explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

Talk:1434: Where Do Birds Go

2014-10-15T08:01:04Z

Dulcis:

Hehe, are we suggesting that "bird" may be a phase of dihydrogen monoxide? I like that.
--[[User:Stg|Stg]] ([[User talk:Stg|talk]]) 05:11, 15 October 2014 (UTC)

I recommend we keep the answer out of the explain page since it wasn't included in the comic. Birds can google it themselves. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.216.209|108.162.216.209]] 06:25, 15 October 2014 (UTC)

I added the thing about catcher in the rye, but now I think that might not be right.[[User:Cheeselover724|Cheeselover724]] ([[User talk:Cheeselover724|talk]]) 06:28, 15 October 2014 (UTC)

Cueball assumes it's a question common to all of internet-accessed humans, making it seem like a beautiful thing. In the end, it turns out those are actually helpless birds asking this question worldwide, not people. I'd advise you add a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Internet,_nobody_knows_you%27re_a_dog On the internet, nobody knows you're a dog] reference.
The ice/catcher in the rye connection is far fetched. Judging by the Clark/Superman comparison, Randall suggests that birds turn into the rain as part of the water/ice phases and not hide from it. Because Clark doesn't go when Superman arrives, he turns into Superman. [[User:Dulcis|Dulcis]] ([[User talk:Dulcis|talk]]) 08:01, 15 October 2014 (UTC)

Talk:1372: Smartwatches

2014-05-29T16:46:26Z

Dulcis:

I like how much detail Randall put into the damage of the smartphone and smartwatches.[[User:MrGameZone|0100011101100001011011010110010101011010011011110110111001100101]] ([[User talk:MrGameZone|talk page]]) 09:44, 23 May 2014 (UTC)

About the transcript, it seems that I added one at the same time someone else did. I like mine better, but I won't be offended if someone else changes it back to the first revision. Also, feel free to re-format.[[User:Jarod997|Jarod997]] ([[User talk:Jarod997|talk]]) 13:19, 23 May 2014 (UTC)

:I am reminded of this:
:http://thedoghousediaries.com/4974
:...even so, I still would like a Samsung SWatch Note III complete with a watch app (downloaded by the Play Store or F-Droid, of course)! [[User:Greyson|Greyson]] ([[User talk:Greyson|talk]]) 14:55, 23 May 2014 (UTC)
::It's a space-statoin![[User:Jarod997|Jarod997]] ([[User talk:Jarod997|talk]]) 12:35, 26 May 2014 (UTC)

Maybe it's just me, but the explanation regarding the */# keys on Bell phone seems irrelevent. There's nothing inherent about those keys that make a comparison to cellular phones logical, at least not that I'm aware of.--[[Special:Contributions/108.162.216.61|108.162.216.61]] 16:35, 23 May 2014 (UTC)
:It's especially irrelevant because Randall says he modded a handset, not an entire phone. There exist novelty bluetooth handsets of a similar style on the market; Randall's artistic touch is to have a cord dangling from it with a frayed end.--[[Special:Contributions/108.162.218.83|108.162.218.83]] 02:48, 25 May 2014 (UTC)

I question the assumption that the smartwatches are working. The watch keeps displaying the time of 10:13. Even if it had just turned 10:13 I don't think the entire mod could be done in sub 60 seconds. That said, I love the reuse of the sawn screen protector to protect the screen on the smartwatches.
:The watches also defy gravity. I question the assumption that they aren't just a dream. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.237.218|108.162.237.218]] 08:23, 26 May 2014 (UTC)
:Perhaps each frame represents exactly 12 hours of work? [[Special:Contributions/108.162.216.36|108.162.216.36]] 20:04, 26 May 2014 (UTC)
:: +1, but don't forget the careful attention shown to maintaining the battery at the same level for those 12 hour periods -- [[User:Brettpeirce|Brettpeirce]] ([[User talk:Brettpeirce|talk]]) 13:40, 28 May 2014 (UTC)

