explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

2477: Alien Visitors

2021-06-17T01:59:51Z

172.69.35.143: /* Transcript */ space

{{comic
| number = 2477
| date = June 16, 2021
| title = Alien Visitors
| image = alien_visitors.png
| titletext = Stay right there, we'll be back in a minute. We've just gotta brainstorm some new wonders. Have you all figured out gears yet? Yes? Crap.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by THAT ANCIENT ALIENS PERSON (GIORGIO A. TSOUKALOS). Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
This is a reference to the idea (which Randall satirizes) that aliens built the pyramids and Stonehenge, and the general incredulity aliens trying to help modern day society build pyramids would be met with.

In the comic, aliens arrive with the intention of building such monuments with their highly advanced technology, including some sort of tractor beam to lift the heavy stones. They are shocked to hear that humans accomplished the same thing thousands of years earlier with such simple tools as ramps.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
:[A UFO is hovering in the middle of the panel. Cueball and Megan are shown very small.]
:UFO: Greetings, humans!
:Megan: Whoa, aliens!
:UFO: We bring you technological wonders!

:[Zoomed in on the UFO. Beams are shown, lifting stones.]
:UFO: We will help you lift great stones and build towering monuments.
:(off-screen): Oh, pyramids?

:[Zoomed in on Cueball and Megan]
:(off-screen): ...Yes.
:Cueball: Yeah, we have those. In Egypt.
:Megan: And Mexico.
:Cueball: I think they used ramps?

:[Zoom back out, as in first panel]
:UFO: Then we shall build a ring of stones aligned with the stars, so at the solstice-
:Megan: Oh, like Stonehenge?
:UFO: '''''Dammit, humans.'''''

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

Talk:2477: Alien Visitors

2021-06-17T01:55:44Z

172.69.35.143: category?

Good point, for those believing aliens help build the pyramids, if those aliens had already encountered say the MGM pyramid in Las Vegas, would they have helped people build a different kind of monument? Or it's stone pyramids regardless of the level of development? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.34.164|172.70.34.164]] 01:08, 17 June 2021 (UTC)
: I'm surprised we don't have a [[:Category:Aliens]]. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.35.143|172.69.35.143]] 01:55, 17 June 2021 (UTC)

2477: Alien Visitors

2021-06-17T01:51:54Z

172.69.35.143: /* Transcript */ ce

2477: Alien Visitors

2021-06-17T01:51:04Z

172.69.35.143: /* Transcript */ start level

{{comic
| number = 2477
| date = June 16, 2021
| title = Alien Visitors
| image = alien_visitors.png
| titletext = Stay right there, we'll be back in a minute. We've just gotta brainstorm some new wonders. Have you all figured out gears yet? Yes? Crap.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by THAT ANCIENT ALIENS PERSON (GIORGIO A. TSOUKALOS). Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
This is a reference to the idea (which Randall satirizes) that aliens built the pyramids and Stonehenge, and the general incredulity aliens trying to help modern day society build pyramids would be met with.

In the comic, aliens arrive with the intention of building such monuments with their highly advanced technology, including some sort of tractor beam to lift the heavy stones. They are shocked to hear that humans accomplished the same thing thousands of years earlier with such simple tools as ramps.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
:[A UFO is hovering in the middle of the panel. Cueball and Megan are shown very small.]
:UFO: Greetings, humans!
:Megan: Whoa, aliens!
:UFO: We bring you technological wonders!

:[Zoomed in on the UFO. Beams are shown, lifting stones.]
:UFO: We will help you lift great stones and build towering monuments.
:(off-screen): Oh, pyramids?

:[Zoomed in on Cueball and Megan]
:(off-screen): ...Yes.
:Cueball: Yeah, we have those. In Egypt.
:Megan: And Mexico.
:Cueball: I think they used ramps?

:[Zoom back out, as in first panel]
:UFO:Then we shall build a ring of stones aligned with the stars, so at the solstice-
:Megan: Oh, like Stonehenge?
:UFO: '''''Dammit, humans.'''''

