explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

Talk:2150: XKeyboarCD

2019-05-15T13:51:38Z

Cyclic3:

Since this is xkcd, can someone check whether this 15 puzzle is solvable? I seem to recall that 1/2 of possible permutations fail. And this is the sort of Easter egg we have come to expect from our lord and master Randall [[User:Cyclic3|Cyclic3]] ([[User talk:Cyclic3|talk]]) 13:51, 15 May 2019 (UTC)

Talk:2111: Opportunity Rover

2019-02-13T18:17:03Z

Cyclic3: Sorry, typo

The subject of this comic, the Opportunity Rover, is being officially declared dead today, the day the comic was released. I wonder how long this comic has been ready, waiting to eulogize the rover. [[User:Blaisepascal|Blaisepascal]] ([[User talk:Blaisepascal|talk]]) 18:03, 13 February 2019 (UTC)

Why the fuck are you censoring me?
[[Special:Contributions/162.158.106.30|162.158.106.30]] 18:13, 13 February 2019 (UTC)

I am pretty sure that this is not the place to discuss how NASA handles its budget. Whilst I agree with the basic sentiment (NASA's usage of its tax-payer sourced budget is not what one may call efficient), I do believe that this is a site used for explaining the meaning of the comic xkcd, rather than to discuss the problems with the expenditure of a government run space agency. As such I believe this reversion is positive. If someone has a good reason to keep it in, feel free to revert it (a comment would be nice though [[541|:)]]). Also, if the original user wants to rephrase it from something that sounds like it belongs on evilgovernmentconspiracies.net.onion, feel free [[User:Cyclic3|Cyclic3]] ([[User talk:Cyclic3|talk]]) 18:15, 13 February 2019 (UTC)

Talk:2111: Opportunity Rover

2019-02-13T18:16:38Z

Cyclic3:

The subject of this comic, the Opportunity Rover, is being officially declared dead today, the day the comic was released. I wonder how long this comic has been ready, waiting to eulogize the rover. [[User:Blaisepascal|Blaisepascal]] ([[User talk:Blaisepascal|talk]]) 18:03, 13 February 2019 (UTC)

Why the fuck are you censoring me?
[[Special:Contributions/162.158.106.30|162.158.106.30]] 18:13, 13 February 2019 (UTC)

I am pretty sure that this is not the place to discuss how NASA handles its budget. Whilst I agree with the basic sentiment (NASA's usage of its tax-payer sourced budget is not what one may call efficient), I do believe that this is a site used for explaining the meaning of the comic xkcd, rather than to discuss the problems with the expenditure of a government run space agency. As such I believe this reversion is positive. If someone has a good reason to keep it in, feel free to revert it (a comment would be nice though [[541|:)]]). Also, if the original user wants to rephrase it from something that sounds like it belongs on evilgovernemntconspiracies.net.onion, feel free [[User:Cyclic3|Cyclic3]] ([[User talk:Cyclic3|talk]]) 18:15, 13 February 2019 (UTC)

Talk:2111: Opportunity Rover

2019-02-13T18:15:11Z

Cyclic3:

The subject of this comic, the Opportunity Rover, is being officially declared dead today, the day the comic was released. I wonder how long this comic has been ready, waiting to eulogize the rover. [[User:Blaisepascal|Blaisepascal]] ([[User talk:Blaisepascal|talk]]) 18:03, 13 February 2019 (UTC)

Why the fuck are you censoring me?
[[Special:Contributions/162.158.106.30|162.158.106.30]] 18:13, 13 February 2019 (UTC)

I am pretty sure that this is not the place to discuss how NASA handles its budget. Whilst I agree with the basic sentiment (NASA's usage of its tax-payer sourced budget is not what one may call efficient), I do believe that this is a site used for explaining the meaning of the comic xkcd, rather than to discuss the problems with the expenditure of a government run space agency. As such I believe this reversion is positive. If someone has a good reason to keep it in, feel free to revert it (a comment would be nice though [[541|:)]]) [[User:Cyclic3|Cyclic3]] ([[User talk:Cyclic3|talk]]) 18:15, 13 February 2019 (UTC)

2110: Error Bars

2019-02-11T17:42:17Z

Cyclic3: Fixed wiki link

{{comic
| number = 2110
| date = February 11, 2019
| title = Error Bars
| image = error_bars.png
| titletext = ...an effect size of 1.68 (95% CI: 1.56 (95% CI: 1.52 (95% CI: 1.504 (95% CI: 1.494 (95% CI: 1.488 (95% CI: 1.485 (95% CI: 1.482 (95% CI: 1.481 (95% CI: 1.4799 (95% CI: 1.4791 (95% CI: 1.4784...
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by an INFINITE SERIES OF ERROR BARS. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

On statistical charts and graphs, it is common to include {{w|error bars}} showing the probable variation of the actual value from the value shown (or the possible error of the value shown). Since there is always uncertainty in any given measurement, the error bars help an observer evaluate how accurate the data shown is, or the implications if the true value is within the likely error, rather than the exact value shown. There are statistical methods for calculating error bars (they can show a {{w|standard deviation}}, a {{w|standard error}}, or a {{w|confidence interval}}) but the fact that there are multiple ways of calculating them - plus general unfamiliarity with statistical methods - means that people often misinterpret or misunderstand them.

