Messages

1

Flipside Discussion / Re: Chapter 43: Discussion

« on: July 06, 2015, 06:29:36 pm »

Thank you Biron... that was in good taste.

Agreed. Some things are best left unsaid. To do so otherwise would be excessive. We already have enough of a rape culture as it is; the last thing it needs is more tinder for the fire.

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Chapter 43: Discussion

« on: June 26, 2015, 03:28:22 am »

I believe that Flipside has had uncovered breasts in the past. I couldn't say exactly when, though. The only thing that comes to mind right now is Maytag bathing with Regina.

Maytag got stripped nude by that sword attack with the guy wearing the Xibulba collar.

I know it's been a while, but there have been several such instances throughout the series. Who could forget when Maytag was magically stripped nude in front of the audience for the radio show contest? I would think if males could remember anything, it would be breasts  .

Don't believe me? Explain the rationale behind hospital gowns.  Now explain why people don't tend to quibble with doctors after being forced into the gown, left alone for hours, and told to poop in basins instead of proper toilets. You can think it's all about sex, but actually, it has little to do with it.

I was gonna say, that's not even about power. Clothes are removed because they aren't sterile and can hold dangerous substances (like pesticides, cleaning products, adsorbed gases, pathogens, etc.) "Left alone for hours" is a staffing issue, since I assume one isn't talking about an unstable or otherwise critical paitent. As for the basin thing, last I checked if you are ambulatory there's nothing stopping you from getting up and locating the nearest restroom. The staff probably just assume that if you need to ask, it means that you can't get up and need their assistance.

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Chapter 43: Discussion

« on: June 12, 2015, 06:17:57 am »

Why do I feel sickened at the crowd's roar of approval for Bern's victory? What a bunch of monsters... 

They didn't know they were trying to kill her.

How do you know that? Remember, these people like to see blood...

Try to keep in mind... it was not the audience that set up or demanded the arena, and most fights are not to the death as that is a breach of the arena rules.  Like even modern sports fans they like to see the big hits in full contact American Football, or the tireless resilience of a star Boxer... including the brutal 'no-holds-barred' of the UFC.  Its not that the audience per' se wants to see blood, it couched and spun in the media as exciting, battles between skilled warriors, for high stakes.  I'm sure most of the 'fans' never even ponder the darker side of the entire institution.

And even the most 'family-friendly' sports can be turned into something VERY ugly when the administrators running it are corrupt of any morals!

Historically though, blood spectacle was not uncommon. Most Roman gladiator fights didn't end in death either; gladiators were quite expensive to train. The Romans were used to these sort of events, and they were even told it was civically virtuous because it reminded them of Rome's long military history in the same way that movies like American Sniper get billed as "patriotic" today.

These people are, to the Marvolloans, criminals, and therefore are likely not inclined to care much about what happens to them. I do organizing for prisoners and such, and I swear today that attitude has not much changed. As for the system behind it? Of course they don't know about its dark side, because those who do are almost certainly not in attendance.

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Chapter 37: Discussion

« on: July 03, 2013, 03:01:07 am »

Is this like the whole midi-chordian thing? Oh brother, I feel a storm a' brewin'.

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Mistake Thread

« on: February 19, 2013, 09:54:10 pm »

http://flipside.keenspot.com/comic.php?i=1785 chapter 0, page 15: momento -> memento

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Chapter 35: Discussion

« on: January 06, 2013, 02:43:35 am »

Fascism is just capitalism stripped of its democratic veneer. I would not call Marvallo fascist because fascism is by definition never crypto-anything.

We can fight this system of oppression. Us commoners can unite and together, standing firm, we will triumph. The system needs us for our labor, and that is its inherent weakness.

They have taken untold billions that they never toiled to earn,
But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel can turn.
We can break their haughty power, gain our freedom when we learn.

That united we are strong!

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Chapter 35: Discussion

« on: January 03, 2013, 12:02:42 am »

I would wish Bern would ask her own questions instead of standing there like a blubbering idiot while he cuts her down, such as, "You'd coldly let a human being die just because they couldn't afford to pay you to live? How could you live with yourself?"

I'm thinking Brion is trying to subtly parallel the question of healthcare in today's modern society, where emergency rooms have to help the uninsured who suddenly show up and want help, am I correct? 

It isn't just health care. There's also the case of the Enforcer protection rackets, where you get the protection you pay for. And they still might not help you even if you offer to pay them, especially if they're too busy helping other, wealthier clients, because there might not be enough of them to go around. Sure, it reeks of the dropping of a liberally biased anvil. But the reason it's so infuriating is because it is an accurate portrayal of conservatism, which puts personal responsibility above social justice.