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

2477: Alien Visitors

2021-06-17T01:46:40Z

172.69.35.143: categories; date

Talk:2450: Post Vaccine Social Scheduling

2021-04-15T05:17:05Z

172.69.35.143: Cmt

That third line down in the cartoon, shouldn't the first 2 be a 1? [[Special:Contributions/198.41.238.116|198.41.238.116]] 02:56, 15 April 2021 (UTC)
:Plus, should they really be going to a movie during their two weeks? [[User:NixillUmbreon|NixillUmbreon]] ([[User talk:NixillUmbreon|talk]]) 03:20, 15 April 2021 (UTC)
:Third line down may have gotten a spoiled batch on their second shot (or could be lying, thereby creating errors the schedule), but it does look to me like a typo. NixellUmbreon correctly notes that Third Line also does ''not'' wait the requisite period after 2nd dose before going to a movie!
:[[User:ProphetZarquon|ProphetZarquon]] ([[User talk:ProphetZarquon|talk]]) 03:50, 15 April 2021 (UTC)
::Or perhaps they think that as soon as they've had their second shot, they're Good To Go? Not lying deliberately, but just plain old misinformed [[Special:Contributions/162.158.165.66|162.158.165.66]] 04:19, 15 April 2021 (UTC)

It seems unfair to attend any birthdays this year, considering how many could not be attended. Bobby gets a party but Susie doesn't? Hmm... Time is cruel.

Also, unrelated, but it's entirely possible that Lines 1, 2, 5, 7 & 8 are scheduling to gather on ''Line 3's'' birthday, while 3 isn't vaccinated yet.

''Edit:'' Also, also, what is a chungus? (I don't come to explainxkcd because I want to search random words on DuckDuckGo...)
[[User:ProphetZarquon|ProphetZarquon]] ([[User talk:ProphetZarquon|talk]]) 03:50, 15 April 2021 (UTC)
:according to dictionary.com, “Chungus is a meme featuring a chunky version of the cartoon character Bugs Bunny, typically captioned Big Chungus. It began as gaming joke that spread online as a slang term for anything ‘(adorably) chunky,’ similar to chonky.“ (which begs the question, what does that have to do with the explanation of this comic being written by a “big chungus”)[[Special:Contributions/162.158.62.233|162.158.62.233]] 04:18, 15 April 2021 (UTC)

Just wondering, how is Big Chungus related to this? Confuuusion [[User:Eelitee|Eelitee]] ([[User talk:Eelitee|talk]]) 04:29, 15 April 2021 (UTC)

Question as a European: Don't Americans use the Johnson & Johnson vaccine which just needs 1 shot (in addition to those that need 2 shots)? Everyone in this chart gets a "2" shot (and in the case of the 3rd person even two "2" shots.) --[[User:Lupo|Lupo]] ([[User talk:Lupo|talk]]) 05:03, 15 April 2021 (UTC)

I thought this comic was also about the CDC guidance even after getting vaccinated to stay in small groups, this, there is no group of > 4 people or so. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.35.143|172.69.35.143]] 05:17, 15 April 2021 (UTC)

2447: Hammer Incident

2021-04-08T04:14:28Z

172.69.35.143: /* Transcript */ ce

{{comic
| number = 2447
| date = April 7, 2021
| title = Hammer Incident
| image = hammer incident normal.png
| titletext = I still think the Cold Stone Creamery partnership was a good idea, but I should have asked before doing the first market trials during the cryogenic mirror tests.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by AAAHHH THE IMAGE WAS TOO BIG! Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

The {{w|James Webb Space Telescope}} (JWST) is a {{w|space telescope}} created to be the successor of the {{w|Hubble Space Telescope}}.

It's implied that Cueball dropped a hammer on the mirror of the JWST, and breaking mirrors in superstition causes seven years of bad luck. But since the mirror panel are not glass it is likely that a dropped hammer would dent and distort the panel rather than shatter it.

The title text refers to the ice cream chain {{w|Cold Stone Creamery}}. Since the cryocooler of the JWST cools things down to 7 degrees Kevin it would a bit of an overkill.

The JWST has previously been mentioned in [[2014: JWST Delays]], [[1730: Starshade]], and [[1461: Payloads]]

For some reason, the image for this comic is very large. It is unclear if this is a mistake.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
:[Cueball stands before a seated panel of four people (Ponytail, Hairy, a second Cueball and Hairbun).]
:Cueball: Yes, I know you're mad that I dropped that hammer.
:Cueball: But think about me—
:Cueball: '''''Seven years of bad luck!'''''
:[Caption below the panel]:
:Man, NASA is really on my case about the James Webb Space Telescope.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairbun]]
[[Category:Multiple Cueballs]]
[[Category:Telescopes]]

2443: Immune Response

2021-03-30T02:41:09Z

172.69.35.143: /* Transcript */ done

{{comic
| number = 2443
| date = March 29, 2021
| title = Immune Response
| image = immune_response.png
| titletext = I don't care whether you win or lose, as long as you have-- ...okay, sorry, I'm being reminded I very much care whether you win or lose. I need you to win, that's very important.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a HEROIC IMMUNE CELL. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
Another comic about the COVID-19 vaccine, like [[2425: mRNA Vaccine]].

