Topic: Damn you, Willis! (Dumbing of Age) (Read 510986 times)

hedgie · « **Reply #2500 on:** 24 May 2016, 21:02 »

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Method of Madness · « **Reply #2501 on:** 24 May 2016, 21:06 »

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hedgie · « **Reply #2502 on:** 24 May 2016, 21:26 »

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Kugai · « **Reply #2503 on:** 24 May 2016, 23:59 »

The only thing I have to say about tonights strip is shit!

That's just as bad as what happened to Faye in QC.

KingOfIreland · « **Reply #2504 on:** 25 May 2016, 02:23 »

I don't want to pull attention away from the comic as such, but this particular thing irked me:

The whole trigger warning thing was way over the top.

I get that it's upsetting to people, but the full-page trigger warning stuff just draws attention to it further. It also takes all of the drama out of the storytelling because guess what? You already know what's going to happen at some point in the next five panels now.

Even though I'm glad Willis is taking into account how his comic might affect others' mental health, it always seems like patronising back-patting at best and as a self-aggrandising proclamation of 'look how much I care' at worst when people do it to this extent.

There has to be a better way of either communicating this kind of thing without ridding the story of dramatic tension in such a jarring, quite frankly grotesque way. It's something I've noticed in more and more media of late and even though it's infinitely better to address mental health issues and rid ourselves of the taboo than it is to ignore them, this seems closer to fetishising mental health issues.

I read comics like QC and dumbing of age precisely because issues like suicide, depression, alcoholism and the like are portrayed in a realistic manner. I suffered from depression for a long fucking time myself and strips like these helped me understand that there shouldn't be a taboo about it, but christ, I don't want that part of me, which caused me so much misery for so long to be brought out and pointed at like I deserve special treatment because I may feel shitty about having felt or feeling shitty. Trigger warnings and the like seem to be the same issue that causes the taboo against mental health issues taken to the logical opposite extreme. In my eyes it kind of feels like warning an epileptic person of flashing images in a TV piece with a giant flashing banner.

I know a lot of you will disagree with me on this point, but you know, felt like it needed to be said.

bhtooefr · « **Reply #2505 on:** 25 May 2016, 02:36 »

Maybe the way to go is to modify the HTML standard to add a <trigger> tag around potentially triggering content, so the user can install an extension to their web browser to detect certain categories of triggers and automatically block the content?

That way, if you suffer from PTSD, you can avoid the content, without heavy-handed approaches like this. (Without such an approach, though, which would require a lot of development, publicity, and some sort of workaround for mobile browsers that don't allow extensions - it'd really take a JavaScript polyfill and some central server to track the triggers - I don't have a problem with the approach Willis used. Except for the fact that on a 2160px tall display and a browser set for full height, I could see everything without scrolling, so it wouldn't have been effective on my hardware if I needed it.)

KingOfIreland · « **Reply #2506 on:** 25 May 2016, 03:00 »

I like your HTML tag idea, actually. interesting idea.

Quote

Except for the fact that on a 2160px tall display and a browser set for full height,

That's just bragging!

hedgie · « **Reply #2507 on:** 25 May 2016, 08:38 »

Quote from: KingOfIreland on 25 May 2016, 02:23

I don't want to pull attention away from the comic as such, but this particular thing irked me:

The whole trigger warning thing was way over the top.

I get that it's upsetting to people, but the full-page trigger warning stuff just draws attention to it further. It also takes all of the drama out of the storytelling because guess what? You already know what's going to happen at some point in the next five panels now.

A small placeholder image that linked to the actual comic would have probably been more elegant, but it's certainly appropriate here. It's a webcomic that can be read by anyone at any time, so people who aren't familiar with Willis might just stumble upon it.

I think that there *are* times and places for TWs (as well as many that aren't).[1] This, IMO, is one of the former cases.

To provide some context, those of us who were on Patreon just got the comic. He *did* have a short text warning that ended up in the subject-line of the email. But many (self included) who just see a notification from "Patreon" at around 0400 GMT and hit refresh on that tab without reading the actual subject line or message. It is *entirely* possible that people there saw the comic there and legitimately filtered it out.

