explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Log+of+n explain xkcd - User contributions [en] 2026-04-08T12:22:42Z User contributions MediaWiki 1.30.0 https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=explain_xkcd:Community_portal/Miscellaneous&diff=377991 explain xkcd:Community portal/Miscellaneous 2025-05-16T15:50:18Z

<p>Log of n: /* How do I create a user page for myself? */ new section</p> <hr /> <div><noinclude>{{Community links}}<br /> <br /> {|-<br /> |valign="top" width="100%"|[[File:Internet-group-chat.svg|left|120px]] <big><big><b>Miscellaneous</b></big></big><br /> <br /> <i>This is a place for general chit-chat about virtually anything that doesn't fit anywhere else. </i>{{AddNewSection|Page=Explain XKCD:Community portal/Miscellaneous|Text=<small>(+post)</small>}}<br /> |}</noinclude><br /> <br /> __TOC__<br /> ==ARCHIVED DISCUSSIONS==<br /> <div class="plainlinks" style="background:#edf6ff; border:1px solid #a7d7f9; margin:1em auto 1em auto; width:100%; font-size: 120%; padding: 0.5ex; text-align: center;">The discussion of the now-deleted page "Advertise here" has been archived. The archive is available at '''[[explain xkcd talk:Community portal/Miscellaneous]]'''.</div><br /> <br /> == The Community Portal's design ==<br /> <br /> {{tl|Community portal}} looks too Wikipedia-ish (because that's where I got it). Someone who can design things should probably fix that. It isn't protected for the time being, though it probably will be in the future (high-visibility template). --''[[User:Philosopher|Philosopher]]''&nbsp;<sup>[[User talk:Philosopher|Let us reason together.]]</sup> 00:54, 4 August 2012 (EDT)<br /> <br /> == Common mistake ==<br /> <br /> This affects all pages that ever say "alt text" in reference to the TITLE text on xkcd images. "Alt text" is incorrect; Alt text refers to the text that is shown as an alternative when images are not displayed. Title text is what xkcd uses and is shown as a tool tip-like bubble when images are hovered over.<br /> <br /> I would correct this myself but I saw no way to edit the main page. --[[User:Jillysky|Jillysky]] ([[User talk:Jillysky|talk]]) 14:21, 6 August 2012‎ (UTC)<br /> <br /> :You actually don't need to edit the main page to fix it, as what's there is just a mirror (transclusion) of the actual content from the comic page, at [[Curiosity]], which is open for editing by anyone. Then again, the "alt-text" in that case is generated by a template, {{tl|comic}}, so that's where we should fix this. The template's code, however, is currently a terrible mess (sorry!), so I went ahead and took care of it. Thanks for catching that! --[[User:Waldir|Waldir]] ([[User talk:Waldir|talk]]) 16:24, 6 August 2012 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :Ah? So it's wrong, for instance, on http://m.xkcd.com? because of that I took it for granted that we could call it the alt-text... - [[User:Cos|Cos]] ([[User talk:Cos|talk]]) 17:38, 6 August 2012 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :: Yes. If you look at the page's html source, you'll see:<br /> <nowiki><img<br /> id="comic"<br /> src="http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/curiosity.png"<br /> title="As of this writing the NASA/JPL websites are still overloaded. Trying CURIOSITY-REAR-CAM_[256px_x_256px].torrent.SwEsUb.DVDRip.XviD-aXXo.jpg instead."<br /> alt="Curiosity"></nowiki><br /> ::(line breaks added for clarity) --[[User:Waldir|Waldir]] ([[User talk:Waldir|talk]]) 23:54, 6 August 2012 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :::That was my error in the template. I knew "image text" that has been commonly used by Jeff was not techically correct, but I didn't actually go back and confirm it was alt text before I included that tag in the template. That's to Waldir (I believe?) for correcting the template. [[User:TheHYPO|TheHYPO]] ([[User talk:TheHYPO|talk]]) 14:14, 7 August 2012 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == When the "official" transcript is wrong? ==<br /> I did [[903: Extended Mind]]. Interestingly, the transcript on xkcd.com is missing the bottom line "When Wikipedia has a server outage, my apparent IQ drops by 30 points." I assume we want a complete transcript, rather than whatever xkcd.com says it is...? [[User:Stevage|Stevage]] ([[User talk:Stevage|talk]]) 04:10, 17 November 2012 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :We're focusing on the actual transcript of the comic, not the xkcd.com transcript. The official transcript is usually right, but even Randall makes mistakes sometimes. [[User:Davidy22|<span title="I want you."><u><font color="purple" size="2px">David</font><font color="green" size="3px">y</font></u><sup><font color="indigo" size="1px">22</font></sup></span>]][[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>(talk)</tt>]] 04:24, 17 November 2012 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Milestone: half the comics explained!! ==<br /> <br /> Hi all! I'm pleased to announce that we have just broke the 50% mark for xkcd explanations! The page that balanced the count (568 explained, 568 to go, at the time) was [[877: Beauty]], created 01:31 UTC, 21 November 2012 by [[User:Davidy22]]. Congratulations!! :D --[[User:Waldir|Waldir]] ([[User talk:Waldir|talk]]) 03:10, 21 November 2012 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :The caterer's been called! The punch will be arriving soon! Go [[User:Davidy22|Davidy22]]! [[User:Lcarsos|lcarsos]]<span title="I'm an admin. I can help.">_a</span> ([[User talk:Lcarsos|talk]]) 06:53, 21 November 2012 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::[[File:freedom.png]] Punch is served! [[User:Davidy22|<span title="I want you."><u><font color="purple" size="2px">David</font><font color="green" size="3px">y</font></u><sup><font color="indigo" size="1px">22</font></sup></span>]][[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>(talk)</tt>]] 07:11, 21 November 2012 (UTC)<br /> <br /> But the Main page says 407 explanations, 731 to go! What's up with that? --[[User:St.nerol|St.nerol]] ([[User talk:St.nerol|talk]]) 21:00, 23 November 2012 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Reverse? ==<br /> <br /> Why in the Archive why are all the thing up until "Heatmap" in Reverse? Can someone please answer? [[User:Tmack3|Tmack3]] ([[User talk:Tmack3|talk]]) 08:28, 20 February 2013 (UTC)<br /> :Archive? Can you provide a link or screenshot? '''[[User:Davidy22|<span title="I want you."><u><font color="purple" size="2px">David</font><font color="green" size="3px">y</font></u><sup><font color="indigo" size="1px">22</font></sup></span>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 04:43, 19 February 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> http://xkcd.com/archive/ [[User:Tmack3|Tmack3]] ([[User talk:Tmack3|talk]]) 08:28, 20 February 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::Ah, that's because the comic right after that, rtl, has a right-to-left character in it that flips all the proceeding text. '''[[User:Davidy22|<span title="I want you."><u><font color="purple" size="2px">David</font><font color="green" size="3px">y</font></u><sup><font color="indigo" size="1px">22</font></sup></span>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 00:13, 20 February 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Ah, ok, i see that now. When I 1st saw that RTL I just thought that it was random letters, thankyou for explaining it for me. [[User:Tmack3|Tmack3]] ([[User talk:Tmack3|talk]]) 08:28, 20 February 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> <br /> It also depends on what browser you are on because on Google Chrome it was normal. [[User:Tmack3|Tmack3]] ([[User talk:Tmack3|talk]]) 09:08, 20 February 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Do you think this question was asked by one of the xkcd people? ==<br /> <br /> http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090301060752AAtYugc [[User:Tmack3|Tmack3]] ([[User talk:Tmack3|talk]]) 08:38, 20 February 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Matthew Reilly ==<br /> <br /> I would just like to tell everyone that I asked Matthew Reilly (the author) if he is ever scared that a velociraptor is going to attack him, and he said NO! He clearly needs to start worrying about them! [[User:Tmack3|Tmack3]] ([[User talk:Tmack3|talk]]) 10:45, 22 February 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == What can we learn section ==<br /> First of all I love your work. I believe deeper understanding of each XKCD can make a world a better place and I thank you sincerely for starting this webpage. I wanted to ask what you think about "What can we learn?" section I've been adding to some of the pages. Thank you - [[User:E-inspired|E-inspired]] ([[User talk:E-inspired|talk]]) 13:27, 28 February 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :This site is actually the work of multiple editors working slowly and steadily to fill in explanations for all the old comics. Some of the xkcd comics are incredibly deep - comic [[956]] is such a poignant comic that digs into the DRM issue on so many levels. Your reflections on many of the comics are very much warranted and you're helping us create talk pages with high-quality opening posts, which is great for future discussion on this wiki. It'd be nice if you could refrain from putting headers in talk pages, technical limitations of the wiki make long explanation pages choke when headings are in the discussion page. Other than that, keep up the good work! '''[[User:Davidy22|<u><font color="purple" title="I want you">David</font><font color="green" size="3px">y</font></u><font color="indigo" size="4px">²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 13:42, 28 February 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::I've put in my 2 cents to comic [[956]], and thank you for teaching me how to comment and link to other comics - [[User:E-inspired|E-inspired]] ([[User talk:E-inspired|talk]]) 13:58, 28 February 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::: FYI, you can always make pseudo-headings using a horizontal rule and a bold "header", but honestly I think a simple standard opening sentence would suffice. --[[User:Waldir|Waldir]] ([[User talk:Waldir|talk]]) 12:14, 2 March 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :Oh, and the guy who draws xkcd is called {{w|Randall Munroe}}. So many glowing things to be said about him. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u><font color="purple" title="I want you">David</font><font color="green" size="3px">y</font></u><font color="indigo" size="4px">²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 13:44, 28 February 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::Yes, I can't thank him enough for simplifying complex issues to funny stories, I think it's exactly what our generation needs - [[User:E-inspired|E-inspired]] ([[User talk:E-inspired|talk]]) 13:58, 28 February 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :I'm in favor of a Mr. Rogers style of 'what lesson can be learned' on the talk page, but make sure your comments don't come across as sanctimonious and holier-than-thou as that can be really off-putting. [[User:Lcarsos|lcarsos]]<span title="I'm an admin. I can help.">_a</span> ([[User talk:Lcarsos|talk]]) 19:06, 28 February 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :: You are absolutely correct, I have not thought of that, please trust me I did not do it on purpose. Thank you Mr. Lcarsos - [[User:E-inspired|E-inspired]] ([[User talk:E-inspired|talk]]) 19:55, 28 February 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Thank you David, and I apologize that I've not made it clear that by your work, I do mean your collective work (the wiki is only as good as all the people behind it). I was trying to put the headers to allow others to find the section easier in case they start looking for it, perhaps I could make a suggestion to make it a standalone section so that others would be encouraged to contribute their own understanding of lessons they have noticed from each comic. I know the lessons I've seen, but I would love to learn from others as much as I hope they can learn from me and Mr. XKCD, thank you. - [[User:E-inspired|E-inspired]] ([[User talk:E-inspired|talk]]) 13:48, 28 February 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD ==<br /> <br /> Hello fellow editors. Do you remember the last time we were hit by a surge of automated spam? Neither do I. ConfirmEdit has really done a number on the volume of spam that we're eating - one spam account has been created since we finished configuring confirmEdit, and zero anon edits have been spam. Zero. Can you say happiness? Can you say party? '''[[User:Davidy22|<u><font color="purple" title="I want you">David</font><font color="green" size="3px">y</font></u><font color="indigo" size="4px">²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 14:41, 1 March 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :Hehe, I'm glad! Thanks for being so relentless on the spam-fighting all this time! Maybe we should make up a new reason to make Jeff remove the /wiki/ in the URL? ;) –[[User:St.nerol|St.nerol]] ([[User talk:St.nerol|talk]]) 18:11, 1 March 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :: Awesome news! Finally the patrolling feature will be usable: [{{fullurl:Special:RecentChanges|hideanons=1&hidepatrolled=1&from=20121204025000&days=365&limit=1000}} Unpatrolled changes by registered users] / [{{fullurl:Special:RecentChanges|hideliu=1&hidepatrolled=1&from=20121204025000&days=365&limit=1000}} Unpatrolled changes by anonymous users] :) --[[User:Waldir|Waldir]] ([[User talk:Waldir|talk]]) 12:27, 2 March 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == 1000th comic explanation!! ==<br /> <br /> Hi all! It apparently went unnoticed that '''we have recently surpassed the mark of 1000 comic explanations!''' Some calculations based on [[:Category:Comics]] and [[Special:NewPages]] led me to the conclusion that the 1000th explanation was [[681: Gravity Wells]], created by [[User:AlexRNL]] just yesterday! Yay! This calls for a celebration, no? Congrats to [[Special:ContributionScores|everyone]] who made this happen! I'll edit [[Mediawiki:Sitenotice]] with a congratulatory message. Way to go, guys! --[[User:Waldir|Waldir]] ([[User talk:Waldir|talk]]) 16:04, 10 April 2013 (UTC)<br /> :ps - I also took the opportunity to flesh out our [[explain xkcd|about/history page]]. Please take a look and fix/add any details I might have missed. --[[User:Waldir|Waldir]] ([[User talk:Waldir|talk]]) 16:06, 10 April 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Style guide ==<br /> Is there a style guide for this wiki? --[[User:PeterMortensen|PeterMortensen]] ([[User talk:PeterMortensen|talk]]) 20:14, 10 August 2013 (UTC)<br /> :Oh, sorry, I did forget to answer here. A guide on this is not easy, many individual comics do need special layouts because they have content never can match to a style guide. But I will give a try [[Help:Style Guide]].--[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 21:18, 15 August 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Adblock ==<br /> <br /> I've whitelisted the site in adblock, but the ads are still blocked.<br /> Anyone know what' going on here and how I can fix it?--[[User:ParadoX|ParadoX]] ([[User talk:ParadoX|talk]]) 04:34, 27 September 2013 (UTC)<br /> :Huh. I was wondering why our impression counts weren't rising. I thought it was just because this site had high turnover. I've changed the webpage that the word whitelisting links to, try the instructions there instead. Project wonderful is our ad provider, and they've been pretty good to us so far. Also, thanks for helping to support the site! '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 04:40, 27 September 2013 (UTC)<br /> ::Great! I don't really mid ads as long as they aren't intrusive. Works now, Hope everyone else does it as well.--[[User:ParadoX|ParadoX]] ([[User talk:ParadoX|talk]]) 05:16, 27 September 2013 (UTC)<br /> ::I saw you wrote "the webpage that the word whitelisting links to" so I went to the search box and typed whitelisting. My search didn't yield anything useful: [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?search=whitelisting&go=Go&title=Special%3ASearch]. I don't know how to create the missing page but there oughta be a link for someone like me who searches for whitelist or whitelisting, to take them to the instructions you refer to. [[User:SaxTeacher|SaxTeacher]] ([[User talk:SaxTeacher|talk]]) 10:59, 17 May 2014 (UTC)<br /> :::We already have this linked somewhere, but [https://www.projectwonderful.com/adblock.php this] is the link you want. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 13:41, 17 May 2014 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I normally access this site through the android app "xkcd browser". That app only links to the content part of the site and doesn't show the side bar, so the adds aren't shown either. Might be worth discussing it with the author. [[Special:Contributions/109.158.126.139|109.158.126.139]] 08:06, 27 September 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :We support those avenues completely, you don't need to feel bad if you use an app to browse this site. We're only really concerned when we put up ads and our impressions are less than half our page hits, because that essentially means more than half our readers aren't contributing to server costs. That's really hard to deal with. We have enough daily page hits to qualify as web publishers at very big ad agencies, but we've had to settle for relatively low rates at the smaller Project Wonderful because 60% of our users were using adblock, so the agencies rejected us because our valuable "paying" audience was too low for them to consider us. That's been the difference between us using dedicated servers to host the site and hiring a contractor to set it up, and the (admittedly somewhat decent) shared hosting plan that we have to settle for now. We can only afford the shared hosting, because the small-scale advertisers at Project Wonderful don't even pay for full days of advertising; most of the time, we make less per day than the posted $3.90 price. That said, we're grateful that Project Wonderful would take us as a publisher when no one else would, but it really feels like the difference between being accepted to community college and being accepted to an ivy league school. For a similar reason, the Google ads route was not sufficient to satisfy our needs; not a large enough proportion of our users were looking at ads, so we either needed to spam them and degrade the site, or we needed to make them refresh, which makes pages slow and causes needlessly high traffic for a lot of users. We didn't want our ads to make the site worse, because that would drive away users and defeat the purpose of us being a public resource for xkcd readers. We actually decided to go the agency route pretty early, because adsense takes a massive cut of revenues and gives us little control over what ads or advertisers actually showed, which was not okay with us. Whoah, I wrote a lot. I hope it was coherent. Maybe someday I'll collect my thoughts and write a proper summary on how and why we advertise. Also, if you have any questions about anything ad-related, you can always ask us at [[explain xkcd talk:Advertise Here]]. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 11:15, 27 September 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Feynman? ==<br /> <br /> Feynman (both in [[182: Nash|living]] and [[397: Unscientific|zombie]] form) probably deserves an entry in the [[Template:Navbox characters|character navbox]] template doesn't he? [[Special:Contributions/128.250.152.198|128.250.152.198]] 02:21, 1 October 2013 (UTC)<br /> :That's two comics out of 1200+. Three if you count the song. Not quite enough yet. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 02:27, 1 October 2013 (UTC)<br /> :: If that's the criterion, then we need to get rid of [[Brown Hat]]. [[User:Djbrasier|Djbrasier]] ([[User talk:Djbrasier|talk]]) 19:30, 11 March 2015 (UTC)<br /> :::Potentially, we could create a very minor character category with these two, and other characters with less than 10 appearances. [[User:tplaza64]]<br /> <br /> == Job Interview (Atomic Soup) ==<br /> <br /> The soup is clearly being poured out of an atomic socket. This "atomic soup" is probably not a reference to the alcoholic brew favoured by Scottish tramps, but more likely to the virtual nature of the company. {{unsigned|Sulis}}<br /> :Hey, go here [[Talk:1293: Job Interview‎]] for discussions. --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 19:58, 20 November 2013 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Is there a similar, transcripted service for The Oatmeal? ==<br /> <br /> Hi everyone - this site is a real gem, I've sent it to a friend of mine who can't read XKCD because she's blind. The transcripts on this site are a real boon!<br /> <br /> Does anyone know if there is a similar service for The Oatmeal? I've searched and searched, but found nothing so far.<br /> <br /> Thanks :)<br /> <br /> Jeff<br /> <br /> :As far as I know we are kind of unique in the web comics world. I think we get away with it because Randall publishes all his comics as Creative Commons Attribution, Non-Commercial. We liberally link back to xkcd, and we don't make a penny (The ads are just to cover server expenses, because wikis and the databases that support them get big when you're covering a body of work like xkcd). I haven't looked into the copyright Matt uses for the Oatmeal, but he seems like a cool enough guy to not kill a community transcripting effort of his comics. [[User:Lcarsos|lcarsos]]<span title="I'm an admin. I can help.">_a</span> ([[User talk:Lcarsos|talk]]) 20:32, 4 March 2014 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == what if 103: Vanishing Water - comics ==<br /> <br /> Please explain the 2nd and the 4th comics from http://what-if.xkcd.com/103/<br /> <br /> "Just tried to sail my boat over land, because I didn't learn from that kid in the Zephyr." (who's the kid from Zephyr?)<br /> <br /> "A third time?" (maybe whales were dropped twice before in other what-ifs?) [[User:Daniel Carrero|Daniel Carrero]] ([[User talk:Daniel Carrero|talk]]) 21:57, 9 July 2014 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :"A third time?" is a reference to a whale falling twice in "Hitchiker's guide to the Galaxy". Been a while, so I don't remember the details of how this fit in, but the second time it happened to the whale, he thought "Not again" or something along those lines. [[User:Djbrasier|Djbrasier]] ([[User talk:Djbrasier|talk]]) 18:49, 11 March 2015 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::Actually, it was the bowl of petunias that thought to itself "Oh, no, not again." [[Special:Contributions/108.162.216.73|108.162.216.73]] 00:48, 5 April 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Raises the question of if we should explain jokes imbedded in What If comics. [[User:Djbrasier|Djbrasier]] ([[User talk:Djbrasier|talk]]) 18:49, 11 March 2015 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Discussion usage ==<br /> <br /> Am I being a killjoy in feeling that the discussion section should be mainly limited to discussion on improving the explanation, gathering consensus and that type of thing.<br /> Specifically, the discussion for [[1418: Horse]] is quickly turning into every man and his dog posting a sentence in the style of the comic, which doesn't really add anything to the page other than clutter.<br /> <br /> Personally, I'd just delete most of them, but I think I might be turning into a grumpy old bugger... --[[User:Pudder|Pudder]] ([[User talk:Pudder|talk]]) 20:32, 10 September 2014 (UTC)<br /> :The discussion is also there for just talking about the comic. Those guys aren't wildly off-topic, there's no need to clamp down on what they get to talk about. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 17:44, 10 September 2014 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::Yep, I must just be grumpy and draconian! Lesson learned --[[User:Pudder|Pudder]] ([[User talk:Pudder|talk]]) 20:32, 10 September 2014 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == 2014 Christmas header ==<br /> <br /> Since the header for the site current contains a [http://imgs.xkcd.com/store/store_default.png graphic link to the store] that promises that Randall probably won't ship you a [[:Category:Bobcats|bobcat]], it seems to me that probably ought to be preserved and explained somewhere. [[Special:Contributions/173.245.56.189|173.245.56.189]] 17:45, 3 December 2014 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == XKCD at LanguageLog ==<br /> <br /> Arnold Zwicky (of the well-known linguistics blog Language Log) has put together a list of linguistics-related XKCD strips, here: http://arnoldzwicky.org/the-language-of-comics/comics-lists/xkcd-cartoons/ I thought it might be appropriate for a copy of the list (maybe a category) to be created from it. [[Special:Contributions/199.27.133.79|199.27.133.79]] 03:48, 28 December 2014 (UTC)<br /> :[[:Category:Language]] '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 04:39, 28 December 2014 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Bookmarklet ==<br /> <br /> Hello there, I've created a little bookmarklet (https://ginkobox.fr/shaarli/?a77vQw) and I thought it might be useful for someone out there.<br /> <br /> When launched, it adds the 'explain' before xkcd.com and the browser loads the explainxkcd page. I've tested it only on Firefox.<br /> <br /> (Contact @ https://ginkobox.fr/wiki/doku.php?id=about) {{unsigned ip|‎108.162.229.100}}<br /> <br /> :Thanks 108.162.229.100! I've started collecting these helpful tools on a [[Browser helpers|new page]], to hopefully make them easier for others to find. – [[User:Yfmcpxpj|Yfmcpxpj]] ([[User talk:Yfmcpxpj|talk]]) 01:36, 29 September 2020 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Is there a RSS feed for What If? ==<br /> <br /> Is there a RSS feed for What If?--[[User:17jiangz1|17jiangz1]] ([[User talk:17jiangz1|talk]]) 11:59, 29 March 2015 (UTC)<br /> :No, because we cover the comics. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 18:57, 29 March 2015 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == My User Page ==<br /> <br /> Can someone help me with [[user:17jiangz1|my user page]]? I can't seem to remove the large spaaaaaace on top.--[[User:17jiangz1|17jiangz1]] ([[User talk:17jiangz1|talk]]) 07:43, 9 April 2015 (UTC)<br /> : The only solution I've found is to remove the contribution scores (data6=...). Not sure what exactly is triggering this bug. --[[User:SlashMe|SlashMe]] ([[User talk:SlashMe|talk]]) 21:02, 9 April 2015 (UTC)<br /> I am receiving "Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ""." for <code><pre>{{#expr: {{formatnum:{{#cscore:17jiangz1|pages}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NUMBEROFARTICLES}}|R}}*100 round 5 }}</pre></code>--[[User:17jiangz1|17jiangz1]] ([[User talk:17jiangz1|talk]]) 05:46, 10 April 2015 (UTC)<br /> :Bump?--[[User:17jiangz1|17jiangz1]] ([[User talk:17jiangz1|talk]]) 06:48, 14 April 2015 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == What-If ==<br /> <br /> In What-If 150, "Tatoonie Rainbow", http://what-if.xkcd.com/150/ the first image title-text says: "Vowing not to reference that video any further anywhere in this article, on principle.". What video is he talking about? [[User:5mi11er|slmiller]] ([[User talk:5mi11er|talk]]) 14:29, 27 May 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> It hasn't updated for 2 weeks. why?--[[User:17jiangz1|17jiangz1]] ([[User talk:17jiangz1|talk]]) 06:50, 25 April 2015 (UTC)<br /> :Looks like they're on hold for a few months (Until July 14th). Too bad, I enjoyed them. ([http://what-if.xkcd.com/ Look at the top of the What-If page]) --[[User:Zman9600|Zman9600]] ([[User talk:Zman9600|talk]]) 20:24, 6 May 2015 (UTC)<br /> :What is so special about the date and time? Seems very specific: ''July 14th, 2015 at 7:49:59 AM EDT.'' --[[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.99|141.101.98.99]] 12:48, 28 May 2015 (UTC)<br /> Looks like it's set for the 40th anniversary of the Apollo-Soyuz mission launch. {{unsigned ip|108.162.237.158}}<br /> <br /> What If updates will resume on July 14th, 2015 at 7:49:59 AM EDT. By that time {{w|New Horizons}} will have it's closest approach to {{w|Pluto}}. See here: http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/ --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 20:34, 5 June 2015 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == thanks for having a working website ==<br /> <br /> the search function on xkcd.com was taken off, and now the random function seems to be having issues, but it's nice that here both work [[Special:Contributions/188.114.97.114|188.114.97.114]] 19:09, 9 June 2015 (UTC)<br /> :We do our best. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 22:27, 9 June 2015 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Ada Munroe ==<br /> <br /> The latest [[what if?]] number 139 has a question by "Ada Munroe". Is she related to [[Randall]] in any way? --{{User:17jiangz1/signature|06:57, 09 August 2015}}<br /> <br /> == Out of curiosity ==<br /> <br /> I notice that whenever someone links to tvtropes.org in an explanation, someone changes the link to the matching page on allthetropes.org. I'm curious as to why that is. Is there some kind of terms of use conflict at play here that an editor should be keeping in mind? [[Special:Contributions/199.27.128.156|199.27.128.156]] 06:33, 26 October 2015 (UTC)<br /> :TVtropes does not restrict links to their site, and if this has been happening there are some time-outs that I need to be handing out. Can you point me to some of the edits where this is happening? '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 08:24, 26 October 2015 (UTC)<br /> ::The specific example I had was, um, [[1468: Worrying]]. On Jan 3rd the links went to tvtropes.org, and on March 18th they were all changed over to allthetropes.orain.org. I just found it curious, I wasn't sure what the reason for it was [[Special:Contributions/162.158.255.47|162.158.255.47]] 10:32, 29 October 2015 (UTC)<br /> :::Reverted. Typically, the reason people change perfectly good links to specific, obscure links in wikis is usually self-advertising. I'll be watching that guy's edits in the future. Thanks for the heads up. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 18:00, 29 October 2015 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Sightless readers offended by the "It's 'cause you're dumb" tagline. ==<br /> <br /> I'll admit, every now and again the comic is over my head. ...because I'm dumb in that particular field. However, blind users who enjoy xkcd must do so through explainxkcd. They are NOT dumb. They are *blind*. Without explainxkcd, they would have no idea what is in the comics panels.<br /> <br /> Explainxkcd is a great site. There is no question it provides a service to the internet community.