Honestly, I don’t understand why Joe doesn’t study Sexology – He’d probably not only enjoy it, but it’d also provide a productive outlet for such an interest that doesn’t make him look like a creep.
1. Dina does in fact have “pants euphoria” here, but can hide it from others including Joe rather effectively.
2. Dina has gained the ability to summon “pants euphoria” at will, and is chosen not to do so.
3. Dina has no reliable pattern or mechanism behind her “pants euphoria” that can be found. The relationship is doomed, Becky. Life is cruel.
Wagstaff
If someone here can see another possibility, I’d love to hear it!
In fact I know the predictions I wrote are far from perfect. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t find it in myself to resist the temptation of making a JoJo reference!!!!
Greebs
I’m pretty sure it’s just her playing the straight-man (hah!) in their double-act for a punchline, my dude. Her response indicates nothing about her ‘pants euphoria’ status, as she clearly took Joe’s reputation and Becky’s reaction and arrived at the conclusion Joe was just being Joe and thus the question could be dismissed.
It’s set up for another round of Becky-has-anxiety-that-Dina-isn’t-as-horny-as-she-is, not any statement about Dina herself.
Wagstaff
Well, I guess we can only wait and see what bizarre adventures the couple will have with Joe!!!
*cymbal sting*
He Who Abides
4) Dina wants to approach pants-euphoria scientifically, and realizes that Joe might be rather useful in such an endeavor.
Wagstaff
You know what, this actually seems like the most likely hypothesis! Good thinking!
Roborat
Eat at Arby’s.
Roborat
Strange, that is supposed be after Wagstaff’s post ending in “life is cruel.”
Wagstaff
Mmmmm…. I could actually use some of their fries right about now…..
That post was actually supposed to be a JoJo reference, but I’m not one to turn down an excuse for fast food!
He Who Abides
Y’ever have their cheese sticks? ‘Cause those are pretty good too.
We are agreed on this. I thought they were pretty great when they first got together now I feel like the break up is just a matter of time because Becky can’t let go of aspects of her Christian upbringing. (I grew up in a Christian household and thankfully stopped believing in any existence of God when I was like, 10, which made me stop believing in anything the church or my parents tried to teach me, I am so happy that I didn’t buy into the brainwashing,. Poor Becky)
No, I’m not going to facepalm about Joe, nothing surprising there and I’m no longer invested in any hope of him reforming. Would prefer if he did… but being disappointed would first require me to expect better.
But come on, Becky. By now you should know that you can communicate clearly with Dina, and need to more than with most women. Just bring it up with her again once Joe’s gone.
Joes using humour which would be quite acceptable to close friends and, I think, in this case he believes (incorrectly) hes in the realm where that kind of humour/questioning is ok with Becky and Dina
Yeah hes got a way to go in regards to interactions with female friends but considering where he started and where he is now he’s doing well
He’s also following up on Dina’s first identified pants euphoria (he even helped identify it) which, subject matter aside, feels like a relatively friendly interaction maybe?
Showing interest in someone’s growth and development is a good thing right?
MrSmith
His actions in the third panel are interesting, He immediately backs off and apologizes whereas, previously, Joe probably would have kept going on in the same vein
Signs are promising for Joe also Becky could stand to be a bit less of a wang herself so pot kettle black
Needfuldoer
Yup, he learned it’s not cool to drag the conversation in a direction only he’s interested in going, and finally started actually applying that lesson.
RacingTurtle
Yes, I really think he’s just trying to have a friendly conversation with Dina. He’s…a work in progress.
I think he is just honestly trying to help Dina, who he understands is a) figuring out the complexities of her sexuality and b) able to talk about these things frankly and maturely on a level that most Americans under the age of 40 would consider shocking.
The trouble is just, and it’s a pretty believable problem for a young straight white man have, he doesn’t consider that he might not be the best person to tackle this topic. That is, the Joe who only last semester would not have been able to say anything here without turning it into a nominal joke about how she and Becky as lesbians should be performing sexually for his gratification. He thinks he should not have to exist in that context for other people just because, and as soon as, he’s decided to try turning a new leaf.
But, it’s a minor error, and he did apologize and back off and tried to clarify his intentions as soon as Becky scowled. I’d say he’s learning a lot.
MrSmith
Yeah agreed to this. Compare Joe’s behaviour this semester to Raidah and Jennifer’s.
Imogen
Fully agree, I think Joe’s actually being fairly in line here. I don’t we’d think anything of it if Walky or Dorothy or Becky herself said something similar–we just have context for Joe that makes us expect the worst.
