# I don't quite get today's "Questionable Content" strip **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** comic-strips\ **Created:** [April 13, 2010, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967 "2010-04-13T17:48:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 131
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2603 "2022-06-28T13:18:27Z")
So I’m still not sure what you meant by it being 2006/07 - is that based on the strip starting in 2003? But they also have [orbital spacecraft which can take off and land from a runway](https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2107), [interactive holographic avatars for AIs](https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2108), and [fully immersive VR injected straight into the brain through an “inductive interface”](https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3397). So their technology is well beyond our own. And even the technology that mirrors what we currently have stays in step with our world - [this kind of thing](https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=4491) certainly wasn’t happening in 2007. And the very first iPhone was released in 2007, and it certainly wasn’t capable of [recording video](https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=4793). So I submit it’s 100% reasonable that even in the desolate 413 area code Marigold would have been able to dial all 10 digits and reach Aurelia. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2604 "2022-06-28T14:04:54Z")
It was mostly just a joking reference to the fact that only 2-3 years have passed in-comic. I though it funny tosew it talked about it being set in the future when it’s actually set in an alternate past. Though I do also mention how most of their tech seems to match our own. The advanced stuff exists, but is largely separate. Relevant to this storyline, they have modern day phones, computers, and streaming setups. So it does make sense to assume they largely do things the way we do them today. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2605 "2022-06-28T14:55:55Z")
Yeah that’s how I saw it, she just tapped on “voice call this contact” within the app and did not particularly look at the displayed number (if it’s anything like some I’ve used the number display is in small print below the bold big contact name). ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2606 "2022-06-28T15:03:07Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > It was mostly just a joking reference to the fact that only 2-3 years have passed in-comic. I though it funny tosew it talked about it being set in the future when it’s actually set in an alternate past. Ah, got it. True, the original characters should all be in their 40s and facing their mid-life crises by now. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.E](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.e/32/8932_2.png) [@Mr.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.E)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2607 "2022-06-28T15:15:54Z")
Questionable Content has always been a “Sliding Now” sort of comic, where even if events in the comic depict months but take years to unfold, it’s always the “present day” in the comic world. Dumbing of Age is another webcomic that does this, it took over a decade to show one semester of college but characters are always up to date with various societal changes. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2608 "2022-06-30T10:12:23Z")
It’s not like Jeph hasn’t lampshaded the technical inconsistencies. Check out the tagline for [this strip](https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=4503): “They have sentient AI but the trains are still garbage” ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2609 "2022-07-01T13:55:45Z")
Oh, look - Marigold is headed to the coffeehouse while May and Dale bicker! And Aurelia is going to the coffeehouse to talk to Claire! I wonder if they’ll encounter each other, possibly bond over their shared anxiety about meeting a stranger? Followed a few strips later by a Humorous Reveal when Marigold shows up at Aurelia’s house? ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2610 "2022-07-02T03:33:19Z")
Claire is wearing the transgender flag as a T-shirt. Is this the first time she’s come out as trans to the entire world? Before, only a few people knew. Marten, Faye, Bubbles, Pintsize, and Emily, I think. And, of course, her family. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2611 "2022-07-02T03:52:27Z")
Huh, good catch. I don’t think she’s out to the world, but yeah that shirt begs the question. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2612 "2022-07-02T17:59:41Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > Claire is wearing the transgender flag as a T-shirt. I’ve worn the transgender flag as a buff, and i’m not trans. It’s not equivalent to coming out. Especially not in June, or just after. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2613 "2022-07-04T09:22:53Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Oh, look - Marigold is headed to the coffeehouse while May and Dale bicker! And Aurelia is going to the coffeehouse to talk to Claire! I wonder if they’ll encounter each other, possibly bond over their shared anxiety about meeting a stranger? Followed a few strips later by a Humorous Reveal when Marigold shows up at Aurelia’s house? actually you’re half right apparently they’ve shared names … [https://questionablecontent.net/](https://questionablecontent.net/) ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2614 "2022-07-04T13:09:17Z")
You probably want [a more specific link](https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=4821), because tomorrow that won’t go to the comic you intended. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2615 "2022-07-04T15:00:00Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > I don’t think she’s out to the world, but yeah that shirt begs the question. Based off a dimly remembered comic where Martin asks her if he should keep it a secret or not, she’s never been closeted about being trans, just not very forward with the information. Of course, Pride Month is different. Plus, it’s been ten years since he introduced the character, and the politics around being openly trans have changed a lot. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2616 "2022-07-04T16:13:01Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Plus, it’s been ten years since he introduced the character I was _so_ sure that had to be a mistake, but [damn if it isn’t true.](https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2203) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2022, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2617 "2022-07-05T03:36:53Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > True, the original characters should all be in their 40s and facing their mid-life crises by now. > [@Mr.E](#): > > Questionable Content has always been a “Sliding Now” sort of comic, where even if events in the comic depict months but take years to unfold, it’s always the “present day” in the comic world. Dumbing of Age is another webcomic that does this, it took over a decade to show one semester of college but characters are always up to date with various societal changes. While the characters can remain in their twenties, their creators can’t avoid aging. Jeph Jacques and David Willis are now in their forties and you have to wonder if they feel the same connection to their created world that they felt when they started the series a couple of decades ago. College years must feel a little remote to them now. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.E](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.e/32/8932_2.png) [@Mr.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.E)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2022, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2618 "2022-07-11T23:59:46Z")
It’s funny, I’ve been working on a story of my own for well over a decade, and as I’ve revised it over the years my characters have grown younger. When I first envisioned it in my early 20s, they were also in their early 20s. Now as I’m pushing 40, they’re in their mid to late teens. It all depends on the story you want to tell. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2619 "2022-07-19T23:34:37Z")
In [today’s](https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=4832) strip, Marten is drinking from a coffee mug that says “Happy Birthday, Grandma!” This is a [15-year-old](https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=810) brick joke. Back in a 2007 strip, Coffee of Doom had a contest to determine what the worst possible thing to say during sex is. “Happy birthday, Grandma!” was Marten’s contribution. If someone could _somehow_ do worse than that, they were eligible for a free drink. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2620 "2022-07-20T01:40:20Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > In [today’s](https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=4832) strip, Marten is drinking from a coffee mug that says “Happy Birthday, Grandma!” Ha, I remember that strip! Nice catch! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2621 "2022-07-20T01:54:53Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > This is a [15-year-old](https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=810) brick joke. Fifteen years for us. Only three weeks have passed in the strip. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967/2622 "2022-07-20T01:58:11Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Only three weeks have passed in the strip. Meh, it was an entire internship for Claire, so obviously longer than that. If I thought about it I could think of other time markers. I’d say 3-6 months, perhaps 9. Hell didn’t it go to winter for a few strips then back, which implies a year? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967.md?page=130) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-quite-get-todays-questionable-content-strip/535967.md?page=132)