https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Asymexplain xkcd - User contributions [en]2026-04-29T16:10:50ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.30.0https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1321:_Cold&diff=585971321: Cold2014-01-25T08:38:33Z<p>Asym: /* Transcript */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1321<br />
| date = January 24, 2014<br />
| title = Cold<br />
| image = cold.png<br />
| titletext = 'You see the same pattern all over. Take Detroit--' 'Hold on. Why do you know all these statistics offhand?' 'Oh, um, no idea. I definitely spend my evenings hanging out with friends, and not curating a REALLY NEAT database of temperature statistics. Because, pshh, who would want to do that, right? Also, snowfall records.'<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete| needs some textual editing, the title text joke has been in many xkcd comics, need to be referred to}}<br />
<br />
The comics reacts to simplified view of {{w|global warming}} by amateurs, including media. Phenomena like {{w|Polar vortex}} or even random changes are taken as example or counter-example of global warming. In short, some people fail to understand the difference between climate and weather. If you want real proof for or against global warming, you need to look at global (not local) and long-term (not short-term) temperature changes.<br />
<br />
For non US citizen: 0 °F (Fahrenheit) is -17.8 °C (Celsius), which is ''really fucking cold''. The city {{w|St. Louis}} is roughly at the same {{w|latitude}} as {{w|Lisbon}} (Portugal) or {{w|Beijing}} (China). But at Lisbon those low temperatures never do happen because of the {{w|Gulf Stream}}. If the Gulf Stream stops, which could happen caused by small changes in the global climate, the temperatures may drop at that regions.<br />
<br />
The only dispute on global warming is, are the humans the main factor on this changes or is it just a natural change like it did happen in much higher levels in the past. The vast majority of scientists agree that man-made global warning is currently happening. <br />
<br />
Title text suggest the reason WHY this occurs: getting the knowledge needed to actually know something about global warming is time-consuming and would be the kind of stuff only a real nerd would do. Normal people would rather hang out with friends, or at least spend their time with some more fun nerd activity, like playing computer games.<br />
<br />
=== Previous comics referring global warming ===<br />
* [[164: Playing Devil's Advocate to Win]]<br />
* [[887: Future Timeline]] (partially)<br />
* [[1225: Ice Sheets]] (title text only)<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:[It's cold, and Cueball and Black Hat are walking wearing knit caps. Cueball is shivering.]<br />
:Cueball: It's '''''brutal''''' out. So much for global warming, huh?<br />
:Black Hat: ''*sigh*'' This used to happen all the time.<br />
:Cueball: What?<br />
<br />
:[Shows a graph relating the number of days with lows below zero fahrenheit by year since 1970.]<br />
:Black Hat (off-screen): You're from St. Louis, right?<br />
:Black Hat: On average, it used to get below 0°F there a handful of days per year.<br />
:Black Hat: But you haven't had a day like that since the nineties.<br />
<br />
:[Black Hat has stopped walking.]<br />
:Black Hat: Then, in 2014, when the first polar vortex hit, it dipped below zero for two days. And everyone freaked out.<br />
<br />
:[They continue walking.]<br />
:Black Hat: Because what used to be normal; now feels too cold.<br />
:Cueball: It ''is'' too cold!<br />
<br />
:The Future:<br />
:[Cueball is pointing at a patch of ice.]<br />
:Cueball: Look at this—'''''ice!''''' In '''''St. Louis!''''' So much for global warming.<br />
:Off-screen: *sigh*<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Charts]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Black Hat]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1311:_2014&diff=564971311: 20142014-01-03T10:24:28Z<p>Asym: /* Explanation */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1311<br />
| date = January 1, 2014<br />
| title = 2014<br />
| image = 2014.png<br />
| titletext = Some future reader, who may see the term, without knowing the history of it, may imagine that it had reference to some antiquated bridge of the immortal Poet, thrown across the silver Avon, to facilitate his escape after some marauding excursion in a neighbouring park; and in some Gentleman&#39;s Magazine of the next century, it is not impossible, but that future antiquaries may occupy page after page in discussing so interesting a matter. We think it right, therefore, to put it on record in the Oriental Herald that the &#39;Shakesperian Rope Bridges&#39; are of much less classic origin; that Mr Colin Shakespear, who, besides his dignity as Postmaster, now signs himself &#39;Superintendent General of Shakesperian Rope Bridges&#39;, is a person of much less genius than the Bard of Avon. --The Oriental Herald, 1825<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Needs information on how much has come true, also information in general. This is also the longest title text?|1311: 2014}}<br />
The comic includes many predictions from the 1800s and early 1900s. Many of them are for the twenty-first century in general, and only three specifically mention 2014 (two of them as in "a century from now").<br />
<br />
*It's desirable '''every thing printed should be preserved,''' for we '''cannot now tell how useful it may become''' two centuries hence.<br />
:A good idea. Now, with Google Books, this can be done in an easier manner.<br />
<br />
*I predict that a century hence the '''Canadian people''' will be '''the noblest specimens of humanity on the face of the earth''' (1863)<br />
:Notably, there is a common joke nowadays that Canadians are always calm, mellow, polite peoples, even when insulting others.<br />
The rest of the quote goes as follows: all that was good in the Celt, the Saxon, the Gaul and other races, combining to form neither English, Irish, nor Welsh, but Canadians, who would take their place among the churches of Christendom and the nations of the earth.<br />
:This religious prediction probably wasn't believed even by its author. It's only a harangue.<br />
<br />
*In the twenty-first century '''mankind will subsist entirely upon jellies.'''<br />
:Concentrates, which are gelatine like, form a large part of our food sources. <br />
:Absurd if taken literally, but if he's talking about processed foods in general then he's not too far from the mark.<br />
<br />
*The twenty-first century baby is destined to be rocked and cradled by electricity, warmed and coddled by electricity, perhaps fathered and mothered by electricity. '''Probably the only thing he will be left to do unaided will be to make love.'''<br />
:Probably an exaggeration even in its time<br />
:But still valid to some degree, as many electronics are used in rearing children today. From incubators, warming blankets, walkie-talkies, etc to the TV.<br />
:On the same coin, however, these are merely tools of assistance; the process of child-''rearing'' is still a human task by and large.<br />
<br />
*To-day, in the city of New York, sixty-six different tongues are spoken. '''A century hence, there will probably be only one.''' (1907)<br />
:False, but getting pretty close. The predominant language is of course English, and possibly one or two other prominent languages.<br />
<br />
*I often think '''what interesting history we are making for the student of the twenty-first century.''' (William Carey Jones, 1908)<br />
:''Pending''<br />
:It's just meta.<br />
<br />
*China may be a '''great shoe market''' a decade or a century from now (1914)<br />
:While it is true in 2013/14, the context behind it was false, as the premise originally was that the business in the western world could export shoes to China, when currently, most of the shoes are actually manufactured in China itself and exported to western world.<br />
Ironically though, the profits from the shoe selling go to overseas companies.<br />
<br />
*'''We cannot settle the problem,''' and I venture the prophecy that perhaps '''a century from now this same question may be brought before some future society and discussed very much as it is tonight.''' (1914, on abortion)<br />
:True - it is still heavily debated.<br />
<br />
*By the twenty-first century I believe '''we shall all be telepaths.'''<br />
:Absurd if taken literally... However if we disregard the actual meaning of ''telepath'' there is another point of view:<br />
:Came true, in a way. Mobile phones allow near-instant communication over voice, text or even the internet. While we do not technically communicate through thought directly, in some way this technology can be considered telepathy.<br />
<br />
More context for this prediction:<br />
:‘And it’s my firm belief,’ said Gumbril Senior, adding notes to his epic, ‘that they [the birds] make use of some sort of telepathy, some kind of direct mind-to-mind communication between themselves. You can’t watch them without coming to that conclusion.’<br />
:‘A charming conclusion,’ said Mrs Viveash.<br />
:‘It’s a faculty,’ Gumbril Senior went on, ‘we all possess, I believe. All we animals.’ [...] ‘Why don’t we use it more? You may well ask. For the simple reason, my dear young lady, that half our existence is spent dealing with things that have no mind – things with which it is impossible to hold telepathetic communication. Hence the development of the five senses. I have eyes that preserve me from running into the lamppost, ears that warn me I’m in the neighbourhood of Niagara. And having made these instruments very efficient, I use them in holding converse with other beings having a mind. I let my telepathetic faculty lie idle, preferring to employ an elaborate and cumbrous arrangement of symbols in order to make my thought known to you through your senses. In certain individuals, however, the faculty is naturally so well-developed – like the musical, or the mathematical, or the chess-playing faculties in other people – that they cannot help entering into direct communication with other minds<br />
<br />
*The physician of the twenty-first century… may even criticize the language of the times, and may find that '''some of our words have become as offensive to him as the term “lunatic” has become offensive to us.'''<br />
:Just look at the word "gay"; in his time it's completely harmless, even a positive word, while today it's a moderate slur.<br />
:And indeed, the word "lunatic" isn't considered offensive anymore, but merely derogatory.<br />
:He correctly predicts the trajectory of terms like "{{w|mentally retarded}}", itself adopted by his day to replace earlier terms for the developmentally disabled, such as "moron" and "imbecile", which had become pejorative. Soon enough "the 'r' word" joined them in that regard, and it now has largely been abandoned as a medical term.<br />
<br />
*Historians of the twenty-first century will look back with well-placed scorn on the '''shallow-minded days''' of the early twentieth century '''when football games and petting parties were considered the most important elements of a college education.'''<br />
:While media still encourages such images, colleges start to be much more career oriented. Also, due to incidents involving sex-themed frosh weeks, there was actually a greater emphasis to condemn sexual activities among college students<br />
<br />
*'''In the year A.D. 2014''' journalists will be writing on the centenary of the great war - '''that is, if there has not been a greater war.'''<br />
:2014 marks 100 years since the beginning of {{w|World War I}} (popularly called "The Great War" at the time), thus journalists will definitely write articles of this war. More than 9&nbsp;million combatants were killed. However, unfortunately for the quote's author and for humanity in general, there was a greater war, {{w|World War II}}, which killed around 25 million soldiers and an even greater number of civilians.<br />
<br />
The title text refers to a certain British officer, Mr. Colin Shakespeare, who experimented and promoted the use of rope suspension bridges in India, apparently for the ease of colonization and military operations.[http://books.google.com/books?id=aZRPAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA367] The reference to "River Avon" is about the river of Avon in Warwickshire, Stratford upon Avon being the town where Shakespeare (the playwright) was born and where he lived until his early twenties.{{w|River Avon (Warwickshire)}}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:'''Notes from the past'''<br />
:It's desirable '''every thing printed should be preserved,''' for we '''cannot now tell how useful it may become''' two centuries hence.<br />
::Christopher Baldwin<br />
:::1834<br />
<br />
:I predict that a century hence the '''Canadian people''' will be '''the noblest specimens of humanity on the face of the earth'''<br />
::Rev. John Bredin<br />
:::1863<br />
<br />
:In the twenty-first century '''mankind will subsist entirely upon jellies.'''<br />
::''The Booklover''<br />
:::1903<br />
<br />
:The twenty-first century baby is destined to be rocked and cradled by electricity, warmed and coddled by electricity, perhaps fathered and mothered by electricity. '''Probably the only thing he will be left to do unaided will be to make love.'''<br />
::Mrs. John Lane, ''The fortnightly''<br />
:::1905<br />
<br />
:To-day, in the city of New York, sixty-six different tongues are spoken. '''A century hence, there will probably be only one.'''<br />
::''The American Historical Magazine''<br />
:::1907<br />
<br />
:I often think '''what interesting history we are making for the student of the twenty-first century.'''<br />
::Willian Carey Jones<br />
:::1908<br />
<br />
:China may be a '''great shoe market''' a decade or a century from now.<br />
::''Boot and Shoe Recorder''<br />
:::1914<br />
<br />
:'''We cannot settle the problem,''' and I venture the prophecy that perhaps '''a century from now this same question may be brought before some future society and discussed very much as it is tonight.'''<br />
::Dr. Barton C. Hirst on the subject of '''abortion'''<br />
:::1914<br />
<br />
:By the twenty-first century I believe '''we shall all be telepaths.'''<br />
::Gumbriel, character in ''Antic Hay''<br />
:::1923<br />
<br />
:The physician of the twenty-first century… may even criticize the language of the times, and may find that '''some of our words have become as offensive to him as the term “lunatic” has become offensive to us.'''<br />
::Dr. C. Macae Campbell<br />
:::1924<br />
<br />
:Historians of the twenty-first century will look back with well-placed scorn on the '''shallow-minded days''' of the early twentieth century '''when football games and petting parties were considered the most important elements of a college education.'''<br />
::Mary Eileen Ahern, ''Library Bureau''<br />
:::1926<br />
<br />
:'''In the year A.D. 2014''' journalists will be writing on the centenary of the great war - '''that is, if there has not been a greater war.'''<br />
::F.J.M, ''The Journalist''<br />
:::1934<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Language]]<br />
[[Category:Politics]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1311:_2014&diff=564961311: 20142014-01-03T10:19:20Z<p>Asym: /* Explanation */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1311<br />
| date = January 1, 2014<br />
| title = 2014<br />
| image = 2014.png<br />
| titletext = Some future reader, who may see the term, without knowing the history of it, may imagine that it had reference to some antiquated bridge of the immortal Poet, thrown across the silver Avon, to facilitate his escape after some marauding excursion in a neighbouring park; and in some Gentleman&#39;s Magazine of the next century, it is not impossible, but that future antiquaries may occupy page after page in discussing so interesting a matter. We think it right, therefore, to put it on record in the Oriental Herald that the &#39;Shakesperian Rope Bridges&#39; are of much less classic origin; that Mr Colin Shakespear, who, besides his dignity as Postmaster, now signs himself &#39;Superintendent General of Shakesperian Rope Bridges&#39;, is a person of much less genius than the Bard of Avon. --The Oriental Herald, 1825<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Needs information on how much has come true, also information in general. This is also the longest title text?|1311: 2014}}<br />
The comic includes many predictions from the 1800s and early 1900s. Many of them are for the twenty-first century in general, and only three specifically mention 2014 (two of them as in "a century from now").<br />
<br />
*It's desirable '''every thing printed should be preserved,''' for we '''cannot now tell how useful it may become''' two centuries hence.<br />
:A good idea. Now, with Google Books, this can be done in an easier manner.<br />
<br />
*I predict that a century hence the '''Canadian people''' will be '''the noblest specimens of humanity on the face of the earth''' (1863)<br />
:Notably, there is a common joke nowadays that Canadians are always calm, mellow, polite peoples, even when insulting others.<br />
The rest of the quote goes as follows: all that was good in the Celt, the Saxon, the Gaul and other races, combining to form neither English, Irish, nor Welsh, but Canadians, who would take their place among the churches of Christendom and the nations of the earth.<br />
:This religious prediction probably wasn't believed even by its author. It's only a harangue.<br />
<br />
*In the twenty-first century '''mankind will subsist entirely upon jellies.'''<br />
:Concentrates, which are gelatine like, form a large part of our food sources. <br />
:Absurd if taken literally, but if he's talking about processed foods in general then he's not too far from the mark.<br />
<br />
*The twenty-first century baby is destined to be rocked and cradled by electricity, warmed and coddled by electricity, perhaps fathered and mothered by electricity. '''Probably the only thing he will be left to do unaided will be to make love.'''<br />
:Probably an exaggeration even in its time<br />
:But still valid to some degree, as many electronics are used in rearing children today. From incubators, warming blankets, walkie-talkies, etc to the TV.<br />
:On the same coin, however, these are merely tools of assistance; the process of child-''rearing'' is still a human task by and large.<br />
<br />
*To-day, in the city of New York, sixty-six different tongues are spoken. '''A century hence, there will probably be only one.''' (1907)<br />
:False, but getting pretty close. The predominant language is of course English, and possibly one or two other prominent languages.<br />
<br />
*I often think '''what interesting history we are making for the student of the twenty-first century.''' (William Carey Jones, 1908)<br />
:''Pending''<br />
:It's just meta.<br />
<br />
*China may be a '''great shoe market''' a decade or a century from now (1914)<br />
:While it is true in 2013/14, the context behind it was false, as the premise originally was that the business in the western world could export shoes to China, when currently, most of the shoes are actually manufactured in China itself and exported to western world.<br />
Ironically though, the profits from the shoe selling go to overseas companies.<br />
<br />
*'''We cannot settle the problem,''' and I venture the prophecy that perhaps '''a century from now this same question may be brought before some future society and discussed very much as it is tonight.''' (1914, on abortion)<br />
:True - it is still heavily debated.<br />
<br />
*By the twenty-first century I believe '''we shall all be telepaths.'''<br />
:Absurd if taken literally... However if we disregard the actual meaning of ''telepath'' there is another point of view:<br />
:Came true, in a way. Mobile phones allow near-instant communication over voice, text or even the internet. While we do not technically communicate through thought directly, in some way this technology can be considered telepathy.<br />
<br />
More context for this prediction:<br />
:‘And it’s my firm belief,’ said Gumbril Senior, adding notes to his epic, ‘that they [the birds] make use of some sort of telepathy, some kind of direct mind-to-mind communication between themselves. You can’t watch them without coming to that conclusion.’<br />
:‘A charming conclusion,’ said Mrs Viveash.<br />
:‘It’s a faculty,’ Gumbril Senior went on, ‘we all possess, I believe. All we animals.’ [...] ‘Why don’t we use it more? You may well ask. For the simple reason, my dear young lady, that half our existence is spent dealing with things that have no mind – things with which it is impossible to hold telepathetic communication. Hence the development of the five senses. I have eyes that preserve me from running into the lamppost, ears that warn me I’m in the neighbourhood of Niagara. And having made these instruments very efficient, I use them in holding converse with other beings having a mind. I let my telepathetic faculty lie idle, preferring to employ an elaborate and cumbrous arrangement of symbols in order to make my thought known to you through your senses. In certain individuals, however, the faculty is naturally so well-developed – like the musical, or the mathematical, or the chess-playing faculties in other people – that they cannot help entering into direct communication with other minds<br />
<br />
*The physician of the twenty-first century… may even criticize the language of the times, and may find that '''some of our words have become as offensive to him as the term “lunatic” has become offensive to us.'''<br />
:Just look at the word "gay"; in his time it's completely harmless, even a positive word, while today it's a moderate slur.<br />
:And indeed, the word "lunatic" isn't considered offensive anymore, but merely derogatory.<br />
:He correctly predicts the trajectory of terms like "{{w|mentally retarded}}", itself adopted by his day to replace earlier terms for the developmentally delayed, such as "moron" and "imbecile", which had become pejorative. Soon enough "the 'r' word" joined them in that regard, and it now has largely been abandoned as a medical term.<br />
<br />
*Historians of the twenty-first century will look back with well-placed scorn on the '''shallow-minded days''' of the early twentieth century '''when football games and petting parties were considered the most important elements of a college education.'''<br />
:While media still encourages such images, colleges start to be much more career oriented. Also, due to incidents involving sex-themed frosh weeks, there was actually a greater emphasis to condemn sexual activities among college students<br />
<br />
*'''In the year A.D. 2014''' journalists will be writing on the centenary of the great war - '''that is, if there has not been a greater war.'''<br />
:2014 marks 100 years since the beginning of {{w|World War I}} (popularly called "The Great War" at the time), thus journalists will definitely write articles of this war. More than 9&nbsp;million combatants were killed. However, unfortunately for the quote's author and for humanity in general, there was a greater war, {{w|World War II}}, which killed around 25 million soldiers and an even greater number of civilians.<br />
<br />
The title text refers to a certain British officer, Mr. Colin Shakespeare, who experimented and promoted the use of rope suspension bridges in India, apparently for the ease of colonization and military operations.[http://books.google.com/books?id=aZRPAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA367] The reference to "River Avon" is about the river of Avon in Warwickshire, Stratford upon Avon being the town where Shakespeare (the playwright) was born and where he lived until his early twenties.{{w|River Avon (Warwickshire)}}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:'''Notes from the past'''<br />
:It's desirable '''every thing printed should be preserved,''' for we '''cannot now tell how useful it may become''' two centuries hence.<br />
::Christopher Baldwin<br />
:::1834<br />
<br />
:I predict that a century hence the '''Canadian people''' will be '''the noblest specimens of humanity on the face of the earth'''<br />
::Rev. John Bredin<br />
:::1863<br />
<br />
:In the twenty-first century '''mankind will subsist entirely upon jellies.'''<br />
::''The Booklover''<br />
:::1903<br />
<br />
:The twenty-first century baby is destined to be rocked and cradled by electricity, warmed and coddled by electricity, perhaps fathered and mothered by electricity. '''Probably the only thing he will be left to do unaided will be to make love.'''<br />
::Mrs. John Lane, ''The fortnightly''<br />
:::1905<br />
<br />
:To-day, in the city of New York, sixty-six different tongues are spoken. '''A century hence, there will probably be only one.'''<br />
::''The American Historical Magazine''<br />
:::1907<br />
<br />
:I often think '''what interesting history we are making for the student of the twenty-first century.'''<br />
::Willian Carey Jones<br />
:::1908<br />
<br />
:China may be a '''great shoe market''' a decade or a century from now.<br />
::''Boot and Shoe Recorder''<br />
:::1914<br />
<br />
:'''We cannot settle the problem,''' and I venture the prophecy that perhaps '''a century from now this same question may be brought before some future society and discussed very much as it is tonight.'''<br />
::Dr. Barton C. Hirst on the subject of '''abortion'''<br />
:::1914<br />
<br />
:By the twenty-first century I believe '''we shall all be telepaths.'''<br />
::Gumbriel, character in ''Antic Hay''<br />
:::1923<br />
<br />
:The physician of the twenty-first century… may even criticize the language of the times, and may find that '''some of our words have become as offensive to him as the term “lunatic” has become offensive to us.'''<br />
::Dr. C. Macae Campbell<br />
:::1924<br />
<br />
:Historians of the twenty-first century will look back with well-placed scorn on the '''shallow-minded days''' of the early twentieth century '''when football games and petting parties were considered the most important elements of a college education.'''<br />
::Mary Eileen Ahern, ''Library Bureau''<br />
:::1926<br />
<br />
:'''In the year A.D. 2014''' journalists will be writing on the centenary of the great war - '''that is, if there has not been a greater war.'''<br />
::F.J.M, ''The Journalist''<br />
:::1934<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Language]]<br />
[[Category:Politics]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1311:_2014&diff=564951311: 20142014-01-03T10:16:35Z<p>Asym: /* Explanation */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1311<br />
| date = January 1, 2014<br />
| title = 2014<br />
| image = 2014.png<br />
| titletext = Some future reader, who may see the term, without knowing the history of it, may imagine that it had reference to some antiquated bridge of the immortal Poet, thrown across the silver Avon, to facilitate his escape after some marauding excursion in a neighbouring park; and in some Gentleman&#39;s Magazine of the next century, it is not impossible, but that future antiquaries may occupy page after page in discussing so interesting a matter. We think it right, therefore, to put it on record in the Oriental Herald that the &#39;Shakesperian Rope Bridges&#39; are of much less classic origin; that Mr Colin Shakespear, who, besides his dignity as Postmaster, now signs himself &#39;Superintendent General of Shakesperian Rope Bridges&#39;, is a person of much less genius than the Bard of Avon. --The Oriental Herald, 1825<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Needs information on how much has come true, also information in general. This is also the longest title text?|1311: 2014}}<br />
The comic includes many predictions from the 1800s and early 1900s. Many of them are for the twenty-first century in general, and only three specifically mention 2014 (two of them as in "a century from now").<br />
<br />
*It's desirable '''every thing printed should be preserved,''' for we '''cannot now tell how useful it may become''' two centuries hence.<br />
:A good idea. Now, with Google Books, this can be done in an easier manner.<br />
<br />
*I predict that a century hence the '''Canadian people''' will be '''the noblest specimens of humanity on the face of the earth''' (1863)<br />
:Notably, there is a common joke nowadays that Canadians are always calm, mellow, polite peoples, even when insulting others.<br />
The rest of the quote goes as follows: all that was good in the Celt, the Saxon, the Gaul and other races, combining to form neither English, Irish, nor Welsh, but Canadians, who would take their place among the churches of Christendom and the nations of the earth.<br />
:This religious prediction probably wasn't believed even by its author. It's only a harangue.<br />
<br />
*In the twenty-first century '''mankind will subsist entirely upon jellies.'''<br />
:Concentrates, which are gelatine like, form a large part of our food sources. <br />
:Absurd if taken literally, but if he's talking about processed foods in general then he's not too far from the mark.<br />
<br />
*The twenty-first century baby is destined to be rocked and cradled by electricity, warmed and coddled by electricity, perhaps fathered and mothered by electricity. '''Probably the only thing he will be left to do unaided will be to make love.'''<br />
:Probably an exaggeration even in its time<br />
:But still valid to some degree, as many electronics are used in rearing children today. From incubators, warming blankets, walkie-talkies, etc to the TV.<br />
:On the same coin, however, these are merely tools of assistance; the process of child-''rearing'' is still a human task by and large.<br />
<br />
*To-day, in the city of New York, sixty-six different tongues are spoken. '''A century hence, there will probably be only one.''' (1907)<br />
:False, but getting pretty close. The predominant language is of course English, and possibly one or two other prominent languages.<br />
<br />
*I often think '''what interesting history we are making for the student of the twenty-first century.''' (William Carey Jones, 1908)<br />
:''Pending''<br />
:It's just meta.<br />
<br />
*China may be a '''great shoe market''' a decade or a century from now (1914)<br />
:While it is true in 2013/14, the context behind it was false, as the premise originally was that the business in the western world could export shoes to China, when currently, most of the shoes are actually manufactured in China itself and exported to western world.<br />
Ironically though, the profits from the shoe selling go to overseas companies.<br />
<br />
*'''We cannot settle the problem,''' and I venture the prophecy that perhaps '''a century from now this same question may be brought before some future society and discussed very much as it is tonight.''' (1914, on abortion)<br />
:True - it is still heavily debated.<br />
<br />
*By the twenty-first century I believe '''we shall all be telepaths.'''<br />
:Absurd if taken literally... However if we disregard the actual meaning of ''telepath'' there is another point of view:<br />
:Came true, in a way. Mobile phones allow near-instant communication over voice, text or even the internet. While we do not technically communicate through thought directly, in some way this technology can be considered telepathy.<br />
<br />
More context for this prediction:<br />
:‘And it’s my firm belief,’ said Gumbril Senior, adding notes to his epic, ‘that they [the birds] make use of some sort of telepathy, some kind of direct mind-to-mind communication between themselves. You can’t watch them without coming to that conclusion.’<br />
:‘A charming conclusion,’ said Mrs Viveash.<br />
:‘It’s a faculty,’ Gumbril Senior went on, ‘we all possess, I believe. All we animals.’ [...] ‘Why don’t we use it more? You may well ask. For the simple reason, my dear young lady, that half our existence is spent dealing with things that have no mind – things with which it is impossible to hold telepathetic communication. Hence the development of the five senses. I have eyes that preserve me from running into the lamppost, ears that warn me I’m in the neighbourhood of Niagara. And having made these instruments very efficient, I use them in holding converse with other beings having a mind. I let my telepathetic faculty lie idle, preferring to employ an elaborate and cumbrous arrangement of symbols in order to make my thought known to you through your senses. In certain individuals, however, the faculty is naturally so well-developed – like the musical, or the mathematical, or the chess-playing faculties in other people – that they cannot help entering into direct communication with other minds<br />
<br />
*The physician of the twenty-first century… may even criticize the language of the times, and may find that '''some of our words have become as offensive to him as the term “lunatic” has become offensive to us.'''<br />
:Just look at the word "gay"; in his time it's completely harmless, even a positive word, while today it's a moderate slur.<br />
:And indeed, the word "lunatic" isn't considered offensive anymore, but merely derogatory.<br />
:He correctly predicts the trajectory of terms like "{{w|mentally retarded}}", itself adopted by his day to replace earlier terms for the developmentally delayed, such as "moron" and "imbecile", which had become pejorative. Soon enough "the 'r' word" joined them in that regard, and has largely been abandoned as a medical term.<br />
<br />
*Historians of the twenty-first century will look back with well-placed scorn on the '''shallow-minded days''' of the early twentieth century '''when football games and petting parties were considered the most important elements of a college education.'''<br />
:While media still encourages such images, colleges start to be much more career oriented. Also, due to incidents involving sex-themed frosh weeks, there was actually a greater emphasis to condemn sexual activities among college students<br />
<br />
*'''In the year A.D. 2014''' journalists will be writing on the centenary of the great war - '''that is, if there has not been a greater war.'''<br />
:2014 marks 100 years since the beginning of {{w|World War I}} (popularly called "The Great War" at the time), thus journalists will definitely write articles of this war. More than 9&nbsp;million combatants were killed. However, unfortunately for the quote's author and for humanity in general, there was a greater war, {{w|World War II}}, which killed around 25 million soldiers and an even greater number of civilians.<br />
<br />
The title text refers to a certain British officer, Mr. Colin Shakespeare, who experimented and promoted the use of rope suspension bridges in India, apparently for the ease of colonization and military operations.[http://books.google.com/books?id=aZRPAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA367] The reference to "River Avon" is about the river of Avon in Warwickshire, Stratford upon Avon being the town where Shakespeare (the playwright) was born and where he lived until his early twenties.{{w|River Avon (Warwickshire)}}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:'''Notes from the past'''<br />
:It's desirable '''every thing printed should be preserved,''' for we '''cannot now tell how useful it may become''' two centuries hence.<br />
::Christopher Baldwin<br />
:::1834<br />
<br />
:I predict that a century hence the '''Canadian people''' will be '''the noblest specimens of humanity on the face of the earth'''<br />
::Rev. John Bredin<br />
:::1863<br />
<br />
:In the twenty-first century '''mankind will subsist entirely upon jellies.'''<br />
::''The Booklover''<br />
:::1903<br />
<br />
:The twenty-first century baby is destined to be rocked and cradled by electricity, warmed and coddled by electricity, perhaps fathered and mothered by electricity. '''Probably the only thing he will be left to do unaided will be to make love.'''<br />
::Mrs. John Lane, ''The fortnightly''<br />
:::1905<br />
<br />
:To-day, in the city of New York, sixty-six different tongues are spoken. '''A century hence, there will probably be only one.'''<br />
::''The American Historical Magazine''<br />
:::1907<br />
<br />
:I often think '''what interesting history we are making for the student of the twenty-first century.'''<br />
::Willian Carey Jones<br />
:::1908<br />
<br />
:China may be a '''great shoe market''' a decade or a century from now.<br />
::''Boot and Shoe Recorder''<br />
:::1914<br />
<br />
:'''We cannot settle the problem,''' and I venture the prophecy that perhaps '''a century from now this same question may be brought before some future society and discussed very much as it is tonight.'''<br />
::Dr. Barton C. Hirst on the subject of '''abortion'''<br />
:::1914<br />
<br />
:By the twenty-first century I believe '''we shall all be telepaths.'''<br />
::Gumbriel, character in ''Antic Hay''<br />
:::1923<br />
<br />
:The physician of the twenty-first century… may even criticize the language of the times, and may find that '''some of our words have become as offensive to him as the term “lunatic” has become offensive to us.'''<br />
::Dr. C. Macae Campbell<br />
:::1924<br />
<br />
:Historians of the twenty-first century will look back with well-placed scorn on the '''shallow-minded days''' of the early twentieth century '''when football games and petting parties were considered the most important elements of a college education.'''<br />
::Mary Eileen Ahern, ''Library Bureau''<br />
:::1926<br />
<br />
:'''In the year A.D. 2014''' journalists will be writing on the centenary of the great war - '''that is, if there has not been a greater war.'''<br />
::F.J.M, ''The Journalist''<br />
:::1934<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Language]]<br />
[[Category:Politics]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1291:_Shoot_for_the_Moon&diff=531451291: Shoot for the Moon2013-11-20T07:35:17Z<p>Asym: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1291<br />
| date = November 15, 2013<br />
| title = Shoot for the Moon<br />
| image = shoot_for_the_moon.png<br />
| titletext = Shoot for the Moon. If you miss, you'll end up co-orbiting the Sun alongside Earth, living out your days alone in the void within sight of the lush, welcoming home you left behind.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
The comic and the title text both parody the motivational quote attributed to {{w|Les_Brown_(speaker)|Leslie Brown}}, which originally says, "Shoot for the Moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars."<br />
<br />
In the original form, the quote is figurative, meant to inspire people to pursue ambitious goals, reasoning that even if they fail to achieve them, they may still accomplish other great things while trying. The comic and title text, on the other hand, attempt to interpret the quote literally, exploring the humorous aspects of doing so.<br />
<br />
The comic is also referencing the [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RightBehindMe common comedy trope] of someone talking about another person when the person is standing right behind them and can hear everything they are saying.<br />
<br />
The [[title text]] invokes another literal interpretation of the phrase - if a space vehicle aims at the Moon and misses, it will end up in a new orbit, possibly (depending on its velocity) escaping from the Earth-Moon system and following a separate but nearby orbit around the Sun.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:[Megan is standing at a lectern.]<br />
:Megan: Students, shoot for the moon. If you miss,<br />
<br />
:[A moon is creeping up behind Megan.]<br />
:Megan: '''''shoot again.''''' Keep shooting and never stop.<br />
<br />
:Megan: Someday, one of us will destroy that stupid skycircle. And— ...What? What are you all—<br />
<br />
:Megan: ...It's right behind me, isn't it? '''''Shit.''''' Everyone act casual.<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1256:_Questions&diff=499281256: Questions2013-10-02T18:42:25Z<p>Asym: /* Transcript */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1256<br />
| date = August 26, 2013<br />
| title = Questions<br />
| image = questions.png<br />
| titletext = To whoever typed 'why is arwen dying': GOOD. FUCKING. QUESTION.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
{{w|Google}}, a rather popular internet search engine, has a feature known as [https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/106230?hl=en autocomplete] that guesses at search queries before they are fully typed out. These guesses are generally made based on popular searches by other people. From time to time, a particularly strange or hilarious one may be found, as is evidenced in this comic.<br />
<br />
All of the questions in the comic are "why" questions, so many of them are predicated on false assumptions, such as "Why are there pyramids on the moon".<br />
<br />
Regarding the title text: in the Peter Jackson films of {{w|The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy}}, Arwen becomes sickly for unspecified reasons as the plot advances, apparently giving Aragorn a more personal reason to fight. The only explanation given is by Elrond, who says "As Sauron's power grows, her [Arwen's] strength wanes." (This subplot is entirely absent from the {{w|The Lord of the Rings|original novels}}.)<br />
<br />
From [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/faq#.2.1.21 IMDB]: <br /><blockquote><br />
Arwen, like her father (and brothers) is considered to be a Half-Elf, the result of a union between an Elf and a mortal human. The Half-Elven of Middle-earth get a choice, to remain immortal and return to the West (Valinor) or to become mortal and to die as humans do. Elrond chose to remain an Elf. Arwen (like her uncle Elros) chooses to become mortal in order to wed and remain with Aragorn. Elrond senses this; this is what he means when he says that Arwen is dying. It is the same as in The Last Unicorn, when the unicorn is given the form of a human woman and can feel that she is no longer immortal ("I can feel this body dying all around me"). According to Tolkien, though, after Aragorn dies in the year 120 (Fourth Age), Arwen returns to Lórien, where she dies by choice the following winter. </blockquote><br />
<br />
;Selected answers<br />
(Some questions in the transcript are linked to their answers.)<br />
{| class ="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
!style="width:20%;"|Question !! Possible answer<br />
|-<br />
| Why is there not a Pokémon MMO? || {{w|Pokémon}} is a popular franchise, spanning game consoles, anime series, a trading card game, and many other things. Among fans, it is a frequent topic of discussion why a Pokémon {{w|massively multiplayer online game}} has not been officially announced by the series' developers {{w|Game Freak}}, as they often [http://www.dorkly.com/comic/52546/be-careful-what-you-wish-for predict] that such a game would be extremely popular, and bring in massive revenue for the company.<br />
|-<br />
|Why is there laughing in TV shows? || Sitcoms were once filmed with an audience, so the actors could respond to their reactions. That's the historical reason why there were laughs in TV shows. The tradition continues, with the difference that now the laughter mostly comes from {{w|Laugh track|recorded tapes}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are ducks called ducks? || {{W|wikt:duck|According to Wiktionary}}, the noun ''duck'' can be traced back to the {{w|Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic}} word {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Germanic/dūkaną|''dūkaną''}} ("to dive, bend down"), and, in turn, the {{w|Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European}} {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Indo-European/dʰewb-|''dʰewb-''}} ("deep, hollow"), which is the origin of the verb ''to duck''. The link between the noun and the verb comes from ducks' tendency to dive under water for short periods of time.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there male and female bikes? || {{w|bicycle|From Wikipedia}}: <blockquote>Historically, women's bicycle frames had a top tube that connected in the middle of the seat tube instead of the top, resulting in a lower {{w|Frame geometry|standover height}} at the expense of compromised structural integrity, since this places a strong bending load in the seat tube, and bicycle frame members are typically weak in bending. This design, referred to as a '''''{{w|step-through frame}}''''' or as an ''open frame'', allows the rider to mount and dismount in a dignified way while wearing a skirt or dress.</blockquote><br />
|-<br />
| Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus? || {{w|Poseidon}} was the patron deity of the city of {{w|Troy}}, which after a 10 years siege by the Greeks fell due to {{w|Odysseus}}' list of the {{w|Trojan_Horse|Trojan horse}}. As the Greeks were returning home, Poseidon cursed Odysseus' ship to prevent him from reaching his home in {{W|Ithaca}}. The adventures which Odysseus encounters during his quest for reaching Ithaca are the main theme of {{w|Homer|Homer's}} {{w|Odyssey}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there two Spocks? || This is probably a reference to the {{w|Star_Trek_(film)|2009 Star Trek movie}} in which the franchise was given a {{w|Reboot_(fiction)|continuity reboot}}. The modified setting is explained in-universe by time travel, with both the villain Nero and the original-timeline Spock being brought back from the 24th century to the 23rd, creating a timeline in which both older Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) and the younger Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) coexist.<br />
<br />
Another possibility is that the question refers to the episode {{w|Mirror,_Mirror_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)|"Mirror, Mirror"}}, which mostly takes place in an alternate universe populated by ruthless versions of most of the characters (including Spock).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America? || ''Further information: {{w|United States military deployments}}''<p>This is a very interesting question, albeit one likely based on a regional misunderstanding. Presumably, this question is asked by Americans who assume that the existence of {{w|Category:Military facilities of the United States by country|U.S. military bases abroad}} is a general trend among countries, as opposed to being the rarity that it is. In fact, {{w|List of countries with overseas military bases|only a handful of other countries}} have military bases outside of their borders, and the three&mdash;{{w|France}}, the {{w|United Kingdom}}, and {{w|Russia}}&mdash;that have more than one or two are all countries that, like the United States, {{w|Allies of World War II|were on the winning side of World War II}}, have {{w|List of countries by military expenditures|massive military expenditures}}, and have {{w|United Nations Security Council veto power|UN Security Council vetoes}}. In other words, only the most militarily elite countries have bases overseas. The U.S. is unique, however, in that it has far more overseas bases than any other country (and, pretty much, far more of anything else than any other country, when it comes to the military), and in that {{w|List of United States military bases|it has bases in several other highly-industrialized nations}}, including {{w|List of United States Army installations in South Korea|South Korea}} and the United Kingdom, and, most notably, the World War II {{w|Axis powers}}: {{w|List of United States Army installations in Germany|Germany}}, {{w|United States Forces Japan|Japan}}, and {{w|List of United States Army installations in Italy|Italy}}. (France, Russia, and the U.K.'s bases, on the other hand, are almost all within areas that they previously controlled.)</p><p>These bases can be controversial in some countries, while in others they are a major source of economic and political stability. The U.S. traditionally justifies their presence as a necessary and crucial element in its efforts to promote peace domestically and worldwide. Despite their major role in {{w|U.S. foreign policy}}, and in the general political structure of the globe, the American public often largely ignores them, and they rarely become a major political issue (apart from an occasional mention by {{w|Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian presidential candidates}}).</p><p>So, essentially, the absence of foreign military bases within the U.S. is primarily because there aren't really any other countries in a position to place bases there. Furthermore, such bases wouldn't do much good, as no battles have been fought within the U.S. since the {{w|U.S. Civil War}} and the U.S. mainland has seen {{w|Mainland invasion of the United States|almost no military action}}. (The {{w|attack on Pearl Harbor}} in 1941 was 18 years before Hawaii became a U.S. state.)</p><p>There are, however, foreign troops stationed at some continental US military bases. For example RAF (British Royal Air Force) 39 Sqn and 361 Sqn at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada flying Reaper and Predator drones. But this are not foreign military bases, they are just guests.</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why is there no king in England? || ''Note: For simplicity's sake, "England" here is being read as "United Kingdom." The various name changes, mergers, and splits of kingdoms are complicated.''<p>The basis for this question is that for the past several hundred years, there has almost always been a queen in England, the sole exceptions being when the king has not had a wife. However, there is a distinction between being the queen of England (that is to say, {{w|List of British monarchs|a monarch}}) and being the {{w|queen consort|queen ''consort''}} of England: The former refers to a woman who {{w|Succession to the British throne|succeeded to the throne}} in her own right, becoming sovereign, while the latter refers to the wife of the king. Both roles, though, are commonly referred to as "Queen of England," creating the impression that there is always such a person. The logical question, therefore, is why {{w|Elizabeth II}}'s husband, {{w|Prince Philip|Philip}}, is not considered the king of England. The answer lies in Britain's system of {{w|male-preference cognatic primogeniture}}, which causes the monarch of England to usually be a man, not a woman. As a result of this, British laws were generally built around the presumption that the monarch would be a man (and that said man would be married to a woman, [[223: Valentine's Day|comic 223]] be damned). Since the creation of the modern British throne in 1707, only two women have reigned as queen in their own right; it just so happens that these two women have been two of the most famous and longest-reigning monarchs in world history, {{w|Queen Victoria}} and Queen Elizabeth II. This fact may add to people's enhanced perception of the lack of a British king. Victoria and Elizabeth's respective consorts, {{w|Albert, Prince Consort|Albert}} and Philip, have been styled as princes&mdash;Albert as {{w|Prince Consort}} and Philip as "{{w|British prince|Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland}}." Both were explicitly granted their titles by their wives, though Albert was already a prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Philip had previously been a prince of Denmark and Greece, but had renounced both titles before marrying Elizabeth.</p><p>The title {{w|king consort}} also exists, but has never been used in the United Kingdom.</p><p>Notably, should {{w|Prince Charles}} succeed to his mother's throne, it has been announced that his wife, {{w|Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Camilla}}, will be styled as {{w|princess consort}}, ''not'' as queen consort, just as she has declined the title {{w|Princess of Wales}}, which is strongly associated with Charles's first wife, {{w|Princess Diana|Diana}}. Assuming that Charles succeeds, this means that Britain will not have anyone referred to as "queen," after decades of not having anyone referred to as "king."</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why are there female Mr. Mimes? || {{w|Mr. Mime}} is a Pokémon introduced in the first generation of the games, and despite its name, it can be either of a male or female gender. As the Pokémon was introduced before the concept of [http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gender gender in Pokémon games], it is likely that the people in charge of translating its Japanese name (Barrierd) did not take this into account during the process. <br />
|-<br />
| Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN || From a Minnesota Paper, [http://www.startribune.com/local/138902104.html the Star Tribune], "Laws prevent the city from poisoning the crows". "Duffy [Steve Duffy, a co-owner of U.S. Bird Abatement Services, which has contracted with Rochester to get rid of the crows] isn't sure why Rochester has such a bad crow problem; probably a confluence of many bird-friendly conditions that has also made it a magnet for geese. He's seen worse cases, but called Rochester's situation 'hideous.'" And best of all, "The city has twice this winter hired experts to chase them off. They tried lasers and bullhorns -- hey, get out of here, you crows -- and even employed raptors to pick them off, one by one. That worked, for awhile." (Unfortunately, they mean a {{w|bird of prey}}, not a {{w|velociraptor}}).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter || In the {{w|Harry Potter}} universe, Muggle technology (human inventions) are often looked down on by wizards - the majority of half-blooded wizards like Harry won't touch one, let alone a wizard extremist like {{w|Voldemort}}. Not only does any Muggle device more complex than a wristwatch interfere with magical artifacts, but wands are usually more versatile than most guns (a revolver can't shoot lightning or summon items or teleport its user). Finally, while Harry himself may or may not consider using firearms due to his muggle upbringing, ''Harry Potter'' is a children's book (which usually doesn't include guns) set in England (which has stricter gun laws than, say, the United States).<br />
|-<br />
| Why are the Avengers fighting the X Men || {{w|Avengers vs. X-Men}} was a 2012 Marvel crossover event that, like many other recent comic book events, had heroes fight other heroes. In this case, the {{w|Avengers (comics)|Avengers}} and the {{w|X-Men}} fought over the {{w|Phoenix Force (comics)|Phoenix Force}}, a godlike power that often possesses {{w|Jean Grey}} or her descendants (in this case, her alternate universe daughter Hope Summers). The Avengers believed the Phoenix Force is too powerful for humanity to control and wanted to contain it, while the X-Men believed the Phoenix was the messiah for mutants and could fix all of the Earth's problems.<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers || Wolverine ''has'' been an Avenger, in some circumstances. e.g. in the {{w|The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes}} cartoon series, the episode ''New Avengers'' had Wolverine (along with Spiderman, War Machine, The Thing and Luke Cage and Iron Fist) substitute while the 'original' Avengers were unavailable to deal with the current crisis (which of course included the fate of the 'proper' Avengers). However, in general his anti-authority personality makes him a difficult team-member to field, and he has frequently disassociated himself even from the X-Men. But, in Avengers vs. X-Men (see above) Wolverine ''sided'' with The Avengers, and more modern treatments have even included the character in about as much a permanent a membership of the group as Logan is ever likely to have.<br />
<br />
But if the question is about why Wolverine didn't appear in {{w|The Avengers (2012 film)|''The Avengers''}}, the answer is that ''The Avengers'' is being produced by Marvel/Disney, while Fox still has the rights to the X-Men and all Marvel mutants in general. Unless there is studio agreement, the two properties cannot cross, except through complicated machinations. For example, there are plans to bring Avengers mainstays Quicksilver and The Scarlet Witch to both the ''Avengers'' and ''X-Men'' franchises, but only the Fox films have the right to call them the children of Magneto, and Marvel/Disney cannot even identify them on-screen as "mutants".<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Psychic weak to Bug || In Pokémon, Pokémon of the psychic type (such as Mr. Mime) are weak to three types of attacks: Ghost, Dark, and Bug. The general theory is that Psychic Pokémon, relying heavily on their thoughts for attacks, are weak to fears (which ghosts, darkness, and bugs can be classified as).<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
:(This strip is a rectangular word cloud, titled 'Questions found in Google autocomplete'. Embedded in the cloud are 5 single panels, with illustrated questions. Questions are grouped by section and given in roughly columnar order for the horizontal text, followed by the vertical text. None of the questions have question marks. The comic links to a [http://xkcd.com/1256/large/ large version] of the word cloud.)<br />
<br />
;Title: Questions found in Google autocomplete<br />
<br />
;The single panels<br />
:[We see Cueball from the torso up, with arms outstretched.]<br />
:Cueball: Why aren't my arms growing<br />
:[Megan stands with a grey ghost on either side of her.]<br />
:Megan: Why are there ghosts<br />
:[Beret Guy stands, looking at a squirrel.]<br />
:Beret Guy: Why are there squirrels<br />
:[Cueball stands.]<br />
:Cueball: Why is sex so important<br />
:[We see Ponytail from the torso up.]<br />
:Ponytail: Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter<br />
<br />
;Section one<br />
:Why do whales jump<br />
:{{w|Wizard of Oz|Why are witches green}}<br />
:Why are there mirrors above beds<br />
:[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/06/the_odd_body_language_fillers/ Why do I say Uh]<br />
:Why is sea salt better<br />
:Why are there trees in the middle of fields<br />
:Why is there not a Pokemon MMO<br />
:{{w|Laugh_track|Why is there laughing in TV shows}}<br />
:Why are there doors on the freeway<br />
:{{w|svchost.exe|Why are there so many svchost.exe running}}<br />
:Why aren't there any countries in Antarctica<br />
:Why are there scary sounds in Minecraft<br />
:[http://www.webmd.com/baby/fetal-movement-feeling-baby-kick Why is there kicking in my stomach]<br />
:[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1220286/Sir-Tim-Berners-Lee-admits-forward-slashes-web-address-mistake.html Why are there two slashes after http]<br />
:Why are there celebrities<br />
:Why do snakes exist<br />
:{{w|Pearl#Creation_of_a_pearl|Why do oysters have pearls}}<br />
:{{w|Duck#Etymology|Why are ducks called ducks}}<br />
:Why do they call it the clap<br />
:Why are Kyle and Cartman friends<br />
:{{w|Avatar: The Last Airbender#Characters|Why is there an arrow on Aang's head}}<br />
:Why are text messages blue<br />
:Why are there mustaches on clothes<br />
:Why are there mustaches on cars<br />
:Why are there mustaches everywhere<br />
:Why are there so many birds in Ohio<br />
:Why is there so much rain in Ohio<br />
:{{w|Lake-effect snow|Why is Ohio weather so weird}}<br />
<br />
;Section two<br />
:{{w|Bicycle_frame#Step-through|Why are there male and female bikes}}<br />
:{{w|Bridesmaid#Origin and history|Why are there bridesmaids}}<br />
:Why do dying people reach up<br />
:Why aren't there varicose arteries<br />
:{{w|Klingon#Redesign|Why are old Klingons different}}<br />
:Why is programming so hard<br />
:{{w|Zero-ohm_link|Why is there a 0 Ohm resistor}}<br />
:Why do Americans hate soccer<br />
:Why do rhymes sound good<br />
:Why do trees die<br />
:Why is there no sound on CNN<br />
:Why aren't Pokemon real<br />
:{{w|Terminal ballistics|Why aren't bullets sharp}}<br />
:Why do dreams seem so real<br />
<br />
;Section three<br />
:{{w|Cremaster_muscle|Why do testicles move}}<br />
:Why are there psychics<br />
:Why are hats so expensive<br />
:[http://supplement-geek.com/caffeine-hair-loss-thicker-fuller-hai/ Why is there caffeine in my shampoo]<br />
:{{w|Mastodynia|Why do your boobs hurt}}<br />
<br />
;Section four<br />
:Why aren't economists rich<br />
:[http://www.alsintl.com/blog/soccer-vs-football/ Why do Americans call it soccer]<br />
:{{w|Tinnitus|Why are my ears ringing}}<br />
:Why are there so many Avengers<br />
:Why are the Avengers fighting the X-Men<br />
:Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers<br />
<br />
;Section five<br />
:Why are there ants in my laptop<br />
:Why is Earth tilted<br />
:{{w|Olbers' paradox|Why is space black}}<br />
:Why is outer space so cold<br />
:Why are there pyramids on the Moon<br />
:Why is NASA shutting down<br />
<br />
;Section six<br />
:Why are there tiny spiders in my house<br />
:[http://www.burkemuseum.org/spidermyth/myths/comein.html Why do spiders come inside]<br />
:Why are there huge spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there lots of spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there spiders in my room<br />
:Why are there so many spiders in my room<br />
:Why do spider bites itch<br />
:Why is dying so scary<br />
<br />
;Section seven<br />
:Why is there no GPS in laptops<br />
:[http://www.md-health.com/Knee-Clicking.html Why do knees click]<br />
:[http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2010/08/e_is_for_fail.html Why aren't there E grades]<br />
:Why is isolation bad<br />
:Why do boys like me<br />
:Why don't boys like me<br />
:Why is there always a Java update<br />
:Why are there red dots on my thighs<br />
:Why is lying good<br />
<br />
;Section eight<br />
:{{w|The Bible and slavery|Why are there slaves in The Bible}}<br />
:[http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/11/04/1234875.htm Why do twins have different fingerprints]<br />
:Why are Americans afraid of dragons<br />
<br />
;Section nine<br />
:Why are there swarms of gnats<br />
:[http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-phlegm.htm Why is there phlegm]<br />
<br />
;Section ten<br />
:Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN<br />
:[http://pokemon.wikia.com/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Types Why is Psychic weak to Bug]<br />
:Why do children get cancer<br />
:Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus<br />
:Why is there ice in space<br />
<br />
;Section eleven<br />
:Why is there an owl in my backyard<br />
:Why is there an owl outside my window<br />
:[http://goodreasonblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/is-there-owl-on-american-dollar-bill.html Why is there an owl on the dollar bill]<br />
:Why do owls attack people<br />
:{{w|2008–13 United States ammunition shortage|Why are AK47s so expensive}}<br />
<br />
;Section twelve<br />
:Why are there helicopters circling my house<br />
:Why are there gods<br />
:Why are there two Spocks<br />
<br />
;Section thirteen<br />
:Why is Mt Vesuvius there<br />
:Why do they say T Minus<br />
:Why are there obelisks<br />
:Why are wrestlers always wet<br />
:Why are oceans becoming more acidic<br />
:Why is Arwen dying<br />
:Why aren't my quail laying eggs<br />
:Why aren't my quail eggs hatching<br />
:Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America<br />
<br />
;Section fourteen<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is https crossed out in red]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a line through https]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a red line through https on Facebook]<br />
:[[wikipedia:HTTP_Secure | Why is https important]]<br />
<br />
;Section fifteen<br />
:Why are my boobs itchy<br />
:Why are cigarettes legal<br />
:Why are the ducks in my pool<br />
:{{w|Race and appearance of Jesus|Why is Jesus white}}<br />
:Why is there liquid in my ear<br />
:Why do Q Tips feel good<br />
:Why do good people die<br />
:[http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Ultrasound-scan/Pages/introduction.aspx Why are ultrasounds important]<br />
:Why are ultrasound machines expensive<br />
:Why is stealing wrong<br />
<br />
;Vertical questions<br />
:(The following are vertical.)<br />
:Why is there Hell if God forgives<br />
:Why aren't there dinosaur ghosts<br />
:Why do iguanas die<br />
:[http://gis.stackexchange.com/a/17546 Why is GPS free]<br />
:Why are trees tall<br />
:[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?285504-Why-can-Mr-Mime-be-female Why are there female Mr Mimes]<br />
:Why is there lava<br />
:Why is {{w|YKK Group|YKK}} on all zippers<br />
:Why is life so boring<br />
:{{w|Dizziness|Why do I feel dizzy}}<br />
:{{w|Seven-day_week#Origins|Why are there weeks}}<br />
:[http://www.dogsonly.org/stormfear.html Why are dogs afraid of fireworks]<br />
:Why is there no king in England<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:LOTR]]<br />
[[Category:Pokémon]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1256:_Questions&diff=499271256: Questions2013-10-02T18:39:19Z<p>Asym: /* Transcript */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1256<br />
| date = August 26, 2013<br />
| title = Questions<br />
| image = questions.png<br />
| titletext = To whoever typed 'why is arwen dying': GOOD. FUCKING. QUESTION.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
{{w|Google}}, a rather popular internet search engine, has a feature known as [https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/106230?hl=en autocomplete] that guesses at search queries before they are fully typed out. These guesses are generally made based on popular searches by other people. From time to time, a particularly strange or hilarious one may be found, as is evidenced in this comic.<br />
<br />
All of the questions in the comic are "why" questions, so many of them are predicated on false assumptions, such as "Why are there pyramids on the moon".<br />
<br />
Regarding the title text: in the Peter Jackson films of {{w|The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy}}, Arwen becomes sickly for unspecified reasons as the plot advances, apparently giving Aragorn a more personal reason to fight. The only explanation given is by Elrond, who says "As Sauron's power grows, her [Arwen's] strength wanes." (This subplot is entirely absent from the {{w|The Lord of the Rings|original novels}}.)<br />
<br />
From [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/faq#.2.1.21 IMDB]: <br /><blockquote><br />
Arwen, like her father (and brothers) is considered to be a Half-Elf, the result of a union between an Elf and a mortal human. The Half-Elven of Middle-earth get a choice, to remain immortal and return to the West (Valinor) or to become mortal and to die as humans do. Elrond chose to remain an Elf. Arwen (like her uncle Elros) chooses to become mortal in order to wed and remain with Aragorn. Elrond senses this; this is what he means when he says that Arwen is dying. It is the same as in The Last Unicorn, when the unicorn is given the form of a human woman and can feel that she is no longer immortal ("I can feel this body dying all around me"). According to Tolkien, though, after Aragorn dies in the year 120 (Fourth Age), Arwen returns to Lórien, where she dies by choice the following winter. </blockquote><br />
<br />
;Selected answers<br />
(Some questions in the transcript are linked to their answers.)<br />
{| class ="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
!style="width:20%;"|Question !! Possible answer<br />
|-<br />
| Why is there not a Pokémon MMO? || {{w|Pokémon}} is a popular franchise, spanning game consoles, anime series, a trading card game, and many other things. Among fans, it is a frequent topic of discussion why a Pokémon {{w|massively multiplayer online game}} has not been officially announced by the series' developers {{w|Game Freak}}, as they often [http://www.dorkly.com/comic/52546/be-careful-what-you-wish-for predict] that such a game would be extremely popular, and bring in massive revenue for the company.<br />
|-<br />
|Why is there laughing in TV shows? || Sitcoms were once filmed with an audience, so the actors could respond to their reactions. That's the historical reason why there were laughs in TV shows. The tradition continues, with the difference that now the laughter mostly comes from {{w|Laugh track|recorded tapes}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are ducks called ducks? || {{W|wikt:duck|According to Wiktionary}}, the noun ''duck'' can be traced back to the {{w|Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic}} word {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Germanic/dūkaną|''dūkaną''}} ("to dive, bend down"), and, in turn, the {{w|Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European}} {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Indo-European/dʰewb-|''dʰewb-''}} ("deep, hollow"), which is the origin of the verb ''to duck''. The link between the noun and the verb comes from ducks' tendency to dive under water for short periods of time.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there male and female bikes? || {{w|bicycle|From Wikipedia}}: <blockquote>Historically, women's bicycle frames had a top tube that connected in the middle of the seat tube instead of the top, resulting in a lower {{w|Frame geometry|standover height}} at the expense of compromised structural integrity, since this places a strong bending load in the seat tube, and bicycle frame members are typically weak in bending. This design, referred to as a '''''{{w|step-through frame}}''''' or as an ''open frame'', allows the rider to mount and dismount in a dignified way while wearing a skirt or dress.</blockquote><br />
|-<br />
| Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus? || {{w|Poseidon}} was the patron deity of the city of {{w|Troy}}, which after a 10 years siege by the Greeks fell due to {{w|Odysseus}}' list of the {{w|Trojan_Horse|Trojan horse}}. As the Greeks were returning home, Poseidon cursed Odysseus' ship to prevent him from reaching his home in {{W|Ithaca}}. The adventures which Odysseus encounters during his quest for reaching Ithaca are the main theme of {{w|Homer|Homer's}} {{w|Odyssey}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there two Spocks? || This is probably a reference to the {{w|Star_Trek_(film)|2009 Star Trek movie}} in which the franchise was given a {{w|Reboot_(fiction)|continuity reboot}}. The modified setting is explained in-universe by time travel, with both the villain Nero and the original-timeline Spock being brought back from the 24th century to the 23rd, creating a timeline in which both older Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) and the younger Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) coexist.<br />
<br />
Another possibility is that the question refers to the episode {{w|Mirror,_Mirror_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)|"Mirror, Mirror"}}, which mostly takes place in an alternate universe populated by ruthless versions of most of the characters (including Spock).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America? || ''Further information: {{w|United States military deployments}}''<p>This is a very interesting question, albeit one likely based on a regional misunderstanding. Presumably, this question is asked by Americans who assume that the existence of {{w|Category:Military facilities of the United States by country|U.S. military bases abroad}} is a general trend among countries, as opposed to being the rarity that it is. In fact, {{w|List of countries with overseas military bases|only a handful of other countries}} have military bases outside of their borders, and the three&mdash;{{w|France}}, the {{w|United Kingdom}}, and {{w|Russia}}&mdash;that have more than one or two are all countries that, like the United States, {{w|Allies of World War II|were on the winning side of World War II}}, have {{w|List of countries by military expenditures|massive military expenditures}}, and have {{w|United Nations Security Council veto power|UN Security Council vetoes}}. In other words, only the most militarily elite countries have bases overseas. The U.S. is unique, however, in that it has far more overseas bases than any other country (and, pretty much, far more of anything else than any other country, when it comes to the military), and in that {{w|List of United States military bases|it has bases in several other highly-industrialized nations}}, including {{w|List of United States Army installations in South Korea|South Korea}} and the United Kingdom, and, most notably, the World War II {{w|Axis powers}}: {{w|List of United States Army installations in Germany|Germany}}, {{w|United States Forces Japan|Japan}}, and {{w|List of United States Army installations in Italy|Italy}}. (France, Russia, and the U.K.'s bases, on the other hand, are almost all within areas that they previously controlled.)</p><p>These bases can be controversial in some countries, while in others they are a major source of economic and political stability. The U.S. traditionally justifies their presence as a necessary and crucial element in its efforts to promote peace domestically and worldwide. Despite their major role in {{w|U.S. foreign policy}}, and in the general political structure of the globe, the American public often largely ignores them, and they rarely become a major political issue (apart from an occasional mention by {{w|Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian presidential candidates}}).</p><p>So, essentially, the absence of foreign military bases within the U.S. is primarily because there aren't really any other countries in a position to place bases there. Furthermore, such bases wouldn't do much good, as no battles have been fought within the U.S. since the {{w|U.S. Civil War}} and the U.S. mainland has seen {{w|Mainland invasion of the United States|almost no military action}}. (The {{w|attack on Pearl Harbor}} in 1941 was 18 years before Hawaii became a U.S. state.)</p><p>There are, however, foreign troops stationed at some continental US military bases. For example RAF (British Royal Air Force) 39 Sqn and 361 Sqn at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada flying Reaper and Predator drones. But this are not foreign military bases, they are just guests.</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why is there no king in England? || ''Note: For simplicity's sake, "England" here is being read as "United Kingdom." The various name changes, mergers, and splits of kingdoms are complicated.''<p>The basis for this question is that for the past several hundred years, there has almost always been a queen in England, the sole exceptions being when the king has not had a wife. However, there is a distinction between being the queen of England (that is to say, {{w|List of British monarchs|a monarch}}) and being the {{w|queen consort|queen ''consort''}} of England: The former refers to a woman who {{w|Succession to the British throne|succeeded to the throne}} in her own right, becoming sovereign, while the latter refers to the wife of the king. Both roles, though, are commonly referred to as "Queen of England," creating the impression that there is always such a person. The logical question, therefore, is why {{w|Elizabeth II}}'s husband, {{w|Prince Philip|Philip}}, is not considered the king of England. The answer lies in Britain's system of {{w|male-preference cognatic primogeniture}}, which causes the monarch of England to usually be a man, not a woman. As a result of this, British laws were generally built around the presumption that the monarch would be a man (and that said man would be married to a woman, [[223: Valentine's Day|comic 223]] be damned). Since the creation of the modern British throne in 1707, only two women have reigned as queen in their own right; it just so happens that these two women have been two of the most famous and longest-reigning monarchs in world history, {{w|Queen Victoria}} and Queen Elizabeth II. This fact may add to people's enhanced perception of the lack of a British king. Victoria and Elizabeth's respective consorts, {{w|Albert, Prince Consort|Albert}} and Philip, have been styled as princes&mdash;Albert as {{w|Prince Consort}} and Philip as "{{w|British prince|Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland}}." Both were explicitly granted their titles by their wives, though Albert was already a prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Philip had previously been a prince of Denmark and Greece, but had renounced both titles before marrying Elizabeth.</p><p>The title {{w|king consort}} also exists, but has never been used in the United Kingdom.</p><p>Notably, should {{w|Prince Charles}} succeed to his mother's throne, it has been announced that his wife, {{w|Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Camilla}}, will be styled as {{w|princess consort}}, ''not'' as queen consort, just as she has declined the title {{w|Princess of Wales}}, which is strongly associated with Charles's first wife, {{w|Princess Diana|Diana}}. Assuming that Charles succeeds, this means that Britain will not have anyone referred to as "queen," after decades of not having anyone referred to as "king."</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why are there female Mr. Mimes? || {{w|Mr. Mime}} is a Pokémon introduced in the first generation of the games, and despite its name, it can be either of a male or female gender. As the Pokémon was introduced before the concept of [http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gender gender in Pokémon games], it is likely that the people in charge of translating its Japanese name (Barrierd) did not take this into account during the process. <br />
|-<br />
| Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN || From a Minnesota Paper, [http://www.startribune.com/local/138902104.html the Star Tribune], "Laws prevent the city from poisoning the crows". "Duffy [Steve Duffy, a co-owner of U.S. Bird Abatement Services, which has contracted with Rochester to get rid of the crows] isn't sure why Rochester has such a bad crow problem; probably a confluence of many bird-friendly conditions that has also made it a magnet for geese. He's seen worse cases, but called Rochester's situation 'hideous.'" And best of all, "The city has twice this winter hired experts to chase them off. They tried lasers and bullhorns -- hey, get out of here, you crows -- and even employed raptors to pick them off, one by one. That worked, for awhile." (Unfortunately, they mean a {{w|bird of prey}}, not a {{w|velociraptor}}).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter || In the {{w|Harry Potter}} universe, Muggle technology (human inventions) are often looked down on by wizards - the majority of half-blooded wizards like Harry won't touch one, let alone a wizard extremist like {{w|Voldemort}}. Not only does any Muggle device more complex than a wristwatch interfere with magical artifacts, but wands are usually more versatile than most guns (a revolver can't shoot lightning or summon items or teleport its user). Finally, while Harry himself may or may not consider using firearms due to his muggle upbringing, ''Harry Potter'' is a children's book (which usually doesn't include guns) set in England (which has stricter gun laws than, say, the United States).<br />
|-<br />
| Why are the Avengers fighting the X Men || {{w|Avengers vs. X-Men}} was a 2012 Marvel crossover event that, like many other recent comic book events, had heroes fight other heroes. In this case, the {{w|Avengers (comics)|Avengers}} and the {{w|X-Men}} fought over the {{w|Phoenix Force (comics)|Phoenix Force}}, a godlike power that often possesses {{w|Jean Grey}} or her descendants (in this case, her alternate universe daughter Hope Summers). The Avengers believed the Phoenix Force is too powerful for humanity to control and wanted to contain it, while the X-Men believed the Phoenix was the messiah for mutants and could fix all of the Earth's problems.<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers || Wolverine ''has'' been an Avenger, in some circumstances. e.g. in the {{w|The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes}} cartoon series, the episode ''New Avengers'' had Wolverine (along with Spiderman, War Machine, The Thing and Luke Cage and Iron Fist) substitute while the 'original' Avengers were unavailable to deal with the current crisis (which of course included the fate of the 'proper' Avengers). However, in general his anti-authority personality makes him a difficult team-member to field, and he has frequently disassociated himself even from the X-Men. But, in Avengers vs. X-Men (see above) Wolverine ''sided'' with The Avengers, and more modern treatments have even included the character in about as much a permanent a membership of the group as Logan is ever likely to have.<br />
<br />
But if the question is about why Wolverine didn't appear in {{w|The Avengers (2012 film)|''The Avengers''}}, the answer is that ''The Avengers'' is being produced by Marvel/Disney, while Fox still has the rights to the X-Men and all Marvel mutants in general. Unless there is studio agreement, the two properties cannot cross, except through complicated machinations. For example, there are plans to bring Avengers mainstays Quicksilver and The Scarlet Witch to both the ''Avengers'' and ''X-Men'' franchises, but only the Fox films have the right to call them the children of Magneto, and Marvel/Disney cannot even identify them on-screen as "mutants".<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Psychic weak to Bug || In Pokémon, Pokémon of the psychic type (such as Mr. Mime) are weak to three types of attacks: Ghost, Dark, and Bug. The general theory is that Psychic Pokémon, relying heavily on their thoughts for attacks, are weak to fears (which ghosts, darkness, and bugs can be classified as).<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
:(This strip is a rectangular word cloud, titled 'Questions found in Google autocomplete'. Embedded in the cloud are 5 single panels, with illustrated questions. Questions are grouped by section and given in roughly columnar order for the horizontal text, followed by the vertical text. None of the questions have question marks. The comic links to a [http://xkcd.com/1256/large/ large version] of the word cloud.)<br />
<br />
;Title: Questions found in Google autocomplete<br />
<br />
;The single panels<br />
:[We see Cueball from the torso up, with arms outstretched.]<br />
:Cueball: Why aren't my arms growing<br />
:[Megan stands with a grey ghost on either side of her.]<br />
:Megan: Why are there ghosts<br />
:[Beret Guy stands, looking at a squirrel.]<br />
:Beret Guy: Why are there squirrels<br />
:[Cueball stands.]<br />
:Cueball: Why is sex so important<br />
:[We see Ponytail from the torso up.]<br />
:Ponytail: Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter<br />
<br />
;Section one<br />
:Why do whales jump<br />
:{{w|Wizard of Oz|Why are witches green}}<br />
:Why are there mirrors above beds<br />
:[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/06/the_odd_body_language_fillers/ Why do I say Uh]<br />
:Why is sea salt better<br />
:Why are there trees in the middle of fields<br />
:Why is there not a Pokemon MMO<br />
:{{w|Laugh_track|Why is there laughing in TV shows}}<br />
:Why are there doors on the freeway<br />
:{{w|svchost.exe|Why are there so many svchost.exe running}}<br />
:Why aren't there any countries in Antarctica<br />
:Why are there scary sounds in Minecraft<br />
:[http://www.webmd.com/baby/fetal-movement-feeling-baby-kick Why is there kicking in my stomach]<br />
:[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1220286/Sir-Tim-Berners-Lee-admits-forward-slashes-web-address-mistake.html Why are there two slashes after http]<br />
:Why are there celebrities<br />
:Why do snakes exist<br />
:{{w|Pearl#Creation_of_a_pearl|Why do oysters have pearls}}<br />
:{{w|Duck#Etymology|Why are ducks called ducks}}<br />
:Why do they call it the clap<br />
:Why are Kyle and Cartman friends<br />
:{{w|Avatar: The Last Airbender#Characters|Why is there an arrow on Aang's head}}<br />
:Why are text messages blue<br />
:Why are there mustaches on clothes<br />
:Why are there mustaches on cars<br />
:Why are there mustaches everywhere<br />
:Why are there so many birds in Ohio<br />
:Why is there so much rain in Ohio<br />
:{{w|Lake-effect snow|Why is Ohio weather so weird}}<br />
<br />
;Section two<br />
:{{w|Bicycle_frame#Step-through|Why are there male and female bikes}}<br />
:{{w|Bridesmaid#Origin and history|Why are there bridesmaids}}<br />
:Why do dying people reach up<br />
:Why aren't there varicose arteries<br />
:{{w|Klingon#Redesign|Why are old Klingons different}}<br />
:Why is programming so hard<br />
:{{w|Zero-ohm_link|Why is there a 0 Ohm resistor}}<br />
:Why do Americans hate soccer<br />
:Why do rhymes sound good<br />
:Why do trees die<br />
:Why is there no sound on CNN<br />
:Why aren't Pokemon real<br />
:{{w|Terminal ballistics|Why aren't bullets sharp}}<br />
:Why do dreams seem so real<br />
<br />
;Section three<br />
:{{w|Cremaster_muscle|Why do testicles move}}<br />
:Why are there psychics<br />
:Why are hats so expensive<br />
:[http://supplement-geek.com/caffeine-hair-loss-thicker-fuller-hai/ Why is there caffeine in my shampoo]<br />
:{{w|Mastodynia|Why do your boobs hurt}}<br />
<br />
;Section four<br />
:Why aren't economists rich<br />
:[http://www.alsintl.com/blog/soccer-vs-football/ Why do Americans call it soccer]<br />
:{{w|Tinnitus|Why are my ears ringing}}<br />
:Why are there so many Avengers<br />
:Why are the Avengers fighting the X-Men<br />
:Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers<br />
<br />
;Section five<br />
:Why are there ants in my laptop<br />
:Why is Earth tilted<br />
:{{w|Olbers' paradox|Why is space black}}<br />
:Why is outer space so cold<br />
:Why are there pyramids on the Moon<br />
:Why is NASA shutting down<br />
<br />
;Section six<br />
:Why are there tiny spiders in my house<br />
:[http://www.burkemuseum.org/spidermyth/myths/comein.html Why do spiders come inside]<br />
:Why are there huge spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there lots of spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there spiders in my room<br />
:Why are there so many spiders in my room<br />
:Why do spider bites itch<br />
:Why is dying so scary<br />
<br />
;Section seven<br />
:Why is there no GPS in laptops<br />
:[http://www.md-health.com/Knee-Clicking.html Why do knees click]<br />
:[http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2010/08/e_is_for_fail.html Why aren't there E grades]<br />
:Why is isolation bad<br />
:Why do boys like me<br />
:Why don't boys like me<br />
:Why is there always a Java update<br />
:Why are there red dots on my thighs<br />
:Why is lying good<br />
<br />
;Section eight<br />
:{{w|The Bible and slavery|Why are there slaves in The Bible}}<br />
:[http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/11/04/1234875.htm Why do twins have different fingerprints]<br />
:Why are Americans afraid of dragons<br />
<br />
;Section nine<br />
:Why are there swarms of gnats<br />
:[http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-phlegm.htm Why is there phlegm]<br />
<br />
;Section ten<br />
:Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN<br />
:[http://pokemon.wikia.com/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Types Why is Psychic weak to Bug]<br />
:Why do children get cancer<br />
:Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus<br />
:Why is there ice in space<br />
<br />
;Section eleven<br />
:Why is there an owl in my backyard<br />
:Why is there an owl outside my window<br />
:[http://goodreasonblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/is-there-owl-on-american-dollar-bill.html Why is there an owl on the dollar bill]<br />
:Why do owls attack people<br />
:{{w|2008–13 United States ammunition shortage|Why are AK47s so expensive}}<br />
<br />
;Section twelve<br />
:Why are there helicopters circling my house<br />
:Why are there gods<br />
:Why are there two Spocks<br />
<br />
;Section thirteen<br />
:Why is Mt Vesuvius there<br />
:Why do they say T Minus<br />
:Why are there obelisks<br />
:Why are wrestlers always wet<br />
:Why are oceans becoming more acidic<br />
:Why is Arwen dying<br />
:Why aren't my quail laying eggs<br />
:Why aren't my quail eggs hatching<br />
:Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America<br />
<br />
;Section fourteen<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is https crossed out in red]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a line through https]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a red line through https on Facebook]<br />
:[[wikipedia:HTTP_Secure | Why is https important]]<br />
<br />
;Section fifteen<br />
:Why are my boobs itchy<br />
:Why are cigarettes legal<br />
:Why are the ducks in my pool<br />
:{{w|Race and appearance of Jesus|Why is Jesus white}}<br />
:Why is there liquid in my ear<br />
:Why do Q Tips feel good<br />
:Why do good people die<br />
:[http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Ultrasound-scan/Pages/introduction.aspx Why are ultrasounds important]<br />
:Why are ultrasound machines expensive<br />
:Why is stealing wrong<br />
<br />
;Vertical questions<br />
:(The following are vertical.)<br />
:Why is there Hell if God forgives<br />
:Why aren't there dinosaur ghosts<br />
:Why do iguanas die<br />
:[http://gis.stackexchange.com/a/17546 Why is GPS free]<br />
:Why are trees tall<br />
:[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?285504-Why-can-Mr-Mime-be-female Why are there female Mr Mimes]<br />
:Why is there lava<br />
:Why is {{w|YKK Group|YKK}} on all zippers<br />
:Why is life so boring<br />
:Why do I feel dizzy<br />
:{{w|Seven-day_week#Origins|Why are there weeks}}<br />
:[http://www.dogsonly.org/stormfear.html Why are dogs afraid of fireworks]<br />
:Why is there no king in England<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:LOTR]]<br />
[[Category:Pokémon]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1256:_Questions&diff=498571256: Questions2013-10-01T09:38:54Z<p>Asym: /* Transcript */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1256<br />
| date = August 26, 2013<br />
| title = Questions<br />
| image = questions.png<br />
| titletext = To whoever typed 'why is arwen dying': GOOD. FUCKING. QUESTION.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
{{w|Google}}, a rather popular internet search engine, has a feature known as [https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/106230?hl=en autocomplete] that guesses at search queries before they are fully typed out. These guesses are generally made based on popular searches by other people. From time to time, a particularly strange or hilarious one may be found, as is evidenced in this comic.<br />
<br />
All of the questions in the comic are "why" questions, so many of them are predicated on false assumptions, such as "Why are there pyramids on the moon".<br />
<br />
Regarding the title text: in the Peter Jackson films of {{w|The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy}}, Arwen becomes sickly for unspecified reasons as the plot advances, apparently giving Aragorn a more personal reason to fight. The only explanation given is by Elrond, who says "As Sauron's power grows, her [Arwen's] strength wanes." (This subplot is entirely absent from the {{w|The Lord of the Rings|original novels}}.)<br />
<br />
From [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/faq#.2.1.21 IMDB]: <br /><blockquote><br />
Arwen, like her father (and brothers) is considered to be a Half-Elf, the result of a union between an Elf and a mortal human. The Half-Elven of Middle-earth get a choice, to remain immortal and return to the West (Valinor) or to become mortal and to die as humans do. Elrond chose to remain an Elf. Arwen (like her uncle Elros) chooses to become mortal in order to wed and remain with Aragorn. Elrond senses this; this is what he means when he says that Arwen is dying. It is the same as in The Last Unicorn, when the unicorn is given the form of a human woman and can feel that she is no longer immortal ("I can feel this body dying all around me"). According to Tolkien, though, after Aragorn dies in the year 120 (Fourth Age), Arwen returns to Lórien, where she dies by choice the following winter. </blockquote><br />
<br />
;Selected answers<br />
(Some questions in the transcript are linked to their answers.)<br />
{| class ="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
!style="width:20%;"|Question !! Possible answer<br />
|-<br />
| Why is there not a Pokémon MMO? || {{w|Pokémon}} is a popular franchise, spanning game consoles, anime series, a trading card game, and many other things. Among fans, it is a frequent topic of discussion why a Pokémon {{w|massively multiplayer online game}} has not been officially announced by the series' developers {{w|Game Freak}}, as they often [http://www.dorkly.com/comic/52546/be-careful-what-you-wish-for predict] that such a game would be extremely popular, and bring in massive revenue for the company.<br />
|-<br />
|Why is there laughing in TV shows? || Sitcoms were once filmed with an audience, so the actors could respond to their reactions. That's the historical reason why there were laughs in TV shows. The tradition continues, with the difference that now the laughter mostly comes from {{w|Laugh track|recorded tapes}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are ducks called ducks? || {{W|wikt:duck|According to Wiktionary}}, the noun ''duck'' can be traced back to the {{w|Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic}} word {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Germanic/dūkaną|''dūkaną''}} ("to dive, bend down"), and, in turn, the {{w|Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European}} {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Indo-European/dʰewb-|''dʰewb-''}} ("deep, hollow"), which is the origin of the verb ''to duck''. The link between the noun and the verb comes from ducks' tendency to dive under water for short periods of time.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there male and female bikes? || {{w|bicycle|From Wikipedia}}: <blockquote>Historically, women's bicycle frames had a top tube that connected in the middle of the seat tube instead of the top, resulting in a lower {{w|Frame geometry|standover height}} at the expense of compromised structural integrity, since this places a strong bending load in the seat tube, and bicycle frame members are typically weak in bending. This design, referred to as a '''''{{w|step-through frame}}''''' or as an ''open frame'', allows the rider to mount and dismount in a dignified way while wearing a skirt or dress.</blockquote><br />
|-<br />
| Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus? || {{w|Poseidon}} was the patron deity of the city of {{w|Troy}}, which after a 10 years siege by the Greeks fell due to {{w|Odysseus}}' list of the {{w|Trojan_Horse|Trojan horse}}. As the Greeks were returning home, Poseidon cursed Odysseus' ship to prevent him from reaching his home in {{W|Ithaca}}. The adventures which Odysseus encounters during his quest for reaching Ithaca are the main theme of {{w|Homer|Homer's}} {{w|Odyssey}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there two Spocks? || This is probably a reference to the {{w|Star_Trek_(film)|2009 Star Trek movie}} in which the franchise was given a {{w|Reboot_(fiction)|continuity reboot}}. The modified setting is explained in-universe by time travel, with both the villain Nero and the original-timeline Spock being brought back from the 24th century to the 23rd, creating a timeline in which both older Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) and the younger Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) coexist.<br />
<br />
Another possibility is that the question refers to the episode {{w|Mirror,_Mirror_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)|"Mirror, Mirror"}}, which mostly takes place in an alternate universe populated by ruthless versions of most of the characters (including Spock).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America? || ''Further information: {{w|United States military deployments}}''<p>This is a very interesting question, albeit one likely based on a regional misunderstanding. Presumably, this question is asked by Americans who assume that the existence of {{w|Category:Military facilities of the United States by country|U.S. military bases abroad}} is a general trend among countries, as opposed to being the rarity that it is. In fact, {{w|List of countries with overseas military bases|only a handful of other countries}} have military bases outside of their borders, and the three&mdash;{{w|France}}, the {{w|United Kingdom}}, and {{w|Russia}}&mdash;that have more than one or two are all countries that, like the United States, {{w|Allies of World War II|were on the winning side of World War II}}, have {{w|List of countries by military expenditures|massive military expenditures}}, and have {{w|United Nations Security Council veto power|UN Security Council vetoes}}. In other words, only the most militarily elite countries have bases overseas. The U.S. is unique, however, in that it has far more overseas bases than any other country (and, pretty much, far more of anything else than any other country, when it comes to the military), and in that {{w|List of United States military bases|it has bases in several other highly-industrialized nations}}, including {{w|List of United States Army installations in South Korea|South Korea}} and the United Kingdom, and, most notably, the World War II {{w|Axis powers}}: {{w|List of United States Army installations in Germany|Germany}}, {{w|United States Forces Japan|Japan}}, and {{w|List of United States Army installations in Italy|Italy}}. (France, Russia, and the U.K.'s bases, on the other hand, are almost all within areas that they previously controlled.)</p><p>These bases can be controversial in some countries, while in others they are a major source of economic and political stability. The U.S. traditionally justifies their presence as a necessary and crucial element in its efforts to promote peace domestically and worldwide. Despite their major role in {{w|U.S. foreign policy}}, and in the general political structure of the globe, the American public often largely ignores them, and they rarely become a major political issue (apart from an occasional mention by {{w|Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian presidential candidates}}).</p><p>So, essentially, the absence of foreign military bases within the U.S. is primarily because there aren't really any other countries in a position to place bases there. Furthermore, such bases wouldn't do much good, as no battles have been fought within the U.S. since the {{w|U.S. Civil War}} and the U.S. mainland has seen {{w|Mainland invasion of the United States|almost no military action}}. (The {{w|attack on Pearl Harbor}} in 1941 was 18 years before Hawaii became a U.S. state.)</p><p>There are, however, foreign troops stationed at some continental US military bases. For example RAF (British Royal Air Force) 39 Sqn and 361 Sqn at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada flying Reaper and Predator drones. But this are not foreign military bases, they are just guests.</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why is there no king in England? || ''Note: For simplicity's sake, "England" here is being read as "United Kingdom." The various name changes, mergers, and splits of kingdoms are complicated.''<p>The basis for this question is that for the past several hundred years, there has almost always been a queen in England, the sole exceptions being when the king has not had a wife. However, there is a distinction between being the queen of England (that is to say, {{w|List of British monarchs|a monarch}}) and being the {{w|queen consort|queen ''consort''}} of England: The former refers to a woman who {{w|Succession to the British throne|succeeded to the throne}} in her own right, becoming sovereign, while the latter refers to the wife of the king. Both roles, though, are commonly referred to as "Queen of England," creating the impression that there is always such a person. The logical question, therefore, is why {{w|Elizabeth II}}'s husband, {{w|Prince Philip|Philip}}, is not considered the king of England. The answer lies in Britain's system of {{w|male-preference cognatic primogeniture}}, which causes the monarch of England to usually be a man, not a woman. As a result of this, British laws were generally built around the presumption that the monarch would be a man (and that said man would be married to a woman, [[223: Valentine's Day|comic 223]] be damned). Since the creation of the modern British throne in 1707, only two women have reigned as queen in their own right; it just so happens that these two women have been two of the most famous and longest-reigning monarchs in world history, {{w|Queen Victoria}} and Queen Elizabeth II. This fact may add to people's enhanced perception of the lack of a British king. Victoria and Elizabeth's respective consorts, {{w|Albert, Prince Consort|Albert}} and Philip, have been styled as princes&mdash;Albert as {{w|Prince Consort}} and Philip as "{{w|British prince|Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland}}." Both were explicitly granted their titles by their wives, though Albert was already a prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Philip had previously been a prince of Denmark and Greece, but had renounced both titles before marrying Elizabeth.</p><p>The title {{w|king consort}} also exists, but has never been used in the United Kingdom.</p><p>Notably, should {{w|Prince Charles}} succeed to his mother's throne, it has been announced that his wife, {{w|Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Camilla}}, will be styled as {{w|princess consort}}, ''not'' as queen consort, just as she has declined the title {{w|Princess of Wales}}, which is strongly associated with Charles's first wife, {{w|Princess Diana|Diana}}. Assuming that Charles succeeds, this means that Britain will not have anyone referred to as "queen," after decades of not having anyone referred to as "king."</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why are there female Mr. Mimes? || {{w|Mr. Mime}} is a Pokémon introduced in the first generation of the games, and despite its name, it can be either of a male or female gender. As the Pokémon was introduced before the concept of [http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gender gender in Pokémon games], it is likely that the people in charge of translating its Japanese name (Barrierd) did not take this into account during the process. <br />
|-<br />
| Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN || From a Minnesota Paper, [http://www.startribune.com/local/138902104.html the Star Tribune], "Laws prevent the city from poisoning the crows". "Duffy [Steve Duffy, a co-owner of U.S. Bird Abatement Services, which has contracted with Rochester to get rid of the crows] isn't sure why Rochester has such a bad crow problem; probably a confluence of many bird-friendly conditions that has also made it a magnet for geese. He's seen worse cases, but called Rochester's situation 'hideous.'" And best of all, "The city has twice this winter hired experts to chase them off. They tried lasers and bullhorns -- hey, get out of here, you crows -- and even employed raptors to pick them off, one by one. That worked, for awhile." (Unfortunately, they mean a {{w|bird of prey}}, not a {{w|velociraptor}}).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter || In the {{w|Harry Potter}} universe, Muggle technology (human inventions) are often looked down on by wizards - the majority of half-blooded wizards like Harry won't touch one, let alone a wizard extremist like {{w|Voldemort}}. Not only does any Muggle device more complex than a wristwatch interfere with magical artifacts, but wands are usually more versatile than most guns (a revolver can't shoot lightning or summon items or teleport its user). Finally, while Harry himself may or may not consider using firearms due to his muggle upbringing, ''Harry Potter'' is a children's book (which usually doesn't include guns) set in England (which has stricter gun laws than, say, the United States).<br />
|-<br />
| Why are the Avengers fighting the X Men || {{w|Avengers vs. X-Men}} was a 2012 Marvel crossover event that, like many other recent comic book events, had heroes fight other heroes. In this case, the {{w|Avengers (comics)|Avengers}} and the {{w|X-Men}} fought over the {{w|Phoenix Force (comics)|Phoenix Force}}, a godlike power that often possesses {{w|Jean Grey}} or her descendants (in this case, her alternate universe daughter Hope Summers). The Avengers believed the Phoenix Force is too powerful for humanity to control and wanted to contain it, while the X-Men believed the Phoenix was the messiah for mutants and could fix all of the Earth's problems.<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers || Wolverine ''has'' been an Avenger, in some circumstances. e.g. in the {{w|The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes}} cartoon series, the episode ''New Avengers'' had Wolverine (along with Spiderman, War Machine, The Thing and Luke Cage and Iron Fist) substitute while the 'original' Avengers were unavailable to deal with the current crisis (which of course included the fate of the 'proper' Avengers). However, in general his anti-authority personality makes him a difficult team-member to field, and he has frequently disassociated himself even from the X-Men. But, in Avengers vs. X-Men (see above) Wolverine ''sided'' with The Avengers, and more modern treatments have even included the character in about as much a permanent a membership of the group as Logan is ever likely to have.<br />
