Click on the “Chapter:” link instead and you will get this, which is awesome and much better than the previous archive way in my opinion.
Just to make it easier for you, here is the start of the film.
(My comment below was supposed to be a reply to Stig. Let’s see if I get it right this time.)
The movie starts here: http://skin-horse.com/comic/in-her-way/
UNITY definitely could have phrased that a little more clearly. Somehow her words just seem to turn into accidental koans, revealing the fundamental truths of our existence.
Looks like the archives are slowly getting rebuilt. I picture Shaenon, Jeffrey, and Andrew working day and night, tediously editing them, strip by strip. Did ComicPress really push out this new version without any announcement about the changes??
Now the question is, was Sweetheart enough of a Star Trek fan to know that this was the method Captain Kirk used to trash a sentient AI or would any subsequent damage have been accidental? o_O
Whimsy isn’t an AI, she’s an anthropomorphic personification of a corporation. She’s also sapient, rather than merely sentient, so she can mentally work around logic bombs, like the Auditors in Thief of Time. Think of her as a person with a extranormal sense of duty to the well being of her business.
She will nonetheless occasionally be referred to as an AI. The main reason for this is that it takes up very little panel space. But yes, you’ve got the right sense.
Well, she’s intelligent, and she’s artificial. I think you’re taking a very narrow view on the meaning of ‘AI’…
Of course, the idea that all AIs would have trouble with logic bombs even if made through different technologies and techniques is ridiculous, so it’s a non issue.
Princess Whimsy has already recognized that she has a choice of whether or not to try to solve it as a puzzle. Paradox is unlikely to defeat her. Also, I think Sweetheart’s response indicates that she was unaware of the chance for a paradox meltdown.
Here’s the film your father left for you now,
Saying what we tell you isn’t true now!
You should not believe a word!
If it seems a bit absurd,
It won’t make any better sense tomorrow!
[CHORUS:]
More con-fusion, Ma’am!
More con-fusion, Ma’am!
Just like any normal person,
Better not trust Uncle Sam!
Princess Whimsy, welcome to the real world,
To the “Life is rough, you gotta deal” world!
Because what your father said
Is to not trust any Fed!
We hope that we can work with you tomorrow! [repeat CHORUS]
Hmmmmm… I think I’d rather have confusions than certainties– when you get right down to it, most certainties are downers. “You will eventually die.” “The cost of living will go up.” “The likelihood of a disco revival will become greater.” Yeah, that sort of thing– give me hope any time!
“The likelihood of a disco revival will become greater.”
Ouch. You could not have been more of a downer than to suggest that. The laws of probability combined with the axiom ‘everything old is new again’ make this almost guaranteed to happen. I’ma gonna go have a cry and eat a gallon of ice cream now.
I see that Tip and Unity are demonstrating what I can only assume is proper Skin Horse protocol for doing dramatic reveals; namely, when revealing shocking or mindblowing information to a client (i.e. “Everything you know is a lie”, “I am your father” or “Your most respected authority figure told you not to trust us”), be sure to wear your brightest, most disarming smile throughout the length of the delivery. It helps the client process the information and decreases the likelihood that they’ll immediately try to kill you.
Okay, I know I’m a little late to this party, but is there some way I can purchase a print of this strip? Perhaps blown up a bit so I can hang it on my wall?
Yay!
That means I’m already a winner!
🙂
I was going to watch the film again, myself — but the “Select Story” function does not work like it used to.
Click on the “Chapter:” link instead and you will get this, which is awesome and much better than the previous archive way in my opinion.
Just to make it easier for you, here is the start of the film.
So, I think I’m blind. I don’t see a “Chapter” link?
Top left under the strip:
“Today’s Comic
By Shaenon…
Chapter: [link to complete arc with readable-sized strips]”
Thanks!
Is there any way to access the previous “chapters”/storylines in the archives?
(My comment below was supposed to be a reply to Stig. Let’s see if I get it right this time.)
The movie starts here:
http://skin-horse.com/comic/in-her-way/
Thanks, Tetra!
UNITY definitely could have phrased that a little more clearly. Somehow her words just seem to turn into accidental koans, revealing the fundamental truths of our existence.
True. But it’s Sweetheart talking in this strip (second panel does kinda make it look like Unity at first glance though).
It starts here:
http://skin-horse.com/comic/in-her-way/
(The URLs now all have “comic” instead of the year. I wonder if that will create duplicate file names?)
Actually, that happened in the previous format. The 2 at the end of http://skin-horse.com/comic/at-all-2/ was there before.
