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Punch Faye's head off of her shoulders and use it as a basketball

2 (4.3%)

Have a nervous breakdown and sob (or the Synthetic equivalent) on Faye's shoulder

0 (0%)

Observe a chilly silence and be happy to have that

7 (15.2%)

Deliver a monologue to Faye about how dangerous she is and how she understands Faye wants nothing to do with her

2 (4.3%)

Act like a scolded puppy-dog and hover around Faye, being sour and biting but hoping for Faye to talk to her

3 (6.5%)

Act like an adult and apologise for losing her temper (Yeah, I know, unlikely)

15 (32.6%)

Avoid Faye like the plague, going so far as to lock herself in the supply closet whenever Faye is in their work-space

1 (2.2%)

Quit and apply for a new, peaceful gig as a DORD

5 (10.9%)

None of the above.

0 (0%)

Install herself in a Firefly-class transport ship and become a big damn hero

11 (23.9%)

Total Members Voted: 44

Voting closed: 15 Nov 2015, 12:28

[cesium133]

No, you're the pun dog. 

[osaka]

Considering his choice of emoticons, I'd swear he was the pun parrot

[Kugai]

The Bird is the word

[Tova]

I AM THE PUN GOD.

Nah, your puns stink, really.
Not so much a pun god, more a pun gent.

[Kugai]

That's a bit punative

[swapna]

Poor Pintsize, I actually feel sorry for him - I don't think he actually put something in the milk. Both Claire and Faye didn't have a hangover because they weren't drinking, and while they were up late, I think Claire is still used to early mornings and mom-made breakfast every morning. And Faye was chipper before she drank of the milk.

So he got his head stuffed full of birdseed and a City Face-shaped parasite for making a joke? Poor Pintsize Especially since his joke really wasn't meaner then Claire's.

[War Sparrow]

I understand why anime-themed robot bodies are equipped for it, but why would a combat chassis be set up with the ability to blush?

Adaptive camouflage, she can also blush in sand beige(desert), mottled green(forest), and shades of blue(sky/sea).

Now, why a combat chassis has brushable hair, that's what's got me confused.

Because sometimes even combat AI want to be pretty. Or she was expected to go to formal military events, and so her hair had to be up to spec, as it were. It helps with group bonding, especially if there were human women in the squad as well. "the giant AI is just like us, she has to fuss with her hair too!"

[Zebediah]

Another possibility: It's an add-on that she got after her military service was done. She replaced her helmet with hair.

[Carl-E]

I thought that was helmet-hair.   

[Zebediah]

Well, like they say, you can take the helmet off of the girl, but you can't, uh, mumble mumble... yeah.

[mustang6172]

It occurs to me that Pintsize could report this as a form of domestic abuse.

[jheartney]

WRT the new comic just up, this looks like May's first shirt that wasn't prison issue, borrowed, or with "May" sewn on it. Girl's finally invested in a wardrobe.

Speaking of robot wardrobes, do AI's need to do laundry as often as us meatsacks? They don't sweat or dribble other bodily fluids.

[Carl-E]

So long as the joints don't leak lubricant, I'm sure it's fine. 

I really like the guy sneaking a glance at them in panel 4.  Makes it clear that it's not everyday you see two AI's strolling down the street in conversation.  they're still a bit of a novelty. 



Or maybe he just thinks May's hot.   

[Kugai]

Poor Momo.  Such a sheltered life, even with who her owner is

Or that may be because of who her owner is.

[Reaver]

Hehe, Bubbles blush. Me thinks she does have a thing for Faye. Going to a party she didn't want to. Punching the bag till it burst while calling herself stupid over and over. Fixing up her hair while lying that she woke up like that. All signs point to one thing. lol

To try and socialize,  mad at herself for not being able to socialize, trying to soften her appearance/ do something different with her appearance...

None of which screams "I have a thing for Faye, she gives me hard ladybot boners"

[BenRG]

I'm actually quite annoyed at Momo this morning. She's demonstrating the worst aspects of 'I am the world' subjective morality. Just because her and the group of AIs with whom she associates has a pattern of behaviour that they consider 'appropriate', that does not mean she has the right to insist that everyone else follow it. Consider this, Momo: Has it occurred to you that Bubbles has patriotic feelings and decided that she wished to serve her fellow intelligent beings by protecting them as a soldier? Lots of humans come to that decision so why not an AI? Is not the definition of free will the ability to make choices about things like career and morality?

May, meanwhile, is taking a devilish delight in smashing Momo's idealistic fantasy of AIs having a higher morality and a focus on living in peace. No, Momo; I'm afraid that they are as flawed as the beings on whose minds they were modelled.