I mean, I think he’s actually just directly asking because Dina doesn’t do innuendo, and Dina is somebody that Hot Manly Stud Joe will never hook up with so he can, like, engage with her on a level she finds appropriate and just come out and ask.
That’s a very supportable analysis. If one considers their interaction earlier ‘today’ you can see Joe straight up greeting Dina in a very unambiguous fashion.
I wish we could’ve seen the look on Becky’s face when she looked at the flag, looked at her hair, and realized the opportunity that lay before her. Because no way in hell was it an accident in-universe.
To be slightly fair, this isn’t a conversation that one doesn’t have with friends if the subject has come up before if a opportunity to explore that conversation appears.
Also is Dina cupping her mouth in a sign of pondering or to as a sign of keeping mum to Joe?
Well, sometimes good science comes from, “huh, that’s weird!” But the obvious follow up is the good question, “why?”
Shitbird
Why haven’t I ever seen a dolphin in person despite having swam in the Pacific? Clearly it’s because they left the planet.
Demoted Oblivious
this dolphin livestream disproves the hypothesis that they have /all/ left the planet, but perhaps you’re onto something regarding some dolphins pacifically. Further research is called for. Go jump in the pacific and let us know what you find. 😉
I am Nothing
So long and thanks for all the fish
So sad that it should come to this
We tried to warn you all but oh dear
You may not share our intellect
Which might explain your disrespect
For all the natural wonders that
grow around you
So long, so long and thanks
for all the fish
Yotomoe
I think about that cuz there’s so many series where like…there’s a world with magic and like…science opposes magic. Which is bullshit cuz if we lived in a world with magic science to explain how the magic worked would exist. Science sees what’s in the world and observes it. If some magic is happening a scientist wouldn’t say “impossible”. They’d ask “how?”
Wagstaff
I love your take on this!
This reminds me of a Doraemon movie where the characters went to a wizard universe in hopes that life would be easier there with “magic”. It was so educational and funny at the same time when Doraemon revealed that the “magic” was just science with a different set of rules, and still needed painstaking effort to understand and put to practical use.
The Doraemon movie that said it was actually made a year before that Girl Genius strip.
But still, I absolutely ADORE Agatha’s spirit!!!!
Roborat
Which is a paraphrase of an Arthur C. Clarke quote from 1962.
StClair
and in Diane Duane’s Young Wizards series, wizardry is just a different way of manipulating/affecting the universe – it still follows the laws of physics (a somewhat larger set than most people are aware of, just like Einstein encompasses Newton contains Aristotle, etc), spells are like equations and must be balanced, etc etc.
138 thoughts on “Lesson plan”
Ana Chronistic
Joe looking into new kinks?
Devin
I feel like this is Joe’s primary research interest. At the very least it ranks pretty highly.
I am Nothing
Honestly, I don’t understand why Joe doesn’t study Sexology – He’d probably not only enjoy it, but it’d also provide a productive outlet for such an interest that doesn’t make him look like a creep.
Deanatay
He’s looking to combine osteology and gynecology.
He wants to have a Doctorate in ladyboners.
K^2
That’s not how… *sigh* But yeah, that’d be on brand for Joe.
Johan
I think the specification was *with girlfriend* do he can redo a bunch of kinks he’s tried out but *with girlfriend*
Yotomoe
He’s in the sex business. Knowing about all the sex going on is in his interests, even if it’s not happening to him.
Demoted Oblivious
If Joe could apprentice with Kinsey, I have no doubt that would have been his major, even if he had to double up. A majeur-a-trois if you will.
Suet
Agenda 1: Must now replace the “Blinded” part in “She Blinded Me With Science”
Biol-gee?
Wagstaff
How’s this?
She reminded me with science!
Sirksome
You criticize the Joe until you need the Joe…but will he help you Becky?….Maybe.
Clif
As a friendly gesture. For Science!
Nono
In a lesbian relationship, there’s always an unwelcome dick.
Demoted Oblivious
He’s like a useless type-face until you need an obscure character. A real wing-dick.
Lou
Wouldn’t that be a wing-wang?
Demoted Oblivious
Actually, now I’m beating myself up for having missed “wing-dink”.
Imogen
Speaking as a lesbian, I beg to differ. ^-^
RassilonTDavros
Dina continues to be the best character, Becky continues to worry me about the state of their relationship.
Doctor_Who
I genuinely can’t tell if they are doomed, or if Becky is subconsciously trying to make them doomed.
Lux
The second can easily lead into the first.