That was Sweetheart talking, not Unity.
Perhaps TPman is one of those who just cant see/hear a talking dog. XD
There’s a talking dog? Where!?
Does Princess Whimsy have a name other than Princess Whimsy?
The website seems to be sorting itself out, but whither the archives?
Looks like the archives are slowly getting rebuilt. I picture Shaenon, Jeffrey, and Andrew working day and night, tediously editing them, strip by strip. Did ComicPress really push out this new version without any announcement about the changes??
Ah, yes, I’m well-acquainted with the “upgrade” that actually causes you to lose functionality. Apple, Microsoft, Time Warner . . .
God yes. That is so so very true.
All I do is solve riddles, and all I get is confusion.
Stop the ride. I want to get off and visit the gift shop.
But all they sell in the gift shop is momentary pleasure unavoidably packaged with next-day shame.
Good one.
I like the page redesign, but still slow loading.
I’m finding that it’s starting to load faster for me, but only on the “current” strip. Anything else still takes a dog’s age.
I have to admit I did not see that coming. Beautiful!
Now the question is, was Sweetheart enough of a Star Trek fan to know that this was the method Captain Kirk used to trash a sentient AI or would any subsequent damage have been accidental? o_O
Whimsy isn’t an AI, she’s an anthropomorphic personification of a corporation. She’s also sapient, rather than merely sentient, so she can mentally work around logic bombs, like the Auditors in Thief of Time. Think of her as a person with a extranormal sense of duty to the well being of her business.
She will nonetheless occasionally be referred to as an AI. The main reason for this is that it takes up very little panel space. But yes, you’ve got the right sense.
Well, she’s intelligent, and she’s artificial. I think you’re taking a very narrow view on the meaning of ‘AI’…
Of course, the idea that all AIs would have trouble with logic bombs even if made through different technologies and techniques is ridiculous, so it’s a non issue.
Just ask any Tachikoma.
Princess Whimsy has already recognized that she has a choice of whether or not to try to solve it as a puzzle. Paradox is unlikely to defeat her. Also, I think Sweetheart’s response indicates that she was unaware of the chance for a paradox meltdown.
PS I think Tip was aware of the possibility. All bets are off whether Unity was.
Nick definitely is. Too bad he’s not around.
(TUNE: “Secret Agent Man”, Barri & Sloan)
Here’s the film your father left for you now,
Saying what we tell you isn’t true now!
You should not believe a word!
If it seems a bit absurd,
It won’t make any better sense tomorrow!
[CHORUS:]
More con-fusion, Ma’am!
More con-fusion, Ma’am!
Just like any normal person,
Better not trust Uncle Sam!
Princess Whimsy, welcome to the real world,
To the “Life is rough, you gotta deal” world!
Because what your father said
Is to not trust any Fed!
We hope that we can work with you tomorrow!
[repeat CHORUS]
I’ll bet you started working on this days ago. Excellent well, Ed!
Nope, just my typical “wake up, read comic, shake my brain and type in whatever falls out” effert.
Hey, I know that tune!
Good one today, Ed.
Just to be sure, I’m not the only one that agrees with Sweetheart?
If we’re talking about Campbellian progression, aren’t the body and the filmstrip already boons from godlike parental figures?
The body came from Nick, not Collodi.
If Collodi is WhimsyCorp’s father, does that make Nick her mother?
Hmmmmm… I think I’d rather have confusions than certainties– when you get right down to it, most certainties are downers. “You will eventually die.” “The cost of living will go up.” “The likelihood of a disco revival will become greater.” Yeah, that sort of thing– give me hope any time!
“The likelihood of a disco revival will become greater.”
Ouch. You could not have been more of a downer than to suggest that. The laws of probability combined with the axiom ‘everything old is new again’ make this almost guaranteed to happen. I’ma gonna go have a cry and eat a gallon of ice cream now.
You sir, are a merry contradiction, a pragmatic philosopher. I salute you for your success in combining the two traits.
I see that Tip and Unity are demonstrating what I can only assume is proper Skin Horse protocol for doing dramatic reveals; namely, when revealing shocking or mindblowing information to a client (i.e. “Everything you know is a lie”, “I am your father” or “Your most respected authority figure told you not to trust us”), be sure to wear your brightest, most disarming smile throughout the length of the delivery. It helps the client process the information and decreases the likelihood that they’ll immediately try to kill you.
Okay, I know I’m a little late to this party, but is there some way I can purchase a print of this strip? Perhaps blown up a bit so I can hang it on my wall?