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Poll

What odd things will Roko find out about her new body?

There are pre-made holes for piercings.
- 2 (4.7%)
The fart.app is now a feature, not an option.
- 3 (7%)
Her old clothes don't quite fit.
- 11 (25.6%)
Sense of smell heightened to where she can smell pumpernickel from a mile away.
- 16 (37.2%)
Every so often, she wants waffles with spathe ham.
- 3 (7%)
Something completely different (but funny).
- 8 (18.6%)

Total Members Voted: 42


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Author Topic: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)  (Read 30622 times)

TheEvilDog

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #100 on: 16 Jan 2019, 20:09 »

Fun trivia: In situations where criminals have boarded themselves up inside buildings, Melon was often invited by police to sing for them. In 99% of cases, criminals surrendered peacefully just to make her stop.

Fun fact: the police were able to do that once, before Melon was banned for singing in public, as it is considered a cruel and unusual form of punishment.
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Tova

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #101 on: 16 Jan 2019, 22:10 »

Oh dear... this calls for an appropriate response.

CAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSE!!!
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Yet the lies of Melkor, the mighty and the accursed, Morgoth Bauglir, the Power of Terror and of Hate, sowed in the hearts of Elves and Men are a seed that does not die and cannot be destroyed; and ever and anon it sprouts anew, and will bear dark fruit even unto the latest days. (Silmarillion 255)

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #102 on: 16 Jan 2019, 23:37 »

I honestly think that Melon is probably the sweetest character in Questionable Content right now. There's a combination of childlike innocence combined with her disconnect from observational reality and clear difficulty actually learning things that should be annoying or even pitiful but all of them go together to create a being with the most endearing positivity about her.

Regarding Roko: I'm no expert but I suspect at least part of the answer will be to do stuff. I'll bet that, if she's active, she'll find that she doesn't have the time to think about her new chassis and start losing the 'new shell' feeling and feel more integrated.
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JoeCovenant

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #103 on: 17 Jan 2019, 01:57 »


Isn't it odd how a tiny little artistic mistake (failing to colour Roko's irises in panel three) alters the entire look of the face!

Looks really different!
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #104 on: 17 Jan 2019, 02:39 »

I love the idea of ditzy robots. 
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #105 on: 17 Jan 2019, 05:18 »

Oh dear... this calls for an appropriate response.

CAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSE!!!

Case is temporarily unavailable. Good luck!


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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #106 on: 17 Jan 2019, 07:07 »

QC combines straightforward dramedy with off-the-track wackiness and always has. Melon belongs to wacky QC.
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #107 on: 17 Jan 2019, 09:46 »

The danger would be if Emily wanted an AnthroPC companion... and got Melon.
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #108 on: 17 Jan 2019, 09:56 »

My brain is incapable of processing what Twinkle Twinkle Little Star would sound like to the tune of Enter Sandman.

This is probably for the best.
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TheEvilDog

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #109 on: 17 Jan 2019, 11:13 »

How about if you imagine it to something like this.
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #110 on: 17 Jan 2019, 17:38 »

Well that's legitimately ominous-sounding.
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #111 on: 17 Jan 2019, 19:25 »

New comic... and an old "friend" makes an appearance...
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TheEvilDog

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #112 on: 17 Jan 2019, 19:29 »

At least we can keep using the creepy music then.
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #113 on: 17 Jan 2019, 19:33 »

Why is Spooky so interested in Bubbles and Roko? Bubbles there was at least the pretense of altruism vis-a-vis Corpse Witch, but they've visited Roko three times now, only once with any sort of immediate purpose (unless there's something about to happen here that I'm not seeing).

Maybe, and this is me going out on a limb, some kind of AI-related crisis is coming to the comic, something Spookybot foresees, and Bubbles and Roko will somehow be central to it.
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TheEvilDog

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #114 on: 17 Jan 2019, 19:45 »

Or simply, given how many chassis Spooky seems to possesses, they like to keep an eye on a number of AI they find to be interesting.

For example, to them, Bubbles is an interesting case. An AI who volunteered for military service, became a part of a unit but ended up being discharged after the unit was wiped out/heavily damaged. How Bubbles deals with her PTSS and further more, the development of her relationship with Faye. All becomes interesting.

Likewise with Roko. She is someone who has had to endure the reality of her work and the ineffective nature of it, becoming disillusioned with her life. And yet, she is able to walk away and find something else for herself. Or maybe Spooky just finds her bread fetish interesting.

We see just a couple of instances of Spooky popping up in the comic, but for all we know, they have a couple of interesting cases in every city where AI live.
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #115 on: 17 Jan 2019, 19:52 »

Holy shit Spookybot can APPARATE DOORS OPEN.  :-o

They probably just want to borrow some sugar, I guess.
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #116 on: 17 Jan 2019, 19:54 »

Why is Spooky so interested in Bubbles and Roko? Bubbles there was at least the pretense of altruism vis-a-vis Corpse Witch, but they've visited Roko three times now, only once with any sort of immediate purpose (unless there's something about to happen here that I'm not seeing).

Maybe, and this is me going out on a limb, some kind of AI-related crisis is coming to the comic, something Spookybot foresees, and Bubbles and Roko will somehow be central to it.

At least Spookybot is at Roko's door.  I knew they'd pop up, but figured it would be once Roko went to sleep mode. 

I'm not entirely convinced Spookybot's interest in Bubbles and Roko is just them being whimsical.  Perhaps Spookybot has been meddling in human and AI relations for some time and even went so far as to sabotage the mission where Bubbles' squad was killed.  Maybe Spookybot disapproved of AI soldiers and wanted to discredit the program.  Now maybe Spookybot's interest in Bubbles is motivated by guilt or possibly to cover their tracks.  Spookybot was very interested in Bubbles' memories.  Why?  Maybe Bubbles remembered seeing Spookybot on the battlefield and they wanted to delete that memory to cover their tracks.  Now once it became clear the memory was gone Spookybot could rest easily and perhaps that was the plot all along.  I seriously doubt various government agencies accept that there is an AI with that much power and would love to neutralize them.  Perhaps that was the purpose in Bubbles' memory loss.  Maybe she volunteered to have that part of her memory removed so that Spookybot would eventually seek her out and try to get it back.  As such Corpse Witch could've been in on it the entire time and was secretly her handler without Bubbles knowing it.  I'm not entirely sure what their interest in Roko is.  Maybe they're bored and just like interacting with fellow AIs from time to time or maybe they want to misdirect Roko as part of some elaborate plan. 

It's all just speculation, but if I'm right Spookybot best watch their back because with all the repeat appearances sooner or later the men in black will figure out a pattern and spring whatever trap they have planned.   
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #117 on: 17 Jan 2019, 19:59 »

How did Spookybot get the door open with Roko standing right in front of it?
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TheEvilDog

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #118 on: 17 Jan 2019, 20:02 »

How did Spookybot get the door open with Roko standing right in front of it?

Turns out Roko's new chassis can phase through objects.
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #119 on: 17 Jan 2019, 20:12 »

Pffft. Omnipotent. *snaps fingers*
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #120 on: 17 Jan 2019, 20:25 »

Took the words right out of my mouth, Roko.
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #121 on: 17 Jan 2019, 20:25 »

New comic... and an old "friend" makes an appearance...
Not old enough in my opinion.

Roko's previous interaction was right: "JUST FAHKIN' LEAVE ALREADY" I hope this time it's "WILL YOU STAY THE FAHK OUT OF MY LIFE?!?"

Seriously. I'm tired of Spookybot showing up to explain and fix everything at the snap of its fingers - or to refuse to, because "you can't understand". The ordinary AIs in this story are already just about at the edge of relate-able; Spookybot is beyond the pale (pardon the pun).
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #122 on: 17 Jan 2019, 20:27 »

"Hiiii Roko!"

.....

*sigh* "Hi Spooky...."

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #123 on: 17 Jan 2019, 20:53 »

New comic... and an old "friend" makes an appearance...
Not old enough in my opinion.

