stranger in panel 3. Come to think of it, I can't remember a strip that gave the view from behind the CoD counter.

There's been a few since around the time the artwork changed drastically (around 1400?). Here is one of the register (mostly a side view) in the 1500's.

[Arancaytar]

I wonder what happens if Faye does move out.

Oh hey, maybe Claire is looking for a place?

(Because hell knows Marten hasn't had enough room-mate UST in his life yet.)

[Akima]

There are all sorts of issues with carrying a sword in public.

Even if sheathed?

In Australia at least, even with unsharpened edges, sheathed, and in a bag. Australian taijiquan and other martial-arts groups have been trying to get this sorted out for years. Basically, it is down to the judgement of the individual police officers you happen to bump into, so it is best to carry your sword in a bag that conceals its shape.

I find it insulting in the same way I find sport/olympic fencing insulting. One does not take a weapon art and making an amusing game out of it.

So... Olympic 50m pistol is out? Clay pigeon shooting? Biathlon? The sort of shooting contest depicted in Magnum Force (I don't know what it would properly be called)? Don't you and your shooting-buddies compete for scores, or who can shoot the smallest group, or whatever? How do you train in any martial art, armed or weaponless, without making it essentially a game? You can't actually deliver lethal strokes on the practice mat, so the process becomes a competition for touches or points. On the other hand, for example, many traditional shifu do take a dim view of competition styles which are pretty much wholly divorced from martial training, no matter how skilled the practitioners (and Chai Fong Ying is very very good)..

What on earth is Faye wearing? Is this actually a style in the USA? The colour is good for her, but... It also seems to be "wear white belts to work day", and white belts are naff IMHO, but YMMV of course.

[jwhouk]

The dress Faye is wearing is mid-20th Century US Waitress. I suspect she found it in the local thrift shop.

[jwhouk]

INITIATION PADDLE TIME! Who needs to be next?

Emily!    8 (20%)
Angus!    0 (0%)
Marigold!    2 (5%)
Sven!    4 (10%)
Dale! (Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnggg.)    5 (12.5%)
Tai!    3 (7.5%)
Momo!    2 (5%)
Dora!(?)    1 (2.5%)
FAYE! (It's long overdue)    12 (30%)
Waffles!    0 (0%)
Spathe Ham!    1 (2.5%)
Paddles are so cliche.    2 (5%)

Total Members Voted: 40

[Border Reiver]

Of course, you've forgotten that Marigold will  also need help with the rent - while Tai is undoubtedly going to need someplace off campus when she graduates  - Jeph's trying to set up Three's Company again, isn't he?

[ankhtahr]

Re: new poll:
I'm pretty sure Pintsize does offer subscriptions already. Just remember the offer he made for Hanners…

[Method of Madness]

I doubt Angus will stop trying to get a job in the city if he doesn't get this one, and he'll probably get one eventually.

[Technoir]

The dress Faye is wearing is mid-20th Century US Waitress. I suspect she found it in the local thrift shop.

Really? I just thought someone came in and vomited 70's all over her.

Mr Furley called. Even HE doesn't want that outfit back.

[ZoeB]

You don't indulge things to make their day - you do that to people (and sometimes pets).  She's treating Pintsize, if not as an equal, as the child of a friend. 

More importantly, as a person. 

I think it speaks a lot to her character.

+1 Insightful. On many levels.

[ZoeB]

I think it would be a bit hypocritical of her not to...

Also Insightful. If this world is like ours, she'd have no excuse. The fact that she's been careful about who she tells implies that it's something rather less socially acceptable than, say, being left-handed.

[katsmeat]

That's a strange looking cash register... and it looks even stranger in panel 3. Come to think of it, I can't remember a strip that gave the view from behind the CoD counter.

There's been a few since around the time the artwork changed drastically (around 1400?). Here is one of the register (mostly a side view) in the 1500's.

That's not the only thing that's changed since 1514. Back then, Dora's look was more androgynous; there was one comic (couldn't be bothered finding it) which implied she and Marten liked the fact they were somewhat similar  in appearance.  Now she's rocking lipstick and a skirt at work (previously seen only when she's on a date). 

I wonder if it's because she wants to be different to Tai.  Her new relationship likely has a different dynamic, (although IMO different  more because of her current and her ex's  very different personalities, rather than their different genders) which may somehow make distinction feel better than similarity.

[nosaJay19]

katsmeat, I like your take on that change. That reminds me of the arc where Dora started to grow out her hair dye and go blonde. She might very well have been trying to distinguish what seemed like a lasting relationship in its honeymoon phase and the different dynamic that she had with Marten.

I'm happy to see that Dora is becoming comfortable enough to change like this again, I was starting to worry that her character development was put on hold since she's been seen less and less.

[Kugai]

She forgot to change outfits after leaving the Space:1999 convention.

The Cash Register's an Autobot.



I shudder to think what Pintsize would consider an 'Acceptable Job'

[Zebediah]

I shudder to think what, if anything, Pintsize would consider an unacceptable job.