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− | + | __NOTOC__{{DISPLAYTITLE:explain xkcd}} | |
+ | <center> | ||
− | + | <font size=5px>''Welcome to the '''explain [[xkcd]]''' wiki!''</font><br> | |
+ | We have an explanation for all [[:Category:All comics|'''{{#expr:{{PAGESINCAT:All comics|R}}-1}}''' xkcd comics]], | ||
+ | <!-- Note: the -1 in the calculation above is to discount "comic" 404, | ||
+ | which is not really a comic, even though we've categorised it so. --> | ||
+ | and only {{PAGESINCAT:Incomplete explanations|R}} | ||
+ | ({{#expr: {{PAGESINCAT:Incomplete explanations|R}} / {{LATESTCOMIC}} * 100 round 0}}%) [[:Category:Incomplete explanations|are incomplete]]. Help us finish them! | ||
+ | </center> | ||
+ | == Latest comic == | ||
+ | <div style="border:1px solid grey; background:#eee; padding:1em;"> | ||
+ | <span style="float:right;">[[{{LATESTCOMIC}}|'''Go to this comic explanation''']]</span> | ||
+ | <br clear="right"> | ||
+ | {{:{{LATESTCOMIC}}}} | ||
+ | {{#ifexist:Talk:{{LATESTCOMIC}}|<h2>Discussion</h2> | ||
+ | {{Talk:{{LATESTCOMIC}}}} | ||
+ | }}</div> | ||
− | + | <small>''Is this out of date? {{Purge|Clicking here will fix that}}.''</small> | |
− | |||
− | + | == New here? == | |
+ | <div style="float:right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em">{{Special:ContributionScores/10/7/nosort,notools}}<div style="font-size:0.85em; width:25em; font-style:italic">[[Special:ContributionScores|Lots of people]] contribute to make this wiki a success. Many of the recent contributors, listed above, have [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Special%3AContributions&contribs=newbie just joined]. You can do it too! Create your account [[Special:UserLogin/signup|here]].</div></div> | ||
− | + | You can read a brief introduction about this wiki at [[explain xkcd]]. Feel free to [[Special:UserLogin/signup|sign up for an account]] and contribute to the wiki! We need explanations for [[:Category:Incomplete explanations|comics]], [[:Category:Characters|characters]], [[:Category:Comics by topic|themes]] and [[:Category:Meta|everything in between]]. If it is referenced in an [[xkcd]] web comic, it should be here. | |
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− | If you | + | * If you're new to wiki editing, see [[mw:Help:Editing pages|how to edit wiki pages]]. There's also a handy {{w|Help:Cheatsheet|wikicode cheatsheet}}. |
− | + | * Discussion about the wiki itself happens at the [[explain xkcd:Community portal|Community portal]]. | |
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− | + | * You can browse the comics from [[List of all comics]] or by navigating the category tree at [[:Category:Comics]]. | |
− | + | * There are incomplete explanations listed [[:Category:Incomplete explanations|here]]. Feel free to help out by expanding them! | |
− | + | * We sell advertising space to pay for our server costs. To learn more, go [[explain xkcd:Advertise Here|here]]. | |
− | + | == Rules == | |
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− | + | Don't be a jerk. | |
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− | + | There are a lot of comics that don't have set in stone explanations; feel free to put multiple interpretations in the wiki page for each comic. | |
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− | + | If you want to talk about a specific comic, use its discussion page. | |
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− | + | Please only submit material directly related to (and helping everyone better understand) xkcd... and of course ''only'' submit material that can legally be posted (and freely edited). Off-topic or other inappropriate content is subject to removal or modification at admin discretion, and users who repeatedly post such content will be blocked. | |
− | If you | + | If you need assistance from an [[explain xkcd:Administrators|admin]], post a message to the [[explain xkcd:Community portal/Admin requests|Admin requests]] board. |
− | + | [[Category:Root category]] |
Revision as of 01:10, 15 September 2015
Welcome to the explain xkcd wiki!
We have an explanation for all 2929 xkcd comics,
and only 5
(0%) are incomplete. Help us finish them!
Latest comic
Good and Bad Ideas |
Title text: While it seemed like a fun prank at the time, I realize my prank fire extinguishers full of leaded gasoline were a mistake. |
Explanation
This explanation may be incomplete or incorrect: Created by a BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD- Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon. |
This is a scatter plot comparing how good an idea sounds to how good the idea actually is. For example, leaded gasoline sounds like a good idea due to the anti-knocking effects, but is actually a bad idea due to lead toxicity. Fake prank fire extinguishers however sound bad and are bad as they can result in a dangerous situation in an emergency. Putting mold on infections sounds like a bad idea, but this could be referring to Penicillin, an antibiotic.