In the discussion there, the subject did come up, and Willis mentioned that he would have something, he just wasn't sure yet.

[1]I shan't get into detailed view of my views here unless it comes up in more general terms. Here, I believe that it was quite appropriate.

KingOfIreland · « **Reply #2508 on:** 26 May 2016, 01:22 »

Thanks for the explanation. If Willis was actually just listening to feedback from his readership, I think that justifies it and closes the discussion for me.

I still disagree over the need for it personally, but it's just one opinion among many regarding mental health. I'm very much in the camp that feels that acknowledging trauma for what it is is better than avoiding the question whenever it comes up is a better method for dealing with it. Trigger warnings just smell of taboo forming to me. But yeah, discussion for another place and time.

Method of Madness · « **Reply #2509 on:** 26 May 2016, 03:32 »

I've asked this before, but why the hell do we see Becky's eye and freckle on top of her hair?

BenRG · « **Reply #2510 on:** 26 May 2016, 04:24 »

Because the artist's distinctive drawing style.

sitnspin · « **Reply #2511 on:** 26 May 2016, 04:29 »

We're seeing them through her hair, because it is not just one solid mass.

Kugai · « **Reply #2512 on:** 27 May 2016, 13:32 »

At least she has what she needs from there now and I think that Becky really doesn't want the kind of memories she got from coming back home. Perhaps its been good therapy for her though.

I wonder if she'll end up seeing the place sold up and using any money she gets from it to start a new life.

BenRG · « **Reply #2513 on:** 27 May 2016, 14:14 »

That's assuming that she ever gets rights over it. It must still be technically under Ross's name. His attorney will probably end up looking after the place until he's done his Hard Time. I'll expect it to be sealed and the contents put into storage. One thing I'm fairly sure about: Ross will give his representative explicit instructions that Becky is allowed nowhere near it.

Kugai · « **Reply #2514 on:** 28 May 2016, 14:19 »

That's always a possibility. Would that change if he was found mentally incompetent?

Carla Strikes

hedgie · « **Reply #2515 on:** 28 May 2016, 14:36 »

Hell, if Becky was appointed his conservator, that'd be just about the worst possible torture for him.

Kugai · « **Reply #2516 on:** 28 May 2016, 19:18 »

But justifiable Karma

Method of Madness · « **Reply #2517 on:** 28 May 2016, 21:09 »

chaospersonified · « **Reply #2518 on:** 28 May 2016, 21:10 »

Speaking of justifiable karma, Method beat me to it:

Quote from: Method of Madness on 28 May 2016, 21:09

Pie!

Welu · « **Reply #2519 on:** 29 May 2016, 04:39 »

Fantastic strip today. Good work, Carla.

hedgie · « **Reply #2520 on:** 29 May 2016, 07:26 »

Even better, she has it set up so that everything that has happened to Mary is a result of the latter's paranoia and mean-spiritedness. Even if Mary were to complain about anything that happened, there is no way that a halfway reasonable person would conclude that it was anything but her own damned fault. Go ~~Ultracar!~~Carla!

Kugai · « **Reply #2521 on:** 29 May 2016, 13:34 »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9-7uLg-DZU&feature=youtu.be

Kugai · « **Reply #2522 on:** 30 May 2016, 15:50 »

Anybody else getting a a Server Timeout Message today?

Just tried about three times to get the Comic to load and that's all I'm getting ATM

cesium133 · « **Reply #2523 on:** 30 May 2016, 16:25 »

That DoA site has been DoA for me several times in the past couple weeks. Mostly around the time the comic updates.

BenRG · « **Reply #2524 on:** 30 May 2016, 23:28 »

Well, the site worked for me this morning. However, most days, especially through the early to mid-morning, US time, it only loads one time in five and the comments page only loads one time in ten! Willis definitely has either bandwidth, server or DDoS problems.

retrosteve · « **Reply #2525 on:** 31 May 2016, 14:26 »

Quote from: sitnspin on 18 May 2016, 00:34

I would say that Mary is too cartoonishly evil and one-dimensional if I hadn't actually met (and been related to) ppl just like her.