The phone mentioned was one of the earliest ([http://xkcd.com/1368/ One of]) to present the # and * keys and the format has been unchanged since the implementation of cellular phones. It could be argued that the user has the same presented interface for dialing as on cellular phones so modding a 2500 should be completely reasonable.
[[Special:Contributions/199.27.128.106|199.27.128.106]] 20:07, 23 May 2014 (UTC)

Just a side note: While this could well be the world's first flip iPhone, it would not be the first flip smartphone.--[[Special:Contributions/108.162.218.83|108.162.218.83]] 02:54, 25 May 2014 (UTC)

:Perhaps the whole comics is just a long lead to "flip iPhone" pun (on "flip phone") --[[User:JakubNarebski|JakubNarebski]] ([[User talk:JakubNarebski|talk]]) 10:34, 25 May 2014 (UTC)

No mention of the cringe factor? The entire operation, from the second frame to the title text suggests crude handling of equipment, resulting in damaged and unrefined products. Rendall spared no time in detailing the broken and damaged aspect of each component used in this "procedure". I strongly believe he did so on purpose.[[User:Dulcis|Dulcis]] ([[User talk:Dulcis|talk]]) 16:46, 29 May 2014 (UTC)

Talk:1372: Smartwatches

2014-05-29T16:46:08Z

Dulcis:

Talk:1334: Second

2014-02-24T15:47:25Z

Dulcis:

Reference to how much Google knows about us and the 'Filter Bubble'?
OTOH could just be a straight-forward observation of the search habits of most people - if I don't find what you're looking for on the first page , I try to refine my search terms rather than goto page 2 .
[[Special:Contributions/108.162.225.132|108.162.225.132]] 05:52, 24 February 2014 (UTC)
:But you can remember a time when you ''did'' go to the second or third page with some frequency, back when the Gooooooooooogle at the bottom of each page was rendered in text and your mom thought it was just so cool that the red 'o' showed her which page she was on. [[User:Jameslucas|jameslucas]] ([[User talk:Jameslucas|" "]] / [[Special:Contributions/Jameslucas|+]]) 14:32, 24 February 2014 (UTC)
Interestingly, some research <citation missing> shows that Google's results are oriented more towards commercial results than other vendors, meaning that if you are looking for a non-commercial answer you might need to look at the second page (or switch search providers). [[User:Randymack|Randymack]] ([[User talk:Randymack|talk]]) 12:45, 24 February 2014 (UTC)
:I really want to see that citation. --[[User:NeatNit|NeatNit]] ([[User talk:NeatNit|talk]]) 15:09, 24 February 2014 (UTC)

The dictionary definition of "desperation" looks a bit out of place. What's the point in it? Also, is there an explanation for the talking rock? A mention to the symbolic over dramatization of the incident?[[User:Dulcis|Dulcis]] ([[User talk:Dulcis|talk]]) 15:43, 24 February 2014 (UTC)

Talk:1334: Second

2014-02-24T15:43:46Z

Dulcis:

Reference to how much Google knows about us and the 'Filter Bubble'?
OTOH could just be a straight-forward observation of the search habits of most people - if I don't find what you're looking for on the first page , I try to refine my search terms rather than goto page 2 .
[[Special:Contributions/108.162.225.132|108.162.225.132]] 05:52, 24 February 2014 (UTC)
:But you can remember a time when you ''did'' go to the second or third page with some frequency, back when the Gooooooooooogle at the bottom of each page was rendered in text and your mom thought it was just so cool that the red 'o' showed her which page she was on. [[User:Jameslucas|jameslucas]] ([[User talk:Jameslucas|" "]] / [[Special:Contributions/Jameslucas|+]]) 14:32, 24 February 2014 (UTC)
Interestingly, some research <citation missing> shows that Google's results are oriented more towards commercial results than other vendors, meaning that if you are looking for a non-commercial answer you might need to look at the second page (or switch search providers). [[User:Randymack|Randymack]] ([[User talk:Randymack|talk]]) 12:45, 24 February 2014 (UTC)
:I really want to see that citation. --[[User:NeatNit|NeatNit]] ([[User talk:NeatNit|talk]]) 15:09, 24 February 2014 (UTC)