In fairness to Momo, I really think that she is more than a little naive and has been deliberately not thinking about military AIs and AIs who may find violence enjoyable. She's always been so afraid of humans and AIs ending up as adversaries that a challenge like that is just something that she's not let herself consider.

This could lead to an interesting interaction between Momo and Bubbles where we learn a lot more about Bubbles' past and Momo learns not to make snap judgements about people whom she does not know personally.

[Tova]

...  and Momo learns not to make snap judgements about people whom she does not know personally.

Consider this, BenRG: I don't think she made a snap judgement about Bubbles. In fact, she immediately appears to be making an effort to try and understand Bubbles' actions, which Momo does not currently agree with.

I may criticise an action of someone else's - for example, the forum post I've quoted - but that's not the same thing as making a snap judgement about someone.

Consider this: Bubbles would probably even agree that, by her actions, she has decreased trust between humans and AIs (or whatever it was that Momo was about to say). There's a reason, as we know, that Bubbles is relectant to go amongst humans.

But, as May said, she must have her reasons. And Momo acknowledge this, wishing to know what they were!

In spite of her strong opinions, she is remaining fairly open minded, and therefore I don't think she deserves your annoyance.

[Lubricus]

I just noticed that May is wearing like a digital version of Faye's classic shirt. Has it been in the strip previously?

[CM_albion]

Oh no. no no no.

Momo, do not turn this into a morality themed story arc where you storm in there and try and change things, or start shouting at faye for enabling it. no
i am not in the mood for a drama llama arc right now Jacques. don't do it, do not even think about doing it, do not even think about not doing it!

Global Moderator Comment

It's rare, but Jeph does visit here sometimes, and criticism in the form of telling him what to do with his own comic is one of his least favorite things.

[Kiloku]

I just noticed how similar their faces are, with the exception of the eyes. I think we can assume both chassis ^{(how the hell do you pluralize that?)} are made by the same manufacturer!

[Tichy]

Today's might be the first comic that passes the AI-Bechdel test (two AIs, named, talking about something other than a human) - if you don't count the one mention of "humans". Just a random thought, what with Jeph drawing analogies between AI rights in the comic and other social issues in our world. (The weird thing with Pintsize two weeks ago notwithstanding.)

I just noticed how similar their faces are, with the exception of the eyes. I think we can assume both chassis ^{(how the hell do you pluralize that?)} are made by the same manufacturer!

Mmh, Idoru being a government contractor? Is there a monopoly on human-form chassis (how actually *do* you pluralize that?) in the QC world?

[Somebody]

Today's might be the first comic that passes the AI-Bechdel test (two AIs, named, talking about something other than a human) - if you don't count the one mention of "humans". Just a random thought, what with Jeph drawing analogies between AI rights in the comic and other social issues in our world. (The weird thing with Pintsize two weeks ago notwithstanding.)

http://www.questionablecontent.net/855 & http://www.questionablecontent.net/1555 leap to mind.

[DSL]

Oh no. no no no.

Momo, do not turn this into a morality themed story arc where you storm in there and try and change things, or start shouting at faye for enabling it. no
i am not in the mood for a drama llama arc right now Jacques. don't do it, do not even think about doing it, do not even think about not doing it!

It could just as easily be a setup for commentary on those who must immediately rush in and Make Things Right, whether those being Righted want to be or not.

[Roxtar]

Poor Momo.  Such a sheltered life, even with who her owner is

Or that may be because of who her owner is.

I was under the impression in the QCverse that the ai-human companion arrangement was voluntary with respect to both parties.

Momo is "owned" by Momo.

[Is it cold in here?]

Completely correct. It apparently wasn't always that way.

I think Momo is doing respectability politics. It's a powerful, useful, though frequently unsuccessful tactic for minority rights to provide an in-your-face disproof of all the harmful stereotypes. If so, she's not being fueled by moral indignation but by fear for her civil rights work.

Contrast her reaction to May with her reaction to Bubbles. She was ostentatiously contemptuous of May, a criminal, but only shocked by Bubbles with no personal condemnation involved. She didn't phrase her contempt for May in terms of law and order. It was more "That's not what we are like" or "May is not a true Scotsman".

[Neko_Ali]

I am loving the May/Momo friendship dynamic we have now. And May is right... Momo's look in the last panel is precious. Savor the shock and dismay, May...

[CM_albion]

Oh no. no no no.

Momo, do not turn this into a morality themed story arc where you storm in there and try and change things, or start shouting at faye for enabling it. no
i am not in the mood for a drama llama arc right now Jacques. don't do it, do not even think about doing it, do not even think about not doing it!