In the comic, Randall is saying he is one of those people who do not understand error bars, specifically that he does not know how to calculate them correctly. As a result, he puts error bars on the ends of his error bars, to reflect the fact that the error may be greater or lesser than his first error bars show. However, since his second error bar calculations are also suspect, he puts a third set of error bars on them. This repeats {{w|ad infinitum}} creating a fractal similar to a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantor_set Cantor set]

In the title text, he states that the effect strength is 1.68 and follows it with the 95% confidence interval (a range of possible values which has a 95% estimated probability of containing the true value), which would normally be represented by something like "1.68 (95% CI 1.56 - 1.80)." Since he is stating that those bounds are uncertain, he starts with "1.68 (95% CI 1.56" but then puts the 95% CI for that lower bound of the interval, "95% CI 1.52," followed by the lower bound for that value, "95% CI 1.504," and so on. He goes 11 layers deep before resorting to an ellipsis.

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

{{comic discussion}}

Talk:2096: Mattresses

2019-01-09T15:25:29Z

Cyclic3:

== Image quality ==

I wonder if the fact that it's unclear is in intentional, or if it was somehow a mistake [[User:Zachweix|Zachweix]] ([[User talk:Zachweix|talk]]) 13:46, 9 January 2019 (UTC)

Is it just me, or has the image got some graphical artifacts?[[User:Cyclic3|Cyclic3]] ([[User talk:Cyclic3|talk]])

It's not just you! [[Special:Contributions/141.101.96.221|141.101.96.221]] 13:52, 9 January 2019 (UTC)

I see it too, I saved a picture in case he fixes it [[User:Catnerd8695|Catnerd8695]] ([[User talk:Catnerd8695|talk]]) 14:09, 9 January 2019 (UTC)

Both "1x" and 2x versions are black and white, not grayscale, causing artifacts. The 2x image, being larger, have less artifacts. Maybe it's caused by some kind of bug, otherwise, if it was intentional, both versions would look similar.

Maybe Randall is having problems with his computer and had to scan the comic with a far less capable software tool than usual. [[User:Ianrbibtitlht|Ianrbibtitlht]] ([[User talk:Ianrbibtitlht|talk]]) 14:15, 9 January 2019 (UTC)

How does one contact him to let him know that he messed up when saving/editing/uploading/whatevering this comic? [[User:Fabian42|Fabian42]] ([[User talk:Fabian42|talk]]) 14:16, 9 January 2019 (UTC)

Also, does he actually have a podcast? [[User:Fabian42|Fabian42]] ([[User talk:Fabian42|talk]]) 14:18, 9 January 2019 (UTC)

I thought it might be a pun based on "new years resolution" but that would've been a couple of comics ago. Came here to see if anyone could explain it as there is normally reason behind his madness.--[[Special:Contributions/141.101.99.71|141.101.99.71]] 14:29, 9 January 2019 (UTC)

It's a 2-bit png, haven't seen one of those for over a decade [[Special:Contributions/172.68.215.112|172.68.215.112]] 14:31, 9 January 2019 (UTC)
:So you mean the only difference is that it has no greyscales? [[User:Fabian42|Fabian42]] ([[User talk:Fabian42|talk]]) 14:36, 9 January 2019 (UTC)

Maybe we should pre-emptively add the original image to the trivia section. [[User:Blacksilver|Blacksilver]] ([[User talk:Blacksilver|talk]]) 15:07, 9 January 2019 (UTC)
:I don't think so. If it stays, nobody will get notified of it and it might stay there for a very long time. And even if it changes, it will be wrong to say something like "it originally looked like this" until that actually happened. [[User:Fabian42|Fabian42]] ([[User talk:Fabian42|talk]]) 15:10, 9 January 2019 (UTC)
Just a thought, it's not on purpose, is it? Something to do with the quality of the mattress vs. the quality of the image? [[Special:Contributions/172.68.132.95|172.68.132.95]] 15:09, 9 January 2019 (UTC)

I think this refers to the fact that casper mattresses, meundies and stamps.com are heavy advertisers on many podcasts, and that podcast advertising is often made by the host and mixed with actual podcast content.
[[User:Dromaeosaur|Dromaeosaur]] ([[User talk:Dromaeosaur|talk]]) 15:20, 9 January 2019 (UTC)

Zooming fixes the issue. Would it be possible for someone to rescale it properly, and then set that as the image, until Randall fixes it? [[User:Cyclic3|Cyclic3]] ([[User talk:Cyclic3|talk]]) 15:25, 9 January 2019 (UTC)

== Floor ==

Next week there is actually a "flooring" fair in Hannover. Pretty fitting to the title text, but not very fitting to my plans for using trains, because that messes up their departure times.

