Editing 2472: Fuzzy Blob
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
+ | {{incomplete|Created by an UNIDENTIFIED FUZZY BLOB. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | ||
+ | Cueball is taking a picture of his house, but sees a large fuzzy blob on the side of the picture. This blob likely comes from Cueball making the mistake of putting one of his fingers partially in front of the lens. This is a common enough occurrence with smartphones or compact cameras that an ordinary user should immediately be able to identify the problem; however, the comic derives humor from having neither Cueball nor anyone else come to this conclusion. | ||
− | + | Likely, this comic stems from the resurgent talk of {{w|Unidentified Flying Objects}}, (UFO,) now dubbed "{{w|Unidentified Aerial Phenomena}}", or UAP. The topic regained popularity after the {{w|Department of Defense}}, (DoD,) recently [https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/04/politics/pentagon-ufo-enquiry/index.html confirmed the authenticity of 3 videos] taken by {{w|United States Navy | US Naval}} personnel. It has been much discussed in mainstream news, not just among {{w|extraterrestrial}} enthusiasts or {{w|conspiracy theorists}}, some of whom have created {{w|QAnon}} spin-off theories. (Thankfully, some people do [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLPLeig95M4 recover].) | |
− | + | Randall likely wished to clarify that UAP are probably not of alien origin, and appears to be suggesting that there is a simple and obvious explanation for the objects, such as birds or dirt on the navy's camera lenses, that most people in the general public are missing and that [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/2359:_Evidence_of_Alien_Life any definitive conclusion of aliens is overhyped]. | |
− | + | The tendency to make unwarranted connections to unrelated but synchronous 'evidence' is shown in the Title Text. Investigation of this phenomena has brought to light 'irregularities' in the local {{w|Zoning|zoning permits}}, which are almost certainly just instances of mundane corruption, incompetence or inconsistency such as might be revealed in many such places once you put extra resources into investigating every aspect of an area. | |
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− | The tendency to make unwarranted connections to unrelated but synchronous 'evidence' is shown in the | ||
An alternate intention of the word 'irregularities' might be due to the necessarily zig-zaggy nature of defining a 'circular' zone footprint by drawing best-fit boundary lines only along streets, within any established grid-based system of city 'blocks'. The interpretation of why any zone is a complex and crinkly shape, rather than a strictly utilitarian rectangle, may not be so obvious from an overview that does not take into account geological or political restrictions such as the curve of a watercourse in a valley or a mandate against hi-rise buildings within a certain radius of a monument. | An alternate intention of the word 'irregularities' might be due to the necessarily zig-zaggy nature of defining a 'circular' zone footprint by drawing best-fit boundary lines only along streets, within any established grid-based system of city 'blocks'. The interpretation of why any zone is a complex and crinkly shape, rather than a strictly utilitarian rectangle, may not be so obvious from an overview that does not take into account geological or political restrictions such as the curve of a watercourse in a valley or a mandate against hi-rise buildings within a certain radius of a monument. | ||
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:Click | :Click | ||
− | :[The picture he has taken is shown below. The picture is lying tilted compared to the panel, and shows the house but with a fuzzy | + | :[The picture he has taken is shown below. The picture is lying tilted compared to the panel, and shows the house but with a fuzzy "white" skin colored blob covering the left part of the picture, just touching the left side of the house. Above and partly over the picture is a small frame with Cueball's response when he sees the picture:] |
:What the... | :What the... | ||
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:Cueball and White Hat: ''...Cloaking device?!!'' | :Cueball and White Hat: ''...Cloaking device?!!'' | ||
− | :[Blondie is standing at the front of the panel with a microphone in her hand speaking towards the viewer. Behind her is a close up of the Blob | + | :[Blondie is standing at the front of the panel with a microphone in her hand speaking towards the viewer. Behind her is a close up of the Blob on a screen. To the left of the screen is an almost bald man with hair behind his ears, holding a hand to his chin. To the right is Megan, who is holding one hand out palm up, towards the picture, which they are both looking at.] |
:Blondie: The fuzzy blob, dubbed "flob" by internet sleuths, has city planners stumped. | :Blondie: The fuzzy blob, dubbed "flob" by internet sleuths, has city planners stumped. | ||
:Man: No, that's not any type of building I'm familiar with. | :Man: No, that's not any type of building I'm familiar with. | ||
:Megan: Could be an experimental military dome. | :Megan: Could be an experimental military dome. | ||
− | :[Hairbun is standing on a podium behind a lectern with a microphone on it. She addresses three people in front of the stage, Cueball, Megan and White Hat. Behind them Blondie is turned the other way speaking to a camera, on | + | :[Hairbun is standing on a podium behind a lectern with a microphone on it. She addresses three people in front of the stage, Cueball, Megan and White Hat. Behind them Blondie is turned the other way speaking to a camera, standing on three high legs. She has a microphone in her hand.] |
− | :Hairbun: The | + | :Hairbun: The Zoning board investigation has found no evidence of a cloaked dome structure. |
− | :Hairbun: The historical commission will be joining the research into these domes and other unusual buildings, such as the historic 4th | + | :Hairbun: The historical commission will be joining the research into these domes and other unusual buildings, such as the historic 4th ave church... |
:Blondie: This only raises more questions. | :Blondie: This only raises more questions. | ||