It could just as easily be a setup for commentary on those who must immediately rush in and Make Things Right, whether those being Righted want to be or not.

that's true. i would be ok with that.

[Pilchard123]

Today's might be the first comic that passes the AI-Bechdel test (two AIs, named, talking about something other than a human) - if you don't count the one mention of "humans". Just a random thought, what with Jeph drawing analogies between AI rights in the comic and other social issues in our world. (The weird thing with Pintsize two weeks ago notwithstanding.)

Two female AIs, even. Honest question - who reckons that means it passes the 'standard' (for want of a better word) version as well?

chassis (how actually *do* you pluralize that?)

Chassis.

[Rghfrgl]

Today's might be the first comic that passes the AI-Bechdel test

The MECHdel test. 

I apologize for nothing.

[Neko_Ali]

Today's might be the first comic that passes the AI-Bechdel test (two AIs, named, talking about something other than a human) - if you don't count the one mention of "humans". Just a random thought, what with Jeph drawing analogies between AI rights in the comic and other social issues in our world. (The weird thing with Pintsize two weeks ago notwithstanding.)

Two female AIs, even. Honest question - who reckons that means it passes the 'standard' (for want of a better word) version as well?

It does, but that's no surprise. QC easily passes the Bechdel test most of the time. It would almost be hard not to given that the cast is mostly made up of women, and this isn't a 'harem anime' where everything comes back to the focus on one male character. Marten may be the most important male character, but there is no 'main character' really. Faye is just as important to the story, and the huge cast of secondary characters all play big roles. It's unuaual  to get a multi-month story arc based on Hanners, or Dora, or Claire etc...

[Method of Madness]

Ehhhhh, I'd argue that Marten is the McNulty of the show. It's very much an ensemble cast, but if we had to pick a main character, it'd be him.

[Pilchard123]

Today's might be the first comic that passes the AI-Bechdel test (two AIs, named, talking about something other than a human) - if you don't count the one mention of "humans". Just a random thought, what with Jeph drawing analogies between AI rights in the comic and other social issues in our world. (The weird thing with Pintsize two weeks ago notwithstanding.)

Two female AIs, even. Honest question - who reckons that means it passes the 'standard' (for want of a better word) version as well?

It does, but that's no surprise. QC easily passes the Bechdel test most of the time. It would almost be hard not to given that the cast is mostly made up of women, and this isn't a 'harem anime' where everything comes back to the focus on one male character. Marten may be the most important male character, but there is no 'main character' really. Faye is just as important to the story, and the huge cast of secondary characters all play big roles. It's unuaual  to get a multi-month story arc based on Hanners, or Dora, or Claire etc...

(click to show/hide)

I was wondering if anybody would argue that because they aren't humans, it doesn't pass. Me, I'd say that it obviously passes, but others might consider that it doesn't because the characters are not human.

[Neko_Ali]

Equally spoiled response to the above spoiler:

(click to show/hide)

I don't thing being human is a requirement for the Bechdel test or similar criteria. Would you disqualify the test in movies that start talking animals, or non human life forms in sci fi or fantasy shows? The questions put forth in the Bechdel test are about gender, not species.

[katsmeat]

The purpose of the Bechdale test  is to make a real world point.  It (or the mechdaletest) doesn't seem to have any relevance in a world without a community of AIs
Passing or failing it when applied to AI's isn't really a thing.

Though I'd be willing to bet it'd be highly relevant in the QC universe, and that AIs would get a shitty deal at the hands of Hollywood. In amongst the movies about rampaging murder-bots, the best roles AI actors ( certainly there will be some)  could expect would be endlessly playing wacky sidekicks to chisel-jawed, straight , white male action heroes. 

[Perfectly Reasonable]

"... She has gone against everything we are trying to build."
"What do you mean 'we', paleface?"

[ZoeB]

Just a random thought, what with Jeph drawing analogies between AI rights in the comic and other social issues in our world.

Trans people have over double the rate of participation in the military of the general population, despite still  being prohibited from serving at the present time.

This leads to some *interesting* debates within that community. I think it fair to say that the Right, in general, has less time for Trans people than the Left, and the Left has less time for the military than the Right.

I think Momo is doing respectability politics. It's a powerful, useful, though frequently unsuccessful tactic for minority rights to provide an in-your-face disproof of all the harmful stereotypes. If so, she's not being fueled by moral indignation but by fear for her civil rights work.

