explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

3109: Dehumidifier

2025-08-15T14:22:46Z

2606:A300:900F:9AE2:70A3:EBB6:B452:830C:

{{comic
| number = 3109
| date = June 30, 2025
| title = Dehumidifier
| image = dehumidifier_2x.png
| imagesize = 295x327px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = It's important for devices to have internet connectivity so the manufacturer can patch remote exploits.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Needs to be cleaned up (grammar, etc.). Remove this notice once done.}}

In this comic, [[Randall]] mocks the recent trend of appliances, including stoves and juicers, being connected to the internet even though one would expect them to be able to function without an internet connection.

The comment features [[Cueball]] being shown a {{w|dehumidifier}} by a salesman, who tells him that it has "built-in wifi" for remote updates. A dehumidifier is a device which uses refrigeration coils to remove moisture from the air. The physical operation is fairly simple and robust. Such devices can function entirely without software, but if programming does exist, it tends to be simple and local. More to the point, the operation of such a device is simple and unlikely to change. The simply run until either the desired humidity is reached, or until the water reservoir is full, then they stop running. It's hard to imagine a situation in which this operation would need to be remotely updated. Hence, [[Cueball]]'s sarcastic comment about that being useful "if they discover a new kind of water". His point that conditions would have to change in a virtually inconceivable way for that feature to have any use at all.

In principle, dehumidifiers ''could'' provide information which might be useful to access remotely, such as water level in the storage tank (which must be emptied when full), or a log of humidity levels and operational history. This data could potentially be useful in identifying malfunctions, or determining whether the device is adequate for its conditions. In reality, though, for a consumer-grade household dehumidifier, such functionality would be of very questionable usefulness, and status indicators on the device itself would be much simpler, and would be sufficient for most cases.

The implication of the strip is that many internet-connected devices are examples of over-engineering. Features are added because they sound advanced, and are used as justification to charge higher prices, rather than because they provide any real added value.

There are multiple disadvantages to connecting devices to the internet unnecessarily. They tend to increase the complexity of the device, costing consumers more, and increasing the chances that something will break or otherwise go wrong. Many such devices won't function properly without server connection, which means that, if the server stops function for any reason, or even if the wi-fi goes down, the device could become useless.

In addition, having more connected devices introduces additional privacy and security issues. Such devices routinely stream operational data back to the manufacturer. While this data is usually intended only to monitor device operation, there are potential situations where it can be mined for private information (for example, determining patterns of home power use could be used to figure out when people arrive at home or leave, and when they sleep and wake up). Moreover, additional wireless connection points are potentially devices that hackers could exploit for malicious purposes. The title text references this when it says that internet connectivity is required to patch remote {{w|Exploit (computer security)|exploits}} (i.e., harmful unauthorized access from the internet). The joke here is that such an argument is circular: they need internet connectivity to protect consumers against attacks on the internet connection. If the device didn't have wi-fi in the first place, there would be no potential for a remote attack.

A related device was previously referred to in [[3044: Humidifier Review]], and the issue of possibly considering online protection of devices that (arguably) should not be so easily exploitable was looked at in [[463: Voting Machines]] and [[1966: Smart Home Security]]. Comic [[1912: Thermostat]] also deals with risks of adding computers to appliances.

==Transcript==
: [A store salesman, Hairy, is showing Cueball a dehumidifier with a "SALE" label on it. Several other unidentified devices, possibly other dehumidifier models, are shown in the store as well.]

: Hairy: This dehumidifier model features built-in WiFi for remote updates.
: Cueball: Great! That will be really useful if they discover a new kind of water.