<br /> <br /> Please see this thread (last paragraph) on Userfriendly.org. Keep in mind, the end user is sightless and explainxkcd is "viewed" through a screen reader. http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/read.cgi?id=20160207&tid=3930989 (Anonymous)<br /> <br /> : The guy on that other site is complaining about that XKCD does not work well in a screen reader -- that is not our problem, but a problem for Randall to solve on his own site. We cannot be the catch all for everything on the internet that Randall broke [[User:Spongebog|Spongebog]] ([[User talk:Spongebog|talk]]) 15:37, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> :: Agreed --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 19:28, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Honestly, I never even noticed the tagline in question. Humorous to sighted folks, sure. ...but obviously offensive to those who have no choice but to access xkcd through explainxkcd.<br /> <br /> I'll leave it to the administrators or the community to figure something out, if anything at all. Maybe no one cares? I didn't come here to make any suggestions, only to point out how offensive those 4 words are to some users of the website. {{unsigned ip|108.162.238.88}}<br /> <br /> :Alright, put a link here in the site notice. What does everyone else think? I'm open to changing it, it's something people complain about fairly periodically and our identity isn't completely tied to the tagline, I feel. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 09:16, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::Well, we definitely shouldn't change anything because that particular guy is upset. It's one thing to be offended, but he's also attacking both this site and Randal Monroe. I don't think that sort of behavior should be rewarded. I actually have a rule online where, if someone acts like a jerk to me, I will be kind, but I won't give them what they want. I think a lot of the problems with people being jerks to others is that they still get what they want, so what reason do they have to stop? If he wants us to change it, he should address us like an adult and ask us himself.<br /> <br /> ::But you claim this is a common complaint. Then I would say we need more info. My instinct would be that people don't understand that it's a joke. But then my solution would be to do what the site is designed to do and explain the joke, rather than take it down. If there's actually something about it that's offensive to an entire class of people, that's different. I am unaware of a stereotype that blind people are stupid, but I'm open to the idea that I don't know.<br /> <br /> ::I'm not particularly married to the tag line. I actually didn't even notice it was there. But I'm loathe to take it down over a misunderstanding. I can't think of a similarly humorous replacement that would not be offensive, but I can at least suggest "Because nobody knows everything." --[[User:Trlkly|Trlkly]] ([[User talk:Trlkly|talk]]) 09:42, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> :::I've gotten these before. There's a [[Talk:Main_Page#Header_message|slowly growing]] section in the main page discussion page and a complaint buried somewhere in my talk page and they're usually quite unhappy. I pegged it up this time round because there's special needs involved, and a good part of our intended appeal is the transcripts for the blind. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 10:45, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> :::I like your reasoning, what if "It's 'cause you're dumb" was follow by "[citation needed]" and make the whole thing a link to a page explaining the header. It would be in character of the page, and xkcd. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.34|108.162.221.34]] 00:28, 13 February 2016 (UTC) Sam<br /> ::::Great idea, Sam! That's the funniest suggestion ever [citation needed]. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.141.4|172.68.141.4]] 19:29, 29 August 2018 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::Is he one of those people who are so self-centered and 'entitled' that just because they have a disability they assume that everyone is constantly trying to offend them, even in the most unlikeliest of cases? Does he actually believe that the tag line was written with the intention of offending blind people? This is ridiculous. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.106.71|141.101.106.71]] 11:04, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> <br /> "Just in case you feel dumb"? "Some comics may be funnier than they appear"?[[Special:Contributions/199.27.130.198|199.27.130.198]] 09:55, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> How about simply removing it? At least until we find something that isn't offensive to anyone - which might be very hard to obtain. [[User:Elektrizikekswerk|Elektrizikekswerk]] ([[User talk:Elektrizikekswerk|talk]]) 10:34, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Because you're crippled... That's worse I guess.<br><br /> But before considering the "you're dumb" tagline, one must think about the name of this wiki. It is called '''Explain''' xkcd, not read xkcd, and explaining is for dumb people, not blind people.<br><br /> Maybe one thing we can do is add a "(unless you are just here for the transcript)" subtext, with a link to the transcript section, which has the advantage of both taming offended blind readers (maybe) and provide a direct, "spoilerless" link. --[[User:GuB|GuB]] ([[User talk:GuB|talk]]) 10:40, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I need explainxkcd for two reasons: being visually impaired, although I can see most of the comics I often miss crucial details that I find only in the transcript; and as a non-American, I lack many cultural references (books, movies, songs, sayings...) that are given in the explanations.<br /> I don't think either of these reasons makes me "dumb". However, I never found the tagline offensive. It was immediately obvious to me that it was meant as humor. Who could seriously think that someone is dumb just because they haven't read the specific book that Randall is parodying in a given comic? Or because they're not familiar with a specific programming language or Unix command? IMHO the tagline *is* funny precisely because very few people can actually "get" all the comics without an explanation. Suggesting that anyone who isn't part of the 0.1% of the population who share all of Randall's abilities and references, is dumb, can't be anything but a joke. Adding to the lot those who can't get the comics because they're blind doesn't make the joke more offensive. It's a sad world where political correctness kills all forms of humor.<br /> <br /> On the other hand, the tagline is not an essential part of the site and if a significant number want it removed, so be it.<br /> Zetfr 10:46, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :Well not everybody's mind works the same way, and some people legitimately cannot grasp humor very easily. They may come to read the explanations precisely because they can't recognize what about a given comic is supposed to be humorous, and they likewise may not be able to tell that the tagline is just a joke. Besides, the tagline is equating a lack of knowledge with a lack of intelligence, which also makes it inaccurate and kind of kills the humor for those who stop and think about it.<br /> <br /> :I personally agree with the above "Because nobody knows everything." approach. I would suggest something along the lines of "Because you won't always get the joke." --[[Special:Contributions/108.162.242.134|108.162.242.134]] 11:06, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :: This sounds like a bunch of dumb people coming together and suggesting that the rest of people should be more like them (joke intended) [[User:Spongebog|Spongebog]] ([[User talk:Spongebog|talk]]) 15:33, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : +1 on this. '''Keep'''. --[[User:SlashMe|SlashMe]] ([[User talk:SlashMe|talk]]) 20:15, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''removal''' [[User:Mikemk|Mikemk]] ([[User talk:Mikemk|talk]]) 11:01, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Mostly agree with Zetfr, it is a rather obvious joke, and this is a website about a webcomic which is mostly about fun, it would be different if this was some serious news portal, but it isn't, and in my humble opinion people who can't take a joke shouldn't even be here. There will always be ranters and people who get offended, we should not let them make decisions for us. I sincerely believe vast majority of people, blind or otherwise, understand it. [[User:Jaalenja|Jaalenja]] ([[User talk:Jaalenja|talk]])<br /> <br /> :I agree with Zetfr. If a user doesn't understand that it is a joke, then he won't understand XKCD's jokes, either, no matter how much explaination he can get.<br /> :--[[User:Lou Crazy|Lou Crazy]] ([[User talk:Lou Crazy|talk]]) 12:12, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> ::I also agree with the above, and like the part of Zetfr about because you need a reader to use the page you do not need to be offended by an obvious joke --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 19:28, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> if i had a vote i'd say change the "because you're dumb" from text to a picture with alt text of something slightly less rude. "because you're using a screenreader," perhaps. although that would show up on mouseover. meh. whatever. --13:01, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> :and someone isn't "entitled" because they get annoyed about something that doesn't annoy you. as a sighted person i don't even look at the headers on the page. i would imagine that since the text in question is at the top of the page he has to listen to it every single time the page is refreshed. which is annoying enough if it's not insulting. --[[Special:Contributions/141.101.106.161|141.101.106.161]] 13:06, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> :It is bad to have the alt-text saying something differently, but since the current tagline is not offensive to non-blind people then why would it be offensive to a blind person. [[User:Spongebog|Spongebog]] ([[User talk:Spongebog|talk]]) 15:24, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''keep''' -- Blind people do not have to come to this site, they can just use xkcd.com directly and if that is not working for blind people then that is Randall's problem not ours. The tag line has been there for years while I have noticed it before and used the site and I have never been offended, if a blind person is offended maybe they should stop using the internet. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.255.109|162.158.255.109]] 15:18, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> : I second that -- the tag line does not appear to offend non-blind people, it should not offend blind people either [[User:Spongebog|Spongebog]] ([[User talk:Spongebog|talk]]) 15:24, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Voting '''KEEP''' -- the tag line is a joke, and who is to say that blind people cannot be dumb [[User:Spongebog|Spongebog]] ([[User talk:Spongebog|talk]]) 15:24, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''keep''' as well. I don't see any reason to change it; it's not a jab at disabled people, blind or otherwise. The site is called '''explain'''xkcd, and everything here centers around explaining the comic, not being a transcription service. (If that's not the case, then maybe other things need changing too.) I always thought the tagline fit nicely with the "sarcasm" part of xkcd's own tagline. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.216.26|108.162.216.26]] 15:26, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''KEEP and satisfy both sides'''. If you examine the HTML, or use [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/fangs-screen-reader-emulator/ Fangs] (free screen reader), you may notice there is a jump-to-nav div element that lets people with screen readers jump to various parts of the page. The jump-to-nav div is only a few HTML lines below the tagline. I'd recommend:<br /> # Moving the jump-to-nav div to '''before''' the tagline<br /> # Adding a "Jump to Transcript" link in the jump-to-nav div.<br /> # Test it with [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/fangs-screen-reader-emulator/ Fangs] in Firefox to simulate a screen reader.<br /> This way, screen-reader users can jump to the transcript and don't have to hear the tagline every time they visit an explainxkcd.com page.<br /> -- [[User:Hat|Hat]] ([[User talk:Hat|talk]]) 15:44, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Consider "Do you get it now?" [[Special:Contributions/198.41.235.11|198.41.235.11]] 16:09, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''keep''': it's reasonable and no change is warranted<br /> <br /> I like the suggestion of '''keeping''' the current tagline, but changing it to an '''image with alttext''' saying something like "because you're using a screenreader". I also vote to move the link to the transcript to above the tagline. [[User:Rileysci|Rileysci]] ([[User talk:Rileysci|talk]]) 17:32, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : Great idea, but here's an even better one: '''Keep''' the tagline for visual browsers, but '''add code''' such as [http://stackoverflow.com/questions/672156/is-there-a-way-to-write-content-that-screen-readers-will-ignore <code> CSS { speak: none; } and aria-hidden="true"</code>] that prevents it from being spoken by screen readers. -- [[User:Frankie|Frankie]] ([[User talk:Frankie|talk]]) 15:31, 15 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I get the joke and I'm not offended by it, but it seems to me that it really sticks out on this site and it doesn't seem consistent with Randall's sense of humor. Everyone on this site is very inclusive and eager to share all perspectives and points of view. I come here both to see the humor that I have the knowledge to understand and to learn more about the world the way Randall sees it. In short, I come here to be one of the lucky 10,000. In fact, I would suggest that as the tag line, "Congratulations! You're one of today's lucky 10,000!". Inside joke that can link to the comic (http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/1053:_Ten_Thousand) and it is welcoming. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.245.170|108.162.245.170]] 18:44, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> : +1 on this. '''Change''' [[User:Jkshapiro|Jkshapiro]] ([[User talk:Jkshapiro|talk]]) 03:45, 9 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> : +1 on this. '''Change'''<br /> <br /> I vote '''keep'''. In case it is not kept then it should be changed to something completely different. Te idea of making a title text to an image I really dislike, although I even more dislike adding anything to the existing one to either refer to people coming for the transcript or making excuses for the obvious joke. This has been a part of the page forever, I have seen it almost every time I come here. To begin with I did feel dumb sometimes, but I was never offended by it, just amused. But of course an explain page is for those who did not get the joke. And there are other pages that explains the comic. I do not know if they have a transcript? But I'm happy to know that some people must really enjoy the detailed transcripts that I usually try to provide. I had just not though about the blind perspective. I more use the transcript to make sure every one agrees on what is seen in the images of the comic. Having said all this, I must admit that the best suggestion for a change so far is the one posted above my post (about the lucky 10,000). :-) --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 19:28, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote keep, for exactly the reasons explained by Zeftr above. Changing it to an image with alt text would be OK also. [[User:Miamiclay|Miamiclay]] ([[User talk:Miamiclay|talk]]) 20:45, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :I vote '''Change''' it because it is too easily mistaken as an insult instead of a joke. At least change it to ''Because you are stupid''.... Ah, maybe instead ''Because xkcd is far beyond common knowledge'' or ''Because hardly anyone gets everything'' or ''Because it is usually nerdly esoteric even for geeks''. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.46|108.162.221.46]] 21:39, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :I vote '''Change'''. I have never been a big fan of the tagline. I don't know everything, but I am certainly not dumb. Also, I echo the reference to (http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/1053:_Ten_Thousand). This comic has always been about expanding knowledge, not making you feel guilty for not knowing something.<br /> <br /> :'''Change''': I realize the "It's because you're dumb" tagline follows the sarcastic nature of Randall's humor, but there are enough people who don't get or appreciate that sort of humor and are likely to be more offended by it, special needs or no. Here's my suggestion: "For those of us who don't get it." [[User:KieferSkunk|KieferSkunk]] ([[User talk:KieferSkunk|talk]]) 21:59, 8 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> At what point is "enough" people offended? I've only seen evidence of several (https://xkcd.com/1070/) visually impaired users actually offended by the site, along with a couple people who didn't specify their visual ability. I don't know the traffic on this site, but I would expect it to be on the order of 10^4 or higher. So is this discussion about changing something that a handful of people find offensive? Or is there an actual problem of something inappropriate on the site. If this is all about a couple people finding something offensive, I imagine a few christians might take issue with (https://xkcd.com/709/). Should we start another discussion about accommodating them? Or add a disclaimer that the views expressed by Randall Munroe are his own and do not reflect those of this site? [[User:Beardmcbeardson|Beardmcbeardson]] ([[User talk:Beardmcbeardson|talk]]) 01:25, 9 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> : So you vote to '''keep''' -- right? [[User:Spongebog|Spongebog]] ([[User talk:Spongebog|talk]]) 04:30, 9 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> <br /> '''Slightly Change'''-- make it more obviously tongue in cheek. "It's cause we're dumb" or "For those of us who need it" I agree with the point about not complying with people on the internet who can't behave like adults, however I've never found the line particularly funny. Also change the jump-to-nav, as that would just get annoying to hear it every time you open up the site. I am not recommending changing it based on the imagined offenses of others. I just think it could be funnier.[[User:NotLock|NotLock]] ([[User talk:NotLock|talk]]) 06:29, 9 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I like changing to "For those of us who need it"<br /> <br /> '''Keep''' Trying to satisfy everyone is like trying to understand every comic. It probably won't happen. As an example, using the 'one of 10 000' example provided above can insult a bunch of people that are not from the States simply because the comic (and the reference to the comic for that matter) will make them feel left out. My other reasons for voting keep have all been mentioned already. People get insulted so easily, let's try not to encourage this behavior by rewarding it. [[User:Bon|Bon]] ([[User talk:Bon|talk]]) 07:16, 9 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''Change''' because I find it slightly offensive myself. If we change it, we should replace it with something that everybody would interpret as humorous, e.g. "Because we can't all be rocket scientists". [[User:Condor70|Condor70]] ([[User talk:Condor70|talk]]) 08:25, 9 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> '''Keep'''. Next thing we know, liberal arts majors will complain about xkcd science being offensive. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.91.229|141.101.91.229]] 10:12, 9 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote for '''change''' or '''remove'''. Regarding the former, while I know it's supposed to be a joke, I never found it humorous myself and, unlike others that wrote before me, I don't think it relates to the humor or sarcasm used by Randall. It being offensive is not part of my motivation for my vote. I agree with some of the suggestions written up to now. Regarding the latter, I don't really think it's existence is necessary. Regardless, changing the div things is a must. [[User:GuiRitter|GuiRitter]] ([[User talk:GuiRitter|talk]]) 16:25, 9 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote for '''change'''. You could keep much of the humour by changing it to something like "because ignorance '''can''' be cured". [[User:Farnz|Farnz]] ([[User talk:Farnz|talk]])<br /> <br /> <br /> If I may vote (as a happy international user of this site, but not yet a contributor), one more vote for '''Keep''' - at least as "don't change now, because of this specific request, because of perceived offensiveness". For several reasons, which have been mentioned already:<br /> <br /> a) I think it's funny. It also fits perfectly with the overall XKCD humor. And the same line of thinking as the book "You are now less dumb" from "YouAreNotSoSmart.com".<br /> <br /> b) It's so obviously generic (directed at everyone reading it) I fail to understand how it can be interpreted as insult instead of irony. Even worse: I fail to understand why it should be _especially_ insulting to blind people. Having a transcript for them to use is nice, but it's merely one of the aspects this site provides (and it's not even at the top nor are there pages "transcript only", so blind are no primary audience)<br /> <br /> c) If this site decides to actually help blind people more, how about: putting the tagline in the image (so it's not "read every time"), put the transcript at the top / provide pages with only transcripts, so that the original XKCD can be consumed prior to the explanations here (just as non-blind users would see it)<br /> <br /> d) this request follows the current Outragism trend, so I do suspect that it's not actually blind people feeling offended, but privileged SJWs thinking about who might possibly feel offended, bringing change to the world where it's not beneficial even for those they claim to support. Comparable to PETA.<br /> <br /> While I'm at it - THANK YOU for this site. Most XKCD I mostly understand. But due to being an international reader, some aspects of American Culture I need explainXKCD to grasp, and other aspects it's just nice to see more details, cross-references with other comics, and hidden gems. <br /> [[User:Zefiro|Zefiro]] ([[User talk:Zefiro|talk]]) 18:46, 9 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> :I'm an "international user", too, and I suppose a lot of users of this site are international users who need to be explained some xkcd jokes that would be obvious to any native English speaker living in the US. I don't have an opinion about changing the tagline or keeping it, but I would like to notice that "Because you are dumb" is the kind of joke that would need an explanation - it would be hard for me to tell if it's a joke or an insult. Therefore, an easier joke could have some advantage.--[[User:Pere prlpz|Pere prlpz]] ([[User talk:Pere prlpz|talk]]) 22:16, 9 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> <br /> I vote for '''change.''' I know it's a joke, but it's not particularly funny, and can easily be mistaken for an insult. [[User:Ekedolphin|Ekedolphin]] ([[User talk:Ekedolphin|talk]]) 20:13, 9 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I agree with Trlkly (and Isaac(https://xkcd.com/1448/)), more information is needed. The purpose of this site is to explain xkcd (obviously, from the name) so people come here primarily to seek knowledge or a better understanding about xkcd. As long as the explanations or the explainers don't act like white hat (https://xkcd.com/1386/), there should be no reason to take the tagline seriously.--[[User:Beardmcbeardson|Beardmcbeardson]] ([[User talk:Beardmcbeardson|talk]]) 01:20, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote KEEP, but I do support the idea of moving the jump-to to above the tagline. I believe that the tagline is obviously a joke, and that pleaing everyone is nigh impossible. I also strongly oppose the proposal to change it to an image with an alt-text of "because you're using a screen reader." Finally, I do not believe we should change the tagline. We should, if anything, remove it altogether. [[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.20|173.245.54.20]] 03:33, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> '''Slightly Change''' - I like 199.27.130.198's idea, "Just in case you feel dumb." [[User:Mateussf|Mateussf]] ([[User talk:Mateussf|talk]]) 04:44, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''Change''', preferably to something like "The ''Anti'' Thing Explainer; Simple Stuff in Complicated Words!" Only, you know, more complicated to improve the joke. [[User:KitsunePhoenix|Amaroq (KitsunePhoenix)]] ([[User talk:KitsunePhoenix|talk]]) 05:01, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> What about: it's cause you need more context. I also don't like the current tagline, because dumbness would be more the inability to understand than a lack of knowledge.<br /> <br /> '''Change''' - First thing first, as suggested, move the jump-to-nav div to before the tagline and add a "Jump to Transcript" link in the jump-to-nav div.<br /> <br /> Then also change the tagline: it's not that good, and not that in line with the xkcd humor - it's actually ''directly opposed'' to the spirit of [[1053]]. Some better ones have already been suggested:<br /> *"Some comics may be funnier than they appear"<br /> *"Congratulations! You're one of today's lucky 10,000!"<br /> *"because sometimes we all need a little help"<br /> ''Or'' we could even have a bunch of good ones like that out of which one is selected at random when the page is loaded --[[User:Jules.LT|Jules.LT]] ([[User talk:Jules.LT|talk]]) 09:17, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I like the joke in the tag line (some of us come here because they are to stupid or to lazy to lookup all the information xkcd is joking about)<br /> but I also find it to direct to the user. I want to add some suggestions to Jules.LT [[User:SirKitKat|sirKitKat]] ([[User talk:SirKitKat|talk]]) 10:01, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> * "Error loading tagline, click here to retry."<br /> * "Because it is Monday morning."<br /> * "Because you like explaining jokes."<br /> <br /> I think people coming here and complaining because "dumb" appears to be aimed at insulting the blind are hilarious, because another meaning for "dumb" is "unable to speak." If people who were "dumb" in this way were complaining because we are using the other meaning of "dumb" it would be awkward, but degree of visual acuity is not open for the same misinterpretation. [[User:Swordsmith|Swordsmith]] ([[User talk:Swordsmith|talk]])<br /> <br /> '''KEEP''' for the same reasons as [[User:Zefiro|Zefiro]]. If change is necessary, fix it so the screen reader doesnt say it aloud. (This ensures the change is propagated to those who have no other recourse for sightless XKCD enjoyment, and is not a ploy by SJWs who can't take sarcastic humor (why are they reading XKCD in the first place?) [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.40|108.162.221.40]] 14:06, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> <br /> It is super obviously not intended seriously, because xkcd is a technical comic that nobody will understand entirely on the first pass. If it's true, then everybody is dumb. Boo hoo.<br /> <br /> The guy in question is under the mistaken impression that Randall runs this site and maliciously hides his transcripts under the tagline. He's also very angry about a lot of things. Sighted people have to look at the tagline every time it loads too, it's at the top of the page.<br /> <br /> I vote '''Keep''' because I hate negotiating with terrorists. If it has the effect of filtering out people who enjoy being outraged, then it's doing a service. Image search "stephen fry offensive".<br /> <br /> I'd be fine with moving the jump-to-nav div. I'm absolutely against making it an image with a different tagline, because then we would be depriving blind people of the joke. I'm absolutely against changing it to something less offensive. I would settle for removing it entirely, or changing it to something more offensive, such as "It's 'cause you're dumb, and get offended over dumb shit."<br /> <br /> Or, you know, make a transcribexkcd.com site. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.217.203|108.162.217.203]] 16:39, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> '''Change''' to one of the cool new suggestions I've seen. I've always been sad about this tagline, and while I love XKCD humor, I just don't think the tagline is funny. It makes me hesitate and sometimes decide not to share this site with others who I think would love the humor, but not the tagline. The issue keeps coming up, and this is just one more way that it irritates people and causes hassle. It's obvious to me that we should find a new tagline, or just drop it for the time being. [[User:Nealmcb|Nealmcb]] ([[User talk:Nealmcb|talk]]) 17:39, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> '''Change''' The word "dumb" used as slang for "unintelligent" or "uneducated" is offensive and many better suggestions have been proposed, which retain the wry humor without the offense. Hiding behind "it's just a joke" is beneath the standards of this site. {{unsigned ip|108.162.245.134}}<br /> :It's not hiding behind "just a joke", it IS the joke. It's tongue-in-cheek. It's so obviously false that you have to intentionally ignore the joke and manufacture offense about something benign. I'll give you that it's not that funny. It's also not that offensive. Why are we talking about something so petty. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.11|108.162.221.11]] 21:11, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> '''Keep'''. I feel like a blind person being insulted by the implication that being sightless somehow makes them unintelligent is a pretty far leap of logic. Not being able to see has no bearing whatsoever on your actual mental acuity. How many actual complaints have there been? One, a few, lots? I don't know, but if it was a significant number I might change my mind. As it stands, though, I think it's pretty clear in the site description that this site is meant for people who don't understand the comic due to its focus on obscure topics and use of technical jargon, being written by a former NASA robot technician with a bent for Linux. Using disabilities as an insult is something I don't condone, but in this case I think it's a case of certain individuals being overly sensitive. Thinking a word as mild as "dumb" is offensive is a bit much, especially since it's often used in contexts other than "uneducated" or "stupid" - I use it to describe myself all the time when I can't word proper-like. I think of it more as "scatter-brained". --[[User:KingStarscream|KingStarscream]] ([[User talk:KingStarscream|talk]]) 18:55, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> <br /> '''Change''' I feel like the "Because we can't all be rocket scientists" tagline suggested above is great; I always found the tagline to be a bit annoying because I often know all of a comic except a small part, and I come here for that. It's just unnecessarily confrontational and Randall himself has expressed in https://xkcd.com/1386/ and https://xkcd.com/1053/ that he doesn't agree with insulting ignorance. {{unsigned ip|198.41.235.179}}<br /> <br /> '''Change AND Keep''' I get the original joke, but I love some of the new ones too. Randomly rotating tag line appear is my vote, BUT let's make the tag line clickable so that we can explain the tag line .... for those of us who don't get the joke! {{unsigned ip|108.162.216.10}}<br /> <br /> '''Keep''', but change the jump-to-nav, and maybe make the tagline clickable. I like the tagline. Someone already said this, but this is explainxkcd, not readxkcd. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.216.63|108.162.216.63]] 19:37, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''Keep''', because it's been there for so long! I remember coming here years ago and looking for the references I didn't get, and the tagline was already there. It's a legacy thing, the one thing remaining from the old website in the new fancy wiki format. [[Special:Contributions/198.41.226.204|198.41.226.204]] 20:47, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> For all you people being offended and claiming that the tagline is contrary to the spirit of xkcd, I give you [https://xkcd.com/386/ xkcd.com/386]. This entire argument is offensive to me, can we remove it? [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.11|108.162.221.11]] 21:20, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> '''Keep''' The referenced posting is obviously a troll. And xkcd has transcripts so the story of the self proclaimed blind person with diabetes does not make sense. --23:43, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Rather than "cuz you're dumb" which both asserts a trait and uses what might not be the best word choice, why not something like "Because you might be ignorant"? Dumb, after all, isn't remediable, though ignorance is. (Also, a consideration, "dumb" can mean "mute," so if there's something with screenreading for blindness, that could be read as assuming more than one disability? ("blind and dumb" akin to "deaf and dumb"?) // Possibly do something akin to the warning on the comic's site itself: "Because you might be a liberal arts major." [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.61|108.162.221.61]] 00:22, 11 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> <br /> '''Keep''' because risk of accidental offence is never a good reason to rewrite comedy. If community wants to change suggest "Explaining Xtremely Klever Comedic Drawings"; if only to troll those who insist that the letters XKCD must stand for something (which it doesn't) [[User:Kev|Kev]] ([[User talk:Kev|talk]]) 00:37, 11 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> <br /> − <br /> The issue seems to boil down to:<br /> <br /> − <br /> Is it funny?<br /> <br /> − <br /> Is it overly offensive?<br /> <br /> − <br /> And therefore:<br /> <br /> − <br /> Is it worth it?<br /> <br /> <br /> − <br /> Throwing in my opinion, however small:<br /> + <br /> <br /> <br /> It's amusing to me.<br /> The joke is clear, and universal. Offence may be taken equally by anyone reading.<br /> It fits well.<br /> Possibly have a hidden link for those offended. A rotating tag line could include more jokes, but...<br /> By all means move the navigation.<br /> <br /> An explain explainxkcd page that is linked to might work, in the spirit of metahumour.<br /> <br /> However, it may not be as serious an issue, as the tag line is easy to ignore. Just moving HTML a bit seems like a logical, cheap and easy solution, and then we can test it. Please note that this has no technical knowledge behind it, just a reading of the above.<br /> <br /> So, my vote goes to '''keep''', and shuffle HTML or, in order, link, replace with rotating, modify, remove.<br /> Harmless fun. Possibly have a cookie-based option to permanently hide the tag line.<br /> [[Special:Contributions/108.162.250.160|108.162.250.160]] 00:56, 11 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Apologies, I have broken formatting in the last few edits, trying to fix it...[[Special:Contributions/108.162.250.160|108.162.250.160]] 00:57, 11 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : My vote is '''change''', and it's not because of blind people. Let me run you through a very common scenario for new users:<br /> :* You have a person who generally thinks of themselves as quite smart.<br /> :* They read the comics and find most of them extremely funny.<br /> :* They come across a comic they just can't understand.<br /> :* They stare at it for minutes, wondering why they just can't get the joke.<br /> :* Pride already bruised, they eventually give up and turn to Google.<br /> :* "Explain xkcd! That's exactly what I'm looking for!"<br /> :* Click the link.<br /> :* "Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb"<br /> :* Gee, what a lovely welcome. Not.<br /> <br /> : Insulting your users the first time you meet them is '''''terrible''''' practice. You're pointing at them and laughing that they didn't understand the joke. You're kicking somebody when they're already down. OK, that is exaggeration, but when you look at the line as a new user, it's not friendly and welcoming; it doesn't encourage you to return. It's just bad UX.<br /> <br /> : Now, we could overlook the directed insult if it was indeed funny, but it really isn't. There's nothing witty about it, nothing punny about it, no double-entendres or sly references. It's just an insult. <br /> <br /> : Legacy is no reason to keep something that doesn't work. Just because something wasn't picked up as bad practice 5 years ago doesn't mean that it isn't bad practice. Can you imagine if Microsoft kept Clippy around for "legacy reasons"?<br /> <br /> : It would be one thing if it were kept because there were no other options, but ''so many'' fantastic alternatives have been suggested:<br /> :* '''It's 'cause we're dumb''' -- Changes it from an insult directed at one person to a statement with an inclusive sense of community. It saying that, hey, you may not understand all the comics, but neither do we! Let's learn together!<br /> :* '''Congratulations! You're one of today's lucky 10,000!''' -- Direct reference to comic which celebrates filling gaps in one's knowledge. Also, as a comic reference, most people won't get it the first time, so make it a link and use it to draw people further in to this wiki!<br /> :* '''Some comics may be funnier than they appear''' -- Actually humorous, containing reference to a very common message we're all familiar with (objects in the mirror may be closer than they appear). Also alludes to the hidden depths to many of the comics, where additional levels of meaning are revealed the more about the subject one knows, which is what this wiki is trying to reveal.<br /> :* '''Error loading tagline, click here to retry.''' -- Looks like the kind of joke you'd actually find in the comments. Clicking the tagline should then do something completely unrelated to reloading the tagline (I dunno, set off some cool JS magic).<br /> :* '''Because it is Monday morning.''' -- Should only be shown on Mondays. Can easily be implemented with parser functions.<br /> :* '''Because sometimes we all need a little help''' -- Gives an understanding tone that's comforting to new users.<br /> <br /> : '''TL;DR''': The current tagline is unnecessarily confrontational and projects a bad welcome to new users, and there is nothing particularly clever/funny/important about the current tag line to recommend keeping it, especially with ''so many'' better suggestions on offer. Put it this way, if you were seeing "It's 'cause you're dumb" tag as a suggestion to add to this wiki today, would you choose it over the other options? No? Then make like an old meme and "Let It Go!" [[Special:Contributions/108.162.249.157|108.162.249.157]] 05:49, 11 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : I think the above comment is a perfect example of different mindsets. I discovered this wiki in exactly the way you described. But I was not offended in anyway when seeing the tagline, which I did almost immediately. Rather, it got a little chuckle out of me along with a thought along the lines of "Haha, yeah, maybe I am dumb." If you get offended by such a tagline, it suggests to me that you are not all that certain about your own intelligence in the first place. It's a static bit of text. It was not aimed at the person reading it, it was aimed at EVERYONE reading it. EDIT-I realize this post could be seen as offensive or a personal attack, which it's not, please read the "you" not as the poster of the above mentioned comment, but as a generic for any person reading the comment. [[User:Bon|Bon]] ([[User talk:Bon|talk]]) 07:11, 11 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : If I remember correctly I've heard it origonally was a pic of Blackhat saying it. Would it be possible to use that on this site. It seems like a decent solution? (I haven't read all of this so I don't know if this has been suggested sorry if it has). Like people have said no one gets all of xkcd, as a nonAmerican there is also a lot of references I don't get. Getting offenend over this does seems pretty pathetic to me. I also use this site for non explanation reasons, that is it often links together comics which is handy, and people often post cool links. But as others have pointed out this site isn't transcriptxkcd or linkxkcd it's explainxkcd, so that's what it should be meant for. Claiming i's offensive o the visually impaired seems pretty silly. All in all, maybe it could do with tweaking to make it more obvious but IMO it's a solid '''keep''' [[User:Halfhat|Halfhat]] ([[User talk:Halfhat|talk]]) 11:22, 11 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::I vote '''change''', for the reasons the Halfhat above listed. I also never thought "It's 'cause you're dumb." really fit with this wiki. --[[Special:Contributions/141.101.104.33|141.101.104.33]] 12:57, 11 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> :::I can't believe we've become such a limp-wristed baby society that we can't even have a joke like "It's 'cause you're dumb" as the tagline. Nobody would reasonably get offended at it. '''Keep.''' [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.33|108.162.221.33]] 13:35, 11 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''keep'''. Blind people have to realize they're not the only ones reading this site. This site was created to explain the comic, not purely to provide a transcript of the comic - that's just icing. [[User:Jarod997|Jarod997]] ([[User talk:Jarod997|talk]]) 14:27, 11 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> If there ever really was a single person who took the tag line seriously, then it was just telling them the truth. I vote '''keep'''. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.255.90|162.158.255.90]] 19:15, 11 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''Keep, or otherwise, Change'''. My opinion: It is not offensive, and I find it humourous. As I am very interested in the maths and the sciences, and I am very nerdy, I do often understand the jokes in each comic. However, sometimes I don't quite get it. This wiki is very good for that, because it collates many people's views and expertise on the comic. If the vote is overall to change, I am a fan of "Because sometimes we all need a little help." [[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.29|173.245.54.29]] 21:18, 11 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''change''': I've always been a bit unsettled by it myself. Some deaf readers may be more insulted by it than blind ones. vote for "'''Cause you're #dumb''" (or perhaps another NOT symbol... so only people that don't understand are insulted... and the tagline can be linked to a page that explains why it isn't an insult) [[User:Edo|Edo]] ([[User talk:Edo|talk]]) 23:16, 11 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''KEEP'''. I actually had the feeling the fellow who complained may not understand sarcasm very well. Regardless, the tagline to me is remarkably funny and one of the things I always point out to folks when I first turn them on to XKCD. I worry they will stop following XKCD if they don't understand a post, which is why I am especially glad your site exists. There are many types of humor that will be lost on folks. Myself, for example. I was just railing to my friends about how much I did not like a recent popular vine which showed a guy, kinda probably the father, scaring a very young child strapped in a cat seat, by yelling in horror as the cats convertible roof was closed. Because I did not grow up watching laugh-tracked America's Funniest (sic) Home Video segments, I am not conditioned for casual schadenfreude-driven videos. But I know that's just me. I don't want to limit free-speech merely because it is not for me. Regardless, I really just want you to '''KEEP''' it because to me it is darn funny and just the sort of humor most of the folks who enjoy XKCD appreciate. --[[User:Hugo|Hugo]] ([[User talk:Hugo|talk]]) 23:25, 11 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I will also vote '''keep'''. While it ''might'' be considered offensive, it's really no more "offensive" than XKCD itself. Lest we forget the line at the bottom of every comic page:<br /> :Warning: this comic occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and '''advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors)'''.<br /> I don't see how "It's 'cause you're dumb." is any worse. [[User:Schiffy|<font color="000999">Schiffy</font>]] ([[User_talk:Schiffy|<font color="FF6600">Speak to me</font>]]|[[Special:Contributions/Schiffy|<font color="FF0000">What I've done</font>]]) 23:52, 11 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :: I don't think it's offensive, it's more childish, which may be off-putting for first time readers. Hence I vote for '''change'''. [[Special:Contributions/199.27.130.216|199.27.130.216]] 01:12, 14 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''Keep''', per the reasoning of, among other people, Zefiro. I like the tagline a lot and don't see much at all, if anything, that's wrong with it. Like Hugo, I feel like it's a bit of ''entirely'' appropriate humor. [[User:APerson|APerson]] ([[User talk:APerson|talk!]]) 00:36, 12 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''change'''. I know it's supposed to be a joke, but it seems out of place and not particularly funny, and it could discourage potential readers. I don't have an idea for a new tagline, but plenty of good ones have been suggested here. [[User:Cheese Lord Eggplant|Cheese Lord Eggplant]] ([[User talk:Cheese Lord Eggplant|talk]]) 03:13, 12 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> '''Keep''' better sums up my vote, and I wish to explain why. I understand the views (as stated above) that it might discourage potential viewers, but I have seen enough well-put arguments that point out why it should not be removed for the arguments on the other side of the debate. However, I do understand that sightless users would get pretty pissed off at being told that they're dumb over and over. Is there perhaps a way to hide the text from programs designed to assisted the disabled? I have a couple of suggestions.<br /> <br /> Perhaps it can instead simply be an image, and can even be done in a more stylized text that hints at the humour behind it (no, I have no specific suggestions). This image should not have the words it says in the meta-text within it. I just think it's not worth removing it over, it's kind of funny (or very funny, depending who you ask), replacement suggestions kinda make it bland, and this is a way to avoid having sightless people get told they're dumb over and over. The stylization is just a suggestion, because most alternative taglines I've heard don't sound up to par compared to it. Just anything to point out the sarcastic and purely humorous intentions.<br /> <br /> I'd like to enforce my suggestion of having an image with no meta-text that can be read by bringing up that explainxkcd.com can hardly ''lose'' popularity if for the sensitive minority they don't have a tagline (especially if this tagline they are not aware of could be construed as offensive). 'Cause seriously, who's going to go tell a blind person "hey man the tagline for this site is insulting to you want to hear it?" so they'll just not learn of its existence and go on peacefully. So: Image, stylized to clearly express humour, with no program-interpretable meta-text for the blind to hear. I'd like this opinion to be closely considered, and I'd love to hear intelligent replies. ''For all intents and purposes,'' I vote '''Keep''', but to address the issue proactively and adaptively to get the best for both worlds.<br /> <br /> I would like to point out one change I would definitely agree with, however. The commenter at 108.162.249.157 not far up suggests "It's 'cause we're dumb", and I would totally back that. That one change could make a world of difference for some people. --[[User:Znayx|Znayx]] ([[User talk:Znayx|talk]]) 09:15, 12 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : "It's cause we're dumb" is actually a pretty acceptable change in my opinion. I still vote keep, but wouldn't mind seeing that one. Right now the no tagline version looks lonely. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.40|108.162.221.40]] 14:56, 12 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::For the record, I would oppose a change of "It's cause we're dumb" because it's simply not as funny (the joke benefits from it sounding like it's a mock insult) and for the reasons in my main post right below this one that I see no reason to change the tagline which should not offend or be taken personally by someone who has enough sense of humour and intelligence to enjoy xkcd. [[User:TheHYPO|TheHYPO]] ([[User talk:TheHYPO|talk]]) 17:25, 12 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> ::This brings up the point that it is indeed a mock insult, and one that everyone gets when they visit the site, those with perfect vision are insulted just as much as the blind, or white, or black, etc... [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.34|108.162.221.34]] 00:34, 13 February 2016 (UTC) Sam<br /> <br /> I would vote '''keep''' as it is. I am mindful of offensive content, but context is key. This is a website whose primary purpose is explaining a humour-based webcomic that touches on topics that require some intelligence to really enjoy. The tagline is obviously (I hope) tongue-in-cheek. "if you need explanation of this sometimes very technical and specialized and sometimes ambiguous webcomic, you're clearly a moron". I think that most people on this site and elsewhere would consider those who enjoy xkcd (a webcomic that often concerns itself with science, history, technology, etc.) to be relatively intelligent. Just perhaps not in every particular area (as noted right at the top of this discussion). I also think it is clear that this is a wiki an thus the tagline is directed to everyone, even the people who wrote the tagline. We're all here because we're "dumb" in the sense of occasionally needing (or at least enjoying) a deeper explanation for the comics. If someone who is blind is using the site other than for its originally intended purpose, and it helps them, that's awesome. But that doesn't mean the tagline must acknowledge all possible uses of the site. Just the thesis statement of the site, which is "this site is for explaining something you might not understand". If there are blind people who use this site just to read the comic and never to need or enjoy the explanations, then I guess they are smarter than me. I do not personally believe in changing the tagline of the entire community because it doesn't apply to one small group that is using the site for a different purpose than its intentions (again, not knocking them for using the site at all, but seriously, don't walk into McDonalds and go "''I eat here because my doctor says I need more sodium, and I actually hate the food. I'm offended by your "I'm loving it" tagline. Change it!''". Or complain about Disneyland's slogan because you suffer from depression.). I would also have expected anyone who reads xkcd often enough to bother coming to this site just to do so because of their blindness would have a sense of humour and would understand the context in which the tagline was intended, and not take it personally. [[User:TheHYPO|TheHYPO]] ([[User talk:TheHYPO|talk]]) 17:25, 12 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> :I really agree with basically everything TheHypo writes, both here and his above comment on the reason "we're dumb" would not work at all. The idea with keeping the text but only as an image could be used, but I just do not like that we change this because someone made a ''troll complaint'' somewhere, regardless of him being blind or not; that is just one more good reason to keep it. Then again if we really wish to make it better for blind people, then by all means use an image. But keep the text in the image then! If you do enjoy xkcd then you should be able to spot the humor, and with the way Randall himself keep on mocking people on his own page, and in his comics, then why should this not fit well in with this explain page, and why should we not keep on doing what we have been doing so far? --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 22:19, 13 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> How about '''Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're ''dumb*''.''' (''*Or don't get the joke because it is either outside your area of expertise or in a format that isn't accessible to you'') - [[Special:Contributions/141.101.70.23|141.101.70.23]] 04:48, 13 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> '''Change'''. I've always realized it was a joke, but I think we could do a bit better. How about, "Some comics may be funnier than they appear" as suggested by 199.27.130.198? [[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.42|173.245.54.42]] 19:35, 13 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> '''Change'''. When I first started reading this wiki and noticed the tagline, I wasn't offended, and I realized it was a joke. But it also gave me an impression that this wiki is run by immature people as this is a childish insult, used as joke. Naturally, I wasn't too keen on following thissite closely and would only visit here when there's a comic that I don't understand at all. Thankfully, after reading through multiple explanations, I no longer think that the writers are immature and as I started reading other explanations, I started coming here even for the comics that I understand. My point is, it took me couple of months to warm towards explainxkcd and most people aren't that persistent/ give the chance to prove. So we are making lot of people to alienate with the site just at the tagline, even before they get to the content. I vote for '''Some comics may be funnier than they appear'''. [[Special:Contributions/199.27.130.216|199.27.130.216]] 01:07, 14 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> '''Keep''' would be my vote. Today's society puts too much emphasis on protecting people's feelings, to the point that some people have onion-paper-thin skins, too thin to operate effectively when out in public! I feel this complaint falls under this category. Such over sensitivity shouldn't seriously be catered to. Politely listened to and considered, at most. Bending to such things just encourages people to be more sensitive.<br /> <br /> The way I see it, you CANNOT enjoy xkcd without being smarter than average, or you'd have to turn to xkcd Explain for every single comic! It cannot be fun to require being walked through every single one. Conversely, I doubt there's very many of these smart people who are smart enough to get every joke (and every nuance) without assistance. Therefore it should be clear that is is a simple tongue-in-cheek joke, you don't really mean it seriously. It should be taken in the tone that it's meant, and it offends me when people don't.<br /> <br /> For example, right now I'm at a bar at a Valentine's Day event. As I'm hopelessly single, this day is problematic for me, especially to be in public. I COULD ask that people refrain from love stuff, from flaunting their relationship, etc., that I'm here for other reasons. But as an intelligent adult I realize this would be unreasonable, that many people, especially most here tonight, enjoy the love stuff, enjoy Valentine's Day. It is certainly not their fault I don't, not directly, and they should not be held responsible for my discomfort.<br /> <br /> If the final vote is for Change, I like "It's because '''we're''' dumb", or "we're all dumb", be inclusive to reduce how derogatory it sounds. Remember, while sightless people might find this site useful, the primary reason for it IS because we're dumb, i.e. we need help getting the joke. - NiceGuy1[[Special:Contributions/198.41.235.215|198.41.235.215]] 04:53, 14 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Wait, so they think they're smarter than me? I'm offended! ;-)<br /> Okay so I'm not. I almost voted keep because the primary raison d'être of exkcd is not for blind people. It was created specifically for people who need help understanding some of the science, math, and arcana behind the humor.<br /> But you know what? "It's 'cause you're dumb" is not that funny. Some of the suggestions are better. So I vote "'''CHANGE'''". [[User:Saspic45|Saspic45]] ([[User talk:Saspic45|talk]]) 07:30, 14 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> How about "Explain xkcd: It's 'cause we're dumb."? This has more of a feeling of inclusiveness and camaraderie to me, as in we're all equals more-or-less in the face of RM's brilliance and having a good time enjoying the material together. Came up with it about a year ago, because as it is the tagline struck me as a bit harsh, and have said it that way in my mind ever since.<br /> Edit: Ok, I see this has been suggested, so +1 for that minor change.<br /> <br /> '''Change.''' While I didn't notice it at first, I was pretty offput when I did. As someone who has some trouble catching sarcasm all the time, I was excited when I found this site -- it helps me with not only things outside my knowledge, but also lets me check when something ''is'' being sarcastic. And when I finally noticed that tagline, even though I knew it couldn't be directed straight at me, it still sort of felt like it. I've been called dumb nearly throughout my life for not catching sarcasm which others seem to understand immediately, and it doesn't exactly feel nice (or in the spirit of XKCD!) to have that little reminder floating there. It's not even worded to be funny, either, just sorta cold. Sarcastically saying someone is dumb for not getting sarcasm... it's a vicious loop. And when there are so many other options -- many of which have fun puns or a much more friendly feel -- why are people so attached to this one? And from what it seems, a lot of people seem attached to it purely for the purpose of being stubborn against people who don't like it. Plus, why is it such an awful thing to try to make people feel more welcome? Jeez, guys. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.216.11|108.162.216.11]] 21:57, 14 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Change it please. I see it all the time, and it feels SO condescending. I often check out the site to get more information about a topic in the scope of a given strip, or to see if there's any subtext outside of the primary joke, and it ALWAYS feels like the site is insulting my ability to understand "simple humor". I understand that it's supposed to be a tongue-in-cheek joke, but I hate it. I think it should either be changed to one of the previous suggestions, or use a rotating set of taglines, or it should just be removed completely, because I utterly dislike the way it currently is. [[Special:Contributions/130.215.123.52|130.215.123.52]] 12:27, 15 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Definitely '''change''' - I'm surprised what it was doing there in the first place - but I do not like the "we're dumb" version either. My current favorite is "Because we all need a little help", as it is equally directed at both the non-joke-understanding audience and the screenreading audience; but I definitely like "Some comics may be funnier than they appear" and, to a lesser extent, "You're one of today's lucky 10,000" (not sure, actually, whether that one would benefit from a link to the relevant comic). <small>Incidentally, how did the previous guy manage to post four hours in the future? Or is the AM/PM to 24h conversion broken?</small> --[[Special:Contributions/141.101.81.88|141.101.81.88]] 08:39, 15 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Wow, this blew up... I never found the tagline particularly funny, but I honestly can't believe so many people appear to be offended by it. If someone is dumb enough to believe it is specifically aimed at them, not realise that it is humor, and think it is actually worth getting upset about, then the tagline is perfectly justified. Should be changed to "Please click here if you are easily offended", with a link to Disney.com, (or 4chan/b/...) --[[User:Pudder|Pudder]] ([[User talk:Pudder|talk]]) 12:09, 15 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''change'''. Even smart humans need positive words. Many of the proposed alternative with only positive words suits me fine. [[User:MGitsfullofsheep|MGitsfullofsheep]] ([[User talk:MGitsfullofsheep|talk]]) 13:25, 15 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''keep''', but modify the Skip to Content tags to bypass it. It's humorous, and there's no such thing as a humorous tag line that won't offend '''someone'''. Can pretty much guarantee that if it's changed to something else, some wag will start a discussion about how that new subtitle offends them... {{unsigned|Danemcg}}<br /> <br /> If it's not too late, I vote '''keep''', I regularly view the site for detailed information about comic topics and am always amused to read the tag line. I hope the poor fellow who tallies our votes here will mind that we're likely an unrepresentative group - if you're offended, you're likely to turn out, where a contented user (nearly myself) might just pass by. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.216.36|108.162.216.36]] 14:34, 15 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''keep'''. Anyone who's actually offended by this is way to sensitive...