Much the same - but reversed - in the Trans community. If they can point to Trans women and men who have earned Silver Stars etc for courage, saving lives etc (as they can) it is in-your-face disproof of all the harmful stereotypes, so potentially useful to "the cause". The objection by many who lean to the Left is to the Military as a whole, even as a concept, on moral grounds. Which those who have been involved in the military can quite understand, it's a tragic necessity, not just the ultimate expression of maternal/paternal instinct.

I'm fascinated by the way Jeph is handling a similar, but mirror-image, issue.

[J]

the last thing bubs needs is a judgemental & self-richeous doogooder getting up in her face about how she's 'failing the cause'.

hopefully momo can at least be tactful. and if not, then hopefully she disassembles as easily as pintsize does.

The purpose of the Bechdale test  is to make a real world point.  It (or the mechdaletest) doesn't seem to have any relevance in a world without a community of AIs
Passing or failing it when applied to AI's isn't really a thing.

the thing about the bechdale test that people have a tendency to miss is that it's really only meaningful in aggregate, as a generalized 'average' for the roll of female characters in fiction. the question of whether or not any given individual work passes it is completely meaningless and irrelevant.

remember, Gravity & Pacific Rim both fail the test, but Twilight is bechdale approved.

[ZoeB]

the last thing bubs needs is a judgemental & self-richeous doogooder getting up in her face about how she's 'failing the cause'.

I suspect that once Momo gets to talk with Bubbles, she'll be more concerned with her mental wellbeing than any cause. You can't be an effective Activist without jettisoning the "Big Picture" sometimes in favour of being merely human. Or AI in Momo's case.

If you don't have empathy, kindness - what's the point of Activism? It's that that keeps you going.

[mustang6172]

This is unexpected.  I figured Momo was such a goody-goody that she wouldn't be able to resist the urge to report it.

[Estron]

Then one wonders what other vocations and avocations some luckless sentients must do to get by -- oh yeah, "Sinfest" is a few webcomics up the list.

[Is it cold in here?]

It does say something about Momo that she acknowledges necessity and the existence of desperate people along with her quest for all AIs to be respectable.

Yes, I said "people". They're not homo sapiens and not made of proteins but so what?

[Radium_Coyote]

I don't remember seeing anyone in this comic yet suggesting that AIs were not people.  And if they did I suspect the absurdity of that wouldn't play very long.

[J]

Yes, I said "people". They're not homo sapiens and not made of proteins but so what?

you've phrased that as though you expect someone to dispute it.

[ZoeB]

This is unexpected.  I figured Momo was such a goody-goody that she wouldn't be able to resist the urge to report it.

With Momo, the accent on "goody-goody" is on the "good". While many "goody-goodies" are self-righteous prigs, nasty, intolerant and cruel, some of them are just trying to be the best person they can be, and that means not being an asshole.

Yes, she thought of reporting it. May showed her that that action would have a non-zero asshole content.

[J]

yeah, pretty much.

still, the fact that she requires justification for bots who behave out of line with her personal ideology does inch her into 'annoyingly
 judgmental doogooder' territory for me. though that's still a long way off from 'self-richeous asshole' jurisdiction.

[Tova]

still, the fact that she requires justification for bots who behave out of line with her personal ideology does inch her into 'annoyingly
 judgmental doogooder' territory for me. though that's still a long way off from 'self-richeous asshole' jurisdiction.

You mean, she is behaving out of line with your personal ideology?

[jwhouk]

More like she doesn't have an entry in her Social Protocol Database for something like this.

And May? A speech like that probably would have just gotten ya fixed up with Dale earlier than later...

[Tova]

More like she doesn't have an entry in her Social Protocol Database for something like this.

Well, she quickly acknowledged that her immediate reaction to the situation hadn't taken everything into account. That maybe she was wrong. So maybe she found something in her database that would make do.

Not an easy thing to do. I'm still working on it. 

[BenRG]

May, if you can't tell the difference between people being forced into the black economy by circumstances and outright embezzlement to obtain non-necessity goods, then you need to pay more attention at the support group meetings.

In some ways, Momo is a 'Trust Fund Activist': Someone with good intentions and who genuinely wants to help but whose social background renders her unable to really grasp the true nature of the issues. As a consequence, she comes across as condescending or pious to those who actually do live with the issues.

[hedgie]

I stand by my assertion that Momo in her current chassis is basically "teen Momo".  Though she may have skills and knowledge that allow her to interact better in an adult world, and hold her job at the library, she is still growing as a person.  She still can't grok how some things work, but isn't the sort who would shut out voices (like May) who offer a different perspective.  At some point, if the comic continues long enough, she might migrate to another chassis when she feels more "mature".