The vaccine is genetic code to create one of the important proteins of the virus, which the immune system constructs and then fights as though it were the real thing, thus gaining the knowledge of how to ward off the virus if it ever actually shows up.

In this comic, Cueball has just gotten the COVID-19 vaccine and so far does not have any major symptoms. He is worried that his immune symptom is "freaking out" with its reaction to the vaccine. However, Megan reminds him that he does want his immune system to panic and to build immunity. In the final panel, Cueball tells his immune system that he is about to die, and urges them on to fight.

In the title text, Cueball starts to give his body a pep talk about how he doesn't care if it wins or loses as long as it doesn't give up, with the intent of {{tvtropes|WinOneForTheGipper|motivating it enough to win}}, then remembers if his immune system somehow ''lost'' (to such a weak threat as the vaccine), he would die. So he very much does care that it doesn't lose.

==Transcript==
:[Megan is walking toward Cueball, who is holding his arm.]
:Megan: How you feeling?
:Cueball: Not bad. Tired. A little sore.

:[Zoom in on Cueball. He looks down at his arms, which are held out.]
:Cueball: I feel bad for my immune system. It doesn't know this isn't a real virus. It must be freaking out.
:Cueball: Hey buddy, don't worry! We're going to be fine. This is just practice!

:[Zoom out. Megan gestures at Cueball, as he holds his arm.]
:Megan: No, don't tell it ''that''. You '''''want''''' it to panic and build defenses that will be able to handle the real thing.
:Cueball: I guess.
:Cueball: Okay, let me try that again.
:Cueball: *ahem*

:[Cueball dramatically clutches at his chest.]
:Cueball: Woe! My arm is stricken by a dreadful plague!
:Cueball: I feel death draw near! My only hope is those heroic immune cells!
:Megan: Perfect.
:Cueball [small text]: ''Psst - you're doing great! I'm so proud of you.''

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:COVID-19]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]

2443: Immune Response

2021-03-30T02:40:47Z

172.69.35.143: /* Transcript */ ce

{{comic
| number = 2443
| date = March 29, 2021
| title = Immune Response
| image = immune_response.png
| titletext = I don't care whether you win or lose, as long as you have-- ...okay, sorry, I'm being reminded I very much care whether you win or lose. I need you to win, that's very important.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a HEROIC IMMUNE CELL. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
Another comic about the COVID-19 vaccine, like [[2425: mRNA Vaccine]].

The vaccine is genetic code to create one of the important proteins of the virus, which the immune system constructs and then fights as though it were the real thing, thus gaining the knowledge of how to ward off the virus if it ever actually shows up.

In this comic, Cueball has just gotten the COVID-19 vaccine and so far does not have any major symptoms. He is worried that his immune symptom is "freaking out" with its reaction to the vaccine. However, Megan reminds him that he does want his immune system to panic and to build immunity. In the final panel, Cueball tells his immune system that he is about to die, and urges them on to fight.

In the title text, Cueball starts to give his body a pep talk about how he doesn't care if it wins or loses as long as it doesn't give up, with the intent of {{tvtropes|WinOneForTheGipper|motivating it enough to win}}, then remembers if his immune system somehow ''lost'' (to such a weak threat as the vaccine), he would die. So he very much does care that it doesn't lose.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
:[Megan is walking toward Cueball, who is holding his arm.]
:Megan: How you feeling?
:Cueball: Not bad. Tired. A little sore.

:[Zoom in on Cueball. He looks down at his arms out, which are held out.]
:Cueball: I feel bad for my immune system. It doesn't know this isn't a real virus. It must be freaking out.
:Cueball: Hey buddy, don't worry! We're going to be fine. This is just practice!

:[Zoom out. Megan gestures at Cueball, as he holds his arm.]
:Megan: No, don't tell it ''that''. You '''''want''''' it to panic and build defenses that will be able to handle the real thing.
:Cueball: I guess.
:Cueball: Okay, let me try that again.
:Cueball: *ahem*

:[Cueball dramatically clutches at his chest.]
:Cueball: Woe! My arm is stricken by a dreadful plague!
:Cueball: I feel death draw near! My only hope is those heroic immune cells!
:Megan: Perfect.
:Cueball [small text]: ''Psst - you're doing great! I'm so proud of you.''