Yup, it's hard to tell a genuine fundie from a cartoonish parody thereof. Mary is the embodiment of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poe%27s_law

Neko_Ali · « **Reply #2526 on:** 31 May 2016, 14:30 »

Which is probably a bad sign when so many real people have descended to 'cartoon villain' levels of crazy hostility....

Kugai · « **Reply #2527 on:** 31 May 2016, 18:41 »

Working properly for me now as well

And nice going there Carla.

Kugai · « **Reply #2528 on:** 02 Jun 2016, 16:08 »

A long day for Joyce and Becky followed by a little sneaking around

And I hope Joyce has the gumption to stand up to her Mom or her Father has gone to bat for her.

Neko_Ali · « **Reply #2529 on:** 03 Jun 2016, 06:44 »

I expect that tomorrow will be a stressful day in the Brown household all around. Mama Brown is already upset and wants to pull Joyce out of the college. Today she snuck out early, took the car without permission and was gone all day, and now is probably going to do the 'sneak in and pretend it never happened' thing. And if she hears about Joyce's behavior at the diner from John that will just add more fuel to the fire. I think there will be much shouting happening...

BenRG · « **Reply #2530 on:** 03 Jun 2016, 08:04 »

I'm pretty sure that Mrs Brown will have a collection of Adult Authority Figures that she knows/believes Joyce and Becky both respect lined up as a chorus to repeat her words verbatim in an attempt to pressure both girls into conforming to her wishes. There will be plenty of emotional blackmail too, I think. The phrase "I would die for you" and "Think of everyone you are hurting by doing this" will be used liberally.

Kugai · « **Reply #2531 on:** 03 Jun 2016, 13:19 »

Yup, you really are a social butterfly Sal

Kugai · « **Reply #2532 on:** 04 Jun 2016, 17:21 »

I think you two have already gone over the edge there

Method of Madness · « **Reply #2533 on:** 04 Jun 2016, 18:59 »

It's kind of a shame Danny never asked Ethan about Amber's history with Sal, because at least then he'd understand why she hates her.

Masterpiece · « **Reply #2534 on:** 05 Jun 2016, 00:18 »

That's assuming Ethan knows Sal is the girl who tried to keep him hostage.

... does he know?

BenRG · « **Reply #2535 on:** 05 Jun 2016, 00:43 »

Meanwhile, back at Casa Brown, the first fractures between Hank and Carol that Joyce can see are beginning to manifest themselves with Hank openly protecting Joyce from her mother's anger by lying to her.

Neko_Ali · « **Reply #2536 on:** 05 Jun 2016, 11:11 »

I have a sneaking suspicion that the only one who knows of the hatred Amber has for Sal is... Amber. And Amazi-girl. There has never been any indication that Ethan knows Sal is the same girl from the past, or that Sal recognizes either of them from the incident. Amber is seriously cracking further and further now.. I doubt it will be much longer until she does something really bad that's going to blow the lid off of everything.

Kugai · « **Reply #2537 on:** 05 Jun 2016, 14:25 »

I think you're right there Neko. Amber has never been forthcoming about why she has issues with Sal, and I don't think Ethan has recognised Sal from that incident from all those years ago.

Meanwhile - Nice going there Hank, I think we have some idea of whose side and whose wishes he's going to support here.

Welu · « **Reply #2538 on:** 05 Jun 2016, 15:36 »

Amber has said to Ethan that the girl from the robbery is at the school but didn't specify it was Sal.

I'm very intrigued to see Joyce's upcoming strips.

Kugai · « **Reply #2539 on:** 06 Jun 2016, 15:56 »

I'm more interested in seeing what happens with Becky there at Church.

Method of Madness · « **Reply #2540 on:** 06 Jun 2016, 16:29 »

God damn it, Joycedad.