<br />
But if the question is about why Wolverine didn't appear in {{w|The Avengers (2012 film)|''The Avengers''}}, the answer is that ''The Avengers'' is being produced by Marvel/Disney, while Fox still has the rights to the X-Men and all Marvel mutants in general. Unless there is studio agreement, the two properties cannot cross, except through complicated machinations. For example, there are plans to bring Avengers mainstays Quicksilver and The Scarlet Witch to both the ''Avengers'' and ''X-Men'' franchises, but only the Fox films have the right to call them the children of Magneto, and Marvel/Disney cannot even identify them on-screen as "mutants".<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Psychic weak to Bug || In Pokémon, Pokémon of the psychic type (such as Mr. Mime) are weak to three types of attacks: Ghost, Dark, and Bug. The general theory is that Psychic Pokémon, relying heavily on their thoughts for attacks, are weak to fears (which ghosts, darkness, and bugs can be classified as).<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
:(This strip is a rectangular word cloud, titled 'Questions found in Google autocomplete'. Embedded in the cloud are 5 single panels, with illustrated questions. Questions are grouped by section and given in roughly columnar order for the horizontal text, followed by the vertical text. None of the questions have question marks. The comic links to a [http://xkcd.com/1256/large/ large version] of the word cloud.)<br />
<br />
;Title: Questions found in Google autocomplete<br />
<br />
;The single panels<br />
:[We see Cueball from the torso up, with arms outstretched.]<br />
:Cueball: Why aren't my arms growing<br />
:[Megan stands with a grey ghost on either side of her.]<br />
:Megan: Why are there ghosts<br />
:[Beret Guy stands, looking at a squirrel.]<br />
:Beret Guy: Why are there squirrels<br />
:[Cueball stands.]<br />
:Cueball: Why is sex so important<br />
:[We see Ponytail from the torso up.]<br />
:Ponytail: Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter<br />
<br />
;Section one<br />
:Why do whales jump<br />
:{{w|Wizard of Oz|Why are witches green}}<br />
:Why are there mirrors above beds<br />
:[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/06/the_odd_body_language_fillers/ Why do I say Uh]<br />
:Why is sea salt better<br />
:Why are there trees in the middle of fields<br />
:Why is there not a Pokemon MMO<br />
:{{w|Laugh_track|Why is there laughing in TV shows}}<br />
:Why are there doors on the freeway<br />
:{{w|svchost.exe|Why are there so many svchost.exe running}}<br />
:Why aren't there any countries in Antarctica<br />
:Why are there scary sounds in Minecraft<br />
:[http://www.webmd.com/baby/fetal-movement-feeling-baby-kick Why is there kicking in my stomach]<br />
:[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1220286/Sir-Tim-Berners-Lee-admits-forward-slashes-web-address-mistake.html Why are there two slashes after http]<br />
:Why are there celebrities<br />
:Why do snakes exist<br />
:{{w|Pearl#Creation_of_a_pearl|Why do oysters have pearls}}<br />
:{{w|Duck#Etymology|Why are ducks called ducks}}<br />
:Why do they call it the clap<br />
:Why are Kyle and Cartman friends<br />
:{{w|Avatar: The Last Airbender#Characters|Why is there an arrow on Aang's head}}<br />
:Why are text messages blue<br />
:Why are there mustaches on clothes<br />
:Why are there mustaches on cars<br />
:Why are there mustaches everywhere<br />
:Why are there so many birds in Ohio<br />
:Why is there so much rain in Ohio<br />
:{{w|Lake-effect snow|Why is Ohio weather so weird}}<br />
<br />
;Section two<br />
:{{w|Bicycle_frame#Step-through|Why are there male and female bikes}}<br />
:{{w|Bridesmaid#Origin and history|Why are there bridesmaids}}<br />
:Why do dying people reach up<br />
:Why aren't there varicose arteries<br />
:{{w|Klingon#Redesign|Why are old Klingons different}}<br />
:Why is programming so hard<br />
:{{w|Zero-ohm_link|Why is there a 0 Ohm resistor}}<br />
:Why do Americans hate soccer<br />
:Why do rhymes sound good<br />
:Why do trees die<br />
:Why is there no sound on CNN<br />
:Why aren't Pokemon real<br />
:{{w|Terminal ballistics|Why aren't bullets sharp}}<br />
:Why do dreams seem so real<br />
<br />
;Section three<br />
:{{w|Cremaster_muscle|Why do testicles move}}<br />
:Why are there psychics<br />
:Why are hats so expensive<br />
:[http://supplement-geek.com/caffeine-hair-loss-thicker-fuller-hai/ Why is there caffeine in my shampoo]<br />
:{{w|Mastodynia|Why do your boobs hurt}}<br />
<br />
;Section four<br />
:Why aren't economists rich<br />
:[http://www.alsintl.com/blog/soccer-vs-football/ Why do Americans call it soccer]<br />
:{{w|Tinnitus|Why are my ears ringing}}<br />
:Why are there so many Avengers<br />
:Why are the Avengers fighting the X-Men<br />
:Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers<br />
<br />
;Section five<br />
:Why are there ants in my laptop<br />
:Why is Earth tilted<br />
:{{w|Olbers' paradox|Why is space black}}<br />
:Why is outer space so cold<br />
:Why are there pyramids on the Moon<br />
:Why is NASA shutting down<br />
<br />
;Section six<br />
:Why are there tiny spiders in my house<br />
:[http://www.burkemuseum.org/spidermyth/myths/comein.html Why do spiders come inside]<br />
:Why are there huge spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there lots of spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there spiders in my room<br />
:Why are there so many spiders in my room<br />
:Why do spider bites itch<br />
:Why is dying so scary<br />
<br />
;Section seven<br />
:Why is there no GPS in laptops<br />
:[http://www.md-health.com/Knee-Clicking.html Why do knees click]<br />
:Why aren't there E grades<br />
:Why is isolation bad<br />
:Why do boys like me<br />
:Why don't boys like me<br />
:Why is there always a Java update<br />
:Why are there red dots on my thighs<br />
:Why is lying good<br />
<br />
;Section eight<br />
:{{w|The Bible and slavery|Why are there slaves in The Bible}}<br />
:[http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/11/04/1234875.htm Why do twins have different fingerprints]<br />
:Why are Americans afraid of dragons<br />
<br />
;Section nine<br />
:Why are there swarms of gnats<br />
:[http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-phlegm.htm Why is there phlegm]<br />
<br />
;Section ten<br />
:Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN<br />
:[http://pokemon.wikia.com/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Types Why is Psychic weak to Bug]<br />
:Why do children get cancer<br />
:Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus<br />
:Why is there ice in space<br />
<br />
;Section eleven<br />
:Why is there an owl in my backyard<br />
:Why is there an owl outside my window<br />
:[http://goodreasonblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/is-there-owl-on-american-dollar-bill.html Why is there an owl on the dollar bill]<br />
:Why do owls attack people<br />
:{{w|2008–13 United States ammunition shortage|Why are AK47s so expensive}}<br />
<br />
;Section twelve<br />
:Why are there helicopters circling my house<br />
:Why are there gods<br />
:Why are there two Spocks<br />
<br />
;Section thirteen<br />
:Why is Mt Vesuvius there<br />
:Why do they say T Minus<br />
:Why are there obelisks<br />
:Why are wrestlers always wet<br />
:Why are oceans becoming more acidic<br />
:Why is Arwen dying<br />
:Why aren't my quail laying eggs<br />
:Why aren't my quail eggs hatching<br />
:Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America<br />
<br />
;Section fourteen<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is https crossed out in red]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a line through https]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a red line through https on Facebook]<br />
:[[wikipedia:HTTP_Secure | Why is https important]]<br />
<br />
;Section fifteen<br />
:Why are my boobs itchy<br />
:Why are cigarettes legal<br />
:Why are the ducks in my pool<br />
:{{w|Race and appearance of Jesus|Why is Jesus white}}<br />
:Why is there liquid in my ear<br />
:Why do Q Tips feel good<br />
:Why do good people die<br />
:[http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Ultrasound-scan/Pages/introduction.aspx Why are ultrasounds important]<br />
:Why are ultrasound machines expensive<br />
:Why is stealing wrong<br />
<br />
;Vertical questions<br />
:(The following are vertical.)<br />
:Why is there Hell if God forgives<br />
:Why aren't there dinosaur ghosts<br />
:Why do iguanas die<br />
:[http://gis.stackexchange.com/a/17546 Why is GPS free]<br />
:Why are trees tall<br />
:[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?285504-Why-can-Mr-Mime-be-female Why are there female Mr Mimes]<br />
:Why is there lava<br />
:Why is {{w|YKK Group|YKK}} on all zippers<br />
:Why is life so boring<br />
:Why do I feel dizzy<br />
:{{w|Seven-day_week#Origins|Why are there weeks}}<br />
:[http://www.dogsonly.org/stormfear.html Why are dogs afraid of fireworks]<br />
:Why is there no king in England<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:LOTR]]<br />
[[Category:Pokémon]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1256:_Questions&diff=498561256: Questions2013-10-01T09:35:19Z<p>Asym: /* Transcript */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1256<br />
| date = August 26, 2013<br />
| title = Questions<br />
| image = questions.png<br />
| titletext = To whoever typed 'why is arwen dying': GOOD. FUCKING. QUESTION.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
{{w|Google}}, a rather popular internet search engine, has a feature known as [https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/106230?hl=en autocomplete] that guesses at search queries before they are fully typed out. These guesses are generally made based on popular searches by other people. From time to time, a particularly strange or hilarious one may be found, as is evidenced in this comic.<br />
<br />
All of the questions in the comic are "why" questions, so many of them are predicated on false assumptions, such as "Why are there pyramids on the moon".<br />
<br />
Regarding the title text: in the Peter Jackson films of {{w|The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy}}, Arwen becomes sickly for unspecified reasons as the plot advances, apparently giving Aragorn a more personal reason to fight. The only explanation given is by Elrond, who says "As Sauron's power grows, her [Arwen's] strength wanes." (This subplot is entirely absent from the {{w|The Lord of the Rings|original novels}}.)<br />
<br />
From [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/faq#.2.1.21 IMDB]: <br /><blockquote><br />
Arwen, like her father (and brothers) is considered to be a Half-Elf, the result of a union between an Elf and a mortal human. The Half-Elven of Middle-earth get a choice, to remain immortal and return to the West (Valinor) or to become mortal and to die as humans do. Elrond chose to remain an Elf. Arwen (like her uncle Elros) chooses to become mortal in order to wed and remain with Aragorn. Elrond senses this; this is what he means when he says that Arwen is dying. It is the same as in The Last Unicorn, when the unicorn is given the form of a human woman and can feel that she is no longer immortal ("I can feel this body dying all around me"). According to Tolkien, though, after Aragorn dies in the year 120 (Fourth Age), Arwen returns to Lórien, where she dies by choice the following winter. </blockquote><br />
<br />
;Selected answers<br />
(Some questions in the transcript are linked to their answers.)<br />
{| class ="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
!style="width:20%;"|Question !! Possible answer<br />
|-<br />
| Why is there not a Pokémon MMO? || {{w|Pokémon}} is a popular franchise, spanning game consoles, anime series, a trading card game, and many other things. Among fans, it is a frequent topic of discussion why a Pokémon {{w|massively multiplayer online game}} has not been officially announced by the series' developers {{w|Game Freak}}, as they often [http://www.dorkly.com/comic/52546/be-careful-what-you-wish-for predict] that such a game would be extremely popular, and bring in massive revenue for the company.<br />
|-<br />
|Why is there laughing in TV shows? || Sitcoms were once filmed with an audience, so the actors could respond to their reactions. That's the historical reason why there were laughs in TV shows. The tradition continues, with the difference that now the laughter mostly comes from {{w|Laugh track|recorded tapes}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are ducks called ducks? || {{W|wikt:duck|According to Wiktionary}}, the noun ''duck'' can be traced back to the {{w|Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic}} word {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Germanic/dūkaną|''dūkaną''}} ("to dive, bend down"), and, in turn, the {{w|Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European}} {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Indo-European/dʰewb-|''dʰewb-''}} ("deep, hollow"), which is the origin of the verb ''to duck''. The link between the noun and the verb comes from ducks' tendency to dive under water for short periods of time.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there male and female bikes? || {{w|bicycle|From Wikipedia}}: <blockquote>Historically, women's bicycle frames had a top tube that connected in the middle of the seat tube instead of the top, resulting in a lower {{w|Frame geometry|standover height}} at the expense of compromised structural integrity, since this places a strong bending load in the seat tube, and bicycle frame members are typically weak in bending. This design, referred to as a '''''{{w|step-through frame}}''''' or as an ''open frame'', allows the rider to mount and dismount in a dignified way while wearing a skirt or dress.</blockquote><br />
|-<br />
| Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus? || {{w|Poseidon}} was the patron deity of the city of {{w|Troy}}, which after a 10 years siege by the Greeks fell due to {{w|Odysseus}}' list of the {{w|Trojan_Horse|Trojan horse}}. As the Greeks were returning home, Poseidon cursed Odysseus' ship to prevent him from reaching his home in {{W|Ithaca}}. The adventures which Odysseus encounters during his quest for reaching Ithaca are the main theme of {{w|Homer|Homer's}} {{w|Odyssey}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there two Spocks? || This is probably a reference to the {{w|Star_Trek_(film)|2009 Star Trek movie}} in which the franchise was given a {{w|Reboot_(fiction)|continuity reboot}}. The modified setting is explained in-universe by time travel, with both the villain Nero and the original-timeline Spock being brought back from the 24th century to the 23rd, creating a timeline in which both older Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) and the younger Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) coexist.<br />
<br />
Another possibility is that the question refers to the episode {{w|Mirror,_Mirror_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)|"Mirror, Mirror"}}, which mostly takes place in an alternate universe populated by ruthless versions of most of the characters (including Spock).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America? || ''Further information: {{w|United States military deployments}}''<p>This is a very interesting question, albeit one likely based on a regional misunderstanding. Presumably, this question is asked by Americans who assume that the existence of {{w|Category:Military facilities of the United States by country|U.S. military bases abroad}} is a general trend among countries, as opposed to being the rarity that it is. In fact, {{w|List of countries with overseas military bases|only a handful of other countries}} have military bases outside of their borders, and the three&mdash;{{w|France}}, the {{w|United Kingdom}}, and {{w|Russia}}&mdash;that have more than one or two are all countries that, like the United States, {{w|Allies of World War II|were on the winning side of World War II}}, have {{w|List of countries by military expenditures|massive military expenditures}}, and have {{w|United Nations Security Council veto power|UN Security Council vetoes}}. In other words, only the most militarily elite countries have bases overseas. The U.S. is unique, however, in that it has far more overseas bases than any other country (and, pretty much, far more of anything else than any other country, when it comes to the military), and in that {{w|List of United States military bases|it has bases in several other highly-industrialized nations}}, including {{w|List of United States Army installations in South Korea|South Korea}} and the United Kingdom, and, most notably, the World War II {{w|Axis powers}}: {{w|List of United States Army installations in Germany|Germany}}, {{w|United States Forces Japan|Japan}}, and {{w|List of United States Army installations in Italy|Italy}}. (France, Russia, and the U.K.'s bases, on the other hand, are almost all within areas that they previously controlled.)</p><p>These bases can be controversial in some countries, while in others they are a major source of economic and political stability. The U.S. traditionally justifies their presence as a necessary and crucial element in its efforts to promote peace domestically and worldwide. Despite their major role in {{w|U.S. foreign policy}}, and in the general political structure of the globe, the American public often largely ignores them, and they rarely become a major political issue (apart from an occasional mention by {{w|Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian presidential candidates}}).</p><p>So, essentially, the absence of foreign military bases within the U.S. is primarily because there aren't really any other countries in a position to place bases there. Furthermore, such bases wouldn't do much good, as no battles have been fought within the U.S. since the {{w|U.S. Civil War}} and the U.S. mainland has seen {{w|Mainland invasion of the United States|almost no military action}}. (The {{w|attack on Pearl Harbor}} in 1941 was 18 years before Hawaii became a U.S. state.)</p><p>There are, however, foreign troops stationed at some continental US military bases. For example RAF (British Royal Air Force) 39 Sqn and 361 Sqn at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada flying Reaper and Predator drones. But this are not foreign military bases, they are just guests.</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why is there no king in England? || ''Note: For simplicity's sake, "England" here is being read as "United Kingdom." The various name changes, mergers, and splits of kingdoms are complicated.''<p>The basis for this question is that for the past several hundred years, there has almost always been a queen in England, the sole exceptions being when the king has not had a wife. However, there is a distinction between being the queen of England (that is to say, {{w|List of British monarchs|a monarch}}) and being the {{w|queen consort|queen ''consort''}} of England: The former refers to a woman who {{w|Succession to the British throne|succeeded to the throne}} in her own right, becoming sovereign, while the latter refers to the wife of the king. Both roles, though, are commonly referred to as "Queen of England," creating the impression that there is always such a person. The logical question, therefore, is why {{w|Elizabeth II}}'s husband, {{w|Prince Philip|Philip}}, is not considered the king of England. The answer lies in Britain's system of {{w|male-preference cognatic primogeniture}}, which causes the monarch of England to usually be a man, not a woman. As a result of this, British laws were generally built around the presumption that the monarch would be a man (and that said man would be married to a woman, [[223: Valentine's Day|comic 223]] be damned). Since the creation of the modern British throne in 1707, only two women have reigned as queen in their own right; it just so happens that these two women have been two of the most famous and longest-reigning monarchs in world history, {{w|Queen Victoria}} and Queen Elizabeth II. This fact may add to people's enhanced perception of the lack of a British king. Victoria and Elizabeth's respective consorts, {{w|Albert, Prince Consort|Albert}} and Philip, have been styled as princes&mdash;Albert as {{w|Prince Consort}} and Philip as "{{w|British prince|Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland}}." Both were explicitly granted their titles by their wives, though Albert was already a prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Philip had previously been a prince of Denmark and Greece, but had renounced both titles before marrying Elizabeth.</p><p>The title {{w|king consort}} also exists, but has never been used in the United Kingdom.</p><p>Notably, should {{w|Prince Charles}} succeed to his mother's throne, it has been announced that his wife, {{w|Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Camilla}}, will be styled as {{w|princess consort}}, ''not'' as queen consort, just as she has declined the title {{w|Princess of Wales}}, which is strongly associated with Charles's first wife, {{w|Princess Diana|Diana}}. Assuming that Charles succeeds, this means that Britain will not have anyone referred to as "queen," after decades of not having anyone referred to as "king."</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why are there female Mr. Mimes? || {{w|Mr. Mime}} is a Pokémon introduced in the first generation of the games, and despite its name, it can be either of a male or female gender. As the Pokémon was introduced before the concept of [http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gender gender in Pokémon games], it is likely that the people in charge of translating its Japanese name (Barrierd) did not take this into account during the process. <br />
|-<br />
| Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN || From a Minnesota Paper, [http://www.startribune.com/local/138902104.html the Star Tribune], "Laws prevent the city from poisoning the crows". "Duffy [Steve Duffy, a co-owner of U.S. Bird Abatement Services, which has contracted with Rochester to get rid of the crows] isn't sure why Rochester has such a bad crow problem; probably a confluence of many bird-friendly conditions that has also made it a magnet for geese. He's seen worse cases, but called Rochester's situation 'hideous.'" And best of all, "The city has twice this winter hired experts to chase them off. They tried lasers and bullhorns -- hey, get out of here, you crows -- and even employed raptors to pick them off, one by one. That worked, for awhile." (Unfortunately, they mean a {{w|bird of prey}}, not a {{w|velociraptor}}).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter || In the {{w|Harry Potter}} universe, Muggle technology (human inventions) are often looked down on by wizards - the majority of half-blooded wizards like Harry won't touch one, let alone a wizard extremist like {{w|Voldemort}}. Not only does any Muggle device more complex than a wristwatch interfere with magical artifacts, but wands are usually more versatile than most guns (a revolver can't shoot lightning or summon items or teleport its user). Finally, while Harry himself may or may not consider using firearms due to his muggle upbringing, ''Harry Potter'' is a children's book (which usually doesn't include guns) set in England (which has stricter gun laws than, say, the United States).<br />
|-<br />
| Why are the Avengers fighting the X Men || {{w|Avengers vs. X-Men}} was a 2012 Marvel crossover event that, like many other recent comic book events, had heroes fight other heroes. In this case, the {{w|Avengers (comics)|Avengers}} and the {{w|X-Men}} fought over the {{w|Phoenix Force (comics)|Phoenix Force}}, a godlike power that often possesses {{w|Jean Grey}} or her descendants (in this case, her alternate universe daughter Hope Summers). The Avengers believed the Phoenix Force is too powerful for humanity to control and wanted to contain it, while the X-Men believed the Phoenix was the messiah for mutants and could fix all of the Earth's problems.<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers || Wolverine ''has'' been an Avenger, in some circumstances. e.g. in the {{w|The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes}} cartoon series, the episode ''New Avengers'' had Wolverine (along with Spiderman, War Machine, The Thing and Luke Cage and Iron Fist) substitute while the 'original' Avengers were unavailable to deal with the current crisis (which of course included the fate of the 'proper' Avengers). However, in general his anti-authority personality makes him a difficult team-member to field, and he has frequently disassociated himself even from the X-Men. But, in Avengers vs. X-Men (see above) Wolverine ''sided'' with The Avengers, and more modern treatments have even included the character in about as much a permanent a membership of the group as Logan is ever likely to have.<br />
<br />
But if the question is about why Wolverine didn't appear in {{w|The Avengers (2012 film)|''The Avengers''}}, the answer is that ''The Avengers'' is being produced by Marvel/Disney, while Fox still has the rights to the X-Men and all Marvel mutants in general. Unless there is studio agreement, the two properties cannot cross, except through complicated machinations. For example, there are plans to bring Avengers mainstays Quicksilver and The Scarlet Witch to both the ''Avengers'' and ''X-Men'' franchises, but only the Fox films have the right to call them the children of Magneto, and Marvel/Disney cannot even identify them on-screen as "mutants".<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Psychic weak to Bug || In Pokémon, Pokémon of the psychic type (such as Mr. Mime) are weak to three types of attacks: Ghost, Dark, and Bug. The general theory is that Psychic Pokémon, relying heavily on their thoughts for attacks, are weak to fears (which ghosts, darkness, and bugs can be classified as).<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
:(This strip is a rectangular word cloud, titled 'Questions found in Google autocomplete'. Embedded in the cloud are 5 single panels, with illustrated questions. Questions are grouped by section and given in roughly columnar order for the horizontal text, followed by the vertical text. None of the questions have question marks. The comic links to a [http://xkcd.com/1256/large/ large version] of the word cloud.)<br />
<br />
;Title: Questions found in Google autocomplete<br />
<br />
;The single panels<br />
:[We see Cueball from the torso up, with arms outstretched.]<br />
:Cueball: Why aren't my arms growing<br />
:[Megan stands with a grey ghost on either side of her.]<br />
:Megan: Why are there ghosts<br />
:[Beret Guy stands, looking at a squirrel.]<br />
:Beret Guy: Why are there squirrels<br />
:[Cueball stands.]<br />
:Cueball: Why is sex so important<br />
:[We see Ponytail from the torso up.]<br />
:Ponytail: Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter<br />
<br />
;Section one<br />
:Why do whales jump<br />
:{{w|Wizard of Oz|Why are witches green}}<br />
:Why are there mirrors above beds<br />
:[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/06/the_odd_body_language_fillers/ Why do I say Uh]<br />
:Why is sea salt better<br />
:Why are there trees in the middle of fields<br />
:Why is there not a Pokemon MMO<br />
:Why is there laughing in TV shows<br />
:Why are there doors on the freeway<br />
:{{w|svchost.exe|Why are there so many svchost.exe running}}<br />
:Why aren't there any countries in Antarctica<br />
:Why are there scary sounds in Minecraft<br />
:[http://www.webmd.com/baby/fetal-movement-feeling-baby-kick Why is there kicking in my stomach]<br />
:[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1220286/Sir-Tim-Berners-Lee-admits-forward-slashes-web-address-mistake.html Why are there two slashes after http]<br />
:Why are there celebrities<br />
:Why do snakes exist<br />
:{{w|Pearl#Creation_of_a_pearl|Why do oysters have pearls}}<br />
:{{w|Duck#Etymology|Why are ducks called ducks}}<br />
:Why do they call it the clap<br />
:Why are Kyle and Cartman friends<br />
:{{w|Avatar: The Last Airbender#Characters|Why is there an arrow on Aang's head}}<br />
:Why are text messages blue<br />
:Why are there mustaches on clothes<br />
:Why are there mustaches on cars<br />
:Why are there mustaches everywhere<br />
:Why are there so many birds in Ohio<br />
:Why is there so much rain in Ohio<br />
:{{w|Lake-effect snow|Why is Ohio weather so weird}}<br />
<br />
;Section two<br />
:{{w|Bicycle_frame#Step-through|Why are there male and female bikes}}<br />
:{{w|Bridesmaid#Origin and history|Why are there bridesmaids}}<br />
:Why do dying people reach up<br />
:Why aren't there varicose arteries<br />
:{{w|Klingon#Redesign|Why are old Klingons different}}<br />
:Why is programming so hard<br />
:{{w|Zero-ohm_link|Why is there a 0 Ohm resistor}}<br />
:Why do Americans hate soccer<br />
:Why do rhymes sound good<br />
:Why do trees die<br />
:Why is there no sound on CNN<br />
:Why aren't Pokemon real<br />
:{{w|Terminal ballistics|Why aren't bullets sharp}}<br />
:Why do dreams seem so real<br />
<br />
;Section three<br />
:{{w|Cremaster_muscle|Why do testicles move}}<br />
:Why are there psychics<br />
:Why are hats so expensive<br />
:[http://supplement-geek.com/caffeine-hair-loss-thicker-fuller-hai/ Why is there caffeine in my shampoo]<br />
:{{w|Mastodynia|Why do your boobs hurt}}<br />
<br />
;Section four<br />
:Why aren't economists rich<br />
:[http://www.alsintl.com/blog/soccer-vs-football/ Why do Americans call it soccer]<br />
:{{w|Tinnitus|Why are my ears ringing}}<br />
:Why are there so many Avengers<br />
:Why are the Avengers fighting the X-Men<br />
:Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers<br />
<br />
;Section five<br />
:Why are there ants in my laptop<br />
:Why is Earth tilted<br />
:{{w|Olbers' paradox|Why is space black}}<br />
:Why is outer space so cold<br />
:Why are there pyramids on the Moon<br />
:Why is NASA shutting down<br />
<br />
;Section six<br />
:Why are there tiny spiders in my house<br />
:[http://www.burkemuseum.org/spidermyth/myths/comein.html Why do spiders come inside]<br />
:Why are there huge spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there lots of spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there spiders in my room<br />
:Why are there so many spiders in my room<br />
:Why do spider bites itch<br />
:Why is dying so scary<br />
<br />
;Section seven<br />
:Why is there no GPS in laptops<br />
:[http://www.md-health.com/Knee-Clicking.html Why do knees click]<br />
:Why aren't there E grades<br />
:Why is isolation bad<br />
:Why do boys like me<br />
:Why don't boys like me<br />
:Why is there always a Java update<br />
:Why are there red dots on my thighs<br />
:Why is lying good<br />
<br />
;Section eight<br />
:{{w|The Bible and slavery|Why are there slaves in The Bible}}<br />
:[http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/11/04/1234875.htm Why do twins have different fingerprints]<br />
:Why are Americans afraid of dragons<br />
<br />
;Section nine<br />
:Why are there swarms of gnats<br />
:[http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-phlegm.htm Why is there phlegm]<br />
<br />
;Section ten<br />
:Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN<br />
:[http://pokemon.wikia.com/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Types Why is Psychic weak to Bug]<br />
:Why do children get cancer<br />
:Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus<br />
:Why is there ice in space<br />
<br />
;Section eleven<br />
:Why is there an owl in my backyard<br />
:Why is there an owl outside my window<br />
:[http://goodreasonblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/is-there-owl-on-american-dollar-bill.html Why is there an owl on the dollar bill]<br />
:Why do owls attack people<br />
:{{w|2008–13 United States ammunition shortage|Why are AK47s so expensive}}<br />
<br />
;Section twelve<br />
:Why are there helicopters circling my house<br />
:Why are there gods<br />
:Why are there two Spocks<br />
<br />
;Section thirteen<br />
:Why is Mt Vesuvius there<br />
:Why do they say T Minus<br />
:Why are there obelisks<br />
:Why are wrestlers always wet<br />
:Why are oceans becoming more acidic<br />
:Why is Arwen dying<br />
:Why aren't my quail laying eggs<br />
:Why aren't my quail eggs hatching<br />
:Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America<br />
<br />
;Section fourteen<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is https crossed out in red]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a line through https]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a red line through https on Facebook]<br />
:[[wikipedia:HTTP_Secure | Why is https important]]<br />
<br />
;Section fifteen<br />
:Why are my boobs itchy<br />
:Why are cigarettes legal<br />
:Why are the ducks in my pool<br />
:{{w|Race and appearance of Jesus|Why is Jesus white}}<br />
:Why is there liquid in my ear<br />
:Why do Q Tips feel good<br />
:Why do good people die<br />
:[http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Ultrasound-scan/Pages/introduction.aspx Why are ultrasounds important]<br />
:Why are ultrasound machines expensive<br />
:Why is stealing wrong<br />
<br />
;Vertical questions<br />
:(The following are vertical.)<br />
:Why is there Hell if God forgives<br />
:Why aren't there dinosaur ghosts<br />
:Why do iguanas die<br />
:[http://gis.stackexchange.com/a/17546 Why is GPS free]<br />
:Why are trees tall<br />
:[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?285504-Why-can-Mr-Mime-be-female Why are there female Mr Mimes]<br />
:Why is there lava<br />
:Why is {{w|YKK Group|YKK}} on all zippers<br />
:Why is life so boring<br />
:Why do I feel dizzy<br />
:{{w|Seven-day_week#Origins|Why are there weeks}}<br />
:[http://www.dogsonly.org/stormfear.html Why are dogs afraid of fireworks]<br />
:Why is there no king in England<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:LOTR]]<br />
[[Category:Pokémon]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1256:_Questions&diff=498551256: Questions2013-10-01T09:33:19Z<p>Asym: /* Transcript */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1256<br />
| date = August 26, 2013<br />
| title = Questions<br />
| image = questions.png<br />
| titletext = To whoever typed 'why is arwen dying': GOOD. FUCKING. QUESTION.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
{{w|Google}}, a rather popular internet search engine, has a feature known as [https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/106230?hl=en autocomplete] that guesses at search queries before they are fully typed out. These guesses are generally made based on popular searches by other people. From time to time, a particularly strange or hilarious one may be found, as is evidenced in this comic.<br />
<br />
All of the questions in the comic are "why" questions, so many of them are predicated on false assumptions, such as "Why are there pyramids on the moon".<br />
<br />
Regarding the title text: in the Peter Jackson films of {{w|The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy}}, Arwen becomes sickly for unspecified reasons as the plot advances, apparently giving Aragorn a more personal reason to fight. The only explanation given is by Elrond, who says "As Sauron's power grows, her [Arwen's] strength wanes." (This subplot is entirely absent from the {{w|The Lord of the Rings|original novels}}.)<br />
<br />
From [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/faq#.2.1.21 IMDB]: <br /><blockquote><br />
Arwen, like her father (and brothers) is considered to be a Half-Elf, the result of a union between an Elf and a mortal human. The Half-Elven of Middle-earth get a choice, to remain immortal and return to the West (Valinor) or to become mortal and to die as humans do. Elrond chose to remain an Elf. Arwen (like her uncle Elros) chooses to become mortal in order to wed and remain with Aragorn. Elrond senses this; this is what he means when he says that Arwen is dying. It is the same as in The Last Unicorn, when the unicorn is given the form of a human woman and can feel that she is no longer immortal ("I can feel this body dying all around me"). According to Tolkien, though, after Aragorn dies in the year 120 (Fourth Age), Arwen returns to Lórien, where she dies by choice the following winter. </blockquote><br />
<br />
;Selected answers<br />
(Some questions in the transcript are linked to their answers.)<br />
{| class ="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
!style="width:20%;"|Question !! Possible answer<br />
|-<br />
| Why is there not a Pokémon MMO? || {{w|Pokémon}} is a popular franchise, spanning game consoles, anime series, a trading card game, and many other things. Among fans, it is a frequent topic of discussion why a Pokémon {{w|massively multiplayer online game}} has not been officially announced by the series' developers {{w|Game Freak}}, as they often [http://www.dorkly.com/comic/52546/be-careful-what-you-wish-for predict] that such a game would be extremely popular, and bring in massive revenue for the company.<br />
|-<br />
|Why is there laughing in TV shows? || Sitcoms were once filmed with an audience, so the actors could respond to their reactions. That's the historical reason why there were laughs in TV shows. The tradition continues, with the difference that now the laughter mostly comes from {{w|Laugh track|recorded tapes}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are ducks called ducks? || {{W|wikt:duck|According to Wiktionary}}, the noun ''duck'' can be traced back to the {{w|Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic}} word {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Germanic/dūkaną|''dūkaną''}} ("to dive, bend down"), and, in turn, the {{w|Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European}} {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Indo-European/dʰewb-|''dʰewb-''}} ("deep, hollow"), which is the origin of the verb ''to duck''. The link between the noun and the verb comes from ducks' tendency to dive under water for short periods of time.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there male and female bikes? || {{w|bicycle|From Wikipedia}}: <blockquote>Historically, women's bicycle frames had a top tube that connected in the middle of the seat tube instead of the top, resulting in a lower {{w|Frame geometry|standover height}} at the expense of compromised structural integrity, since this places a strong bending load in the seat tube, and bicycle frame members are typically weak in bending. This design, referred to as a '''''{{w|step-through frame}}''''' or as an ''open frame'', allows the rider to mount and dismount in a dignified way while wearing a skirt or dress.</blockquote><br />
|-<br />
| Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus? || {{w|Poseidon}} was the patron deity of the city of {{w|Troy}}, which after a 10 years siege by the Greeks fell due to {{w|Odysseus}}' list of the {{w|Trojan_Horse|Trojan horse}}. As the Greeks were returning home, Poseidon cursed Odysseus' ship to prevent him from reaching his home in {{W|Ithaca}}. The adventures which Odysseus encounters during his quest for reaching Ithaca are the main theme of {{w|Homer|Homer's}} {{w|Odyssey}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there two Spocks? || This is probably a reference to the {{w|Star_Trek_(film)|2009 Star Trek movie}} in which the franchise was given a {{w|Reboot_(fiction)|continuity reboot}}. The modified setting is explained in-universe by time travel, with both the villain Nero and the original-timeline Spock being brought back from the 24th century to the 23rd, creating a timeline in which both older Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) and the younger Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) coexist.<br />
<br />
Another possibility is that the question refers to the episode {{w|Mirror,_Mirror_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)|"Mirror, Mirror"}}, which mostly takes place in an alternate universe populated by ruthless versions of most of the characters (including Spock).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America? || ''Further information: {{w|United States military deployments}}''<p>This is a very interesting question, albeit one likely based on a regional misunderstanding. Presumably, this question is asked by Americans who assume that the existence of {{w|Category:Military facilities of the United States by country|U.S. military bases abroad}} is a general trend among countries, as opposed to being the rarity that it is. In fact, {{w|List of countries with overseas military bases|only a handful of other countries}} have military bases outside of their borders, and the three&mdash;{{w|France}}, the {{w|United Kingdom}}, and {{w|Russia}}&mdash;that have more than one or two are all countries that, like the United States, {{w|Allies of World War II|were on the winning side of World War II}}, have {{w|List of countries by military expenditures|massive military expenditures}}, and have {{w|United Nations Security Council veto power|UN Security Council vetoes}}. In other words, only the most militarily elite countries have bases overseas. The U.S. is unique, however, in that it has far more overseas bases than any other country (and, pretty much, far more of anything else than any other country, when it comes to the military), and in that {{w|List of United States military bases|it has bases in several other highly-industrialized nations}}, including {{w|List of United States Army installations in South Korea|South Korea}} and the United Kingdom, and, most notably, the World War II {{w|Axis powers}}: {{w|List of United States Army installations in Germany|Germany}}, {{w|United States Forces Japan|Japan}}, and {{w|List of United States Army installations in Italy|Italy}}. (France, Russia, and the U.K.'s bases, on the other hand, are almost all within areas that they previously controlled.)</p><p>These bases can be controversial in some countries, while in others they are a major source of economic and political stability. The U.S. traditionally justifies their presence as a necessary and crucial element in its efforts to promote peace domestically and worldwide. Despite their major role in {{w|U.S. foreign policy}}, and in the general political structure of the globe, the American public often largely ignores them, and they rarely become a major political issue (apart from an occasional mention by {{w|Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian presidential candidates}}).</p><p>So, essentially, the absence of foreign military bases within the U.S. is primarily because there aren't really any other countries in a position to place bases there. Furthermore, such bases wouldn't do much good, as no battles have been fought within the U.S. since the {{w|U.S. Civil War}} and the U.S. mainland has seen {{w|Mainland invasion of the United States|almost no military action}}. (The {{w|attack on Pearl Harbor}} in 1941 was 18 years before Hawaii became a U.S. state.)</p><p>There are, however, foreign troops stationed at some continental US military bases. For example RAF (British Royal Air Force) 39 Sqn and 361 Sqn at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada flying Reaper and Predator drones. But this are not foreign military bases, they are just guests.</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why is there no king in England? || ''Note: For simplicity's sake, "England" here is being read as "United Kingdom." The various name changes, mergers, and splits of kingdoms are complicated.''<p>The basis for this question is that for the past several hundred years, there has almost always been a queen in England, the sole exceptions being when the king has not had a wife. However, there is a distinction between being the queen of England (that is to say, {{w|List of British monarchs|a monarch}}) and being the {{w|queen consort|queen ''consort''}} of England: The former refers to a woman who {{w|Succession to the British throne|succeeded to the throne}} in her own right, becoming sovereign, while the latter refers to the wife of the king. Both roles, though, are commonly referred to as "Queen of England," creating the impression that there is always such a person. The logical question, therefore, is why {{w|Elizabeth II}}'s husband, {{w|Prince Philip|Philip}}, is not considered the king of England. The answer lies in Britain's system of {{w|male-preference cognatic primogeniture}}, which causes the monarch of England to usually be a man, not a woman. As a result of this, British laws were generally built around the presumption that the monarch would be a man (and that said man would be married to a woman, [[223: Valentine's Day|comic 223]] be damned). Since the creation of the modern British throne in 1707, only two women have reigned as queen in their own right; it just so happens that these two women have been two of the most famous and longest-reigning monarchs in world history, {{w|Queen Victoria}} and Queen Elizabeth II. This fact may add to people's enhanced perception of the lack of a British king. Victoria and Elizabeth's respective consorts, {{w|Albert, Prince Consort|Albert}} and Philip, have been styled as princes&mdash;Albert as {{w|Prince Consort}} and Philip as "{{w|British prince|Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland}}." Both were explicitly granted their titles by their wives, though Albert was already a prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Philip had previously been a prince of Denmark and Greece, but had renounced both titles before marrying Elizabeth.</p><p>The title {{w|king consort}} also exists, but has never been used in the United Kingdom.</p><p>Notably, should {{w|Prince Charles}} succeed to his mother's throne, it has been announced that his wife, {{w|Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Camilla}}, will be styled as {{w|princess consort}}, ''not'' as queen consort, just as she has declined the title {{w|Princess of Wales}}, which is strongly associated with Charles's first wife, {{w|Princess Diana|Diana}}. Assuming that Charles succeeds, this means that Britain will not have anyone referred to as "queen," after decades of not having anyone referred to as "king."</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why are there female Mr. Mimes? || {{w|Mr. Mime}} is a Pokémon introduced in the first generation of the games, and despite its name, it can be either of a male or female gender. As the Pokémon was introduced before the concept of [http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gender gender in Pokémon games], it is likely that the people in charge of translating its Japanese name (Barrierd) did not take this into account during the process. <br />
|-<br />
| Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN || From a Minnesota Paper, [http://www.startribune.com/local/138902104.html the Star Tribune], "Laws prevent the city from poisoning the crows". "Duffy [Steve Duffy, a co-owner of U.S. Bird Abatement Services, which has contracted with Rochester to get rid of the crows] isn't sure why Rochester has such a bad crow problem; probably a confluence of many bird-friendly conditions that has also made it a magnet for geese. He's seen worse cases, but called Rochester's situation 'hideous.'" And best of all, "The city has twice this winter hired experts to chase them off. They tried lasers and bullhorns -- hey, get out of here, you crows -- and even employed raptors to pick them off, one by one. That worked, for awhile." (Unfortunately, they mean a {{w|bird of prey}}, not a {{w|velociraptor}}).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter || In the {{w|Harry Potter}} universe, Muggle technology (human inventions) are often looked down on by wizards - the majority of half-blooded wizards like Harry won't touch one, let alone a wizard extremist like {{w|Voldemort}}. Not only does any Muggle device more complex than a wristwatch interfere with magical artifacts, but wands are usually more versatile than most guns (a revolver can't shoot lightning or summon items or teleport its user). Finally, while Harry himself may or may not consider using firearms due to his muggle upbringing, ''Harry Potter'' is a children's book (which usually doesn't include guns) set in England (which has stricter gun laws than, say, the United States).<br />
|-<br />
| Why are the Avengers fighting the X Men || {{w|Avengers vs. X-Men}} was a 2012 Marvel crossover event that, like many other recent comic book events, had heroes fight other heroes. In this case, the {{w|Avengers (comics)|Avengers}} and the {{w|X-Men}} fought over the {{w|Phoenix Force (comics)|Phoenix Force}}, a godlike power that often possesses {{w|Jean Grey}} or her descendants (in this case, her alternate universe daughter Hope Summers). The Avengers believed the Phoenix Force is too powerful for humanity to control and wanted to contain it, while the X-Men believed the Phoenix was the messiah for mutants and could fix all of the Earth's problems.<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers || Wolverine ''has'' been an Avenger, in some circumstances. e.g. in the {{w|The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes}} cartoon series, the episode ''New Avengers'' had Wolverine (along with Spiderman, War Machine, The Thing and Luke Cage and Iron Fist) substitute while the 'original' Avengers were unavailable to deal with the current crisis (which of course included the fate of the 'proper' Avengers). However, in general his anti-authority personality makes him a difficult team-member to field, and he has frequently disassociated himself even from the X-Men. But, in Avengers vs. X-Men (see above) Wolverine ''sided'' with The Avengers, and more modern treatments have even included the character in about as much a permanent a membership of the group as Logan is ever likely to have.<br />
<br />
But if the question is about why Wolverine didn't appear in {{w|The Avengers (2012 film)|''The Avengers''}}, the answer is that ''The Avengers'' is being produced by Marvel/Disney, while Fox still has the rights to the X-Men and all Marvel mutants in general. Unless there is studio agreement, the two properties cannot cross, except through complicated machinations. For example, there are plans to bring Avengers mainstays Quicksilver and The Scarlet Witch to both the ''Avengers'' and ''X-Men'' franchises, but only the Fox films have the right to call them the children of Magneto, and Marvel/Disney cannot even identify them on-screen as "mutants".<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Psychic weak to Bug || In Pokémon, Pokémon of the psychic type (such as Mr. Mime) are weak to three types of attacks: Ghost, Dark, and Bug. The general theory is that Psychic Pokémon, relying heavily on their thoughts for attacks, are weak to fears (which ghosts, darkness, and bugs can be classified as).<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
:(This strip is a rectangular word cloud, titled 'Questions found in Google autocomplete'. Embedded in the cloud are 5 single panels, with illustrated questions. Questions are grouped by section and given in roughly columnar order for the horizontal text, followed by the vertical text. None of the questions have question marks. The comic links to a [http://xkcd.com/1256/large/ large version] of the word cloud.)<br />
<br />
;Title: Questions found in Google autocomplete<br />
<br />
;The single panels<br />
:[We see Cueball from the torso up, with arms outstretched.]<br />
:Cueball: Why aren't my arms growing<br />
:[Megan stands with a grey ghost on either side of her.]<br />
:Megan: Why are there ghosts<br />
:[Beret Guy stands, looking at a squirrel.]<br />
:Beret Guy: Why are there squirrels<br />
:[Cueball stands.]<br />
:Cueball: Why is sex so important<br />
:[We see Ponytail from the torso up.]<br />
:Ponytail: Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter<br />
<br />
;Section one<br />
:Why do whales jump<br />
:{{w|Wizard of Oz|Why are witches green}}<br />
:Why are there mirrors above beds<br />
:[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/06/the_odd_body_language_fillers/ Why do I say Uh]<br />
:Why is sea salt better<br />
:Why are there trees in the middle of fields<br />
:Why is there not a Pokemon MMO<br />
:Why is there laughing in TV shows<br />
:Why are there doors on the freeway<br />
