Here we see the fundamental disconnect between a social middle-tier omnivore and a solitary (but friendly) predator.
Humans get uncomfortable being stared at. In many situations in our evolutionary history, it’s been either a sign of social challenge or a sign of imminent predation. (And yes, I know, sphinx, but psychologically, I don’t think we’ve ever seen Shelly as anything but human?)
For Digit, on the other hand…well, she probably doesn’t have many built-in social cues at all! Staring, to her, is just a mark of interest, and I guess nothing much beyond that.
I dunno. If someone (who had already demonstrated prejudice about people like me) was telling me how horrible it was for them that someone like me got blood on them while dying next to them, without any acknowledgement that the death of someone like me is a terrible thing… I’d stare at them too. Its stare blankly or get upset.
THIS Right Here. Shelly’s just digging the hole deeper. Which, in context, shouldn’t be entirely surprising. She has never shown the depth of empathy in her (sphinx) personality that Digit has demonstrated. This conversation may open an empathy door of introspection for Shelly.
At the same time, Digit is not showing any outward emotion, but I get the sense she is experiencing great sadness. It’s really a very tragic and pointless death of a gentle innocent. If Shelly can now see it from that perspective … might be a very significant step for her, both in coping with arachnophobia and other important aspects of her life & personality.
Side Note: Digit’s hair pin from last strip has suddenly disappeared. I blame Dan Shive playing games with change blindness over at EGS-NP. I’m becoming hyper-aware of details that I normally skim by.
Neither are (yet) seeing from the other’s perspective. Digit has no more empathy for Shelly’s horror than Shelly has understanding of Digit’s empathy for the spider that died causing the horror.
awkward conversations 101 is now in session.
Awkward…
At least she called her Digit and not “It’s staring at me!”
Not that Digit would know, but Shelly (and er Gran) don’t have a lot more respect for other sphinxes!
“M-o-o-m-m-mm! Digit’s looking at me!”
“So help me…” http://wapsisquare.com/comic/04222002/
Why is Lisa Simpson hiding behind Digit?
She’s the STARE-MASTER!!!
At least she’s not pointing a finger an inch from your face saying “I’m not touching yoooooooou”!
Here we see the fundamental disconnect between a social middle-tier omnivore and a solitary (but friendly) predator.
Humans get uncomfortable being stared at. In many situations in our evolutionary history, it’s been either a sign of social challenge or a sign of imminent predation. (And yes, I know, sphinx, but psychologically, I don’t think we’ve ever seen Shelly as anything but human?)
For Digit, on the other hand…well, she probably doesn’t have many built-in social cues at all! Staring, to her, is just a mark of interest, and I guess nothing much beyond that.
She’s got a whooole lot of learning to do.
I dunno. If someone (who had already demonstrated prejudice about people like me) was telling me how horrible it was for them that someone like me got blood on them while dying next to them, without any acknowledgement that the death of someone like me is a terrible thing… I’d stare at them too. Its stare blankly or get upset.
THIS Right Here. Shelly’s just digging the hole deeper. Which, in context, shouldn’t be entirely surprising. She has never shown the depth of empathy in her (sphinx) personality that Digit has demonstrated. This conversation may open an empathy door of introspection for Shelly.
At the same time, Digit is not showing any outward emotion, but I get the sense she is experiencing great sadness. It’s really a very tragic and pointless death of a gentle innocent. If Shelly can now see it from that perspective … might be a very significant step for her, both in coping with arachnophobia and other important aspects of her life & personality.
Side Note: Digit’s hair pin from last strip has suddenly disappeared. I blame Dan Shive playing games with change blindness over at EGS-NP. I’m becoming hyper-aware of details that I normally skim by.
Neither are (yet) seeing from the other’s perspective. Digit has no more empathy for Shelly’s horror than Shelly has understanding of Digit’s empathy for the spider that died causing the horror.
Also yay change blindness…
Keep in mind that nearly all spiders are not Digit. Digit is just about unique.
Most spiders are not intelligent and aware in the way Digit was even in her native spider form.
Is it just me, or is Digit’s face displaying a tiny bit of emotion in panel 3?
For the moment they’re talking past each other. Definitely a step up from before..,
Poor Digit’s just trying to show that she’s paying attention to what Shelly’s trying to tell her. Her lack of reaction is what’s creeping Shelly out.
But at least they’re getting through a conversation with each other without further damaging Monica’s house.
“She is staring at me.” —from an episode of “Barney Miller.” You’ll find it on this clip if I’ve done it right.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_S6jmtHMLE
Wait, does Digit even have eye lids to blink?
Nope. It’s been established, even when she’s in ‘cloaking mode’ that she doesn’t *blink*…
And if she did, she’d probably blink sideways. That would not do good things for Shelly’s creepedoutedness.
But some of Paul’s art implies Digit does have eyelids (remember the hammock?).
As to what she’s looking at, it’s one embarrassed Sage of the Forest.
This scene is ^obviously^ happening in Monica’s kitchen.
Cute spiders? My favorite is Lucas the Spider on YouTube.