==Trivia==

Technically there are many different kinds of liquid water, based on the possible isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen atoms that its molecules are composed of. One of the most well known is {{w|heavy water}}, deuterium oxide, that is sometimes used in nuclear devices. There are 3 naturally-occurring {{w|isotopes of hydrogen}}, with 6 possible combinations for its two atoms in a water molecule, and 4 naturally-occurring {{w|isotopes of oxygen}}. This gives 6 × 4 = 24 kinds of naturally-occurring water molecules, which could be present in liquid water in any proportions. In ordinary water as found under mundane circumstances on Earth, 99.7% of all such molecules will be the 'normal' version of water: two atoms of 1H and one atom of 16O. (The isotopic ratios in "natural" water are relatively stable, so there's very little variation in water found in nature.) There are also synthetic isotopes of each, all radioactive, most having short half-lives. How many of these could be used to constitute water would depend in part on one's definition of whether a molecule of water could be said to have been formed prior to the decay of its constituent atoms. Each isotopically-distinct version of water has very slightly different physical and chemical properties, though the differences are small and the versions hard to separate. (Separation is further complicated by the extremely rapid rate with which molecules in liquid water {{w|Grotthuss mechanism|exchange hydrogen ions (protons)}} between themselves.) The differences would not be at all important to a consumer-grade dehumidifier.

As of when this comic was posted, there are also 26 known {{w|phases of ice}} (solid water), each of which could be made from any combination of the isotopically-distinct versions of water in any proportions. These might count as different "kinds of water", and one was discovered in 2025; others may yet be discovered. Only one of these phases, Ice Ih, is likely to be found on an iced-over dehumidifier under normal conditions of use.

In the {{w|Twin Earth thought experiment}}, there exists a second Earth (called Twin Earth), in every way identical to ours, except that there is no water as we know it. Instead, there is XYZ, a substance that is chemically distinct from water, but is experientially identical to water, and referred to by the inhabitants of Twin Earth as "water". Surprisingly, this dehumidifier might be useful, if the manufacturer was also planning to sell it on Twin Earth.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category: Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category: Comics featuring Hairy]]
[[Category: Internet]]

3109: Dehumidifier

2025-08-15T14:17:25Z

2606:A300:900F:9AE2:70A3:EBB6:B452:830C:

{{comic
| number = 3109
| date = June 30, 2025
| title = Dehumidifier
| image = dehumidifier_2x.png
| imagesize = 295x327px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = It's important for devices to have internet connectivity so the manufacturer can patch remote exploits.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Needs to be cleaned up (grammar, etc.). Remove this notice once done.}}

In this comic, [[Randall]] mocks the recent trend of appliances, including stoves and juicers, being connected to the internet even though one would expect them to be able to function without an internet connection.

The comment features [[Cueball]] being shown a {{w|dehumidifier}} by a salesman, who tells him that it has "built-in wifi" for remote updates. A dehumidifier is a device which uses refrigeration coils to remove moisture from the air. The physical operation is fairly simple and robust. Such devices can function entirely without software, but if programming does exist, it tends to be simple and local. More to the point, the operation of such a device is simple and unlikely to change. The simply run until either the desired humidity is reached, or until the water reservoir is full, then they stop running. It's hard to imagine a situation in which this operation would need to be remotely updated. Hence, [[Cueball]]'s sarcastic comment about that being useful "if they discover a new kind of water" makes the point that conditions would have to change, in a virtually inconceivable way, for that feature to have any use at all.

In principle, dehumidifiers ''could'' provide information which might be useful to access remotely, such as water level in the storage tank (which must be emptied when full), or a log of humidity levels and operational history. This data could potentially be useful in identifying malfunctions, or determining whether the device is adequate for its conditions. In reality, though, for a consumer-grade household dehumidifier, such functionality would be of very questionable usefulness, and status indicators on the device itself would be sufficient for most cases, and much simpler.

The implication of the strip is that many internet-connected devices are examples of over-engineering. Features are added because it makes it sound advanced, and justifies charging more rather than providing any real added value.

There are multiple costs to connecting devices to the internet unnecessarily. They tend to increase complexity and cost of the device, costing consumers more, and increasing the chances that something will break or otherwise go wrong. Many such devices won't function properly without server connection, which means that, if the server stops function for any reason, or even if the wi-fi goes down, the device could become useless.