:{{w|svchost.exe|Why are there so many svchost.exe running}}<br />
:Why aren't there any countries in Antarctica<br />
:Why are there scary sounds in Minecraft<br />
:[http://www.webmd.com/baby/fetal-movement-feeling-baby-kick Why is there kicking in my stomach]<br />
:[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1220286/Sir-Tim-Berners-Lee-admits-forward-slashes-web-address-mistake.html Why are there two slashes after http]<br />
:Why are there celebrities<br />
:Why do snakes exist<br />
:{{w|Pearl#Creation_of_a_pearl|Why do oysters have pearls}}<br />
:{{w|Duck#Etymology|Why are ducks called ducks}}<br />
:Why do they call it the clap<br />
:Why are Kyle and Cartman friends<br />
:{{w|Avatar: The Last Airbender#Characters|Why is there an arrow on Aang's head}}<br />
:Why are text messages blue<br />
:Why are there mustaches on clothes<br />
:Why are there mustaches on cars<br />
:Why are there mustaches everywhere<br />
:Why are there so many birds in Ohio<br />
:Why is there so much rain in Ohio<br />
:{{w|Lake-effect snow|Why is Ohio weather so weird}}<br />
<br />
;Section two<br />
:{{w|Bicycle_frame#Step-through|Why are there male and female bikes}}<br />
:{{w|Bridesmaid#Origin and history|Why are there bridesmaids}}<br />
:Why do dying people reach up<br />
:Why aren't there varicose arteries<br />
:{{w|Klingon#Redesign|Why are old Klingons different}}<br />
:Why is programming so hard<br />
:{{w|Zero-ohm_link|Why is there a 0 Ohm resistor}}<br />
:Why do Americans hate soccer<br />
:Why do rhymes sound good<br />
:Why do trees die<br />
:Why is there no sound on CNN<br />
:Why aren't Pokemon real<br />
:{{w|Terminal ballistics|Why aren't bullets sharp}}<br />
:Why do dreams seem so real<br />
<br />
;Section three<br />
:{{w|Cremaster_muscle|Why do testicles move}}<br />
:Why are there psychics<br />
:Why are hats so expensive<br />
:[http://supplement-geek.com/caffeine-hair-loss-thicker-fuller-hai/ Why is there caffeine in my shampoo]<br />
:{{w|Mastodynia|Why do your boobs hurt}}<br />
<br />
;Section four<br />
:Why aren't economists rich<br />
:[http://www.alsintl.com/blog/soccer-vs-football/ Why do Americans call it soccer]<br />
:Why are my ears ringing<br />
:Why are there so many Avengers<br />
:Why are the Avengers fighting the X-Men<br />
:Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers<br />
<br />
;Section five<br />
:Why are there ants in my laptop<br />
:Why is Earth tilted<br />
:{{w|Olbers' paradox|Why is space black}}<br />
:Why is outer space so cold<br />
:Why are there pyramids on the Moon<br />
:Why is NASA shutting down<br />
<br />
;Section six<br />
:Why are there tiny spiders in my house<br />
:[http://www.burkemuseum.org/spidermyth/myths/comein.html Why do spiders come inside]<br />
:Why are there huge spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there lots of spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there spiders in my room<br />
:Why are there so many spiders in my room<br />
:Why do spider bites itch<br />
:Why is dying so scary<br />
<br />
;Section seven<br />
:Why is there no GPS in laptops<br />
:[http://www.md-health.com/Knee-Clicking.html Why do knees click]<br />
:Why aren't there E grades<br />
:Why is isolation bad<br />
:Why do boys like me<br />
:Why don't boys like me<br />
:Why is there always a Java update<br />
:Why are there red dots on my thighs<br />
:Why is lying good<br />
<br />
;Section eight<br />
:{{w|The Bible and slavery|Why are there slaves in The Bible}}<br />
:[http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/11/04/1234875.htm Why do twins have different fingerprints]<br />
:Why are Americans afraid of dragons<br />
<br />
;Section nine<br />
:Why are there swarms of gnats<br />
:[http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-phlegm.htm Why is there phlegm]<br />
<br />
;Section ten<br />
:Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN<br />
:[http://pokemon.wikia.com/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Types Why is Psychic weak to Bug]<br />
:Why do children get cancer<br />
:Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus<br />
:Why is there ice in space<br />
<br />
;Section eleven<br />
:Why is there an owl in my backyard<br />
:Why is there an owl outside my window<br />
:[http://goodreasonblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/is-there-owl-on-american-dollar-bill.html Why is there an owl on the dollar bill]<br />
:Why do owls attack people<br />
:{{w|2008–13 United States ammunition shortage|Why are AK47s so expensive}}<br />
<br />
;Section twelve<br />
:Why are there helicopters circling my house<br />
:Why are there gods<br />
:Why are there two Spocks<br />
<br />
;Section thirteen<br />
:Why is Mt Vesuvius there<br />
:Why do they say T Minus<br />
:Why are there obelisks<br />
:Why are wrestlers always wet<br />
:Why are oceans becoming more acidic<br />
:Why is Arwen dying<br />
:Why aren't my quail laying eggs<br />
:Why aren't my quail eggs hatching<br />
:Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America<br />
<br />
;Section fourteen<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is https crossed out in red]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a line through https]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a red line through https on Facebook]<br />
:[[wikipedia:HTTP_Secure | Why is https important]]<br />
<br />
;Section fifteen<br />
:Why are my boobs itchy<br />
:Why are cigarettes legal<br />
:Why are the ducks in my pool<br />
:{{w|Race and appearance of Jesus|Why is Jesus white}}<br />
:Why is there liquid in my ear<br />
:Why do Q Tips feel good<br />
:Why do good people die<br />
:[http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Ultrasound-scan/Pages/introduction.aspx Why are ultrasounds important]<br />
:Why are ultrasound machines expensive<br />
:Why is stealing wrong<br />
<br />
;Vertical questions<br />
:(The following are vertical.)<br />
:Why is there Hell if God forgives<br />
:Why aren't there dinosaur ghosts<br />
:Why do iguanas die<br />
:[http://gis.stackexchange.com/a/17546 Why is GPS free]<br />
:Why are trees tall<br />
:[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?285504-Why-can-Mr-Mime-be-female Why are there female Mr Mimes]<br />
:Why is there lava<br />
:Why is {{w|YKK Group|YKK}} on all zippers<br />
:Why is life so boring<br />
:Why do I feel dizzy<br />
:{{w|Seven-day_week#Origins|Why are there weeks}}<br />
:[http://www.dogsonly.org/stormfear.html Why are dogs afraid of fireworks]<br />
:Why is there no king in England<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:LOTR]]<br />
[[Category:Pokémon]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1256:_Questions&diff=498541256: Questions2013-10-01T09:30:10Z<p>Asym: /* Transcript */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1256<br />
| date = August 26, 2013<br />
| title = Questions<br />
| image = questions.png<br />
| titletext = To whoever typed 'why is arwen dying': GOOD. FUCKING. QUESTION.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
{{w|Google}}, a rather popular internet search engine, has a feature known as [https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/106230?hl=en autocomplete] that guesses at search queries before they are fully typed out. These guesses are generally made based on popular searches by other people. From time to time, a particularly strange or hilarious one may be found, as is evidenced in this comic.<br />
<br />
All of the questions in the comic are "why" questions, so many of them are predicated on false assumptions, such as "Why are there pyramids on the moon".<br />
<br />
Regarding the title text: in the Peter Jackson films of {{w|The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy}}, Arwen becomes sickly for unspecified reasons as the plot advances, apparently giving Aragorn a more personal reason to fight. The only explanation given is by Elrond, who says "As Sauron's power grows, her [Arwen's] strength wanes." (This subplot is entirely absent from the {{w|The Lord of the Rings|original novels}}.)<br />
<br />
From [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/faq#.2.1.21 IMDB]: <br /><blockquote><br />
Arwen, like her father (and brothers) is considered to be a Half-Elf, the result of a union between an Elf and a mortal human. The Half-Elven of Middle-earth get a choice, to remain immortal and return to the West (Valinor) or to become mortal and to die as humans do. Elrond chose to remain an Elf. Arwen (like her uncle Elros) chooses to become mortal in order to wed and remain with Aragorn. Elrond senses this; this is what he means when he says that Arwen is dying. It is the same as in The Last Unicorn, when the unicorn is given the form of a human woman and can feel that she is no longer immortal ("I can feel this body dying all around me"). According to Tolkien, though, after Aragorn dies in the year 120 (Fourth Age), Arwen returns to Lórien, where she dies by choice the following winter. </blockquote><br />
<br />
;Selected answers<br />
(Some questions in the transcript are linked to their answers.)<br />
{| class ="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
!style="width:20%;"|Question !! Possible answer<br />
|-<br />
| Why is there not a Pokémon MMO? || {{w|Pokémon}} is a popular franchise, spanning game consoles, anime series, a trading card game, and many other things. Among fans, it is a frequent topic of discussion why a Pokémon {{w|massively multiplayer online game}} has not been officially announced by the series' developers {{w|Game Freak}}, as they often [http://www.dorkly.com/comic/52546/be-careful-what-you-wish-for predict] that such a game would be extremely popular, and bring in massive revenue for the company.<br />
|-<br />
|Why is there laughing in TV shows? || Sitcoms were once filmed with an audience, so the actors could respond to their reactions. That's the historical reason why there were laughs in TV shows. The tradition continues, with the difference that now the laughter mostly comes from {{w|Laugh track|recorded tapes}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are ducks called ducks? || {{W|wikt:duck|According to Wiktionary}}, the noun ''duck'' can be traced back to the {{w|Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic}} word {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Germanic/dūkaną|''dūkaną''}} ("to dive, bend down"), and, in turn, the {{w|Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European}} {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Indo-European/dʰewb-|''dʰewb-''}} ("deep, hollow"), which is the origin of the verb ''to duck''. The link between the noun and the verb comes from ducks' tendency to dive under water for short periods of time.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there male and female bikes? || {{w|bicycle|From Wikipedia}}: <blockquote>Historically, women's bicycle frames had a top tube that connected in the middle of the seat tube instead of the top, resulting in a lower {{w|Frame geometry|standover height}} at the expense of compromised structural integrity, since this places a strong bending load in the seat tube, and bicycle frame members are typically weak in bending. This design, referred to as a '''''{{w|step-through frame}}''''' or as an ''open frame'', allows the rider to mount and dismount in a dignified way while wearing a skirt or dress.</blockquote><br />
|-<br />
| Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus? || {{w|Poseidon}} was the patron deity of the city of {{w|Troy}}, which after a 10 years siege by the Greeks fell due to {{w|Odysseus}}' list of the {{w|Trojan_Horse|Trojan horse}}. As the Greeks were returning home, Poseidon cursed Odysseus' ship to prevent him from reaching his home in {{W|Ithaca}}. The adventures which Odysseus encounters during his quest for reaching Ithaca are the main theme of {{w|Homer|Homer's}} {{w|Odyssey}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there two Spocks? || This is probably a reference to the {{w|Star_Trek_(film)|2009 Star Trek movie}} in which the franchise was given a {{w|Reboot_(fiction)|continuity reboot}}. The modified setting is explained in-universe by time travel, with both the villain Nero and the original-timeline Spock being brought back from the 24th century to the 23rd, creating a timeline in which both older Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) and the younger Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) coexist.<br />
<br />
Another possibility is that the question refers to the episode {{w|Mirror,_Mirror_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)|"Mirror, Mirror"}}, which mostly takes place in an alternate universe populated by ruthless versions of most of the characters (including Spock).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America? || ''Further information: {{w|United States military deployments}}''<p>This is a very interesting question, albeit one likely based on a regional misunderstanding. Presumably, this question is asked by Americans who assume that the existence of {{w|Category:Military facilities of the United States by country|U.S. military bases abroad}} is a general trend among countries, as opposed to being the rarity that it is. In fact, {{w|List of countries with overseas military bases|only a handful of other countries}} have military bases outside of their borders, and the three&mdash;{{w|France}}, the {{w|United Kingdom}}, and {{w|Russia}}&mdash;that have more than one or two are all countries that, like the United States, {{w|Allies of World War II|were on the winning side of World War II}}, have {{w|List of countries by military expenditures|massive military expenditures}}, and have {{w|United Nations Security Council veto power|UN Security Council vetoes}}. In other words, only the most militarily elite countries have bases overseas. The U.S. is unique, however, in that it has far more overseas bases than any other country (and, pretty much, far more of anything else than any other country, when it comes to the military), and in that {{w|List of United States military bases|it has bases in several other highly-industrialized nations}}, including {{w|List of United States Army installations in South Korea|South Korea}} and the United Kingdom, and, most notably, the World War II {{w|Axis powers}}: {{w|List of United States Army installations in Germany|Germany}}, {{w|United States Forces Japan|Japan}}, and {{w|List of United States Army installations in Italy|Italy}}. (France, Russia, and the U.K.'s bases, on the other hand, are almost all within areas that they previously controlled.)</p><p>These bases can be controversial in some countries, while in others they are a major source of economic and political stability. The U.S. traditionally justifies their presence as a necessary and crucial element in its efforts to promote peace domestically and worldwide. Despite their major role in {{w|U.S. foreign policy}}, and in the general political structure of the globe, the American public often largely ignores them, and they rarely become a major political issue (apart from an occasional mention by {{w|Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian presidential candidates}}).</p><p>So, essentially, the absence of foreign military bases within the U.S. is primarily because there aren't really any other countries in a position to place bases there. Furthermore, such bases wouldn't do much good, as no battles have been fought within the U.S. since the {{w|U.S. Civil War}} and the U.S. mainland has seen {{w|Mainland invasion of the United States|almost no military action}}. (The {{w|attack on Pearl Harbor}} in 1941 was 18 years before Hawaii became a U.S. state.)</p><p>There are, however, foreign troops stationed at some continental US military bases. For example RAF (British Royal Air Force) 39 Sqn and 361 Sqn at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada flying Reaper and Predator drones. But this are not foreign military bases, they are just guests.</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why is there no king in England? || ''Note: For simplicity's sake, "England" here is being read as "United Kingdom." The various name changes, mergers, and splits of kingdoms are complicated.''<p>The basis for this question is that for the past several hundred years, there has almost always been a queen in England, the sole exceptions being when the king has not had a wife. However, there is a distinction between being the queen of England (that is to say, {{w|List of British monarchs|a monarch}}) and being the {{w|queen consort|queen ''consort''}} of England: The former refers to a woman who {{w|Succession to the British throne|succeeded to the throne}} in her own right, becoming sovereign, while the latter refers to the wife of the king. Both roles, though, are commonly referred to as "Queen of England," creating the impression that there is always such a person. The logical question, therefore, is why {{w|Elizabeth II}}'s husband, {{w|Prince Philip|Philip}}, is not considered the king of England. The answer lies in Britain's system of {{w|male-preference cognatic primogeniture}}, which causes the monarch of England to usually be a man, not a woman. As a result of this, British laws were generally built around the presumption that the monarch would be a man (and that said man would be married to a woman, [[223: Valentine's Day|comic 223]] be damned). Since the creation of the modern British throne in 1707, only two women have reigned as queen in their own right; it just so happens that these two women have been two of the most famous and longest-reigning monarchs in world history, {{w|Queen Victoria}} and Queen Elizabeth II. This fact may add to people's enhanced perception of the lack of a British king. Victoria and Elizabeth's respective consorts, {{w|Albert, Prince Consort|Albert}} and Philip, have been styled as princes&mdash;Albert as {{w|Prince Consort}} and Philip as "{{w|British prince|Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland}}." Both were explicitly granted their titles by their wives, though Albert was already a prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Philip had previously been a prince of Denmark and Greece, but had renounced both titles before marrying Elizabeth.</p><p>The title {{w|king consort}} also exists, but has never been used in the United Kingdom.</p><p>Notably, should {{w|Prince Charles}} succeed to his mother's throne, it has been announced that his wife, {{w|Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Camilla}}, will be styled as {{w|princess consort}}, ''not'' as queen consort, just as she has declined the title {{w|Princess of Wales}}, which is strongly associated with Charles's first wife, {{w|Princess Diana|Diana}}. Assuming that Charles succeeds, this means that Britain will not have anyone referred to as "queen," after decades of not having anyone referred to as "king."</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why are there female Mr. Mimes? || {{w|Mr. Mime}} is a Pokémon introduced in the first generation of the games, and despite its name, it can be either of a male or female gender. As the Pokémon was introduced before the concept of [http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gender gender in Pokémon games], it is likely that the people in charge of translating its Japanese name (Barrierd) did not take this into account during the process. <br />
|-<br />
| Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN || From a Minnesota Paper, [http://www.startribune.com/local/138902104.html the Star Tribune], "Laws prevent the city from poisoning the crows". "Duffy [Steve Duffy, a co-owner of U.S. Bird Abatement Services, which has contracted with Rochester to get rid of the crows] isn't sure why Rochester has such a bad crow problem; probably a confluence of many bird-friendly conditions that has also made it a magnet for geese. He's seen worse cases, but called Rochester's situation 'hideous.'" And best of all, "The city has twice this winter hired experts to chase them off. They tried lasers and bullhorns -- hey, get out of here, you crows -- and even employed raptors to pick them off, one by one. That worked, for awhile." (Unfortunately, they mean a {{w|bird of prey}}, not a {{w|velociraptor}}).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter || In the {{w|Harry Potter}} universe, Muggle technology (human inventions) are often looked down on by wizards - the majority of half-blooded wizards like Harry won't touch one, let alone a wizard extremist like {{w|Voldemort}}. Not only does any Muggle device more complex than a wristwatch interfere with magical artifacts, but wands are usually more versatile than most guns (a revolver can't shoot lightning or summon items or teleport its user). Finally, while Harry himself may or may not consider using firearms due to his muggle upbringing, ''Harry Potter'' is a children's book (which usually doesn't include guns) set in England (which has stricter gun laws than, say, the United States).<br />
|-<br />
| Why are the Avengers fighting the X Men || {{w|Avengers vs. X-Men}} was a 2012 Marvel crossover event that, like many other recent comic book events, had heroes fight other heroes. In this case, the {{w|Avengers (comics)|Avengers}} and the {{w|X-Men}} fought over the {{w|Phoenix Force (comics)|Phoenix Force}}, a godlike power that often possesses {{w|Jean Grey}} or her descendants (in this case, her alternate universe daughter Hope Summers). The Avengers believed the Phoenix Force is too powerful for humanity to control and wanted to contain it, while the X-Men believed the Phoenix was the messiah for mutants and could fix all of the Earth's problems.<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers || Wolverine ''has'' been an Avenger, in some circumstances. e.g. in the {{w|The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes}} cartoon series, the episode ''New Avengers'' had Wolverine (along with Spiderman, War Machine, The Thing and Luke Cage and Iron Fist) substitute while the 'original' Avengers were unavailable to deal with the current crisis (which of course included the fate of the 'proper' Avengers). However, in general his anti-authority personality makes him a difficult team-member to field, and he has frequently disassociated himself even from the X-Men. But, in Avengers vs. X-Men (see above) Wolverine ''sided'' with The Avengers, and more modern treatments have even included the character in about as much a permanent a membership of the group as Logan is ever likely to have.<br />
<br />
But if the question is about why Wolverine didn't appear in {{w|The Avengers (2012 film)|''The Avengers''}}, the answer is that ''The Avengers'' is being produced by Marvel/Disney, while Fox still has the rights to the X-Men and all Marvel mutants in general. Unless there is studio agreement, the two properties cannot cross, except through complicated machinations. For example, there are plans to bring Avengers mainstays Quicksilver and The Scarlet Witch to both the ''Avengers'' and ''X-Men'' franchises, but only the Fox films have the right to call them the children of Magneto, and Marvel/Disney cannot even identify them on-screen as "mutants".<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Psychic weak to Bug || In Pokémon, Pokémon of the psychic type (such as Mr. Mime) are weak to three types of attacks: Ghost, Dark, and Bug. The general theory is that Psychic Pokémon, relying heavily on their thoughts for attacks, are weak to fears (which ghosts, darkness, and bugs can be classified as).<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
:(This strip is a rectangular word cloud, titled 'Questions found in Google autocomplete'. Embedded in the cloud are 5 single panels, with illustrated questions. Questions are grouped by section and given in roughly columnar order for the horizontal text, followed by the vertical text. None of the questions have question marks. The comic links to a [http://xkcd.com/1256/large/ large version] of the word cloud.)<br />
<br />
;Title: Questions found in Google autocomplete<br />
<br />
;The single panels<br />
:[We see Cueball from the torso up, with arms outstretched.]<br />
:Cueball: Why aren't my arms growing<br />
:[Megan stands with a grey ghost on either side of her.]<br />
:Megan: Why are there ghosts<br />
:[Beret Guy stands, looking at a squirrel.]<br />
:Beret Guy: Why are there squirrels<br />
:[Cueball stands.]<br />
:Cueball: Why is sex so important<br />
:[We see Ponytail from the torso up.]<br />
:Ponytail: Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter<br />
<br />
;Section one<br />
:Why do whales jump<br />
:{{w|Wizard of Oz|Why are witches green}}<br />
:Why are there mirrors above beds<br />
:[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/06/the_odd_body_language_fillers/ Why do I say Uh]<br />
:Why is sea salt better<br />
:Why are there trees in the middle of fields<br />
:Why is there not a Pokemon MMO<br />
:Why is there laughing in TV shows<br />
:Why are there doors on the freeway<br />
:{{w|svchost.exe|Why are there so many svchost.exe running}}<br />
:Why aren't there any countries in Antarctica<br />
:Why are there scary sounds in Minecraft<br />
:[http://www.webmd.com/baby/fetal-movement-feeling-baby-kick Why is there kicking in my stomach]<br />
:[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1220286/Sir-Tim-Berners-Lee-admits-forward-slashes-web-address-mistake.html Why are there two slashes after http]<br />
:Why are there celebrities<br />
:Why do snakes exist<br />
:{{w|Pearl#Creation_of_a_pearl|Why do oysters have pearls}}<br />
:{{w|Duck#Etymology|Why are ducks called ducks}}<br />
:Why do they call it the clap<br />
:Why are Kyle and Cartman friends<br />
:{{w|Avatar: The Last Airbender#Characters|Why is there an arrow on Aang's head}}<br />
:Why are text messages blue<br />
:Why are there mustaches on clothes<br />
:Why are there mustaches on cars<br />
:Why are there mustaches everywhere<br />
:Why are there so many birds in Ohio<br />
:Why is there so much rain in Ohio<br />
:{{w|Lake-effect snow|Why is Ohio weather so weird}}<br />
<br />
;Section two<br />
:{{w|Bicycle_frame#Step-through|Why are there male and female bikes}}<br />
:{{w|Bridesmaid#Origin and history|Why are there bridesmaids}}<br />
:Why do dying people reach up<br />
:Why aren't there varicose arteries<br />
:{{w|Klingon#Redesign|Why are old Klingons different}}<br />
:Why is programming so hard<br />
:{{w|Zero-ohm_link|Why is there a 0 Ohm resistor}}<br />
:Why do Americans hate soccer<br />
:Why do rhymes sound good<br />
:Why do trees die<br />
:Why is there no sound on CNN<br />
:Why aren't Pokemon real<br />
:{{w|Terminal ballistics|Why aren't bullets sharp}}<br />
:Why do dreams seem so real<br />
<br />
;Section three<br />
:{{w|Cremaster_muscle|Why do testicles move}}<br />
:Why are there psychics<br />
:Why are hats so expensive<br />
:[http://supplement-geek.com/caffeine-hair-loss-thicker-fuller-hai/ Why is there caffeine in my shampoo]<br />
:Why do your boobs hurt<br />
<br />
;Section four<br />
:Why aren't economists rich<br />
:[http://www.alsintl.com/blog/soccer-vs-football/ Why do Americans call it soccer]<br />
:Why are my ears ringing<br />
:Why are there so many Avengers<br />
:Why are the Avengers fighting the X-Men<br />
:Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers<br />
<br />
;Section five<br />
:Why are there ants in my laptop<br />
:Why is Earth tilted<br />
:{{w|Olbers' paradox|Why is space black}}<br />
:Why is outer space so cold<br />
:Why are there pyramids on the Moon<br />
:Why is NASA shutting down<br />
<br />
;Section six<br />
:Why are there tiny spiders in my house<br />
:[http://www.burkemuseum.org/spidermyth/myths/comein.html Why do spiders come inside]<br />
:Why are there huge spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there lots of spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there spiders in my room<br />
:Why are there so many spiders in my room<br />
:Why do spider bites itch<br />
:Why is dying so scary<br />
<br />
;Section seven<br />
:Why is there no GPS in laptops<br />
:[http://www.md-health.com/Knee-Clicking.html Why do knees click]<br />
:Why aren't there E grades<br />
:Why is isolation bad<br />
:Why do boys like me<br />
:Why don't boys like me<br />
:Why is there always a Java update<br />
:Why are there red dots on my thighs<br />
:Why is lying good<br />
<br />
;Section eight<br />
:{{w|The Bible and slavery|Why are there slaves in The Bible}}<br />
:[http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/11/04/1234875.htm Why do twins have different fingerprints]<br />
:Why are Americans afraid of dragons<br />
<br />
;Section nine<br />
:Why are there swarms of gnats<br />
:[http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-phlegm.htm Why is there phlegm]<br />
<br />
;Section ten<br />
:Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN<br />
:[http://pokemon.wikia.com/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Types Why is Psychic weak to Bug]<br />
:Why do children get cancer<br />
:Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus<br />
:Why is there ice in space<br />
<br />
;Section eleven<br />
:Why is there an owl in my backyard<br />
:Why is there an owl outside my window<br />
:[http://goodreasonblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/is-there-owl-on-american-dollar-bill.html Why is there an owl on the dollar bill]<br />
:Why do owls attack people<br />
:{{w|2008–13 United States ammunition shortage|Why are AK47s so expensive}}<br />
<br />
;Section twelve<br />
:Why are there helicopters circling my house<br />
:Why are there gods<br />
:Why are there two Spocks<br />
<br />
;Section thirteen<br />
:Why is Mt Vesuvius there<br />
:Why do they say T Minus<br />
:Why are there obelisks<br />
:Why are wrestlers always wet<br />
:Why are oceans becoming more acidic<br />
:Why is Arwen dying<br />
:Why aren't my quail laying eggs<br />
:Why aren't my quail eggs hatching<br />
:Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America<br />
<br />
;Section fourteen<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is https crossed out in red]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a line through https]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a red line through https on Facebook]<br />
:[[wikipedia:HTTP_Secure | Why is https important]]<br />
<br />
;Section fifteen<br />
:Why are my boobs itchy<br />
:Why are cigarettes legal<br />
:Why are the ducks in my pool<br />
:{{w|Race and appearance of Jesus|Why is Jesus white}}<br />
:Why is there liquid in my ear<br />
:Why do Q Tips feel good<br />
:Why do good people die<br />
:[http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Ultrasound-scan/Pages/introduction.aspx Why are ultrasounds important]<br />
:Why are ultrasound machines expensive<br />
:Why is stealing wrong<br />
<br />
;Vertical questions<br />
:(The following are vertical.)<br />
:Why is there Hell if God forgives<br />
:Why aren't there dinosaur ghosts<br />
:Why do iguanas die<br />
:[http://gis.stackexchange.com/a/17546 Why is GPS free]<br />
:Why are trees tall<br />
:[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?285504-Why-can-Mr-Mime-be-female Why are there female Mr Mimes]<br />
:Why is there lava<br />
:Why is {{w|YKK Group|YKK}} on all zippers<br />
:Why is life so boring<br />
:Why do I feel dizzy<br />
:{{w|Seven-day_week#Origins|Why are there weeks}}<br />
:[http://www.dogsonly.org/stormfear.html Why are dogs afraid of fireworks]<br />
:Why is there no king in England<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:LOTR]]<br />
[[Category:Pokémon]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1256:_Questions&diff=498531256: Questions2013-10-01T09:26:54Z<p>Asym: /* Transcript */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1256<br />
| date = August 26, 2013<br />
| title = Questions<br />
| image = questions.png<br />
| titletext = To whoever typed 'why is arwen dying': GOOD. FUCKING. QUESTION.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
{{w|Google}}, a rather popular internet search engine, has a feature known as [https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/106230?hl=en autocomplete] that guesses at search queries before they are fully typed out. These guesses are generally made based on popular searches by other people. From time to time, a particularly strange or hilarious one may be found, as is evidenced in this comic.<br />
<br />
All of the questions in the comic are "why" questions, so many of them are predicated on false assumptions, such as "Why are there pyramids on the moon".<br />
<br />
Regarding the title text: in the Peter Jackson films of {{w|The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy}}, Arwen becomes sickly for unspecified reasons as the plot advances, apparently giving Aragorn a more personal reason to fight. The only explanation given is by Elrond, who says "As Sauron's power grows, her [Arwen's] strength wanes." (This subplot is entirely absent from the {{w|The Lord of the Rings|original novels}}.)<br />
<br />
From [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/faq#.2.1.21 IMDB]: <br /><blockquote><br />
Arwen, like her father (and brothers) is considered to be a Half-Elf, the result of a union between an Elf and a mortal human. The Half-Elven of Middle-earth get a choice, to remain immortal and return to the West (Valinor) or to become mortal and to die as humans do. Elrond chose to remain an Elf. Arwen (like her uncle Elros) chooses to become mortal in order to wed and remain with Aragorn. Elrond senses this; this is what he means when he says that Arwen is dying. It is the same as in The Last Unicorn, when the unicorn is given the form of a human woman and can feel that she is no longer immortal ("I can feel this body dying all around me"). According to Tolkien, though, after Aragorn dies in the year 120 (Fourth Age), Arwen returns to Lórien, where she dies by choice the following winter. </blockquote><br />
<br />
;Selected answers<br />
(Some questions in the transcript are linked to their answers.)<br />
{| class ="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
!style="width:20%;"|Question !! Possible answer<br />
|-<br />
| Why is there not a Pokémon MMO? || {{w|Pokémon}} is a popular franchise, spanning game consoles, anime series, a trading card game, and many other things. Among fans, it is a frequent topic of discussion why a Pokémon {{w|massively multiplayer online game}} has not been officially announced by the series' developers {{w|Game Freak}}, as they often [http://www.dorkly.com/comic/52546/be-careful-what-you-wish-for predict] that such a game would be extremely popular, and bring in massive revenue for the company.<br />
|-<br />
|Why is there laughing in TV shows? || Sitcoms were once filmed with an audience, so the actors could respond to their reactions. That's the historical reason why there were laughs in TV shows. The tradition continues, with the difference that now the laughter mostly comes from {{w|Laugh track|recorded tapes}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are ducks called ducks? || {{W|wikt:duck|According to Wiktionary}}, the noun ''duck'' can be traced back to the {{w|Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic}} word {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Germanic/dūkaną|''dūkaną''}} ("to dive, bend down"), and, in turn, the {{w|Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European}} {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Indo-European/dʰewb-|''dʰewb-''}} ("deep, hollow"), which is the origin of the verb ''to duck''. The link between the noun and the verb comes from ducks' tendency to dive under water for short periods of time.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there male and female bikes? || {{w|bicycle|From Wikipedia}}: <blockquote>Historically, women's bicycle frames had a top tube that connected in the middle of the seat tube instead of the top, resulting in a lower {{w|Frame geometry|standover height}} at the expense of compromised structural integrity, since this places a strong bending load in the seat tube, and bicycle frame members are typically weak in bending. This design, referred to as a '''''{{w|step-through frame}}''''' or as an ''open frame'', allows the rider to mount and dismount in a dignified way while wearing a skirt or dress.</blockquote><br />
|-<br />
| Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus? || {{w|Poseidon}} was the patron deity of the city of {{w|Troy}}, which after a 10 years siege by the Greeks fell due to {{w|Odysseus}}' list of the {{w|Trojan_Horse|Trojan horse}}. As the Greeks were returning home, Poseidon cursed Odysseus' ship to prevent him from reaching his home in {{W|Ithaca}}. The adventures which Odysseus encounters during his quest for reaching Ithaca are the main theme of {{w|Homer|Homer's}} {{w|Odyssey}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there two Spocks? || This is probably a reference to the {{w|Star_Trek_(film)|2009 Star Trek movie}} in which the franchise was given a {{w|Reboot_(fiction)|continuity reboot}}. The modified setting is explained in-universe by time travel, with both the villain Nero and the original-timeline Spock being brought back from the 24th century to the 23rd, creating a timeline in which both older Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) and the younger Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) coexist.<br />
<br />
Another possibility is that the question refers to the episode {{w|Mirror,_Mirror_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)|"Mirror, Mirror"}}, which mostly takes place in an alternate universe populated by ruthless versions of most of the characters (including Spock).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America? || ''Further information: {{w|United States military deployments}}''<p>This is a very interesting question, albeit one likely based on a regional misunderstanding. Presumably, this question is asked by Americans who assume that the existence of {{w|Category:Military facilities of the United States by country|U.S. military bases abroad}} is a general trend among countries, as opposed to being the rarity that it is. In fact, {{w|List of countries with overseas military bases|only a handful of other countries}} have military bases outside of their borders, and the three&mdash;{{w|France}}, the {{w|United Kingdom}}, and {{w|Russia}}&mdash;that have more than one or two are all countries that, like the United States, {{w|Allies of World War II|were on the winning side of World War II}}, have {{w|List of countries by military expenditures|massive military expenditures}}, and have {{w|United Nations Security Council veto power|UN Security Council vetoes}}. In other words, only the most militarily elite countries have bases overseas. The U.S. is unique, however, in that it has far more overseas bases than any other country (and, pretty much, far more of anything else than any other country, when it comes to the military), and in that {{w|List of United States military bases|it has bases in several other highly-industrialized nations}}, including {{w|List of United States Army installations in South Korea|South Korea}} and the United Kingdom, and, most notably, the World War II {{w|Axis powers}}: {{w|List of United States Army installations in Germany|Germany}}, {{w|United States Forces Japan|Japan}}, and {{w|List of United States Army installations in Italy|Italy}}. (France, Russia, and the U.K.'s bases, on the other hand, are almost all within areas that they previously controlled.)</p><p>These bases can be controversial in some countries, while in others they are a major source of economic and political stability. The U.S. traditionally justifies their presence as a necessary and crucial element in its efforts to promote peace domestically and worldwide. Despite their major role in {{w|U.S. foreign policy}}, and in the general political structure of the globe, the American public often largely ignores them, and they rarely become a major political issue (apart from an occasional mention by {{w|Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian presidential candidates}}).</p><p>So, essentially, the absence of foreign military bases within the U.S. is primarily because there aren't really any other countries in a position to place bases there. Furthermore, such bases wouldn't do much good, as no battles have been fought within the U.S. since the {{w|U.S. Civil War}} and the U.S. mainland has seen {{w|Mainland invasion of the United States|almost no military action}}. (The {{w|attack on Pearl Harbor}} in 1941 was 18 years before Hawaii became a U.S. state.)</p><p>There are, however, foreign troops stationed at some continental US military bases. For example RAF (British Royal Air Force) 39 Sqn and 361 Sqn at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada flying Reaper and Predator drones. But this are not foreign military bases, they are just guests.</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why is there no king in England? || ''Note: For simplicity's sake, "England" here is being read as "United Kingdom." The various name changes, mergers, and splits of kingdoms are complicated.''<p>The basis for this question is that for the past several hundred years, there has almost always been a queen in England, the sole exceptions being when the king has not had a wife. However, there is a distinction between being the queen of England (that is to say, {{w|List of British monarchs|a monarch}}) and being the {{w|queen consort|queen ''consort''}} of England: The former refers to a woman who {{w|Succession to the British throne|succeeded to the throne}} in her own right, becoming sovereign, while the latter refers to the wife of the king. Both roles, though, are commonly referred to as "Queen of England," creating the impression that there is always such a person. The logical question, therefore, is why {{w|Elizabeth II}}'s husband, {{w|Prince Philip|Philip}}, is not considered the king of England. The answer lies in Britain's system of {{w|male-preference cognatic primogeniture}}, which causes the monarch of England to usually be a man, not a woman. As a result of this, British laws were generally built around the presumption that the monarch would be a man (and that said man would be married to a woman, [[223: Valentine's Day|comic 223]] be damned). Since the creation of the modern British throne in 1707, only two women have reigned as queen in their own right; it just so happens that these two women have been two of the most famous and longest-reigning monarchs in world history, {{w|Queen Victoria}} and Queen Elizabeth II. This fact may add to people's enhanced perception of the lack of a British king. Victoria and Elizabeth's respective consorts, {{w|Albert, Prince Consort|Albert}} and Philip, have been styled as princes&mdash;Albert as {{w|Prince Consort}} and Philip as "{{w|British prince|Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland}}." Both were explicitly granted their titles by their wives, though Albert was already a prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Philip had previously been a prince of Denmark and Greece, but had renounced both titles before marrying Elizabeth.</p><p>The title {{w|king consort}} also exists, but has never been used in the United Kingdom.</p><p>Notably, should {{w|Prince Charles}} succeed to his mother's throne, it has been announced that his wife, {{w|Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Camilla}}, will be styled as {{w|princess consort}}, ''not'' as queen consort, just as she has declined the title {{w|Princess of Wales}}, which is strongly associated with Charles's first wife, {{w|Princess Diana|Diana}}. Assuming that Charles succeeds, this means that Britain will not have anyone referred to as "queen," after decades of not having anyone referred to as "king."</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why are there female Mr. Mimes? || {{w|Mr. Mime}} is a Pokémon introduced in the first generation of the games, and despite its name, it can be either of a male or female gender. As the Pokémon was introduced before the concept of [http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gender gender in Pokémon games], it is likely that the people in charge of translating its Japanese name (Barrierd) did not take this into account during the process. <br />
|-<br />
| Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN || From a Minnesota Paper, [http://www.startribune.com/local/138902104.html the Star Tribune], "Laws prevent the city from poisoning the crows". "Duffy [Steve Duffy, a co-owner of U.S. Bird Abatement Services, which has contracted with Rochester to get rid of the crows] isn't sure why Rochester has such a bad crow problem; probably a confluence of many bird-friendly conditions that has also made it a magnet for geese. He's seen worse cases, but called Rochester's situation 'hideous.'" And best of all, "The city has twice this winter hired experts to chase them off. They tried lasers and bullhorns -- hey, get out of here, you crows -- and even employed raptors to pick them off, one by one. That worked, for awhile." (Unfortunately, they mean a {{w|bird of prey}}, not a {{w|velociraptor}}).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter || In the {{w|Harry Potter}} universe, Muggle technology (human inventions) are often looked down on by wizards - the majority of half-blooded wizards like Harry won't touch one, let alone a wizard extremist like {{w|Voldemort}}. Not only does any Muggle device more complex than a wristwatch interfere with magical artifacts, but wands are usually more versatile than most guns (a revolver can't shoot lightning or summon items or teleport its user). Finally, while Harry himself may or may not consider using firearms due to his muggle upbringing, ''Harry Potter'' is a children's book (which usually doesn't include guns) set in England (which has stricter gun laws than, say, the United States).<br />
|-<br />
| Why are the Avengers fighting the X Men || {{w|Avengers vs. X-Men}} was a 2012 Marvel crossover event that, like many other recent comic book events, had heroes fight other heroes. In this case, the {{w|Avengers (comics)|Avengers}} and the {{w|X-Men}} fought over the {{w|Phoenix Force (comics)|Phoenix Force}}, a godlike power that often possesses {{w|Jean Grey}} or her descendants (in this case, her alternate universe daughter Hope Summers). The Avengers believed the Phoenix Force is too powerful for humanity to control and wanted to contain it, while the X-Men believed the Phoenix was the messiah for mutants and could fix all of the Earth's problems.<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers || Wolverine ''has'' been an Avenger, in some circumstances. e.g. in the {{w|The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes}} cartoon series, the episode ''New Avengers'' had Wolverine (along with Spiderman, War Machine, The Thing and Luke Cage and Iron Fist) substitute while the 'original' Avengers were unavailable to deal with the current crisis (which of course included the fate of the 'proper' Avengers). However, in general his anti-authority personality makes him a difficult team-member to field, and he has frequently disassociated himself even from the X-Men. But, in Avengers vs. X-Men (see above) Wolverine ''sided'' with The Avengers, and more modern treatments have even included the character in about as much a permanent a membership of the group as Logan is ever likely to have.<br />
<br />
But if the question is about why Wolverine didn't appear in {{w|The Avengers (2012 film)|''The Avengers''}}, the answer is that ''The Avengers'' is being produced by Marvel/Disney, while Fox still has the rights to the X-Men and all Marvel mutants in general. Unless there is studio agreement, the two properties cannot cross, except through complicated machinations. For example, there are plans to bring Avengers mainstays Quicksilver and The Scarlet Witch to both the ''Avengers'' and ''X-Men'' franchises, but only the Fox films have the right to call them the children of Magneto, and Marvel/Disney cannot even identify them on-screen as "mutants".<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Psychic weak to Bug || In Pokémon, Pokémon of the psychic type (such as Mr. Mime) are weak to three types of attacks: Ghost, Dark, and Bug. The general theory is that Psychic Pokémon, relying heavily on their thoughts for attacks, are weak to fears (which ghosts, darkness, and bugs can be classified as).<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
:(This strip is a rectangular word cloud, titled 'Questions found in Google autocomplete'. Embedded in the cloud are 5 single panels, with illustrated questions. Questions are grouped by section and given in roughly columnar order for the horizontal text, followed by the vertical text. None of the questions have question marks. The comic links to a [http://xkcd.com/1256/large/ large version] of the word cloud.)<br />
<br />
;Title: Questions found in Google autocomplete<br />
<br />
;The single panels<br />
:[We see Cueball from the torso up, with arms outstretched.]<br />
:Cueball: Why aren't my arms growing<br />
:[Megan stands with a grey ghost on either side of her.]<br />
:Megan: Why are there ghosts<br />
:[Beret Guy stands, looking at a squirrel.]<br />
:Beret Guy: Why are there squirrels<br />
:[Cueball stands.]<br />
:Cueball: Why is sex so important<br />
:[We see Ponytail from the torso up.]<br />
:Ponytail: Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter<br />
<br />
;Section one<br />
:Why do whales jump<br />
:{{w|Wizard of Oz|Why are witches green}}<br />
:Why are there mirrors above beds<br />
:[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/06/the_odd_body_language_fillers/ Why do I say Uh]<br />
:Why is sea salt better<br />
:Why are there trees in the middle of fields<br />
:Why is there not a Pokemon MMO<br />
:Why is there laughing in TV shows<br />
:Why are there doors on the freeway<br />
:{{w|svchost.exe|Why are there so many svchost.exe running}}<br />
:Why aren't there any countries in Antarctica<br />
:Why are there scary sounds in Minecraft<br />
:[http://www.webmd.com/baby/fetal-movement-feeling-baby-kick Why is there kicking in my stomach]<br />
:[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1220286/Sir-Tim-Berners-Lee-admits-forward-slashes-web-address-mistake.html Why are there two slashes after http]<br />
:Why are there celebrities<br />
:Why do snakes exist<br />
:{{w|Pearl#Creation_of_a_pearl|Why do oysters have pearls}}<br />
:{{w|Duck#Etymology|Why are ducks called ducks}}<br />
:Why do they call it the clap<br />
:Why are Kyle and Cartman friends<br />
:{{w|Avatar: The Last Airbender#Characters|Why is there an arrow on Aang's head}}<br />
:Why are text messages blue<br />
:Why are there mustaches on clothes<br />
:Why are there mustaches on cars<br />
:Why are there mustaches everywhere<br />
:Why are there so many birds in Ohio<br />
:Why is there so much rain in Ohio<br />
:{{w|Lake-effect snow|Why is Ohio weather so weird}}<br />
<br />
;Section two<br />
:{{w|Bicycle_frame#Step-through|Why are there male and female bikes}}<br />
:{{w|Bridesmaid#Origin and history|Why are there bridesmaids}}<br />
:Why do dying people reach up<br />
:Why aren't there varicose arteries<br />
:{{w|Klingon#Redesign|Why are old Klingons different}}<br />
:Why is programming so hard<br />
:{{w|Zero-ohm_link|Why is there a 0 Ohm resistor}}<br />
:Why do Americans hate soccer<br />
:Why do rhymes sound good<br />
:Why do trees die<br />
:Why is there no sound on CNN<br />
:Why aren't Pokemon real<br />
:{{w|Terminal ballistics|Why aren't bullets sharp}}<br />
:Why do dreams seem so real<br />
<br />
;Section three<br />
:{{w|Cremaster_muscle|Why do testicles move}}<br />
:Why are there psychics<br />
:Why are hats so expensive<br />
:Why is there caffeine in my shampoo<br />
:Why do your boobs hurt<br />
<br />
;Section four<br />
:Why aren't economists rich<br />
:[http://www.alsintl.com/blog/soccer-vs-football/ Why do Americans call it soccer]<br />
:Why are my ears ringing<br />
:Why are there so many Avengers<br />
:Why are the Avengers fighting the X-Men<br />
:Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers<br />
<br />
;Section five<br />
:Why are there ants in my laptop<br />
:Why is Earth tilted<br />
:{{w|Olbers' paradox|Why is space black}}<br />
:Why is outer space so cold<br />
:Why are there pyramids on the Moon<br />
:Why is NASA shutting down<br />
<br />
;Section six<br />
:Why are there tiny spiders in my house<br />
:[http://www.burkemuseum.org/spidermyth/myths/comein.html Why do spiders come inside]<br />
:Why are there huge spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there lots of spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there spiders in my room<br />
:Why are there so many spiders in my room<br />
:Why do spider bites itch<br />
:Why is dying so scary<br />
<br />
;Section seven<br />
:Why is there no GPS in laptops<br />
:[http://www.md-health.com/Knee-Clicking.html Why do knees click]<br />
:Why aren't there E grades<br />
:Why is isolation bad<br />
:Why do boys like me<br />
:Why don't boys like me<br />
:Why is there always a Java update<br />
:Why are there red dots on my thighs<br />
:Why is lying good<br />
<br />
;Section eight<br />
:{{w|The Bible and slavery|Why are there slaves in The Bible}}<br />
:[http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/11/04/1234875.htm Why do twins have different fingerprints]<br />
:Why are Americans afraid of dragons<br />
<br />
;Section nine<br />
:Why are there swarms of gnats<br />
:[http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-phlegm.htm Why is there phlegm]<br />
<br />
;Section ten<br />
:Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN<br />
:[http://pokemon.wikia.com/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Types Why is Psychic weak to Bug]<br />
:Why do children get cancer<br />
:Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus<br />
:Why is there ice in space<br />
<br />
;Section eleven<br />
:Why is there an owl in my backyard<br />
:Why is there an owl outside my window<br />
:[http://goodreasonblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/is-there-owl-on-american-dollar-bill.html Why is there an owl on the dollar bill]<br />
:Why do owls attack people<br />
:{{w|2008–13 United States ammunition shortage|Why are AK47s so expensive}}<br />
<br />
;Section twelve<br />
:Why are there helicopters circling my house<br />
:Why are there gods<br />
:Why are there two Spocks<br />
<br />
;Section thirteen<br />
:Why is Mt Vesuvius there<br />
:Why do they say T Minus<br />
:Why are there obelisks<br />
:Why are wrestlers always wet<br />
:Why are oceans becoming more acidic<br />
:Why is Arwen dying<br />
:Why aren't my quail laying eggs<br />
:Why aren't my quail eggs hatching<br />
:Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America<br />
<br />
;Section fourteen<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is https crossed out in red]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a line through https]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a red line through https on Facebook]<br />
:[[wikipedia:HTTP_Secure | Why is https important]]<br />
<br />
;Section fifteen<br />
:Why are my boobs itchy<br />
:Why are cigarettes legal<br />
:Why are the ducks in my pool<br />
:{{w|Race and appearance of Jesus|Why is Jesus white}}<br />
:Why is there liquid in my ear<br />
:Why do Q Tips feel good<br />
:Why do good people die<br />
:[http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Ultrasound-scan/Pages/introduction.aspx Why are ultrasounds important]<br />
:Why are ultrasound machines expensive<br />
:Why is stealing wrong<br />
<br />
;Vertical questions<br />
:(The following are vertical.)<br />
:Why is there Hell if God forgives<br />
:Why aren't there dinosaur ghosts<br />
:Why do iguanas die<br />
:[http://gis.stackexchange.com/a/17546 Why is GPS free]<br />
:Why are trees tall<br />
:[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?285504-Why-can-Mr-Mime-be-female Why are there female Mr Mimes]<br />
:Why is there lava<br />
:Why is {{w|YKK Group|YKK}} on all zippers<br />
:Why is life so boring<br />
:Why do I feel dizzy<br />
:{{w|Seven-day_week#Origins|Why are there weeks}}<br />
:[http://www.dogsonly.org/stormfear.html Why are dogs afraid of fireworks]<br />
:Why is there no king in England<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:LOTR]]<br />
[[Category:Pokémon]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1256:_Questions&diff=498521256: Questions2013-10-01T09:21:58Z<p>Asym: /* Transcript */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1256<br />
| date = August 26, 2013<br />
| title = Questions<br />
| image = questions.png<br />
| titletext = To whoever typed 'why is arwen dying': GOOD. FUCKING. QUESTION.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
{{w|Google}}, a rather popular internet search engine, has a feature known as [https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/106230?hl=en autocomplete] that guesses at search queries before they are fully typed out. These guesses are generally made based on popular searches by other people. From time to time, a particularly strange or hilarious one may be found, as is evidenced in this comic.<br />
<br />
All of the questions in the comic are "why" questions, so many of them are predicated on false assumptions, such as "Why are there pyramids on the moon".<br />
<br />
Regarding the title text: in the Peter Jackson films of {{w|The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy}}, Arwen becomes sickly for unspecified reasons as the plot advances, apparently giving Aragorn a more personal reason to fight. The only explanation given is by Elrond, who says "As Sauron's power grows, her [Arwen's] strength wanes." (This subplot is entirely absent from the {{w|The Lord of the Rings|original novels}}.)<br />
<br />
From [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/faq#.2.1.21 IMDB]: <br /><blockquote><br />
Arwen, like her father (and brothers) is considered to be a Half-Elf, the result of a union between an Elf and a mortal human. The Half-Elven of Middle-earth get a choice, to remain immortal and return to the West (Valinor) or to become mortal and to die as humans do. Elrond chose to remain an Elf. Arwen (like her uncle Elros) chooses to become mortal in order to wed and remain with Aragorn. Elrond senses this; this is what he means when he says that Arwen is dying. It is the same as in The Last Unicorn, when the unicorn is given the form of a human woman and can feel that she is no longer immortal ("I can feel this body dying all around me"). According to Tolkien, though, after Aragorn dies in the year 120 (Fourth Age), Arwen returns to Lórien, where she dies by choice the following winter. </blockquote><br />
<br />
;Selected answers<br />
(Some questions in the transcript are linked to their answers.)<br />
{| class ="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
!style="width:20%;"|Question !! Possible answer<br />
|-<br />
| Why is there not a Pokémon MMO? || {{w|Pokémon}} is a popular franchise, spanning game consoles, anime series, a trading card game, and many other things. Among fans, it is a frequent topic of discussion why a Pokémon {{w|massively multiplayer online game}} has not been officially announced by the series' developers {{w|Game Freak}}, as they often [http://www.dorkly.com/comic/52546/be-careful-what-you-wish-for predict] that such a game would be extremely popular, and bring in massive revenue for the company.<br />
|-<br />
|Why is there laughing in TV shows? || Sitcoms were once filmed with an audience, so the actors could respond to their reactions. That's the historical reason why there were laughs in TV shows. The tradition continues, with the difference that now the laughter mostly comes from {{w|Laugh track|recorded tapes}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are ducks called ducks? || {{W|wikt:duck|According to Wiktionary}}, the noun ''duck'' can be traced back to the {{w|Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic}} word {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Germanic/dūkaną|''dūkaną''}} ("to dive, bend down"), and, in turn, the {{w|Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European}} {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Indo-European/dʰewb-|''dʰewb-''}} ("deep, hollow"), which is the origin of the verb ''to duck''. The link between the noun and the verb comes from ducks' tendency to dive under water for short periods of time.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there male and female bikes? || {{w|bicycle|From Wikipedia}}: <blockquote>Historically, women's bicycle frames had a top tube that connected in the middle of the seat tube instead of the top, resulting in a lower {{w|Frame geometry|standover height}} at the expense of compromised structural integrity, since this places a strong bending load in the seat tube, and bicycle frame members are typically weak in bending. This design, referred to as a '''''{{w|step-through frame}}''''' or as an ''open frame'', allows the rider to mount and dismount in a dignified way while wearing a skirt or dress.</blockquote><br />
|-<br />
| Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus? || {{w|Poseidon}} was the patron deity of the city of {{w|Troy}}, which after a 10 years siege by the Greeks fell due to {{w|Odysseus}}' list of the {{w|Trojan_Horse|Trojan horse}}. As the Greeks were returning home, Poseidon cursed Odysseus' ship to prevent him from reaching his home in {{W|Ithaca}}. The adventures which Odysseus encounters during his quest for reaching Ithaca are the main theme of {{w|Homer|Homer's}} {{w|Odyssey}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there two Spocks? || This is probably a reference to the {{w|Star_Trek_(film)|2009 Star Trek movie}} in which the franchise was given a {{w|Reboot_(fiction)|continuity reboot}}. The modified setting is explained in-universe by time travel, with both the villain Nero and the original-timeline Spock being brought back from the 24th century to the 23rd, creating a timeline in which both older Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) and the younger Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) coexist.<br />
<br />
Another possibility is that the question refers to the episode {{w|Mirror,_Mirror_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)|"Mirror, Mirror"}}, which mostly takes place in an alternate universe populated by ruthless versions of most of the characters (including Spock).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America? || ''Further information: {{w|United States military deployments}}''<p>This is a very interesting question, albeit one likely based on a regional misunderstanding. Presumably, this question is asked by Americans who assume that the existence of {{w|Category:Military facilities of the United States by country|U.S. military bases abroad}} is a general trend among countries, as opposed to being the rarity that it is. In fact, {{w|List of countries with overseas military bases|only a handful of other countries}} have military bases outside of their borders, and the three&mdash;{{w|France}}, the {{w|United Kingdom}}, and {{w|Russia}}&mdash;that have more than one or two are all countries that, like the United States, {{w|Allies of World War II|were on the winning side of World War II}}, have {{w|List of countries by military expenditures|massive military expenditures}}, and have {{w|United Nations Security Council veto power|UN Security Council vetoes}}. In other words, only the most militarily elite countries have bases overseas. The U.S. is unique, however, in that it has far more overseas bases than any other country (and, pretty much, far more of anything else than any other country, when it comes to the military), and in that {{w|List of United States military bases|it has bases in several other highly-industrialized nations}}, including {{w|List of United States Army installations in South Korea|South Korea}} and the United Kingdom, and, most notably, the World War II {{w|Axis powers}}: {{w|List of United States Army installations in Germany|Germany}}, {{w|United States Forces Japan|Japan}}, and {{w|List of United States Army installations in Italy|Italy}}. (France, Russia, and the U.K.'s bases, on the other hand, are almost all within areas that they previously controlled.)</p><p>These bases can be controversial in some countries, while in others they are a major source of economic and political stability. The U.S. traditionally justifies their presence as a necessary and crucial element in its efforts to promote peace domestically and worldwide. Despite their major role in {{w|U.S. foreign policy}}, and in the general political structure of the globe, the American public often largely ignores them, and they rarely become a major political issue (apart from an occasional mention by {{w|Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian presidential candidates}}).</p><p>So, essentially, the absence of foreign military bases within the U.S. is primarily because there aren't really any other countries in a position to place bases there. Furthermore, such bases wouldn't do much good, as no battles have been fought within the U.S. since the {{w|U.S. Civil War}} and the U.S. mainland has seen {{w|Mainland invasion of the United States|almost no military action}}. (The {{w|attack on Pearl Harbor}} in 1941 was 18 years before Hawaii became a U.S. state.)</p><p>There are, however, foreign troops stationed at some continental US military bases. For example RAF (British Royal Air Force) 39 Sqn and 361 Sqn at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada flying Reaper and Predator drones. But this are not foreign military bases, they are just guests.</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why is there no king in England? || ''Note: For simplicity's sake, "England" here is being read as "United Kingdom." The various name changes, mergers, and splits of kingdoms are complicated.''<p>The basis for this question is that for the past several hundred years, there has almost always been a queen in England, the sole exceptions being when the king has not had a wife. However, there is a distinction between being the queen of England (that is to say, {{w|List of British monarchs|a monarch}}) and being the {{w|queen consort|queen ''consort''}} of England: The former refers to a woman who {{w|Succession to the British throne|succeeded to the throne}} in her own right, becoming sovereign, while the latter refers to the wife of the king. Both roles, though, are commonly referred to as "Queen of England," creating the impression that there is always such a person. The logical question, therefore, is why {{w|Elizabeth II}}'s husband, {{w|Prince Philip|Philip}}, is not considered the king of England. The answer lies in Britain's system of {{w|male-preference cognatic primogeniture}}, which causes the monarch of England to usually be a man, not a woman. As a result of this, British laws were generally built around the presumption that the monarch would be a man (and that said man would be married to a woman, [[223: Valentine's Day|comic 223]] be damned). Since the creation of the modern British throne in 1707, only two women have reigned as queen in their own right; it just so happens that these two women have been two of the most famous and longest-reigning monarchs in world history, {{w|Queen Victoria}} and Queen Elizabeth II. This fact may add to people's enhanced perception of the lack of a British king. Victoria and Elizabeth's respective consorts, {{w|Albert, Prince Consort|Albert}} and Philip, have been styled as princes&mdash;Albert as {{w|Prince Consort}} and Philip as "{{w|British prince|Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland}}." Both were explicitly granted their titles by their wives, though Albert was already a prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Philip had previously been a prince of Denmark and Greece, but had renounced both titles before marrying Elizabeth.</p><p>The title {{w|king consort}} also exists, but has never been used in the United Kingdom.</p><p>Notably, should {{w|Prince Charles}} succeed to his mother's throne, it has been announced that his wife, {{w|Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Camilla}}, will be styled as {{w|princess consort}}, ''not'' as queen consort, just as she has declined the title {{w|Princess of Wales}}, which is strongly associated with Charles's first wife, {{w|Princess Diana|Diana}}. Assuming that Charles succeeds, this means that Britain will not have anyone referred to as "queen," after decades of not having anyone referred to as "king."</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why are there female Mr. Mimes? || {{w|Mr. Mime}} is a Pokémon introduced in the first generation of the games, and despite its name, it can be either of a male or female gender. As the Pokémon was introduced before the concept of [http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gender gender in Pokémon games], it is likely that the people in charge of translating its Japanese name (Barrierd) did not take this into account during the process. <br />
|-<br />
| Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN || From a Minnesota Paper, [http://www.startribune.com/local/138902104.html the Star Tribune], "Laws prevent the city from poisoning the crows". "Duffy [Steve Duffy, a co-owner of U.S. Bird Abatement Services, which has contracted with Rochester to get rid of the crows] isn't sure why Rochester has such a bad crow problem; probably a confluence of many bird-friendly conditions that has also made it a magnet for geese. He's seen worse cases, but called Rochester's situation 'hideous.'" And best of all, "The city has twice this winter hired experts to chase them off. They tried lasers and bullhorns -- hey, get out of here, you crows -- and even employed raptors to pick them off, one by one. That worked, for awhile." (Unfortunately, they mean a {{w|bird of prey}}, not a {{w|velociraptor}}).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter || In the {{w|Harry Potter}} universe, Muggle technology (human inventions) are often looked down on by wizards - the majority of half-blooded wizards like Harry won't touch one, let alone a wizard extremist like {{w|Voldemort}}. Not only does any Muggle device more complex than a wristwatch interfere with magical artifacts, but wands are usually more versatile than most guns (a revolver can't shoot lightning or summon items or teleport its user). Finally, while Harry himself may or may not consider using firearms due to his muggle upbringing, ''Harry Potter'' is a children's book (which usually doesn't include guns) set in England (which has stricter gun laws than, say, the United States).<br />
|-<br />
| Why are the Avengers fighting the X Men || {{w|Avengers vs. X-Men}} was a 2012 Marvel crossover event that, like many other recent comic book events, had heroes fight other heroes. In this case, the {{w|Avengers (comics)|Avengers}} and the {{w|X-Men}} fought over the {{w|Phoenix Force (comics)|Phoenix Force}}, a godlike power that often possesses {{w|Jean Grey}} or her descendants (in this case, her alternate universe daughter Hope Summers). The Avengers believed the Phoenix Force is too powerful for humanity to control and wanted to contain it, while the X-Men believed the Phoenix was the messiah for mutants and could fix all of the Earth's problems.<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers || Wolverine ''has'' been an Avenger, in some circumstances. e.g. in the {{w|The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes}} cartoon series, the episode ''New Avengers'' had Wolverine (along with Spiderman, War Machine, The Thing and Luke Cage and Iron Fist) substitute while the 'original' Avengers were unavailable to deal with the current crisis (which of course included the fate of the 'proper' Avengers). However, in general his anti-authority personality makes him a difficult team-member to field, and he has frequently disassociated himself even from the X-Men. But, in Avengers vs. X-Men (see above) Wolverine ''sided'' with The Avengers, and more modern treatments have even included the character in about as much a permanent a membership of the group as Logan is ever likely to have.<br />
<br />
But if the question is about why Wolverine didn't appear in {{w|The Avengers (2012 film)|''The Avengers''}}, the answer is that ''The Avengers'' is being produced by Marvel/Disney, while Fox still has the rights to the X-Men and all Marvel mutants in general. Unless there is studio agreement, the two properties cannot cross, except through complicated machinations. For example, there are plans to bring Avengers mainstays Quicksilver and The Scarlet Witch to both the ''Avengers'' and ''X-Men'' franchises, but only the Fox films have the right to call them the children of Magneto, and Marvel/Disney cannot even identify them on-screen as "mutants".<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Psychic weak to Bug || In Pokémon, Pokémon of the psychic type (such as Mr. Mime) are weak to three types of attacks: Ghost, Dark, and Bug. The general theory is that Psychic Pokémon, relying heavily on their thoughts for attacks, are weak to fears (which ghosts, darkness, and bugs can be classified as).<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
:(This strip is a rectangular word cloud, titled 'Questions found in Google autocomplete'. Embedded in the cloud are 5 single panels, with illustrated questions. Questions are grouped by section and given in roughly columnar order for the horizontal text, followed by the vertical text. None of the questions have question marks. The comic links to a [http://xkcd.com/1256/large/ large version] of the word cloud.)<br />
<br />
;Title: Questions found in Google autocomplete<br />
<br />
;The single panels<br />
:[We see Cueball from the torso up, with arms outstretched.]<br />
:Cueball: Why aren't my arms growing<br />
:[Megan stands with a grey ghost on either side of her.]<br />
:Megan: Why are there ghosts<br />
:[Beret Guy stands, looking at a squirrel.]<br />
:Beret Guy: Why are there squirrels<br />
:[Cueball stands.]<br />
:Cueball: Why is sex so important<br />
:[We see Ponytail from the torso up.]<br />
:Ponytail: Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter<br />
<br />
;Section one<br />
:Why do whales jump<br />
:{{w|Wizard of Oz|Why are witches green}}<br />
:Why are there mirrors above beds<br />
:[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/06/the_odd_body_language_fillers/ Why do I say Uh]<br />
:Why is sea salt better<br />
:Why are there trees in the middle of fields<br />
:Why is there not a Pokemon MMO<br />
:Why is there laughing in TV shows<br />
:Why are there doors on the freeway<br />
:{{w|svchost.exe|Why are there so many svchost.exe running}}<br />
:Why aren't there any countries in Antarctica<br />
:Why are there scary sounds in Minecraft<br />
:[http://www.webmd.com/baby/fetal-movement-feeling-baby-kick Why is there kicking in my stomach]<br />
:[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1220286/Sir-Tim-Berners-Lee-admits-forward-slashes-web-address-mistake.html Why are there two slashes after http]<br />
:Why are there celebrities<br />
:Why do snakes exist<br />
:{{w|Pearl#Creation_of_a_pearl|Why do oysters have pearls}}<br />
:{{w|Duck#Etymology|Why are ducks called ducks}}<br />
:Why do they call it the clap<br />
:Why are Kyle and Cartman friends<br />
:{{w|Avatar: The Last Airbender#Characters|Why is there an arrow on Aang's head}}<br />
:Why are text messages blue<br />
:Why are there mustaches on clothes<br />
:Why are there mustaches on cars<br />
:Why are there mustaches everywhere<br />
:Why are there so many birds in Ohio<br />
:Why is there so much rain in Ohio<br />
:{{w|Lake-effect snow|Why is Ohio weather so weird}}<br />
<br />
;Section two<br />
:Why are there male and female bikes<br />
:{{w|Bridesmaid#Origin and history|Why are there bridesmaids}}<br />
:Why do dying people reach up<br />
:Why aren't there varicose arteries<br />
:{{w|Klingon#Redesign|Why are old Klingons different}}<br />
:Why is programming so hard<br />
:{{w|Zero-ohm_link|Why is there a 0 Ohm resistor}}<br />
:Why do Americans hate soccer<br />
:Why do rhymes sound good<br />
:Why do trees die<br />
:Why is there no sound on CNN<br />
:Why aren't Pokemon real<br />
:{{w|Terminal ballistics|Why aren't bullets sharp}}<br />
:Why do dreams seem so real<br />
<br />
;Section three<br />
:{{w|Cremaster_muscle|Why do testicles move}}<br />
:Why are there psychics<br />
:Why are hats so expensive<br />
:Why is there caffeine in my shampoo<br />
:Why do your boobs hurt<br />
<br />
;Section four<br />
:Why aren't economists rich<br />
:[http://www.alsintl.com/blog/soccer-vs-football/ Why do Americans call it soccer]<br />
:Why are my ears ringing<br />
:Why are there so many Avengers<br />
:Why are the Avengers fighting the X-Men<br />
:Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers<br />
<br />
;Section five<br />
:Why are there ants in my laptop<br />
:Why is Earth tilted<br />
:{{w|Olbers' paradox|Why is space black}}<br />
:Why is outer space so cold<br />
:Why are there pyramids on the Moon<br />
:Why is NASA shutting down<br />
<br />
;Section six<br />
:Why are there tiny spiders in my house<br />
:[http://www.burkemuseum.org/spidermyth/myths/comein.html Why do spiders come inside]<br />
:Why are there huge spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there lots of spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there spiders in my room<br />
:Why are there so many spiders in my room<br />
:Why do spider bites itch<br />
:Why is dying so scary<br />
<br />
;Section seven<br />
:Why is there no GPS in laptops<br />
:[http://www.md-health.com/Knee-Clicking.html Why do knees click]<br />
:Why aren't there E grades<br />
:Why is isolation bad<br />
:Why do boys like me<br />
:Why don't boys like me<br />
:Why is there always a Java update<br />
:Why are there red dots on my thighs<br />
:Why is lying good<br />
<br />
;Section eight<br />
:{{w|The Bible and slavery|Why are there slaves in The Bible}}<br />
:[http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/11/04/1234875.htm Why do twins have different fingerprints]<br />
:Why are Americans afraid of dragons<br />
<br />
;Section nine<br />
:Why are there swarms of gnats<br />
:[http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-phlegm.htm Why is there phlegm]<br />
<br />
;Section ten<br />
:Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN<br />
:[http://pokemon.wikia.com/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Types Why is Psychic weak to Bug]<br />
:Why do children get cancer<br />
:Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus<br />
:Why is there ice in space<br />
<br />
;Section eleven<br />
:Why is there an owl in my backyard<br />
:Why is there an owl outside my window<br />
:[http://goodreasonblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/is-there-owl-on-american-dollar-bill.html Why is there an owl on the dollar bill]<br />
:Why do owls attack people<br />
:{{w|2008–13 United States ammunition shortage|Why are AK47s so expensive}}<br />
<br />
;Section twelve<br />
:Why are there helicopters circling my house<br />
:Why are there gods<br />
:Why are there two Spocks<br />
<br />
;Section thirteen<br />
:Why is Mt Vesuvius there<br />
:Why do they say T Minus<br />
:Why are there obelisks<br />
:Why are wrestlers always wet<br />
:Why are oceans becoming more acidic<br />
:Why is Arwen dying<br />
:Why aren't my quail laying eggs<br />
:Why aren't my quail eggs hatching<br />
:Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America<br />
<br />
;Section fourteen<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is https crossed out in red]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a line through https]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a red line through https on Facebook]<br />
:[[wikipedia:HTTP_Secure | Why is https important]]<br />
<br />
;Section fifteen<br />
:Why are my boobs itchy<br />
:Why are cigarettes legal<br />
:Why are the ducks in my pool<br />
:{{w|Race and appearance of Jesus|Why is Jesus white}}<br />
:Why is there liquid in my ear<br />
:Why do Q Tips feel good<br />
:Why do good people die<br />
:[http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Ultrasound-scan/Pages/introduction.aspx Why are ultrasounds important]<br />
:Why are ultrasound machines expensive<br />
:Why is stealing wrong<br />
<br />
;Vertical questions<br />
:(The following are vertical.)<br />
:Why is there Hell if God forgives<br />
:Why aren't there dinosaur ghosts<br />
:Why do iguanas die<br />
:[http://gis.stackexchange.com/a/17546 Why is GPS free]<br />
:Why are trees tall<br />
:[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?285504-Why-can-Mr-Mime-be-female Why are there female Mr Mimes]<br />
:Why is there lava<br />
:Why is {{w|YKK Group|YKK}} on all zippers<br />
:Why is life so boring<br />
:Why do I feel dizzy<br />
:{{w|Seven-day_week#Origins|Why are there weeks}}<br />
:[http://www.dogsonly.org/stormfear.html Why are dogs afraid of fireworks]<br />
:Why is there no king in England<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:LOTR]]<br />
[[Category:Pokémon]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1256:_Questions&diff=497991256: Questions2013-09-30T17:03:46Z<p>Asym: /* Transcript */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1256<br />
| date = August 26, 2013<br />
| title = Questions<br />
| image = questions.png<br />
| titletext = To whoever typed 'why is arwen dying': GOOD. FUCKING. QUESTION.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
{{w|Google}}, a rather popular internet search engine, has a feature known as [https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/106230?hl=en autocomplete] that guesses at search queries before they are fully typed out. These guesses are generally made based on popular searches by other people. From time to time, a particularly strange or hilarious one may be found, as is evidenced in this comic.<br />
<br />
All of the questions in the comic are "why" questions, so many of them are predicated on false assumptions, such as "Why are there pyramids on the moon".<br />
<br />
Regarding the title text: in the Peter Jackson films of {{w|The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy}}, Arwen becomes sickly for unspecified reasons as the plot advances, apparently giving Aragorn a more personal reason to fight. The only explanation given is by Elrond, who says "As Sauron's power grows, her [Arwen's] strength wanes." (This subplot is entirely absent from the {{w|The Lord of the Rings|original novels}}.)<br />
<br />
From [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/faq#.2.1.21 IMDB]: <br /><blockquote><br />
Arwen, like her father (and brothers) is considered to be a Half-Elf, the result of a union between an Elf and a mortal human. The Half-Elven of Middle-earth get a choice, to remain immortal and return to the West (Valinor) or to become mortal and to die as humans do. Elrond chose to remain an Elf. Arwen (like her uncle Elros) chooses to become mortal in order to wed and remain with Aragorn. Elrond senses this; this is what he means when he says that Arwen is dying. It is the same as in The Last Unicorn, when the unicorn is given the form of a human woman and can feel that she is no longer immortal ("I can feel this body dying all around me"). According to Tolkien, though, after Aragorn dies in the year 120 (Fourth Age), Arwen returns to Lórien, where she dies by choice the following winter. </blockquote><br />
<br />
;Selected answers<br />
(Some questions in the transcript are linked to their answers.)<br />
{| class ="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
!style="width:20%;"|Question !! Possible answer<br />
|-<br />
| Why is there not a Pokémon MMO? || {{w|Pokémon}} is a popular franchise, spanning game consoles, anime series, a trading card game, and many other things. Among fans, it is a frequent topic of discussion why a Pokémon {{w|massively multiplayer online game}} has not been officially announced by the series' developers {{w|Game Freak}}, as they often [http://www.dorkly.com/comic/52546/be-careful-what-you-wish-for predict] that such a game would be extremely popular, and bring in massive revenue for the company.<br />
|-<br />
|Why is there laughing in TV shows? || Sitcoms were once filmed with an audience, so the actors could respond to their reactions. That's the historical reason why there were laughs in TV shows. The tradition continues, with the difference that now the laughter mostly comes from {{w|Laugh track|recorded tapes}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are ducks called ducks? || {{W|wikt:duck|According to Wiktionary}}, the noun ''duck'' can be traced back to the {{w|Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic}} word {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Germanic/dūkaną|''dūkaną''}} ("to dive, bend down"), and, in turn, the {{w|Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European}} {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Indo-European/dʰewb-|''dʰewb-''}} ("deep, hollow"), which is the origin of the verb ''to duck''. The link between the noun and the verb comes from ducks' tendency to dive under water for short periods of time.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there male and female bikes? || {{w|bicycle|From Wikipedia}}: <blockquote>Historically, women's bicycle frames had a top tube that connected in the middle of the seat tube instead of the top, resulting in a lower {{w|Frame geometry|standover height}} at the expense of compromised structural integrity, since this places a strong bending load in the seat tube, and bicycle frame members are typically weak in bending. This design, referred to as a '''''{{w|step-through frame}}''''' or as an ''open frame'', allows the rider to mount and dismount in a dignified way while wearing a skirt or dress.</blockquote><br />
|-<br />
| Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus? || {{w|Poseidon}} was the patron deity of the city of {{w|Troy}}, which after a 10 years siege by the Greeks fell due to {{w|Odysseus}}' list of the {{w|Trojan_Horse|Trojan horse}}. As the Greeks were returning home, Poseidon cursed Odysseus' ship to prevent him from reaching his home in {{W|Ithaca}}. The adventures which Odysseus encounters during his quest for reaching Ithaca are the main theme of {{w|Homer|Homer's}} {{w|Odyssey}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there two Spocks? || This is probably a reference to the {{w|Star_Trek_(film)|2009 Star Trek movie}} in which the franchise was given a {{w|Reboot_(fiction)|continuity reboot}}. The modified setting is explained in-universe by time travel, with both the villain Nero and the original-timeline Spock being brought back from the 24th century to the 23rd, creating a timeline in which both older Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) and the younger Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) coexist.<br />
<br />
Another possibility is that the question refers to the episode {{w|Mirror,_Mirror_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)|"Mirror, Mirror"}}, which mostly takes place in an alternate universe populated by ruthless versions of most of the characters (including Spock).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America? || ''Further information: {{w|United States military deployments}}''<p>This is a very interesting question, albeit one likely based on a regional misunderstanding. Presumably, this question is asked by Americans who assume that the existence of {{w|Category:Military facilities of the United States by country|U.S. military bases abroad}} is a general trend among countries, as opposed to being the rarity that it is. In fact, {{w|List of countries with overseas military bases|only a handful of other countries}} have military bases outside of their borders, and the three&mdash;{{w|France}}, the {{w|United Kingdom}}, and {{w|Russia}}&mdash;that have more than one or two are all countries that, like the United States, {{w|Allies of World War II|were on the winning side of World War II}}, have {{w|List of countries by military expenditures|massive military expenditures}}, and have {{w|United Nations Security Council veto power|UN Security Council vetoes}}. In other words, only the most militarily elite countries have bases overseas. The U.S. is unique, however, in that it has far more overseas bases than any other country (and, pretty much, far more of anything else than any other country, when it comes to the military), and in that {{w|List of United States military bases|it has bases in several other highly-industrialized nations}}, including {{w|List of United States Army installations in South Korea|South Korea}} and the United Kingdom, and, most notably, the World War II {{w|Axis powers}}: {{w|List of United States Army installations in Germany|Germany}}, {{w|United States Forces Japan|Japan}}, and {{w|List of United States Army installations in Italy|Italy}}. (France, Russia, and the U.K.'s bases, on the other hand, are almost all within areas that they previously controlled.)</p><p>These bases can be controversial in some countries, while in others they are a major source of economic and political stability. The U.S. traditionally justifies their presence as a necessary and crucial element in its efforts to promote peace domestically and worldwide. Despite their major role in {{w|U.S. foreign policy}}, and in the general political structure of the globe, the American public often largely ignores them, and they rarely become a major political issue (apart from an occasional mention by {{w|Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian presidential candidates}}).</p><p>So, essentially, the absence of foreign military bases within the U.S. is primarily because there aren't really any other countries in a position to place bases there. Furthermore, such bases wouldn't do much good, as no battles have been fought within the U.S. since the {{w|U.S. Civil War}} and the U.S. mainland has seen {{w|Mainland invasion of the United States|almost no military action}}. (The {{w|attack on Pearl Harbor}} in 1941 was 18 years before Hawaii became a U.S. state.)</p><p>There are, however, foreign troops stationed at some continental US military bases. For example RAF (British Royal Air Force) 39 Sqn and 361 Sqn at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada flying Reaper and Predator drones. But this are not foreign military bases, they are just guests.</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why is there no king in England? || ''Note: For simplicity's sake, "England" here is being read as "United Kingdom." The various name changes, mergers, and splits of kingdoms are complicated.''<p>The basis for this question is that for the past several hundred years, there has almost always been a queen in England, the sole exceptions being when the king has not had a wife. However, there is a distinction between being the queen of England (that is to say, {{w|List of British monarchs|a monarch}}) and being the {{w|queen consort|queen ''consort''}} of England: The former refers to a woman who {{w|Succession to the British throne|succeeded to the throne}} in her own right, becoming sovereign, while the latter refers to the wife of the king. Both roles, though, are commonly referred to as "Queen of England," creating the impression that there is always such a person. The logical question, therefore, is why {{w|Elizabeth II}}'s husband, {{w|Prince Philip|Philip}}, is not considered the king of England. The answer lies in Britain's system of {{w|male-preference cognatic primogeniture}}, which causes the monarch of England to usually be a man, not a woman. As a result of this, British laws were generally built around the presumption that the monarch would be a man (and that said man would be married to a woman, [[223: Valentine's Day|comic 223]] be damned). Since the creation of the modern British throne in 1707, only two women have reigned as queen in their own right; it just so happens that these two women have been two of the most famous and longest-reigning monarchs in world history, {{w|Queen Victoria}} and Queen Elizabeth II. This fact may add to people's enhanced perception of the lack of a British king. Victoria and Elizabeth's respective consorts, {{w|Albert, Prince Consort|Albert}} and Philip, have been styled as princes&mdash;Albert as {{w|Prince Consort}} and Philip as "{{w|British prince|Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland}}." Both were explicitly granted their titles by their wives, though Albert was already a prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Philip had previously been a prince of Denmark and Greece, but had renounced both titles before marrying Elizabeth.</p><p>The title {{w|king consort}} also exists, but has never been used in the United Kingdom.</p><p>Notably, should {{w|Prince Charles}} succeed to his mother's throne, it has been announced that his wife, {{w|Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Camilla}}, will be styled as {{w|princess consort}}, ''not'' as queen consort, just as she has declined the title {{w|Princess of Wales}}, which is strongly associated with Charles's first wife, {{w|Princess Diana|Diana}}. Assuming that Charles succeeds, this means that Britain will not have anyone referred to as "queen," after decades of not having anyone referred to as "king."</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why are there female Mr. Mimes? || {{w|Mr. Mime}} is a Pokémon introduced in the first generation of the games, and despite its name, it can be either of a male or female gender. As the Pokémon was introduced before the concept of [http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gender gender in Pokémon games], it is likely that the people in charge of translating its Japanese name (Barrierd) did not take this into account during the process. <br />
|-<br />
| Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN || From a Minnesota Paper, [http://www.startribune.com/local/138902104.html the Star Tribune], "Laws prevent the city from poisoning the crows". "Duffy [Steve Duffy, a co-owner of U.S. Bird Abatement Services, which has contracted with Rochester to get rid of the crows] isn't sure why Rochester has such a bad crow problem; probably a confluence of many bird-friendly conditions that has also made it a magnet for geese. He's seen worse cases, but called Rochester's situation 'hideous.'" And best of all, "The city has twice this winter hired experts to chase them off. They tried lasers and bullhorns -- hey, get out of here, you crows -- and even employed raptors to pick them off, one by one. That worked, for awhile." (Unfortunately, they mean a {{w|bird of prey}}, not a {{w|velociraptor}}).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter || In the {{w|Harry Potter}} universe, Muggle technology (human inventions) are often looked down on by wizards - the majority of half-blooded wizards like Harry won't touch one, let alone a wizard extremist like {{w|Voldemort}}. Not only does any Muggle device more complex than a wristwatch interfere with magical artifacts, but wands are usually more versatile than most guns (a revolver can't shoot lightning or summon items or teleport its user). Finally, while Harry himself may or may not consider using firearms due to his muggle upbringing, ''Harry Potter'' is a children's book (which usually doesn't include guns) set in England (which has stricter gun laws than, say, the United States).<br />
|-<br />
| Why are the Avengers fighting the X Men || {{w|Avengers vs. X-Men}} was a 2012 Marvel crossover event that, like many other recent comic book events, had heroes fight other heroes. In this case, the {{w|Avengers (comics)|Avengers}} and the {{w|X-Men}} fought over the {{w|Phoenix Force (comics)|Phoenix Force}}, a godlike power that often possesses {{w|Jean Grey}} or her descendants (in this case, her alternate universe daughter Hope Summers). The Avengers believed the Phoenix Force is too powerful for humanity to control and wanted to contain it, while the X-Men believed the Phoenix was the messiah for mutants and could fix all of the Earth's problems.<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers || Wolverine ''has'' been an Avenger, in some circumstances. e.g. in the {{w|The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes}} cartoon series, the episode ''New Avengers'' had Wolverine (along with Spiderman, War Machine, The Thing and Luke Cage and Iron Fist) substitute while the 'original' Avengers were unavailable to deal with the current crisis (which of course included the fate of the 'proper' Avengers). However, in general his anti-authority personality makes him a difficult team-member to field, and he has frequently disassociated himself even from the X-Men. But, in Avengers vs. X-Men (see above) Wolverine ''sided'' with The Avengers, and more modern treatments have even included the character in about as much a permanent a membership of the group as Logan is ever likely to have.<br />
<br />
But if the question is about why Wolverine didn't appear in {{w|The Avengers (2012 film)|''The Avengers''}}, the answer is that ''The Avengers'' is being produced by Marvel/Disney, while Fox still has the rights to the X-Men and all Marvel mutants in general. Unless there is studio agreement, the two properties cannot cross, except through complicated machinations. For example, there are plans to bring Avengers mainstays Quicksilver and The Scarlet Witch to both the ''Avengers'' and ''X-Men'' franchises, but only the Fox films have the right to call them the children of Magneto, and Marvel/Disney cannot even identify them on-screen as "mutants".<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Psychic weak to Bug || In Pokémon, Pokémon of the psychic type (such as Mr. Mime) are weak to three types of attacks: Ghost, Dark, and Bug. The general theory is that Psychic Pokémon, relying heavily on their thoughts for attacks, are weak to fears (which ghosts, darkness, and bugs can be classified as).<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
:(This strip is a rectangular word cloud, titled 'Questions found in Google autocomplete'. Embedded in the cloud are 5 single panels, with illustrated questions. Questions are grouped by section and given in roughly columnar order for the horizontal text, followed by the vertical text. None of the questions have question marks. The comic links to a [http://xkcd.com/1256/large/ large version] of the word cloud.)<br />
<br />
;Title: Questions found in Google autocomplete<br />
<br />
;The single panels<br />
:[We see Cueball from the torso up, with arms outstretched.]<br />
:Cueball: Why aren't my arms growing<br />
:[Megan stands with a grey ghost on either side of her.]<br />
:Megan: Why are there ghosts<br />
:[Beret Guy stands, looking at a squirrel.]<br />
:Beret Guy: Why are there squirrels<br />
:[Cueball stands.]<br />
:Cueball: Why is sex so important<br />
:[We see Ponytail from the torso up.]<br />
:Ponytail: Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter<br />
<br />
;Section one<br />
:Why do whales jump<br />
:{{w|Wizard of Oz|Why are witches green}}<br />
:Why are there mirrors above beds<br />
:Why do I say Uh<br />
:Why is sea salt better<br />
:Why are there trees in the middle of fields<br />
:Why is there not a Pokemon MMO<br />
:Why is there laughing in TV shows<br />
:Why are there doors on the freeway<br />
:{{w|svchost.exe|Why are there so many svchost.exe running}}<br />
:Why aren't there any countries in Antarctica<br />
:Why are there scary sounds in Minecraft<br />
:[http://www.webmd.com/baby/fetal-movement-feeling-baby-kick Why is there kicking in my stomach]<br />
:[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1220286/Sir-Tim-Berners-Lee-admits-forward-slashes-web-address-mistake.html Why are there two slashes after http]<br />
:Why are there celebrities<br />
:Why do snakes exist<br />
:{{w|Pearl#Creation_of_a_pearl|Why do oysters have pearls}}<br />
:{{w|Duck#Etymology|Why are ducks called ducks}}<br />
:Why do they call it the clap<br />
:Why are Kyle and Cartman friends<br />
:{{w|Avatar: The Last Airbender#Characters|Why is there an arrow on Aang's head}}<br />
:Why are text messages blue<br />
:Why are there mustaches on clothes<br />
:Why are there mustaches on cars<br />
:Why are there mustaches everywhere<br />
:Why are there so many birds in Ohio<br />
:Why is there so much rain in Ohio<br />
:{{w|Lake-effect snow|Why is Ohio weather so weird}}<br />
<br />
;Section two<br />
:Why are there male and female bikes<br />
:{{w|Bridesmaid#Origin and history|Why are there bridesmaids}}<br />
:Why do dying people reach up<br />
:Why aren't there varicose arteries<br />
:{{w|Klingon#Redesign|Why are old Klingons different}}<br />
:Why is programming so hard<br />
:{{w|Zero-ohm_link|Why is there a 0 Ohm resistor}}<br />
:Why do Americans hate soccer<br />
:Why do rhymes sound good<br />
:Why do trees die<br />
:Why is there no sound on CNN<br />
:Why aren't Pokemon real<br />
:{{w|Terminal ballistics|Why aren't bullets sharp}}<br />
:Why do dreams seem so real<br />
<br />
;Section three<br />
:{{w|Cremaster_muscle|Why do testicles move}}<br />
:Why are there psychics<br />
:Why are hats so expensive<br />
:Why is there caffeine in my shampoo<br />
:Why do your boobs hurt<br />
<br />
;Section four<br />
:Why aren't economists rich<br />
:[http://www.alsintl.com/blog/soccer-vs-football/ Why do Americans call it soccer]<br />
:Why are my ears ringing<br />
:Why are there so many Avengers<br />
:Why are the Avengers fighting the X-Men<br />
:Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers<br />
<br />
;Section five<br />
:Why are there ants in my laptop<br />
:Why is Earth tilted<br />
:{{w|Olbers' paradox|Why is space black}}<br />
:Why is outer space so cold<br />
:Why are there pyramids on the Moon<br />
:Why is NASA shutting down<br />
<br />
;Section six<br />
:Why are there tiny spiders in my house<br />
:[http://www.burkemuseum.org/spidermyth/myths/comein.html Why do spiders come inside]<br />
:Why are there huge spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there lots of spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there spiders in my room<br />
:Why are there so many spiders in my room<br />
:Why do spider bites itch<br />
:Why is dying so scary<br />
<br />
;Section seven<br />
:Why is there no GPS in laptops<br />
:[http://www.md-health.com/Knee-Clicking.html Why do knees click]<br />
:Why aren't there E grades<br />
:Why is isolation bad<br />
:Why do boys like me<br />
:Why don't boys like me<br />
:Why is there always a Java update<br />
:Why are there red dots on my thighs<br />
:Why is lying good<br />
<br />
;Section eight<br />
:{{w|The Bible and slavery|Why are there slaves in The Bible}}<br />
:[http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/11/04/1234875.htm Why do twins have different fingerprints]<br />
:Why are Americans afraid of dragons<br />
<br />
;Section nine<br />
:Why are there swarms of gnats<br />
:[http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-phlegm.htm Why is there phlegm]<br />
<br />
;Section ten<br />
:Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN<br />
:[http://pokemon.wikia.com/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Types Why is Psychic weak to Bug]<br />
:Why do children get cancer<br />
:Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus<br />
:Why is there ice in space<br />
<br />
;Section eleven<br />
:Why is there an owl in my backyard<br />
:Why is there an owl outside my window<br />
:[http://goodreasonblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/is-there-owl-on-american-dollar-bill.html Why is there an owl on the dollar bill]<br />
:Why do owls attack people<br />
:{{w|2008–13 United States ammunition shortage|Why are AK47s so expensive}}<br />
<br />
;Section twelve<br />
:Why are there helicopters circling my house<br />
:Why are there gods<br />
:Why are there two Spocks<br />
<br />
;Section thirteen<br />
:Why is Mt Vesuvius there<br />
:Why do they say T Minus<br />
:Why are there obelisks<br />
:Why are wrestlers always wet<br />
:Why are oceans becoming more acidic<br />
:Why is Arwen dying<br />
:Why aren't my quail laying eggs<br />
:Why aren't my quail eggs hatching<br />
:Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America<br />
<br />
;Section fourteen<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is https crossed out in red]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a line through https]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a red line through https on Facebook]<br />
:[[wikipedia:HTTP_Secure | Why is https important]]<br />
<br />
;Section fifteen<br />
:Why are my boobs itchy<br />
:Why are cigarettes legal<br />
:Why are the ducks in my pool<br />
:{{w|Race and appearance of Jesus|Why is Jesus white}}<br />
:Why is there liquid in my ear<br />
:Why do Q Tips feel good<br />
:Why do good people die<br />
:[http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Ultrasound-scan/Pages/introduction.aspx Why are ultrasounds important]<br />
:Why are ultrasound machines expensive<br />
:Why is stealing wrong<br />
<br />
;Vertical questions<br />
:(The following are vertical.)<br />
:Why is there Hell if God forgives<br />
:Why aren't there dinosaur ghosts<br />
:Why do iguanas die<br />
:[http://gis.stackexchange.com/a/17546 Why is GPS free]<br />
:Why are trees tall<br />
:[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?285504-Why-can-Mr-Mime-be-female Why are there female Mr Mimes]<br />
:Why is there lava<br />
