I can't believe I have to say this

So what happens when an AI blocks you? Are you deleted from their awareness? Does a fuzzy blob descend over your face whenever they see it? Probably against the law for an AI to wilfully ignore another person, but fuzzy-blobbing seems reasonable.

Richard

It probably got muddied with current events. One could argue that Winslow is the "Rich White Male" stereotype, while May is the "Poor/Minority/Female" stereotype We could forgive that the timing was coincidental, as nobody would've seen the events that transpired going apeshit as it did. But it happened.

We love you Jacques I'm sorry we're horrible

Let's hope it's rare you have to do that. We're people who support you.

William Burns

This will likely be the only time I ever comment, but here it goes. I will admit that the last two (issues, episodes, what do you call webcomic panels) didn't really speak to me. I personally disagreed with one of the characters in them. But this isn't my "show" its not my story, these are characters that Jeph created that he has been kind enough to share with us all. The controls are in his hands, and I have usually enjoyed where he takes things. Its his world, II'm just glad I get to see it.

I dig this webcomic. Imma keep giving you my dolla. Blocking idiots is cool. I wish I could block some in real life.

shedemon

I missed the relevant conversation, so I can't specifically speak to that, but as someone who through upper middle class background and mental illness both has economic privilege while at the same time can't really personally afford the few bucks I give to patreon creators, I know how painful economic privilege issues can be on both sides. It's easy to start arguments. I hope anyone who has it in them can do the forgiveness and empathy thing. Most of all though, this is a workplace and a living to an artist whose work it's important to me to support. I hope we can keep things in that spirit, a spirit of giving.

People that don't understand economic privilege confuse me. Especially when it comes to medicine (or repairs in this case). May is a symbol of the sick in today's society, her money goes toward keeping her body from falling apart whereas Winslow can get an entirely new one on a whim. May even has to go to illegal chop shops to get treatment. There is a huge difference here and it's not racial or gender privilege, it's plain and simple economic privilege. Ugh. People need to realize this.

Brian

Yep.

Gamera

Was it because "This is sort of like White Privilege! If we don't think about this for more than a few minutes!"

Gamera

I remember Jeph from the forums (used to be a frequent user (techkid), but circumstances changed and now I have little time for it :( ), and one of your quotes that sticks in my mind is that you have "no tolerance for intolerance".

David Paul

I don't know what happened but I hope no one got hurt, and thank you for sticking up for your commenters and banning people who aim to hurt.

Airyu

I'm enjoying this storyline, and I'm interested in what route you take with this. =) I really like how using different characters, you're exposing us to different perspectives. We know that none of the characters are trying to be malicious, so this arc is a good safe space to see how others feel, whereas in a discussion with other humans things can escalate and get hurtful.

K

All I've got to say is, I've been recovering from surgery the last few days and QC has been one of the bright spots I can look forward to every day. Thanks!

Firefly Jelly

I'll admit that the privilege storyline seems a bit overdone and contrived. Yes, Winslow got a new body, but he spent 14 years as a glorified iPod. Not exactly a life of refined luxury. However, this isn't something worth getting in a flame war over.

Jason Rock

Being a Patreon supporter doesn't mean you "own" anything, or that anyone "owes" you anything. No special privileges, other than what the creator chooses to provide as incentives. It's about giving support, not getting or taking. It's kind of like volunteering, but with our time converted to money for convenience. At least, that's the perspective I choose to take. Supporting Jeph is the primary goal. Obviously. While I like getting the comics a day early, that doesn't really matter much to me as a benefit: I'll be reading them sooner or later anyway! Just so long as they keep coming now and then, that's what I'm supporting. What I like best about Patreon in general is having a low-traffic forum filled with like-minded folks. For some I support, the Patreon comment page is a true safe-haven. For others, it is a work-place, where we help the creator make plans and choose new directions. Here, I mainly release my inner punster, occasionally talk philosophy, ship whatever can be shipped, and enjoy the company of other QC supporters. It matters to me when someone publicly takes a dump in such a nice place. It matters more to me when the creator has to take action, because I want this to be a fun place for him too. In my past I've been the asshole way too many times, guilty of posting "ill-considered" comments. All such comments were self-serving in the extreme, coming from what can only be described as either a self-aggrandizing or manic place, or a place of unresolved pain. Normally I'd receive the abuse I so richly deserved, folks trying to give me a taste of my own medicine, but which I took as a sign of my being right against an ignorant world. I'd even find ways to be OK being hit with the ban-hammer. Megalomania? Self-righteousness? Me? No way! But one special time a respondent chose to kindly and patiently walk me through my nasty comment, to help me get out of myself and look at it objectively. To also walk me through the replies. It was sheer agony. I had no place to hide from that gently honest mirror. I flipped from hating the world to hating myself, but my kind respondent walked me through that too. I had to accept I had been a jerk, not love it or hate it, just accept it. And not that I was a jerk overall, but just in that specific instance, without over-generalization. It was the closest thing to online therapy I've ever heard of, much less experienced. Half an hour later we reached the place of "What next?". I think I had been 12-stepped. I wanted to publicly own what I did and ask for a second chance. It was immediately granted. Then I had to repeat my agony by sharing it. I'm not saying I've been perfect since, for I haven't been, though I've certainly improved by leaps and bounds. But more importantly, I've learned to be forgiving of momentary weakness (and even cruelty) in others, if they can accept the impact of their actions. So, if James gains some awareness and asks to return, I hope we'll let him, that we'll welcome him back and let his prior comments become lost in the past. I still view James as "one of us". Because he's one of me.

BobC

I, for one, am a person who is disquieted when privilege is brought up, but I think the way you have handled this arc has, in contrast to most treatments, been very healthy, constructive and informative without being offensive.

Jason Doege

May might still apologise though? She is a hot head after all and would need time to calm down. She reminds me of the way my boyfriend behaves sometimes (he gets angry and needs time to cool off before he can see clearly that he was a bit of an ass). That being said, May is generally a bit of an ass, so it wouldn't be completely off if she didn't. It doesn't mean she didn't behave nicely but more so the other characters accept her for who she is and there is an unspoken understanding after.

Kelly Jean

Copy all Ghostrider

jeff fearnow

Ach. I saw the screenshots. Sorry you had to deal with that.

Maurice Kessler

I still feel like May needs to apologize and everyone seems to act as if that's an absurd idea (in universe and IRL), but there's no reason we shouldn't be able to talk about it civilly. This arc should be making people think and discuss things like privilege. If we disagree, that's all the better, because it offers the chance from everyone on all sides of the discussion to explore their beliefs and why, to question them, and thus strengthen or change them. You know, the whole "growth" thing. Can't very well grow if you're lashing out at people for thinking the wrong thing.

Unanimous D

I actually thought this week's comics had a great take on privilege, and how much it hurts to be confronted about privilege. I had someone confront me about my privilege during discussions about Charlottesville, and I could empathize with Winslow this week.

Ray Cornwall

I to am sorry to hear this. There are times I wish I could make things better. But I don't have the power. Know that I greatly enjoy your comics. If you ever need help, feel free to ask me. If it is within my power.

William F Stevens III

I just became aware that there's some sort of anti-QC thing that exists on the internet. It shouldn't surprise me - any popularity inspires equal and opposite hatred - but it did.

Cerril

I don't usually comment much, but I thought this could spur some good discussion from people who come from different places in life. (Ex. my origin is way closer to May than Hanners/Winslow) I was really appreciating how you handled the issue with the different viewpoints. However, I feel I may have only exacerbated the situation. I apologize if I contributed to that! I love your comic and will keep supporting it!

Ivar

Sorry to hear that man. Too bad you don't have SpookyBot moderating. Don't see anyone getting by them.

Mr.Fabulous

ahh, a little rush of nostalgia for forums a decade ago... it's ok, Jeph; if nobody's angry at the mods, they're not doing their job. x

Boots McGoot

Guess I must like the comics when I'm still reading each and every one of them after more than 13 years :) Keep going and never mind the trolls.

Yikes. Sorry dude. I for one have been really appreciating this mini-arc and the exploration of what things like privilege and class look like to AIs. It's your flawed-but-trying characters and thoughtfulness about difficult subjects that have kept me a QC reader for ten years now. (That, and butts jokes.)

Charlotte Grubbs

I'm sorry you were forced to block a user, but I understand why it can happen. I'll be as civil as possible. Ain't easy when you're a crabby, evil old man, but I'll make an effort. :)

Are you sure you don't mean Minority there?

Kaz Redclaw

For someone as popular as you, im amazed it didnt happen sooner. Don't let it get to you - this is the internet after all!

Hintonian

I saw the comments on Twitter and it sucks that people are getting so beside themselves at the mere mention of topics like privilege. Don't let this loud, pot-banging, minority get under your skin too much. I know, at least for myself, I greatly enjoy your comic and if I don't agree with you message or something you do in your comic, i still respect you as a creator and want to see how your comic evolves. Edit: thank you Kaz for catching my typo!

:( I am sorry that this had to happen.

Phaye

I admit, I grimaced a little when the topic of privilege came up, but the fact that it's making people go apeshit like that means it serves a purpose in a very gentle fashion. I now appreciate the arc more. But it's a shame you had to take matters into your own hands like that.

TMN

I don't much comment, but that's a bummer, and I'm sorry you had to deal with it. also, thanks, for dealing with it, and for making a lot of awesome.

Mike Robinson

You can't believe that you have to tell people on the internet not to be jerks? NotSureIfSerious.PNG :)

Jamison Town

jeph you're the best and your comic is the best. I'm sorry some jerks acted like you being a thoughtful and compassionate and open-minded dude is not just new or newsworthy but grounds to be dicks. bye felicia

Sad in the voice of Gollum

Scott Kenney

I have to confess to a morbid curiosity about where the line on that actually is. Sorry you're in this position.

Gary Walker

Sorry man.

Matt

The only response in 2017 can be: Sad!

Richard Bennett

I'm sorry people were being jackasses. :(

What a pain.

Gillian Brown

Thank you, Jeph.

Celine Chamberlin

oh man what. it's such a nice comic can't people just enjoy and have fun

Kyle Major

I'm sorry you've had to deal with this stuff Jeph. You're doing good work! I for one appreciate all you do greatly, and I'll go put on my hard hat for the flood of other commenters who feel the same.

Alejandro Enriquez