Marvallo itself, as stated in a previous comic, abides by the anarcho-capitalist form of libertarianism, with all its plot holes, hypocrisy, inconsistency and parallels to modern America, along with all the inevitable tragedies that burst forth from turning economics into religion. Understanding that explains why Ron Paul is lecturing Bern on letting people die. It makes perfect sense in the context that capitalism and its cronies really are that abhorrent, and it leaves Marvallo open to criticisms that can be applied just as easily to real life countries.

Contrast the non-imperial opt-in one-country good government of the Conclave taking a bunch of steps towards libertarian socialism(/anarcho-communism), and looking like the Big Good because of it. Cue the unfortunate implications about lefitsm just being better for society as a whole.

Suffice it to say, the most important question isn't whether Ron Paul should let Grant die, or how it parallels modern issues. It's how long we'll have to keep reading his religious sermon on the glory of capitalism. There may be a valuable lesson in it, but if you're already a liberal, it's really just as groan inducing as Faux Newz. Or is this building up of resentment for Ron Paul supposed to make his comeuppance all the more enjoyable?

First, I think I'm liking you more with every post.

Second, I don't think Brion is praising capitalism, he's in fact highlighting its reality behind the thin veneer of personal responsibility and choice.

As the fiscal cliff looms back on Earth, I am reminded of the real reason for government spending on welfare. It's not charity; it is the prevention of civil unrest. Welfare is the bread in bread and circuses.

We live in Marvallo; even Europe is just a toned-down version of that which unapologetically rules the roost here. Capitalism extracts from us our waking hours and repays us in fractions of the value we create by the work we do in those hours.

I think it'd be appropriate to end with this:

Is there aught we hold in common with the greedy parasite,
Who would lash us into serfdom and would crush us with his might?
Is there anything left to us but to organize and fight?

For united, we are strong!

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Chapter 35: Discussion

« on: December 18, 2012, 02:25:11 am »

This character is dealing with Bern. He's not denying Grant help, he's denying Bern help. Sure, he may not be responsible for what happens to Grant, but he will be responsible for whatever hell Bern unleashes upon him. With his level of greed, he deserves that hell.

That doesn't make any sense.  If you're saying he's not responsible for what happens to Grant, why would he be responsible for what happens to Bern?  The point isn't that only "responsible" people deserve help; rather just that personal responsibility is necessary in a land of so much freedom, and part of that freedom is getting to choose who you will help.

What if Bern here took another approach and used the guys logic against him?
Everyone has personal responsibility, and his daughter agreed upon it to perfom a task for agreed price after agreed amount of time passed.  But without any notice she called that deal off by throwing Grant out and in a way pushing Bern into this violent situation not even trying to wait.

I think that would be a hollow point for Bern to try to make, since afterall there was no way she could have gotten the money in 15 minutes.  Besides, I don't think you're quite grasping his point: it's that in Marvallo personal responsibility is a necessary price they pay for having so much freedom and not having to pay taxes.  In this context "personal responsibility" means being able to take care of yourself.

You have a curious definition of freedom. In this, as with all capitalist societies, you are only as free as your next meal or paycheck. Freedom from want is as essential as all other freedoms. Otherwise you are forced to work at whatever wages are offered to be able to eat. There is nothing for the unemployed, the physically and mentally disabled, the sick, the elderly, or the orphans. If your choice is to do what those who have wealth demand of you or else starve, how is that not force?

Furthermore, you bring in personal responsibility into alcoholism. Few associations could be more counterfactual. Alcoholism is a disease of addiction. It eats a person as surely as cancer. This man needs help, not an ideological scolding. You do a disservice to all alcoholics, recovering or otherwise, by pinning the blame on them for their mental illness.

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Chapter 35: Discussion

« on: December 10, 2012, 01:10:13 am »

Those who hawk the joys of capitalism have no clue what they're talking about. Capitalism is a savage thing. It is worth noting that even this conception of anarcho-capitalism needs a small state in the form of Enforcers. Property is only as valuable as the force that protects it. Some an-caps don't want a state at all. They don't get the fact that the state is vital to capitalism as as it is what protects the interests of property from the half-starved workers below. It is telling that this fictional state defines "force" in a very loose way so as to protect property, but it is silent on economic coercion such as this healer is using. Bernadette, as do the workers of the world, are justified in not standing by as people die from lack of the essentials of life. True, the father is an alcoholic; but then why do people keep selling him liquor? Capitalism does indeed view murder as a property crime, hence why people who kill one wealthy person are killers, but the capitalist who kills thousands by depriving them of medical care is a businessman or businesswoman. That is what capitalism really means.

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Chapter 31: Discussion

« on: December 15, 2011, 12:05:04 pm »

Hmph. Who IS the pessimist that thinks Maytag won't go any farther?  Jerk... 

I'm getting a more ominous vibe, like he's gonna do something to remove her from contention because she is a threat to him.

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Chapter 31: Discussion

« on: December 13, 2011, 07:39:50 pm »

"anything that moves"?

Have you been reading tvtropes again?

Also, I don't think its possible to have sex with an asexual reproducer, like starfish and some mollusks.