Roko's previous interaction was right: "JUST FAHKIN' LEAVE ALREADY" I hope this time it's "WILL YOU STAY THE FAHK OUT OF MY LIFE?!?"

Seriously. I'm tired of Spookybot showing up to explain and fix everything at the snap of its fingers - or to refuse to, because "you can't understand". The ordinary AIs in this story are already just about at the edge of relate-able; Spookybot is beyond the pale (pardon the pun).

IMO, Tova's got it right - s/he is basically Q.
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Neko_Ali

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #124 on: 17 Jan 2019, 20:56 »

Roko is cursed to have interesting friends.
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #125 on: 17 Jan 2019, 22:01 »

When did Spooky start talking (speech bubble style) like a robot?
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #126 on: 17 Jan 2019, 22:04 »

IMO, Tova's got it right - s/he is basically Q.
Before there was Q there was Trelane, and before Trelane there was this fellow.
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #127 on: 17 Jan 2019, 22:15 »

How did Spookybot get the door open with Roko standing right in front of it?

Welcome, new person who asked the exact question that was on my mind!
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #128 on: 17 Jan 2019, 22:17 »

Oh goodie, Deus Ex Machinabot is back.  :roll:
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #129 on: 17 Jan 2019, 22:19 »

How did Spookybot get the door open with Roko standing right in front of it?

Welcome, new person who asked the exact question that was on my mind!
I had the same thought, and then I realized that Spookybot are probably able to bend doors that same way they bend reality.

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #130 on: 17 Jan 2019, 22:20 »

IMO, Tova's got it right - s/he is basically Q.
Before there was Q there was Trelane, and before Trelane there was this fellow.


"He had height, length, breadth, and a couple of other things too."
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #131 on: 17 Jan 2019, 22:30 »

There is no door. Bend your mind.
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #132 on: 17 Jan 2019, 23:22 »

I'm thinking about the deal between Roko and Melon here. Melon is annoying, clearly does not have even a hypothetical understanding of appropriate behaviour and regularly breaks into other people's apartments. Why would Roko tolerate her presence? The key is the fact that Roko wants to help people. It isn't that she pities Melon, it's that she recognises that there is a lack in the other synthetic's life - Someone who will treat her normally and with respect - and is trying to fill it.

It's obvious that Melon genuinely loves Roko too. That really helps smooth over the inevitable rough spots.

Why is Spooky so interested in Bubbles and Roko? Bubbles there was at least the pretense of altruism vis-a-vis Corpse Witch, but they've visited Roko three times now, only once with any sort of immediate purpose (unless there's something about to happen here that I'm not seeing).

Now I've thought about it, I'm not convinced that SpookyBot was interested in Bubbles at all. Oh, they were genuine enough in their efforts but, when you consider that taking down Corpse Witch's organisation was Roko's assignment at the time and freeing Bubbles created the circumstances where a very, very minimal intervention could do so, I'm wondering if it wasn't all for Roko's benefit and just had a coincidental positive impact on Bubbles.

Yes, SpookyBot is interested in Roko for some reason. Maybe it is in the form of Q's interest in Captain Picard ('My favourite chew-toy') but Q had his larger agenda and I'm wondering what SpookyBot's might be. Just in what way is Roko the spot where SpookyBot needs to set their lever to move the world?

When did Spooky start talking (speech bubble style) like a robot?

When they wanted to. With a personality like SpookyBot, there is no other reason necessary.
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #133 on: 18 Jan 2019, 00:24 »

<politics>Please can we have Spookybot visit the UK's defective Maybot*?</politics>

* Our Prime Minister
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #134 on: 18 Jan 2019, 00:49 »

How did Spookybot get the door open with Roko standing right in front of it?

Welcome, new person who asked the exact question that was on my mind!

Thanks.  I actually wanted to comment last week about how Roko could use some kind of ritual to get her sense of integration back.  Faye and Bubbles could do some kind of "this is your foot/this is your shin/etc." chant because, after all, it's all psychological.  The Adeptus Mechanicus has to get started somewhere, after all.

