explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

Talk:2954: Bracket Symbols

2024-07-04T15:10:48Z

172.71.142.167: added a comment about guillemets

ummm. How does editing this stuff work. Is this HTML? Why can't we have a gooey? Also, I only sort of get this comic, but it's not that funny.
<marquee behavior="scroll" direction="up">Here is some scrolling text... going up!</marquee>
[[Special:Contributions/172.69.58.102|172.69.58.102]] 05:13, 4 July 2024 (UTC)
: Have a WHAT? - [[Special:Contributions/172.70.179.88|172.70.179.88]] 09:26, 4 July 2024 (UTC)
:: A [https://kirby.fandom.com/wiki/Gooey Gooey]. Although I'm not sure how that would help.[[Special:Contributions/172.70.163.121|172.70.163.121]] 11:27, 4 July 2024 (UTC)
:: I'm sure that should be GUI (Graphical User Interface. --[[Special:Contributions/141.101.69.76|141.101.69.76]] 11:40, 4 July 2024 (UTC)

Did my best with my first ever contribution - I know there's a chart feature but I cba to relearn html. Feel free to fix it and PLEASE finish my bad explanations. [[User:Qwikster|Qwikster]] ([[User talk:Qwikster|talk]]) 06:05, 4 July 2024 (UTC)

⌊⌋ are floor brackets (and you can now copy-paste them from here into the explanation as needed) [[Special:Contributions/162.158.126.33|162.158.126.33]] 06:03, 4 July 2024 (UTC)

As for the spaghetti, in Python, it'd be a list containing a tuple containing a list containing a set containing an empty tuple. Probably doesn't mean anything specific and pretty much useless), but it *is* legal code [[Special:Contributions/162.158.126.164|162.158.126.164]] 06:05, 4 July 2024 (UTC)

Yay, I figured out how to use a table! [[User:Qwikster|Qwikster]] ([[User talk:Qwikster|talk]]) 06:42, 4 July 2024 (UTC)

I'm British, ex 60+ years and I'm sure I was taught in school to use "for first person speech" and 'for quoting others'. I hadn't even noticed printers doing the opposite. But there again I didn't go to Grammar School. [[User:RIIW - Ponder it|RIIW - Ponder it]] ([[User talk:RIIW - Ponder it|talk]]) 07:36, 4 July 2024 (UTC)
:I'm British, too, and as I recall my school says sixty years ago, the symbols () are just called brackets and parenthesis is just the grammatical construct in which they can be used. But you can use dashes or even commas to indicate a parenthesis. This has been discussed on such blogs has Ben Yagoda's Not One-off Britishisms. https://notoneoffbritishisms.com/2015/12/15/square-brackets/ --[[Special:Contributions/172.70.90.178|172.70.90.178]] 08:16, 4 July 2024 (UTC)
:Yeah - I don't know where this weird idea that British people use single quotes comes from - it's not my experience. Generally seems to be double quotes for direct speech, and single quotes for paraphrasing, scare quotes, 'jargonisms', etc. I've added to the explanation to reflect that a bit.[[Special:Contributions/172.69.195.176|172.69.195.176]] 11:33, 4 July 2024 (UTC)
::Similar vintage of Brit, here. Always taught to write "66s and 99s" on any primary quotation (you'd '6 and 9' quotes-within-quotes and 66/99 quotes-within-quotes-within-quotes). Except books often seemed to be single(-double(-single))-nesting, always assumed that was the US standard, as they tended to have the likes of "color" and "sulfur", too.
::In typing (typewriter, word processor and on into the internet age) I'd use ""s as my primary, unless it 'wasn't really speech'... essentially scare-quotes, or emphasis. Though in the text-only information age (usenet, etc), I'd use some of the others for /Italics/, *Bold* and _Underline_ purposes.
::For coding purposes, I'd have to use whatever the programming language required (I added the note about Pascal's character/string differentation), except in Perl, where I go for a 'sensible' mix of aesthetics/readability and practicality as I make wide use of the [https://perldoc.perl.org/perlop#Quote-Like-Operators full range of options] available to me, in quotation context, whatever doesn't clash badly with any use of q[array], qq{sub or hash}, qx|binary OR|, =~s/whatever is in my/regexp/, etc... [[Special:Contributions/172.69.194.36|172.69.194.36]] 12:54, 4 July 2024 (UTC)

The integral sign (and its reverse) in the context of string instruments are the so-called 'F-holes', and they're not just decorative elements but help in the instrument(s) resonate more freely. Other shapes exist as well. See [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_hole here] for an in-depth explanation. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.151.27|172.69.151.27]] 09:13, 4 July 2024 (UTC)

「かっこ」[[Special:Contributions/108.162.250.151|108.162.250.151]] 09:24, 4 July 2024 (UTC)

Randall missed an opportunity to reference catamorphisms i.e. banana brackets. There may be some better examples missed as well.