Wagstaff
“Oh. I assumed we were not humoring him.”
I can foresee three possible meanings from this:
1. Dina does in fact have “pants euphoria” here, but can hide it from others including Joe rather effectively.
2. Dina has gained the ability to summon “pants euphoria” at will, and is chosen not to do so.
3. Dina has no reliable pattern or mechanism behind her “pants euphoria” that can be found. The relationship is doomed, Becky. Life is cruel.
Wagstaff
If someone here can see another possibility, I’d love to hear it!
In fact I know the predictions I wrote are far from perfect. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t find it in myself to resist the temptation of making a JoJo reference!!!!
Greebs
I’m pretty sure it’s just her playing the straight-man (hah!) in their double-act for a punchline, my dude. Her response indicates nothing about her ‘pants euphoria’ status, as she clearly took Joe’s reputation and Becky’s reaction and arrived at the conclusion Joe was just being Joe and thus the question could be dismissed.
It’s set up for another round of Becky-has-anxiety-that-Dina-isn’t-as-horny-as-she-is, not any statement about Dina herself.
Wagstaff
Well, I guess we can only wait and see what bizarre adventures the couple will have with Joe!!!
*cymbal sting*
He Who Abides
4) Dina wants to approach pants-euphoria scientifically, and realizes that Joe might be rather useful in such an endeavor.
Wagstaff
You know what, this actually seems like the most likely hypothesis! Good thinking!
Roborat
Eat at Arby’s.
Roborat
Strange, that is supposed be after Wagstaff’s post ending in “life is cruel.”
Wagstaff
Mmmmm…. I could actually use some of their fries right about now…..
That post was actually supposed to be a JoJo reference, but I’m not one to turn down an excuse for fast food!
He Who Abides
Y’ever have their cheese sticks? ‘Cause those are pretty good too.
Chris (the other one)
Of course it’s doomed. Reasons: Fuck you, Willis
Demoted Oblivious
You misspelt. It “d-a-m-n y-o-u W-i-l-l-i-s”.
Shitbird
We are agreed on this. I thought they were pretty great when they first got together now I feel like the break up is just a matter of time because Becky can’t let go of aspects of her Christian upbringing. (I grew up in a Christian household and thankfully stopped believing in any existence of God when I was like, 10, which made me stop believing in anything the church or my parents tried to teach me, I am so happy that I didn’t buy into the brainwashing,. Poor Becky)
Keulen
Their relationship could still go well, if Becky would just talk with Dina about her issues with sex and stuff, but she seems unwilling to do so.
BBCC
Again, I didn’t think I needed these three but I do, I totally do.
Reltzik
*facepalms at Becky*
No, I’m not going to facepalm about Joe, nothing surprising there and I’m no longer invested in any hope of him reforming. Would prefer if he did… but being disappointed would first require me to expect better.
But come on, Becky. By now you should know that you can communicate clearly with Dina, and need to more than with most women. Just bring it up with her again once Joe’s gone.
MrSmith
Thats some high standards you’ve got there.
Joes using humour which would be quite acceptable to close friends and, I think, in this case he believes (incorrectly) hes in the realm where that kind of humour/questioning is ok with Becky and Dina
Yeah hes got a way to go in regards to interactions with female friends but considering where he started and where he is now he’s doing well
Tawnee
He’s also following up on Dina’s first identified pants euphoria (he even helped identify it) which, subject matter aside, feels like a relatively friendly interaction maybe?
Showing interest in someone’s growth and development is a good thing right?
MrSmith
His actions in the third panel are interesting, He immediately backs off and apologizes whereas, previously, Joe probably would have kept going on in the same vein
Signs are promising for Joe also Becky could stand to be a bit less of a wang herself so pot kettle black
Needfuldoer
Yup, he learned it’s not cool to drag the conversation in a direction only he’s interested in going, and finally started actually applying that lesson.
RacingTurtle
Yes, I really think he’s just trying to have a friendly conversation with Dina. He’s…a work in progress.
Amelie Wikström
I think he is just honestly trying to help Dina, who he understands is a) figuring out the complexities of her sexuality and b) able to talk about these things frankly and maturely on a level that most Americans under the age of 40 would consider shocking.
The trouble is just, and it’s a pretty believable problem for a young straight white man have, he doesn’t consider that he might not be the best person to tackle this topic. That is, the Joe who only last semester would not have been able to say anything here without turning it into a nominal joke about how she and Becky as lesbians should be performing sexually for his gratification. He thinks he should not have to exist in that context for other people just because, and as soon as, he’s decided to try turning a new leaf.