Anyway, i think it's been fixed.  Looking at it again, Roko appears to have been resized to be larger than what i remember, putting her a couple feet closer to the camera from her previous position next to (leaning against?) the door.
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #135 on: 18 Jan 2019, 02:02 »

Damn. And I was really enjoying this storyline too.

Ah well...

If someone would leave me a note to let me know when Loathsomebot is gone, that'd be great.  Because I won't be reading until then.
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #136 on: 18 Jan 2019, 03:22 »

<unpopular opinion> I like Spookybot, and enjoy her as much as I do Melon. I really don't get the intensity of some of these reactions. </unpopular opinion>
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BenRG

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #137 on: 18 Jan 2019, 03:31 »

<unpopular opinion> I like Spookybot, and enjoy her as much as I do Melon. I really don't get the intensity of some of these reactions. </unpopular opinion>

It's 'they'; SpookyBot is androgynous and doesn't use gendered pronouns to describe themselves.

I think that SpookyBot is unpopular for many because they are literally a Deus Ex Machina: A plot-disruptive character with enough undefined abilities with poorly-defined limits (if they have any at all) that they can solve any conflict or plot issue with a snap of their fingers. I also think that a lot of people are angry that Jeph used them to resolve the "Bubbles' Memories" arc. Basically it's anger transfer from Jeph for (in their view at least) 'copping out' of writing the story they wanted to the character he used to do it.

If you look at my post above, I have briefly speculated about an in-universe motive for SpookyBot's actions that are somewhat less random and whimsical but, at this stage, it is only speculation that more-or-less fits in wiith what we've seen of SpookyBot so far.
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #138 on: 18 Jan 2019, 03:31 »

So...

Did SB CAUSE poor ol' Crushbot to have his 'accident'...?
(Epiphany! Roko is the Robo Messiah! Crushbot is Judas!)

(Anyone else think Jeph is fecking with us-  with this strip's name, and Roko's last comment... ;)  )
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #139 on: 18 Jan 2019, 03:35 »

<unpopular opinion> I like Spookybot, and enjoy her as much as I do Melon. I really don't get the intensity of some of these reactions. </unpopular opinion>

It's 'they'; SpookyBot is androgynous and doesn't use gendered pronouns to describe themselves.

I think that SpookyBot is unpopular for many because they are literally a Deus Ex Machina: A plot-disruptive character with enough undefined abilities with poorly-defined limits (if they have any at all) that they can solve any conflict or plot issue with a snap of their fingers. I also think that a lot of people are angry that Jeph used them to resolve the "Bubbles' Memories" arc. Basically it's anger transfer from Jeph for (in their view at least) 'copping out' of writing the story they wanted to the character he used to do it.

If you look at my post above, I have briefly speculated about an in-universe motive for SpookyBot's actions that are somewhat less random and whimsical but, at this stage, it is only speculation that more-or-less fits in wiith what we've seen of SpookyBot so far.

Spookybot also showed behaviour some people could qualify as hostile (knocking Faye out with their superpowers, for example). We don't know their intentions, but they don't seem to be what is usually called benevolent...
« Last Edit: 18 Jan 2019, 07:26 by traroth »
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #140 on: 18 Jan 2019, 03:40 »

So...

Did SB CAUSE poor ol' Crushbot to have his 'accident'...?

This is actually a viable suggestion. What if SpookyBot's scheme needs Roko in a different chassis? Specifically, a more advanced chassis for which they have arranged certain 'non-standard modifications' via remotely compromising the assembly line robotics and quality assurance systems.

What am I saying?

SPOOKYBOT: "The simple fact, Miss Basilisk, that there is a limit to what we can do directly without bringing unwelcome attention onto ourselves. So, we are in the process of recruiting... agents to act in our stead. You should consider yourself quite lucky as you're the first to reach this stage, where you are ready for deployment."

ROKO: "Whaht makes yoah think ah'll work for you?"

SPOOKYBOT: "We don't recall saying that you'll realise that you're acting according to our design until long after the fact. Indeed, you'll be acting entirely in accord with your own nature and moral compass. That's what makes this so perfect for us both: An agent, doing what we want them to do, who is also doing what they have always wanted to do! Did we mention that we've been watching you for a very long time... and concluded that you're pretty much the perfect choice!"