LeeC · « **Reply #2541 on:** 07 Jun 2016, 04:18 »

Today's Strip:

Mind Blown, I thought she was texting Dorothy the whole time....

BenRG · « **Reply #2542 on:** 07 Jun 2016, 04:25 »

Yeah, it was surprising, wasn't it? Then again, it makes sense - Joe is really the only one of Joyce's close associates at college who has gone through a familial break-up. Who else would she turn to for advice from someone in the know (with the exception of Amber, who isn't really close enough that Joyce would feel comfortable asking her for advice)?

That said, it's Joe's concerned expression that makes me think. He likes to come across as the devil-may-care ladies' man who has not one serious bone in his body but I think that this is a pretence. He's actually quite worried about the places Joyce is going, emotion-wise. I suspect that Joyce is going to find herself with lots of worried and somewhat coddling attention being directed her way after she gets back!

Kugai · « **Reply #2543 on:** 07 Jun 2016, 14:57 »

At least he's there to listen and let Joyce vent. And I think she's clearing her History cause she knows her Mother at least will be a nosy bitch about it.

Dina Conversation will be interesting

Neko_Ali · « **Reply #2544 on:** 07 Jun 2016, 15:13 »

No, she's clearing her history before giving the phone over to ~~Dina~~ Becky. She doesn't want Dina to know she's talking to Joe. He represents a lot of what she feels is wrong with guys... And is proud of it. But he's also more perceptive and sensitive than he lets on... which is probably how they got on friendly enough terms to be night-texting each other.

edit: I'm a derp

Kugai · « **Reply #2545 on:** 08 Jun 2016, 14:55 »

You mean Becky I think

And Congresswoman gotta be Congresswoman

BenRG · « **Reply #2546 on:** 09 Jun 2016, 03:03 »

Note: Mostly cross posted from the comments section of the 6/9 strip

WARNING - This comment contains potential spoilers based references to how several relatively new characters to 'Dumbing of Age' behaved in the parallel-continuity Walkyverse

It's looking like the Dumbingverse version of Robin deSanto is a Republican congresswoman. The comment by the new character, Frieda (likely her Bloomington campaign organiser), about Ross’s rampage affecting Robin’s numbers is the clincher for that, IMO. I can’t see a Democrat representative being hurt politically by a gun crime incident on campus.

I can’t decide whether Frieda looking so much like Mary is a coincidence or not. Maybe she’s her big sister or even her mother?

If she is a relative and has a degree of power (maybe a GOP campaign officer or even a Bloomington town councillor) then it could… complicate the current collision between Mary and Carla. The issue could become politicised with Robin (at Frieda's recommendation) demanding Mary and that the girls of the dorm be ‘protected’ from the pervert pretending to be a woman in their midst, hoping that leading a moralistic cavalry charge against an easily-dehumanised 'other' will boost her poll numbers.

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If Willis is planning to go that way, it will be interesting to see whether Robin’s political career survives. I can’t see the right-wing segment of the GOP tolerating it but, conversely, if she’s previously been a populist rightist in rhetorical and voting terms, then the Democrats might consider her a bit toxic too. Of course, maybe she'll be happier out of D.C. and living a simpler life in Bloomington with her newfound love?

If the latter is the case, it will be interesting to see how that perspective (including possibly a bitter denunciation of the culture of D.C.) affects Dorothy's own views of her life goals.

Method of Madness · « **Reply #2547 on:** 09 Jun 2016, 12:22 »

I saw your warning, which is appreciated but also just use a spoiler tag for the spoiler parts so people don't have to jump over your post when reading tbe thread.

Kugai · « **Reply #2548 on:** 09 Jun 2016, 14:57 »

I see a VERY interesting storyline coming up whatever happens in the next few strips.

KingOfIreland · « **Reply #2549 on:** 09 Jun 2016, 23:17 »

Meh, politically too on the nose.

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: Damn you, Willis! (Dumbing of Age) (Read 510986 times)