Who is that? [[Special:Contributions/172.68.186.156|172.68.186.156]] 10:05, 4 July 2024 (UTC)

Likely reference to the quote and catchphrase "We can't stop here, this is bat country" from ''Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas''? [[Special:Contributions/162.158.134.242|162.158.134.242]] 11:05, 4 July 2024 (UTC)

The 'violin' quotes may look similar (but not identical) to the S-Shaped bag delimiters (U+27C5 & U+27C6), though these are normally used in the opposite order to enclose multisets.
[[Special:Contributions/172.71.90.10|172.71.90.10]] 13:52, 4 July 2024 (UTC)

The French quotation marks « » are better known as guillemets. They are also used in Spanish, and probably several other written languages. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.142.167|172.71.142.167]] 15:10, 4 July 2024 (UTC)

2924: Pendulum Types

2024-04-27T05:00:13Z

172.71.142.167: link video demonstration of inverted pendulum by Harvard Natural Sciences

{{comic
| number = 2924
| date = April 24, 2024
| title = Pendulum Types
| image = pendulum_types_2x.png
| imagesize = 589x302px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = The creepy fingers that grow from a vibrating cornstarch-water mix can be modeled as a chain of inverted vertical pendulums (DOI:10.1039/c4sm00265b) and are believed to be the fingers of Maxwell's Demon trying to push through into our universe.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Embed animation of double pendulum crom wikipedia page. Created by CREEPING TENDRILS OF STARCH - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
This comic shows and describes several {{w|pendulums}}. The first three are actual physics models, while the last one is made up for absurdity. This is a recurring format of xkcd comics, as shown in [[2289: Scenario 4]].

The simple pendulum consists of a joint, rod, and weight, and when released (inside a gravity field or other accelerating force), it swings in a regular fashion. The "period" of a pendulum is the amount of time it takes to complete one cycle, swinging back and forth. In a simple pendulum, the period is consistent, predictable, and depends primarily on the length of the pendulum (being largely independent of both mass and length of arc). This predictability makes pendulums useful in applications such as timekeeping, where the earliest accurate clocks (such as a {{w|grandfather clock}}) made use of pendulums as regulators.

The {{w|double pendulum}} consists of 2 joints, 2 rods, and a weight, and when released, it swings in a {{w|chaos theory|chaotic fashion}}. Interestingly, this follows by the mathematical definition of chaotic, being that small changes in initial conditions result in vast differences in end results. This pendulum is thus nearly unpredictable, and due to this chaotic nature, real life applications are very limited.

The {{w|inverted pendulum}} consists of a simple pendulum that is placed upside down, with some powered apparatus underneath vibrating it vertically to keep it upwards. If left unpowered it will fall, hence the "unstable" part. The comic appears to depict {{w|Kapitza's pendulum}}. See a [video demonstration by Harvard Natural Sciences](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oGYCxkgnHQ).

The nightmare pendulum appears to be an inverted double pendulum, with an additional uninverted pendulum swinging within its much more substantial weight (which is also adorned with archaic/mystical symbols). The comic claims that this pendulum summons {{w|Maxwell's demon}}, jokingly implying that Maxwell’s demon is an actual entity. In fact, Maxwell's demon is a thought experiment in which a being - the demon - is posted at a tiny door between two gas vessels. It lets only slow-moving (cold) gas molecules move through the door in one direction, and only fast-moving (hot) ones in the other direction. One vessel gradually becomes hot and the other cold, appearing to violate the {{w|second law of thermodynamics}}. It doesn't, but the thought experiment has stimulated much discussion since it was first proposed by {{w|James Clerk Maxwell}} in 1867.

The title text continues this joke explicitly, by referencing a real paper titled [https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2014/sm/c4sm00265b Vibro-levitation and inverted pendulum: parametric resonance in vibrating droplets and soft materials] and implying that the paper ties the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zoTKXXNQIU "creepy fingers"] produced in this way to Maxwell's demon. The paper only actually suggests that the phenomenon is related to inverted pendulum dynamics. This gives a humorous example for the abuse of citations. Technically, the cited reference only supports the claim immediately before it, that the behavior of a cornstarch-water mix (also known as {{w|Non-Newtonian fluid#Oobleck|oobleck}}) can be modeled as inverted pendulums. But by proximity the reference also seems to support the part about Maxwell's demon. The illusion is helped by the description of the cornstarch as creepy, which is added in the beginning without any visible separation from the actual content of the citation.

==Transcript==
:[Four types of pendulums are shown in a single panel. Each has a bullet list below the depiction.]