[[Special:Contributions/108.162.216.11|108.162.216.11]] 15:09, 15 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> '''Change'''. Never found it funny. We can do better. [[User:Djbrasier|Djbrasier]] ([[User talk:Djbrasier|talk]]) 16:12, 15 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> '''Change'''. It offends too many people (myself included, although more at first than now) to be kept. [[User:Z|Z]] ([[User talk:Z|talk]]) 16:57, 15 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I too vote '''change''' if it's not too late. Not because it's particularly offensive but more because it's not funny or xkcd-ish enough to justify any offence it may or may not cause. I prefer some of the suggestions we've had:<br /> * Congratulations! You're one of today's lucky 10,000! (with, of course, a link to the relevant comic)<br /> * '''Some comics may be funnier than they appear.''' This one is my favourite and I feel it captures very well my main reason for using explainxkcd<br /> ::[[Special:Contributions/141.101.106.149|141.101.106.149]] 21:12, 15 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''Keep'''. If we legitimately had a large group of blind people who were offended at this tagline, I would be in support of changing it. However, the only supposedly blind person who we know of that takes offense was obviously a belligerent individual. Do we really want to take a guy who says "I've found more intelligent, compassionate, humane, wise, sympathetic, inclusive, and infinitely funnier *dingleberries* than [Randall Munroe].*Rude gesture*" seriously? do we really want some ranting asshole somewhere to dictate what our site does or does not do? seriously? [[User:VfiftyV|VfiftyV]] ([[User talk:VfiftyV|talk]]) 00:11, 16 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I vote '''change'''. I've always disliked the tagline, it's a bland and obvious "joke" that's at odds with the friendly, clever tone of both the comics and the rest of this site. Even if it's clear we don't mean it, calling every visitor to this site dumb, with no further context, just isn't setting a good example for the kind of *clever* sarcasm that Randall uses. We can do better. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.32|108.162.221.32]] 01:12, 16 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> '''Keep''' because it's clearly meant as a joke. It makes no sense to change this site over one person's "offense" that the unaffiliated xkcd site isn't blind-friendly enough.[[Special:Contributions/162.158.142.217|162.158.142.217]] 02:31, 16 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> '''Keep'''. Anyone with a sense of humor can understand that it's at least humorous. And, the primary purpose of the site ''is'' to... explain the comics, mainly to those who don't understand them. If it does get read out loud to every blind person who visits, then please, by all means, '''Change''' the layout at least to keep that from happening. But it shouldn't be removed due to half-baked complaints. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.245.168|108.162.245.168]] 02:57, 16 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I've already voted above, but I would like to call out the sightlessness issue as a red herring. One of the premises of accessible design is that all users get the same content, although perhaps in different ways, so I think we're going in the wrong direction in proposing to change or hide the text for blind users but not for everyone else. If we're to keep it, then let us keep it for all. If we're to change it, then let us change it (to the same thing) for all. If we're to remove it, then let us remove it for all. [[User:Jkshapiro|Jkshapiro]] ([[User talk:Jkshapiro|talk]]) 04:22, 16 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Alright, I've tallied up the votes twice and counted 36-31 the first time, and 39-32 the second time. Both times were majority keep, though there was still a strong showing for people wanting to change it. I've fixed and restored the black hat figure who was supposed to be speaking the tagline back in the old blog days, and I turned the tagline off for screen readers since the blind may only need us for the transcript, and accessibility for the blind is a big part of why we had a transcript to begin with. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 07:44, 16 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> :I think this is a great compromise. And cool that it is Black Hat's line. I did not know this used to be the case. Is it correct that the font color has also been turned gray so it is not so prominent? --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 08:45, 16 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> ::Yeah, back when this site was a blog, [https://web.archive.org/web/20130118141641/http://www.explainxkcd.com/ the tagline was Black Hat's line.] [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=MediaWiki:Tagline&action=history looking at the edit history for the tagline], it looks like we've made some vague attempts to restore black hat's face next to the tagline before, but mediawiki doesn't process markup in that area. I did a little bit of CSS magic this time round to fix it properly this time. He's a little fuzzy though, could be better. The tagline's always been gray though. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 08:57, 16 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : Just before I start, since I'm an IP user and therefore hard to identify (should probably make an account one of these days, but oh well), I just want to quickly mention that I am the same person as [[Special:Contributions/108.162.249.157|108.162.249.157]] who posted on the 11 Feb.<br /> <br /> : Now that's out of the way, I want to say that I disagree with the outcome decided for this post. While I appreciate the attempt to compromise by having it look a bit more like Black Hat is saying the line, I still think that the substance of the arguments against the current tag line are much stronger than the arguments for keeping it. The arguments for keeping it all basically boil down to "It's a joke and it's been there forever so there is no need to change and anyone who suggests otherwise should just man the f*** up." Nowhere have I seen anyone in the keep-camp argue as to why none of the alternatives are just as good or better than the current line. Pretty much, the only reason ever given to stick to the current tag line is that it's the status quo.<br /> <br /> : On the other hand, you have many, many people pointing out that the tagline is offensive and that, even if the reader does understand it to be a joke, it's not a particularly clever one and provides a rather unwelcoming atmosphere. What many of the people in the keep-camp are ignoring is the fact that not everybody has a high level of self-confidence, and that being called dumb, even if the intention is tongue-in-cheek, just comes off as hostile and drives people away. It is also true that all tone of voice suggesting sarcasm is completely lost in text, which is why over at the [http://doctorwho.answers.wikia.com/wiki/Doctor_Who_Answers:Policies#Additional Doctor Who Answers Wiki] we specifically point this out in our policy of civility towards fellow users. This wiki is very different from that one in many ways, but I don't think it would be dumb to look at what others have noticed and learn from their mistakes, especially since that particular wording was added due to a bad misunderstanding leading from lost sarcasm. There has already been somebody here who admits they find understanding sarcasm to be difficult. Should we really be calling them dumb? Furthermore, the quote seems to directly contradict Randall's attitude towards ignorance, summed up so perfectly in [[1053: Ten Thousand]]. We should be welcoming ignorant, or "dumb", people in the hopes of enlightening them with the wisdom of the community here. Singling them out as dumb isn't going to help them. <br /> <br /> : Finally, I fear the reason there aren't more change votes are because many of the people who were put off by the tagline simply never came back to this wiki after their first visit. I wouldn't be surprised if reader retention rates increased if you changed the tagline, and if the number of readers who convert to users also increases if the community provided a more friendly first-impression.<br /> <br /> : Now, I know that I have raised this all before, along with many of the other people who voted for change, and it still doesn't seem to have made an impact of the people who try to insist that an insult with no wit or humour is "just a joke". I think the best way for us to prove that the tagline needs to change is to conduct a little experiment. Let's look at a list of commonly supported alternatives:<br /> <br /> :# '''It's 'cause we're dumb''' <br /> :# '''Congratulations! You're one of today's lucky 10,000!'''<br /> :# '''Some comics may be funnier than they appear'''<br /> :# '''Because sometimes we all need a little help'''<br /> <br /> : Explanations for why these taglines are better than the current have already been provided. I challenge anyone reading this post from the keep-camp to explain why "It's 'cause you're dumb" is better than each of those taglines individually, without falling back on arguments of legacy or that the people reading the line are thin-skinned wusses. If reasonable counter-arguments can be made against each of those lines in favour of the current one, then I will back down. Until then, I cannot accept that the battle of ideas has chosen the current tagline. There are just so many better alternatives that are funnier, more in-line with the xkcd spirit, and above all, are welcoming to new readers into the community instead of turning them away the moment they reach the front door. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.250.157|108.162.250.157]] 11:28, 16 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :: Dude, you are not getting how voting and democracy works. The people who are proposing a change, are the equivalent of lobbyist --having lots of lobbyist does not equate to "strong support". None of these lobbyist have been able to agree on a single rewording, so they are not arguing for the same cause. On the the other hand there are thousands of of visitors (voters), of those who actually voted, voted to keep and not go with the suggestions of the lobbyists. Had there on the other-hand been a majority for change, the what would the change be? At best we would have to consolidate the suggestions (candidates), and since there is no term limit on tag-lines, the existing one should be a running candidate as well, and then make an eating contest between all the possible candidates [[Special:Contributions/162.158.255.109|162.158.255.109]] 19:50, 16 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> <br /> OK, I'll take a stab at it. "It's 'cause you're dumb" is better than any of these because it is funnier than any of these. It's funny for the same reason that the titles of numerous books, "XXX for Dummies" are funny. In fact, if it weren't such an obvious rip-off, the tag line could be "xkcd for Dummies", which would be the same joke.<br /> <br /> :# '''It's 'cause we're dumb''' is sort of awkward, and why would I want an explanation for something I didn't understand from a bunch of dummies, anyway? I want somebody smart to explain it to the dummy - me - who didn't get the joke.<br /> :# '''Congratulations! You're one of today's lucky 10,000!''' is meaningless, and therefore not funny, unless you click on it and then let Randall tell you the joke behind that punch line. I do love the sentiment now that I've seen that comic, and somehow linking to that comic as an explanation of what explainxkcd.com is all about is a great idea, but as a tag line, by itself, it just isn't funny.<br /> :# '''Some comics may be funnier than they appear''' is sort of cute, as it relates to the warning in rear-view mirrors, but it is so actually true in the case of xkcd that it loses some of its funniness by being a serious explanation of why the explainxkcd.com site is valuable.<br /> :# '''Because sometimes we all need a little help''' - is sweet, sympathetic, and inclusive; it's just not very funny.<br /> <br /> By contrast, "It's 'cause you're dumb" grabbed me the first time I saw it as being relevant to why explainxkcd.com is a great site, and equally importantly, it made me laugh. Maybe it is to be expected that among the viewers of a site dedicated to explaining jokes there will be a reasonable percentage that don't get this particular joke, either. Maybe the solution is a link on that line to a page that explains the "It's 'cause you're dumb" joke in the way xkcd jokes are explained: "It's funny because you are not really dumb, you just maybe didn't get some very esoteric reference, and you'll enjoy the humor of xkcd more when that reference is explained. But, when jokes need to be explained, it is common for people to feel like they must be stupid, so we make a joke about that feeling. It's not really pointed at you in particular; after all, this is a published web-site - the folks who wrote it probably don't even know you." [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.41|108.162.221.41]] 18:44, 16 February 2016‎<br /> <br /> '''Change''', kind of. How about this: "Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're <strike>dumb</strike> of average intelligence." Maybe even include a (hidden) link to [[1386: People are Stupid]]. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.220.17|108.162.220.17]] 23:42, 16 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : (I landed in an edit conflict with the person above, so my comments do not take their response into account.)<br /> <br /> : Thank you 108. You actually provided a decent rebuttal against the counterproposal, which has been lacking until this time. While I do not agree with all your points, I can actually see your point-of-view. Personally, I think that if we're going to use it as a reference to the "___ for Dummies" books, it needs to be clearer so people don't take it as an insult, but otherwise I understand your points.<br /> <br /> : @162: As my friend, one of the greatest admins on one of the biggest non-Wikipedia wikis, says, wikis are not democracies. It is the idea with the best supporting arguments that wins, not the idea with the most votes, as many people support certain ideas for superficial reasons that are not aligned with the overall aim of improving the wiki to attract more readers/editors and improve content. Especially with such a close vote, I would put more emphasis on the quality of the arguments than the pure numbers of supports/opposes.<br /> <br /> : Looking at the proper counter-arguments finally provided, I would shift the counter-proposal for a new tagline to tagline 3 suggested above: '''Some comics may be funnier than they appear'''. From above, I can see the argument against 1 being that people don't want help from dummies, 2 will probably be obscure for new users and may alienate them upon entry, and 4 is just too soppy. 3 however is funny, it's accessible, and it's actually funnier in my opinion because it actually ''does'' describe exactly what we do here. To the new user, it will at first just be a mildly amusing reference (still funnier than the current line in my opinion) but it will take on a new meaning and relevance as people use this wiki more, and the gradual realisation of relevance will make the tagline even more appropriate and amusing. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.250.163|108.162.250.163]] 23:59, 16 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> I’m the lurker who suggested “Some comics are funnier than they appear.” I was bemused to see it get any traction at all, since it’s not that hysterically funny, and perhaps incomprehensible outside the US where convex car mirrors aren’t etched “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.”<br /> <br /> Wow, am I glad I didn’t create an account here when posting it!<br /> <br /> I expected to see more spit-balling in kind, not an outpouring of orneriness from a majority of this obviously intelligent community who are apparently too stubborn to admit that there could possibly be anything wrong with greeting newcomers, “It’s ‘cause you’re dumb.” I took the starting point of the thread to be the obviousness that ANYTHING ELSE would be better than that.<br /> <br /> I also expected the admin to deliberate a little harder, showing how he evaluated arguments and suggestions and tried to do the right thing, rather than just counting votes. Notwithstanding the facade of democracy in his benevolent dictatorship, he also doesn’t seem to have taken into account that the effect of NOT changing the tagline—-thus continuing to alienate a lot of users and potential contributors like me-—far, FAR outweighs any potential backlash from the old guard who are married to it. What are they going to do, rage-quit because they didn’t get their way? Because something on their favorite wiki got **gasp!** CHANGED?<br /> <br /> Boo hoo, I didn’t get my way on a small thing which doesn’t really matter. At all. I only followed up here because I noticed the banner soliciting user input had changed. However, the ugly tone of this little tempest in a teapot has certainly convinced me that this community isn’t worth joining or contributing to. I reserve the right to continue lurking, but I’m sure as hell turning my AdBlock back on.[[Special:Contributions/199.27.130.198|199.27.130.198]] 07:10, 17 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Scott Adams (of Dilbert fame) said "We're all idiots 99% of the time about 99% of things. It's the 1% that makes up for all the rest." Learning begins by owning your dumb. [[User:Bob Stein - VisiBone|Bob Stein - VisiBone]] ([[User talk:Bob Stein - VisiBone|talk]]) 16:12, 17 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> '''Keep'''. I felt offended -- but -- so what. It is true. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.91.169|141.101.91.169]] 21:20, 17 February 2016 (UTC) Martin<br /> <br /> * '''Keep''' It is funny. People are not made of glass, not even dumb ones. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.245.172|108.162.245.172]] 23:15, 17 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : ''199 wrote:"I was bemused to see it get any traction at all, since it’s [...] perhaps incomprehensible outside the US where convex car mirrors aren’t etched “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.”"''<br /> : You don't need to worry about that. American culture has spread throughout the world so thoroughly that I assume most English speakers will understand it. I myself am an Aussie, who spent most of her childhood living in Europe, and I understood the reference perfectly. And while it might not be "hysterically funny", it is certainly more universally funny than the insult.<br /> <br /> : Admins, please heed what 199 said in the rest of his/her message. You have yet another example in a long line of people being turned off from this wiki community because they don't like the attitude of this statement, nor the stubborn adherence to it despite so many people pointing out how wrong it is. You are aware that "It was just a joke" is a common defence bullies make, right? [[Special:Contributions/108.162.250.157|108.162.250.157]] 00:53, 18 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> So, @Davidy22, can you add a "Jump to Transcript" link in the jump-to-nav div, and move the jump-to-nav div to before the tagline in the HTML? Thank you! [[User:Hat|Hat]] ([[User talk:Hat|talk]]) 08:58, 18 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> At 12,000 words this discussion has beaten the H0/HO discussion on wikipedia... How long until we beat Star Trek Into Darkness??? --[[User:Pudder|Pudder]] ([[User talk:Pudder|talk]]) 12:10, 18 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> '''Keep'''. I like the humour in it. 18.February 2016 12:40 (UTC) Fabian<br /> <br /> XKCD provides transcripts about a week after a new comic comes out, so saying that blind readers require explainxkcd is a bit of an overstatement (although to be honest the official transcripts are somewhat vague). [[Special:Contributions/141.101.70.217|141.101.70.217]] 19:45, 18 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : Generally most transcripts gets completed within hours of the comics being posted. More complex ones can take longer, and there is sometimes a bit of back and forth as far as layout is concerned, but the content tends to be there pretty quickly. --[[User:Pudder|Pudder]] ([[User talk:Pudder|talk]]) 09:35, 19 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> "Explain xkcd: extra knowledge, see discussions." I wish I'd thought of that one a week ago. And Randall says it's not an acronym, eh? [[Special:Contributions/199.27.130.198|199.27.130.198]] 09:21, 19 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :Ah crap... that's actually really good. I'd have supported this had it been mentioned earlier, even though I voted to keep the current. [[User:Schiffy|<font color="000999">Schiffy</font>]] ([[User_talk:Schiffy|<font color="FF6600">Speak to me</font>]]|[[Special:Contributions/Schiffy|<font color="FF0000">What I've done</font>]]) 02:39, 20 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> For what it's worth, if the matter is ever re-opened, I'd vote to '''change''' to one of the alternate suggestions -- I quite like "extra knowledge, see discussions" but many others would be fine. The current one is a poor way to greet newcomers; it certainly gave ''me'' pause. Perhaps I've been sensitized by the general uptick in incivility in many places in recent years, but I'm actively avoiding forums and sites that appear to be encouraging rudeness. If one disregards that header, it becomes clear that this site isn't like that, but one has to get past that header first. [[User:BunsenH|BunsenH]] ([[User talk:BunsenH|talk]]) 17:32, 15 October 2020 (UTC)<br /> <br /> '''Change''' because the only justification to keep it seems to be "It's just a joke why are people always so offended at everything" [[User:256.256.256.256|<font color="800080">256.256.256.256</font>]] ([[User talk:256.256.256.256|<font color="0000FF">talk about me behind my</font>]] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ/ <font color="0000FF">back</font>]) 12:55, 20 January 2022 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I’d say '''change''' it. It’s not funny, it’s never been funny and it never will be funny. Why does a tag line have to be funny any way? All it needs to be is memorable and eye catching. I personally like “congratulations you’re one of today’s lucky 10,000” it’s a direct reference to an existing comic and encourages learning more.<br /> :I agree, so '''change''' from me. —[[User:While False|While False]] ([[User:While False/explain xkcd museum|'''museum''']] | [[User talk:While False|talk]] | [[special:Contributions/While_False|contributions]] | [[special:Log/While_False|logs]] | [[Special:UserRights/While_False|rights]] | [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=User:While_False&printable=yes printable version] | [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=User:While_False&action=info page information] | [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/Special:WhatLinksHere/User:While_False what links there] | [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Special:RecentChangesLinked&days=30&from=&target=User%3AWhile_False related changes] | [https://www.google.com Google search] | current time: {{CURRENTTIME}}) 18:27, 8 December 2022 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Concerning recent spam ==<br /> <br /> In light of the recent and large amount of spam that we've been seeing, I've revoked new users of the right to create and move pages, as well as access to the write api. If your account is three days old and has 10 or more edits under it, you will still be allowed to create and move pages. This will end when the spambots decide to leave. To the person who's doing this, don't ruin this for the other people who use this site. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 19:36, 11 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> :In light of the recent burst of spam, creation of talk pages will also be shut off for new users. We will create an empty talk page for new comics in place of this feature. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 06:47, 16 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> : So what will you do in three days when the spambot can create new pages again? [[User:Mikemk|Mikemk]] ([[User talk:Mikemk|talk]]) 07:58, 16 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> ::They have to hit both criteria. The flaw there is that spambots have also demonstrated themselves to be capable of editing pages, but I'm not sure what to do for that aside from look for a better captcha. If it comes to it, I'll write my own. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 08:05, 16 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> aw man. tfw another troll already beat me to the punch {{unsigned ip|108.162.216.62}}<br /> <br /> @Davidy22: Maybe we should use something like [[MW:Extension:TitleBlacklist]] or [[MW:Manual:Combating spam#.24wgSpamRegex]]. --[[User:SlashMe|SlashMe]] ([[User talk:SlashMe|talk]]) 14:25, 16 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> :Hum. I'll take a look when I get home. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 05:02, 17 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> :: Sigh, it's getting out of hand again... --[[User:SlashMe|SlashMe]] ([[User talk:SlashMe|talk]]) 15:19, 18 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> :::Alright, I'm not sure what's happening here. This is what's in the localsettings file:<br /> <br /> $wgGroupPermissions['user']['createtalk'] = false;<br /> $wgGroupPermissions['autoconfirmed']['createtalk'] = false;<br /> <br /> :::I don't know why this doesn't work. Probably well overdue for a mediawiki upgrade, but I have midterms and papers coming up. This timing is inconvenient. The title blacklist is for a newer mediawiki version, I'll lock and upgrade this weekend. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 16:07, 18 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> :::For now, I'll try removing talk page creation rights from all non-admin users. I'll make the talk pages for new explanations. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 16:09, 18 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> :::Alright, I made a test account and I realised I'm very dumb. I forgot to turn off createtalk for all, so people could still make talk pages. I've also added mandatory email verification. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 23:34, 18 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> ::::See tagline ;-) --[[User:SlashMe|SlashMe]] ([[User talk:SlashMe|talk]]) 01:51, 19 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> :::::I do want to find/write a better CAPTCHA though, none of these measures I've taken stop account creation, so the spammers might try just shoving a million accounts at us. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 03:03, 19 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> :::Oooh nevermind forcing email verification turns off anonymous editing. Don't want to go that far, and it didn't stop that one spammer anyways. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 00:17, 19 February 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Will verifying my email turn off the CAPTCHA ==<br /> <br /> Pretty much what the section title says. I find the way the captcha works here kinda annoying, since I submit and then get the CAPTCHA. I'd be willing to put in my email address if it would stop the CAPTCHA, but, otherwise, I don't see any point in doing so.<br /> <br /> If it does stop the CAPTCHA, I would suggest mentioning this in the preferences as one of the benefits of adding an email, and perhaps point it out on the page when the CAPTCHA appears. <br /> <br /> IF not, then will I just have the CAPTCHA forever? Or will it go away once I put in enough edits? Or do I need to do something else? <br /> <br /> [[User:Trlkly|Trlkly]] ([[User talk:Trlkly|talk]]) 00:10, 1 March 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :The email address is optional, we have it set up so that users less than 3 days old with less than 10 edits will have to fill in a CAPTCHA when they edit. It's set up that way to limit and make the damage that spambots can inflict much easier to fix. You appear to have cleared the 10 edit boundery today, so you should be able to start editing CAPTCHA free now. Giving people a way to bypass the anti spam window by providing an email address is an idea though, I'll see if I can't write a plugin for that after I'm done with finals. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 01:24, 1 March 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Why does Mediawiki look so "old" all of a sudden? ==<br /> <br /> Screendhots: [http://i.imgur.com/smN1a45.png][http://i.imgur.com/qdpxhdY.png]<br /> <br /> I've tried this in three browsers, and they all look the same. [[User:KangaroOS|Kangaro]][[User talk:KangaroOS|OS]] 12:56, 4 April 2016 (UTC)<br /> :High traffic, high load, everything is on fire. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 16:28, 4 April 2016 (UTC)<br /> :: Man ! The fire started by Randall is out of control.. It has been so long, and this is looking very ugly. Did wiki go in "printer-friendly version only" mode ? [[Special:Contributions/162.158.255.56|162.158.255.56]] 04:10, 5 April 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> (H'rm - realized I posted this in the wrong place - further discussion should go [[explain xkcd:Community portal/Technical#Stylesheets not working?|here]].) [[User:KangaroOS|Kangaro]][[User talk:KangaroOS|OS]] 15:20, 5 April 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Annoying ad ==<br /> <br /> From the anti-noscript text shown when an ad is blocked by noscript: "our ads are restricted to unobtrusive images and slow animated GIFs."<br /> <br /> Yet the ad blocked features a drawing of a woman in her underwear. I find this very obtrusive.<br /> <br /> Also, can you get rid of the captcha needed to even view content on this site using Tor? https://support.cloudflare.com/hc/en-us/articles/203306930-Does-CloudFlare-block-Tor- {{unsigned ip|162.158.17.66}}<br /> :Looked through our bids, a guy who was auto approved used the privelidge to put that ad up. I cancelled the ad, if he puts it up again he's getting banned. I'll get on the tor options in cloudflare. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 02:41, 10 August 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Random Question ==<br /> Since this is the miscellaneous section, I assume I can ask a question based on anything, even if it's not XKCD or wiki-related. Am I correct? Or is there another place to do that? --[[User:JayRulesXKCD|JayRulesXKCD]] ([[User talk:JayRulesXKCD|talk]]) 16:21, 9 November 2016 (UTC)<br /> :Nothing expressly forbids it, but do remember the purpose of the site. If you want to ask a question not related to xkcd or the site, there is likely another, better outlet for your question on the internet. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 17:14, 9 November 2016 (UTC)<br /> :Ah. Okay. Just making sure. --[[User:JayRulesXKCD|JayRulesXKCD]] ([[User talk:JayRulesXKCD|talk]]) 17:47, 9 November 2016 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == "What if: Hide the Atmosphere" question ==<br /> <br /> At the end, Randall notes one "may not want to" dig out Texas, and the guy in the illustration mentions "specifically requesting" something. As someone not from the USA, I don't know what he's referring to. Could someone please explain it? {{unsigned ip|172.68.51.28}}<br /> :It's a reference to {{w|Don't Mess with Texas}}. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 20:52, 9 February 2017 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Blinking advert ==<br /> <br /> There's an ad for something called Goliath Fallen that blinks occasionally. A static picture would be fine but the blinking is distracting --[[User:Figvh|Figvh]] ([[User talk:Figvh|talk]]) 04:22, 27 September 2017 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == What is Randall Munroe's wife's name? ==<br /> I am curious--haven't been able to find it. {{unsigned ip|162.158.62.141}}<br /> :We accept privacy. Ask Randall himself. [[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 14:21, 19 May 2018 (UTC)<br /> :We could refer to her as Megan, based on the character even despite its' "everywoman" stance. Megan is represented as Randall's wife in the ''_ Years'' comic series (with Randall being the supportive main Cueball character), as well as in other comics where Randall is represented as a Cueball in a comic with a Megan. {{unsigned ip|172.70.130.6}} 18:52, 26 Jul 2021 (UTC)<br /> ::Also, broken signing because I forgot that <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki> was a thing. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.130.6|172.70.130.6]] 18:56, 26 July 2021 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == 5 bucks that most of these are spambots. ==<br /> <br /> [[File:probablyspammers.png]]<br /> <br /> 🤔<br /> <br /> [[User:DPS2004|DPS2004&#39;); DROP TABLE users;--]] ([[User talk:DPS2004|talk]]) 19:07, 12 February 2018 (UTC)<br /> :I tried "DROP TABLE users;" but then I lost my login... ;)<br /> :The more serious thing is that when the Captcha was broken (after 31 March) that bots were too dumb but with the new reCaptcha V2 this happens again.<br /> :But since those users take no further actions and IPs also can edit here it doesn't seem to be a problem. Nevertheless old users with zero edits may be purged in the future.<br /> :[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 14:17, 19 May 2018 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Header pointing to FAQ implies content that doesn't exist ==<br /> <br /> "All explain xkcd editors should check the latest update at the Editor FAQ. We now support LaTeX..."<br /> <br /> Strangely, the FAQ doesn't mention LaTex once.[[Special:Contributions/172.69.210.34|172.69.210.34]] 15:06, 8 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> :You're right but the (yet last) question "How do I enter mathematical or chemical formulas?" belongs to this. The Math functionality uses LaTeX syntax and I will mention this. I thought people who know the markup <code><nowiki><math>...</math></nowiki></code> do know that it's based on LaTeX. Nevertheless reading this {{w|Help:Displaying a formula|manual}} is mandatory. --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 16:08, 8 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Unable to create own user page? ==<br /> <br /> Hi, I'm a new user here. When I try to put info on my user page it says I don't have permission to create it. Same applies for my talk page. Please help.[[User:VannaWho|VannaWho]] ([[User talk:VannaWho|talk]]) 07:18, 13 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> :I've clarified the corresponding section in the [[explain xkcd:Editor FAQ|Editor FAQ]]. You will become a trusted user after a few more edits, but right now I've created your user and talk page. --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 12:57, 13 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> :Thanks. I'm looking forwards to becoming an active member of the community here.[[User:VannaWho|VannaWho]] ([[User talk:VannaWho|talk]]) 13:09, 13 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> Thank You for the info!<br /> [[User:GetPunnedOn]]<br /> ::Extra info, for GetPunnedOn (and others, but you're needing to he told this a lot, GPO...). Please use the full signature (those four tildes: <code><nowiki>~~~~</nowiki></code>), to let us know that, in this case, you posted your reply at 23:30, 21 May 2023 UTC, as we knew what date and times in 2018 the prior users posted. Not even sure you'll read this/etc, so leaving it as an open message to anyone else who stumbles this way without otherwise picking up on the other hints to do so. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.178.206|172.71.178.206]] 08:52, 22 May 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == 2018 ==<br /> <br /> This probably only means something to me, but has anyone else noted that we are approaching comic 2018 in 2018? I don't think any other comic has been posted in in the year its number represents. Maybe the sign of the apocalypse? Or like all the other signs of the apocalypse, just a random occurrence. I am interested in seeing if it is memorialized in some way. {{unsigned ip|172.69.33.239}}<br /> :Please do not forget to sign your comments. Nevertheless the apocalypse was already here: [[998: 2012]]. And a comic with the name 2018 was published last December ([[1935: 2018]]). The comic number 2018 will probably happen on July 11 and the number 2019 will be two days later on July 13 (ohhh, it's a Friday...). --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 08:41, 23 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Random Kettle ==<br /> <br /> Hello, so I had https://xk3d.xkcd.com/880/ open for an extended amount of time. When I came back to it today, I had a random blue kettle that was not on any other of my xkcd pages, and it would change locations every time i refreshed. (I have several screenshots, just not sure how to upload here.)<br /> <br /> It went away when the back page button was pressed, but does anybody know what or WHY this kettle was there? {{unsigned|DeathFox4}}<br /> :Please do not forget to sign your comments. You probably want to talk about this matter here: [[Talk:880: Headache]]. --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 18:44, 11 October 2018 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Where to ask questions to find a specific comic? ==<br /> <br /> Hello, <br /> <br /> Someone searching for a specific comic has gotten me to try to find a place to ask the community, but haven't found any? <br /> <br /> [https://www.reddit.com/r/xkcd/comments/9uzvqv/help_me_find_the_one_where/]<br /> <br /> kind regards, <br /> Dodo --[[User:Dodo|Dodo]]<br /> :Please sign your posts with <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki> because then we also see a timestamp of your comment. That's important because we could see that your question from reddit was solved there slightly after your post here. It's from SMBC and not xkcd. --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 21:55, 8 November 2018 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Incomplete "Created by a _" Tag Jokes ==<br /> <br /> I'm not lobbying for their return or anything, I'm just curious why they were removed. Or rather, why the incomplete tag was rewritten to discourage them. It was a good bit of comedy, and their removal makes it seem like this wiki is trying to be more serious than it really needs to be, IMO. [[User:CJB42|CJB42]] ([[User talk:CJB42|talk]]) 19:18, 9 November 2018 (UTC)<br /> :I'm the creator of the BOT which initially presented a new page by honestly mentioning it was NOT created by a human. Years later, people started to make that joke. Sometimes it was really funny, but you can't repeat a joke for over hundreds of times, not funny and stupid attempts to reach that first jokes. And that incomplete tag is meant to be there for mentioning what's wrong or missing, sadly most editors don't use it for this reason. Nonetheless a nice joke is still welcome there, but it should be funny and not just an urge to present a "joke." --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 19:51, 9 November 2018 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == xkcd.wtf ==<br /> <br /> Hi everyone, I've recently made this small project http://xkcd.wtf/ . It's not yet finished, but somehow Big Goog' picked it up, so I thought I'll go live. It is important to me to announce it here first, since it uses explainxkcd's API and wouldn't be possible without all of you. <br /> <br /> Originally, this was meant to be a Uni project, but the course was cancelled and the already purchased domain sat dormant for many months. Just recently, I picked it up and made a first prototype in Perl, then I undertook the painful process of rewriting it as a buzzword-compliant Javascript Single Page Application (so my server doesn't have to proxy everything). It sometimes craps out, because xkcd's API is awful (the 'real' one doesn't have CORS, the c.xkcd.com one is often offline) [[User:Gir|//gir.st/]] ([[User talk:Gir|talk]]) 22:19, 12 November 2018 (UTC)<br /> :Nice, I know you have many skills in programming. What's the purpose of this project?<br /> :Funny findings: The TLD isn't welcome always like here "In June 2012, Ryan Singel of Wired predicted that the .wtf domain would not be applied by anyone." and my own first investigation:<br /> :<code>[root@localhost ~]# whois xkcd.wtf</code><br /> :<code>No whois server is known for this kind of object.</code><br /> :I'm running CentOS with no pending updates...<br /> :Besides kidding, it works great and could be a good presentation on pages using a bad layout here. My goal is still to get this site much more mobile compliant, but there are still also issues on parts you don't use. Nonetheless let me know if you need help, hoping you will help here in the future too. --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 19:49, 13 November 2018 (UTC)<br /> ::hi, sorry I missed your post! The purpose was to do this as a university project, but the course was cancelled after I bought the domain in anticipation of it. not wanting it to go to waste, I've implemented it in my spare time. the whois error is strange; it works on Fedora (which queries whois.donuts.co (no m)). I may come back to your offer for help (thanks) and definitely won't be leaving explainxkcd.com (my expertise lies with computer topics, and there weren't many comics about that recently. that's why I've quieted down a bit) [[User:Gir|//gir.st/]] ([[User talk:Gir|talk]]) 17:03, 18 November 2018 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == xkcd Sorting Options ==<br /> Is there any way to sort xkcd comics by size? [[Special:Contributions/141.101.77.80|141.101.77.80]] 04:37, 4 February 2019 (UTC)<br /> :What size? The pictures, the explanation, or what? Explanations are changed every day. So, for what purpose is this idea? --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 18:21, 15 February 2019 (UTC)<br /> ::I can see some benefit in being able to sort explanations by size as some of the earlier comics have fairly short explanations that could be expanded, but I'm not sure this is worth the effort of setting up a sort function. I don't know why you would want to sort the images by size other than perhaps for general interest. [[User:A(l)Chemist|AlChemist]] ([[User talk:A(l)Chemist|talk]]) 10:55, 16 February 2019 (UTC)<br /> :::A small sized explanation doesn't say anything about it's quality. IMHO in contrast there are many overwhelming explanations which are far too long, TL;DR... --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 12:32, 16 February 2019 (UTC)<br /> ::::I agree. Most of the early explanations are just fine. I was just trying to guess why they were suggesting a sort function. [[User:A(l)Chemist|AlChemist]] ([[User talk:A(l)Chemist|talk]]) 14:15, 16 February 2019 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == 1204: Detail has the incorrect picture ==<br /> <br /> Not sure where to put this but just look at the title. Not sure how one changes it, but a typo was fixed and usually the newest picture is used. [[User:Netherin5|Netherin5]] ([[User talk:Netherin5|talk]]) 14:15, 19 March 2019 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Regarding the alt-right trolls ==<br /> Safe to say everything they leave is deletable, ''including'' the little "jew reverted my edits, help!" complaint they almost always leave on the discussion pages? --[[User:Youforgotthisthing|Youforgotthisthing]] ([[User talk:Youforgotthisthing|talk]]) 00:53, 12 April 2019 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Is the "It's 'cause you're dumb" tagline a relic of the past? ==<br /> <br /> Yes, I'm going there, because this issue isn't going away.<br /> <br /> I read through the entirety of the [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/explain_xkcd:Community_portal/Miscellaneous#Sightless_readers_offended_by_the_.22It.27s_.27cause_you.27re_dumb.22_tagline. Explain XKCD tagline debate from 2016], and I have to admit, I was surprised. I had not considered that there would be so many people in support of this tagline, nor that the debate had been going on this long. I was actually sure that most people were in agreement with me that it's unnecessarily insulting and demeaning. It seems that isn't the case.<br /> <br /> The main argument from the Keep side appears to be that "it's just a joke". Here are some examples of that sentiment:<br /> <br /> * "Suggesting that anyone who isn't part of the 0.1% of the population who share all of Randall's abilities and references, is dumb, can't be anything but a joke."<br /> * "it is a rather obvious joke"<br /> * "If a user doesn't understand that it is a joke, then he won't understand XKCD's jokes, either, no matter how much explaination he can get."<br /> * "I always thought the tagline fit nicely with the "sarcasm" part of xkcd's own tagline."<br /> * "It's not hiding behind "just a joke", it IS the joke. It's tongue-in-cheek. It's so obviously false that you have to intentionally ignore the joke and manufacture offense about something benign."<br /> * "It's amusing to me. The joke is clear, and universal. Offence may be taken equally by anyone reading. It fits well."<br /> * "Looks like the kind of joke you'd actually find in the comments."<br /> * "I can't believe we've become such a limp-wristed baby society that we can't even have a joke like "It's 'cause you're dumb" as the tagline. Nobody would reasonably get offended at it."<br /> * "If there ever really was a single person who took the tag line seriously, then it was just telling them the truth."<br /> * "the joke benefits from it sounding like it's a mock insult"<br /> * "I doubt there's very many of these smart people who are smart enough to get every joke (and every nuance) without assistance. Therefore it should be clear that is is a simple tongue-in-cheek joke, you don't really mean it seriously. It should be taken in the tone that it's meant, and it offends me when people don't."<br /> * "It's 'cause you're dumb" grabbed me the first time I saw it as being relevant to why explainxkcd.com is a great site, and equally importantly, it made me laugh."<br /> <br /> I like to think that I do understand xkcd's humor very well - even the more subtle aspects of it, like Randall's perpetual social paranoia, his sarcasm at common failings of societies and organizations, his absurdism, his childlike wonder at the things we don't know. I love it, it makes me laugh and it makes me happy.<br /> <br /> I am not a delicate snowflake, and I believe firmly that we should not allow people to use "being offended" as a weapon of control to take away freedoms or to force their agenda on others. That kind of behavior should rightfully be challenged and resisted.<br /> <br /> However, I am not arguing on the basis of offense. I believe that I actually have a solid, reasonable foundation for my case for change that can be accepted by all, if I can argue it effectively enough. Because you see... I never got the joke.<br /> <br /> When I came to Explain XKCD for the first time, and saw the "It's 'cause you're dumb" tagline, my reaction was "Well, that isn't true, and it's a bit childish." It didn't come across as sarcasm to me; it comes across more like the kind of boorish flippancy expected of an anonymous imageboard, where being crude is the local currency. Mentally, I just couldn't fit it with what I saw as an otherwise fine mission of collaboratively explaining a very clever webcomic as a service to readers all over the world. And I didn't like it. It's not the kind of tone that I enjoy in a community.<br /> <br /> "I don't like it" is not, of course, an argument, and would be a poor foundation from which to make my case - particularly as I am up against people who insist that the tagline ''is'' xkcd's humor and tone. So instead, I would like to argue this case: '''I think that this is what xkcd's tone ''used to be'', and that it isn't what xkcd's tone is ''now'''''.<br /> <br /> The "It's 'cause you're dumb" tagline is actually ''ten years old''. It originally appeared in a different context; it was in the header image for the Explain XKCD blog.<br /> <br /> [[File:explain xkcd blog header image.png|center]]<br /> <br /> The image of Black Hat insulting Cueball is subtly different to what the tagline is now, and so I think some of the nuance - that might soften the joke or make it less antagonistic - has been lost. I have a theory that this is part of the reason why people are so polarized on whether the tagline is insulting or not, because I suspect that some people are remembering this older version. However, that's away from the point.<br /> <br /> My point is this: it is no longer 2009 and things have changed.<br /> <br /> xkcd, and Randall himself, have changed - Randall has published more than 1500 comics in that time, as well as books dedicated to explaining science and technology in his unique, witty style. He loves knowledge and discovery and celebrates the little things that people find interesting, often standing up to defend such pursuits against those who might otherwise dismiss them. That is xkcd to me. And I submit that Explain XKCD has, in those ten years, outgrown the tagline as well, We are, I think, more encyclopedists than agitators. If most people on this wiki are like me, they find pleasure in carefully unraveling the mystery of an xkcd comic and creating a resource that's as useful as can be. The tagline serves no purpose, in that case, other than to drive away contributors.<br /> <br /> We shouldn't be afraid to offend. But I don't think we should offend needlessly. I think we're better than that.<br /> <br /> [[User:Hawthorn|Hawthorn]] ([[User talk:Hawthorn|talk]]) 21:29, 15 July 2019 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :I really like the old banner, and think that the tone fits well with many of the older comics. But I agree with you that most of the newer comics have a less childish tone to them, where it is not as fitting. Also having it as a tagline instead of a banner makes it less obvious to be a character-statement. It is not an important issue to me, but I agree with you. After all explainxkcd is a site, for the lucky [[Ten Thousand]] each day. [[User:Lupo|Lupo]] ([[User talk:Lupo|talk]]) 07:36, 16 July 2019 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Pageviews? ==<br /> <br /> Any idea how many pageviews, on average, this wiki gets? I'm not looking for any detailed breakdown or historical stats, just a rough average for the main page each day. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.23.57|172.69.23.57]] 02:21, 8 August 2019 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I'd be really curious to know which pages are the most viewed on this website. Which comics are the most unintelligible to people? [[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.201|173.245.54.201]] 23:01, 15 March 2020 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == xkcd site's fine print ==<br /> <br /> I just noticed the fine print on the xkcd site, under the comics list: "xkcd.com is best viewed with Netscape Navigator 4.0 or below on a Pentium 3±1 emulated in Javascript on an Apple IIGS at a screen resolution of 1024x1. Please enable your ad blockers, disable high-heat drying, and remove your device from Airplane Mode and set it to Boat Mode. For security reasons, please leave caps lock on while browsing."<br /> <br /> Is there an explanation for the above? (copied from xkcd's homepage on 8/8/19)<br /> <br /> <br /> My first thought was "Those are low requirements". Then the "on an Apple IIGS" tripped me up. (I know so little of Apple software use that I can't say that portion is incorrect.) I like the humor of the screen resolution (although I think only computers could read it) and the suggested mode.<br /> <br /> M.Striker<br /> (didn't realize that this was an edit and not a message; deleted my included e-mail)<br /> <br /> :The text you mentioned is explained at [[footnote]]. I guess you are new to this wiki/project? Feel free to improve any of the sites you find (many can be found by using the search function), or to comment/discuss the pages in the discussion section. If you want to sign your comments on here or in a comment section (with or without an existing account), you can use four "~"-symbols. (Do not wory, it will not show you actual IP adress). [[User:Lupo|Lupo]] ([[User talk:Lupo|talk]]) 06:18, 9 August 2019 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Randall NYT excerpt from "How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems" ==<br /> <br /> FYI, Randall has an article in Tuesday's ''New York Times'': [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/13/science/what-makes-a-red-sky-at-night-and-at-morning.html "What Makes a Red Sky at Night (and at Morning)"]. It's an excerpt from "How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems." [[User:JohnHawkinson|JohnHawkinson]] ([[User talk:JohnHawkinson|talk]]) 03:34, 15 August 2019 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == More ads? ==<br /> <br /> Is it me, or are there now a ton of extra advertisements on this site? There is one between every paragraph of explanation. At least, when viewed with a mobile browser. It's a huge distraction, so I'm going to be enabling an adblocker.<br /> <br /> : I would also like to file a complaint. [[User:Benjaminikuta|Benjaminikuta]] ([[User talk:Benjaminikuta|talk]]) 03:10, 9 April 2020 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :: [[user:Davidy22]] If hosting expense is the problem, would it be possible to move to miraheze? [[User:Benjaminikuta|Benjaminikuta]] ([[User talk:Benjaminikuta|talk]]) 11:54, 19 May 2020 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::: Hello? Anyone there? [[User:Benjaminikuta|Benjaminikuta]] ([[User talk:Benjaminikuta|talk]]) 06:55, 8 July 2020 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Should we* reference xkcd.com "black lives matter" banner ==<br /> <br /> I consume almost all my xkcd directly from explain xkcd. So i only visit xkcd.com rarely.<br /> <br /> I had been wondering why Randall was avoiding referencing the black lives matter movement which is clearly topical.<br /> <br /> But i note that xkcd.com has a banner featuring Cueball saying "black lives matter".<br /> <br /> Should we do the same?<br /> <br /> * my apologies if we already do<br /> <br /> [[User:Boatster|Boatster]] ([[User talk:Boatster|talk]]) 06:01, 11 June 2020 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :I'm not entirely sure if I understand the question. We list most (all?) the variants of Randall's banners on the [[:xkcd Header text]] page, and as of Tuesday (a bit late), that includes the Black Lives Matter banner. We also acknowledge it in [[2315: Eventual Consistency#Trivia]] as the first comic that ran after the banner went up. There's reason to ask if this wiki should give banners in general more prominent treatment, and question is raised on [[:Talk:xkcd Header text]].<br /> :But are you asking if ExplainXKCD should adopt its own editorial position and feature a banner? I think it's really hard for wikis to make high-level editorial decisions like that. [[User:JohnHawkinson|JohnHawkinson]] ([[User talk:JohnHawkinson|talk]]) 06:28, 11 June 2020 (UTC)<br /> :: this was the question. And I hadn't looked hard enough. Thank you<br /> :: no, not suggesting we do editorial, but glad we recognise what Randall has done. Cheers [[User:Boatster|Boatster]] ([[User talk:Boatster|talk]]) 12:30, 11 June 2020 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == is scraping this site ok? ==<br /> <br /> Hi everyone! Some days ago I scraped explainxkcd to get the webcomics' content, and created an interactive network chart where nodes are comics and two nodes share a link if they have words in common. (It's here: https://www.fluentdata.tech/visualizing-the-xkcd-comics-network-using-google-vision-spacy-and-d3/)<br /> <br /> However, looking back I don't know if I had permission to actually scrape this site. Where can I get this information? Is scraping OK?<br /> :From [[explain xkcd:Copyrights]], "The Explain XKCD wiki is generally licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 license (CC-BY-SA-3.0). This means that you can freely reuse our content, but you have to say where you got it — if you're sharing on the internet, a link back to the article is appropriate." So yes, scraping this site is allowed, but you should credit the site.<span> — [[User:Sqrt-1|The <b>𝗦𝗾𝗿𝘁-𝟭</b>]] <sup>[[User talk:Sqrt-1|<span style="color: blue">talk</span>]] [[Special:Contributions/Sqrt-1|<span style="color: blue">stalk</span>]]</sup></span> 03:43, 5 March 2021 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == So what happened to the site? ==<br /> Just curious, but it was down last night (June 14, Eastern Daylight time's night) and this morning has reverted to February. This is not a complaint, it's curiosity and a willingness to help out. [[User:Nitpicking|Nitpicking]] ([[User talk:Nitpicking|talk]]) 15:41, 15 June 2021 (UTC)<br /> :I'm curious too. It was down on the morning of Friday the 11th & is currently back up showing last Wednesday the 9th's comic. A post asking about it on [https://www.reddit.com/r/xkcd/comments/nxrm65 r/xkcd] got over 140 upvotes in 3 days. [[User:ProphetZarquon|ProphetZarquon]] ([[User talk:ProphetZarquon|talk]]) 16:30, 15 June 2021 (UTC)<br /> ::The page was down for more than four days. Problem is there seem to be no administrators attached to explain xkcd anymore, so no one who actually knows anything replies to these posts... :-/ So if the page goes down permanently there seems to be no one who still uses this page, who knows what to do... [[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 12:03, 16 June 2021 (UTC)<br /> :::That would be a shame since a ton of good content would be lost. Somebody somewhere needs to be paying the bills for the site to be hosted though. Don't they know what happens to the product they're paying for? [[User:Bischoff|Bischoff]] ([[User talk:Bischoff|talk]]) 13:01, 16 June 2021 (UTC)<br /> ::::Indeed, is there anyway we can contribute to the upkeep of the site? --[[Special:Contributions/141.101.76.182|141.101.76.182]]<br /> <br /> == Stuck? ==<br /> So, nothing yet for the August 7, 2021 comic? I normally see the main page update within an hour of the new xkcd appearing. Not complaining, just hoping nothing is wrong. [[User:Nitpicking|Nitpicking]] ([[User talk:Nitpicking|talk]]) 20:43, 7 August 2021 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Help finding a specific comic. ==<br /> <br /> I've been trying to find this specific comic but I can not find it anywhere. It's the one where a character suggests going to another building to avoid companies like Google and Facebook and tries to leave only to find the doors (and windows?) replaced with walls. Turns out Google and Facebook bought all the buildings and removed all doors so people can only use their services.<br /> : (Above unsigned post by [[Special:Contributions/108.162.245.65|108.162.245.65]] 04:38, 28 October 2021‎ (UTC).)<br /> : 99% sure that's not an xkcd (though it does sound entertaining). You might try asking on r/xkcd, they can often ID even non-xkcd comics.<br /> : Please sign your posts. [[User:Esogalt|Esogalt]] ([[User talk:Esogalt|talk]]) 05:32, 28 October 2021 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Update/further correct the Bots pages? ==<br /> <br /> Seeing an edit to [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/explain_xkcd:Bots the site's meta-page on Bots] (and making a minor grammatical edit myself), the current and seemingly unfixable inactivity of DgbrtBOT and its replacement by Theusaof... (though not, yet, as an officially recognised member of the Bots group?) makes the statement "There are 3 bots" dubiously correct, depending upon how you count them. As a humble IP unconnected to any 'bot, I am neither confident enough in the facts to revise all the relevent details nor able to do much about it (not even create the above page's Talk-space) but maybe someone else here can muster up both qualities. So over to you..? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.91.36|172.70.91.36]] 11:48, 1 December 2021 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Countdown Timer ==<br /> <br /> Does anyone know what the timer in the upper right corner of the website is? As of writing, it's around "20D 20H 20M" (ha ha). Is this for some kind of event I don't know about (I mean, I don't keep track of that sort of thing, so I wouldn't usually know anyway, but still), or is this just something weird Randall's doing that we're all going to find out together?<br /> <br /> Just curious.<br /> (Tidal Rose)<br /> <br /> :Yes, I've been wondering, too. I can't find any good explanation anywhere for it -- I looked on Reddit, etc. I guess he really is keeping it a secret -- perhaps a book announcement. -- [[Special:Contributions/162.158.255.253|162.158.255.253]] 00:51, 11 January 2022 (UTC)<br /> <br /> It appears that the accompanying image may also be updating (not minute to minute at the moment). Curious to see what this little black line does! (My bet is that it's a new book as well)<br /> <br /> :My first thought was counting down to Webb reaching L2, but it's a couple days late for that... looks to be approximately 10AM Eastern on January 31, though my datemath is probably not too good when the local hour is <6. [[User:Davidhbrown|Davidhbrown]] ([[User talk:Davidhbrown|talk]]) 05:49, 12 January 2022 (UTC)<br /> <br /> The image has definitely updated!<br /> <br /> Is there a place where the progressive images are archived? [[User:Fuzzymo|Fuzzymo]] ([[User talk:Fuzzymo|talk]]) 01:00, 14 January 2022 (UTC)<br /> :There is a [[Countdown_in_header_text|page structure]] now created for it. Go directly to [[Countdown_in_header_text/images|the /images sub-page]] for the captured series-so-far. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.159.43|162.158.159.43]] 04:37, 14 January 2022 (UTC)<br /> <br /> The exact time it's counting down to is Monday, January 31, 2022 at 10 AM EST (Munroe's time zone) [[Special:Contributions/108.162.229.165|108.162.229.165]] 23:55, 14 January 2022 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Could it be for [https://www.nationaldaystoday.com/national-backward-day/ National Backward Day?]<br /> :Already mentioned (and mostly rejected?) in the ''real'' conversation about this. (See the [[Countdown in header text]] page, etc, if you haven't already.) Not sure what the plane would have to do with it, unless it turns out to be flying backwards when we see movement lines. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.162.155|172.70.162.155]] 17:53, 25 January 2022 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == What if 103 ==<br /> <br /> Why is it "not quite a coincidence" that the titanic was traveling at about the same speed when it hit bottom as when it hit the iceberg?<br /> : 1. please sign your posts! 2. im guessing the joke is that it wasnt moving [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.201|108.162.221.201]] 17:09, 25 August 2022 (UTC)Bumpf<br /> :: What are you talking about? Its speed was around 20.5 kts at the time of impact.<br /> <br /> == Syndication comic: uploaded with no number, link to xkcd doesn't work? ==<br /> <br /> https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/Syndication<br /> <br /> In the title, the page is very broken and there's no evidence Randall Munroe ever uploaded this. Someone in the comments theorises it's a fan uploaded comic pretending to be official. Any way to find out? [[User:Mushrooms|Mushrooms]] ([[User talk:Mushrooms|talk]]) 08:08, 14 October 2022 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Concerning a certain editor ==<br /> <br /> I'm puzzled and slightly worried as to the motives of [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?limit=50&title=Special%3AContributions&contribs=user&target=Gadget-HotCat&namespace=&tagfilter=&start=&end= a given named editor]. Having made direct comments myself (and seen others do so), albeit only as an IP, I'm concerned as to their potentially reckless nature. As messages to(/in reply to) them have done very little to get a valid explanation, I thought I should note the case slightly more formally. They seemed quite helpful when they started to post (at a time of notable vandalism, and I'm reluctant to jump to any adverse conclusion about that) and I obviously cannot speak of their time beyond this submission, but I find an overwhelming amount of their most recent interactions to be (to put it charitably) naive, despite clearly the intelligence to use advanced Wiki markup/etc.<br /> <br /> I welcome a ready and willing editor. Moreover one who has bothered to get an accountable account, more than I have ever done! I would be happy to see them usefully contribute further, but could they perhaps realise (or accept, if they already know) that the drive to submit random and (pretty much always) unexplanatory content is not useful to anyone. And that's all I wish to say, right now. As much of a nudge as I want to make for the moment. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.99.64|141.101.99.64]] 14:45, 28 November 2022 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == xkcd Volume 0 ==<br /> xkcd Volume 0 is a collection of chosen comic strips - but there's also red-text found scattered though pages, usually as some type of cypher or code. Because of that, can an authorized user create a stub for [[xkcd Volume 0]] so that the codes can be documented, or does that risk too much of a copyright violation? --[[Special:Contributions/108.162.241.56|108.162.241.56]] 00:10, 29 January 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Russia ==<br /> Is there a comic that mentions Russia? Omg Omg Omg {{unsigned|Omg omg omg Бельков|23:02, 19 March 2023 (UTC)}}<br /> :@[[User:Omg omg omg Бельков|Omg omg omg Бельков]]: [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?search=russia&title=Special%3ASearch&go=Go Let me use the search bar]. ~ [[user:megan|Megan]] <sup>she</sup>/<sub>her</sub> <sup>[[user talk:megan|talk]]</sup>/<sub>[[special:contribs/megan|contribs]]</sub> 23:25, 19 March 2023 (UTC)<br /> :Might be a good idea if the mods had a look at the following accounts, BTW:<br /> :"Omg сайт вместо гидры", "Omg omg omg Бельков", "Omgomg", "Площадка omg", "Darknet omg omg", "Ссылка на omgomg", "Омгомгомг магазин", "Омгомгомг сайт", "Омгомгомг ссылка", "Омг сайт магазин", "Омг ссылка", "Омг тор ссылка", "Площадка omg ссылка", "Сайт омг омг ссылка", "Сайт omg onion", "Сайт omg shop", "Сайт omgomg", "Omgomgomg ссылка", "Omg omg market onion", "Omg onion", "Omg online", "Omg shop ссылка", "Omg web net", "Omgomg гидра", "Omgomg замена гидре", "Omgomg market", "Omgomg tor", "Omgomgomg магазин", "Omgomgomg сайт", "Omg omg сайт зеркало", "Omg omg ссылка онион", "Omg omg сайт аналог гидры", "Omg зеркало", "Omg аналог гидры", "Omg вместо гидры", "Omg даркнет", "Omg дарк", "Omg маркет", "Omg omg площадка тор", "Omg онион", "Omg площадка даркнета", "Omg площадка новая", "Omg площадка торговая", "Omg ссылка", "Omg dark", "Omg darknet", "Omg market", "Omg omg даркнет", "Omg omg магазин ссылка", "Omg omg площадка отзывы", "Omg omg площадка сайт", "Зеркало ссылка омг"<br /> :Wasn't particularly concerned, but then one decided to have a go at posting. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.79.185|172.69.79.185]] 23:51, 19 March 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Edit War ==<br /> An edit war has occurred on this page. Three topics were added and then removed. One user got banned. It seemed that the "Miscellaneous" is not actually miscellaneous. I can't create any talk pages, either. [[User:ClassicalGames|ClassicalGames]] ([[User talk:ClassicalGames|talk]]) 03:40, 31 March 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :Spammers are being impersonated. <span>[[User:ClassicalGames|Clas]]</span>rch 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Connect spam ==<br /> It seems that the pages with "Connect" in their titles tend to receive spam posts. [[User:Memo Spike Connector|2503: Memo Spike Connector]] ([[User talk:Memo Spike Connector|talk]]) 08:05, 31 March 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Did this happen on Wikipedia too? [[User:ColorfulGalaxy|ColorfulGalaxy]] ([[User talk:ColorfulGalaxy|talk]]) 10:40, 31 March 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Note for spammers: Do not rely on our group or others such as [[User:Memo Spike Connector]] to revert your edits. [[User:ColorfulGalaxy|ColorfulGalaxy]] ([[User talk:ColorfulGalaxy|talk]]) 10:46, 31 March 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == April fools day ==<br /> April fools day is coming. Let's predict what [[Randall]] will post for the day. [[User:Memo Spike Connector|2503: Memo Spike Connector]] ([[User talk:Memo Spike Connector|talk]]) 08:05, 31 March 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : Uh, oh, April Fool's Day has already passed and there doesn't seem to be any related comics this year. [[User:ColorfulGalaxy|ColorfulGalaxy]] ([[User talk:ColorfulGalaxy|talk]]) 20:14, 2 April 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :: Seems like they've seen our trying to predict the April Fools comic. [[User:Unreliable Connection|2659: Unreliable Connection]] ([[User talk:Unreliable Connection|talk]]) 23:35, 3 April 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Public sandbox ==<br /> <br /> What are the public sandbox pages used for? The "Main Page sandbox" was originally intended for testing the main page features, but then it received a lot of off-topic comments. [[User:ColorfulGalaxy|ColorfulGalaxy]] ([[User talk:ColorfulGalaxy|talk]]) 20:24, 2 April 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :The [[:Template:sandbox]] page received spam posts recently, with some user repeatedly trying to put words under another person's pen. I'm afraid someone will start using chatbots to spam in the future. [[User:ClassicalGames|ClassicalGames]] ([[User talk:ClassicalGames|talk]]) 07:03, 4 April 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :The above issue seems to have been resolved. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.135.43|172.69.135.43]] 02:07, 10 May 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::And then a mysterious "fanmade comic" appeared. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.22.174|172.69.22.174]] 02:08, 10 May 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::For the record, [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=explain_xkcd:Community_portal/Miscellaneous&diff=prev&oldid=312713 massive editing has occured] here, which is clearly debatable. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.90.35|172.70.90.35]] 08:33, 10 May 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Editor guide for specific category ==<br /> <br /> Could you add an editor guide on how to add this category to pages? Some user did it wrongly a while ago. https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/Category:Comics_sharing_name<br /> <br /> I can't create talk pages. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.166.230|162.158.166.230]] 09:30, 6 April 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ==Vector images don't work==<br /> The vector images don't show up on my browser. [[User:Unreliable Connection|2659: Unreliable Connection]] ([[User talk:Unreliable Connection|talk]]) 22:59, 8 April 2023 (UTC)<br /> :Which vector images, and which bowser? [[Special:Contributions/172.69.79.184|172.69.79.184]] 23:29, 8 April 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::There is supposed to be a vector image on the top of this page, just above the "Contents" block. It seems to be that none of the vector images show up normally on this computer. [[User:Unreliable Connection|2659: Unreliable Connection]] ([[User talk:Unreliable Connection|talk]]) 23:48, 8 April 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :::I used a new browser and it failed again. [[User:Unreliable Connection|2659: Unreliable Connection]] ([[User talk:Unreliable Connection|talk]]) 08:06, 9 April 2023 (UTC)<br /> ::::But ''which'' browser(s)? I mean, if you're using Lynx, then you probably won't get native inline SVG rendering support, ever. If you're using NCSA Mosaic then you definitely need to change to something a bit newer ''anyway''. If you're using the latest Chrome/Firefox/Edge/whatever then I'd be surprised if it doesn't work. And if it's ''only on this site'' (i.e. that similarly embedded graphics work elsewhere), then that's a whole other line of enquiry.<br /> ::::Help us to help you, if you have indeed got a problem (and perhaps explain how you found the problem, too, to know how you detected the anomaly). [[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.9|141.101.98.9]] 12:29, 9 April 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Solar system category ==<br /> <br /> Could the category for the solar system be possibly created? There are several comics related. [[User:Unreliable Connection|2659: Unreliable Connection]] ([[User talk:Unreliable Connection|talk]]) 07:13, 11 April 2023 (UTC)<br /> :Hey! You don't need to make an admin request. In proposals 1.49 there's where you can propose categories, and if you think it's a good idea/get support you can just go ahead and make it. [[User:Mushrooms|Mushrooms]] ([[User talk:Mushrooms|talk]]) 09:44, 18 April 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Categorization problem ==<br /> <br /> Just now, I found two user pages lying in the [[:Category:Internet]] category. Could we possibly create a categorization template so that user pages that transcluded a comic page will not be categorized? We can also solve the problem that puts the Main Page in various theme categories. [[User:CategoryGeneral|CategoryGeneral]] ([[User talk:CategoryGeneral|talk]]) 03:38, 14 April 2023 (UTC)<br /> :I've blanked one of the sandboxes. The other one doesn't belong to our group. [[User:ClassicalGames|ClassicalGames]] ([[User talk:ClassicalGames|talk]]) 03:46, 14 April 2023 (UTC)<br /> ::Nice sentiments, but please stop feigning talking to yourself or using [[https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2293:_RIP_John_Conway&diff=prev&oldid=310329 your own edits to justify your various unnecessary aliases]]...<br /> ::There really do not need to be 'personal sandboxes', and the use made of the sandboxes is not useful. Many things that a Sandbox is used for could be done simply by the "Show preview", and certainly it isn't supposed to be a notepad for unrelated junk. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.85.67|172.70.85.67]] 08:11, 14 April 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Help with Creating a User Page ==<br /> <br /> I'm a relatively new user, and I decided "I should probably make a user page," but for some reason it says that I "do not have permission to create this page" even though it's <i>my</i> page. [[User:Trogdor147|Trogdor147]] ([[User talk:Trogdor147|talk]]) 03:08, 7 June 2023 (UTC)<br /> :Check the user page now! [[User:Z1mp0st0rz|Z1mp0st0rz]] ([[User talk:Z1mp0st0rz|talk]]) 15:24, 24 April 2024 (UTC)<br /> ::Thanks! To everyone redirected here via my previous comments, click here -> [[User:Trogdor147|Trogdor147]] ([[User_talk:Trogdor147|talk]]) 00:17, 4 May 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Versailles-Rose-style cultural export ==<br /> <br /> America has already banned cultural export from several places, but this happened again in [[Talk:2781: The Six Platonic Solids]]. That is illegal. It should be taken seriously. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.134.71|172.69.134.71]] 23:55, 2 July 2023 (UTC)<br /> :Presuming you're refering to that thing edited out in [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:2781:_The_Six_Platonic_Solids&diff=prev&oldid=316742 this edit], if I thought I understood the original comment, then I'm darned if I can work out what your official objection to it is.<br /> :If I thought the original wasn't just CG being CG, I'd revert that removal for being nonsensical. No "inciting illegality", so far as I can see, so no need to remove the comment or complain about it.<br /> :You're not CG (or an off-site ally) wearing an IP cloak to do other typical CG-like things, such as we've seen many times before, are you? Don't do that, if so. I won't be restoring the original, but you need to establish better reasons for editorialising a Talk page's contributions.<br /> :...but, if anyone is going to edit things around again, I hope they also put a suitably attributed {{template|unsigned ip}} on the other most recent appended line, ok? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.86.16|172.70.86.16]] 10:11, 3 July 2023 (UTC)<br /> : He restored that offensive line. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.22.17|172.69.22.17]] 23:49, 7 July 2023 (UTC)<br /> : Not sure what's going on here, but the nonsense language makes me suspect bots, in which case maybe just ban the IP. [[User:Hawthorn|Hawthorn]] ([[User talk:Hawthorn|talk]]) 23:43, 9 July 2023 (UTC)<br /> :: Difficult, with IPs. I'm one but not the type you want to ban, if you can take my word on that. It all depends on which Cloudflare gateway(s) you get routed through, and then which 'local' IP you happen to get assigned as from interaction to interaction.<br /> :: Personally I suspect an idiot (a human, but an idiot. Or maybe an entire off-site group of idiots who are playing some sort of group game using our site as the playing-board. If it's automated (which is more difficult to do reliably than direct human trolling, realistically) then it's still an idiotically set up auto-trolling with no clear usefulness beyond 'because we can'. Nobody bothered to answer me as to why, but that just reinforces my feeling that there's no legitimate reasons behind any of it. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.242.97|172.71.242.97]] 09:10, 10 July 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::That post appeared back again. That's kind of hidden cultural reference. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.154.17|172.71.154.17]] 23:46, 9 July 2023 (UTC)<br /> ::Too hidden. As I asked before (but it was deleted) explain it to us. Or me, at least. If tou actually have a point, we can help you. But you don't, I suspect. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.242.97|172.71.242.97]] 09:10, 10 July 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> There is a hidden reference to another country's culture. Many Americans hate that country. We do not allow such countries' culture to invade our website. Our website is American. EDIT: Those captchas are way too hard. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.154.156|172.71.154.156]] 23:42, 10 July 2023 (UTC)<br /> :Still obtuse. And, I suspect, also incorrect. Which country? China ? North Korea? Canada? You can say, you know... Free speech exists, with no overriding legal prohibition against even mentioning whatever enemy nation you consider as beyond the pale for 'many'. Perhaps you aren't allowed to incite hatred (not sure if it's a legal thing, but it would be a generally established forum policy) but merely mentioning a general emnitity arising from the distrust of all things mapleleafian can be done without fear or favo(u)r. Educate us. Make us understand the issue, that we might never again fall into the trap of razy lacism or accidentally mention beavers in polite company... [[Special:Contributions/172.70.85.130|172.70.85.130]] 08:23, 11 July 2023 (UTC)<br /> :: Click the "edit" button and you'll see that. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.166.204|162.158.166.204]] 23:02, 11 July 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Twix re-referencing ==<br /> <br /> Nearly put this as an HTML comment in the Social Media category (it has no Talk). Not sure if this should be under Proposals/Maintenance/Co-ordination in here (please move there, if you feel strongly it does belong in any of these). But probably needs saying.<br /> <br /> Just seen one (out of many!) Twitter-referencing articles entirely rebranded to say "X" instead (and "x" for "tweet", etc). Which I felt a mistake. Reverted and added a single "now rebranded as..." caveat to the original mention, given the comic concerned was clearly Twitter-branded (older look, too), and this seemed a better solution.<br /> <br /> I just want to express my opinion (and thus ask if I'm truly rolling with the consensus) that "now known as "X" is perhaps the besr direction to go. As and when, not necessarily as a splurge of appended edits to ''every'' Twitter-referencing page right this minute. (For one thing, it could so easily be rebranded/retrobranded/debranded altogether in the near future if either sanity prevails or greater insanity piles upon that already seen.)<br /> <br /> Clear Twitter-era comics certainly don't need "tweets" changed to... whatever gets settled on as the proper term for post-Twitter tweets. "Twixes"? Yeah, nobody really knows that, yet, anyway. When (inevitably) a comic arises referencing "X (formerly known as Twitter)" then the referencing can be reversed. If/when Wikipedia renames/redirects accordingly then maybe that'll be a cue to (as we editors come across them in other edit contexts) change <code><nowiki>{{w|Twitter}}</nowiki></code> to something like <code><nowiki>{{w|X (Social media)|Twitter}}</nowiki></code> to avoid hitting the redirect, or whatever makes sense by then. But I would resist big changes to legacy references (i.e. pre-July 2023) and imagine that well-meaning editors that do try to help by almost 'keyboard/leopard' mass changing be discouraged/pre-empted.<br /> <br /> But that's IMHO. I think it should potentially be a conversation, here, rather than me being a full on vigilante-reverter (and others having their own ideas) just because *I* have a particular impression of what's suitable to maintain site style. For the present. And potentially in years to come when the fate of The Media Formerly Known As Twitter might have transformed yet again and Randall's œuvre (perhaps still being drawn, thrice Earth-weekly, from his Lunar south-pole penthouse 'retirement' suite, or else from his official AI mind-mapped legal successor-entity!) continues to attract new readers for whom this "Twitter" thing needs actual explaining, even though they've used MuskMedia's 'æMotifier' quantum-netlink ever since they got their first cranial emotion-transceiver implant inserted and become a fully accredited voting Martian Citizen! (Or, alternatively, it's become as unknown to most people as AskJeeves/Geocities/Fidonet because it's a sidelined or even completely defunkt thing.)<br /> <br /> So, yeah, ''waaay'' too early to do crazy site-wide edits, but perhaps agree on what we might do right now on a throttled back basis. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.197|141.101.98.197]] 09:46, 2 August 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == wait what? (is this "view a bunch of html" thing intentional?) ==<br /> <br /> so i was trying to see the rss feed because i was curious and ended up with the page showing me a bunch of html code for some reason. what is going on???<br /> <br /> also just realized half of the "[something][/something]" thing you use in forums to, for example, post something as a spoiler is basically html but with square brackets instead of whatever these are called (the ones that look like this: "<>") [[User:An user who has no account yet|An user who has no account yet]] ([[User talk:An user who has no account yet|talk]]) 18:30, 5 September 2023 (UTC)<br /> :{{w|RSS}} is, or should be, based upon XML (eXtensible Markup Language). Which is basically the 'core' of many common markup languages, especially HTML (or XHTML, as it has been standardised). You're really supposed to use an RSS ''reader'' utility to parse the 'html code' and present it in a more human-readable way. (Although it's also fairly easy to human-read the RSS and scan for details of interest, so long as you have at least an inkling of what you're looking at and for.)<br /> :Regarding the forum <code>[code]...[/code]</code> stuff, I ''think'' you're speaking of {{w|BBCode}}, which I think is intended to be a handy solution to allowing only ''sanitised'' markup to be posted by any given forum's random, rambling and potentially rabid users with something to say. If you're happy to allow a contributor to render a <code><nowiki><b></b></nowiki></code> tag (or with <code><nowiki><strong></strong></nowiki></code>, or via a CSS property, etc), your forum back-end translates the allowable <code>[b]...[/b]</code> into that mandated browser-friendly form.<br /> :But if anyone tried to use any actual <X>-tag directly, then it gets sanitised into <code>&amp;lt;X&amp;gt;</code>. This means that ''unless the forum explicitly allows it'' (and in a form that the browser understands, might need a .js/.css extension to execute it in modern browsers) one couldn't <code><blink><marquee>Blink A Marquee</marquee></blink></code> within any arbitrary post text...<br /> :And also, with such lightweight "Bulletin Board Code" and neutralised 'original raw HTML', you can also stop many of the possible techniques for someone trying direct script-injection or even just rendering follow-up messages liable to inheriting an opened (but not closed) formatting from more freely used HTML.<br /> :(I'm not entirely sure if 'markup security' is the prime reason for using it, and I know some weird and disruptive loopholes have occasionally still had to be closed in the parsing/conversion rules, but it seems to me as good an impetus as any.) [[Special:Contributions/172.71.242.8|172.71.242.8]]<br /> <br /> == Is it possible to add a feature that keeps track of all viewed comics so that you specifically view unseen comics only? ==<br /> <br /> I'm trying to read every xkcd comic, and I believe I have done so, but I still have a small doubt in my head. Would it be possible, even if only on explainxkcd to keep track of comics viewed? If not, is it possible to create a program that can do this locally or would I just need to go back through all of them? {{unsigned|SteveTheNoob|10:40, 12 October 2023}}<br /> <br /> : I'm not aware of anything simple that might (say) work as a <nowiki>{{Special:RandomUnreadOnly}}</nowiki> restriction, if that's what you're looking for. You(/everyone with a named account) probably need a "read list" page off your userspace that gets updated by a bit of "Visited!" embedded template/code/scripting attached to every relevent page (probably limited by being 'noinclude'd) and can be checked before it suggests your next landing spot (Random or otherwise). It would be a bit contrived. Even more so if you store page details ''with'' a last-viewed timestamp (either to allow you to revisit upon an update or to just allow pages seen early on to be occasionally revisited), which I'd suggest would be useful. But if it's an internal wiki page (rather than browser-side) it would probably be visible to anyone (write-restricted, I imagine) and I'm not sure that's a wise move.<br /> : Too late to necessarily help you, but the aspiring completist could simply progress logically (not 'Special:Random'ly) from Comic 1 on up (or the current latest on down, with future 'latest's being a different progression to track) and keep a note of where you've got to after each binge-session of Next/Previous following. That'd catch most of the comics, less those that are unnumbered for various reasons. It could be done wikiwise with a variation on the 'Latest Comic' (global) tracker, but again with a Userspace page. Or just a browser extention, updating a Bookmark/Favourites link or just jot it down on a bit of paper. Some of these would take far less effort than trying to a implement per-user shared-but-private wikimedia solution bespoke to the exacting needs of this particular Wiki. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.91.205|172.70.91.205]] 13:28, 12 October 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == While False ==<br /> <br /> There’s now over a year ago since [[user:While False|While False]] contributed for the [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=User_talk:While_False&diff=303753&oldid=301370|Barry-Larry-very last time]. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.222.5|162.158.222.5]]<br /> <br /> :While False’s “Explain xkcd museum” can be found [[User:While False/explain xkcd museum|here]]. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.222.44|162.158.222.44]]<br /> <br /> == Furries ==<br /> <br /> Someone has been adding vaguely-relaged pages to [[:Category:Furries]]. Is this okay? This person's criteria seem to be that anything related to anthropomorphic animals (including anything related to Narnia) is "furry"; they also consider anything pertaining to knots or cheese graters to be furry-related. (The knot and grater things are NSFW inside jokes within the furry fandom.)<br /> <br /> My opinion is that anything with anthropomorphic animals is close enough to fall under the furry category (after all, anthropomorphic animals are basically what define the furry fandom), but individual Narnia-related pages don't need to be tagged as furry. [[:Category:Chronicles of Narnia]] being a subcat of Furries is enough IMO. As for knots and graters, I don't think those also should be enough to tag someone.<br /> <br /> What do you all think? {{unsigned ip|172.71.146.55|04:38, 1 February 2024}}<br /> <br /> :My opinion: that it must depict furries subculture or its ''unambiguous'' inspirations.<br /> :I see that [[:Category:Chronicles of Narnia]] has been labeled such, but this implies that [[969: Delta-P]] (amongst others) includes furries.<br /> :I'd also argue that merely 'talking animals' aren't sufficient to be "furrie". [[1503: Squirrel Plan]] (not catted... yet!) are still ultimately scuiromorphic squirrels. 'Intelligent' animals, and 'translator-microbed' for our benefit, but barely different in depiction from any [[635: Locke and Demosthenes|other typical appearance]]. YMMV.<br /> :And if a long-standing comic has not been given a long-standing category ''until you 'spot' the connection'', then it might be obscure and need (in-line) justification. See the markup (and edit-history) of the Lowercase in [[739: Malamanteau]] as an example of perhaps why and how.<br /> :...in particular, when someone made [[1762: Moving Boxes]] an example of "Furries", someone else thought it was (improperly) due to the word "Hooves", when it was really due to "Knots". Equally improperly, IMO, given that various types of knot were mentioned in the Explanation, but certainly no references there to Furries (or even to more 'obvious' kinks than furry-fandom, with or without extant categories or obvious interest by Randall). Personally, I thought it had been about the word "Kits" (c.f. "cubs"), not that I agreed with that assertion either. So do add an in-line comment, and it ''might'' help justify it to future editors who don't see what you see. Still arguable, but at least avoids arguing cross-purposes.<br /> :''To summarise'', unless you consider everything with Animals in it (or at least every one with animals being [[928: Mimic Octopus|'odd' in any human-relatable way]]) as potential Furries-fodder, it really must be obviously referencing Furrie-subculture. Enough to be considered worthy a mention in the Explanation as well, not just because of a tenuous word-association or imagery inadvertently triggering an obscure personal interests. (There's a comic that specifically makes me think "Caramel", but it has nothing intrinsically to do with (e.g.) [[:Category:Food]]. I know why it makes me think that, but wouldn't consider it meaningful to ''anyone'' else. Even if it might for a small subculture, however, it still wouldn't actually be a valid category to apply if there was no reason for Randall to have had that same association in mind.)<br /> :Categories should not include much more true material than they reasonably need to, just on the offchance that there's a totally unintended link. (And if ''all'' the Narnia references need cat:Furries, they also need cat:Animals. I might argue that cat:Religion is at least as necessary, just for every mention/hint of Aslan. But I wouldn't actually flood that option, either.) [[Special:Contributions/172.71.242.207|172.71.242.207]] 10:49, 1 February 2024 (UTC)<br /> ::I think there are enough pages in the category as of right now (22:16, 9 March 2024 (UTC)), but seeing as I don't know all the references (what's so funny about knots and cheese graters?) it's obvious that I'm just William Shatner's generation 💅 descendant who pretends to be a furry for clout online. So I'm not sure whether you should trust me. --[[User:AndroidTheLucario|Your favorite aura doggo]] ([[User talk:AndroidTheLucario|talk]]) 22:16, 9 March 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == What is the significance of the word "crap" here? ==<br /> <br /> I often see vague references to "crap" in discussions on this wiki, but I don't understand the meaning. Of course, I *do* know what the literal definition of "crap" is; I just don't know the significance here. It doesn't seem to be a word used particularly often in xkcd, so what is the significance here? [[Special:Contributions/108.162.245.49|108.162.245.49]] 02:28, 7 February 2024 (UTC)<br /> :I think you're refering to the escapades of a particular idiot (and possibly copycats). The actions conducted might well be refered to by various verb forms/etc of the word.