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It's nothing except proof that you can get a sufficiently compulsive personality to buy anything

A 'funny' novelty motorised toy with lowbrow toilet humour

The QC universe's version of the Tesseract

A genie's trap; what would be Pintsize's three wishes anyway?

Something out of the factory's 'defective' bin

A device for summoning Spookybot

Corpse Witch's backup drive is hidden within; Bubbles last hope!

A Chekhov's Gun for a story with genetic engineering, a lost city on the moon and freaky glowing-eyed girls

It has an audio chip hidden in it: "My name is Charles Augustus and, if you are hearing this, I am dead."

Veronica knows what it does and I don't think Claire will ever be able to touch it again!

Other (Please specify in your comment)

[celticgeek]

What is "boyces"?

"choi" ces
"boy" ces

[SmilingCat]

Cant help thinking Winslow might be better of with generic androgynous chassis with accessories for gender identity. Its just struck me that Winslow's "I think Im a boy" has two entirely different meanings - in Brit English anyway - depending on intonation.

It hints at the idea that AnthroPCs have the same gender identity questions that people face, perhaps even more complex, since they have none of the biological components and their sex is defined entirely by a hardware setting. Since his sex could presumably be changed at will, "I think I'm a boy" suggests that he's not completely sure if either option properly fits him.   

[JimC]

I doubt that Hanners buys top-of-the-line, just-out-of-Paris clothing.  That's not who she is. 

Agreed, but there's more than one sort of expensive clothing. How about the purest of materials, the most accurately cut, that sort of thing, rather than thrown together in a far eastern sweatshop garments? And quite possibly guaranteed sewn together by AIs in clean room conditions with no human hand having ever touched them? Every seam perfectly aligned, stitches matching left and right...

-----------------------------

I think I'm a boy (no particular emphasis) - bare statement. That is what I think and I doubt anyone would dispute it.
*I* think I'm a boy (emphasis I) - but other people may disagree.
I *think* I'm a boy (emphasis think) - but I'm by no means certain and could easily be wrong.
I think *I'm* a boy (emphasis I'm) - and by the way that other person we were discussing isn't.
I think I'm *a* boy (emphasis a) - implies there are lots of other boys and nothing special about this one (contrast I think I'm *the* boy).
I think I'm a *boy* (emphasis boy) - tending to aggressive, in your face. Disagree and I'll get angry.

complicated language this english, isn't it!

[Is it cold in here?]

Personally I've found the recent outbreak of shipping rather irritating

(regular user)It's the same for me. It feels like a serious conversation is being interrupted. (/)

[Kugai]

Considering Winslow's question in the last Panel, I'm beginning to wonder just how Winslow identifies him'her self now.

Monday's gonna be interesting.

[Thrudd]

The Soft Boy needs to look more like this:

(click to show/hide)

In counter to that this model is my response

(click to show/hide)

and yet he does dress in drag at times
Bonus on the perpetuall state of confusion about the world and its machinations

[A Duck]

The fact that we have to wait all weekend to see Winslow's new body is killing me.

I'm curious, damnit.

[TheEvilDog]

Kinda feel like Hanners has gone to a highly specialised store without realising it...

[Gyrre]

What went into choosing which model got the solar charger?  Why not all?

These chassis options are way more specialized than what Momo chose from to get her current one. I wonder if this is a different shop, or if the market has simply changed that much in the intervening years however long it's been in-universe.

Sounds more like a set of stereotypes based on a marketing/polling company options.

I'm guessing different store.

One whose marketing department is just as bad as some of the ones we have IRL. Either that or Jeph wanted to reference/make fun of the game 'Dream Daddies' (which has flooded my tumblr dash twice now).

[ZoeB]

I just realised...

He's going to end up as...

"The Winslow Boy!"

(Oh come on! I'm not the ONLY auld git in here!!)

Apparently there was a 1999 remake of the 1948 film too.

[ProvenNonsense]

I think it is very difficult creative decision for Jeph to decide Winslow's new chassis, and could even see Winslow deciding to stay in his current one, though it would be a mistake for him to continue in his(both Jeph and Winslow) status quo.  I'm assuming the final choice will be none of the above, because that is just good webcomic writing, but personality wise he would connect more to a soft boy type.  I'm sure we won't dig into this, but philosophically, if you had the choice and unlimited means, what would you choose for your body?  And how would that new body affect your personality? If you are a more shy shut-in type (as is Winslow) would a more athletic conventionally attractive body change you personality? I think it would, at least a little.

I'm also curious of the possibility of non-binary chassis, because what we have seen (in the store) is explicitly male, and I could see an AI having even less need for that than humans have.

Okay, back to lurking.

[BenRG]

The fact that we have to wait all weekend to see Winslow's new body is killing me.

It could be even longer than that. Jeph has previously set up something like this and then gone away for a few strips to catch up with other characters before resolving the set-up.

It is quite possible that we won't find out what Winslow's new body looks like until panel three on Friday with Faye saying: "Hey, Hanners! Who's the cutie?"

[Is it cold in here?]

if you had the choice and unlimited means, what would you choose for your body?

Welcome, new person with the fascinating question! That would be a great discussion to start in RELATE as well as here.

I think I'd go for practicality -- strong constitution, fine motor control, that kind of thing. For cost-no-object upgrades I'd be tempted to try out some new senses.

Winslow feels a need to be useful. There was a strip about that. What kind of job would he try for?

[comicalArchitect]

I think it is very difficult creative decision for Jeph to decide Winslow's new chassis, and could even see Winslow deciding to stay in his current one, though it would be a mistake for him to continue in his(both Jeph and Winslow) status quo.  I'm assuming the final choice will be none of the above, because that is just good webcomic writing, but personality wise he would connect more to a soft boy type.  I'm sure we won't dig into this, but philosophically, if you had the choice and unlimited means, what would you choose for your body?  And how would that new body affect your personality? If you are a more shy shut-in type (as is Winslow) would a more athletic conventionally attractive body change you personality? I think it would, at least a little.

I'm also curious of the possibility of non-binary chassis, because what we have seen (in the store) is explicitly male, and I could see an AI having even less need for that than humans have.

Okay, back to lurking.

We have seen non-binary chassis—Spookybot's.

[flondrix]

I'm also curious of the possibility of non-binary chassis, because what we have seen (in the store) is explicitly male, and I could see an AI having even less need for that than humans have.

Take a look at the very first body we see, with lavender skin and blue hair.  No breasts, no curves, no abs, no broad sholders, no bulge, and a hairdoo very similar to Hannelore's.

[flondrix]

We have seen non-binary chassis—Spookybot's.

I thought Spookybot looked like a machine version of Desire of the Endless from Neil Gaiman's The Sandman.  I do not know if that was intentional, but in addition to being genderless and scary, they had very similar tastes in clothing.

[ProvenNonsense]

Take a look at the very first body we see, with lavender skin and blue hair.  No breasts, no curves, no abs, no broad sholders, no bulge, and a hairdoo very similar to Hannelore's.

Upon closer examination, I think you're right. I originally read the coloring and delicate curving of the torso as female, and the details being more minimal being a consequence of the stylized panel(I like when Jeph experiments in this way), so that's on me.  I forget Spookybot (or maybe they erased my mind).  I also forgot about Gary and Gordon as well, and I suppose some of the more ramshackle robots from the fighting ring read more neutral.

Jeph could probably do something with AIs who have the same chassis running into eachother. I am positive he did this gag in one of the early Anthro-Pc comics, but can't find it.

[Gyrre]

I think it is very difficult creative decision for Jeph to decide Winslow's new chassis, and could even see Winslow deciding to stay in his current one, though it would be a mistake for him to continue in his(both Jeph and Winslow) status quo.  I'm assuming the final choice will be none of the above, because that is just good webcomic writing, but personality wise he would connect more to a soft boy type.  I'm sure we won't dig into this, but philosophically, if you had the choice and unlimited means, what would you choose for your body?  And how would that new body affect your personality? If you are a more shy shut-in type (as is Winslow) would a more athletic conventionally attractive body change you personality? I think it would, at least a little.

I'm also curious of the possibility of non-binary chassis, because what we have seen (in the store) is explicitly male, and I could see an AI having even less need for that than humans have.

Okay, back to lurking.

Any psychology or sociology journal articles on the presentation of self that you can recommend?

[Earnest question]

[JimC]

We have seen non-binary chassis—Spookybot's.

Interesting, I'd have described it as female.

[hedgie]

I thought that there was an intentional androgyny there, which might fit Spookybot's nature.  For regular AIs, though, I'd assume that they'd generally be binary.

[Method of Madness]

We have seen non-binary chassis—Spookybot's.

Interesting, I'd have described them as female.

And I would have as male at first, so I guess that supports the nb suggestion.

[TheEvilDog]

I thought that there was an intentional androgyny there, which might fit Spookybot's nature.

Yeah, the ambiguous nature of Spookybot really benefited from the androgynous nature of its appearance. 

[ProvenNonsense]

Any psychology or sociology journal articles on the presentation of self that you can recommend?

[Earnest question]
[/quote]

I'm sorry I wish I did, I'm really terrible at remembering exactly where I pick up ideas, and most of them were when I was in college which was few ears ago,  Mea culpa.

[OldGoat]

Melon's butt goes missing, Iris Vannas hers to customers on the showroom floor.  Maybe Bubbles and Faye should explore the obvious after-market for robo-bums?

[JoeCovenant]

:::wonders how many 'shippers' have bookmarked this strip, so that later they can expound some theory that Hanners is Homo-RoboSexual:::

[BenRG]

Purely hypothetical question: Does anyone think that there are hermaphrodite chassis as well as androgynous ones for non-binary AIs?

[JoeCovenant]

Purely hypothetical question: Does anyone think that there are hermaphrodite chassis as well as androgynous ones for non-binary AIs?

"Ooohh! Yes, of course. You'll be interested in our Barbieken range... This way..."

[pwhodges]

I thought Ken was notorious for having nothing down there...

[JoeCovenant]

-----------------------------

I think I'm a boy (no particular emphasis) - bare statement. That is what I think and I doubt anyone would dispute it.


complicated language this english, isn't it!

My favourite example of this is one which I am sure I may have quoted on this very forum...

"I didn't say I killed him."

[OldGoat]

Purely hypothetical question: Does anyone think that there are hermaphrodite chassis as well as androgynous ones for non-binary AIs?

This is a universe with Pintsize in it.   Even if there is no legitimate demand, he'll create an illegitimate one.

[JoeCovenant]

I thought Ken was notorious for having nothing down there...

Yeeaahhhh...

For some reason my brain translated Hermaphrodite as *Bisexeunuch!*

!?

[Gyrre]

Any psychology or sociology journal articles on the presentation of self that you can recommend?

[Earnest question]

I'm sorry I wish I did, I'm really terrible at remembering exactly where I pick up ideas, and most of them were when I was in college which was few ears ago,  Mea culpa.
[/quote]
No worries. 

That's a big ol "ditto" on that front for me, too. Though I also picked up quite a bit in high school too.

[Thrillho]

Purely hypothetical question: Does anyone think that there are hermaphrodite chassis as well as androgynous ones for non-binary AIs?

I would obviously defer to the T+ forumites on this one but I am pretty sure that 'hermaphrodite' was not the word to use there.

[Bollthorn]

Winslow is just too sweet. He kinda reminds me of a younger version of myself, always wanting to do the right thing and help people, but would inadvertently end up rubbing someone the wrong way and overthinking everything. Bless his tiny little chassis ^_^

[SmilingCat]

I would obviously defer to the T+ forumites on this one but I am pretty sure that 'hermaphrodite' was not the word to use there.