But, it’s a minor error, and he did apologize and back off and tried to clarify his intentions as soon as Becky scowled. I’d say he’s learning a lot.
MrSmith
Yeah agreed to this. Compare Joe’s behaviour this semester to Raidah and Jennifer’s.
Imogen
Fully agree, I think Joe’s actually being fairly in line here. I don’t we’d think anything of it if Walky or Dorothy or Becky herself said something similar–we just have context for Joe that makes us expect the worst.
John Smith
I mean, my read of this was that Joe is trying to be Becky’s wingman here. Those two got issues they need to work out.
Needfuldoer
At the very least, in the next panel Dina looks like she’s contemplating a possibility she hadn’t considered until just then.
Spencer
I mean, I think he’s actually just directly asking because Dina doesn’t do innuendo, and Dina is somebody that Hot Manly Stud Joe will never hook up with so he can, like, engage with her on a level she finds appropriate and just come out and ask.
Demoted Oblivious
That’s a very supportable analysis. If one considers their interaction earlier ‘today’ you can see Joe straight up greeting Dina in a very unambiguous fashion.
Stephen Bierce
*plays Ace’s “How Long (Has This Been Going On?)” on the hacked Muzak*
AGV
Hey, as long as it works ™
Wagstaff
Early dismissal earned for everyone in their class with pure brain power?
Everyone make like the Kool-Aid man and let out an Ooooh yeeeaaaahhhh!!!!!
Needfuldoer
Will a Randy Savage “OOH YEAH!” do?
Wagstaff
Sure! The more the merrier!
betsumei
I’m appreciating Becky’s use of her hair to complete the lesbian flag look.
RassilonTDavros
I wish we could’ve seen the look on Becky’s face when she looked at the flag, looked at her hair, and realized the opportunity that lay before her. Because no way in hell was it an accident in-universe.
William Leonard Reese Jr.
To be slightly fair, this isn’t a conversation that one doesn’t have with friends if the subject has come up before if a opportunity to explore that conversation appears.
Also is Dina cupping her mouth in a sign of pondering or to as a sign of keeping mum to Joe?
RacingTurtle
I think your first suggestion is correct: she’s pondering the question. The crook of her finger looks like a thinking pose
StClair
Definitely this, IMO.
Keulen
Looks to me like Dina’s thinking about what Joe said.
DailyBrad
Pfft.
Yotomoe
I mean most of science is indeed asking the big questions.
Wagstaff
Not JUST big questions, but GOOD questions. We look to science for answers, and you can’t get good answers without asking good questions!
Demoted Oblivious
Well, sometimes good science comes from, “huh, that’s weird!” But the obvious follow up is the good question, “why?”
Shitbird
Why haven’t I ever seen a dolphin in person despite having swam in the Pacific? Clearly it’s because they left the planet.
Demoted Oblivious
this dolphin livestream disproves the hypothesis that they have /all/ left the planet, but perhaps you’re onto something regarding some dolphins pacifically. Further research is called for. Go jump in the pacific and let us know what you find. 😉
I am Nothing
So long and thanks for all the fish
So sad that it should come to this
We tried to warn you all but oh dear
You may not share our intellect
Which might explain your disrespect
For all the natural wonders that
grow around you
So long, so long and thanks
for all the fish
Yotomoe
I think about that cuz there’s so many series where like…there’s a world with magic and like…science opposes magic. Which is bullshit cuz if we lived in a world with magic science to explain how the magic worked would exist. Science sees what’s in the world and observes it. If some magic is happening a scientist wouldn’t say “impossible”. They’d ask “how?”
Wagstaff
I love your take on this!
This reminds me of a Doraemon movie where the characters went to a wizard universe in hopes that life would be easier there with “magic”. It was so educational and funny at the same time when Doraemon revealed that the “magic” was just science with a different set of rules, and still needed painstaking effort to understand and put to practical use.
eh, whatever
It’s not a new take, though. 🙂
“Any sufficiently analyzed magic is indistinguishable from science!“
Wagstaff
The Doraemon movie that said it was actually made a year before that Girl Genius strip.
But still, I absolutely ADORE Agatha’s spirit!!!!
Roborat
Which is a paraphrase of an Arthur C. Clarke quote from 1962.
StClair
and in Diane Duane’s Young Wizards series, wizardry is just a different way of manipulating/affecting the universe – it still follows the laws of physics (a somewhat larger set than most people are aware of, just like Einstein encompasses Newton contains Aristotle, etc), spells are like equations and must be balanced, etc etc.