<br /> :Though there are 'legitimate' uses of the word in comics, in context, I don't think there is any particular Randallesque significance that you need to worry about. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.178.55|172.71.178.55]] 04:55, 7 February 2024 (UTC)<br /> ::Thank you! What did the particular idiot do? [[Special:Contributions/172.71.150.62|172.71.150.62]] 22:46, 8 February 2024 (UTC)<br /> :::Just particularly low-vocabulary/high-volume/zero-creativity nuisance editing Probably doesn't need dignifying by further explanation, and really not worth dwelling on. But this was just one particular type of nuisance, dealt with just as many other nuisances (by whatever hand) also were/will be. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.91.212|172.70.91.212]] 02:05, 9 February 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Is ReCAPTCHA really necessary? ==<br /> <br /> I worry that I might be opening up a can of worms here, but here goes. For various personal reasons I don't like setting up accounts with things unless I really, really need to. I'm sure I'm not the only one. There are also people who can't set up accounts because they don't have an email address. Because we're not logged in, every time we want to make any edit or post any comment on any part of this Wiki, we have to go through multiple laborious ReCAPTCHAs. I'm sure the irony isn't lost on the rest of you that CAPTCHA/ReCAPTCHA is the butt of more than a few jokes on various XKCD comics, which imply that they are disingenuous processes whose real purpose is to farm out stultifyingly mundane computing tasks to a captive audience. Furthermore, I am editing on mobile, which can present formatting problems, rendering the ReCAPTCHA (and, by extension, my editing) impossible to complete. I know there are other ways in which this Wiki combats spam, so do we really need ReCAPTCHAs? Removing them would make this site considerably more accessible to eccentrics and Luddites such as myself. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.85.13|172.70.85.13]] 18:23, 17 April 2024 (UTC)<br /> :I'm guessing you weren't here for the crap incident? [[Special:Contributions/162.158.41.120|162.158.41.120]] 23:22, 17 April 2024 (UTC)<br /> :Speaking as an accountless luddite (long term active and non-lurking contributor; I ''choose'' not to clutter myself with yet another account, inventing yet another apt username when I don't actually have to), it ''can'' be annoying to have to do a round or two of Traffic Light or Tractor identification. But, given the number of obvious fake accounts, it may be that removing the control would release a deluge of one-shot spams that are currently caught.<br /> :It's less trouble than the extra issue of having done a CAPTCHA successfully, submitting a ticked contribution, the explainxkcd server complaining of overload/whatever (error 503, I think) and then the necessary refresh-submit moans that I ''didn't'' give a CAPTCHA (logical enough... the side-server confirmation data probably loses synchronicity against the 'new' POST submission). And not even sure whether an other-than-CAPTCHA solution could handle that type of fail-over any better. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.163.49|172.70.163.49]] 10:52, 18 April 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Why do all the comic updates feel late to me? I only ever see them on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends. ==<br /> <br /> I'm in the same time zone as Randall, so it could just be a sleep schedule thing tbh. [[User:Psychoticpotato|Psychoticpotato]] ([[User talk:Psychoticpotato|talk]]) 21:29, 13 May 2024 (UTC)<br /> :Quick poll of server-times for explainxkcd's BOT back to mid-February suggests that significantly more than half were before midnight Randall Mean Time (or Randall Daylight Time). That said, a long long experience has taught me not to fret the "only see it the next morning" ones (my time). They keep coming. 2916 was an outlier (almost 29 hours longer to arrive than 2910 did, assuming that wasn't a BOT delay that I'm not aware of).<br /> :In this sample, it went from an earliest time of 11:37 (servertime, remember), Q1 at 18:12, Q2 at 22:03, Q3 at 03:11 (still pre-midnight, for you and him), and the latest was 16:31 the day after. Mondays seem to be a bit lagged over Wednesdays and Fridays but, outliers apart, there doesn't seem to be much in it.<br /> :I could do a far longer sampling (I can recall of a couple-of-days-delayed ones that arrived ''eventually'', but at least officially kept the MWF cycles going. not counting delayed-specials/etc), but there's not much to be seen recently to concern me. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.79.190|172.69.79.190]] 23:32, 13 May 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == New users can't create pages ==<br /> <br /> Hey, you know how new users can't create their own user pages? Well, it turns out that new users can't create ''any'' pages. Could this be the autoconfirm thing? {{unsigned|PDesbeginner|14:56, 20 June 2024}}<br /> :If you think about it, you'll realise that it's probable that new users can't create user pages '''exactly because''' they can't create ''any'' pages... ;) But that state of affairs won't last long, if you're patient.<br /> :...Until then, petitioning for (say) a new Category (with sufficient examples to provide a reason for it) might get you helped out by a sympathetic existing page-creator. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.91.90|172.70.91.90]] 19:45, 20 June 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Minor edit/Watch this page ==<br /> <br /> Before I save an edit, how do I decide which checkbox to select? [[User:PDesbeginner|PDesbeginner]] ([[User talk:PDesbeginner|talk]]) 14:57, 21 June 2024 (UTC)<br /> :I use the "minor edit" for fixing (my own) typos and when adding links or such to the(my) text. I never used the "watch" option but I guess you can use it to receive mail notifications if someone changes the page [[User:Elektrizikekswerk|Elektrizikekswerk]] ([[User talk:Elektrizikekswerk|talk]]) 10:57, 2 July 2024 (UTC)<br /> :I did a test and it turns out that the "Watch this page" box makes the page get automatically added to your watchlist when you save the edit. Thanks for the help with when to select the minor edit box, but does anyone know what it actually does? [[User:PDesbeginner|PDesbeginner]] ([[User talk:PDesbeginner|talk]]) 20:07, 6 November 2024 (UTC)<br /> ::From my experience of other wiki sites (where I have an account, thus get to see such options), it's not much more than a bit of administrivia, to allow you to mark anything that you consider not bothersome in any way (de-doubling unnecessary whitespace, trivial typo-correction, etc.) and thus letting others selectively ignore such tweaks (at least until they start to wonder why an article has gained/lost several paragraphs as part of an apparently "minor edit").<br /> ::If it has any functional utility beyond just a handy user-flag, I haven't seen it. And no doubt there are those who would ''especially'' check (or have 'Bots check) so-called-minor edits, just to make sure they really are. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.162.203|172.70.162.203]] 23:07, 6 November 2024 (UTC)<br /> ::Thanks! [[User:PDesbeginner|PDesbeginner]] ([[User talk:PDesbeginner|talk]]) 16:58, 7 November 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Hi! ==<br /> <br /> How are all you beautiful people doing? I'm quite alright myself. [[User:Psychoticpotato|P?sych??otic?pot??at???o ]] ([[User talk:Psychoticpotato|talk]]) 03:03, 11 July 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Red text ==<br /> I found red text in the "Flowchart" comic explanation. Could you deal with it? [[User:CategoryGeneral|CategoryGeneral]] ([[User talk:CategoryGeneral|talk]]) 08:58, 30 July 2024 (UTC)<br /> :In [[1195: Flowchart]]? I don't see any there.<br /> :There are similarly named comics, and plenty of furtyer comics "that have a flowchart" so perhaps try at least telling us the number of the one you mean. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.86.145|172.70.86.145]] 18:44, 30 July 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == The future ==<br /> <br /> You know, we're not too far from a future where each and every edit to this website will have paragraphs of critical commentary. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.245.210|108.162.245.210]] 23:49, 19 August 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Comic # 2974 explanation ==<br /> <br /> Someone please hug the editor of the explanation of comic #2974. They seem a little depressed. I noticed your nitpickyness and I cared. Thank you. Also you made me laugh a bunch. {{unsigned ip|172.70.111.167|13:28, 21 August 2024}}<br /> :I don't see that myself (though there will be a number of editors, maybe the bits you mean are less obvious now) although hugs are rarely a bad idea (being careful in cases of sunburn, dermititis, excessive blisters or bubonic infections of various kinds) so free (but entirely optional!) hugs all round. Just because not all symptoms of depression are particularly obvious anyway. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.162.17|172.70.162.17]] 14:37, 21 August 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Comic #3000 ==<br /> Y’all, we’re getting scarily close to comic 3000. Any bets on what it’ll be about? [[User:42.book.addict|42.book.addict]] ([[User talk:42.book.addict|talk]]) 02:17, 23 August 2024 (UTC)<br /> :I'll get back to you on that in a couple of months... ;) [[Special:Contributions/172.70.162.164|172.70.162.164]] 04:39, 23 August 2024 (UTC)<br /> ::I myself think that it’s going to be a continuation of the <code><nowiki>[[Category:xkcd Phones|xkcd phones]]</nowiki></code> series. [[User:42.book.addict|42.book.addict]] ([[User talk:42.book.addict|talk]]) 20:49, 26 August 2024 (UTC)<br /> :::(You probably meant to use something like <code><nowiki>[[:Category:xkcd Phones|xkcd phones]]</nowiki></code>, which appears as the now clickable: [[:Category:xkcd Phones|xkcd phones]] ...or something similar. FYI.) [[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.62|141.101.98.62]] 20:36, 26 September 2024 (UTC)<br /> nothing, you get nothing >:[ [[User:CalibansCreations|'''<span style="color:#ff0000;">Caliban</span>''']] ([[User talk:CalibansCreations|talk]]) 07:06, 24 October 2024 (UTC)<br /> It was SOOO disappointing and just a regular comic :( [[User:Thehydraclone|Thehydraclone]] ([[User talk:Thehydraclone|talk]]) 22:23, 2 February 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Trouble finding comic about how kids read too many comics ==<br /> <br /> Iirc, it was a comic that had newspaper quotes from various times in history. One was that kids read too many comics, one was that kids look out the window too much. Maybe one on too many video games, and/or too much tv. And maybe one on reading. Anyway, I'm having trouble finding it because the keywords are too vague. And "xkcd comic" just brings me to the homepage. Any help would be appreciated 🙏 [[Special:Contributions/172.70.131.6|172.70.131.6]] 04:30, 13 September 2024 (UTC)<br /> :[[1601|1601: Isolation]] [[User:42.book.addict|42.book.addict]] ([[User talk:42.book.addict|talk]]) 15:33, 13 September 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Correct name ==<br /> <br /> What’s the correct name for this wiki? ExplainXKCD is what I use, but there’s also Explainxkcd or explainxkcd or explain xkcd. Please advise for all of us pedantic editors. [[User:42.book.addict|42.book.addict]] ([[User talk:42.book.addict|talk]]) 00:55, 22 September 2024 (UTC)<br /> :A question for the ages. The case of "xkcd" itself is officially all lowered, and all domain names are inherently caseless, whilst xkcd's (usual) comic-text is sᴍᴀʟʟᴄᴀᴘs (or, rather, partly camel-cased SᴍᴀʟʟCᴀᴘs). If I don't use "explainxkcd" I might go for "ExplainXkcd" or "explainXkcd" (the latter two probably wrong, but at least adds degrees of parsability, maybe with some cringing). There's even a [[:File:Logo.png|case]] (NPI!) to call it "EXPLAINxkcd", but I wouldn't. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.26.138|172.71.26.138]] 10:15, 22 September 2024 (UTC)<br /> ::I’ve also noticed that if you substitute x for 23, k for 11, c for 3, and d for 4, as that is the order that they appear in the English alphabet, those four numbers add up to 42, or the answer to life, the universe and everything else. Is this intentional? Has anybody else noticed this? [[User:42.book.addict|42.book.addict]] ([[User talk:42.book.addict|talk]]) 21:41, 14 October 2024 (UTC)<br /> :::[[xkcd#Meaning of xkcd|Yes]] [[Special:Contributions/172.68.205.150|172.68.205.150]] 22:36, 14 October 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Coincidence ==<br /> <br /> I just used the random page feature and got comic [[498: Secretary: Part 5]] twice in a row and got [[496: Secretary: Part 3]] on the third!<br /> Its not important but I just think its neat[[User:Pego|Pego]] ([[User talk:Pego|talk]])<br /> <br /> == Horrendously Cursed numbers ==<br /> <br /> I need them. Currently, my favorite (which I found by a whole lot of guesswork) is 2^2.321928094886. It equals 5. -[[User:Psychoticpotato|P?sych??otic?pot??at???o ]] ([[User talk:Psychoticpotato|talk]]) 23:35, 28 October 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> It happened to bring a typo on page [[1506: xkcloud]] to my attention. [[User:ConscriptGlossary|ConscriptGlossary]] ([[User talk:ConscriptGlossary|talk]]) 04:02, 3 November 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == 2024 Harris banner ==<br /> <br /> Will there be an article archiving and explaining the Harris banner on xkcd.com as of my typing this? https://imgs.xkcd.com/news/harris_news@2x.png [[User:Nitpicking|Nitpicking]] ([[User talk:Nitpicking|talk]]) 01:51, 4 November 2024 (UTC)<br /> :Check [[Header text]]. [[User:42.book.addict|42.book.addict]] ([[User talk:42.book.addict|talk]]) 03:36, 4 November 2024 (UTC)<br /> ::Thanks. [[User:Nitpicking|Nitpicking]] ([[User talk:Nitpicking|talk]]) 04:29, 4 November 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == IP Editing Doesn’t Make Sense ==<br /> <br /> I've read various arguments for why IP editing is allowed, or even a 'good idea'. I've read none that was compelling. Here are my reasons why I think it's not a good idea, and why it should be banned:<br /> <br /> Per {{w|WP:ISU}}, user names that imply shared use are not allowed, so why is editing using an IP address allowed, given that IP addresses usually are shared? If the logic behind this policy is that an edit must be traceable to an individual editor, not a collective entity, then allowing anonymous editing from an IP address flies squarely in the face of that.<br /> IP editing accounts for a large chunk of vandalism, disruptive editing, BLP violations, etc., and stopping it would reduce the cleanup workload for other editors.<br /> Using multiple IP addresses, either intentionally or unintentionally, fragments a user's edit history, and makes it difficult, in some cases virtually impossible, to detect editing patterns and decipher intentions.<br /> The 'hassle' of registering really is not great, and therefore I don't buy the argument that mandatory registration would make it difficult to recruit new editors.<br /> It's too easy for a registered editor to get around certain rules (such as creators not being allowed to remove speedy tags from their own articles) by logging out and editing under IP.<br /> The whole malarkey about hiding IP addresses, allegedly for privacy reasons (!), would go away if IP editing weren't an option.<br /> To be clear, I think everyone should be able to access the site without registering, and anyone should be allowed to edit, just not edit without registering. In that sense it's not that different from using a public library: you're welcome to browse the collection, access the reference section, etc. without anyone asking you any questions, but if you want to take a book home, you need to get a library card from the nice librarian first.<br /> <br /> And a further clarification: I've nothing against users who edit under IP; my issue is with the system which allows this. As long as it is allowed, users are of course welcome to make use of this. I just think it shouldn't be allowed {{unsigned|IP Addresses Don’t Make Sense|23:25, 14 November 2024}}<br /> :As an habitual IP, far for it for me to get involved in the argument. I will say that sometimes think it'd be nice to have a "history" that proves my actual involvement (the other day I came across a contribution from 2013 that was clearly mine), but those moments pass when I see how easy (too easy) it is to have gotten myself an account. Witness the various accounts that get conjoured up on a whim, 'yourself' included... You're not helping the cause by doing this.<br /> :If you're a named user, normally, then you're just giving more reasons for locking everyone into far more restrictions than your nominal argument suggests, and forgetting how much non-disrupting (indeed, fixing) behaviour is also done by everyone. The perfect situation? Maybe not. But there are worse ones, for anyone who has thought about it for any time. Do you want ''my'' suggestions? I've got a whole shopping list of them, but you won't want to hear about them. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.194.227|172.69.194.227]] 03:38, 15 November 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == when did xkcd jump the shark ==<br /> like, when exactly do you feel xkcd jumped the shark (if at all)? [[User:CalibansCreations|'''<span style="color:#ff0000;">Caliban</span>''']] ([[User talk:CalibansCreations|talk]]) 12:45, 28 November 2024 (UTC)<br /> :If it has, than put me down as "likes shark-jumping". I've been directly enjoying (if not always as caught up with as I am these days) xkcd since before [[195: Map of the Internet]] (quite possibly back into only double-figures, but hard to know what I later rewound back to; or quite how far back I subsequently joined the fora and/or started explainxkcding, as both histories are shrouded behind data that's either now lost or inconveniently anonymised).<br /> :Not everything is as geeky as that, but it doesn't have to be. Horses for courses, naturally. (Perhaps lasagna?) If ''everyone'' who had such a moment actually decides to tell you their answer, probably could be up to 3000 or so distinct replies. ("It was the flying ferret" "Those spiders always did it for me" ...) ''To clarify, there may be many valid answers, but the people who would give them are far more likely not to be here to answer your question. If anybody ''does'' hover around here and want to give a definite answer of why they no longer like xkcd, then bear in mind that they're more the exception than the rule. Twice-over!'' [[Special:Contributions/172.71.122.102|172.71.122.102]] 14:22, 28 November 2024 (UTC)<br /> ::Hi, 42.book.addict here to put in my own two cents (check my user page on why I’m an IP). I would like to comment that I have noticed that I very much enjoy the older (albeit lower quality and resolution) comics than before. I think that I like the old xkcd strips more because they were much more geeky and nerdy than now, as well as more funny and witty. I feel like Randall has adapted the strip to appeal to a larger audience, which in turn lowered how much I enjoyed it (as I’m a massive nerd/geek). I can’t give an exact number, because the Covid-19 comics were highly enjoyable and are more of an outlier. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.167.117|162.158.167.117]] 17:33, 28 November 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == How do I add userboxes to my page? ==<br /> I saw a user with userboxes and I want to be able to continue developing my personal page. Can anyone tell my how? [[User:DollarStoreBa&#39;al|DollarStoreBa&#39;al]] ([[User talk:DollarStoreBa&#39;al|talk]]) 19:51, 25 February 2025 (UTC)<br /> :Probably the easiest thing is to look at the source of any page that has something you want to use. 'Edit', the page. You can just copy what's there, if you understand all the {{}} stuff, or even just remember what to put in those {{}}s, etc. Perhaps you could try a bit of in-situ exiting (Preview if you want modify to understand, but ''don't'' fully Save... at least not until you're working back in your own userspace).<br /> :Not knowing how much you know about wikisyntax/markup, I could be either overexplaining or explaining entirely over your head by saying something like the following, but ''if'' it's useful (now, or once you've started), then you're welcome:<br /> :*You can use templates by editing in the {{template|template}} text, with the appropriate name there.<br /> :*Some of them accept/need parameters, which you use by adding a "|" symbol after the name and then a parameter. Add more parameters by adding further "|", for first(, second, third, etc) parameters, as necessary, if that's how the template concerned works.<br /> :*Some templates accept/need "|paramName=paramData" for certain things that can control control (look at any comic page, and how the {{template|comic}} is used, and note that "whitespace is (relatively) free"!), so look out for that.<br /> :*Templates can nest... A {{template|notice}} might have a {{template|w}}(ikipedia link) within it. And there's a whole flow-control 'language' of making complex branching decisions so don't be surprised to see loads of {s and }s (usually doubled, ''perhaps'' tripled, and singly in 'wikitable' markup) in things you're trying to use.<br /> :*Then there's the rest of the wikimarkup... Simple formatting to linking (external website, page on this wiki, interwiki formats (though some of those have templates ready to simplify!), etc). There's some things (handy relevent shortcuts) unique to this site, other things fairly universal. The ''general'' userbox format isn't that different from many other wikiprojects, but you may find something or other a bit more 'tuned' to our needs.<br /> :*Try things out. Remember: "Show Preview" is your friend. (There's also the Sandboxes, but you usually don't need to fully save something, leaving its remnants in a page history, to learn thst it works... Or, more usefully, that it doesn't (or not as you expect).<br /> :...any use? Could be telling you things you actually know, or you're about to ask about the {}s again. But at least look at the userbox markup, that you want to emulate, and then apply what you already can deduce to some testing to see what the bits you ''can't'' deduce actually do. Then you may have nice questions which are more straightforward (or at least direct!) for us to answer. ;)<br /> :And this is my general advice to anyone (where I'm unsure what level of experience they're thrning up with). If it becomes clear that more technical replies are needed (assuming I can give them!), or if we need to go back to more basic principles, then I would adjust. But you have at least been able to do ''some'' edits, so probably don't need module 1 part 1 of Wiki 101. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.85.4|172.70.85.4]] 22:38, 25 February 2025 (UTC)<br /> : My advice? Copy a box from the source of a user page that has them (copy the text within the braces, including the braces), and mess with some of the parameters until you get what you want. If you feel like you can understand it, you can also look at the {{template|userbox}} template and try to see what the possible parameters are, but the template is pretty complicated. I'm pretty sure that all of the parameters are named, so the order shouldn't matter. [[User:Firestar233|guess who]] ([[User talk:Firestar233|if you desire conversing]] | [[Special:Contributions/Firestar233|what i have done]]) 03:55, 26 February 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Who is this? ==<br /> what is [[User:Lettherebedarklight]]?<br /> :They're a user of this wiki, just like you. They might have caught your attention because they're currently [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=User_talk:Lettherebedarklight&oldid=367915 edit warring with an admin] and seem to be resolutely [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=User_talk:Lettherebedarklight&action=history against the idea of having a normal signature or talk page]. --[[User:FaviFake|FaviFake]] ([[User talk:FaviFake|talk]]) 20:57, 8 March 2025 (UTC)<br /> ::no, I mean his user page just redirects to his user talk - [[User:Bb777|Bb777]] ([[User talk:Bb777|talk]]) 23:47, 9 March 2025 (UTC)<br /> :::Exactly! See the second and third links in my message --[[User:FaviFake|FaviFake]] ([[User talk:FaviFake|talk]]) 15:45, 10 March 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Visual editing ==<br /> <br /> why is the visual editor not here yet? - [[User:Bb777|Bb777]] ([[User talk:Bb777|talk]]) 23:23, 15 March 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :Because the only person who has access to the backend has gone dark and nobody else has access (which is also why the site is collapsing). You can read more about this in the Technical and Admin requests portals. At this point, we're lucky the wiki hasn't completely broken down already. --[[User:FaviFake|FaviFake]] ([[User talk:FaviFake|talk]]) 08:59, 16 March 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::Noting that the visual editor gives a chance of ''really'' weird markup (WYSIWYG, yes... probably, but there's plenty of chance to do [[2109: Invisible Formatting|silly''' '''things]] that you'd never do if you actually saw the code).<br /> ::Though the site isn't actually collapsing. It always has a chance ''of'' collapsing, of course, just like any site (fully maintained or not). but the running issues with it are either non-serious things that updating won't help (continual 'spam attack' attempts, though it can be shown that it's already set up to be pretty proofed against most of them and most attacks continue to be dumber than the age-old system set up to prevent them from doing too much, with a high proportuon of the rest still dumber than the 'Bot that currently adds even more protection, and ultimately even those that get past that get handled by the existing userbase) or easily avoided issues (you can't use MathML like you used to be able to, but there's alternatives to that in most circumstances). [[Special:Contributions/172.68.205.92|172.68.205.92]] 16:13, 16 March 2025 (UTC)<br /> :by owner of the wiki, you mean (the mysterious) [[User:Jeff]]? - [[User:Bb777|Bb777]] ([[User talk:Bb777|talk]]) 00:29, 17 March 2025 (UTC)<br /> ::Precisely --[[User:FaviFake|FaviFake]] ([[User talk:FaviFake|talk]]) 16:36, 17 March 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == soup ==<br /> <br /> what is [[Template:soup]] for? - [[User:Bb777|Bb777]] ([[User talk:Bb777|talk]]) 00:44, 17 March 2025 (UTC)<br /> :I guess it's a userbox, [[User:Certified_nqh/userbox|see some examples here]]. --[[User:FaviFake|FaviFake]] ([[User talk:FaviFake|talk]]) 16:36, 17 March 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == deleting pages ==<br /> <br /> does anyone here know how to delete pages? {{unsigned}}<br /> :You add "<nowiki>[[Category: Pages to delete]]</nowiki>" and hope an admin eventually deletes it. --[[User:FaviFake|FaviFake]] ([[User talk:FaviFake|talk]]) 16:46, 25 March 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Google Chrome is now (again) truncating TITLE TEXT in webpages incl. XKCD ==<br /> <br /> Greetings,<br /> As of early April 2025, we’ve noticed that Google Chrome is no longer displaying to us the complete TITLE TEXT when we mouseover an XKCD image. This appears to be a regression of earlier-reported issues, going back 12 years or more.<br /> <br /> We’ve been using m.xkcd.com on my mobile devices, and we may begin to prefer it on desktop as well, since the mobile rendering is the best way we’ve found to access the complete Title Text without browser interference.<br /> <br /> Coming here because, perhaps, many readers of ExplainXKCD might need explained why the Title Text no longer makes a lot of sense with the ellipses, and also, we’ve no idea how to access the remainder of the text from the browser UI, without going into DevTools or something.<br /> <br /> '''Note: This also affects images and Title Text here on Explainxkcd itself!!!'''<br /> <br /> We’re using a ChromeOS Chromebook, Stable channel:<br /> Version 134.0.6998.183 (Official Build) (64-bit)<br /> <br /> <br /> [[User:Elizium23|Elizium23]] ([[User talk:Elizium23|talk]]) 22:28, 4 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> :In my experience with Chrome for Android, it just doesn't have the space to display the text in the window that it gives. (Latest comic ends with "an emitted SIm card hitting...") That also happens with (my prefered choice of browser) Firefox for Android. (''That'' ends with "a emitted SIM card hitting the side ...", for reference.) It's just a function of the screen-real-estate and the fitting it in with all the "Copy link / Share link / Share image / [etc]" options that this interface needs.<br /> :Don't know about ChromeOS and Chromebook, all that much, but I get the impression it works more with the tablet paradigm rather than a normal laptop one (like the one I'm usong here, which gives a nice hover-text rendition of the whole job), and assumes and/or is a lower resolution so subject to such pixelated real-estate issues as I mention.<br /> :That applies to the xkcd.com site. Here on explainxkcd.com it displays as (the beginning, and then) "and you listen very carefully..." on one line and then the URL of "explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/File:decay_chain_2x.png" on the next, above the various "click options". I ''believe'' that's to do with the fact that the explainxkcd image is an href (which gets represented in that space too), whereas the xkcd.com one is perfectly happy to just give me (as much as it can of) the "title=..." parameter of the img-tag.<br /> :...and I've learnt not to worry about that. It's a technical limit that isn't any website's fault (well, maybe it's the fault of ''having'' too long a title-text), and the best that any browser under the circumstances can do.<br /> :There's two ''or three'' main ways of seeing the whole thing though:<br /> :#Go and edit the URL to add "view-source:" in front of it, and look at the source (that's how it works for Android Chrome, I imagine it's how it works in ChromeOS Chrome, it also works in both Windows and Android Firefox, and seems to be industry standard). Awkward, perhaps, to narrow down the appropriate length of markup tagging and read it straight, but it's there.