The dictionary definition of "desperation" looks a bit out of place. What's the point in it?[[User:Dulcis|Dulcis]] ([[User talk:Dulcis|talk]]) 15:43, 24 February 2014 (UTC)

Talk:1331: Frequency

2014-02-17T07:57:20Z

Dulcis:

I have began the transcript. Should a table be embedded with all the statements?[[Special:Contributions/108.162.250.11|108.162.250.11]] 07:33, 17 February 2014 (UTC)
:That would be apt. Dammit Randall, why couldn't you have made the comic one image so it'd be easy to put up here? '''[[User:Davidy22|{{Color|#707|David}}y²²]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 07:36, 17 February 2014 (UTC)

I would like to point out a few things: the title text refers to an experiment that shows a piece of tar, if I remember correctly, which looks like a solid material, dripping very very slowly. It takes a year or more for a drop to fall, and there should be a live stream of it somewhere, I think.
The second is the turning signal being out of sync with the other car. Randall made a comic about that one already. It's a recurring thing.[[User:Dulcis|Dulcis]] ([[User talk:Dulcis|talk]]) 07:57, 17 February 2014 (UTC)

503: Terminology

2014-01-01T06:20:06Z

Dulcis: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 503
| date = November 12, 2008
| title = Terminology
| image = terminology.png
| titletext = Also, is it just me, or do Japan and New Zealand look suspiciously similar? Has anyone seen them at a party together?
}}

==Explanation==

This comic shows a map of the world. The X in the center, labeled "ME", indicates [[Randall]]'s approximate location in the U.S., and two arrows point west and east from it. The map uses a format, popular in America, which places the American continents centrally, therefore splitting Asia, (parodied by [http://weknowmemes.com/tag/you-cut-asia-in-half/ "you-cut-asia-in-half"]). The comic then shows Europe labeled "The West" as it is commonly referred to, despite being located to the ''east'' of Randall, and Asia similarly labeled "The East", despite being ''west'' of Randall. Randall is therefore annoyed with the common terms "the West" and "the East" referring to locations east and west of him respectively.

"The East" and "the West" were defined in geographical terms from the {{w|Borders_of_the_continents#Europe_and_Asia|traditional boundary between Europe and Asia}}. They were later expanded or (mis-)appropriated to include references to cultural, political, and trade connections. Another east-west division comes from zero {{w|longitude}} (the {{w|prime meridian}}): the {{w|Western Hemisphere}} and {{w|Eastern Hemisphere}} are defined in reference to it, and world maps are often centered on it. The fact that the prime meridian runs though London, England, is an artifact of the British Empire's dominance -- and British exploration of the world -- in the 1700s and 1800s. In particular, British astronomical tables (made by the {{w|Royal Observatory, Greenwich|Royal Observatory in Greenwich}}, London) were widely used to determine longitude all over the world. The need for establishing a precise zero-longitude is one of the two technological necessities to make a {{w|sextant}} work as a tool to calculate accurate position for map making.

In short, "the East" and "the West" should simply be viewed as a reference to map coordinates and not as relative to where you are as suggested by the comic. An America-centered map does not redefine "the East" or "the West" anymore than an [http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__2Vhj2G5F68/TJEIpsuqUCI/AAAAAAAAAG0/r4qa6dHGkbM/s1600/blog.gif Australian up-side-down] {{w|reversed map}} redefines "the North" or "the South".

The convention of orienting maps with north at the top and west at the left was started by the Greek geographer {{w|Ptolemy}}. In his work ''{{w|Geography (Ptolemy)|Geography}}'' he introduced the first coordinate system with latitude and longitude. Randall shows some other possible map orientations in [[977: Map Projections]].

The title text comments on the similarity in shape of New Zealand and Japan, and suggests that one may in fact be the other in disguise. The similarities are partly explained by both forming as volcanic island chains.