However, many devices like this now offer, or even require, connections to a special app or to the internet, under the remit of sending operational information to a user through their own devices for record-keeping purposes, ''or'' attempting to alert them to a particularly critical condition (or at least the temporary failure of any networking). They are typically configured to connect through servers run by the device's manufacturer, perhaps to provide them with real-time {{w|telemetry}} and (potential) adjustment of ''all'' their licensed equipment. But when that server goes away, some devices may stop working.

In addition, having more and more connected devices adds privacy and security issues. Such devices routinely stream operational data back to the manufacturer. While this data is usually intended only to monitor device operation, there are potential situations where it can be mined for private information (for example, determining patterns of home power use could be used to figure out when people arrive at home or leave, and when they sleep and wake up). Moreover, additional wireless connection points are potentially devices that hackers could exploit for malicious purposes. The title text references this when it says that internet connectivity is required to patch remote {{w|Exploit (computer security)|exploits}} (i.e., harmful unauthorized access from the internet). The joke here is that such an argument is circular: they need internet connectivity to protect consumers against attacks on the internet connection. If the device didn't have wi-fi in the first place, there would be no potential for a remote attack.

A related device was previously referred to in [[3044: Humidifier Review]], and the issue of possibly considering online protection of devices that (arguably) should not be so easily exploitable was looked at in [[463: Voting Machines]] and [[1966: Smart Home Security]]. Comic [[1912: Thermostat]] also deals with risks of adding computers to appliances.

==Transcript==
: [A store salesman, Hairy, is showing Cueball a dehumidifier with a "SALE" label on it. Several other unidentified devices, possibly other dehumidifier models, are shown in the store as well.]

: Hairy: This dehumidifier model features built-in WiFi for remote updates.
: Cueball: Great! That will be really useful if they discover a new kind of water.

==Trivia==

Technically there are many different kinds of liquid water, based on the possible isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen atoms that its molecules are composed of. One of the most well known is {{w|heavy water}}, deuterium oxide, that is sometimes used in nuclear devices. There are 3 naturally-occurring {{w|isotopes of hydrogen}}, with 6 possible combinations for its two atoms in a water molecule, and 4 naturally-occurring {{w|isotopes of oxygen}}. This gives 6 × 4 = 24 kinds of naturally-occurring water molecules, which could be present in liquid water in any proportions. In ordinary water as found under mundane circumstances on Earth, 99.7% of all such molecules will be the 'normal' version of water: two atoms of 1H and one atom of 16O. (The isotopic ratios in "natural" water are relatively stable, so there's very little variation in water found in nature.) There are also synthetic isotopes of each, all radioactive, most having short half-lives. How many of these could be used to constitute water would depend in part on one's definition of whether a molecule of water could be said to have been formed prior to the decay of its constituent atoms. Each isotopically-distinct version of water has very slightly different physical and chemical properties, though the differences are small and the versions hard to separate. (Separation is further complicated by the extremely rapid rate with which molecules in liquid water {{w|Grotthuss mechanism|exchange hydrogen ions (protons)}} between themselves.) The differences would not be at all important to a consumer-grade dehumidifier.

As of when this comic was posted, there are also 26 known {{w|phases of ice}} (solid water), each of which could be made from any combination of the isotopically-distinct versions of water in any proportions. These might count as different "kinds of water", and one was discovered in 2025; others may yet be discovered. Only one of these phases, Ice Ih, is likely to be found on an iced-over dehumidifier under normal conditions of use.