Intersex is the current accepted term.

[SmilingCat]

Purely hypothetical question: Does anyone think that there are hermaphrodite intersex chassis as well as androgynous ones for non-binary AIs?

AIs have the unique advantage of not having their initial appearance determined by genes. Presumably, if you're willing to spend the money, you can get any type of chassis you want.

Market force determines how cheap it would be, however. If there isn't enough demand to warrant mass production, any exotic variations would probably have to be custom made at a higher price.

[celticgeek]

Check with Union Robotics - they do custom genital work.

[Cornelius]

I'm not sure. Hermaphrodite denotes both sets of genitals, and Im not sure that is the same as intersex. Especially with application to chassis. But I may be wrong.

[SmilingCat]

I'm not sure. Hermaphrodite denotes both sets of genitals, and Im not sure that is the same as intersex. Especially with application to chassis. But I may be wrong.

Intersex is sufficiently broadly defined to cover that.

[flondrix]

I'm not sure. Hermaphrodite denotes both sets of genitals, and Im not sure that is the same as intersex. Especially with application to chassis. But I may be wrong.

Intersex is sufficiently broadly defined to cover that.

The term hermaphrodite is nowadays considered inappropriate in reference to humans.  Biologists use the word hermaphrodite to refer to individuals that can produce both spermatazoa and ova, though not necessarily at the same time, and they exist in several phyla.  Even some vertebrates (certain fish and amphibians) can change biological sex, though so far as I know only once and only in one direction.  (If anyone has better data, please chime in.)  So far as I know there are no functional hermaphrodites among mammals.  There are individuals with ambiguous external genitalia, but no one with functioning ovaries and uterus can produce viable spermatazoa, and no individual born without a uterus can develop one later on.  The guevedoces of the Dominican Republic are sometimes called pseudohermaphrodites, because they are born with undescended testes and lack internal female reproductive organs. 

[Cornelius]

Alright, thanks, that clears it up.

[Gyrre]

I'm not sure. Hermaphrodite denotes both sets of genitals, and Im not sure that is the same as intersex. Especially with application to chassis. But I may be wrong.

If memory serves 'hermaphrodite' is a hold-over from ye aulden days of alchemy, when scientific knowledge was sorely lacking in some areas (such as genetics, and chemistry).

*shakes fist*
Auto-CORRECT!!!

[Case]

I'm not sure. Hermaphrodite denotes both sets of genitals, and Im not sure that is the same as intersex. Especially with application to chassis. But I may be wrong.

If memory serves 'hermaphrodite' is a hold-over from ye aulden days of alchemy, when scientific know was sorely lacking in some areas (such as genetics, and chemistry).

In biology, a hermaphrodite is an organism that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes. Many taxonomic groups of animals (mostly invertebrates) do not have separate sexes. In these groups, hermaphroditism is a normal condition, enabling a form of sexual reproduction in which either partner can act as the "female" or "male". For example, the great majority of tunicates, pulmonate snails, opisthobranch snails and slugs are hermaphrodites. Hermaphroditism is also found in some fish species and to a lesser degree in other vertebrates. Most plants are also hermaphrodites.

Historically, the term hermaphrodite has also been used to describe ambiguous genitalia and gonadal mosaicism in individuals of gonochoristic species, especially human beings. The word intersex has come into preferred usage for humans, since the word hermaphrodite is considered to be misleading and stigmatizing, as well as "scientifically specious and clinically problematic".

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermaphrodite)

Speculating here, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the brains of snails lack the neurological framework necessary to have a gendered perception of themselves, something that Intersex humans most definitely have.

[snufflebottoms]

I thought that there was an intentional androgyny there, which might fit Spookybot's nature.  For regular AIs, though, I'd assume that they'd generally be binary.

I mean binary is their language