:[Label:]
:Simple pendulum
:[A basic pendulum consisting of a joint, rod, and weight swinging in a regular arc]
:* Periodic
:* Stable
:* Useful for timekeeping

:[Label:]
:Double pendulum
:[A pendulum consisting of 2 joints, 2 rods, and a weight swinging in a more loopy arc]
:* Aperiodic
:* Chaotic
:* Moderately cursed

:[Label:]
:Inverted pendulum
:[An upside-down basic pendulum with some apparatus underneath vibrating up and down]
:* Finely balanced
:* Unstable
:* Becomes stable when vibrated

:[Label:]
:Nightmare pendulum
:[An inverted double pendulum, with an additional uninverted pendulum swinging within a large weight adorned with archaic/mystical symbols]
:* Forbidden
:* Unphysical
:* Summons Maxwell's Demon

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics with cursed items]] 
[[Category:Physics]]

User talk:Apollo11

2024-03-27T20:49:28Z

172.71.142.167: There is no hint for me to take. I just don't want third parties interfering in my communication with other people. Do you throw away mail from your neighbors' mailboxes because you don't think they'll want it?

{{Welcome}}

== Link edit made ==

See [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1167:_Star_Trek_into_Darkness&diff=338228&oldid=338217 here], for details. (The stray "z", in the reason was supposed to be a comma, bloomin' touchscreen keyboard!)

Basically <code><nowiki>{{w|Page Title|link text}}</nowiki></code> supplies the necessary bits in what 'raw' might be <code><nowiki>[[wikipedia:Page Title|link text]]</nowiki></code>. Not ''much'' saving time, but just enough to be worthwhile. And far better than <code><nowiki>[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_(spacecraft) whatever else you might use]</nowiki></code>... ;)

(PS, Columbia or Eagle? I mean, neither are ''called'' "Apollo". I suppose technically Eagle is ''more'' than a spacecraft, as it can land (or ditch into the sea, ironically for Aquarius!), but ''an'' Apollo craft could be anything from early boilerplate ones onward, and anything from the full stack to any free-flying component, and thus Apollo 11 is any/all of it from the base of its first stage to the tip of its escape-tower. Not to be pedantic, just wondering out loud. :p ) [[Special:Contributions/172.70.162.99|172.70.162.99]] 18:51, 26 March 2024 (UTC)

(I have no idea what the second paragraph is so straight to the ps! ;) Comlumbia obvously, the Eagle already has so much hype (plus it bugs me that they put an ACTUAL EAGLE on the mission patch, it would've looked so much cooler with a rocket or the Eagle) That being said, the entire Apollo program was pretty freaking awsome, like, they did stuff that half a decade earlier people couldnt have dreamed of doing (techniclly they did dream it, but yk what i mean)!! As for the rocket itself, yes its called the Saturn V, but my names Apollo11 soooooooooooo :p And no worries beung pedantic, i love the decussion ;) [[User:Apollo11|Apollo11]] ([[User talk:Apollo11|talk]]) 19:01, 26 March 2024 (UTC)

Just clicked the link! I see, thanks for the help! :) [[User:Apollo11|Apollo11]] ([[User talk:Apollo11|talk]]) 19:04, 26 March 2024 (UTC)

== owo ==

uwu

2902: Ice Core

2024-03-05T00:10:37Z

172.71.142.167: Adding explanation of the "Gone Island Ice t" pun

{{comic
| number = 2902
| date = March 4, 2024
| title = Ice Core
| image = ice_core_2x.png
| imagesize = 318x333px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = If you find an ash deposition layer from a year in which an eruption destroyed an island that had Camellia sinensis growing on it, you can make a Gone Island Ice_τ.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a PALEOCLIMATOLOGIST CELEBRATING THEIR 21st BIRTHDAY - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
On one's 21st birthday (in the United States), it is traditional to taste a wine dated to the year they were born. This comic jokes that paleoclimatologists, who study the climate, use ice instead of wine, drilling into the ground to find the layer matching the birth year of the recipient.

[[Megan]], a {{w|paleoclimatologist}}, decides to make a cocktail with the ice from the icesheets (present in the Arctic and Antarctic, for example). Normally, scientists would try to date the ice and then try to find the state of the climate when these icesheets formed. Here, Megan tries to find the ice layer corresponding to [[Knit Cap]]'s birth year and asks if Knit Cap has the shaker ready. Cocktail shakers are used in the preparation of many mixed drinks, which often contain ice (usually sourced locally).

The title text says that if they manage to find some ash coming from an eruption which destroyed an island with {{w|Camellia sinensis}} growing on it, they'll be able to get a cocktail with tea infused in it, as camellia sinensis is generally used for making tea. This is also a reference to the strong alcoholic drink {{w|Long Island iced tea}}. Interestingly enough however, despite Camellia sinensis being native to areas around East to South-East Asia, Randall decided to use the Greek letter {{w|Tau}} instead of using the English letter "t" or straight up saying "tea".

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

:[Knit Cap and Megan both wearing knit caps and scarves in a snowy environment taking a look at an ice drill. There is a helicopter on the ground in the background, with their footprints between them and the helicopter. Knit Hat is holding a small container between her hands.]
:Megan: Next, we'll identify the ice core layer matching your birth year. Do you have the shaker ready?

:[Caption below the panel:]
:Making the traditional paleoclimatologist cocktail

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Knit Cap]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Characters with hats]]
[[Category:Geology]]
[[Category:Food]]