https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Asotos 2026-04-17T09:27:49Z User contributions MediaWiki 1.30.0 https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1316:_Inexplicable&diff=57611 2014-01-13T20:46:44Z

<p>Asotos: /* Explanation */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 1316<br /> | date = January 13, 2014<br /> | title = Inexplicable<br /> | image = inexplicable.png<br /> | titletext = 'It has a ghost in it. Take it back.' 'No.'<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> {{incomplete|Incomplete, and explanation was written by someone who doesn't have English as their native language, so it probably has inaccuracies.}}<br /> <br /> In this comic, Cueball's laptop has a problem. After just a few types and clicks, Megan concludes that the laptop is haunted. A Similar problem can be seen in [[1084: Server Problem]], where Megan recommends Cueball to wait for the Singularity. The title text suggests that Megan insists on Cueball revoking possession of his laptop, as she is unsettled by the &quot;ghost&quot;; Cueball simply refuses, expressing in this way an irrational attachment to the spooky machine (or seeing an opportunity to annoy Megan, by making his problem hers).<br /> <br /> The word &quot;ghost&quot; is also, probably, a reference to the philosophical problem known as {{w|Ghost in the machine}}, which was popularized in modern times through cyber punk literature and movies, such as {{w|The Matrix}} or {{w|Ghost in the Shell}}. The problem revolves around the question of whether machines have, or could have, consciousness and/or their own free will.<br /> <br /> Another possible explanation could be that the comic is a play on how non technical users see computers and technology in general. Often a non-technical person will anthropomorphize a gadget and give it a personality with quirks. In this case a Ghost. When they have problems they usually give the device to a slightly more technical person to deal with who may or may not be able to deal with said problems. This may end up confirming (in their mind) the personality of the device.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[Cueball is frustrated at a laptop.]<br /> :Cueball: ''ARGH!''<br /> :Megan (off-screen): What?<br /> :Cueball: Why do I always have these inexplicable, impossible-to-diagnose computer problems?<br /> <br /> :[Megan walks towards Cueball.]<br /> :Cueball: After six hours of this, I've concluded nothing works or makes sense. I give up on logic.<br /> :Megan: *sigh* Gimme. I'll figure it out.<br /> :Cueball: You won't.<br /> <br /> :[The laptop is now off the desk, and Megan is offscreen again.]<br /> :''type type''<br /> :''click''<br /> :?<br /> :''type type''<br /> :''type''<br /> :???<br /> <br /> :[Megan has returned, a closed laptop in hand.]<br /> :Cueball: How'd it go?<br /> :Megan: Your computer is literally haunted.<br /> :Cueball: ''Told'' you.<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Computers]]</div>

Asotos