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Chapter A: Discussion

« on: November 13, 2011, 03:46:56 am »

Interesting how Oublimobious is dressed in that very revealing manner. I think I can even see part of a nipple on one comic.

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Mistake Thread

« on: October 28, 2011, 02:10:02 pm »

"Jerter"? Is that like a jester? 

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Chapter 30: Discussion

« on: September 17, 2011, 05:15:06 am »

You know what's so funny about this? Maytag by her own admission would not care if Bern gave in, and a threesome would probably be suggested at some point.

They say history plays first time like a tragedy and second time as a farce. So it it with Bernadette's life story. For a second back there, Bern seemed like she was enjoying that kiss.

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Mistake Thread

« on: August 24, 2011, 06:02:31 pm »

Honestly, I wish people would stop coming up with combination of Polly and Blackbird. As I understand it, Polly is her actual first name, wheras Blackbird is just her nom de gurre. It seems to be a
matter of personal taste, although I would err on the side of Polly, just because we are writing and nicknames are really more appropriate for the spoken word.

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Detailed map of Flipside

« on: August 24, 2011, 05:51:38 pm »

Did I ask for too much? If you could just place dots on an outline of Flipside, that would
tell me all I need to know. Also, does Flipside have the same notion of time as us (sec, min, hr, day, wk, month, yr, etc)?

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Chapter 30: Discussion

« on: August 03, 2011, 06:36:50 am »

Back from San Diego!  I think it's time to answer a few questions.

Regarding Money: Charles is right.  It's:

$1 = 1 Platinum
$10 = 1 Gold
$100 = 1 Silver
$1000 = 1 Electrum

This is backwards from DND money.  The reason why is not a reference to the fact that silver used to be more valuable (if that is indeed true, I wasn't aware.)  It's just because I like to be different.  And in fact, if I could go back and start Flipside over I'd probably use dollars instead of coins, or perhaps a more original type of money.  It's too cliche to use a DND coin system in a fantasy setting.  But I'm stuck with it now.

Regarding Marvallo's Economy: It is a much more capitalist and laissez-faire type of country than Iscariot.  However, prices tend to be more expensive overall.  This is due to inflation.  This is not what you'd first expect, but there's a reason for why this is, which I won't go into at this time.

I'm no economist, but I can think of a few reasons. Since these are precious metals and not fiat currency, inflation can only be caused by mining. I commented that Flipside resembles a volcanic island, so the prevelance of minerals in the ground could differ signifigantly from the global mean. If Marvallo has a large precious metal reserves and Iscariot restricts the flow of these metals across the border, then a signifigant price differential can form for currency. Also, the apparently reversed values can be the result of an inverted prevelance of accessable ore. If very little of the gold is refractory and the silver veins are too deep, then those factors and the lack of uses for platinum could create that valuation. This is akin to the inversion of prices for rice, and wheat are reversed between East Asia and the West.

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Detailed map of Flipside

« on: August 02, 2011, 11:32:53 am »

Yay! I need to know the distances and directions between all the locations mentioned in the comic relative to Eschelon (since it was pointed out on a map). I traced the coastline and utilized that map fragment showing the area around Solstice from book 0. Also, I would like to know which places are cities, towns, or villiages. You could just give me the populations of these settlements instead along with the total population to use as a comparitive metric. Feel free to take as long as you want, and you could use any distance unit you want (mi, km, days on foot, etc.). I think I have distances down, but I still need directions. I thank you profusely in advance.

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Detailed map of Flipside

« on: August 02, 2011, 03:16:19 am »

Yes, I am using that map fragment to fill in the area around Solstice. I am hoping that Brion will notice this and tell me the locations of the cities relative to Eschelon (the one point shown on the large-scale intermission map).

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Flipside Discussion / Re: Detailed map of Flipside

« on: July 30, 2011, 02:18:33 pm »

Well, that includes stops, 140 km would be akin to the Bataan death march (24/7, no rest). Honestly I don't know what formula AutoRealm uses. I think that is besides the point though. I'm combing over some map fragments from book 0 to fill in some regions with more detail. Also, putting places on the settlement hierarchy is difficult without both the total population of Flipside as well as the populations of each settlement. I mean, I don't even have a proper geoid to work with!

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Flipside Discussion / Detailed map of Flipside

« on: July 29, 2011, 08:04:00 am »

I am using AutoREALM to create a map of the island that Flipside is on. I used your own maps seen in intermissions as a tracing template and added some cities. Placing the cities and locations was difficult because I had to base most of it off of stated distances (i.e. two weeks of walking ~ 2000km). It's not quite finished yet, and if you can give me some directions to add to those distances and refine the ones already used, I will freely give a copy to you. Also, this island looks like the remains of a volcanic island, like the Hawaiian island chain. Is this the only landmass on the Flipside world, or might it simply be the case that none of its residents have ever looked past their own shores?