German website for it: https://www.visit-hannover.com/Messen-Kongresse/Messekalender-Hannover/Messen-2019/DOMOTEX-Hannover-Service [[User:Fabian42|Fabian42]] ([[User talk:Fabian42|talk]]) 15:18, 9 January 2019 (UTC)

Talk:2096: Mattresses

2019-01-09T13:46:18Z

Cyclic3:

Is it just me, or has the image got some graphical artefacts?[[User:Cyclic3|Cyclic3]] ([[User talk:Cyclic3|talk]])

Talk:2090: Feathered Dinosaur Venn Diagram

2018-12-26T18:17:45Z

Cyclic3:

Or is a losing veteran of the Emu wars [[Special:Contributions/172.69.55.70|172.69.55.70]] 14:59, 26 December 2018 (UTC)
Or tried to pet a swan and had to fight said Swan over your dismembered finger[[Special:Contributions/172.69.55.70|172.69.55.70]] 15:02, 26 December 2018 (UTC)

I hate to be that guy, but isn't this a Euler diagram? [[User:Cyclic3|Cyclic3]] ([[User talk:Cyclic3|talk]]) 15:30, 26 December 2018 (UTC)
: Yes it is. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.58.83|172.68.58.83]] 17:07, 26 December 2018 (UTC)
: Yep! For anyone who's curious, a Venn diagram shows intersections between sets that don't actually exist while sets in an Euler diagram intersect only when they overlap in the real world. [[User:Moosenonny10|Moosenonny10]] ([[User talk:Moosenonny10|talk]]) 17:32, 26 December 2018 (UTC)
: I have added a description of the difference between the two into the article. Please feel free to cut it down if it's too long, or remove it if it is unnecessary! [[User:Cyclic3|Cyclic3]] ([[User talk:Cyclic3|talk]]) 18:00, 26 December 2018 (UTC)
: Both this and 1180 have been mislabled as Venn Diagrams. Literally unreadable. [[User:Cyclic3|Cyclic3]] ([[User talk:Cyclic3|talk]]) 18:17, 26 December 2018 (UTC)

Talk:2090: Feathered Dinosaur Venn Diagram

2018-12-26T18:00:58Z

Cyclic3:

2090: Feathered Dinosaur Venn Diagram

2018-12-26T17:59:27Z

Cyclic3: Added short description about euler vs venn diagrams

{{comic
| number = 2090
| date = December 26, 2018
| title = Feathered Dinosaur Venn Diagram
| image = feathered_dinosaur_venn_diagram.png
| titletext = My pet theory is that in real life, the kid at the beginning of Jurassic Park who made fun of the 'six-foot turkey' never got a talking-to from Dr. Grant, and grew up to produce several of the movie's sequels.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a GUY WHO FOUGHT AN OSTRICH. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

This comic is another jab at people who don't believe in the fact that feathered dinosaurs exist, just because they don't sound deadly. Adding feathers to a reptile can trigger a cognitive dissonance; people today see feathers and think birds.

The diagram is in actuality a Euler diagram, rather than a Venn diagram. A Venn diagram shows all possible combinations of two sets, including those with no elements, and as such all of the circles must intersect. A Euler diagram only depicts the non-empty combinations, and therefore does not have this constraint. However, this is a technicality, and many people use the words interchangeably.

The Euler diagram is explaining that the ostrich (and a few other avian species) are in fact deadly.

The title text says "My pet theory is that in real life, the kid at the beginning of Jurassic Park who made fun of the 'six-foot turkey' never got a talking-to from Dr. Grant, and grew up to produce several of the movie's sequels."

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript}}
:[The comic shows a rectangular panel containing two circles, side by side. A caption is underneath each circle.]

:Left circle caption: People Who Don't Think Feathered Dinosaurs Sound Scary

:Right circle caption: People Who Have Tried To Fight An Ostrich

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Dinosaurs]]
[[Category:Jurassic Park]]

Talk:2090: Feathered Dinosaur Venn Diagram

2018-12-26T15:30:51Z

Cyclic3: