explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

1081: Argument Victory

2021-08-02T08:45:03Z

141.101.105.40: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1081
| date = July 13, 2012
| title = Argument Victory
| image = argument victory.png
| titletext = Really, the comforting side in most conspiracy theory arguments is the one claiming that anyone who's in power has any plan at all.
}}

==Explanation==
[[Cueball]] is arguing with a {{w|conspiracy theorist}} who believes in some {{rw|conspiracy}}, who is sitting in front of his computer talking back. They are probably using {{w|Skype}}, {{w|FaceTime}}, or another video calling service, as Cueball later asks him to watch closely, holding his phone up to show the other guy what he is doing.

Cueball's opponent seems to ignore all reliable sources, like {{w|Snopes}} and {{w|Wikipedia}} on top of several {{w|Academic journal|journals}}, instead preferring sources that are seemingly not credible (but that do agree with him). These conspiracy ".net" pages typically just have a black background and use several different sizes of fonts, the larger (and probably also in bright colors), the more convincing, seems to be the belief, and Cueball cannot take these kinds of sources seriously. ".net" websites can be made by anyone and have little limitations. The maker of a ".net" does not need to show sources of information or even their name. As such, ".net" websites are notoriously unreliable and often have viruses or other malware. [http://zapatopi.net/blackhelicopters/ The Truth about Black Helicopters] is an (admittedly satirical) example of one such website, supposedly explaining the truth behind government "Black Helicopters".

The conspiracy theorist insists that by trusting reliable sources, Cueball is simply buying into the cover-up, suggesting that all those journalists are somehow brainwashed. Cueball says he can win the argument, and will show him how, but then ceases to argue further in favor of going down a {{w|waterslide}} while holding up the phone to show the other guy how to have a good time. Since conspiracy theorists tend to be [[wikt:intransigent|intransigent]], Cueball sees himself as the victor after ceasing to argue with a guy who cannot be argued with, and instead decides to have some fun. This is made even more satisfying for Cueball by the fact that it makes his opponent angry. It's likely that this is also a reference to the ''[https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/your-argument-is-invalid "Your Argument is Invalid"]'' meme.

The joke here is also in the title of the comic which is ''[http://imgur.com/EKkAXgR Argument Victory]'' something that is very hard to achieve by on the web... Cueball won this victory not by arguing but by stopping this argument he was having with someone that could/would not be argued with, such as going down a waterslide.

The title text points out that belief in a conspiracy presupposes that those with the power to carry out the conspiracy actually have a plan, a situation which might be found more "comforting" than the alternative that those in power are just muddling through with no plan at all. This concept is revisited in [[1274: Open Letter]].

==Transcript==
:[Cueball, looking right, is talking at his smartphone while holding it up in front of his head using both hands.]
:Cueball: I can't believe you're so wrong. I'm backed by Snopes, Wikipedia, and a half-dozen journals. You're citing .net pages with black backgrounds and like 20 fonts each.

:[A conspiracy theorist is sitting in front of this lap top at his desk looking left. He has his hair combed down. He is talking to Cueball via his laptop, probably Skyping.]
:Conspiracy theorist: It's sad how you buy into the official story so unquestioningly.
:Conspiracy theorist: Guess some people ''prefer'' to stay asleep.

:[Back to Cueball who has lowered his phone a bit. The reply from the conspiracy theorist is shown to come out of the phone with a jagged arrow and likewise speech bubble.]
:Cueball: Watch closely— I'm about to win this argument.
:Conspiracy theorist (reply from phone): How?

:[Cueball is sitting at the very top of a waterslide preparing to descend.]
:Cueball: By ''going down a waterslide''.

:[A split panel, with a close-up of the conspiracy theorist above and below Cueball is sliding down the waterslide with both hands above his head, water splashing up behind him as he holds his smartphone above the water in one hand.]
:Conspiracy theorist: So? What does that prove?
:Cueball: ''Wheee..''

:[Another split panel, this time a smaller part is used for the close-up of the conspiracy theorist above and below Cueball has more of this panels space for sliding down to the bottom of the waterslide with both hands above his head, water still splashing up behind him as he continues to keep his smartphone above the water in one hand.]
:Conspiracy theorist: You didn't win the argument!
:Cueball: ''...eeee!''
:Cueball: ''Sploosh!''

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theory]]
[[Category:Wikipedia]]
[[Category:Internet]]

1081: Argument Victory

2021-08-02T08:44:00Z

141.101.105.40: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1081
| date = July 13, 2012
| title = Argument Victory
| image = argument victory.png
| titletext = Really, the comforting side in most conspiracy theory arguments is the one claiming that anyone who's in power has any plan at all.
}}

==Explanation==
[[Cueball]] is arguing with a {{w|conspiracy theorist}} who believes in some {{rw|conspiracy}}, who is sitting in front of his computer talking back. They are probably using {{w|Skype}}, {{w|FaceTime}}, or another video calling service, as Cueball later asks him to watch closely, holding his phone up to show the other guy what he is doing.

Cueball's opponent seems to ignore all reliable sources, like {{w|Snopes}} and {{w|Wikipedia}} on top of several {{w|Academic journal|journals}}, instead preferring sources that are seemingly not credible (but that do agree with him). These conspiracy ".net" pages typically just have a black background and use several different sizes of fonts, the larger (and probably also in bright colors), the more convincing, seems to be the belief, and Cueball cannot take these kinds of sources seriously. ".net" websites can be made by anyone and have little limitations. The maker of a ".net" does not need to show sources of information or even their name. As such, ".net" websites are notoriously unreliable and often have viruses or other malware. [http://zapatopi.net/blackhelicopters/ The Truth about Black Helicopters] is an (admittedly satirical) example of one such websites, supposedly explaining the truth behind government "Black Helicopters".

The conspiracy theorist insists that by trusting reliable sources, Cueball is simply buying into the cover-up, suggesting that all those journalists are somehow brainwashed. Cueball says he can win the argument, and will show him how, but then ceases to argue further in favor of going down a {{w|waterslide}} while holding up the phone to show the other guy how to have a good time. Since conspiracy theorists tend to be [[wikt:intransigent|intransigent]], Cueball sees himself as the victor after ceasing to argue with a guy who cannot be argued with, and instead decides to have some fun. This is made even more satisfying for Cueball by the fact that it makes his opponent angry. It's likely that this is also a reference to the ''[https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/your-argument-is-invalid "Your Argument is Invalid"]'' meme.

The joke here is also in the title of the comic which is ''[http://imgur.com/EKkAXgR Argument Victory]'' something that is very hard to achieve by on the web... Cueball won this victory not by arguing but by stopping this argument he was having with someone that could/would not be argued with, such as going down a waterslide.

The title text points out that belief in a conspiracy presupposes that those with the power to carry out the conspiracy actually have a plan, a situation which might be found more "comforting" than the alternative that those in power are just muddling through with no plan at all. This concept is revisited in [[1274: Open Letter]].

==Transcript==
:[Cueball, looking right, is talking at his smartphone while holding it up in front of his head using both hands.]
:Cueball: I can't believe you're so wrong. I'm backed by Snopes, Wikipedia, and a half-dozen journals. You're citing .net pages with black backgrounds and like 20 fonts each.

:[A conspiracy theorist is sitting in front of this lap top at his desk looking left. He has his hair combed down. He is talking to Cueball via his laptop, probably Skyping.]
:Conspiracy theorist: It's sad how you buy into the official story so unquestioningly.
:Conspiracy theorist: Guess some people ''prefer'' to stay asleep.

:[Back to Cueball who has lowered his phone a bit. The reply from the conspiracy theorist is shown to come out of the phone with a jagged arrow and likewise speech bubble.]
:Cueball: Watch closely— I'm about to win this argument.
:Conspiracy theorist (reply from phone): How?

:[Cueball is sitting at the very top of a waterslide preparing to descend.]
:Cueball: By ''going down a waterslide''.

:[A split panel, with a close-up of the conspiracy theorist above and below Cueball is sliding down the waterslide with both hands above his head, water splashing up behind him as he holds his smartphone above the water in one hand.]
:Conspiracy theorist: So? What does that prove?
:Cueball: ''Wheee..''

:[Another split panel, this time a smaller part is used for the close-up of the conspiracy theorist above and below Cueball has more of this panels space for sliding down to the bottom of the waterslide with both hands above his head, water still splashing up behind him as he continues to keep his smartphone above the water in one hand.]
:Conspiracy theorist: You didn't win the argument!
:Cueball: ''...eeee!''
:Cueball: ''Sploosh!''

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theory]]
[[Category:Wikipedia]]
[[Category:Internet]]

Talk:2418: Metacarcinization

2021-01-29T19:39:01Z

141.101.105.40:

Up until the moment I opened the video, I read every instance of "crow" in the comic and explanation as "cow"... Was a bit disappointed by the video! [[Special:Contributions/141.101.105.40|141.101.105.40]] 19:39, 29 January 2021 (UTC)

2416: Trash Compactor Party

2021-01-26T03:41:30Z

141.101.105.40: /* Explanation */ )

{{comic
| number = 2416
| date = January 26, 2021
| title = Trash Compactor Party
| image = trash_compactor_party.png
| titletext = What an incredible smell you've discovered.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a FORMER SOCIAL-DISTANCER. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

This comic is another in a [[:Category:COVID-19|series of comics]] related to the {{w|2019–20 coronavirus outbreak|2020 pandemic}} of the {{w|coronavirus}} {{w|SARS-CoV-2}}, which causes {{w|COVID-19}}.

Randall has gotten tired of social distancing and wants to do the exact opposite when he can. The exact opposite of social distancing would be being crushed together by some sort of compactor.

Cueball and Megan are trying to push the walls of the trash compactor back in order to prevent it from pushing them closer to other people. The other attendees appear to be anxiously shying away from the inexorably increasing proximity of both of their neighbouring guests. This reflects the common current trend for many normal people to maintain exagerated personal space when meeting or passing other people out and about, compared with the pre-COVID era.

Though there are a significant proportion of the population who seem to have returned being oblivious to the pandemic (or have stayed there, though it all) and eagerly socialise, often grossly breaking rules laid down to protect people, this gathering may have been mooted as a 'Covid-safe' gathering within the advice applicable to their locale (and time, as this is for "when it is all over"), and the narrowing space is perhaps even a surprise to most of them.

The title text references a scene from ''{{w|Star Wars IV}}'' which also takes place in a trash compactor. Han Solo utters this quip shortly after they bail out of a fire fight and land in the trash. As in the comic, the characters are not enthused about being pushed ever closer together, and seek to push back on the walls before being crushed.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

:[From left to right, Megan (sitting), Science Girl, White Hat, Ponytail, and Cueball are having a party. There are two machines on either side of the scene, moving the walls on the left and right ever-closer in. The machines have pistons which push the walls together, and their rods are more than long enough for the walls to meet in the middle and crush the group. Cueball and Megan are pressed up against the walls, trying to slow the advance. The other three characters appear anxious.]

:[Caption below the panel:]
:I'm planning a trash-compactor-themed party for when this is all over so we can get used to standing near each other again.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Science Girl]]
[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:COVID-19]]
[[Category:Star Wars]]

2416: Trash Compactor Party

2021-01-26T03:40:17Z

141.101.105.40: /* Explanation */ Immediately reassessed my thoughts (and added a missed detail)

{{comic
| number = 2416
| date = January 26, 2021
| title = Trash Compactor Party
| image = trash_compactor_party.png
| titletext = What an incredible smell you've discovered.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a FORMER SOCIAL-DISTANCER. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

This comic is another in a [[:Category:COVID-19|series of comics]] related to the {{w|2019–20 coronavirus outbreak|2020 pandemic}} of the {{w|coronavirus}} {{w|SARS-CoV-2}}, which causes {{w|COVID-19}}.

Randall has gotten tired of social distancing and wants to do the exact opposite when he can. The exact opposite of social distancing would be being crushed together by some sort of compactor.

Cueball and Megan are trying to push the walls of the trash compactor back in order to prevent it from pushing them closer to other people. The other attendees appear to be anxiously shying away from the inexorably increasing proximity of both of their neighbouring guests. This reflects the common current trend for many normal people to maintain exagerated personal space when meeting or passing other people out and about, compared with the pre-COVID era.

Though there are a significant proportion of the population who seem to have returned being oblivious to the pandemic (or have stayed there, though it all) and eagerly socialise, often grossly breaking rules laid down to protect people, this gathering may have been mooted as a 'Covid-safe' gathering within the advice applicable to their locale (and time, as this is for "when it is all over", and the narrowing space is perhaps even a surprise to most of them.

The title text references a scene from ''{{w|Star Wars IV}}'' which also takes place in a trash compactor. Han Solo utters this quip shortly after they bail out of a fire fight and land in the trash. As in the comic, the characters are not enthused about being pushed ever closer together, and seek to push back on the walls before being crushed.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

:[From left to right, Megan (sitting), Science Girl, White Hat, Ponytail, and Cueball are having a party. There are two machines on either side of the scene, moving the walls on the left and right ever-closer in. The machines have pistons which push the walls together, and their rods are more than long enough for the walls to meet in the middle and crush the group. Cueball and Megan are pressed up against the walls, trying to slow the advance. The other three characters appear anxious.]

:[Caption below the panel:]
:I'm planning a trash-compactor-themed party for when this is all over so we can get used to standing near each other again.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Science Girl]]
[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:COVID-19]]
[[Category:Star Wars]]

2416: Trash Compactor Party

2021-01-26T03:38:01Z

141.101.105.40: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 2416
| date = January 26, 2021
| title = Trash Compactor Party
| image = trash_compactor_party.png
| titletext = What an incredible smell you've discovered.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a FORMER SOCIAL-DISTANCER. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

This comic is another in a [[:Category:COVID-19|series of comics]] related to the {{w|2019–20 coronavirus outbreak|2020 pandemic}} of the {{w|coronavirus}} {{w|SARS-CoV-2}}, which causes {{w|COVID-19}}.

Randall has gotten tired of social distancing and wants to do the exact opposite when he can. The exact opposite of social distancing would be being crushed together by some sort of compactor.

Cueball and Megan are trying to push the walls of the trash compactor back in order to prevent it from pushing them closer to other people. The other attendees appear to be anxiously shying away from the inexorably increasing proximity of both of their neighbouring guests. This reflects the common current trend for many normal people to maintain exagerated personal space when meeting or passing other people out and about, compared with the pre-COVID era.

Though there are a significant proportion of the population who seem to have returned being oblivious to the pandemic (or have stayed there, though it all) and eagerly socialise, often grossly breaking rules laid down to protect people, this gathering may have been mooted as a 'Covid-safe' gathering within the advice applicable to their locale, and the narrowing space is clearly a surprise to most of them.

The title text references a scene from ''{{w|Star Wars IV}}'' which also takes place in a trash compactor. Han Solo utters this quip shortly after they bail out of a fire fight and land in the trash. As in the comic, the characters are not enthused about being pushed ever closer together, and seek to push back on the walls before being crushed.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

:[From left to right, Megan (sitting), Science Girl, White Hat, Ponytail, and Cueball are having a party. There are two machines on either side of the scene, moving the walls on the left and right ever-closer in. The machines have pistons which push the walls together, and their rods are more than long enough for the walls to meet in the middle and crush the group. Cueball and Megan are pressed up against the walls, trying to slow the advance. The other three characters appear anxious.]

:[Caption below the panel:]
:I'm planning a trash-compactor-themed party for when this is all over so we can get used to standing near each other again.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Science Girl]]
[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:COVID-19]]
[[Category:Star Wars]]

609: Tab Explosion

2021-01-25T23:48:12Z

141.101.105.40: /* Explanation */ fixing the tt link, it's no longer in Main but in Webcomic now.

{{comic
| number = 609
| date = July 13, 2009
| title = Tab Explosion
| image = tab_explosion.png
| titletext = Cracked.com is another inexplicable browser narcotic. They could write a list of '17 worst haircuts in the Ottoman Empire' and I'd still read through to the end, then click on all the links at the end.
}}

==Explanation==
{{tvtropes|HomePage|TV Tropes}} is a popular site which allows conversation on {{w|tropes}}. A common joke with the site is how you will read a page, find a certain trope, which will open another tab on your web page. Then, as you read another article, you'll open even more pages. Pretty soon, this will cause an extremely long cycle of opening new pages and closing old ones.

In the comic, this is exactly what happens to our unfortunate victim. He starts on a single page, then opens more and more tabs on different pages. Pretty soon, he finds himself stuck in a loop of opening pages.

The last frame refers to {{w|Rickrolling}}, which is the practice of being linked to {{w|Rick Astley|Rick Astley's}} "{{w|Never Gonna Give You Up}}" on YouTube.

The title text refers to the comedy site [http://www.cracked.com Cracked.com]. This site is also known for its addictive articles. Most articles are formatted in the same way the title text notes. Eventually, Cracked itself wrote a column that [http://www.cracked.com/blog/clippy-finally-messes-with-the-wrong-word-doc/ paid tribute to this cartoon]. (See the very last line ''With that in mind, we present to you the 17 Worst Haircuts in The Ottoman Empire''.)

The original comic links to TVtropes' page of {{tvtropes|UniversalTropes|Universal tropes}}. TVtropes has taken notice and has a welcome letter for you at the end of the main article: "Oh, and {{xkcd|609|hello}} to all you {{tvtropes|Webcomic/Xkcd|xkcd}} readers. (And [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=609 thank you] {{tvtropes|TVTropesWillRuinYourLife|for the information}}!)" Here the "thank you" link actually links to this page, the "hello" links to the comic on xkcd and the other two links are to two articles on TVTropes, the first about xkcd and the last one being an in-joke about how "TVTropes will ruin your life".

==Transcript==
:[Cueball is sitting at a computer.]

:[Cueball is sitting at a computer.]
:''Click''

:[Cueball is sitting at a computer.]
:Cueball: Huh.

:[Cueball is sitting at a computer.]
:''Click''
:''Click''

:[Cueball is sitting at a computer.]
:''Click''

:[Cueball stares at the computer.]
:Cueball: I never noticed that!

:[Cueball is sitting at a computer.]
:''Click''

:[Cueball is sitting at a computer.]
:Cueball: Haha, yeah.

:[Cueball is sitting at a computer.]
:''Click''

:[Cueball is sitting at a computer.]
:''Click''
:''Click''

:[Cueball is sitting at a computer.]
:''Click''

:[Cueball is sitting at a computer.]
:''Click''

:[Cueball is sitting at a computer.]
:Cueball: So true.

:[Cueball is sitting at a computer.]
:''Click''

:[Cueball stares at the computer.]

:[Cueball stares at the computer.]

:[Cueball is sitting at a computer.]
:''Click''

:[Cueball is sitting at a computer.]
:''Click''
:''Click''

:[Cueball is sitting at a computer.]
:''Click''

:[Cueball stares at the computer.]

:[Cueball is sitting at a computer.]
:''Click''

:[Cueball is sitting at a computer.]
:Megan (off-screen): Are you in there?
:Cueball: Help!

:[Megan walks in behind Cueball who is still sitting at the computer. The bottom of the image is covered in Megan's last line]
:Megan: Okay, who linked you to TVTropes? What's ''with'' that site?
:Cueball: Can't ... stop...
:Megan: It's like Rickrolling, but you're trapped all day.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Computers]]
[[Category:Rickrolling]]

Talk:1763: Catcalling

2016-11-23T19:25:30Z

141.101.105.40:

Wouldn't this very quickly result in the extinction of all cats, as they are forced to rush from one chauvinist to another, unable to escape long enough to eat or sleep?
>Jesper


Is it just me or wouldn't this fail if the misogynists also were cat-lovers? [[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.224|141.101.98.224]] 15:16, 23 November 2016 (UTC)
* I doubt even cat-lovers would enjoy being swarmed by a hopeless amount of cats for an entire year.[[Special:Contributions/162.158.74.36|162.158.74.36]] 15:51, 23 November 2016 (UTC)
>"Misogyny"

The way I originally read this, in addition to wanting to stop getting harassed, Megan also just liked cats and wanted an easy way to gather them. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.55.71|172.68.55.71]] 15:56, 23 November 2016 (UTC)

My initial thought: Awww! Maybe by being confronted to care for neighborhood cats, such "men" might learn how to love and care for creatures who only want to exploit them, like said men do with women. That could work! ...And then I read the title text. --BigMal // [[Special:Contributions/162.158.74.36|162.158.74.36]] 16:52, 23 November 2016 (UTC)

Catcalling now attracts my friend Catherine. [[User:Int|Int]] ([[User talk:Int|talk]]) 17:00, 23 November 2016 (UTC)

Did we know Megan was a lefty? [[User:Jameslucas|jameslucas]] <small>([[User talk:Jameslucas|" "]] / [[Special:Contributions/Jameslucas|+]])</small> 18:18, 23 November 2016 (UTC)