==Transcript==
:[Map of world with North America centered. An "x" is placed near east coast. Asia is labeled "The East" and Europe "The West."]
:"The East" <- West x (me) East -> "The West"
:This always bugged me.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Language]]
[[Category:Geography]]

Talk:1307: Buzzfeed Christmas

2013-12-23T06:43:36Z

Dulcis: Created page with "Randall seems somewhat obsessed with buzzfeed titles lately. I suggest whoever takes this explanation upon themselves to refer to 1283:_Headlines, as the two comics circle..."

Randall seems somewhat obsessed with buzzfeed titles lately. I suggest whoever takes this explanation upon themselves to refer to [[1283:_Headlines]], as the two comics circle pretty much the same subject. I've got a feeling he made at least one more comic on this matter, but Headlines is the only one that popped to my head. Maybe you could refer Headlines to this comic because they share the same concept? [[User:Dulcis|Dulcis]] ([[User talk:Dulcis|talk]]) 06:43, 23 December 2013 (UTC)

User:Dulcis

2013-12-21T17:06:23Z

Dulcis: Created page with "Dulcis is not the brightest banana in the shed, so he is more than frequently uses this Wiki to understand Randall's sophistication. On an occasion, this user finds places whe..."

Dulcis is not the brightest banana in the shed, so he is more than frequently uses this Wiki to understand Randall's sophistication. On an occasion, this user finds places where slight improvements can be made, and wishes to help. Not always finding the right wording for his ideas, he might be found lurking around discussion pages, asking others to put his ideas on paper.

Talk:322: Pix Plz

2013-12-21T17:01:08Z

Dulcis:

It's a little unfair to say that the "rule", such as it is, exists because internet users believe women are too stupid <sic> to be online. A more accurate reason would be because so many men masquerade as women for various reasons. (Such as extra attention, or as a fetish)

Therefore, someone claiming to be female is met with cynicism online - often with unfortunate results. {{unsigned|‎161.31.32.81}}

I find it amusing that, while ostensibly egalitarian/feminist/what-have-you, this comic's last panel still has Black Hat giving Joanna the order to fire -- for all his high-flown (and largely justified) rhetoric, he still doesn't realize she doesn't need telling.
[[Special:Contributions/71.97.137.127|71.97.137.127]] 22:28, 17 February 2013 (UTC)
::I see that more because of a boss/employee relationship between black hat guy and joanna [[Special:Contributions/189.135.40.161|189.135.40.161]] 19:48, 24 April 2013 (UTC)

If I ask you to close the blinds, because you are closer to the window, would you assume I think myself superior? Same here, Joanna has the gun, BHG doesn´t, therefore he asks her to do it. {{unsigned|91.64.172.40}}

Females are often met with lots of males trying to hit on them by private messages in chat or on the main screen no matter the subject content of the chat room. This predatory-like wave of sexual lust will often cause the female gender to use gender neutral sounding screen names to try and avoid this effect. Hence making the internet seen void of females except for porn site spam bots profiles.... The behavior of males have lead to a reaction behavior of females to hide who they are for dread of harassment both online , in gaming and in the geek culture in general.[[Special:Contributions/184.39.244.206|184.39.244.206]] 04:01, 27 July 2013 (UTC)

So do people who are surprised someone is a girl and don't act like a sexist dick get a free pass? I mean, the answer must be yes, but at the same time XKCD's hyperfocus on some things above all other has often left me, your typical computer enthusiast, in the dark. [[Special:Contributions/68.58.90.223|68.58.90.223]] 08:35, 27 July 2013 (UTC)

I don't see how this remains incomplete; Cueball's actions seem to be accounted for. I have removed the Incomplete tag. --[[User:Quicksilver|Quicksilver]] ([[User talk:Quicksilver|talk]]) 19:53, 21 August 2013 (UTC)

I'm surprised no one bothered to mention the title text. I added a short explanation, referring to the "It's okay, I have a black friend" excuse. Feel free to refine it. [[User:Dulcis|Dulcis]] ([[User talk:Dulcis|talk]]) 17:01, 21 December 2013 (UTC)