Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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let's see, bat convoy, sg ratbat, animated searchlight, probably depth charge...
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June 14, 2026

Guys

by David M Willis on July 19, 2018 at 12:01 am
  • 04 – Of Mike And Men
└ Tags: batman, bryan, dinobot, ethan, thad, transformers

Discussion (121) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. Ana Chronistic
    Ana Chronistic
    July 19, 2018 at 12:03 am | #

    and Transformer Batfans

  2. Doctor_Who
    Doctor_Who
    July 19, 2018 at 12:03 am | #

    I can relate to Ethan here. My name may be Doctor Who, but that’s not all I’m capable of thinking about. For example, there’s that Transformer named Skids who homages Doctor Who.

    Okay, that was a bad example. Ooh, how about the new DuckTales, I like that! It features David Tennant as an adventurer who is much older than he looks, has been everywhere and done everything, fought tons of monsters and villains, time traveled, became gloomy and reclusive until having new young companions in his life rekindled his will to have adventures, and has a history with Catherine Tate!

    See? I contain multitudes.

    • cbwroses
      cbwroses
      July 19, 2018 at 12:07 am | #

      I wish the new episodes would come out already.

      • Doctor_Who
        Doctor_Who
        July 19, 2018 at 12:13 am | #

        September, from the sound of it.

        Unless you’re talking about Ducktales, in which case the hiatus is blessedly over and we’ve been getting new episodes the last several Saturdays.

        • cbwroses
          cbwroses
          July 19, 2018 at 12:26 am | #

          I’m talking about Ducktales. I’m the kind of guy who likes to watch a series from the beginning and I have no desire to attempt that with a show that’s been running consistently (from what I understand) longer than I’ve been alive (I’m pushing 40).

          I’m surprised my Dvr hasn’t been recording DT.
          Welp, I know what I’m binge watching this weekend.

          • SgtWadeyWilson
            SgtWadeyWilson
            July 19, 2018 at 12:34 am | #

            “Consistently?” *Laughs maniacally.*

          • DrWattson
            DrWattson
            July 19, 2018 at 12:47 am | #

            Consistent isn’t the word I would use to describe Doctor Who’s run. It was ran consistently from 1963-1989. The current run’s only been going since 2005.

            • cbwroses
              cbwroses
              July 19, 2018 at 1:32 am | #

              Would you look at that? Even thought it’s not as consistent as I thought, as a series, it’s still older than me.

              • DrWattson
                DrWattson
                July 19, 2018 at 1:47 am | #

                Even then, the modern series is only barely connected with the original. There’s the occasional reference for the hardcore fans, but for the most part it’s entirely new characters, planets, aliens, stories, etc. It’s very easy to view the 2005 series as a separate show from the 1963 version as a lot of old school fans do.

                • Killer Klown
                  Killer Klown
                  July 19, 2018 at 7:36 am | #

                  The old series didn’t have too much connection between episodes either; but it was also in a different format in which each storyline was made up of a few epsiodes (So, essentially, each story was between 2-4 hours long). Between the storylines, though, the threads were about as thin as they are between the current generation and reboot.
                  I started watching during Tom Bakers last few episodes; one of the best things I remember from the current crop was, during the mummy on the train episode, I mentioned how Capaldi was basically channeling Tom Baker for a lot of his quirks and attitudes, and all he needs to do is pull out a bag of Jelly Babies and offer it to some random stranger.
                  …Sure enough, in the _very next scene…_

                • Agemegos
                  Agemegos
                  July 19, 2018 at 8:03 am | #

                  I haven’t watched much of the new series (John Pertwee veteran, Tom Baker fanboy). Don’t they at least have Daleks, cybermen, and Sontarans?

                • Clif
                  Clif
                  July 19, 2018 at 8:56 am | #

                  Yes.

                • Clif
                  Clif
                  July 19, 2018 at 10:02 am | #

                  Although they’ve changed along the way as well. Now the Dalecks can fly, the Cybermen have evolved separately multiple times and there has been a Sontaran sidekick for comic relief. Also the Time Lord home world got lost, the Doctor got married for a while until his wife was saved , which is actually just as well since the Doctor is now a woman. So, yeah, I think the show has been fairly consistent in its way.

                • Needfuldoer
                  Needfuldoer
                  July 19, 2018 at 2:41 pm | #

                  Pity any modern Doctor Who fan that thinks they can just go back and binge-watch the entire original series…

                • thejeff
                  thejeff
                  July 19, 2018 at 4:49 pm | #

                  Well, you can binge watch most it, though it’ll take awhile.
                  Good chunks of the early seasons are lost, but it’s still a worthwhile endeavor.

            • Daibhid C
              Daibhid C
              July 19, 2018 at 1:34 pm | #

              And even that’s assuming you allow “consistently” to include the 18-month hiatus in 85-86, and the new series skipping years because Ten’s doing Hamlet/Moff’s busy overseeing the Sherlock finale lest it accidentally make sense or something.

          • Ana Chronistic
            Ana Chronistic
            July 20, 2018 at 12:03 am | #

            …DVR?

            I just https://disneynow.go.com/shows/ducktales-disney-channel

    • Regalli
      Regalli
      July 19, 2018 at 12:07 am | #

      Does the TARDIS have a money bin?

      • Doctor_Who
        Doctor_Who
        July 19, 2018 at 12:11 am | #

        Of course, Cybermen have (or had at least, they eventually mostly got rid of it) a known allergy to gold, so it’s good to keep a lot of it around.

        • LookingIn
          LookingIn
          July 19, 2018 at 12:51 am | #

          plus he’s gotta buy food or fuel sometimes…

          Not a joke, I believe that was once addressed on the show(money, jewels, gold etc.)

      • Tawdry Quirks
        Tawdry Quirks
        July 19, 2018 at 12:54 am | #

        It does, but no one knows exactly where it’s hiding after the latest remodel. Could be next to the swimming pool.

        But The Doctor can just waggle his (or her) Sonic Screwdriver at any ATM whenever money is needed.

      • Clif
        Clif
        July 19, 2018 at 10:06 am | #

        I originally read the question as Does the TARDIS have a looney bin?

        • DaveM
          DaveM
          July 20, 2018 at 1:28 am | #

          To which the answer is yes, it’s called the main control room. After all he IS a madman with a box.

    • LookingIn
      LookingIn
      July 19, 2018 at 12:52 am | #

      What about Star Trek having one of the most interesting adventures when they crossed over with The Doctor making one hell of a great cyborg adventure as the Cybermen and Borg met

      • Bagge
        Bagge
        July 19, 2018 at 2:18 am | #

        I LOVE that they took advantage of the longevity of both shows by having two different era crews encounter two different era doctors.

      • ProfessorDetective
        ProfessorDetective
        July 19, 2018 at 6:08 am | #

        Ah, Assimilation². Great story. Artwork could have been better.

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        July 19, 2018 at 3:31 pm | #

        Wait, that’s a real thing? Holy crap!

        *Googles*

        I hope that DS9-based sequel gets made someday, if only to see how the Cardassians react to Dalek sass.

  3. Durandal_1707
    Durandal_1707
    July 19, 2018 at 12:03 am | #

    When life gives you gators, make Gatorade.

    (Yes, I know I should have come up with this one yesterday, but now is when I thought of it, so screw it)

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      July 19, 2018 at 2:18 am | #

      STILL FUNNY, DANGIT

      • Clif
        Clif
        July 19, 2018 at 1:31 pm | #

        You could go back in time and make the comment in context. Or if you don’t have a time machine handy, you could just use the Previous button.

        • Durandal_1707
          Durandal_1707
          July 20, 2018 at 2:20 pm | #

          Or, I could post it here, and WHATCHA GONNA DO ABOUT IT?

  4. William Leonard Reese Jr.
    William Leonard Reese Jr.
    July 19, 2018 at 12:04 am | #

    . . .College Dorm neighbors who are actually interested in you and WILLINGLY engage you in conversation? What madness is this?

    • Yumi
      Yumi
      July 19, 2018 at 12:05 am | #

      True, I barely talked to anyone in my dorm.

      • cbwroses
        cbwroses
        July 19, 2018 at 12:08 am | #

        I interacted with people in my dorm. It’s next door neighbors after I left school that I never talked to.

      • ShinyNeen
        ShinyNeen
        July 19, 2018 at 12:18 am | #

        Same! Though, I lived in the building for all the single rooms, so maybe I was in good company.

    • Keulen
      Keulen
      July 19, 2018 at 12:28 am | #

      During my freshman year I occasionally interacted with the other people in my dorm, but every year after that I almost never talked or hung out with anyone in whatever dorm I was in that year.

    • Agemegos
      Agemegos
      July 19, 2018 at 8:05 am | #

      Nothing like any uni residence I ever lived in. The only communication I had with fellow residents was when they sounded vuvuzelas to wake everyone up to try to make us go and watch intramural Rugby matches.

    • Skeptible
      Skeptible
      July 19, 2018 at 9:57 am | #

      Of course, the “you” that they want to engage with is the “you” that they assume you are because you MUST have something in common. Maybe Ethan doesn’t talk to them because he has heard what they are interested in and it bores him to tears.
      Or maybe I am projecting.

      • Agemegos
        Agemegos
        July 19, 2018 at 7:42 pm | #

        I am projecting too!

    • Khno
      Khno
      July 19, 2018 at 4:17 pm | #

      common kitchen and no cafeteria on evenings make wonders for communication.

  5. Stephen Bierce
    Stephen Bierce
    July 19, 2018 at 12:05 am | #

    *plays the Age of Chance remake of TAFKA Prince’s “Kiss” on the hacked Muzak*

    • Stephen Bierce
      Stephen Bierce
      July 19, 2018 at 12:09 am | #

      Today’s strip was sponsored by Tic-Tac and their current product line celebrating The Simpsons. If you use up most of a pack and then give the pack to somebody else, is it bad manners to invite them to “Eat My Shorts”?

  6. Regalli
    Regalli
    July 19, 2018 at 12:05 am | #

    Why don’t we have a Transformer homaging Robin yet? He’s toyetic!

  7. newllend(henryvolt)
    newllend(henryvolt)
    July 19, 2018 at 12:06 am | #

    You think Batman is a transformers fan?

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      July 19, 2018 at 12:09 am | #

      It occurs to me that due to Comic Book Time, I am now only a couple years younger than Batman. So we probably grew up watching some of the same shows.

      • MatthewTheLucky
        MatthewTheLucky
        July 19, 2018 at 12:14 am | #

        Batman is two thousand years old?

        • Delicious Taffy
          Delicious Taffy
          July 19, 2018 at 3:23 am | #

          Unless he’s lying.

          • Clif
            Clif
            July 19, 2018 at 10:30 am | #

            Why would Batman lie about something like that?

    • cbwroses
      cbwroses
      July 19, 2018 at 12:09 am | #

      Doubtful. He’s not happy enough. Or at all.

      • Doctor_Who
        Doctor_Who
        July 19, 2018 at 12:14 am | #

        Must only have seen the Bay movies then.

        • cbwroses
          cbwroses
          July 19, 2018 at 12:29 am | #

          I wouldn’t be surprised. I tried with Bey.
          I watched the first one.
          I actually enjoyed the second one.
          I got annoyed with the third one.
          I gave up with the fourth one.
          And I didn’t even try with the fifth one.

    • Kernanator
      Kernanator
      July 19, 2018 at 12:09 am | #

      Fan? No. Someone who reads the TF Wiki on the off-chance that solving a supervillain’s plot will rely on knowing Transformers trivia? Absolutely.

      • adjudicus
        adjudicus
        July 19, 2018 at 12:19 am | #

        What would make this even better would be if Pat Lee was the villain

    • Regalli
      Regalli
      July 19, 2018 at 12:11 am | #

      Hard to say.

      He is canonically familiar enough with Sailor Moon to know when Martian Manhunter uses ‘Rei Hino’ as an alias. Between that and his multitude of children, I’m certain he’s at least seen a Transformer.

      • Tacos
        Tacos
        July 19, 2018 at 12:28 am | #

        Huh? He knows about Sailor Moon? Picturing Batman sitting in the Batcave watching anime makes me giggle.

        • BBCC
          BBCC
          July 19, 2018 at 12:50 am | #

          He does and he assumes other people are familiar enough that ‘Rei Hino’ would be too on the nose as an alias.

          • BBCC
            BBCC
            July 19, 2018 at 1:49 am | #

            Also – this means Martian Manhunter watches it too and liked it enough to use Rei’s name as an alias.

        • SgtWadeyWilson
          SgtWadeyWilson
          July 19, 2018 at 12:56 am | #

          I picture Batman seeing his ship not working out, glaring and saying “Hrm.”

          Then a Joker voice in his head goes: “Ooo, harsh… Maybe we should go visit those writer’s, give ’em a piece of your mind. I know I enjoy mine…”

        • ProfessorDetective
          ProfessorDetective
          July 19, 2018 at 6:10 am | #

          I bet he’d be into Detective Conan or The Big O.

      • ProfessorDetective
        ProfessorDetective
        July 19, 2018 at 6:37 am | #

        For reference: JLA #27, 1999. (http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/antpogo/media/bWVkaWFJZDozMTIwNDA1OQ)

        Apparently, the reference was a fluke: the writer asked a friend for a female Japanese name that would translate to ‘Poet of Mars’. His friend gave him the name of a SAILOR of Mars as a joke. It got to print obviously.

        • Khno
          Khno
          July 19, 2018 at 4:21 pm | #

          why does he look like Steven Seagal?

    • JessWitt
      JessWitt
      July 19, 2018 at 1:18 am | #

      He’s a scientist so it’s possible.

  8. ShinyNeen
    ShinyNeen
    July 19, 2018 at 12:06 am | #

    I don’t think football words can save you now, Ethan!

  9. Passchendaele
    Passchendaele
    July 19, 2018 at 12:06 am | #

    who *doesn’t* think about batman

  10. TrueVCU
    TrueVCU
    July 19, 2018 at 12:07 am | #

    Oh hey let me tell you about my friend Amber and her Batman slash fics

  11. BBCC
    BBCC
    July 19, 2018 at 12:08 am | #

    Aw come on, Ethan. Don’t you have a working knowledge of things like spongebob and pokemon? Weren’t those the DVDs that subverted the authority of the Lord God Joyce was worried about.

    • Regalli
      Regalli
      July 19, 2018 at 12:14 am | #

      On the one hand, I’m not certain how many thought processes one should devote to Spongebob. On the other hand, he never truly leaves your mind.

  12. Purblebirb
    Purblebirb
    July 19, 2018 at 12:09 am | #

    So can Thad’s last name be Guy in THIS universe?

    • David M Willis
      David M Willis
      July 19, 2018 at 12:23 am | #

      it’s “guys”

      it’s why he and only he responds in the first panel

      • Purblebirb
        Purblebirb
        July 19, 2018 at 12:30 am | #

        Rad

  13. 1 2 2 50 in Roman numerals
    1 2 2 50 in Roman numerals
    July 19, 2018 at 12:15 am | #

    So do u think thad is a dileberate homage to thew adams

    • David M Willis
      David M Willis
      July 19, 2018 at 12:20 am | #

      thad-the-character is eleven years old: http://www.shortpacked.com/comic/goaaaal

      and his name is a pun on “that guy”

      so no

      • 1 2 2 50 in Roman numerals
        1 2 2 50 in Roman numerals
        July 19, 2018 at 12:23 am | #

        thanks for telling me still though crazy coincidence that there names and appearances r so similar

      • butts
        butts
        July 19, 2018 at 12:44 am | #

        Hey, where’d Manny get himself off to

        • butts
          butts
          July 19, 2018 at 12:45 am | #

          …did Drew get hit by a car in this universe too

          • adjudicus
            adjudicus
            July 19, 2018 at 2:49 am | #

            Wait, he got hit by a car?

            • King Daniel
              King Daniel
              July 19, 2018 at 12:27 pm | #

              In Shortpacked!, Drew was, IIRC, Ethan’s “opposite” who worked at McAwesome’s, just across the street from Shortpacked! – similarly to how Rose was Amber’s “opposite”, or Agatha being Robin’s – and with McAwesome’s whole thing being that it was basically the complete opposite of Shortpacked! in how it treated its employees, its customers, etc., whenever something bad happened to Shortpacked! employees (which was quite often), something good happened to their McAwesome’s counterparts…so when things finally started going right for Ethan for a while, his McAwesome’s counterpart was hit by a car, if I remember right.

              • David M Willis
                David M Willis
                July 19, 2018 at 12:50 pm | #

                (that was Evan)

              • Alan Lafond
                Alan Lafond
                July 19, 2018 at 9:28 pm | #

                Drew was Ethan’s boyfriend

  14. whatevsman
    whatevsman
    July 19, 2018 at 12:15 am | #

    I don’t think I’ve ever empathized with Ethan more than I have right now

  15. Torn
    Torn
    July 19, 2018 at 12:27 am | #

    Is Ethan’s shirt torn or something? I can’t tell what’s going on.

    • Torn
      Torn
      July 19, 2018 at 12:28 am | #

      Whoops, no he’s just holding a dinosaur transformer.

  16. C.T Phipps
    C.T Phipps
    July 19, 2018 at 1:04 am | #

    I wonder if Ethan is so monogeeky that he doesn’t like Star Wars.

  17. JessWitt
    JessWitt
    July 19, 2018 at 1:13 am | #

    Huh I guess Ethan’s social circle was consistently small, even in his less than two months at college.

    And he could stand to socialize with other gay guys on his floor too, to minimize his self-loathing.

  18. Catharcissism
    Catharcissism
    July 19, 2018 at 1:15 am | #

    Is this Thad’s very first DOA appearance?!

    • Daisy
      Daisy
      July 19, 2018 at 6:27 am | #

      Yes! I’m happy to see Thad!!

  19. stoodmuffin
    stoodmuffin
    July 19, 2018 at 1:35 am | #

    I think. They mean OTHER things.

  20. Mr D
    Mr D
    July 19, 2018 at 1:49 am | #

    QUESTION OF THE DAY: (Related to this being the Mike Chapter)
    What’s the deal with the “Girls like Bad Boys” trope? Like, Where does it come from? How prevalent is it? Does it have any purchase in reality?

    Okay, fine, the ammount of Fangirls that Sephiroth or Draco Malfoy have tells me that yes, it does have SOME purchase in reallity.
    So, What’s the deal?
    I know it isn’t nearly as prevalent among guys, when guys go after the “bad Girl” they don’t go for the one that’s the biggest bongo, the stereotype is that they go for the “loose” one, such as it is.

    • Ooz
      Ooz
      July 19, 2018 at 2:03 am | #

      In reality, there’s not a lot to it. Though in my experience, men who classify themselves as “bad boys” typically aren’t that attractive. They’re just creeps. I know plenty of women who’ve fallen into relationships with creeps, less with “bad boys”, whatever that actually means in real life. When it does pop up, however, it’s typically a case of the girl feeling special because he’s “different” around her. Also, leather jackets and rebelling against society is kind of sexy. When you’re a teenage girl, sometimes the best way to rebel against your parents is to date the guy they think is no good. And sometimes the person other people classify as “bad” is actually a really good guy once you actually have a conversation with him.

      In FICTION, it’s usually just that the antagonists are the most interesting characters! Everyone loves them, not just their fangirls. Of course every fanfic has the reader’s self-insert ending up with the most interesting character. Whether that’s a “mary sue” or another character the author is projecting onto. And again, there’s something romantic about a villain changing their ways in the name of love.

    • Ooz
      Ooz
      July 19, 2018 at 2:24 am | #

      Oh, I also had other thoughts- if you want to talk about characters like Mike and why girls in universe find him attractive (which we haven’t actually seen much evidence of, aside from Amber who has a whole host of issues surrounding that) and characters in movies and tv shows, you’ll have to ask the writers.

      In terms of real girls falling for fictional bad boys- often the character isn’t really “bad”. Not the way they’re written in the fanfiction or interpreted by their fangirls anyway. To follow the Draco Malfoy example you mentioned, he’s not really a “villain”. There aren’t a ton of Voldemort fangirls (there are some, but they’re not the norm) but there are so many Malfoy and Snape ones. And the fanfiction usually has Draco starting out as a dumb teen who learns the error of his ways through true love. And dumb idiot teen is how he’s presented in most of the books. Snape is an asshole, but he’s presented as one that’s secretly been “good” the whole time both in text and out. Sephiroth is also kind of a tragic figure, if you’re trying to look at him that way (which the fangirls you’re referencing usually are). Same with Vegeta, another fictional “bad boy” (bad man).

      My point is, usually those fantasies are about REDEEMING the “bad boy”, who already has sympathetic traits. Then you just get the charming snark and cool aesthetic wrapped around a heart of gold.

      Anyway, that’s all based around fictional bad boys where the girls are in complete control of the fantasy. In real life, girls end up with jerks because they have their own issues they’re still trying to work through and occasionally they get trapped due to various societal pressures and occasionally the actual abusive partner. Sometimes they’re assholes too and think their asshole boyfriend is actually a genius. It’s not particularly connected to the “bad boy” fantasy, at least in my experience.

      • Mr D phone posting
        Mr D phone posting
        July 19, 2018 at 3:15 am | #

        Oh I am.actually talking about media consumption in this case. Real life “bad boy romance” usually ends up in sad sad things.

  21. Bagge
    Bagge
    July 19, 2018 at 2:09 am | #

    That’s… a pretty aggressive way to start a conversation.

    • Puckish Rogue
      Puckish Rogue
      July 19, 2018 at 4:49 pm | #

      It is isn’t it, whats wrong with hey hows it going or see around (or similar vaguely similar), this just sounds a bit accusingly

      • thejeff
        thejeff
        July 19, 2018 at 9:53 pm | #

        Sounds like they’ve tried that in the past and haven’t gotten anywhere.

        I guess it’s kind of aggressively friendly. Nothing compared to Joyce levels of aggressive friendliness though.

  22. Nono
    Nono
    July 19, 2018 at 2:11 am | #

    Poor Thad, only in college and he’s already bald.

    • RacingTurtle
      RacingTurtle
      July 19, 2018 at 2:21 am | #

      …I am trying to imagine Thad with hair and failing.

      (HI THAD!)

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        July 19, 2018 at 2:34 pm | #

        It’s easier if you imagine him with a full “80s Phil Collins” receding hairline, and think he just says “eff it” and finishes the job with a razor like BBCC said.

        • Puckish Rogue
          Puckish Rogue
          July 19, 2018 at 7:04 pm | #

          Oh man early 80s Phil Collins (and Genesis and Peter Gabriel and Mike + The Mechanics)) are a particular favourite of mine

    • BBCC
      BBCC
      July 19, 2018 at 2:28 am | #

      Maybe he shaves it?

    • brionl
      brionl
      July 19, 2018 at 2:39 pm | #

      I knew a guy who started going bald when he was about 17.

  23. BenRG
    BenRG
    July 19, 2018 at 2:29 am | #

    ETHAN (thinks): “Oh dear, I’ve just realised that my life is empty. Better find Danny, Amber or Mike”

  24. Wolfbeckett
    Wolfbeckett
    July 19, 2018 at 3:02 am | #

    This comic makes me miss the Batman comics from Shortpacked. Willis really has a talent for comedy focused Batman.

    • Kryss LaBryn
      Kryss LaBryn
      July 19, 2018 at 2:56 pm | #

      and Batman-focused comedy 😀

  25. Black Bumblebee
    Black Bumblebee
    July 19, 2018 at 3:30 am | #

    Does Batbot (A David Willis creation) exist in this universe? If so, Ethan would be a fan of his own creator’s creation… which is a bit meta

    • adjudicus
      adjudicus
      July 19, 2018 at 3:49 am | #

      I’m pretty sure david willis exists in this universe(I think he was the creator of Dexter and Monkey master), but not sure about whether he made the recordicons comic in this universe.

  26. Ainara
    Ainara
    July 19, 2018 at 4:06 am | #

    Oh man, I feel this. I’m pretty bad at small talk (not that I HATE small talk- I love talking, it’s just sometimes I can’t come up with topics to talk about and that’s just how it is). I’m pretty content standing there in silence with someone if there’s really nothing to talk about, but I guess some people feel awkward when no one’s talking and feel the need to force a conversation because they think the other people are bored. This one time on the train, a college classmate kept asking me questions like “Read any book lately? Watched any movie lately? Any TV show? Played any videogame?” and after I had to keep awkwardly answering “…not really”, he actually had the nerve of saying how “difficult” it was talking to me. Like, wow, thanks asshole!

    (Funniest part is, when I asked HIM back if he had watched, read, played anything he also said “no”. So you start the conversation but it’s all MY responsability to keep it going?! D: )

  27. Felian
    Felian
    July 19, 2018 at 5:14 am | #

    “also, sometimes, i think about gay batman smut…“

  28. darkoneko
    darkoneko
    July 19, 2018 at 5:33 am | #

    Be careful what you ask for 😀

  29. SonicBlueRanger
    SonicBlueRanger
    July 19, 2018 at 9:34 am | #

    Why is this literally me but replace Transformers with Power Rangers?

  30. Jimmy
    Jimmy
    July 19, 2018 at 10:15 am | #

    I like Thad and Bryan already.

  31. abysswatcher1993
    abysswatcher1993
    July 19, 2018 at 2:41 pm | #

    I have a lot to talk about: Homestuck, Voltron, Wakfu, Dungeons and Dragons, Steven Universe, RWBY, Adventure Time, Pokemon, The Legend of Zelda, DC, Marvel, Doctor Who, etc.

    Sadly, not many people know about those things, so I can only nod with a boring expression when they talk to be about something boring.

  32. MutantSentry
    MutantSentry
    July 19, 2018 at 2:52 pm | #

    …I’m having flash backs to college (except replace Transformers with Marvel Comics, and this was back in ’98-’02… so no MCU, no one knew who Tony Stark was let alone how weird is was when his armor became sentient and caught him in an abusive relationship)

  33. Spriteless Girl
    Spriteless Girl
    July 19, 2018 at 2:57 pm | #

    YOU GUYS ARE IN COLLEGE ASK “What is your major?” AND IF THAT GETS A CURT RESPONSE ASK “And what drew you to that?” GEEZE IT IS NOT THAT HARD TO BUILD A FRIENDLY CHATBOT FOR STUDENTS.

    • Ainara
      Ainara
      July 19, 2018 at 6:39 pm | #

      But Ethan doesn’t have a major yet!

  34. Puckish Rogue
    Puckish Rogue
    July 19, 2018 at 4:53 pm | #

    I just don’t get people like Ethan, whether it be “nerds”, “geeks, “jocks” (or whatever other labels you can think of) that’re just interested in very few things

    Its not that hard to understand the basics of most sportss even if you’re not interested in it and its not that hard to differentiate between different comics, toys, movies or whatever

    Ethans a good person but geez he’d probably be the most boring, dull and uninteresting main character to hang out with

    • BBCC
      BBCC
      July 19, 2018 at 6:32 pm | #

      Sports generally bore me to tears but it’s typically easy enough to understand since gym class is a thing and it’s easy to ask ‘how do you score?’ and ‘how do you win’ as relevant.

      • Puckish Rogue
        Puckish Rogue
        July 19, 2018 at 6:37 pm | #

        Exactly, you don’t have to know the ins ands outs of sports to get the basic gist of it.

        To me its like people who don’t bother to see the difference between Star Wars and Star Trek

    • Sol Karas
      Sol Karas
      July 19, 2018 at 9:10 pm | #

      No one can be bothered to learn even a moderate amount of my interests, why should I be bothered to learn a moderate amount of theirs? We connect with people based on similar interests, and I’m just not gonna connect with people who don’t share them. Why fake it? *That* is boring. Ethan might be boring to people who aren’t the fans of the same things he’s fans of, but he wouldn’t be boring to people with similar interests.

      • thejeff
        thejeff
        July 19, 2018 at 9:59 pm | #

        But his things are sufficiently narrowly focused that’s not going to be a lot of people and he’s so into them that even people casually interested aren’t going to be able to keep up.

        More generally, I’m not going to fake being into sports or the latest TV shows or whatever, but there are plenty of things I can connect with. Even more so back in school, where you could at least rant about classes or something.

        OTOH, Ethan was able to talk to Joyce and to Danny – who don’t really share his focuses.

      • BBCC
        BBCC
        July 20, 2018 at 1:29 am | #

        You don’t have to care but when you’re talking to someone, tuning them out because it’s not a thing you like is kind of rude. Just listening for a minute until you change the subject won’t hurt you. Besides, you might find something you found boring is actually neat. Maybe you won’t but again, that’s what changing the subject is for.

    • thejeff
      thejeff
      July 19, 2018 at 10:10 pm | #

      It’s easy enough to understand the basics of sports, but that doesn’t mean I want to spend a lot of time talking about them. And the usual talking about them is more keeping up on how local favorite teams are doing and how the last big game went than the basics.

      I mean, I know the difference between Star Trek and Star Wars, but to people who don’t like science fiction at all what do the differences matter? They don’t care and they’re not going to like either of them.

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