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:COVID-19]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]

2443: Immune Response

2021-03-30T02:40:00Z

172.69.35.143: /* Explanation */ more

{{comic
| number = 2443
| date = March 29, 2021
| title = Immune Response
| image = immune_response.png
| titletext = I don't care whether you win or lose, as long as you have-- ...okay, sorry, I'm being reminded I very much care whether you win or lose. I need you to win, that's very important.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a HEROIC IMMUNE CELL. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
Another comic about the COVID-19 vaccine, like [[2425: mRNA Vaccine]].

The vaccine is genetic code to create one of the important proteins of the virus, which the immune system constructs and then fights as though it were the real thing, thus gaining the knowledge of how to ward off the virus if it ever actually shows up.

In this comic, Cueball has just gotten the COVID-19 vaccine and so far does not have any major symptoms. He is worried that his immune symptom is "freaking out" with its reaction to the vaccine. However, Megan reminds him that he does want his immune system to panic and to build immunity. In the final panel, Cueball tells his immune system that he is about to die, and urges them on to fight.

In the title text, Cueball starts to give his body a pep talk about how he doesn't care if it wins or loses as long as it doesn't give up, with the intent of {{tvtropes|WinOneForTheGipper|motivating it enough to win}}, then remembers if his immune system somehow ''lost'' (to such a weak threat as the vaccine), he would die. So he very much does care that it doesn't lose.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
:[Megan is walking toward Cueball, who is holding his arm.]
:Megan: How you feeling?
:Cueball: Not bad. Tired. A little sore.

:[Zoom in on Cueball. He puts his arms out.]
:Cueball: I feel bad for my immune system. It doesn't know this isn't a real virus. It must be freaking out.
:Cueball: Hey buddy, don't worry! We're going to be fine. This is just practice!

:[Zoom out. Megan gestures at Cueball, as he holds his arm.]
:Megan: No, don't tell it ''that''. You '''''want''''' it to panic and build defenses that will be able to handle the real thing.
:Cueball: I guess.
:Cueball: Okay, let me try that again.
:Cueball: *ahem*

:[Cueball dramatically clutches at his chest.]
:Cueball: Woe! My arm is stricken by a dreadful plague!
:Cueball: I feel death draw near! My only hope is those heroic immune cells!
:Megan: Perfect.
:Cueball [small text]: ''Psst - you're doing great! I'm so proud of you.''

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:COVID-19]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]

2443: Immune Response

2021-03-30T02:34:02Z

172.69.35.143: ce

{{comic
| number = 2443
| date = March 29, 2021
| title = Immune Response
| image = immune_response.png
| titletext = I don't care whether you win or lose, as long as you have-- ...okay, sorry, I'm being reminded I very much care whether you win or lose. I need you to win, that's very important.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a HEROIC IMMUNE CELL. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
Another comic about the COVID-19 vaccine, like [[2425: mRNA Vaccine]].

The vaccine is genetic code to create one of the important proteins of the virus, which the immune system constructs and then fights as though it were the real thing, thus gaining the knowledge of how to ward off the virus if it ever actually shows up.

Cueball treats his immune system like a sentient being that needs affection.

In the title text, Cueball starts to give his body a pep talk about how he doesn't care if it wins or loses as long as it doesn't give up, with the intent of {{tvtropes|WinOneForTheGipper|motivating it enough to win}}, then remembers if his immune system somehow ''lost'' (to such a weak threat as the vaccine), he would die. So he very much does care that it doesn't lose.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
:[Megan is walking toward Cueball, who is holding his arm.]
:Megan: How you feeling?
:Cueball: Not bad. Tired. A little sore.

:[Zoom in on Cueball. He puts his arms out.]
:Cueball: I feel bad for my immune system. It doesn't know this isn't a real virus. It must be freaking out. Hey buddy, don't worry! We're going to be fine. This is just practice!

:[Zoom out. Megan gestures at Cueball, as he holds his arm.]
:Megan: No, don't tell it that. You '''''want''''' it to panic and build defenses that will be able to handle the real thing.
:Cueball: I guess. Okay, let me try that again. *ahem*

:[Cueball dramatically clutches at his chest.]
:Cueball: Woe! My arm is stricken by a dreadful plague! I feel death draw near! My only hope is those heroic immune cells!
:Megan: Perfect.
:Cueball [small text]: ''Psst - you're doing great! I'm so proud of you.''

{{comic discussion}}