:Why is {{w|YKK Group|YKK}} on all zippers<br />
:Why is life so boring<br />
:Why do I feel dizzy<br />
:{{w|Seven-day_week#Origins|Why are there weeks}}<br />
:[http://www.dogsonly.org/stormfear.html Why are dogs afraid of fireworks]<br />
:Why is there no king in England<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:LOTR]]<br />
[[Category:Pokémon]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1256:_Questions&diff=497981256: Questions2013-09-30T16:57:45Z<p>Asym: /* Transcript */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1256<br />
| date = August 26, 2013<br />
| title = Questions<br />
| image = questions.png<br />
| titletext = To whoever typed 'why is arwen dying': GOOD. FUCKING. QUESTION.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
{{w|Google}}, a rather popular internet search engine, has a feature known as [https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/106230?hl=en autocomplete] that guesses at search queries before they are fully typed out. These guesses are generally made based on popular searches by other people. From time to time, a particularly strange or hilarious one may be found, as is evidenced in this comic.<br />
<br />
All of the questions in the comic are "why" questions, so many of them are predicated on false assumptions, such as "Why are there pyramids on the moon".<br />
<br />
Regarding the title text: in the Peter Jackson films of {{w|The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy}}, Arwen becomes sickly for unspecified reasons as the plot advances, apparently giving Aragorn a more personal reason to fight. The only explanation given is by Elrond, who says "As Sauron's power grows, her [Arwen's] strength wanes." (This subplot is entirely absent from the {{w|The Lord of the Rings|original novels}}.)<br />
<br />
From [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/faq#.2.1.21 IMDB]: <br /><blockquote><br />
Arwen, like her father (and brothers) is considered to be a Half-Elf, the result of a union between an Elf and a mortal human. The Half-Elven of Middle-earth get a choice, to remain immortal and return to the West (Valinor) or to become mortal and to die as humans do. Elrond chose to remain an Elf. Arwen (like her uncle Elros) chooses to become mortal in order to wed and remain with Aragorn. Elrond senses this; this is what he means when he says that Arwen is dying. It is the same as in The Last Unicorn, when the unicorn is given the form of a human woman and can feel that she is no longer immortal ("I can feel this body dying all around me"). According to Tolkien, though, after Aragorn dies in the year 120 (Fourth Age), Arwen returns to Lórien, where she dies by choice the following winter. </blockquote><br />
<br />
;Selected answers<br />
(Some questions in the transcript are linked to their answers.)<br />
{| class ="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
!style="width:20%;"|Question !! Possible answer<br />
|-<br />
| Why is there not a Pokémon MMO? || {{w|Pokémon}} is a popular franchise, spanning game consoles, anime series, a trading card game, and many other things. Among fans, it is a frequent topic of discussion why a Pokémon {{w|massively multiplayer online game}} has not been officially announced by the series' developers {{w|Game Freak}}, as they often [http://www.dorkly.com/comic/52546/be-careful-what-you-wish-for predict] that such a game would be extremely popular, and bring in massive revenue for the company.<br />
|-<br />
|Why is there laughing in TV shows? || Sitcoms were once filmed with an audience, so the actors could respond to their reactions. That's the historical reason why there were laughs in TV shows. The tradition continues, with the difference that now the laughter mostly comes from {{w|Laugh track|recorded tapes}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are ducks called ducks? || {{W|wikt:duck|According to Wiktionary}}, the noun ''duck'' can be traced back to the {{w|Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic}} word {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Germanic/dūkaną|''dūkaną''}} ("to dive, bend down"), and, in turn, the {{w|Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European}} {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Indo-European/dʰewb-|''dʰewb-''}} ("deep, hollow"), which is the origin of the verb ''to duck''. The link between the noun and the verb comes from ducks' tendency to dive under water for short periods of time.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there male and female bikes? || {{w|bicycle|From Wikipedia}}: <blockquote>Historically, women's bicycle frames had a top tube that connected in the middle of the seat tube instead of the top, resulting in a lower {{w|Frame geometry|standover height}} at the expense of compromised structural integrity, since this places a strong bending load in the seat tube, and bicycle frame members are typically weak in bending. This design, referred to as a '''''{{w|step-through frame}}''''' or as an ''open frame'', allows the rider to mount and dismount in a dignified way while wearing a skirt or dress.</blockquote><br />
|-<br />
| Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus? || {{w|Poseidon}} was the patron deity of the city of {{w|Troy}}, which after a 10 years siege by the Greeks fell due to {{w|Odysseus}}' list of the {{w|Trojan_Horse|Trojan horse}}. As the Greeks were returning home, Poseidon cursed Odysseus' ship to prevent him from reaching his home in {{W|Ithaca}}. The adventures which Odysseus encounters during his quest for reaching Ithaca are the main theme of {{w|Homer|Homer's}} {{w|Odyssey}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there two Spocks? || This is probably a reference to the {{w|Star_Trek_(film)|2009 Star Trek movie}} in which the franchise was given a {{w|Reboot_(fiction)|continuity reboot}}. The modified setting is explained in-universe by time travel, with both the villain Nero and the original-timeline Spock being brought back from the 24th century to the 23rd, creating a timeline in which both older Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) and the younger Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) coexist.<br />
<br />
Another possibility is that the question refers to the episode {{w|Mirror,_Mirror_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)|"Mirror, Mirror"}}, which mostly takes place in an alternate universe populated by ruthless versions of most of the characters (including Spock).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America? || ''Further information: {{w|United States military deployments}}''<p>This is a very interesting question, albeit one likely based on a regional misunderstanding. Presumably, this question is asked by Americans who assume that the existence of {{w|Category:Military facilities of the United States by country|U.S. military bases abroad}} is a general trend among countries, as opposed to being the rarity that it is. In fact, {{w|List of countries with overseas military bases|only a handful of other countries}} have military bases outside of their borders, and the three&mdash;{{w|France}}, the {{w|United Kingdom}}, and {{w|Russia}}&mdash;that have more than one or two are all countries that, like the United States, {{w|Allies of World War II|were on the winning side of World War II}}, have {{w|List of countries by military expenditures|massive military expenditures}}, and have {{w|United Nations Security Council veto power|UN Security Council vetoes}}. In other words, only the most militarily elite countries have bases overseas. The U.S. is unique, however, in that it has far more overseas bases than any other country (and, pretty much, far more of anything else than any other country, when it comes to the military), and in that {{w|List of United States military bases|it has bases in several other highly-industrialized nations}}, including {{w|List of United States Army installations in South Korea|South Korea}} and the United Kingdom, and, most notably, the World War II {{w|Axis powers}}: {{w|List of United States Army installations in Germany|Germany}}, {{w|United States Forces Japan|Japan}}, and {{w|List of United States Army installations in Italy|Italy}}. (France, Russia, and the U.K.'s bases, on the other hand, are almost all within areas that they previously controlled.)</p><p>These bases can be controversial in some countries, while in others they are a major source of economic and political stability. The U.S. traditionally justifies their presence as a necessary and crucial element in its efforts to promote peace domestically and worldwide. Despite their major role in {{w|U.S. foreign policy}}, and in the general political structure of the globe, the American public often largely ignores them, and they rarely become a major political issue (apart from an occasional mention by {{w|Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian presidential candidates}}).</p><p>So, essentially, the absence of foreign military bases within the U.S. is primarily because there aren't really any other countries in a position to place bases there. Furthermore, such bases wouldn't do much good, as no battles have been fought within the U.S. since the {{w|U.S. Civil War}} and the U.S. mainland has seen {{w|Mainland invasion of the United States|almost no military action}}. (The {{w|attack on Pearl Harbor}} in 1941 was 18 years before Hawaii became a U.S. state.)</p><p>There are, however, foreign troops stationed at some continental US military bases. For example RAF (British Royal Air Force) 39 Sqn and 361 Sqn at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada flying Reaper and Predator drones. But this are not foreign military bases, they are just guests.</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why is there no king in England? || ''Note: For simplicity's sake, "England" here is being read as "United Kingdom." The various name changes, mergers, and splits of kingdoms are complicated.''<p>The basis for this question is that for the past several hundred years, there has almost always been a queen in England, the sole exceptions being when the king has not had a wife. However, there is a distinction between being the queen of England (that is to say, {{w|List of British monarchs|a monarch}}) and being the {{w|queen consort|queen ''consort''}} of England: The former refers to a woman who {{w|Succession to the British throne|succeeded to the throne}} in her own right, becoming sovereign, while the latter refers to the wife of the king. Both roles, though, are commonly referred to as "Queen of England," creating the impression that there is always such a person. The logical question, therefore, is why {{w|Elizabeth II}}'s husband, {{w|Prince Philip|Philip}}, is not considered the king of England. The answer lies in Britain's system of {{w|male-preference cognatic primogeniture}}, which causes the monarch of England to usually be a man, not a woman. As a result of this, British laws were generally built around the presumption that the monarch would be a man (and that said man would be married to a woman, [[223: Valentine's Day|comic 223]] be damned). Since the creation of the modern British throne in 1707, only two women have reigned as queen in their own right; it just so happens that these two women have been two of the most famous and longest-reigning monarchs in world history, {{w|Queen Victoria}} and Queen Elizabeth II. This fact may add to people's enhanced perception of the lack of a British king. Victoria and Elizabeth's respective consorts, {{w|Albert, Prince Consort|Albert}} and Philip, have been styled as princes&mdash;Albert as {{w|Prince Consort}} and Philip as "{{w|British prince|Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland}}." Both were explicitly granted their titles by their wives, though Albert was already a prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Philip had previously been a prince of Denmark and Greece, but had renounced both titles before marrying Elizabeth.</p><p>The title {{w|king consort}} also exists, but has never been used in the United Kingdom.</p><p>Notably, should {{w|Prince Charles}} succeed to his mother's throne, it has been announced that his wife, {{w|Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Camilla}}, will be styled as {{w|princess consort}}, ''not'' as queen consort, just as she has declined the title {{w|Princess of Wales}}, which is strongly associated with Charles's first wife, {{w|Princess Diana|Diana}}. Assuming that Charles succeeds, this means that Britain will not have anyone referred to as "queen," after decades of not having anyone referred to as "king."</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why are there female Mr. Mimes? || {{w|Mr. Mime}} is a Pokémon introduced in the first generation of the games, and despite its name, it can be either of a male or female gender. As the Pokémon was introduced before the concept of [http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gender gender in Pokémon games], it is likely that the people in charge of translating its Japanese name (Barrierd) did not take this into account during the process. <br />
|-<br />
| Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN || From a Minnesota Paper, [http://www.startribune.com/local/138902104.html the Star Tribune], "Laws prevent the city from poisoning the crows". "Duffy [Steve Duffy, a co-owner of U.S. Bird Abatement Services, which has contracted with Rochester to get rid of the crows] isn't sure why Rochester has such a bad crow problem; probably a confluence of many bird-friendly conditions that has also made it a magnet for geese. He's seen worse cases, but called Rochester's situation 'hideous.'" And best of all, "The city has twice this winter hired experts to chase them off. They tried lasers and bullhorns -- hey, get out of here, you crows -- and even employed raptors to pick them off, one by one. That worked, for awhile." (Unfortunately, they mean a {{w|bird of prey}}, not a {{w|velociraptor}}).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter || In the {{w|Harry Potter}} universe, Muggle technology (human inventions) are often looked down on by wizards - the majority of half-blooded wizards like Harry won't touch one, let alone a wizard extremist like {{w|Voldemort}}. Not only does any Muggle device more complex than a wristwatch interfere with magical artifacts, but wands are usually more versatile than most guns (a revolver can't shoot lightning or summon items or teleport its user). Finally, while Harry himself may or may not consider using firearms due to his muggle upbringing, ''Harry Potter'' is a children's book (which usually doesn't include guns) set in England (which has stricter gun laws than, say, the United States).<br />
|-<br />
| Why are the Avengers fighting the X Men || {{w|Avengers vs. X-Men}} was a 2012 Marvel crossover event that, like many other recent comic book events, had heroes fight other heroes. In this case, the {{w|Avengers (comics)|Avengers}} and the {{w|X-Men}} fought over the {{w|Phoenix Force (comics)|Phoenix Force}}, a godlike power that often possesses {{w|Jean Grey}} or her descendants (in this case, her alternate universe daughter Hope Summers). The Avengers believed the Phoenix Force is too powerful for humanity to control and wanted to contain it, while the X-Men believed the Phoenix was the messiah for mutants and could fix all of the Earth's problems.<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers || Wolverine ''has'' been an Avenger, in some circumstances. e.g. in the {{w|The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes}} cartoon series, the episode ''New Avengers'' had Wolverine (along with Spiderman, War Machine, The Thing and Luke Cage and Iron Fist) substitute while the 'original' Avengers were unavailable to deal with the current crisis (which of course included the fate of the 'proper' Avengers). However, in general his anti-authority personality makes him a difficult team-member to field, and he has frequently disassociated himself even from the X-Men. But, in Avengers vs. X-Men (see above) Wolverine ''sided'' with The Avengers, and more modern treatments have even included the character in about as much a permanent a membership of the group as Logan is ever likely to have.<br />
<br />
But if the question is about why Wolverine didn't appear in {{w|The Avengers (2012 film)|''The Avengers''}}, the answer is that ''The Avengers'' is being produced by Marvel/Disney, while Fox still has the rights to the X-Men and all Marvel mutants in general. Unless there is studio agreement, the two properties cannot cross, except through complicated machinations. For example, there are plans to bring Avengers mainstays Quicksilver and The Scarlet Witch to both the ''Avengers'' and ''X-Men'' franchises, but only the Fox films have the right to call them the children of Magneto, and Marvel/Disney cannot even identify them on-screen as "mutants".<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Psychic weak to Bug || In Pokémon, Pokémon of the psychic type (such as Mr. Mime) are weak to three types of attacks: Ghost, Dark, and Bug. The general theory is that Psychic Pokémon, relying heavily on their thoughts for attacks, are weak to fears (which ghosts, darkness, and bugs can be classified as).<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
:(This strip is a rectangular word cloud, titled 'Questions found in Google autocomplete'. Embedded in the cloud are 5 single panels, with illustrated questions. Questions are grouped by section and given in roughly columnar order for the horizontal text, followed by the vertical text. None of the questions have question marks. The comic links to a [http://xkcd.com/1256/large/ large version] of the word cloud.)<br />
<br />
;Title: Questions found in Google autocomplete<br />
<br />
;The single panels<br />
:[We see Cueball from the torso up, with arms outstretched.]<br />
:Cueball: Why aren't my arms growing<br />
:[Megan stands with a grey ghost on either side of her.]<br />
:Megan: Why are there ghosts<br />
:[Beret Guy stands, looking at a squirrel.]<br />
:Beret Guy: Why are there squirrels<br />
:[Cueball stands.]<br />
:Cueball: Why is sex so important<br />
:[We see Ponytail from the torso up.]<br />
:Ponytail: Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter<br />
<br />
;Section one<br />
:Why do whales jump<br />
:{{w|Wizard of Oz|Why are witches green}}<br />
:Why are there mirrors above beds<br />
:Why do I say Uh<br />
:Why is sea salt better<br />
:Why are there trees in the middle of fields<br />
:Why is there not a Pokemon MMO<br />
:Why is there laughing in TV shows<br />
:Why are there doors on the freeway<br />
:{{w|svchost.exe|Why are there so many svchost.exe running}}<br />
:Why aren't there any countries in Antarctica<br />
:Why are there scary sounds in Minecraft<br />
:[http://www.webmd.com/baby/fetal-movement-feeling-baby-kick Why is there kicking in my stomach]<br />
:[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1220286/Sir-Tim-Berners-Lee-admits-forward-slashes-web-address-mistake.html Why are there two slashes after http]<br />
:Why are there celebrities<br />
:Why do snakes exist<br />
:{{w|Pearl#Creation_of_a_pearl|Why do oysters have pearls}}<br />
:{{w|Duck#Etymology|Why are ducks called ducks}}<br />
:Why do they call it the clap<br />
:Why are Kyle and Cartman friends<br />
:{{w|Avatar: The Last Airbender#Characters|Why is there an arrow on Aang's head}}<br />
:Why are text messages blue<br />
:Why are there mustaches on clothes<br />
:Why are there mustaches on cars<br />
:Why are there mustaches everywhere<br />
:Why are there so many birds in Ohio<br />
:Why is there so much rain in Ohio<br />
:{{w|Lake-effect snow|Why is Ohio weather so weird}}<br />
<br />
;Section two<br />
:Why are there male and female bikes<br />
:{{w|Bridesmaid#Origin and history|Why are there bridesmaids}}<br />
:Why do dying people reach up<br />
:Why aren't there varicose arteries<br />
:{{w|Klingon#Redesign|Why are old Klingons different}}<br />
:Why is programming so hard<br />
:{{w|Zero-ohm_link|Why is there a 0 Ohm resistor}}<br />
:Why do Americans hate soccer<br />
:Why do rhymes sound good<br />
:Why do trees die<br />
:Why is there no sound on CNN<br />
:Why aren't Pokemon real<br />
:{{w|Terminal ballistics|Why aren't bullets sharp}}<br />
:Why do dreams seem so real<br />
<br />
;Section three<br />
:Why do testicles move<br />
:Why are there psychics<br />
:Why are hats so expensive<br />
:Why is there caffeine in my shampoo<br />
:Why do your boobs hurt<br />
<br />
;Section four<br />
:Why aren't economists rich<br />
:[http://www.alsintl.com/blog/soccer-vs-football/ Why do Americans call it soccer]<br />
:Why are my ears ringing<br />
:Why are there so many Avengers<br />
:Why are the Avengers fighting the X-Men<br />
:Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers<br />
<br />
;Section five<br />
:Why are there ants in my laptop<br />
:Why is Earth tilted<br />
:{{w|Olbers' paradox|Why is space black}}<br />
:Why is outer space so cold<br />
:Why are there pyramids on the Moon<br />
:Why is NASA shutting down<br />
<br />
;Section six<br />
:Why are there tiny spiders in my house<br />
:[http://www.burkemuseum.org/spidermyth/myths/comein.html Why do spiders come inside]<br />
:Why are there huge spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there lots of spiders in my house<br />
:Why are there spiders in my room<br />
:Why are there so many spiders in my room<br />
:Why do spider bites itch<br />
:Why is dying so scary<br />
<br />
;Section seven<br />
:Why is there no GPS in laptops<br />
:[http://www.md-health.com/Knee-Clicking.html Why do knees click]<br />
:Why aren't there E grades<br />
:Why is isolation bad<br />
:Why do boys like me<br />
:Why don't boys like me<br />
:Why is there always a Java update<br />
:Why are there red dots on my thighs<br />
:Why is lying good<br />
<br />
;Section eight<br />
:{{w|The Bible and slavery|Why are there slaves in The Bible}}<br />
:[http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/11/04/1234875.htm Why do twins have different fingerprints]<br />
:Why are Americans afraid of dragons<br />
<br />
;Section nine<br />
:Why are there swarms of gnats<br />
:[http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-phlegm.htm Why is there phlegm]<br />
<br />
;Section ten<br />
:Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN<br />
:[http://pokemon.wikia.com/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Types Why is Psychic weak to Bug]<br />
:Why do children get cancer<br />
:Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus<br />
:Why is there ice in space<br />
<br />
;Section eleven<br />
:Why is there an owl in my backyard<br />
:Why is there an owl outside my window<br />
:[http://goodreasonblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/is-there-owl-on-american-dollar-bill.html Why is there an owl on the dollar bill]<br />
:Why do owls attack people<br />
:{{w|2008–13 United States ammunition shortage|Why are AK47s so expensive}}<br />
<br />
;Section twelve<br />
:Why are there helicopters circling my house<br />
:Why are there gods<br />
:Why are there two Spocks<br />
<br />
;Section thirteen<br />
:Why is Mt Vesuvius there<br />
:Why do they say T Minus<br />
:Why are there obelisks<br />
:Why are wrestlers always wet<br />
:Why are oceans becoming more acidic<br />
:Why is Arwen dying<br />
:Why aren't my quail laying eggs<br />
:Why aren't my quail eggs hatching<br />
:Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America<br />
<br />
;Section fourteen<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is https crossed out in red]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a line through https]<br />
:[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a red line through https on Facebook]<br />
:[[wikipedia:HTTP_Secure | Why is https important]]<br />
<br />
;Section fifteen<br />
:Why are my boobs itchy<br />
:Why are cigarettes legal<br />
:Why are the ducks in my pool<br />
:{{w|Race and appearance of Jesus|Why is Jesus white}}<br />
:Why is there liquid in my ear<br />
:Why do Q Tips feel good<br />
:Why do good people die<br />
:[http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Ultrasound-scan/Pages/introduction.aspx Why are ultrasounds important]<br />
:Why are ultrasound machines expensive<br />
:Why is stealing wrong<br />
<br />
;Vertical questions<br />
:(The following are vertical.)<br />
:Why is there Hell if God forgives<br />
:Why aren't there dinosaur ghosts<br />
:Why do iguanas die<br />
:[http://gis.stackexchange.com/a/17546 Why is GPS free]<br />
:Why are trees tall<br />
:[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?285504-Why-can-Mr-Mime-be-female Why are there female Mr Mimes]<br />
:Why is there lava<br />
:Why is {{w|YKK Group|YKK}} on all zippers<br />
:Why is life so boring<br />
:Why do I feel dizzy<br />
:{{w|Seven-day_week#Origins|Why are there weeks}}<br />
:[http://www.dogsonly.org/stormfear.html Why are dogs afraid of fireworks]<br />
:Why is there no king in England<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:LOTR]]<br />
[[Category:Pokémon]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1271:_Highlighting&diff=497851271: Highlighting2013-09-30T15:52:28Z<p>Asym: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1271<br />
| date = September 30, 2013<br />
| title = Highlighting<br />
| image = highlighting.png<br />
| titletext = And if clicking on any word pops up a site-search for articles about that word, I will close all windows in a panic and never come back.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
A number of people find it easier to read long texts by marking their place as they move through the reading. When done on paper, this may be done with a ruler or pencil. On-screen, however, one of the most effective methods is by highlighting the text being read. People accustomed to this form of reading often do it absentmindedly.<br />
<br />
Highlighting, however, has the potential to create shapes on screen. Randall is referring to the fact that the shapes created may occasionally be symmetric, which creates satisfaction.<br />
<br />
The bottom example refers to the practice of websites adding a script to disable highlighting, often to discourage readers from copying their content. This creates a great dissatisfaction in readers accustomed to highlight as they read.<br />
<br />
The title text refers to the practice of websites of adding a script that searches upon clicking any word in the text (this was most notably done by Yahoo! news in years prior). The search may be of the site, the web, or of an advertisement provider. The script sometimes creates a popup, which, Randall says, causes him to "panic", and consequently never want to return to the site again.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript}}<br />
[The same paragraph of scribbled text is shown 6 times. For the first five blocks of text, different amounts of text are highlighted in each paragraph. For the sixth paragraph, there is a text overlay stating that "[Clicking to hilight text is disabled]"There is a column of Pass/Fail marks to the right of each block of text. The shape created by the highlighted text is then "graded" as to whether or not it is symmetrical. Symmetrical shapes (corresponding to paragraphs 2, 3, and 4) are marked with a green check mark. Asymmetrical shapes (corresponding to paragraphs 1 and 5) are marked with a red X. The 6th paragraph is marked with multiple, overlaid red X's.]<br />
<br />
[Under the image] I absentmindedly select random blocks of text as I read, and feel subconsciously satisfied when the highlighted area makes a symmetrical shape.<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Comics with color]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1268:_Alternate_Universe&diff=493561268: Alternate Universe2013-09-23T08:16:02Z<p>Asym: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1268<br />
| date = September 23, 2013<br />
| title = Alternate Universe<br />
| image = alternate_universe.png<br />
| titletext = As best as I can tell, I was transported here from Earth Prime sometime in the late 1990s. Your universe is identical in every way, except for the lobster thing and the thing where some of you occasionally change your clocks for some reason.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
Randall is trying to make the point that eating lobsters is as weird as eating spiders. Crustaceans and arachnids (as well as insects) are both arthropods, members of the same phylum, so his comparison isn't too far off. Lobsters were once considered the "cockroaches of the sea", and a captain trying to feed his crew with lobster would often be seen as cruel. <br />
<br />
{{w|Earth_prime|Earth Prime}} is usually a reference to an alternate Earth in a parallel dimension. The title text also references Daylight Savings Time.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:Imagine you were transported to an alternate universe just like your own, except people occasionally ate spiders.<br />
:You can't convince anyone this is weird.<br />
:[Megan is holding a spider.]<br />
:Megan: MMM...<br />
:Cueball: No! What are you doing!<br />
:This is how I feel about lobster.<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1256:_Questions&diff=490881256: Questions2013-09-17T08:06:38Z<p>Asym: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1256<br />
| date = August 26, 2013<br />
| title = Questions<br />
| image = questions.png<br />
| titletext = To whoever typed 'why is arwen dying': GOOD. FUCKING. QUESTION.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
{{w|Google}}, a rather popular internet search engine, has a feature known as [https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/106230?hl=en autocomplete] that guesses at search queries before they are fully typed out. These guesses are generally made based on popular searches by other people. From time to time, a particularly strange or hilarious one may be found, as is evidenced in this comic.<br />
<br />
All of the questions in the comic are "why" questions, so many of them are predicated on false assumptions, such as "Why are there pyramids on the moon".<br />
<br />
Regarding the title text: in the Peter Jackson films of {{w|The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy}}, Arwen becomes sickly for unspecified reasons as the plot advances, apparently giving Aragorn a more personal reason to fight. The only explanation given is by Elrond, who says "As Sauron's power grows, her [Arwen's] strength wanes." (This subplot is entirely absent from the {{w|The Lord of the Rings|original novels}}.)<br />
<br />
From [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/faq#.2.1.21 IMDB]: <br /><blockquote><br />
Arwen, like her father (and brothers) is considered to be a Half-Elf, the result of a union between an Elf and a mortal human. The Half-Elven of Middle-earth get a choice, to remain immortal and return to the West (Valinor) or to become mortal and to die as humans do. Elrond chose to remain an Elf. Arwen (like her uncle Elros) chooses to become mortal in order to wed and remain with Aragorn. Elrond senses this; this is what he means when he says that Arwen is dying. It is the same as in The Last Unicorn, when the unicorn is given the form of a human woman and can feel that she is no longer immortal ("I can feel this body dying all around me"). According to Tolkien, though, after Aragorn dies in the year 120 (Fourth Age), Arwen returns to Lórien, where she dies by choice the following winter. </blockquote><br />
<br />
;Selected answers<br />
(Some questions in the transcript are linked to their answers.)<br />
{| class ="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
!style="width:20%;"|Question !! Possible answer<br />
|-<br />
| Why is there not a Pokémon MMO? || {{w|Pokémon}} is a popular franchise, spanning game consoles, anime series, a trading card game, and many other things. Among fans, it is a frequent topic of discussion why a Pokémon {{w|massively multiplayer online game}} has not been officially announced by the series' developers {{w|Game Freak}}, as they often [http://www.dorkly.com/comic/52546/be-careful-what-you-wish-for predict] that such a game would be extremely popular, and bring in massive revenue for the company.<br />
|-<br />
|Why is there laughing in TV shows? || Sitcoms were once filmed with an audience, so the actors could respond to their reactions. That's the historical reason why there were laughs in TV shows. The tradition held until today, with the difference that now the laughter mostly comes from {{w|Laugh track|recorded tapes}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are ducks called ducks? || {{W|wikt:duck|According to Wiktionary}}, the noun ''duck'' can be traced back to the {{w|Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic}} word {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Germanic/dūkaną|''dūkaną''}} ("to dive, bend down"), and, in turn, the {{w|Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European}} {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Indo-European/dʰewb-|''dʰewb-''}} ("deep, hollow"), which is the origin of the verb ''to duck''. The link between the noun and the verb comes from ducks' tendency to dive under water for short periods of time.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there male and female bikes? || {{w|bicycle|From Wikipedia}}: <blockquote>Historically, women's bicycle frames had a top tube that connected in the middle of the seat tube instead of the top, resulting in a lower {{w|Frame geometry|standover height}} at the expense of compromised structural integrity, since this places a strong bending load in the seat tube, and bicycle frame members are typically weak in bending. This design, referred to as a '''''{{w|step-through frame}}''''' or as an ''open frame'', allows the rider to mount and dismount in a dignified way while wearing a skirt or dress.</blockquote><br />
|-<br />
| Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus? || {{w|Poseidon}} was the patron deity of the city of {{w|Troy}}, which after a 10 years siege by the Greeks fell due to {{w|Odysseus}}' list of the {{w|Trojan_Horse|Trojan horse}}. As the Greeks were returning home, Poseidon cursed Odysseus' ship to prevent him from reaching his home in {{W|Ithaca}}. The adventures which Odysseus encounters during his quest for reaching Ithaca are the main theme of {{w|Homer|Homer's}} {{w|Odyssey}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there two Spocks? || This is probably a reference to the {{w|Star_Trek_(film)|2009 Star Trek movie}} in which the franchise was given a {{w|Reboot_(fiction)|continuity reboot}}. The modified setting is explained in-universe by time travel, with both the villain Nero and the original-timeline Spock being brought back from the 24th century to the 23rd, creating a timeline in which both older Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) and the younger Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) coexist.<br />
<br />
Another possibility is that the question refers to the episode {{w|Mirror,_Mirror_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)|"Mirror, Mirror"}}, which mostly takes place in an alternate universe populated by ruthless versions of most of the characters (including Spock).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America? || ''Further information: {{w|United States military deployments}}''<p>This is a very interesting question, albeit one likely based on a regional misunderstanding. Presumably, this question is asked by Americans who assume that the existence of {{w|Category:Military facilities of the United States by country|U.S. military bases abroad}} is a general trend among countries, as opposed to being the rarity that it is. In fact, {{w|List of countries with overseas military bases|only a handful of other countries}} have military bases outside of their borders, and the three&mdash;{{w|France}}, the {{w|United Kingdom}}, and {{w|Russia}}&mdash;that have more than one or two are all countries that, like the United States, {{w|Allies of World War II|were on the winning side of World War II}}, have {{w|List of countries by military expenditures|massive military expenditures}}, and have {{w|United Nations Security Council veto power|UN Security Council vetoes}}. In other words, only the most militarily elite countries have bases overseas. The U.S. is unique, however, in that it has far more overseas bases than any other country (and, pretty much, far more of anything else than any other country, when it comes to the military), and in that {{w|List of United States military bases|it has bases in several other highly-industrialized nations}}, including {{w|List of United States Army installations in South Korea|South Korea}} and the United Kingdom, and, most notably, the World War II {{w|Axis powers}}: {{w|List of United States Army installations in Germany|Germany}}, {{w|United States Forces Japan|Japan}}, and {{w|List of United States Army installations in Italy|Italy}}. (France, Russia, and the U.K.'s bases, on the other hand, are almost all within areas that they previously controlled.)</p><p>These bases can be controversial in some countries, while in others they are a major source of economic and political stability. The U.S. traditionally justifies their presence as a necessary and crucial element in its efforts to promote peace domestically and worldwide. Despite their major role in {{w|U.S. foreign policy}}, and in the general political structure of the globe, the American public often largely ignores them, and they rarely become a major political issue (apart from an occasional mention by {{w|Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian presidential candidates}}).</p><p>So, essentially, the absence of foreign military bases within the U.S. is primarily because there aren't really any other countries in a position to place bases there. Furthermore, such bases wouldn't do much good, as no battles have been fought within the U.S. since the {{w|U.S. Civil War}} and the U.S. mainland has seen {{w|Mainland invasion of the United States|almost no military action}}. (The {{w|attack on Pearl Harbor}} in 1941 was 18 years before Hawaii became a U.S. state.)</p><p>There are, however, foreign troops stationed at some continental US military bases. For example RAF (British Royal Air Force) 39 Sqn and 361 Sqn at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada flying Reaper and Predator drones. But this are not foreign military bases, they are just guests.</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why is there no king in England? || ''Note: For simplicity's sake, "England" here is being read as "United Kingdom." The various name changes, mergers, and splits of kingdoms are complicated.''<p>The basis for this question is that for the past several hundred years, there has almost always been a queen in England, the sole exceptions being when the king has not had a wife. However, there is a distinction between being the queen of England (that is to say, {{w|List of British monarchs|a monarch}}) and being the {{w|queen consort|queen ''consort''}} of England: The former refers to a woman who {{w|Succession to the British throne|succeeded to the throne}} in her own right, becoming sovereign, while the latter refers to the wife of the king. Both roles, though, are commonly referred to as "Queen of England," creating the impression that there is always such a person. The logical question, therefore, is why {{w|Elizabeth II}}'s husband, {{w|Prince Philip|Philip}}, is not considered the king of England. The answer lies in Britain's system of {{w|male-preference cognatic primogeniture}}, which causes the monarch of England to usually be a man, not a woman. As a result of this, British laws were generally built around the presumption that the monarch would be a man (and that said man would be married to a woman, [[223: Valentine's Day|comic 223]] be damned). Since the creation of the modern British throne in 1707, only two women have reigned as queen in their own right; it just so happens that these two women have been two of the most famous and longest-reigning monarchs in world history, {{w|Queen Victoria}} and Queen Elizabeth II. This fact may add to people's enhanced perception of the lack of a British king. Victoria and Elizabeth's respective consorts, {{w|Albert, Prince Consort|Albert}} and Philip, have been styled as princes&mdash;Albert as {{w|Prince Consort}} and Philip as "{{w|British prince|Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland}}." Both were explicitly granted their titles by their wives, though Albert was already a prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Philip had previously been a prince of Denmark and Greece, but had renounced both titles before marrying Elizabeth.</p><p>The title {{w|king consort}} also exists, but has never been used in the United Kingdom.</p><p>Notably, should {{w|Prince Charles}} succeed to his mother's throne, it has been announced that his wife, {{w|Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Camilla}}, will be styled as {{w|princess consort}}, ''not'' as queen consort, just as she has declined the title {{w|Princess of Wales}}, which is strongly associated with Charles's first wife, {{w|Princess Diana|Diana}}. Assuming that Charles succeeds, this means that Britain will not have anyone referred to as "queen," after decades of not having anyone referred to as "king."</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why are there female Mr. Mimes? || {{w|Mr. Mime}} is a Pokémon introduced in the first generation of the games, and despite its name, it can be either of a male or female gender. As the Pokémon was introduced before the concept of [http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gender gender in Pokémon games], it is likely that the people in charge of translating its Japanese name (Barrierd) did not take this into account during the process. <br />
|-<br />
| Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN || From a Minnesota Paper, [http://www.startribune.com/local/138902104.html the Star Tribune], "Laws prevent the city from poisoning the crows". "Duffy [Steve Duffy, a co-owner of U.S. Bird Abatement Services, which has contracted with Rochester to get rid of the crows] isn't sure why Rochester has such a bad crow problem; probably a confluence of many bird-friendly conditions that has also made it a magnet for geese. He's seen worse cases, but called Rochester's situation 'hideous.'" And best of all, "The city has twice this winter hired experts to chase them off. They tried lasers and bullhorns -- hey, get out of here, you crows -- and even employed raptors to pick them off, one by one. That worked, for awhile." (Unfortunately, they mean a {{w|bird of prey}}, not a {{w|velociraptor}}).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter || In the {{w|Harry Potter}} universe, Muggle technology (human inventions) are often looked down on by wizards - even a half-blooded wizard like Harry wouldn't touch one, let alone a wizard extremist like {{w|Voldemort}}. Not only does any Muggle device more complex than a wristwatch interfere with magical artifacts, but wands are usually more versatile than most guns (a revolver can't shoot lightning or summon items or teleport its user). Finally, Harry Potter is a children's book (which usually doesn't include guns) set in England (which has stricter gun laws than, say, the United States).<br />
|-<br />
| Why are the Avengers fighting the X Men || {{w|Avengers vs. X-Men}} was a 2012 Marvel crossover event that, like many other recent comic book events, had heroes fight other heroes. In this case, the {{w|Avengers (comics)|Avengers}} and the {{w|X-Men}} fought over the {{w|Phoenix Force (comics)|Phoenix Force}}, a godlike power that often possesses {{w|Jean Grey}} or her descendants (in this case, her alternate universe daughter Hope Summers). The Avengers believed the Phoenix Force is too powerful for humanity to control and wanted to contain it, while the X-Men believed the Phoenix was the messiah for mutants and could fix all of the Earth's problems.<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers || Wolverine ''has'' been an Avenger, in some circumstances. e.g. in the {{w|The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes}} cartoon series, the episode ''New Avengers'' had Wolverine (along with Spiderman, War Machine, The Thing and Luke Cage and Iron Fist) substitute while the 'original' Avengers were unavailable to deal with the current crisis (which of course included the fate of the 'proper' Avengers). However, in general his anti-authority personality makes him a difficult team-member to field, and he has frequently disassociated himself even from the X-Men. But, in Avengers vs. X-Men (see above) Wolverine ''sided'' with The Avengers, and more modern treatments have even included the character in about as much a permanent a membership of the group as Logan is ever likely to have.<br />
<br />
But if the question is about why Wolverine didn't appear in {{w|The Avengers (2012 film)|''The Avengers''}}, the answer is that ''The Avengers'' is being produced by Marvel/Disney, while Fox still has the rights to the X-Men and all Marvel mutants in general. Unless there is studio agreement, the two properties cannot cross, except through complicated machinations. For example, there are plans to bring Avengers mainstays Quicksilver and The Scarlet Witch to both the ''Avengers'' and ''X-Men'' franchises, but only the Fox films have the right to call them the children of Magneto, and Marvel/Disney cannot even identify them on-screen as "mutants".<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Psychic weak to Bug || In Pokémon, Pokémon of the psychic type (such as Mr. Mime) are weak to three types of attacks: Ghost, Dark, and Bug. The general theory is that Psychic Pokémon, relying heavily on their thoughts for attacks, are weak to fears (which ghosts, darkness, and bugs can be classified as).<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
:(This strip is a rectangular word cloud, titled 'Questions found in Google autocomplete'. Embedded in the cloud are 5 single panels, with illustrated questions. These are described at the end. Questions are given in roughly columnar order. None of the questions have question marks.)<br />
:Questions found in Google autocomplete<br />
<br />
;Section one<br />
*Why do whales jump<br />
*{{w|Wizard of Oz|Why are witches green}}<br />
*Why are there mirrors above beds<br />
*Why do I say Uh<br />
*Why is sea salt better<br />
*Why are there trees in the middle of fields<br />
*Why is there not a Pokemon MMO<br />
*Why is there laughing in TV shows<br />
*Why are there doors on the freeway<br />
*{{w|svchost.exe|Why are there so many svchost.exe running}}<br />
*Why aren't there any countries in Antarctica<br />
*Why are there scary sounds in Minecraft<br />
*[http://www.webmd.com/baby/fetal-movement-feeling-baby-kick Why is there kicking in my stomach]<br />
*[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1220286/Sir-Tim-Berners-Lee-admits-forward-slashes-web-address-mistake.html Why are there two slashes after http]<br />
*Why are there celebrities<br />
*Why do snakes exist<br />
*{{w|Pearl#Creation_of_a_pearl|Why do oysters have pearls}}<br />
*{{w|Duck#Etymology|Why are ducks called ducks}}<br />
*Why do they call it the clap<br />
*Why are Kyle and Cartman friends<br />
*{{w|Avatar: The Last Airbender#Characters|Why is there an arrow on Aang's head}}<br />
*Why are text messages blue<br />
*Why are there mustaches on clothes<br />
*Why are there mustaches on cars<br />
*Why are there mustaches everywhere<br />
*Why are there so many birds in Ohio<br />
*Why is there so much rain in Ohio<br />
*{{w|Lake-effect snow|Why is Ohio weather so weird}}<br />
<br />
;Section two<br />
*Why are there male and female bikes<br />
*{{w|Bridesmaid#Origin and history|Why are there bridesmaids}}<br />
*Why do dying people reach up<br />
*Why aren't there varicose arteries<br />
*{{w|Klingon#Redesign|Why are old Klingons different}}<br />
*Why is programming so hard<br />
*{{w|Zero-ohm_link|Why is there a 0 Ohm resistor}}<br />
*Why do Americans hate soccer<br />
*Why do rhymes sound good<br />
*Why do trees die<br />
*Why is there no sound on CNN<br />
*Why aren't Pokemon real<br />
*Why aren't bullets sharp<br />
*Why do dreams seem so real<br />
<br />
;Section three<br />
*Why do testicles move<br />
*Why are there psychics<br />
*Why are hats so expensive<br />
*Why is there caffeine in my shampoo<br />
*Why do your boobs hurt<br />
<br />
;Section four<br />
*Why aren't economists rich<br />
*[http://www.alsintl.com/blog/soccer-vs-football/ Why do Americans call it soccer]<br />
*Why are my ears ringing<br />
*Why are there so many Avengers<br />
*Why are the Avengers fighting the X-Men<br />
*Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers<br />
<br />
;Section five<br />
*Why are there ants in my laptop<br />
*Why is Earth tilted<br />
*{{w|Olbers' paradox|Why is space black}}<br />
*Why is outer space so cold<br />
*Why are there pyramids on the Moon<br />
*Why is NASA shutting down<br />
<br />
;Section six<br />
*Why are there tiny spiders in my house<br />
*[http://www.burkemuseum.org/spidermyth/myths/comein.html Why do spiders come inside]<br />
*Why are there huge spiders in my house<br />
*Why are there lots of spiders in my house<br />
*Why are there spiders in my room<br />
*Why are there so many spiders in my room<br />
*Why do spider bites itch<br />
*Why is dying so scary<br />
<br />
;Section seven<br />
*Why is there no GPS in laptops<br />
*[http://www.md-health.com/Knee-Clicking.html Why do knees click]<br />
*Why aren't there E grades<br />
*Why is isolation bad<br />
*Why do boys like me<br />
*Why don't boys like me<br />
*Why is there always a Java update<br />
*Why are there red dots on my thighs<br />
*Why is lying good<br />
<br />
;Section eight<br />
*{{w|The Bible and slavery|Why are there slaves in The Bible}}<br />
*[http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/11/04/1234875.htm Why do twins have different fingerprints]<br />
*Why are Americans afraid of dragons<br />
<br />
;Section nine<br />
*Why are there swarms of gnats<br />
*[http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-phlegm.htm Why is there phlegm]<br />
<br />
;Section ten<br />
*Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN<br />
*[http://pokemon.wikia.com/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Types Why is Psychic weak to Bug]<br />
*Why do children get cancer<br />
*Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus<br />
*Why is there ice in space<br />
<br />
;Section eleven<br />
*Why is there an owl in my backyard<br />
*Why is there an owl outside my window<br />
*Why is there an owl on the dollar bill<br />
*Why do owls attack people<br />
*{{w|2008–13 United States ammunition shortage|Why are AK47s so expensive}}<br />
<br />
;Section twelve<br />
*Why are there helicopters circling my house<br />
*Why are there gods<br />
*Why are there two Spocks<br />
<br />
;Section thirteen<br />
*Why is Mt Vesuvius there<br />
*Why do they say T Minus<br />
*Why are there obelisks<br />
*Why are wrestlers always wet<br />
*Why are oceans becoming more acidic<br />
*Why is Arwen dying<br />
*Why aren't my quail laying eggs<br />
*Why aren't my quail eggs hatching<br />
*Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America<br />
<br />
;Section fourteen<br />
*[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is https crossed out in red]<br />
*[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a line through https]<br />
*[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a red line through https on Facebook]<br />
*[[wikipedia:HTTP_Secure | Why is https important]]<br />
<br />
;Section fifteen<br />
*Why are my boobs itchy<br />
*Why are cigarettes legal<br />
*Why are the ducks in my pool<br />
*{{w|Race and appearance of Jesus|Why is Jesus white}}<br />
*Why is there liquid in my ear<br />
*Why do Q Tips feel good<br />
*Why do good people die<br />
*[http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Ultrasound-scan/Pages/introduction.aspx Why are ultrasounds important]<br />
*Why are ultrasound machines expensive<br />
*Why is stealing wrong<br />
<br />
;Vertical questions<br />
:(The following are vertical.)<br />
*{{w|Seven-day_week#Origins|Why are there weeks}}<br />
*Why do I feel dizzy<br />
*Why is {{w|YKK Group|YKK}} on all zippers<br />
*Why are trees tall<br />
*Why do iguanas die<br />
*Why aren't there dinosaur ghosts<br />
*[http://www.dogsonly.org/stormfear.html Why are dogs afraid of fireworks]<br />
*Why is there no king in England<br />
*Why is life so boring<br />
*Why is there lava<br />
*[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?285504-Why-can-Mr-Mime-be-female Why are there female Mr Mimes]<br />
*[http://gis.stackexchange.com/a/17546 Why is GPS free]<br />
*Why is there Hell if God forgives<br />
<br />
;The single panels<br />
:[We see Cueball from the torso up, with arms outstretched.]<br />
:Cueball: Why aren't my arms growing<br />
:[Megan stands with a grey ghost on either side of her.]<br />
:Megan: Why are there ghosts<br />
:[Beret Guy stands, looking at a squirrel.]<br />
:Beret Guy: Why are there squirrels<br />
:[Cueball stands.]<br />
:Cueball: Why is sex so important<br />
:[We see Ponytail from the torso up.]<br />
:Ponytail: Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:LOTR]]<br />
[[Category:Pokémon]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1256:_Questions&diff=490871256: Questions2013-09-17T08:02:00Z<p>Asym: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1256<br />
| date = August 26, 2013<br />
| title = Questions<br />
| image = questions.png<br />
| titletext = To whoever typed 'why is arwen dying': GOOD. FUCKING. QUESTION.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
{{w|Google}}, a rather popular internet search engine, has a feature known as [https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/106230?hl=en autocomplete] that guesses at search queries before they are fully typed out. These guesses are generally made based on popular searches by other people. From time to time, a particularly strange or hilarious one may be found, as is evidenced in this comic.<br />
<br />
All of the questions in the comic are "why" questions, so many of them are predicated on false assumptions, such as "Why are there pyramids on the moon".<br />
<br />
Regarding the title text: in the Peter Jackson films of {{w|The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy}}, Arwen becomes sickly for unspecified reasons as the plot advances, apparently giving Aragorn a more personal reason to fight. The only explanation given is by Elrond, who says "As Sauron's power grows, her [Arwen's] strength wanes." (This subplot is entirely absent from the {{w|The Lord of the Rings|original novels}}.)<br />
<br />
From [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/faq#.2.1.21 IMDB]: <br /><blockquote><br />
Arwen, like her father (and brothers) is considered to be a Half-Elf, the result of a union between an Elf and a mortal human. The Half-Elven of Middle-earth get a choice, to remain immortal and return to the West (Valinor) or to become mortal and to die as humans do. Elrond chose to remain an Elf. Arwen (like her uncle Elros) chooses to become mortal in order to wed and remain with Aragorn. Elrond senses this; this is what he means when he says that Arwen is dying. It is the same as in The Last Unicorn, when the unicorn is given the form of a human woman and can feel that she is no longer immortal ("I can feel this body dying all around me"). According to Tolkien, though, after Aragorn dies in the year 120 (Fourth Age), Arwen returns to Lórien, where she dies by choice the following winter. </blockquote><br />
<br />
;Selected answers<br />
(Some questions in the transcript are linked to their answers.)<br />
{| class ="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
!style="width:20%;"|Question !! Possible answer<br />
|-<br />
| Why is there not a Pokémon MMO? || {{w|Pokémon}} is a popular franchise, spanning game consoles, anime series, a trading card game, and many other things. Among fans, it is a frequent topic of discussion why a Pokémon {{w|massively multiplayer online game}} has not been officially announced by the series' developers {{w|Game Freak}}, as they often [http://www.dorkly.com/comic/52546/be-careful-what-you-wish-for predict] that such a game would be extremely popular, and bring in massive revenue for the company.<br />
|-<br />
|Why is there laughing in TV shows? || Sitcoms were once filmed with an audience, so the actors could respond to their reactions. That's the historical reason why there were laughs in TV shows. The tradition held until today, with the difference that now the laughter mostly comes from {{w|Laugh track|recorded tapes}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are ducks called ducks? || {{W|wikt:duck|According to Wiktionary}}, the noun ''duck'' can be traced back to the {{w|Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic}} word {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Germanic/dūkaną|''dūkaną''}} ("to dive, bend down"), and, in turn, the {{w|Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European}} {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Indo-European/dʰewb-|''dʰewb-''}} ("deep, hollow"), which is the origin of the verb ''to duck''. The link between the noun and the verb comes from ducks' tendency to dive under water for short periods of time.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there male and female bikes? || {{w|bicycle|From Wikipedia}}: <blockquote>Historically, women's bicycle frames had a top tube that connected in the middle of the seat tube instead of the top, resulting in a lower {{w|Frame geometry|standover height}} at the expense of compromised structural integrity, since this places a strong bending load in the seat tube, and bicycle frame members are typically weak in bending. This design, referred to as a '''''{{w|step-through frame}}''''' or as an ''open frame'', allows the rider to mount and dismount in a dignified way while wearing a skirt or dress.</blockquote><br />
|-<br />
| Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus? || {{w|Poseidon}} was the patron deity of the city of {{w|Troy}}, which after a 10 years siege by the Greeks fell due to {{w|Odysseus}}' list of the {{w|Trojan_Horse|Trojan horse}}. As the Greeks were returning home, Poseidon cursed Odysseus' ship to prevent him from reaching his home in {{W|Ithaca}}. The adventures which Odysseus encounters during his quest for reaching Ithaca are the main theme of {{w|Homer|Homer's}} {{w|Odyssey}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there two Spocks? || This is probably a reference to the {{w|Star_Trek_(film)|2009 Star Trek movie}} in which the franchise was given a {{w|Reboot_(fiction)|continuity reboot}}. The modified setting is explained in-universe by time travel, with both the villain Nero and the original-timeline Spock being brought back from the 24th century to the 23rd, creating a timeline in which both older Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) and the younger Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) coexist.<br />
<br />
Another possibility is that the question refers to the episode {{w|Mirror,_Mirror_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)|"Mirror, Mirror"}}, which mostly takes place in an alternate universe populated by ruthless versions of most of the characters (including Spock).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America? || ''Further information: {{w|United States military deployments}}''<p>This is a very interesting question, albeit one likely based on a regional misunderstanding. Presumably, this question is asked by Americans who assume that the existence of {{w|Category:Military facilities of the United States by country|U.S. military bases abroad}} is a general trend among countries, as opposed to being the rarity that it is. In fact, {{w|List of countries with overseas military bases|only a handful of other countries}} have military bases outside of their borders, and the three&mdash;{{w|France}}, the {{w|United Kingdom}}, and {{w|Russia}}&mdash;that have more than one or two are all countries that, like the United States, {{w|Allies of World War II|were on the winning side of World War II}}, have {{w|List of countries by military expenditures|massive military expenditures}}, and have {{w|United Nations Security Council veto power|UN Security Council vetoes}}. In other words, only the most militarily elite countries have bases overseas. The U.S. is unique, however, in that it has far more overseas bases than any other country (and, pretty much, far more of anything else than any other country, when it comes to the military), and in that {{w|List of United States military bases|it has bases in several other highly-industrialized nations}}, including {{w|List of United States Army installations in South Korea|South Korea}} and the United Kingdom, and, most notably, the World War II {{w|Axis powers}}: {{w|List of United States Army installations in Germany|Germany}}, {{w|United States Forces Japan|Japan}}, and {{w|List of United States Army installations in Italy|Italy}}. (France, Russia, and the U.K.'s bases, on the other hand, are almost all within areas that they previously controlled.)</p><p>These bases can be controversial in some countries, while in others they are a major source of economic and political stability. The U.S. traditionally justifies their presence as a necessary and crucial element in its efforts to promote peace domestically and worldwide. Despite their major role in {{w|U.S. foreign policy}}, and in the general political structure of the globe, the American public often largely ignores them, and they rarely become a major political issue (apart from an occasional mention by {{w|Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian presidential candidates}}).</p><p>So, essentially, the absence of foreign military bases within the U.S. is primarily because there aren't really any other countries in a position to place bases there. Furthermore, such bases wouldn't do much good, as no battles have been fought within the U.S. since the {{w|U.S. Civil War}} and the U.S. mainland has seen {{w|Mainland invasion of the United States|almost no military action}}. (The {{w|attack on Pearl Harbor}} in 1941 was 18 years before Hawaii became a U.S. state.)</p><p>There are, however, foreign troops stationed at some continental US military bases. For example RAF (British Royal Air Force) 39 Sqn and 361 Sqn at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada flying Reaper and Predator drones. But this are not foreign military bases, they are just guests.</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why is there no king in England? || ''Note: For simplicity's sake, "England" here is being read as "United Kingdom." The various name changes, mergers, and splits of kingdoms are complicated.''<p>The basis for this question is that for the past several hundred years, there has almost always been a queen in England, the sole exceptions being when the king has not had a wife. However, there is a distinction between being the queen of England (that is to say, {{w|List of British monarchs|a monarch}}) and being the {{w|queen consort|queen ''consort''}} of England: The former refers to a woman who {{w|Succession to the British throne|succeeded to the throne}} in her own right, becoming sovereign, while the latter refers to the wife of the king. Both roles, though, are commonly referred to as "Queen of England," creating the impression that there is always such a person. The logical question, therefore, is why {{w|Elizabeth II}}'s husband, {{w|Prince Philip|Philip}}, is not considered the king of England. The answer lies in Britain's system of {{w|male-preference cognatic primogeniture}}, which causes the monarch of England to usually be a man, not a woman. As a result of this, British laws were generally built around the presumption that the monarch would be a man (and that said man would be married to a woman, [[223: Valentine's Day|comic 223]] be damned). Since the creation of the modern British throne in 1707, only two women have reigned as queen in their own right; it just so happens that these two women have been two of the most famous and longest-reigning monarchs in world history, {{w|Queen Victoria}} and Queen Elizabeth II. This fact may add to people's enhanced perception of the lack of a British king. Victoria and Elizabeth's respective consorts, {{w|Albert, Prince Consort|Albert}} and Philip, have been styled as princes&mdash;Albert as {{w|Prince Consort}} and Philip as "{{w|British prince|Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland}}." Both were explicitly granted their titles by their wives, though Albert was already a prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Philip had previously been a prince of Denmark and Greece, but had renounced both titles before marrying Elizabeth.</p><p>The title {{w|king consort}} also exists, but has never been used in the United Kingdom.</p><p>Notably, should {{w|Prince Charles}} succeed to his mother's throne, it has been announced that his wife, {{w|Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Camilla}}, will be styled as {{w|princess consort}}, ''not'' as queen consort, just as she has declined the title {{w|Princess of Wales}}, which is strongly associated with Charles's first wife, {{w|Princess Diana|Diana}}. Assuming that Charles succeeds, this means that Britain will not have anyone referred to as "queen," after decades of not having anyone referred to as "king."</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why are there female Mr. Mimes? || {{w|Mr. Mime}} is a Pokémon introduced in the first generation of the games, and despite its name, it can be either of a male or female gender. As the Pokémon was introduced before the concept of [http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gender gender in Pokémon games], it is likely that the people in charge of translating its Japanese name (Barrierd) did not take this into account during the process. <br />
|-<br />
| Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN || From a Minnesota Paper, [http://www.startribune.com/local/138902104.html the Star Tribune], "Laws prevent the city from poisoning the crows". "Duffy [Steve Duffy, a co-owner of U.S. Bird Abatement Services, which has contracted with Rochester to get rid of the crows] isn't sure why Rochester has such a bad crow problem; probably a confluence of many bird-friendly conditions that has also made it a magnet for geese. He's seen worse cases, but called Rochester's situation 'hideous.'" And best of all, "The city has twice this winter hired experts to chase them off. They tried lasers and bullhorns -- hey, get out of here, you crows -- and even employed raptors to pick them off, one by one. That worked, for awhile." (Unfortunately, they mean a {{w|bird of prey}}, not a {{w|velociraptor}}).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter || In the {{w|Harry Potter}} universe, Muggle technology (human inventions) are often looked down on by wizards - even a half-blooded wizard like Harry wouldn't touch one, let alone a wizard extremist like {{w|Voldemort}}. Not only does any Muggle device more complex than a wristwatch interfere with magical artifacts, but wands are usually more versatile than most guns (a revolver can't shoot lightning or summon items or teleport its user). Finally, Harry Potter is a children's book (which usually doesn't include guns) set in England (which has stricter gun laws than, say, the United States).<br />
|-<br />
| Why are the Avengers fighting the X Men || {{w|Avengers vs. X-Men}} was a 2012 Marvel crossover event that, like many other recent comic book events, had heroes fight other heroes. In this case, the {{w|Avengers (comics)|Avengers}} and the {{w|X-Men}} fought over the {{w|Phoenix Force (comics)|Phoenix Force}}, a godlike power that often possesses {{w|Jean Grey}} or her descendants (in this case, her alternate universe daughter Hope Summers). The Avengers believed the Phoenix Force is too powerful for humanity to control and wanted to contain it, while the X-Men believed the Phoenix was the messiah for mutants and could fix all of the Earth's problems.<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers || Wolverine ''has'' been an Avenger, in some circumstances. e.g. in the {{w|The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes}} cartoon series, the episode ''New Avengers'' had Wolverine (along with Spiderman, War Machine, The Thing and Luke Cage and Iron Fist) substitute while the 'original' Avengers were unavailable to deal with the current crisis (which of course included the fate of the 'proper' Avengers). However, in general his anti-authority personality makes him a difficult team-member to field, and he has frequently disassociated himself even from the X-Men. But, in Avengers vs. X-Men (see above) Wolverine ''sided'' with The Avengers, and more modern treatments have even included the character in about as much a permanent a membership of the group as Logan is ever likely to have.<br />
<br />
But if the question is about why Wolverine didn't appear in {{w|The Avengers (2012 film)|''The Avengers''}}, the answer is that ''The Avengers'' is being produced by Marvel/Disney, while Fox still has the rights to the X-Men and all Marvel mutants in general. Unless there is studio agreement, the two properties cannot cross, except through complicated machinations. For example, there are plans to bring Avengers mainstays Quicksilver and The Scarlet Witch to both the ''Avengers'' and ''X-Men'' franchises, but only the Fox films have the right to call them the children of Magneto, and Marvel/Disney cannot even identify them on-screen as "mutants".<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Psychic weak to Bug || In Pokémon, Pokémon of the psychic type (such as Mr. Mime) are weak to three types of attacks: Ghost, Dark, and Bug. The general theory is that Psychic Pokémon, relying heavily on their thoughts for attacks, are weak to fears (which ghosts, darkness, and bugs can be classified as).<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
:(This strip is a rectangular word cloud, titled 'Questions found in Google autocomplete'. Embedded in the cloud are 5 single panels, with illustrated questions. These are described at the end. Questions are given in roughly columnar order. None of the questions have question marks.)<br />
:Questions found in Google autocomplete<br />
<br />
;Section one<br />
*Why do whales jump<br />
*{{w|Wizard of Oz|Why are witches green}}<br />
*Why are there mirrors above beds<br />
*Why do I say Uh<br />
*Why is sea salt better<br />
*Why are there trees in the middle of fields<br />
*Why is there not a Pokemon MMO<br />
*Why is there laughing in TV shows<br />
*Why are there doors on the freeway<br />
*{{w|svchost.exe|Why are there so many svchost.exe running}}<br />
*Why aren't there any countries in Antarctica<br />
*Why are there scary sounds in Minecraft<br />
*[http://www.webmd.com/baby/fetal-movement-feeling-baby-kick Why is there kicking in my stomach]<br />
*[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1220286/Sir-Tim-Berners-Lee-admits-forward-slashes-web-address-mistake.html Why are there two slashes after http]<br />
*Why are there celebrities<br />
*Why do snakes exist<br />
*{{w|Pearl#Creation_of_a_pearl|Why do oysters have pearls}}<br />
*{{w|Duck#Etymology|Why are ducks called ducks}}<br />
*Why do they call it the clap<br />
*Why are Kyle and Cartman friends<br />
*{{w|Avatar: The Last Airbender#Characters|Why is there an arrow on Aang's head}}<br />
*Why are text messages blue<br />
*Why are there mustaches on clothes<br />
*Why are there mustaches on cars<br />
*Why are there mustaches everywhere<br />
*Why are there so many birds in Ohio<br />
*Why is there so much rain in Ohio<br />
*{{w|Lake-effect snow|Why is Ohio weather so weird}}<br />
<br />
;Section two<br />
*Why are there male and female bikes<br />
*{{w|Bridesmaid#Origin and history|Why are there bridesmaids}}<br />
*Why do dying people reach up<br />
*Why aren't there varicose arteries<br />
*{{w|Klingon#Redesign|Why are old Klingons different}}<br />
*Why is programming so hard<br />
*{{w|Zero-ohm_link|Why is there a 0 Ohm resistor}}<br />
*Why do Americans hate soccer<br />
*Why do rhymes sound good<br />
*Why do trees die<br />
*Why is there no sound on CNN<br />
*Why aren't Pokemon real<br />
*Why aren't bullets sharp<br />
*Why do dreams seem so real<br />
<br />
;Section three<br />
*Why do testicles move<br />
*Why are there psychics<br />
*Why are hats so expensive<br />
*Why is there caffeine in my shampoo<br />
*Why do your boobs hurt<br />
<br />
;Section four<br />
*Why aren't economists rich<br />
*[http://www.alsintl.com/blog/soccer-vs-football/ Why do Americans call it soccer]<br />
*Why are my ears ringing<br />
*Why are there so many Avengers<br />
*Why are the Avengers fighting the X-Men<br />
*Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers<br />
<br />
;Section five<br />
*Why are there ants in my laptop<br />
*Why is Earth tilted<br />
*{{w|Olbers' paradox|Why is space black}}<br />
*Why is outer space so cold<br />
*Why are there pyramids on the Moon<br />
*Why is NASA shutting down<br />
<br />
;Section six<br />
*Why are there tiny spiders in my house<br />
*[http://www.burkemuseum.org/spidermyth/myths/comein.html Why do spiders come inside]<br />
*Why are there huge spiders in my house<br />
*Why are there lots of spiders in my house<br />
*Why are there spiders in my room<br />
*Why are there so many spiders in my room<br />
*Why do spider bites itch<br />
*Why is dying so scary<br />
<br />
;Section seven<br />
*Why is there no GPS in laptops<br />
*[http://www.md-health.com/Knee-Clicking.html Why do knees click]<br />
*Why aren't there E grades<br />
*Why is isolation bad<br />
*Why do boys like me<br />
*Why don't boys like me<br />
*Why is there always a Java update<br />
*Why are there red dots on my thighs<br />
*Why is lying good<br />
<br />
;Section eight<br />
*{{w|The Bible and slavery|Why are there slaves in The Bible}}<br />
*[http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/11/04/1234875.htm Why do twins have different fingerprints]<br />
*Why are Americans afraid of dragons<br />
<br />
;Section nine<br />
*Why are there swarms of gnats<br />
*Why is there phlegm<br />
<br />
;Section ten<br />
*Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN<br />
*[http://pokemon.wikia.com/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Types Why is Psychic weak to Bug]<br />
*Why do children get cancer<br />
*Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus<br />
*Why is there ice in space<br />
<br />
;Section eleven<br />
*Why is there an owl in my backyard<br />
*Why is there an owl outside my window<br />
*Why is there an owl on the dollar bill<br />
*Why do owls attack people<br />
*{{w|2008–13 United States ammunition shortage|Why are AK47s so expensive}}<br />
<br />
;Section twelve<br />
*Why are there helicopters circling my house<br />
*Why are there gods<br />
*Why are there two Spocks<br />
<br />
;Section thirteen<br />
*Why is Mt Vesuvius there<br />
*Why do they say T Minus<br />
*Why are there obelisks<br />
*Why are wrestlers always wet<br />
*Why are oceans becoming more acidic<br />
*Why is Arwen dying<br />
*Why aren't my quail laying eggs<br />
*Why aren't my quail eggs hatching<br />
*Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America<br />
<br />
;Section fourteen<br />
*[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is https crossed out in red]<br />
*[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a line through https]<br />
*[https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714 Why is there a red line through https on Facebook]<br />
*[[wikipedia:HTTP_Secure | Why is https important]]<br />
<br />
;Section fifteen<br />
*Why are my boobs itchy<br />
*Why are cigarettes legal<br />
*Why are the ducks in my pool<br />
*{{w|Race and appearance of Jesus|Why is Jesus white}}<br />
*Why is there liquid in my ear<br />
*Why do Q Tips feel good<br />
*Why do good people die<br />
*[http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Ultrasound-scan/Pages/introduction.aspx Why are ultrasounds important]<br />
*Why are ultrasound machines expensive<br />
*Why is stealing wrong<br />
<br />
;Vertical questions<br />
:(The following are vertical.)<br />
*{{w|Seven-day_week#Origins|Why are there weeks}}<br />
*Why do I feel dizzy<br />
*Why is {{w|YKK Group|YKK}} on all zippers<br />
*Why are trees tall<br />
*Why do iguanas die<br />
*Why aren't there dinosaur ghosts<br />
*[http://www.dogsonly.org/stormfear.html Why are dogs afraid of fireworks]<br />
*Why is there no king in England<br />
*Why is life so boring<br />
*Why is there lava<br />
*[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?285504-Why-can-Mr-Mime-be-female Why are there female Mr Mimes]<br />
*[http://gis.stackexchange.com/a/17546 Why is GPS free]<br />
*Why is there Hell if God forgives<br />
<br />
;The single panels<br />
:[We see Cueball from the torso up, with arms outstretched.]<br />
:Cueball: Why aren't my arms growing<br />
:[Megan stands with a grey ghost on either side of her.]<br />
:Megan: Why are there ghosts<br />
:[Beret Guy stands, looking at a squirrel.]<br />
:Beret Guy: Why are there squirrels<br />
:[Cueball stands.]<br />
:Cueball: Why is sex so important<br />
:[We see Ponytail from the torso up.]<br />
:Ponytail: Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:LOTR]]<br />
[[Category:Pokémon]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1256:_Questions&diff=480311256: Questions2013-08-28T06:12:35Z<p>Asym: /* Section six */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1256<br />
| date = August 26, 2013<br />
| title = Questions<br />
| image = questions.png<br />
| titletext = To whoever typed 'why is arwen dying': GOOD. FUCKING. QUESTION.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
{{w|Google}}, a rather popular internet search engine, has a feature known as [https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/106230?hl=en autocomplete] that guesses at search queries before they are fully typed out. These guesses are generally made based on popular searches by other people. From time to time, a particularly strange or hilarious one may be found, as is evidenced in this comic.<br />
<br />
All of the questions in the comic are "why" questions, so many of them are predicated on false assumptions, such as "Why are there pyramids on the moon".<br />
<br />
Regarding the title text: in the Peter Jackson films of {{w|The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy}}, Arwen becomes sickly for unspecified reasons as the plot advances, apparently giving Aragorn a more personal reason to fight. The only explanation given is by Elrond, who says "As Sauron's power grows, her [Arwen's] strength wanes." (This subplot is entirely absent from the {{w|The Lord of the Rings|original novels}}.)<br />
<br />
From [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/faq#.2.1.21 IMDB]: <br /><blockquote><br />
Arwen, like her father (and brothers) is considered to be a Half-Elf, the result of a union between an Elf and a mortal human. The Half-Elven of Middle-earth get a choice, to remain immortal and return to the West (Valinor) or to become mortal and to die as humans do. Elrond chose to remain an Elf. Arwen (like her uncle Elros) chooses to become mortal in order to wed and remain with Aragorn. Elrond senses this; this is what he means when he says that Arwen is dying. It is the same as in The Last Unicorn, when the unicorn is given the form of a human woman and can feel that she is no longer immortal ("I can feel this body dying all around me"). According to Tolkien, though, after Aragorn dies in the year 120 (Fourth Age), Arwen returns to Lórien, where she dies by choice the following winter. </blockquote><br />
<br />
;Selected answers<br />
(Some questions in the transcript are linked to their answers.)<br />
{| class ="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
!style="width:20%;"|Question !! Possible answer<br />
|-<br />
| Why is there not a Pokémon MMO? || {{w|Pokémon}} is a popular franchise, spanning game consoles, anime series, a trading card game, and many other things. Among fans, it is a frequent topic of discussion why a Pokémon {{w|massively multiplayer online game}} has not been officially announced by the series' developers {{w|Game Freak}}, as they often [http://www.dorkly.com/comic/52546/be-careful-what-you-wish-for predict] that such a game would be extremely popular, and bring in massive revenue for the company.<br />
|-<br />
|Why is there laughing in TV shows? || Sitcoms were once filmed with an audience, so the actors could respond to their reactions. That's the historical reason why there were laughs in TV shows. The tradition held until today, with the difference that now the laughter mostly comes from {{w|Laugh track|recorded tapes}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are ducks called ducks? || {{W|wikt:duck|According to Wiktionary}}, the noun ''duck'' can be traced back to the {{w|Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic}} word {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Germanic/dūkaną|''dūkaną''}} ("to dive, bend down"), and, in turn, the {{w|Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European}} {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Indo-European/dʰewb-|''dʰewb-''}} ("deep, hollow"), which is the origin of the verb ''to duck''. The link between the noun and the verb comes from ducks' tendency to dive under water for short periods of time.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there male and female bikes? || {{w|bicycle|From Wikipedia}}: <blockquote>Historically, women's bicycle frames had a top tube that connected in the middle of the seat tube instead of the top, resulting in a lower {{w|Frame geometry|standover height}} at the expense of compromised structural integrity, since this places a strong bending load in the seat tube, and bicycle frame members are typically weak in bending. This design, referred to as a '''''{{w|step-through frame}}''''' or as an ''open frame'', allows the rider to mount and dismount in a dignified way while wearing a skirt or dress.</blockquote><br />
|-<br />
| Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus? || {{w|Poseidon}} was the patron deity of the city of {{w|Troy}}, which after a 10 years siege by the Greeks fell due to {{w|Odysseus}}' list of the {{w|Trojan_Horse|Trojan horse}}. As the Greeks were returning home, Poseidon cursed Odysseus' ship to prevent him from reaching his home in {{W|Ithaca}}. The adventures which Odysseus encounters during his quest for reaching Ithaca are the main theme of {{w|Homer|Homer's}} {{w|Odyssey}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there two Spocks? || This is probably a reference to the {{w|Star_Trek_(film)|2009 Star Trek movie}} in which the franchise was given a {{w|Reboot_(fiction)|continuity reboot}}. The modified setting is explained in-universe by time travel, with both the villain Nero and the original-timeline Spock being brought back from the 24th century to the 23rd, creating a timeline in which both older Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) and the younger Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) coexist.<br />
<br />
Another possibility is that the question refers to the episode {{w|Mirror,_Mirror_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)|"Mirror, Mirror"}}, which mostly takes place in an alternate universe populated by ruthless versions of most of the characters (including Spock).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America? || ''Further information: {{w|United States military deployments}}''<p>This is a very interesting question, albeit one likely based on a regional misunderstanding. Presumably, this question is asked by Americans who assume that the existence of {{w|Category:Military facilities of the United States by country|U.S. military bases abroad}} is a general trend among countries, as opposed to being the rarity that it is. In fact, {{w|List of countries with overseas military bases|only a handful of other countries}} have military bases outside of their borders, and the three&mdash;{{w|France}}, the {{w|United Kingdom}}, and {{w|Russia}}&mdash;that have more than one or two are all countries that, like the United States, {{w|Allies of World War II|were on the winning side of World War II}}, have {{w|List of countries by military expenditures|massive military expenditures}}, and have {{w|United Nations Security Council veto power|UN Security Council vetoes}}. In other words, only the most militarily elite countries have bases overseas. The U.S. is unique, however, in that it has far more overseas bases than any other country (and, pretty much, far more of anything else than any other country, when it comes to the military), and in that {{w|List of United States military bases|it has bases in several other highly-industrialized nations}}, including {{w|List of United States Army installations in South Korea|South Korea}} and the United Kingdom, and, most notably, the World War II {{w|Axis powers}}: {{w|List of United States Army installations in Germany|Germany}}, {{w|United States Forces Japan|Japan}}, and {{w|List of United States Army installations in Italy|Italy}}. (France, Russia, and the U.K.'s bases, on the other hand, are almost all within areas that they previously controlled.)</p><p>These bases can be controversial in some countries, while in others they are a major source of economic and political stability. The U.S. traditionally justifies their presence as a necessary and crucial element in its efforts to promote peace domestically and worldwide. Despite their major role in {{w|U.S. foreign policy}}, and in the general political structure of the globe, the American public often largely ignores them, and they rarely become a major political issue (apart from an occasional mention by {{w|Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian presidential candidates}}).</p><p>So, essentially, the absence of foreign military bases within the U.S. is primarily because there aren't really any other countries in a position to place bases there. Furthermore, such bases wouldn't do much good, as no battles have been fought within the U.S. since the since the {{w|U.S. Civil War}} and the U.S. mainland has seen {{w|Mainland invasion of the United States|almost no military action}}. (The {{w|attack on Pearl Harbor}} in 1941 was 18 years before Hawaii became a U.S. state.)</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why is there no king in England? || ''Note: For simplicity's sake, "England" here is being read as "Britain."''<p>The basis for this question is that for the past several hundred years, there has almost always been a queen in England, the sole exceptions being when the king has not had a wife. However, there is a distinction between being the queen of England (that is to say, {{w|List of British monarchs|a monarch}}) and being the {{w|queen consort|queen ''consort''}} of England: The former refers to a woman who {{w|Succession to the British throne|succeeded to the throne}} in her own right, becoming sovereign, while the latter refers to the wife of the king. Both roles, though, are commonly referred to as "Queen of England," creating the impression that there is always such a person. The logical question, therefore, is why {{w|Elizabeth II}}'s husband, {{w|Prince Philip|Philip}}, is not considered the king of England. The answer lies in Britain's system of {{w|male-preference cognatic primogeniture}}, which causes the monarch of England to usually be a man, not a woman. As a result of this, British laws were generally built around the presumption that the monarch would be a man (and that said man would be married to a woman, [[223: Valentine's Day|comic 223]] be damned). Since the creation of the modern British throne in 1707, only two women have reigned as queen in their own right; it just so happens that these two women have been two of the most famous and longest-reigning monarchs in world history, {{w|Queen Victoria}} and Queen Elizabeth II. This fact may add to people's enhanced perception of the lack of a British king. Victoria and Elizabeth's respective consorts, {{w|Albert, Prince Consort|Albert}} and Philip, have been styled as princes&mdash;Albert as {{w|Prince Consort}} and Philip as "{{w|British prince|Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland}}." Both were explicitly granted their titles by their wives, though Albert was already a prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Philip had previously been a prince of Denmark and Greece, but had renounced both titles before marrying Elizabeth.</p><p>The title {{w|king consort}} also exists, but has never been used in the United Kingdom.</p><p>Notably, should {{w|Prince Charles}} succeed to his mother's throne, it has been announced that his wife, {{w|Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Camilla}}, will be styled as {{w|princess consort}}, ''not'' as queen consort, just as she has declined the title {{w|Princess of Wales}}, which is strongly associated with Charles's first wife, {{w|Princess Diana|Diana}}. Assuming that Charles succeeds, this means that Britain will not have anyone referred to as "queen," after decades of not having anyone referred to as "king."</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why are there female Mr. Mimes? || {{w|Mr. Mime}} is a Pokémon introduced in the first generation of the games, and despite its name, it can be either of a male or female gender. As the Pokémon was introduced before the concept of [http://www.bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gender gender in Pokémon games], it is likely that the people in charge of translating its Japanese name (Barrierd) did not take this into account during the process. <br />
|-<br />
| Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN || From a Minnesota Paper, [http://www.startribune.com/local/138902104.html the Star Tribune], "Laws prevent the city from poisoning the crows". "Duffy [Steve Duffy, a co-owner of U.S. Bird Abatement Services, which has contracted with Rochester to get rid of the crows] isn't sure why Rochester has such a bad crow problem; probably a confluence of many bird-friendly conditions that has also made it a magnet for geese. He's seen worse cases, but called Rochester's situation 'hideous.'" And best of all, "The city has twice this winter hired experts to chase them off. They tried lasers and bullhorns -- hey, get out of here, you crows -- and even employed raptors to pick them off, one by one. That worked, for awhile." (Unfortunately, they mean a {{w|bird of prey}}, not a {{w|velociraptor}}).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter || In the {{w|Harry Potter}} universe, Muggle technology (human inventions) are often looked down on by wizards - even a half-blooded wizard like Harry wouldn't touch one, let alone a wizard extremist like {{w|Voldemort}}. Not only does any Muggle device more complex than a wristwatch interfere with magical artifacts, but wands are usually more versatile than most guns (a revolver can't shoot lightning of summon items or teleport its user). Finally, Harry Potter is a children's book (which usually doesn't include guns) set in England (which has stricter gun laws than, say, the United States).<br />
|-<br />
| Why are the Avengers fighting the X Men || {{w|Avengers vs. X-Men}} was a 2012 Marvel crossover event that, like many other recent comic book events, had heroes fight other heroes. In this case, the {{w|Avengers (comics)|Avengers}} and the {{w|X-Men}} fought over the {{w|Phoenix Force (comics)|Phoenix Force}}, a godlike power that often possesses {{w|Jean Grey}} or her descendants (in this case, her alternate universe daughter Hope Summers). The Avengers believed the Phoenix Force is too powerful for humanity to control and wanted to contain it, while the X-Men believed the Phoenix was the messiah for mutants and could fix all of the Earth's problems.<br />
|-<br />
| Why is Psychic weak to Bug || In Pokémon, Pokémon of the psychic type (such as Mr. Mime) are weak to three types of attacks: Ghost, Dark, and Bug. The general theory is that Psychic Pokémon, relying heavily on their thoughts for attacks, are weak to fears (which ghosts, darkness, and bugs can be classified as).<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript}}<br />
:Questions found in Google autocomplete<br />
===Section one===<br />
*Why do whales jump<br />
*{{w|Wizard of Oz|Why are witches green}}<br />
*Why are there mirrors above beds<br />
*Why do I say Uh<br />
*Why is sea salt better<br />
*Why are there trees in the middle of fields<br />
*Why is there not a Pokemon MMO<br />
*Why is there laughing in TV shows<br />
*Why are there doors on the freeway<br />
*{{w|svchost.exe|Why are there so many svchost.exe running}}<br />
*Why aren't there any countries in Antarctica<br />
*Why are there scary sounds in Minecraft<br />
*[http://www.webmd.com/baby/fetal-movement-feeling-baby-kick Why is there kicking in my stomach]<br />
*[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1220286/Sir-Tim-Berners-Lee-admits-forward-slashes-web-address-mistake.html Why are there two slashes after http]<br />
*Why are there celebrities<br />
*Why do snakes exist<br />
*{{w|Pearl#Creation_of_a_pearl|Why do oysters have pearls}}<br />
*{{w|Duck#Etymology|Why are ducks called ducks}}<br />
*Why do they call it the clap<br />
*Why are Kyle and Cartman friends<br />
*{{w|Avatar: The Last Airbender#Characters|Why is there an arrow on Aang's head}}<br />
*Why are text messages blue<br />
*Why are there mustaches on clothes<br />
*Why are there mustaches on cars<br />
*Why are there mustaches everywhere<br />
*Why are there so many birds in Ohio<br />
*Why is there so much rain in Ohio<br />
*{{w|Lake-effect snow|Why is Ohio weather so weird}}<br />
<br />
===Section two===<br />
*Why are there male and female bikes<br />
*{{w|Bridesmaid#Origin and history|Why are there bridesmaids}}<br />
*Why do dying people reach up<br />
*Why aren't there varicose arteries<br />
*{{w|Klingon#Redesign|Why are old Klingons different}}<br />
:Beret Guy (with squirrel): Why are there squirrels<br />
*Why is programming so hard<br />
*{{w|Zero-ohm_link|Why is there a 0 Ohm resistor}}<br />
*Why do Americans hate soccer<br />
*Why do rhymes sound good<br />
*Why do trees die<br />
*Why is there no sound on CNN<br />
*Why aren't Pokemon real<br />
*Why aren't bullets sharp<br />
*Why do dreams seem so real<br />
<br />
===Section three===<br />
*Why do testicles move<br />
*Why are there psychics<br />
*Why are hats so expensive<br />
*Why is there caffeine in my shampoo<br />
*Why do your boobs hurt<br />
===Section four===<br />
*Why aren't economists rich<br />
*Why do Americans call it soccer<br />
*Why are my ears ringing<br />
*Why are there so many Avengers<br />
*Why are the Avengers fighting the X-Men<br />
*Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers<br />
===Section five===<br />
*Why are there ants in my laptop<br />
*Why is Earth tilted<br />
*{{w|Olbers' paradox|Why is space black}}<br />
*Why is outer space so cold<br />
*Why are there pyramids on the Moon<br />
*Why is NASA shutting down<br />
<br />
===Section six===<br />
*Why are there tiny spiders in my house<br />
*[http://www.burkemuseum.org/spidermyth/myths/comein.html Why do spiders come inside]<br />
*Why are there huge spiders in my house<br />
*Why are there lots of spiders in my house<br />
*Why are there spiders in my room<br />
*Why are there so many spiders in my room<br />
*Why do spider bites itch<br />
*Why is dying so scary<br />
<br />
===Section seven===<br />
*Why is there no GPS in laptops<br />
*[http://www.md-health.com/Knee-Clicking.html Why do knees click]<br />
*Why aren't there E grades<br />
*Why is isolation bad<br />
*Why do boys like me<br />
*Why don't boys like me<br />
*Why is there always a Java update<br />
*Why are there red dots on my thighs<br />
*Why is lying good<br />
:Cueball: Why is sex so important<br />
===Section eight===<br />
*{{w|The Bible and slavery|Why are there slaves in The Bible}}<br />
*[http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/11/04/1234875.htm Why do twins have different fingerprints]<br />
*Why are Americans afraid of dragons<br />
<br />
===Section nine===<br />
*Why are there swarms of gnats<br />
*Why is there phlegm<br />
===Section ten===<br />
*Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN<br />
*[http://pokemon.wikia.com/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Types Why is Psychic weak to Bug]<br />
*Why do children get cancer<br />
*Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus<br />
*Why is there ice in space<br />
===Section eleven===<br />
:Megan (with ghosts): Why are there ghosts<br />
*Why is there an owl in my backyard<br />
*Why is there an owl outside my window<br />
*Why is there an owl on the dollar bill<br />
*Why do owls attack people<br />
*{{w|2008–13 United States ammunition shortage|Why are AK47s so expensive}}<br />
<br />
===Section twelve===<br />
*Why are there helicopters circling my house<br />
*Why are there gods<br />
*Why are there two Spocks<br />
===Section thirteen===<br />
*Why is Mt Vesuvius there<br />
*Why do they say T Minus<br />
*Why are there obelisks<br />
*Why are wrestlers always wet<br />
*Why are oceans becoming more acidic<br />
*Why is Arwen dying<br />
*Why aren't my quail laying eggs<br />
*Why aren't my quail eggs hatching<br />
*Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America<br />
===Section fourteen===<br />
*Why is https crossed out in red<br />
*Why is there a line through https<br />
*Why is there a red line through https on Facebook<br />
*Why is https important<br />
:Cueball: Why aren't my arms growing<br />
===Section fifteen===<br />
*Why are my boobs itchy<br />
*Why are cigarettes legal<br />
*Why are the ducks in my pool<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_appearance_of_Jesus Why is Jesus white]<br />
*Why is there liquid in my ear<br />
*Why do Q Tips feel good<br />
*Why do good people die<br />
:Ponytail: Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter<br />
*Why are ultrasounds important<br />
*Why are ultrasound machines expensive<br />
*Why is stealing wrong<br />
<br />
===Vertical questions===<br />
:(The following are vertical.)<br />
*{{w|Seven-day_week#Origins|Why are there weeks}}<br />
*Why do I feel dizzy<br />
*Why is {{w|YKK Group|YKK}} on all zippers<br />
*Why are trees tall<br />
*Why do iguanas die<br />
*Why aren't there dinosaur ghosts<br />
*[http://www.dogsonly.org/stormfear.html Why are dogs afraid of fireworks]<br />
*Why is there no king in England<br />
*Why is life so boring<br />
*Why is there lava<br />
*[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?285504-Why-can-Mr-Mime-be-female Why are there female Mr Mimes]<br />
*[http://gis.stackexchange.com/a/17546 Why is GPS free]<br />
*Why is there Hell if God forgives<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:LOTR]]<br />
[[Category:Pokémon]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1256:_Questions&diff=480081256: Questions2013-08-27T22:46:10Z<p>Asym: /* Vertical questions */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1256<br />
| date = August 26, 2013<br />
| title = Questions<br />
| image = questions.png<br />
| titletext = To whoever typed 'why is arwen dying': GOOD. FUCKING. QUESTION.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
{{w|Google}}, a rather popular internet search engine, has a feature known as [https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/106230?hl=en autocomplete] that guesses at search queries before they are fully typed out. These guesses are generally made based on popular searches by other people. From time to time, a particularly strange or hilarious one may be found, as is evidenced in this comic.<br />
<br />
All of the questions in the comic are "why" questions, so many of them are predicated on false assumptions, such as "Why are there pyramids on the moon".<br />
<br />
Regarding the title text: in the Peter Jackson films of {{w|The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy}}, Arwen becomes sickly for unspecified reasons as the plot advances, apparently giving Aragorn a more personal reason to fight. The only explanation given is by Elrond, who says "As Sauron's power grows, her [Arwen's] strength wanes." (This subplot is entirely absent from the {{w|The Lord of the Rings|original novels}}.)<br />
<br />
From [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/faq#.2.1.21 IMDB]: <br /><blockquote><br />
Arwen, like her father (and brothers) is considered to be a Half-Elf, the result of a union between an Elf and a mortal human. The Half-Elven of Middle-earth get a choice, to remain immortal and return to the West (Valinor) or to become mortal and to die as humans do. Elrond chose to remain an Elf. Arwen (like her uncle Elros) chooses to become mortal in order to wed and remain with Aragorn. Elrond senses this; this is what he means when he says that Arwen is dying. It is the same as in The Last Unicorn, when the unicorn is given the form of a human woman and can feel that she is no longer immortal ("I can feel this body dying all around me"). According to Tolkien, though, after Aragorn dies in the year 120 (Fourth Age), Arwen returns to Lórien, where she dies by choice the following winter. </blockquote><br />
<br />
;Selected answers<br />
(Some questions in the transcript are linked to their answers.)<br />
{| class ="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
!style="width:20%;"|Question !! Possible answer<br />
|-<br />
| Why is there not a Pokémon MMO? || {{w|Pokémon}} is a popular franchise, spanning game consoles, anime series, a trading card game, and many other things. Among fans, it is a frequent topic of discussion why a Pokémon {{w|massively multiplayer online game}} has not been officially announced by the series' developers {{w|Game Freak}}, as they often [http://www.dorkly.com/comic/52546/be-careful-what-you-wish-for predict] that such a game would be extremely popular, and bring in massive revenue for the company.<br />
|-<br />
|Why is there laughing in TV shows? || Sitcoms were once filmed with an audience, so the actors could respond to their reactions. That's the historical reason why there were laughs in TV shows. The tradition held until today, with the difference that now the laughter mostly comes from {{w|Laugh track|recorded tapes}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are ducks called ducks? || {{W|wikt:duck|According to Wiktionary}}, the noun ''duck'' can be traced back to the {{w|Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic}} word {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Germanic/dūkaną|''dūkaną''}} ("to dive, bend down"), and, in turn, the {{w|Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European}} {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Indo-European/dʰewb-|''dʰewb-''}} ("deep, hollow"), which is the origin of the verb ''to duck''. The link between the noun and the verb comes from ducks' tendency to dive under water for short periods of time.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there male and female bikes? || {{w|bicycle|From Wikipedia}}: <blockquote>Historically, women's bicycle frames had a top tube that connected in the middle of the seat tube instead of the top, resulting in a lower {{w|Frame geometry|standover height}} at the expense of compromised structural integrity, since this places a strong bending load in the seat tube, and bicycle frame members are typically weak in bending. This design, referred to as a '''''{{w|step-through frame}}''''' or as an ''open frame'', allows the rider to mount and dismount in a dignified way while wearing a skirt or dress.</blockquote><br />
|-<br />
| Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus? || {{w|Poseidon}} was the patron deity of the city of {{w|Troy}}, which after a 10 years siege by the Greeks fell due to {{w|Odysseus}}' list of the {{w|Trojan_Horse|Trojan horse}}. As the Greeks were returning home, Poseidon cursed Odysseus' ship to prevent him from reaching his home in {{W|Ithaca}}. The adventures which Odysseus encounters during his quest for reaching Ithaca are the main theme of {{w|Homer|Homer's}} {{w|Odyssey}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there two Spocks? || This is probably a reference to the {{w|Star_Trek_(film)|2009 Star Trek movie}} in which the franchise was given a {{w|Reboot_(fiction)|continuity reboot}}. The modified setting is explained in-universe by time travel, with both the villain Nero and the original-timeline Spock being brought back from the 24th century to the 23rd, creating a timeline in which both older Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) and the younger Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) coexist.<br />
<br />
Another possibility is that the question refers to the episode {{w|Mirror,_Mirror_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)|"Mirror, Mirror"}}, which mostly takes place in an alternate universe populated by ruthless versions of most of the characters (including Spock).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America? || ''Further information: {{w|United States military deployments}}''<p>This is a very interesting question, albeit one likely based on a regional misunderstanding. Presumably, this question is asked by Americans who assume that the existence of {{w|Category:Military facilities of the United States by country|U.S. military bases abroad}} is a general trend among countries, as opposed to being the rarity that it is. In fact, {{w|List of countries with overseas military bases|only a handful of other countries}} have military bases outside of their borders, and the three&mdash;{{w|France}}, the {{w|United Kingdom}}, and {{w|Russia}}&mdash;that have more than one or two are all countries that, like the United States, {{w|Allies of World War II|were on the winning side of World War II}}, have {{w|List of countries by military expenditures|massive military expenditures}}, and have {{w|United Nations Security Council veto power|UN Security Council vetoes}}. In other words, only the most militarily elite countries have bases overseas. The U.S. is unique, however, in that it has far more overseas bases than any other country (and, pretty much, far more of anything else than any other country, when it comes to the military), and in that {{w|List of United States military bases|it has bases in several other highly-industrialized nations}}, including {{w|List of United States Army installations in South Korea|South Korea}} and the United Kingdom, and, most notably, the World War II {{w|Axis powers}}: {{w|List of United States Army installations in Germany|Germany}}, {{w|United States Forces Japan|Japan}}, and {{w|List of United States Army installations in Italy|Italy}}. (France, Russia, and the U.K.'s bases, on the other hand, are almost all within areas that they previously controlled.)</p><p>These bases can be controversial in some countries, while in others they are a major source of economic and political stability. The U.S. traditionally justifies their presence as a necessary and crucial element in its efforts to promote peace domestically and worldwide. Despite their major role in {{w|U.S. foreign policy}}, and in the general political structure of the globe, the American public often largely ignores them, and they rarely become a major political issue (apart from an occasional mention by {{w|Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian presidential candidates}}).</p><p>So, essentially, the absence of foreign military bases within the U.S. is primarily because there aren't really any other countries in a position to place bases there. Furthermore, such bases wouldn't do much good, as no battles have been fought within the U.S. since the since the {{w|U.S. Civil War}} and the U.S. mainland has seen {{w|Mainland invasion of the United States|almost no military action}}. (The {{w|attack on Pearl Harbor}} in 1941 was 18 years before Hawaii became a U.S. state.)</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why is there no king in England? || ''Note: For simplicity's sake, "England" here is being read as "Britain."''<p>The basis for this question is that for the past several hundred years, there has almost always been a queen in England, the sole exceptions being when the king has not had a wife. However, there is a distinction between being the queen of England (that is to say, {{w|List of British monarchs|a monarch}}) and being the {{w|queen consort|queen ''consort''}} of England: The former refers to a woman who {{w|Succession to the British throne|succeeded to the throne}} in her own right, becoming sovereign, while the latter refers to the wife of the king. Both roles, though, are commonly referred to as "Queen of England," creating the impression that there is always such a person. The logical question, therefore, is why {{w|Elizabeth II}}'s husband, {{w|Prince Philip|Philip}}, is not considered the king of England. The answer lies in Britain's system of {{w|male-preference cognatic primogeniture}}, which causes the monarch of England to usually be a man, not a woman. As a result of this, British laws were generally built around the presumption that the monarch would be a man (and that said man would be married to a woman, [[223: Valentine's Day|comic 223]] be damned). Since the creation of the modern British throne in 1707, only two women have reigned as queen in their own right; it just so happens that these two women have been two of the most famous and longest-reigning monarchs in world history, {{w|Queen Victoria}} and Queen Elizabeth II. This fact may add to people's enhanced perception of the lack of a British king. Victoria and Elizabeth's respective consorts, {{w|Albert, Prince Consort|Albert}} and Philip, have been styled as princes&mdash;Albert as {{w|Prince Consort}} and Philip as "{{w|British prince|Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland}}." Both were explicitly granted their titles by their wives, though Albert was already a prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Philip had previously been a prince of Denmark and Greece, but had renounced both titles before marrying Elizabeth.</p><p>The title {{w|king consort}} also exists, but has never been used in the United Kingdom.</p><p>Notably, should {{w|Prince Charles}} succeed to his mother's throne, it has been announced that his wife, {{w|Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Camilla}}, will be styled as {{w|princess consort}}, ''not'' as queen consort, just as she has declined the title {{w|Princess of Wales}}, which is strongly associated with Charles's first wife, {{w|Princess Diana|Diana}}. Assuming that Charles succeeds, this means that Britain will not have anyone referred to as "queen," after decades of not having anyone referred to as "king."</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why are there female Mr. Mimes? || {{w|Mr. Mime}} is a Pokémon introduced in the first generation of the games, and despite its name, it can be either of a male or female gender. As the Pokémon was introduced before the concept of [http://www.bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gender gender in Pokémon games], it is likely that the people in charge of translating its Japanese name (Barrierd) did not take this into account during the process. <br />
|-<br />
| Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN || From a Minnesota Paper, [http://www.startribune.com/local/138902104.html the Star Tribune], "Laws prevent the city from poisoning the crows". "Duffy [Steve Duffy, a co-owner of U.S. Bird Abatement Services, which has contracted with Rochester to get rid of the crows] isn't sure why Rochester has such a bad crow problem; probably a confluence of many bird-friendly conditions that has also made it a magnet for geese. He's seen worse cases, but called Rochester's situation 'hideous.'" And best of all, "The city has twice this winter hired experts to chase them off. They tried lasers and bullhorns -- hey, get out of here, you crows -- and even employed raptors to pick them off, one by one. That worked, for awhile." (Unfortunately, they mean a {{w|bird of prey}}, not a {{w|velociraptor}}).<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript}}<br />
:Questions found in Google autocomplete<br />
===Section one===<br />
*Why do whales jump<br />
*{{w|Wizard of Oz|Why are witches green}}<br />
*Why are there mirrors above beds<br />
*Why do I say Uh<br />
*Why is sea salt better<br />
*Why are there trees in the middle of fields<br />
*Why is there not a Pokemon MMO<br />
*Why is there laughing in TV shows<br />
*Why are there doors on the freeway<br />
*{{w|svchost.exe|Why are there so many svchost.exe running}}<br />
*Why aren't there any countries in Antarctica<br />
*Why are there scary sounds in Minecraft<br />
*[http://www.webmd.com/baby/fetal-movement-feeling-baby-kick Why is there kicking in my stomach]<br />
*[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1220286/Sir-Tim-Berners-Lee-admits-forward-slashes-web-address-mistake.html Why are there two slashes after http]<br />
*Why are there celebrities<br />
*Why do snakes exist<br />
*{{w|Pearl#Creation_of_a_pearl|Why do oysters have pearls}}<br />
*{{w|Duck#Etymology|Why are ducks called ducks}}<br />
*Why do they call it the clap<br />
*Why are Kyle and Cartman friends<br />
*{{w|Avatar: The Last Airbender#Characters|Why is there an arrow on Aang's head}}<br />
*Why are text messages blue<br />
*Why are there mustaches on clothes<br />
*Why are there mustaches on cars<br />
*Why are there mustaches everywhere<br />
*Why are there so many birds in Ohio<br />
*Why is there so much rain in Ohio<br />
*{{w|Lake-effect snow|Why is Ohio weather so weird}}<br />
<br />
===Section two===<br />
*Why are there male and female bikes<br />
*{{w|Bridesmaid#Origin and history|Why are there bridesmaids}}<br />
*Why do dying people reach up<br />
*Why aren't there varicose arteries<br />
*{{w|Klingon#Redesign|Why are old Klingons different}}<br />
:Beret Guy (with squirrel): Why are there squirrels<br />
*Why is programming so hard<br />
*{{w|Zero-ohm_link|Why is there a 0 Ohm resistor}}<br />
*Why do Americans hate soccer<br />
*Why do rhymes sound good<br />
*Why do trees die<br />
*Why is there no sound on CNN<br />
*Why aren't Pokemon real<br />
*Why aren't bullets sharp<br />
*Why do dreams seem so real<br />
<br />
===Section three===<br />
*Why do testicles move<br />
*Why are there psychics<br />
*Why are hats so expensive<br />
*Why is there caffeine in my shampoo<br />
*Why do your boobs hurt<br />
===Section four===<br />
*Why aren't economists rich<br />
*Why do Americans call it soccer<br />
*Why are my ears ringing<br />
*Why are there so many Avengers<br />
*Why are the Avengers fighting the X-Men<br />
*Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers<br />
===Section five===<br />
*Why are there ants in my laptop<br />
*Why is Earth tilted<br />
*{{w|Olbers' paradox|Why is space black}}<br />
*Why is outer space so cold<br />
*Why are there pyramids on the Moon<br />
*Why is NASA shutting down<br />
<br />
===Section six===<br />
*Why are there tiny spiders in my house<br />
*Why do spiders come inside<br />
*Why are there huge spiders in my house<br />
*Why are there lots of spiders in my house<br />
*Why are there spiders in my room<br />
*Why are there so many spiders in my room<br />
*Why do spider bites itch<br />
*Why is dying so scary<br />
===Section seven===<br />
*Why is there no GPS in laptops<br />
*[http://www.md-health.com/Knee-Clicking.html Why do knees click]<br />
*Why aren't there E grades<br />
*Why is isolation bad<br />
*Why do boys like me<br />
*Why don't boys like me<br />
*Why is there always a Java update<br />
*Why are there red dots on my thighs<br />
*Why is lying good<br />
:Cueball: Why is sex so important<br />
===Section eight===<br />
*{{w|The Bible and slavery|Why are there slaves in The Bible}}<br />
*[http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/11/04/1234875.htm Why do twins have different fingerprints]<br />
*Why are Americans afraid of dragons<br />
<br />
===Section nine===<br />
*Why are there swarms of gnats<br />
*Why is there phlegm<br />
===Section ten===<br />
*Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN<br />
*[http://pokemon.wikia.com/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Types Why is Psychic weak to Bug]<br />
*Why do children get cancer<br />
*Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus<br />
*Why is there ice in space<br />
===Section eleven===<br />
:Megan (with ghosts): Why are there ghosts<br />
*Why is there an owl in my backyard<br />
*Why is there an owl outside my window<br />
*Why is there an owl on the dollar bill<br />
*Why do owls attack people<br />
*Why are AK47s so expensive<br />
===Section twelve===<br />
*Why are there helicopters circling my house<br />
*Why are there gods<br />
*Why are there two Spocks<br />
===Section thirteen===<br />
*Why is Mt Vesuvius there<br />
*Why do they say T Minus<br />
*Why are there obelisks<br />
*Why are wrestlers always wet<br />
*Why are oceans becoming more acidic<br />
*Why is Arwen dying<br />
*Why aren't my quail laying eggs<br />
*Why aren't my quail eggs hatching<br />
*Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America<br />
===Section fourteen===<br />
*Why is https crossed out in red<br />
*Why is there a line through https<br />
*Why is there a red line through https on Facebook<br />
*Why is https important<br />
:Cueball: Why aren't my arms growing<br />
===Section fifteen===<br />
*Why are my boobs itchy<br />
*Why are cigarettes legal<br />
*Why are the ducks in my pool<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_appearance_of_Jesus Why is Jesus white]<br />
*Why is there liquid in my ear<br />
*Why do Q Tips feel good<br />
*Why do good people die<br />
:Ponytail: Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter<br />
*Why are ultrasounds important<br />
*Why are ultrasound machines expensive<br />
*Why is stealing wrong<br />
<br />
===Vertical questions===<br />
:(The following are vertical.)<br />
*{{w|Seven-day_week#Origins|Why are there weeks}}<br />
*Why do I feel dizzy<br />
*Why is {{w|YKK Group|YKK}} on all zippers<br />
*Why are trees tall<br />
*Why do iguanas die<br />
*Why aren't there dinosaur ghosts<br />
*[http://www.dogsonly.org/stormfear.html Why are dogs afraid of fireworks]<br />
*Why is there no king in England<br />
*Why is life so boring<br />
*Why is there lava<br />
*[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?285504-Why-can-Mr-Mime-be-female Why are there female Mr Mimes]<br />
*[http://gis.stackexchange.com/a/17546 Why is GPS free]<br />
*Why is there Hell if God forgives<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:LOTR]]<br />
[[Category:Pokémon]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1256:_Questions&diff=480031256: Questions2013-08-27T22:14:46Z<p>Asym: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1256<br />
| date = August 26, 2013<br />
| title = Questions<br />
| image = questions.png<br />
| titletext = To whoever typed 'why is arwen dying': GOOD. FUCKING. QUESTION.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
{{w|Google}}, a rather popular internet search engine, has a feature known as [https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/106230?hl=en autocomplete] that guesses at search queries before they are fully typed out. These guesses are generally made based on popular searches by other people. From time to time, a particularly strange or hilarious one may be found, as is evidenced in this comic.<br />
<br />
All of the questions in the comic are "why" questions, so many of them are predicated on false assumptions, such as "Why are there pyramids on the moon".<br />
<br />
Regarding the title text: in the Peter Jackson films of {{w|The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy}}, Arwen becomes sickly for unspecified reasons as the plot advances, apparently giving Aragorn a more personal reason to fight. The only explanation given is by Elrond, who says "As Sauron's power grows, her [Arwen's] strength wanes." (This subplot is entirely absent from the {{w|The Lord of the Rings|original novels}}.)<br />
<br />
From [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/faq#.2.1.21 IMDB]: <br /><blockquote><br />
Arwen, like her father (and brothers) is considered to be a Half-Elf, the result of a union between an Elf and a mortal human. The Half-Elven of Middle-earth get a choice, to remain immortal and return to the West (Valinor) or to become mortal and to die as humans do. Elrond chose to remain an Elf. Arwen (like her uncle Elros) chooses to become mortal in order to wed and remain with Aragorn. Elrond senses this; this is what he means when he says that Arwen is dying. It is the same as in The Last Unicorn, when the unicorn is given the form of a human woman and can feel that she is no longer immortal ("I can feel this body dying all around me"). According to Tolkien, though, after Aragorn dies in the year 120 (Fourth Age), Arwen returns to Lórien, where she dies by choice the following winter. </blockquote><br />
<br />
;Selected answers<br />
(Some questions in the transcript are linked to their answers.)<br />
{| class ="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
!style="width:20%;"|Question !! Possible answer<br />
|-<br />
| Why is there not a Pokémon MMO? || {{w|Pokémon}} is a popular franchise, spanning game consoles, anime series, a trading card game, and many other things. Among fans, it is a frequent topic of discussion why a Pokémon {{w|massively multiplayer online game}} has not been officially announced by the series' developers {{w|Game Freak}}, as they often [http://www.dorkly.com/comic/52546/be-careful-what-you-wish-for predict] that such a game would be extremely popular, and bring in massive revenue for the company.<br />
|-<br />
|Why is there laughing in TV shows? || Sitcoms were once filmed with an audience, so the actors could respond to their reactions. That's the historical reason why there were laughs in TV shows. The tradition held until today, with the difference that now the laughter mostly comes from {{w|Laugh track|recorded tapes}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are ducks called ducks? || {{W|wikt:duck|According to Wiktionary}}, the noun ''duck'' can be traced back to the {{w|Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic}} word {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Germanic/dūkaną|''dūkaną''}} ("to dive, bend down"), and, in turn, the {{w|Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European}} {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Indo-European/dʰewb-|''dʰewb-''}} ("deep, hollow"), which is the origin of the verb ''to duck''. The link between the noun and the verb comes from ducks' tendency to dive under water for short periods of time.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there male and female bikes? || {{w|bicycle|From Wikipedia}}: <blockquote>Historically, women's bicycle frames had a top tube that connected in the middle of the seat tube instead of the top, resulting in a lower {{w|Frame geometry|standover height}} at the expense of compromised structural integrity, since this places a strong bending load in the seat tube, and bicycle frame members are typically weak in bending. This design, referred to as a '''''{{w|step-through frame}}''''' or as an ''open frame'', allows the rider to mount and dismount in a dignified way while wearing a skirt or dress.</blockquote><br />
|-<br />
| Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus? || {{w|Poseidon}} was the patron deity of the city of {{w|Troy}}, which after a 10 years siege by the Greeks fell due to {{w|Odysseus}}' list of the {{w|Trojan_Horse|Trojan horse}}. As the Greeks were returning home, Poseidon cursed Odysseus' ship to prevent him from reaching his home in {{W|Ithaca}}. The adventures which Odysseus encounters during his quest for reaching Ithaca are the main theme of {{w|Homer|Homer's}} {{w|Odyssey}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there two Spocks? || This is probably a reference to the {{w|Star_Trek_(film)|2009 Star Trek movie}} in which the franchise was given a {{w|Reboot_(fiction)|continuity reboot}}. The modified setting is explained in-universe by time travel, with both the villain Nero and the original-timeline Spock being brought back from the 24th century to the 23rd, creating a timeline in which both older Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) and the younger Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) coexist.<br />
<br />
Another possibility is that the question refers to the episode {{w|Mirror,_Mirror_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)|"Mirror, Mirror"}}, which mostly takes place in an alternate universe populated by ruthless versions of most of the characters (including Spock).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America? || ''Further information: {{w|United States military deployments}}''<p>This is a very interesting question, albeit one likely based on a regional misunderstanding. Presumably, this question is asked by Americans who assume that the existence of {{w|Category:Military facilities of the United States by country|U.S. military bases abroad}} is a general trend among countries, as opposed to being the rarity that it is. In fact, {{w|List of countries with overseas military bases|only a handful of other countries}} have military bases outside of their borders, and the three&mdash;{{w|France}}, the {{w|United Kingdom}}, and {{w|Russia}}&mdash;that have more than one or two are all countries that, like the United States, {{w|Allies of World War II|were on the winning side of World War II}}, have {{w|List of countries by military expenditures|massive military expenditures}}, and have {{w|United Nations Security Council veto power|UN Security Council vetoes}}. In other words, only the most militarily elite countries have bases overseas. The U.S. is unique, however, in that it has far more overseas bases than any other country (and, pretty much, far more of anything else than any other country, when it comes to the military), and in that {{w|List of United States military bases|it has bases in several other highly-industrialized nations}}, including {{w|List of United States Army installations in South Korea|South Korea}} and the United Kingdom, and, most notably, the World War II {{w|Axis powers}}: {{w|List of United States Army installations in Germany|Germany}}, {{w|United States Forces Japan|Japan}}, and {{w|List of United States Army installations in Italy|Italy}}. (France, Russia, and the U.K.'s bases, on the other hand, are almost all within areas that they previously controlled.)</p><p>These bases can be controversial in some countries, while in others they are a major source of economic and political stability. The U.S. traditionally justifies their presence as a necessary and crucial element in its efforts to promote peace domestically and worldwide. Despite their major role in {{w|U.S. foreign policy}}, and in the general political structure of the globe, the American public often largely ignores them, and they rarely become a major political issue (apart from an occasional mention by {{w|Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian presidential candidates}}).</p><p>So, essentially, the absence of foreign military bases within the U.S. is primarily because there aren't really any other countries in a position to place bases there. Furthermore, such bases wouldn't do much good, as no battles have been fought within the U.S. since the since the {{w|U.S. Civil War}} and the U.S. mainland has seen {{w|Mainland invasion of the United States|almost no military action}}. (The {{w|attack on Pearl Harbor}} in 1941 was 18 years before Hawaii became a U.S. state.)</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why is there no king in England? || ''Note: For simplicity's sake, "England" here is being read as "Britain."''<p>The basis for this question is that for the past several hundred years, there has almost always been a queen in England, the sole exceptions being when the king has not had a wife. However, there is a distinction between being the queen of England (that is to say, {{w|List of British monarchs|a monarch}}) and being the {{w|queen consort|queen ''consort''}} of England: The former refers to a woman who {{w|Succession to the British throne|succeeded to the throne}} in her own right, becoming sovereign, while the latter refers to the wife of the king. Both roles, though, are commonly referred to as "Queen of England," creating the impression that there is always such a person. The logical question, therefore, is why {{w|Elizabeth II}}'s husband, {{w|Prince Philip|Philip}}, is not considered the king of England. The answer lies in Britain's system of {{w|male-preference cognatic primogeniture}}, which causes the monarch of England to usually be a man, not a woman. As a result of this, British laws were generally built around the presumption that the monarch would be a man (and that said man would be married to a woman, [[223: Valentine's Day|comic 223]] be damned). Since the creation of the modern British throne in 1707, only two women have reigned as queen in their own right; it just so happens that these two women have been two of the most famous and longest-reigning monarchs in world history, {{w|Queen Victoria}} and Queen Elizabeth II. This fact may add to people's enhanced perception of the lack of a British king. Victoria and Elizabeth's respective consorts, {{w|Albert, Prince Consort|Albert}} and Philip, have been styled as princes&mdash;Albert as {{w|Prince Consort}} and Philip as "{{w|British prince|Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland}}." Both were explicitly granted their titles by their wives, though Albert was already a prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Philip had previously been a prince of Denmark and Greece, but had renounced both titles before marrying Elizabeth.</p><p>The title {{w|king consort}} also exists, but has never been used in the United Kingdom.</p><p>Notably, should {{w|Prince Charles}} succeed to his mother's throne, it has been announced that his wife, {{w|Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Camilla}}, will be styled as {{w|princess consort}}, ''not'' as queen consort, just as she has declined the title {{w|Princess of Wales}}, which is strongly associated with Charles's first wife, {{w|Princess Diana|Diana}}. Assuming that Charles succeeds, this means that Britain will not have anyone referred to as "queen," after decades of not having anyone referred to as "king."</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why are there female Mr. Mimes? || {{w|Mr. Mime}} is a Pokémon introduced in the first generation of the games, and despite its name, it can be either of a male or female gender. As the Pokémon was introduced before the concept of [http://www.bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gender gender in Pokémon games], it is likely that the people in charge of translating its Japanese name (Barrierd) did not take this into account during the process. <br />
|-<br />
| Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN || From a Minnesota Paper, [http://www.startribune.com/local/138902104.html the Star Tribune], "Laws prevent the city from poisoning the crows". "Duffy [Steve Duffy, a co-owner of U.S. Bird Abatement Services, which has contracted with Rochester to get rid of the crows] isn't sure why Rochester has such a bad crow problem; probably a confluence of many bird-friendly conditions that has also made it a magnet for geese. He's seen worse cases, but called Rochester's situation 'hideous.'" And best of all, "The city has twice this winter hired experts to chase them off. They tried lasers and bullhorns -- hey, get out of here, you crows -- and even employed raptors to pick them off, one by one. That worked, for awhile." (Unfortunately, they mean a {{w|bird of prey}}, not a {{w|velociraptor}}).<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript}}<br />
:Questions found in Google autocomplete<br />
===Section one===<br />
*Why do whales jump<br />
*{{w|Wizard of Oz|Why are witches green}}<br />
*Why are there mirrors above beds<br />
*Why do I say Uh<br />
*Why is sea salt better<br />
*Why are there trees in the middle of fields<br />
*Why is there not a Pokemon MMO<br />
*Why is there laughing in TV shows<br />
*Why are there doors on the freeway<br />
*{{w|svchost.exe|Why are there so many svchost.exe running}}<br />
*Why aren't there any countries in Antarctica<br />
*Why are there scary sounds in Minecraft<br />
*[http://www.webmd.com/baby/fetal-movement-feeling-baby-kick Why is there kicking in my stomach]<br />
*[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1220286/Sir-Tim-Berners-Lee-admits-forward-slashes-web-address-mistake.html Why are there two slashes after http]<br />
*Why are there celebrities<br />
*Why do snakes exist<br />
*{{w|Pearl#Creation_of_a_pearl|Why do oysters have pearls}}<br />
*{{w|Duck#Etymology|Why are ducks called ducks}}<br />
*Why do they call it the clap<br />
*Why are Kyle and Cartman friends<br />
*{{w|Avatar: The Last Airbender#Characters|Why is there an arrow on Aang's head}}<br />
*Why are text messages blue<br />
*Why are there mustaches on clothes<br />
*Why are there mustaches on cars<br />
*Why are there mustaches everywhere<br />
*Why are there so many birds in Ohio<br />
*Why is there so much rain in Ohio<br />
*{{w|Lake-effect snow|Why is Ohio weather so weird}}<br />
<br />
===Section two===<br />
*Why are there male and female bikes<br />
*{{w|Bridesmaid#Origin and history|Why are there bridesmaids}}<br />
*Why do dying people reach up<br />
*Why aren't there varicose arteries<br />
*{{w|Klingon#Redesign|Why are old Klingons different}}<br />
:Beret Guy (with squirrel): Why are there squirrels<br />
*Why is programming so hard<br />
*{{w|Zero-ohm_link|Why is there a 0 Ohm resistor}}<br />
*Why do Americans hate soccer<br />
*Why do rhymes sound good<br />
*Why do trees die<br />
*Why is there no sound on CNN<br />
*Why aren't Pokemon real<br />
*Why aren't bullets sharp<br />
*Why do dreams seem so real<br />
<br />
===Section three===<br />
*Why do testicles move<br />
*Why are there psychics<br />
*Why are hats so expensive<br />
*Why is there caffeine in my shampoo<br />
*Why do your boobs hurt<br />
===Section four===<br />
*Why aren't economists rich<br />
*Why do Americans call it soccer<br />
*Why are my ears ringing<br />
*Why are there so many Avengers<br />
*Why are the Avengers fighting the X-Men<br />
*Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers<br />
===Section five===<br />
*Why are there ants in my laptop<br />
*Why is Earth tilted<br />
*{{w|Olbers' paradox|Why is space black}}<br />
*Why is outer space so cold<br />
*Why are there pyramids on the Moon<br />
*Why is NASA shutting down<br />
<br />
===Section six===<br />
*Why are there tiny spiders in my house<br />
*Why do spiders come inside<br />
*Why are there huge spiders in my house<br />
*Why are there lots of spiders in my house<br />
*Why are there spiders in my room<br />
*Why are there so many spiders in my room<br />
*Why do spider bites itch<br />
*Why is dying so scary<br />
===Section seven===<br />
*Why is there no GPS in laptops<br />
*[http://www.md-health.com/Knee-Clicking.html Why do knees click]<br />
*Why aren't there E grades<br />
*Why is isolation bad<br />
*Why do boys like me<br />
*Why don't boys like me<br />
*Why is there always a Java update<br />
*Why are there red dots on my thighs<br />
*Why is lying good<br />
:Cueball: Why is sex so important<br />
===Section eight===<br />
*{{w|The Bible and slavery|Why are there slaves in The Bible}}<br />
*[http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/11/04/1234875.htm Why do twins have different fingerprints]<br />
*Why are Americans afraid of dragons<br />
<br />
===Section nine===<br />
*Why are there swarms of gnats<br />
*Why is there phlegm<br />
===Section ten===<br />
*Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN<br />
*[http://pokemon.wikia.com/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Types Why is Psychic weak to Bug]<br />
*Why do children get cancer<br />
*Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus<br />
*Why is there ice in space<br />
===Section eleven===<br />
:Megan (with ghosts): Why are there ghosts<br />
*Why is there an owl in my backyard<br />
*Why is there an owl outside my window<br />
*Why is there an owl on the dollar bill<br />
*Why do owls attack people<br />
*Why are AK47s so expensive<br />
===Section twelve===<br />
*Why are there helicopters circling my house<br />
*Why are there gods<br />
*Why are there two Spocks<br />
===Section thirteen===<br />
*Why is Mt Vesuvius there<br />
*Why do they say T Minus<br />
*Why are there obelisks<br />
*Why are wrestlers always wet<br />
*Why are oceans becoming more acidic<br />
*Why is Arwen dying<br />
*Why aren't my quail laying eggs<br />
*Why aren't my quail eggs hatching<br />
*Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America<br />
===Section fourteen===<br />
*Why is https crossed out in red<br />
*Why is there a line through https<br />
*Why is there a red line through https on Facebook<br />
*Why is https important<br />
:Cueball: Why aren't my arms growing<br />
===Section fifteen===<br />
*Why are my boobs itchy<br />
*Why are cigarettes legal<br />
*Why are the ducks in my pool<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_appearance_of_Jesus Why is Jesus white]<br />
*Why is there liquid in my ear<br />
*Why do Q Tips feel good<br />
*Why do good people die<br />
:Ponytail: Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter<br />
*Why are ultrasounds important<br />
*Why are ultrasound machines expensive<br />
*Why is stealing wrong<br />
<br />
===Vertical questions===<br />
:(The following are vertical.)<br />
*{{w|Seven-day_week#Origins|Why are there weeks}}<br />
*Why do I feel dizzy<br />
*Why is {{w|YKK Group|YKK}} on all zippers<br />
*Why are trees tall<br />
*Why do iguanas die<br />
*Why aren't there dinosaur ghosts<br />
*Why are dogs afraid of fireworks<br />
*Why is there no king in England<br />
*Why is life so boring<br />
*Why is there lava<br />
*[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?285504-Why-can-Mr-Mime-be-female Why are there female Mr Mimes]<br />
*[http://gis.stackexchange.com/a/17546 Why is GPS free]<br />
*Why is there Hell if God forgives<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:LOTR]]<br />
[[Category:Pokémon]]</div>Asymhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1256:_Questions&diff=480011256: Questions2013-08-27T22:06:18Z<p>Asym: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1256<br />
| date = August 26, 2013<br />
| title = Questions<br />
| image = questions.png<br />
| titletext = To whoever typed 'why is arwen dying': GOOD. FUCKING. QUESTION.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
{{w|Google}}, a rather popular internet search engine, has a feature known as [https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/106230?hl=en autocomplete] that guesses at search queries before they are fully typed out. These guesses are generally made based on popular searches by other people. From time to time, a particularly strange or hilarious one may be found, as is evidenced in this comic.<br />
<br />
All of the questions in the comic are "why" questions, so many of them are predicated on false assumptions, such as "Why are there pyramids on the moon".<br />
<br />
Regarding the title text: in the Peter Jackson films of {{w|The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy}}, Arwen becomes sickly for unspecified reasons as the plot advances, apparently giving Aragorn a more personal reason to fight. The only explanation given is by Elrond, who says "As Sauron's power grows, her [Arwen's] strength wanes." (This subplot is entirely absent from the {{w|The Lord of the Rings|original novels}}.)<br />
<br />
From [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/faq#.2.1.21 IMDB]: <br /><blockquote><br />
Arwen, like her father (and brothers) is considered to be a Half-Elf, the result of a union between an Elf and a mortal human. The Half-Elven of Middle-earth get a choice, to remain immortal and return to the West (Valinor) or to become mortal and to die as humans do. Elrond chose to remain an Elf. Arwen (like her uncle Elros) chooses to become mortal in order to wed and remain with Aragorn. Elrond senses this; this is what he means when he says that Arwen is dying. It is the same as in The Last Unicorn, when the unicorn is given the form of a human woman and can feel that she is no longer immortal ("I can feel this body dying all around me"). According to Tolkien, though, after Aragorn dies in the year 120 (Fourth Age), Arwen returns to Lórien, where she dies by choice the following winter. </blockquote><br />
<br />
;Selected answers<br />
(Some questions in the transcript are linked to their answers.)<br />
{| class ="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
!style="width:20%;"|Question !! Possible answer<br />
|-<br />
| Why is there not a Pokémon MMO? || {{w|Pokémon}} is a popular franchise, spanning game consoles, anime series, a trading card game, and many other things. Among fans, it is a frequent topic of discussion why a Pokémon {{w|massively multiplayer online game}} has not been officially announced by the series' developers {{w|Game Freak}}, as they often [http://www.dorkly.com/comic/52546/be-careful-what-you-wish-for predict] that such a game would be extremely popular, and bring in massive revenue for the company.<br />
|-<br />
|Why is there laughing in TV shows? || Sitcoms were once filmed with an audience, so the actors could respond to their reactions. That's the historical reason why there were laughs in TV shows. The tradition held until today, with the difference that now the laughter mostly comes from {{w|Laugh track|recorded tapes}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are ducks called ducks? || {{W|wikt:duck|According to Wiktionary}}, the noun ''duck'' can be traced back to the {{w|Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic}} word {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Germanic/dūkaną|''dūkaną''}} ("to dive, bend down"), and, in turn, the {{w|Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European}} {{w|wikt:Appendix:Proto-Indo-European/dʰewb-|''dʰewb-''}} ("deep, hollow"), which is the origin of the verb ''to duck''. The link between the noun and the verb comes from ducks' tendency to dive under water for short periods of time.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there male and female bikes? || {{w|bicycle|From Wikipedia}}: <blockquote>Historically, women's bicycle frames had a top tube that connected in the middle of the seat tube instead of the top, resulting in a lower {{w|Frame geometry|standover height}} at the expense of compromised structural integrity, since this places a strong bending load in the seat tube, and bicycle frame members are typically weak in bending. This design, referred to as a '''''{{w|step-through frame}}''''' or as an ''open frame'', allows the rider to mount and dismount in a dignified way while wearing a skirt or dress.</blockquote><br />
|-<br />
| Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus? || {{w|Poseidon}} was the patron deity of the city of {{w|Troy}}, which after a 10 years siege by the Greeks fell due to {{w|Odysseus}}' list of the {{w|Trojan_Horse|Trojan horse}}. As the Greeks were returning home, Poseidon cursed Odysseus' ship to prevent him from reaching his home in {{W|Ithaca}}. The adventures which Odysseus encounters during his quest for reaching Ithaca are the main theme of {{w|Homer|Homer's}} {{w|Odyssey}}.<br />
|-<br />
| Why are there two Spocks? || This is probably a reference to the {{w|Star_Trek_(film)|2009 Star Trek movie}} in which the franchise was given a {{w|Reboot_(fiction)|continuity reboot}}. The modified setting is explained in-universe by time travel, with both the villain Nero and the original-timeline Spock being brought back from the 24th century to the 23rd, creating a timeline in which both older Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) and the younger Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) coexist.<br />
<br />
Another possibility is that the question refers to the episode {{w|Mirror,_Mirror_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)|"Mirror, Mirror"}}, which mostly takes place in an alternate universe populated by ruthless versions of most of the characters (including Spock).<br />
|-<br />
| Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America? || ''Further information: {{w|United States military deployments}}''<p>This is a very interesting question, albeit one likely based on a regional misunderstanding. Presumably, this question is asked by Americans who assume that the existence of {{w|Category:Military facilities of the United States by country|U.S. military bases abroad}} is a general trend among countries, as opposed to being the rarity that it is. In fact, {{w|List of countries with overseas military bases|only a handful of other countries}} have military bases outside of their borders, and the three&mdash;{{w|France}}, the {{w|United Kingdom}}, and {{w|Russia}}&mdash;that have more than one or two are all countries that, like the United States, {{w|Allies of World War II|were on the winning side of World War II}}, have {{w|List of countries by military expenditures|massive military expenditures}}, and have {{w|United Nations Security Council veto power|UN Security Council vetoes}}. In other words, only the most militarily elite countries have bases overseas. The U.S. is unique, however, in that it has far more overseas bases than any other country (and, pretty much, far more of anything else than any other country, when it comes to the military), and in that {{w|List of United States military bases|it has bases in several other highly-industrialized nations}}, including {{w|List of United States Army installations in South Korea|South Korea}} and the United Kingdom, and, most notably, the World War II {{w|Axis powers}}: {{w|List of United States Army installations in Germany|Germany}}, {{w|United States Forces Japan|Japan}}, and {{w|List of United States Army installations in Italy|Italy}}. (France, Russia, and the U.K.'s bases, on the other hand, are almost all within areas that they previously controlled.)</p><p>These bases can be controversial in some countries, while in others they are a major source of economic and political stability. The U.S. traditionally justifies their presence as a necessary and crucial element in its efforts to promote peace domestically and worldwide. Despite their major role in {{w|U.S. foreign policy}}, and in the general political structure of the globe, the American public often largely ignores them, and they rarely become a major political issue (apart from an occasional mention by {{w|Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian presidential candidates}}).</p><p>So, essentially, the absence of foreign military bases within the U.S. is primarily because there aren't really any other countries in a position to place bases there. Furthermore, such bases wouldn't do much good, as no battles have been fought within the U.S. since the since the {{w|U.S. Civil War}} and the U.S. mainland has seen {{w|Mainland invasion of the United States|almost no military action}}. (The {{w|attack on Pearl Harbor}} in 1941 was 18 years before Hawaii became a U.S. state.)</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why is there no king in England? || ''Note: For simplicity's sake, "England" here is being read as "Britain."''<p>The basis for this question is that for the past several hundred years, there has almost always been a queen in England, the sole exceptions being when the king has not had a wife. However, there is a distinction between being the queen of England (that is to say, {{w|List of British monarchs|a monarch}}) and being the {{w|queen consort|queen ''consort''}} of England: The former refers to a woman who {{w|Succession to the British throne|succeeded to the throne}} in her own right, becoming sovereign, while the latter refers to the wife of the king. Both roles, though, are commonly referred to as "Queen of England," creating the impression that there is always such a person. The logical question, therefore, is why {{w|Elizabeth II}}'s husband, {{w|Prince Philip|Philip}}, is not considered the king of England. The answer lies in Britain's system of {{w|male-preference cognatic primogeniture}}, which causes the monarch of England to usually be a man, not a woman. As a result of this, British laws were generally built around the presumption that the monarch would be a man (and that said man would be married to a woman, [[223: Valentine's Day|comic 223]] be damned). Since the creation of the modern British throne in 1707, only two women have reigned as queen in their own right; it just so happens that these two women have been two of the most famous and longest-reigning monarchs in world history, {{w|Queen Victoria}} and Queen Elizabeth II. This fact may add to people's enhanced perception of the lack of a British king. Victoria and Elizabeth's respective consorts, {{w|Albert, Prince Consort|Albert}} and Philip, have been styled as princes&mdash;Albert as {{w|Prince Consort}} and Philip as "{{w|British prince|Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland}}." Both were explicitly granted their titles by their wives, though Albert was already a prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Philip had previously been a prince of Denmark and Greece, but had renounced both titles before marrying Elizabeth.</p><p>The title {{w|king consort}} also exists, but has never been used in the United Kingdom.</p><p>Notably, should {{w|Prince Charles}} succeed to his mother's throne, it has been announced that his wife, {{w|Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Camilla}}, will be styled as {{w|princess consort}}, ''not'' as queen consort, just as she has declined the title {{w|Princess of Wales}}, which is strongly associated with Charles's first wife, {{w|Princess Diana|Diana}}. Assuming that Charles succeeds, this means that Britain will not have anyone referred to as "queen," after decades of not having anyone referred to as "king."</p><br />
|-<br />
| Why are there female Mr. Mimes? || {{w|Mr. Mime}} is a Pokémon introduced in the first generation of the games, and despite its name, it can be either of a male or female gender. As the Pokémon was introduced before the concept of [http://www.bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gender gender in Pokémon games], it is likely that the people in charge of translating its Japanese name (Barrierd) did not take this into account during the process. <br />
|-<br />
| Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN || From a Minnesota Paper, [http://www.startribune.com/local/138902104.html the Star Tribune], "Laws prevent the city from poisoning the crows". "Duffy [Steve Duffy, a co-owner of U.S. Bird Abatement Services, which has contracted with Rochester to get rid of the crows] isn't sure why Rochester has such a bad crow problem; probably a confluence of many bird-friendly conditions that has also made it a magnet for geese. He's seen worse cases, but called Rochester's situation 'hideous.'" And best of all, "The city has twice this winter hired experts to chase them off. They tried lasers and bullhorns -- hey, get out of here, you crows -- and even employed raptors to pick them off, one by one. That worked, for awhile." (Unfortunately, they mean a {{w|bird of prey}}, not a {{w|velociraptor}}).<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript}}<br />
:Questions found in Google autocomplete<br />
===Section one===<br />
*Why do whales jump<br />
*{{w|Wizard of Oz|Why are witches green}}<br />
*Why are there mirrors above beds<br />
*Why do I say Uh<br />
*Why is sea salt better<br />
*Why are there trees in the middle of fields<br />
*Why is there not a Pokemon MMO<br />
*Why is there laughing in TV shows<br />
*Why are there doors on the freeway<br />
*{{w|svchost.exe|Why are there so many svchost.exe running}}<br />
*Why aren't there any countries in Antarctica<br />
*Why are there scary sounds in Minecraft<br />
*[http://www.webmd.com/baby/fetal-movement-feeling-baby-kick Why is there kicking in my stomach]<br />
*[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1220286/Sir-Tim-Berners-Lee-admits-forward-slashes-web-address-mistake.html Why are there two slashes after http]<br />
*Why are there celebrities<br />
*Why do snakes exist<br />
*{{w|Pearl#Creation_of_a_pearl|Why do oysters have pearls}}<br />
*{{w|Duck#Etymology|Why are ducks called ducks}}<br />
*Why do they call it the clap<br />
*Why are Kyle and Cartman friends<br />
*{{w|Avatar: The Last Airbender#Characters|Why is there an arrow on Aang's head}}<br />
*Why are text messages blue<br />
*Why are there mustaches on clothes<br />
*Why are there mustaches on cars<br />
*Why are there mustaches everywhere<br />
*Why are there so many birds in Ohio<br />
*Why is there so much rain in Ohio<br />
*{{w|Lake-effect snow|Why is Ohio weather so weird}}<br />
<br />
===Section two===<br />
*Why are there male and female bikes<br />
*{{w|Bridesmaid#Origin and history|Why are there bridesmaids}}<br />
*Why do dying people reach up<br />
*Why aren't there varicose arteries<br />
*{{w|Klingon#Redesign|Why are old Klingons different}}<br />
:Beret Guy (with squirrel): Why are there squirrels<br />
*Why is programming so hard<br />
*{{w|Zero-ohm_link|Why is there a 0 Ohm resistor}}<br />
*Why do Americans hate soccer<br />
*Why do rhymes sound good<br />
*Why do trees die<br />
*Why is there no sound on CNN<br />
*Why aren't Pokemon real<br />
*Why aren't bullets sharp<br />
*Why do dreams seem so real<br />
<br />
===Section three===<br />
*Why do testicles move<br />
*Why are there psychics<br />
*Why are hats so expensive<br />
*Why is there caffeine in my shampoo<br />
*Why do your boobs hurt<br />
===Section four===<br />
*Why aren't economists rich<br />
*Why do Americans call it soccer<br />
*Why are my ears ringing<br />
*Why are there so many Avengers<br />
*Why are the Avengers fighting the X-Men<br />
*Why is Wolverine not in the Avengers<br />
===Section five===<br />
*Why are there ants in my laptop<br />
*Why is Earth tilted<br />
*{{w|Olbers' paradox|Why is space black}}<br />
*Why is outer space so cold<br />
*Why are there pyramids on the Moon<br />
*Why is NASA shutting down<br />
<br />
===Section six===<br />
*Why are there tiny spiders in my house<br />
*Why do spiders come inside<br />
*Why are there huge spiders in my house<br />
*Why are there lots of spiders in my house<br />
*Why are there spiders in my room<br />
*Why are there so many spiders in my room<br />
*Why do spider bites itch<br />
*Why is dying so scary<br />
===Section seven===<br />
*Why is there no GPS in laptops<br />
*[http://www.md-health.com/Knee-Clicking.html Why do knees click]<br />
*Why aren't there E grades<br />
*Why is isolation bad<br />
*Why do boys like me<br />
*Why don't boys like me<br />
*Why is there always a Java update<br />
*Why are there red dots on my thighs<br />
*Why is lying good<br />
:Cueball: Why is sex so important<br />
===Section eight===<br />
*{{w|The Bible and slavery|Why are there slaves in The Bible}}<br />
*[http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/11/04/1234875.htm Why do twins have different fingerprints]<br />
*Why are Americans afraid of dragons<br />
<br />
===Section nine===<br />
*Why are there swarms of gnats<br />
*Why is there phlegm<br />
===Section ten===<br />
*Why are there so many crows in Rochester, MN<br />
*[http://pokemon.wikia.com/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Types Why is Psychic weak to Bug]<br />
*Why do children get cancer<br />
*Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus<br />
*Why is there ice in space<br />
===Section eleven===<br />
:Megan (with ghosts): Why are there ghosts<br />
*Why is there an owl in my backyard<br />
*Why is there an owl outside my window<br />
*Why is there an owl on the dollar bill<br />
*Why do owls attack people<br />
*Why are AK47s so expensive<br />
===Section twelve===<br />
*Why are there helicopters circling my house<br />
*Why are there gods<br />
*Why are there two Spocks<br />
===Section thirteen===<br />
*Why is Mt Vesuvius there<br />
*Why do they say T Minus<br />
*Why are there obelisks<br />
*Why are wrestlers always wet<br />
*Why are oceans becoming more acidic<br />
*Why is Arwen dying<br />
*Why aren't my quail laying eggs<br />
*Why aren't my quail eggs hatching<br />
*Why aren't there any foreign military bases in America<br />
===Section fourteen===<br />
*Why is https crossed out in red<br />
*Why is there a line through https<br />
*Why is there a red line through https on Facebook<br />
*Why is https important<br />
:Cueball: Why aren't my arms growing<br />
===Section fifteen===<br />
*Why are my boobs itchy<br />
*Why are cigarettes legal<br />
*Why are the ducks in my pool<br />
*Why is Jesus white<br />
*Why is there liquid in my ear<br />
*Why do Q Tips feel good<br />
*Why do good people die<br />
:Ponytail: Why aren't there guns in Harry Potter<br />
*Why are ultrasounds important<br />
*Why are ultrasound machines expensive<br />
*Why is stealing wrong<br />
<br />
===Vertical questions===<br />
:(The following are vertical.)<br />
*{{w|Seven-day_week#Origins|Why are there weeks}}<br />
*Why do I feel dizzy<br />
*Why is {{w|YKK Group|YKK}} on all zippers<br />
*Why are trees tall<br />
*Why do iguanas die<br />
*Why aren't there dinosaur ghosts<br />
*Why are dogs afraid of fireworks<br />
*Why is there no king in England<br />
*Why is life so boring<br />
*Why is there lava<br />
*[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?285504-Why-can-Mr-Mime-be-female Why are there female Mr Mimes]<br />
*[http://gis.stackexchange.com/a/17546 Why is GPS free]<br />
*Why is there Hell if God forgives<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:LOTR]]<br />
[[Category:Pokémon]]</div>Asym