The title text combines leaded gasoline and a fake prank fire extinguisher into something that is worse than either. Not only is the fire extinguisher fake, it also releases flammable material onto the fire, and there is the additional lead toxicity.
Idea | What it means | How good it sounds | How good it actually is | Explanation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Leaded Gasoline | Adding tetraethyl lead to gasoline to increase performance | ++ | --- | Lead is toxic. Burning the leaded gasoline in an engine releases the lead in the air. This is bad. |
Bloodletting | Releasing "bad blood" from the veins | --- | --- | You need your blood.[citation needed] |
Asbestos | Mineral which does not burn and is good isolation | +++ | --- | Asbestos was used extensively. Sadly the microscopic fibers which make up asbestos greatly increase the risk of cancer when inhaled. |
Extension cords with prongs on both ends | allows easy connection between 2 female connectors | 0 (neutral) | --- | Prongs on both ends would make it easier to plug the extension cord in on either side. But once plugged into an outlet, the other end becomes a serious shock hazard. |
Stair Kayaking | ||||
Fake prank fire extinguishers | ||||
Always saying what you think | ||||
Replying to spammers | ||||
Solar cars | ||||
Heelies | ||||
Prequels | ||||
Transition Lenses | ||||
Cutting pizza in squares | ||||
Project Orion | Study by the U.S. government looking into nuclear pulse propulsion for spacecraft. | --- | - | Repeated nuclear explosions in order to move sounds bad for both the spacecraft and everything else, especially with a ground launch. But there are ways to address a lot of the concerns, so it isn't as bad as it sounds. Project Orion's theorized specific impulse and thrust would also be far higher than anything chemical rockets can accomplish. The efficiency of Project Orion is extremely low, however. |
Soup | 0 (neutral) | 0 (neutral) | ||
Combo washer dryers | ||||
Cutting sandwiches diagonally | ||||
Diverging diamond interchanges | ||||
Toasting sandwiches | ||||
Crumple zones | ||||
Sliced bread | Bread, sliced by the baker before packaging for sale | +++ | ++ | It's far more convenient for making sandwiches or toast, but unfortunately presliced bread will go stale faster and some applications may be better off thicker or thinner than the slices provided. |
Pizza | Flat, though usually leavened, bread with tomato sauce, cheese, and often vegetables or preserved meats | ++ | ++ | Pizza is a widely popular dish throughout much of the world, uncontroversial except certain toppings. |
Eating citrus fruit while at sea | 0 (neutral) | +++ | The vitamin C present in citrus fruits prevents one from contracting scurvy. | |
Putting mold on infections | Seemingly a reference to ancient practice of pressing moldy bread against infected wounds | --- | ++ | While this sounds like a good way to get a fungal infection, with the correct mold this is a primitive antibiotic, and led to the discovery of penicillin. |
Wheels on luggage | Some luggage bags have small wheels inset on their frame and a carrying handle. | +++ | +++ | A relatively simple fitting for rigid or semi-rigid luggage that substantially eases its transport through air and seaport terminals. |
Heat pumps | Refrigeration (or air conditioning) technology operated in reverse to heat an area instead. | ++ | +++ | Because refrigeration is a very efficient way to move heat (as long as the cold side's temperature is high enough) this is often far more energetically efficient than directly heating a space. Reversible heat pumps also exist which can take care of both temperature needs in some climates. |
Laser eye surgery | Surgical techniques using lasers for precision cutting in the eyeball. | - | +++ | This technology has substantially improved the eyesight of millions of people worldwide by allowing treatment of eye problems otherwise only corrected by lenses, or entirely untreatable. |
Fecal transplants |
Transcript
This transcript is incomplete. Please help editing it! Thanks. |
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Last 7 days (Top 10) |
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You can read a brief introduction about this wiki at explain xkcd. Feel free to sign up for an account and contribute to the wiki! We need explanations for comics, characters, themes and everything in between. If it is referenced in an xkcd web comic, it should be here.
- If you're new to wiki editing, see how to edit wiki pages. There's also a handy wikicode cheatsheet.
- Discussion about the wiki itself happens at the Community portal.
- You can browse the comics from List of all comics or by navigating the category tree at Category:Comics.
- There are incomplete explanations listed here. Feel free to help out by expanding them!
- We sell advertising space to pay for our server costs. To learn more, go here.
Rules
Don't be a jerk.
There are a lot of comics that don't have set in stone explanations; feel free to put multiple interpretations in the wiki page for each comic.
If you want to talk about a specific comic, use its discussion page.
Please only submit material directly related to (and helping everyone better understand) xkcd... and of course only submit material that can legally be posted (and freely edited). Off-topic or other inappropriate content is subject to removal or modification at admin discretion, and users who repeatedly post such content will be blocked.
If you need assistance from an admin, post a message to the Admin requests board.