In the {{w|Twin Earth thought experiment}}, there exists a second Earth (called Twin Earth), in every way identical to ours, except that there is no water as we know it. Instead, there is XYZ, a substance that is chemically distinct from water, but is experientially identical to water, and referred to by the inhabitants of Twin Earth as "water". Surprisingly, this dehumidifier might be useful, if the manufacturer was also planning to sell it on Twin Earth.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category: Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category: Comics featuring Hairy]]
[[Category: Internet]]

3128: Thread Meeting

2025-08-15T13:48:54Z

2606:A300:900F:9AE2:70A3:EBB6:B452:830C:

{{comic
| number = 3128
| date = August 13, 2025
| title = Thread Meeting
| image = thread_meeting_2x.png
| imagesize = 399x425px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Hey, so did you ever finish your video series about Cassie and the caterpillar morph? I loved the first three, but never ... no, sorry, I get it, this isn't the place. Sorry! Sorry.
}}

==Explanation==
Many people have different sets of acquaintances from different parts of their lives, and there's not much overlap. For instance, they have colleagues at work and friends from different hobbies. People encountered in online forums are often very separate, since they may be anywhere in the world and even have quite differently eclectic tastes that they never mention. People find it surprising when there are overlaps in unrelated spheres.

In this comic, NorthLakeKayak and AntaresMike are two participants in an online thread (presumably about boating, or maybe specifically kayaking). NorthLakeKayak recognizes the username AntaresMike as also used by someone he remembers from a different forum about {{w|Animorphs}}, and apparently not a likely username to have [[1963: Namespace Land Rush|been independently claimed]] by someone else.

As children, the most striking example of this type of compartmentalization is that {{tvtropes|TeachersOutOfSchool|we think of teachers as only existing in school}}. They're actually people with real lives (as also referenced in [[2808: Daytime Firefly]]), but we find it extremely weird when we encounter them in some mundane place outside school, like at a restaurant or store. The comic makes the point that encountering the same person in two unrelated online forums is analogous to this.

This strip shows NorthLakeKayak excitedly identifying AntaresMike, and referencing the Animorphs forum, then appearing to realize that's {{w|off topic}} for the forum, and awkwardly trying to transition back to discussion of kayaks. The title text continues these theme, presumably within the same forum thread, specifically wanting to discuss a video series AntaresMike had done. This is followed by a correction (either self-censoring, or in response to an unseen reply) with apologies that "this isn't the place" to discuss such things.

Very often, the culture/rules of a particular forum will encourage relevance to the forum's ''{{w|raison d'etre}}'', at least in its main threads, and fellow users will get to know all about their on-topic obsessions but usually only see hints of other individuals' alternate pastimes and hobbies. Additionally, it's possible that AntaresMike prefers to keep their interest groups separate. Animorphs fandom is a particular niche and nerdy interest that some people would hesitate to discuss it around people who aren't part of the fandom, either out of embarrassment, or out of fear of boring people. If that's the case, AntaresMike might not appreciate having those interests discussed in front of a kayaking forum. If the forum has a {{w|Private Messaging}} feature, this off-topic personal discussion could be taken there. Conceivably, the message from the title text ''was'' taken 'off-thread', but the author still finds their own excited tendency to blur the boundaries between subject matter embarrassing.

==Transcript==
:[A portion of a thread in an online forum is shown. It has one post and a reply to that post.]

:[First post:]
:[Stylized A avatar] '''AntaresMike'''
:[To the right of AntaresMike's username are a grayed-out star, plus sign in a circle, and illegible text in a box.]
:You could also check out this kayak model. I attached a motor to mine, and it's a little but of a kludge but it works great.
:[Below the first post are grayed-out icons of a word balloon, two links from a chain, an arrow, and illegible text.]

:[Reply (indented with a line connecting from AntaresMike's reply to NorthLakeKayak's):]
:[Cueball picture avatar] '''NorthLakeKayak'''
:[To the right of NorthLakeKayak's username are a grayed-out plus sign in a circle, and illegible text in a box.]
:Oh, hey, AntaresMike! I know you!
:Honestly I didn't realize you existed outside of the Animorphs fandom. I haven't seen you in forever!
:Uh. So. How are you doing?
:Kayaking, I guess.
:Anyway yeah that model is great.
:[Below the reply are grayed-out icons of a word balloon, two links from a chain, an arrow, and illegible text.]

:[Bottom caption:]
:Running into someone on a thread who you know from a totally different part of the Internet feels weirdly like running into your teacher in a store.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>

[[Category:Animorphs]]
[[Category:Social networking]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]