Spookybot also showed behaviour some people could qualify as hostile (knoking Faye out with their superpowers, for example). We don't know their intentions, but they don't seem to be what is usually called benevolent...

Bubbles did mention what might happen if an AI emerged that decoupled intelligence from human-like ethics and conscience. Benevolence can easily be very, very uncomfortable for certain individuals if the Benefactor in question is greatly into 'The Greater Good' or some similar moral construct.
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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #141 on: 18 Jan 2019, 03:47 »

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"The first rule of the Dunning-Kruger club is you don’t know you're a member of the Dunning-Kruger club. People miss that." - David Dunning
"Brains are assholes" - SitnSpin

jwhouk

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #142 on: 18 Jan 2019, 04:19 »

IMO, Tova's got it right - s/he is basically Q.
Before there was Q there was Trelane, and before Trelane there was this fellow.


Kltpzyxm?
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"Character is what you are in the Dark." - D.L. Moody
There is no joke that can be made online without someone being offended by it.
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Just another Joe like 46

Tai Fanboi

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #143 on: 18 Jan 2019, 04:24 »

How did Spookybot get the door open with Roko standing right in front of it?

Welcome, new person who asked the exact question that was on my mind!

It's one of these doors is all.
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Oh god, I should've drunk more so I wouldn't remember that.

SordidEuphemism

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #144 on: 18 Jan 2019, 04:52 »

<unpopular opinion> I like Spookybot, and enjoy her as much as I do Melon. I really don't get the intensity of some of these reactions. </unpopular opinion>

It's 'they'; SpookyBot is androgynous and doesn't use gendered pronouns to describe themselves.
Fair, that's on me. I think I transposed Melon's gender to SB in my thoughts, but regardless of reason that's a mistake on my part.

Regarding your (and others') comments, I don't see them as Deus ex Machina so much as a sign that there are greater forces at play which may be using our favorite characters as pieces in a much larger game.
(click to show/hide)
Full disclosure, I liked Q in the episodes I've seen. Not so much Mr. M or the Great Gazoo. Some franchises handle the 'capricious whim of fate' character better than others.

Still, even if someone dislikes how a character is used, some of these reactions are... well, I guess it's the internet, where hyperbole is king.
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Gyrre

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #145 on: 18 Jan 2019, 05:34 »

*snip*

Or, of course, you can do what the US military did with Bubbles and put her with people from the start so that she develops bonds with others and thus has something to fight for, something to live for and, if necessary, something to die for.
That reminds of a fan theory about the renegade humans in The Matrix actually being AI  that were being taught what it's like to be human and subjugatd in an unprecedented show of forethought by their human creators to help the AI be able to sympathize with humans and not robot uprise.
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"Broken swords and dragon bones scattered on the way back home."

Too stubborn to die, just like the rest of my family.

War Sparrow

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #146 on: 18 Jan 2019, 06:32 »

I also like Spookybot. The whole "Tea with Cthulhu" trope is one of my favourites. They're a bored eldritch horror who like to meddle, in my opinion. Like your wealthy, eccentric aunt with far to much spare time.

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Theta9

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #147 on: 18 Jan 2019, 07:37 »

There is no door. Bend your mind.
"Do not try to bend the spoon; it's impossible. Instead try to realize the truth: the spoon effect will be added later using a CGI workstation."
 from Crobar's Matrix
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St.Clair

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #148 on: 18 Jan 2019, 07:48 »

IMO, Tova's got it right - s/he is basically Q.
Before there was Q there was Trelane, and before Trelane there was this fellow.


Kltpzyxm?

Not "Kltpzyxm!" Mxyzptlk! Now, the first thing I'm gonna do- Aw, nuts. *poof*

(Somehow I don't think that trick works on Spookybot.)
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TheEvilDog

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Re: WCDT 14-18 January 2019 (3916-3920)
« Reply #149 on: 18 Jan 2019, 07:51 »

Of course it wouldn't work.

You'd have to get them to say Tobykoops, which is a whole easier to say!
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