<br /> :#*Noting that a recent update of the Android Chrome started to make the ''default'' action of a URL of "view-soirce:<validURL>" to open a search up on the "view-soirce:<validURL>" line. One has to be careful to eschew using the enter/return key as that makes use of the "magnifying glass" option, you have to choose the second (non-default) "globe-like thing" option which depicts "yes, use this exact 'address'". No, I don't know what they messed with, and why they messed with it, and it's not the only thing that has changed recently with the UI that I really rather they hadn't changed, but took a while for me to dig up an answer about that so I freely share it in anticipation of it being important to someone else who remains similarly confused.<br /> :#Easiest thing is to come here to explainxkcd, and don't bother with the hover-over (or whatever-you-do-to-get-the-title-text) text, at all. It's written beneath all (or nearly all?) Explanation Page images in plain sight. No hovering needed. Should be complete, unless the BOT (or someone who later comes along) has managed to mess it up, but then somebody (else) will probably fix it to how it really should be, and any remaining pecularities gets documented in the Explanation and/or its Talk.<br /> :#There's also maybe dedicated xkcd viewers (I've got three installed from the Android store, just because I haven't yet decided that any one does everything I want it to do: "xkcd", "xkcd Browser" and "XKCDroid") that do at least try to be more hassle-free with their presentation of the hover-over title text. Don't know if you have such options under the ChromeOS system, but with even Windows going for 'app store' functionality behind it (not that I use it, save for very particular elements) I would rather hope that there'd be ports/clones of similar functionality that you can look at.<br /> :I can easily imagine that the crew behind Chrome have indeed been messing around with your particular build. Like I said, things keep changing to my own instance, althugh the biggest problem I have is often that when editing it doesn't recognise the need to pop up the on-screen keyboard until I've changed tabs away from the editing page and back again, then I can actually do something (beyond cut/copy/paste actions, which sometimes is enough). But that's probably not going to affect you like it does me.<br /> :And I don't use any "m.site.url" version of anything, if I can help it. Most mobile-site implementations tend to assume that I'm viewing in extreme portrait mode (which I'm not) and rearrange themselves in a way that really doesn't work in my prefered landscape orienttion, and that's just the start. As I don't do this, the above testing/examples I give was all done on "(explain)xkcd.com", not "m.xkcd.com" or whatever. But I don't see that it'll make a material difference to my checks and enumerations I've just done on your behalf. And still, hopefully, helps you understand my conclusion that... well, use one or other of my 'get arounds' (number 2?) and let Chromebook Chrome go and do whatever it feels like with hovertexts, 'cos you're not too bothered about it. Sound good? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.58.5|172.70.58.5]] 23:46, 4 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == An apology ==<br /> <br /> Hello. I am a former vandal; I am the one who ran the "crap" bot and posted the Soviet flags; I also did smaller-scale vandalism several times. I'm not sure exactly when I quit, but it's been a year or two. I'm sorry for the trouble I caused, and I won't do it again. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.158.116|172.71.158.116]] 16:10, 5 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :Care to explain what your reasoning was? --[[User:FaviFake|FaviFake]] ([[User talk:FaviFake|talk]]) 17:25, 5 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::I didn't really have any reasoning; I just (stupidly) thought it was funny. I don't want to reveal my exact age, but I was in my early-to-mid teen years then; it was just immature "humor." [[Special:Contributions/172.69.23.125|172.69.23.125]] 21:58, 5 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> <br /> == is this HTML?==<br /> I wonder if this is HTML. <h1> Is this h1? </h1> [[User:Aprilfoolsupdate!|Aprilfoolsupdate!]] ([[User talk:Aprilfoolsupdate!|talk]]) 04:43, 15 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> :turns out h1 is the same as == [[User:Aprilfoolsupdate!|Aprilfoolsupdate!]] ([[User talk:Aprilfoolsupdate!|talk]]) 04:43, 15 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> :Actually, it's not, if you check.<br /> :Wiki ==ed header is:<br /> ::<code><nowiki><h2><span class="mw-headline" id="is_this_HTML.3F">is this HTML?</span></nowiki></code> (+ the thing that gives you the "[edit]" link, etc, to the end of the h2-entity)<br /> :Wiki 'forced' H1 is:<br /> ::<code><nowiki><h1><span class="mw-headline" id="Is_this_h1.3F">Is this h1?</span></h1></nowiki></code> (and nothing else)<br /> :It's not ''very'' obvious, but H1/= and H2/== are actually ''slightly'' different.<br /> <H1>H1 text...</H1><br /> <H2>H2 text...</H2><br /> <H3>For contrast, this is H3</H3><br /> :Let's just say that the full range from = to ====== match H1 to H6 (give or take other differences, and I haven't checked what even greater "="-strings might or might not do), but mixing established wikimarkup and XML-family markup is best done with care and with good reason (e.g. to deliberately not invoke Table Of Contents-type sectioning? ...no, apparently not even that!).<br /> :And you know that there's always the Sandbox pages (or, even better, edit something, Preview it, view the Preview's source and then ''don't "Save Changes"'' ...unless you still need to for some other reason) as a better alternative to 'asking' ultimately rhetorical questions in here. (And inviting potentially rhetorical answers, like this one.)<br /> :You seem to have an enquiring mind, which is good. But remember that "a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing". I'm only giving you a bit of ''extra'' knowledge here, but also adding about the caution you should take. Please don't be a nuisance with it, unintentionally or otherwise. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.216.104|162.158.216.104]] 06:53, 15 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == How do I create a user page for myself? ==<br /> <br /> I do not know how to create a user page for myself</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=explain_xkcd_talk:Sandbox&diff=377989 explain xkcd talk:Sandbox 2025-05-16T15:23:49Z

<p>Log of n: </p> <hr /> <div>__NOINDEX__<br /> Make changes, try things out, or just have fun with the wiki here! Just leave everything above the line alone, please.<br /> ------<br /> This is a test. [[User:PoolloverNathan|PoolloverNathan]]<sup><nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Special:Contributions/PoolloverNathan|s]][[User talk:PoolloverNathan|talk]] [[Wikipedia:WP:SEAOFBLUE|the blue seas]]<nowiki>]</nowiki></sup> 20:48, 16 March 2021 (UTC)<br /> ::This is not. —[[User:While False|While False]] ([[User:While False/explain xkcd museum|'''museum''']] | [[User talk:While False|talk]] | [[special:Contributions/While_False|contributions]] | [[special:Log/While_False|logs]] | [[Special:UserRights/While_False|rights]] | [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=User:While_False&printable=yes printable version] | [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=User:While_False&action=info page information] | [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/Special:WhatLinksHere/User:While_False what links there] | [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Special:RecentChangesLinked&days=30&from=&target=User%3AWhile_False related changes] | [https://www.google.com Google search] | current time: {{CURRENTTIME}}) 18:38, 17 November 2022 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :A foreign student asked me to help fight against his math teacher. That was unusual. He was in that class for just a couple of weeks. The teacher's phone number was sent to me. The student asked me to spam-call the teacher. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.155.55|172.71.155.55]] 22:58, 18 September 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> here i'm just messing around in html, ignore this<br /> <br /> <sup>furhhfghure</sup> <sub>guyrburgryhuyvfr</sub> &quot;rvhru&quot;<br /> <p>interesting way of writing quotations xd<br /> :hmmm this one of putting "&lt;p&gt;" in a line break will come in handy for when i want it to start at the same place than the first line<br /> </p><br /> ::Please beware that &lt;p&gt; on mediawiki also disables automatic paragraph breaks, so you need a closing &lt;/p&gt; or you'll break automatic paragraph formatting for the rest of the page. [[User:Zmatt|Zmatt]] ([[User talk:Zmatt|talk]]) 22:06, 31 July 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> edit: da hek did that "&lt;/div&gt;" come from [[User:An user who has an account|An user who has no account yet]] ([[User talk:An user who has no account yet|talk]]) 14:14, 13 October 2023 (UTC)<br /> <br /> hi uh its hard to get here.<br /> is this a reference to undocumented feature??? hmm... this is interesting. <br /> <br>[[Special:Contributions/108.162.241.216|108.162.241.216]] 02:05, 23 November 2023 (UTC)<br /> {{soup}}<br /> {{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}{{soup}}<br /> yum yum {{citation_needed}}<br /> '''''[[Hi]]'''''<nowiki>uiedeixgeyceiyedhcdiedcve</nowiki><br /> {{trout}}</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:93:_Jeremy_Irons&diff=377988 Talk:93: Jeremy Irons 2025-05-16T14:38:29Z

<p>Log of n: </p> <hr /> <div>I don't think the words that are bolded in the transcript are meant to be that way. In earlier comics, such as this, the writing wasn't as neat. I think the bold should be taken off. [[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.175|173.245.54.175]] 01:14, 28 September 2014 (UTC)<br /> :I checked the comic, and I believe that you are right. I changed the transcript. If anyone more experienced than I feels that I did so wrongly, then feel free to revert the page. [[User:Educatedtiger|Educatedtiger]]([[User talk:Educatedtiger|talk]]) 09:38, 14 November 2014 (UTC)<br /> I think this may be the only comic where eyes and mouths are drawn.<br /> [[User:Log of n|Log of n]] ([[User talk:Log of n|talk]]) 14:38, 16 May 2025 (UTC)</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2752:_Salt_Dome&diff=377982 2752: Salt Dome 2025-05-16T14:05:58Z

<p>Log of n: /* Explanation */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 2752<br /> | date = March 20, 2023<br /> | title = Salt Dome<br /> | image = salt_dome_2x.png<br /> | imagesize = 422x338px<br /> | noexpand = true<br /> | titletext = The US uses hollowed-out salt domes to store the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and non-hollowed-out ones to store the Strategic Salt Reserve.<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> This comic refers to how downwards pressure in one area of the world can cause upwards pressure in another, causing geologic structures, like {{w|salt domes}}, to rise up.<br /> <br /> In the comic, [[Beret Guy]] and [[Ponytail]] are sitting at a table and eating dinner alongside [[Cueball]], who is presumably a {{w|geologist}}. When asked to "pass the salt," Cueball, with his extensive knowledge of the Earth's crust and its interactions with the surface, is aware of this pressure phenomenon, and as such is stomping on his chair in order to create downward pressure on the ground beneath. This apparently works exactly as intended, as a salt dome has risen out of the floor and even begun to break through the dinner table. The caption humorously remarks that this is what will happen if you ask any geologist to "pass the salt," which conventionally means to simply hand a salt shaker or dispenser to another diner who cannot reach it. A salt shaker, presumably containing the salt intended to be passed, can be seen on their table. "The general problem" of passing salt and other condiments is discussed in comic [[974: The General Problem]].<br /> <br /> Cueball mentions {{w|overburden pressure}}, a geological term referring to the pressure that outer layers of rock exert on inner layers. This is what usually causes the rising of salt domes; however Cueball's stomping on his chair would not produce sufficient overburden pressure to raise a salt dome. Interestingly, this is exactly the kind of [[:Category:Strange powers of Beret Guy|strange powers]] Beret Guy, who is also present at the table, usually displays (see [[1388: Subduction License]]).<br /> <br /> The title text mentions the {{w|Strategic Petroleum Reserve (United States)|Strategic Petroleum Reserve}}, a United States government reserve of oil for use in emergencies. [[Randall]] observes the true fact that artificial caves within hollowed-out salt domes create the spaces for storage of this oil; in fact, naturally-occurring petroleum is often found under {{w|salt domes}}. The joke in the title text is Randall's claim that salt domes that are not yet hollow are used to store the US salt reserve. Of course this could be seen as true, but this salt is not put there by humans, but by nature, and is thus not stored there by any government. Further, the use of the term "salt dome" in the title text plays on the ambiguity between geological {{w|Salt dome|salt domes}} and the {{w|monolithic dome}} structures commonly used to store reserves of road salt, which also are commonly referred to as "salt domes".<br /> <br /> Ordinary salt is available in abundance throughout the U.S.[https://uwaterloo.ca/earth-sciences-museum/resources/detailed-rocks-and-minerals-articles/salt] so there is no need for a national strategic salt reserve. However, the UK <em>does</em> maintain an [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategic-salt-protocol/national-emergency-salt-reserve-salt-protocol-note-for-local-highway-authorities-in-england Emergency Salt Reserve] as part of a [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategic-salt-protocol Strategic Salt Protocol] to ensure highways can be salted during prolonged wintry weather, just as most communities throughout the world regularly using salt on roads stockpile it for such purposes.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[This comic is drawn on a gray background, with the segment beneath the floor in dark gray. This is to make the white part of the comic stand out as very white. In the comic Cueball, Beret Guy and Ponytail are dining at a long table, with Cueball and Ponytail far from each other at the either end of the table. Beret Guy sits close to Cueball, facing towards the reader, and he is quite far away from Ponytail. Beret Guy and Ponytail are sitting down in their chairs, Ponytail with her hands in her lap, Beret Guy with his arms on the table. Their chairs are quite high, neither of them are even close to reaching the floor with their feet. Cueball, on the other hand, is standing on his chair and is loudly stomping on the chair. This has caused the floor beneath the chairs legs to be dented slightly down. And a white column of salt has burst through the ground and is rising up under the table clearly bending the table up in the process, and the table surface is cracking up in several places. The white dome, the only white part of the image, is broader at the top than where it breaks through the floor, but widens out beneath the floor. The white salt has several small black spots on it, to indicate a rough surface. On the table there are three dining plates with food, a bowl and a plate with food, about to slide down the domed table surface, and two wine glasses, one of which has fallen over due to the deformation of the table. It has fallen over near Ponytail releasing the liquid out on the table, where it runs out over the side. Between Cueball and Beret Guy there stands a salt shaker, that could have been passed to Ponytail.]<br /> :Cueball: Just a little more overburden pressure...<br /> :Cueball: The dome is almost through the table...<br /> :Cueball stomping: <big>''Stomp stomp''</big><br /> <br /> :[Caption below the panel:]<br /> :Never ask a geologist to pass the salt.<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br /> [[Category:Geology]]<br /> [[Category:Food]]</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2752:_Salt_Dome&diff=377963 2752: Salt Dome 2025-05-16T12:14:52Z

<p>Log of n: deleted red link</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 2752<br /> | date = March 20, 2023<br /> | title = Salt Dome<br /> | image = salt_dome_2x.png<br /> | imagesize = 422x338px<br /> | noexpand = true<br /> | titletext = The US uses hollowed-out salt domes to store the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and non-hollowed-out ones to store the Strategic Salt Reserve.<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> This comic refers to how downwards pressure in one area of the world can cause upwards pressure in another, causing geologic structures, like {{w|salt domes}}, to rise up.<br /> <br /> In the comic, [[Beret Guy]] and [[Ponytail]] are sitting at a table and eating dinner alongside [[Cueball]], who is presumably a {{w|geologist}}. When asked to "pass the salt," Cueball, with his extensive knowledge of the Earth's crust and its interactions with the surface, is aware of this pressure phenomenon, and as such is stomping on his chair in order to create downward pressure on the ground beneath. This apparently works exactly as intended, as a salt dome has risen out of the floor and even begun to break through the dinner table. The caption humorously remarks that this is what will happen if you ask any geologist to "pass the salt," which conventionally means to simply hand a salt shaker or dispenser to another diner who cannot reach it. A salt shaker, presumably containing the salt intended to be passed, can be seen on their table. "The general problem" of passing salt and other condiments is discussed in comic [[974: The General Problem]].<br /> <br /> Cueball mentions {{w|overburden pressure}}, a geological term referring to the pressure that outer layers of rock exert on inner layers. This is what usually causes the rising of salt domes; however Cueball's stomping on his chair would not produce sufficient overburden pressure to raise a salt dome.{{fact}} Interestingly, this is exactly the kind of [[:Category:Strange powers of Beret Guy|strange powers]] Beret Guy, who is also present at the table, usually displays (see [[1388: Subduction License]]).<br /> <br /> The title text mentions the {{w|Strategic Petroleum Reserve (United States)|Strategic Petroleum Reserve}}, a United States government reserve of oil for use in emergencies. [[Randall]] observes the true fact that artificial caves within hollowed-out salt domes create the spaces for storage of this oil; in fact, naturally-occurring petroleum is often found under {{w|salt domes}}. The joke in the title text is Randall's claim that salt domes that are not yet hollow are used to store the US salt reserve. Of course this could be seen as true, but this salt is not put there by humans, but by nature, and is thus not stored there by any government. Further, the use of the term "salt dome" in the title text plays on the ambiguity between geological {{w|Salt dome|salt domes}} and the {{w|monolithic dome}} structures commonly used to store reserves of road salt, which also are commonly referred to as "salt domes".<br /> <br /> Ordinary salt is available in abundance throughout the U.S.[https://uwaterloo.ca/earth-sciences-museum/resources/detailed-rocks-and-minerals-articles/salt] so there is no need for a national strategic salt reserve. However, the UK <em>does</em> maintain an [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategic-salt-protocol/national-emergency-salt-reserve-salt-protocol-note-for-local-highway-authorities-in-england Emergency Salt Reserve] as part of a [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategic-salt-protocol Strategic Salt Protocol] to ensure highways can be salted during prolonged wintry weather, just as most communities throughout the world regularly using salt on roads stockpile it for such purposes.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[This comic is drawn on a gray background, with the segment beneath the floor in dark gray. This is to make the white part of the comic stand out as very white. In the comic Cueball, Beret Guy and Ponytail are dining at a long table, with Cueball and Ponytail far from each other at the either end of the table. Beret Guy sits close to Cueball, facing towards the reader, and he is quite far away from Ponytail. Beret Guy and Ponytail are sitting down in their chairs, Ponytail with her hands in her lap, Beret Guy with his arms on the table. Their chairs are quite high, neither of them are even close to reaching the floor with their feet. Cueball, on the other hand, is standing on his chair and is loudly stomping on the chair. This has caused the floor beneath the chairs legs to be dented slightly down. And a white column of salt has burst through the ground and is rising up under the table clearly bending the table up in the process, and the table surface is cracking up in several places. The white dome, the only white part of the image, is broader at the top than where it breaks through the floor, but widens out beneath the floor. The white salt has several small black spots on it, to indicate a rough surface. On the table there are three dining plates with food, a bowl and a plate with food, about to slide down the domed table surface, and two wine glasses, one of which has fallen over due to the deformation of the table. It has fallen over near Ponytail releasing the liquid out on the table, where it runs out over the side. Between Cueball and Beret Guy there stands a salt shaker, that could have been passed to Ponytail.]<br /> :Cueball: Just a little more overburden pressure...<br /> :Cueball: The dome is almost through the table...<br /> :Cueball stomping: <big>''Stomp stomp''</big><br /> <br /> :[Caption below the panel:]<br /> :Never ask a geologist to pass the salt.<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br /> [[Category:Geology]]<br /> [[Category:Food]]</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:3087:_Pascal%27s_Law&diff=377700 Talk:3087: Pascal's Law 2025-05-13T10:47:40Z

<p>Log of n: </p> <hr /> <div><br /> I remember learning about this and thinking it was intuitive, but I didn't really think of these consequences. Maybe everybody is making powerful lifting machines for lifting cars and houses with your bare hands, rather than explaining the article, that there isn't one yet. Pascal's law basically says that if you make one end of a container of fluid X times larger, then any force exerted on the small end is multiplied by X on the large end, so you can make it near-infinite by making the small end very small. But you'll need a little more machinery added (like a gear system) if you want the distance actually moved to be higher. Actually I think that might undo the gains in force entirely. That might be how it happens, it might swap distance for force so the same work is performed.<br /> <br /> Hey, remember that comic where Randall challenged people to fold a paper too small? This hand-makeable device could get farther on that!<br /> [[Special:Contributions/172.70.111.110|172.70.111.110]] 21:46, 9 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> : yes, that's how it works; the total work is constant and the hydraulic system is converting a small force over a long distance to a large force over a small distance. if you additionally want the force to be over a larger distance, you need to put more energy into the system or else you could push this machine with its own output and get free energy from nothing. really though hydraulics are just smoother, backlashless, equivalents to a gear train in the first place so you generally wouldnt need to use both. - [[User:Vaedez|Vaedez]] ([[User talk:Vaedez|talk]]) 23:37, 9 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> :: Small tube needs to be X times as long to get same displacement. Good for linear force rather than torque. Fluid's own pressure can be the force if tube is long enough. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.55.33|172.68.55.33]] 11:41, 10 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> As someone old enough to remember the [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slashdot_effect slashdot effect], I wonder if XKCD comics generate a similar effect on search engines. Though I doubt they would buckle under the weight these days. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.60.148|172.69.60.148]] 22:00, 9 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> To whoever wrote the initial transcript, remember that we don't include the title text. [[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 22:06, 9 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I have to wonder whether he has the same disbelief of, say, levers... which allow one to move the Earth. [[User:Jordan Brown|Jordan Brown]] ([[User talk:Jordan Brown|talk]]) 23:34, 9 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I'm not sure, but he did make [[857: Archimedes]]<br /> [[User:Log of n|Log of n]] ([[User talk:Log of n|talk]]) 10:47, 13 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Although some laws of physics are absolute and lead to extreme consequences, others are taught in a simplified form that can lead to wrong conclusions. For example, "Light and heavy objects fall at the same rate" can be used to prove that objects fall at the same rate on the Earth and the Moon - which is far from correct. If the Moon were somehow dropped onto the Earth, it would fall at a certain rate. The Earth dropped on the Moon would necessarily fall at the same rate. So if the Moon falling on the Earth fell at the same rate as a bowling ball, then the bowling ball would have to fall at the same rate on the Moon. When I read Heinlein's _The Rolling Stones_ as a pre-teen, where he describes things falling slower on the Moon, I applied this reasoning and concluded that Heinlein must have made a mistake. The solution to this paradox is that something as big as the Moon will not only accelerate toward the Earth, it will significantly accelerate the Earth toward it, so the Moon does not actually fall at the same rate as a bowling ball. [[User:Cphoenix|Cphoenix]] ([[User talk:Cphoenix|talk]]) 01:01, 10 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> : I think if you stand at the shared center of mass of the Earth and Moon, that then you see the Moon falling toward the Earth according to its constant field of gravitational acceleration, as well as the Earth falling toward the Moon according to its constant field of acceleration. It was indeed confusing for me to realize this, involving visit to pages such as https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_acceleration . F=Gm1m2/r^2 so if m1 is taken out you get a constant F=m1 a2 and vice versa. But I think the page says this only holds if the masses are far enough from each other to be treatable as points. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.55.47|172.68.55.47]] 11:57, 10 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Besides, isn't it better to just ''believe'' in Pascal's Law if it offers a reward of near-infinite force? <br /> [[User:StapleFreeBatteries|StapleFreeBatteries]] ([[User talk:StapleFreeBatteries|talk]]) 04:58, 10 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> :I'll wager that you're pleased with that reference... ;) (Whether or not you actually were!) [[Special:Contributions/172.71.26.43|172.71.26.43]] 15:58, 10 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Could this be referencing or inspired by this recent paper talking about the use of hydraulics to build pyramids? https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0306690 [[Special:Contributions/172.68.234.169|172.68.234.169]] 08:52, 10 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> It could be noted that simple machines can multiply forces more or less arbitrarily, but only up to what the machine itself can withstand. Many "why didn't the ancients do that?" can be answered with "bronze kind of sucks". [[Special:Contributions/172.69.246.149|172.69.246.149]] 14:19, 10 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> :Right. Archimedes's "Give me a lever long enough..." assumes that the lever is made of a material that won't buckle or snap under the weight of the Earth. If there were a material like that it would make building long bridges much simpler. [[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 16:58, 10 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> :It is also quite difficult to efficiently contain a fluid under pressure in a moving system. All considerations of innovation-stiffling aside, the same problem hindered the use of the Stirling engine untill very recently. Force applied to a rigid mediom is much easier to predict / monitor (a solid either holds or doesn't, but it doesnt leak -not in a way that would have been hindering the use in everyday life by "the ancients" anyway). To a certain extent it is also the reason why most common bikes still use cable brakes : sure it't less efficient but it's much cheaper and you can repair them in no time with common garden-shed-grade equipment.{{unsigned ip|172.71.232.101|22:07, 11 May 2025 (UTC)}}<br /> :I think the hydraulic press is different from the lever in that the material only needs to withstand the pressure of the fluid, not the total force exerted by the press. The force is spread over the large area of the pressing end, such that the entire surface area holds the same pressure as the smaller end at every point. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.63.90|162.158.63.90]] 23:33, 12 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ;Donald Knuth?<br /> Is there a name for the teacher character (a cueball with tufts of hair on the sides of his head)? [[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 16:58, 10 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :The teacher appears to be Donald Knuth, though not sure why Randall has used him.--[[User:Darth Vader|Darth Vader]] ([[User talk:Darth Vader|talk]]) 09:14, 11 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::We should add the comic to [[:Category:Comics featuring Donald Knuth]] then. --[[User:FaviFake|FaviFake]] ([[User talk:FaviFake|talk]]) 10:09, 11 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ----<br /> <br /> Here's a reference that claims that water hammer, rather than just depth pressure, was the major effect used in ''ruina montium'': https://blog.ferrovial.com/en/2022/08/ruina-montium-use-water-for-digging-romans/ -- [[User:Dtgriscom|Dtgriscom]] ([[User talk:Dtgriscom|talk]]) 00:04, 11 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> A few years back I posted a question on Stack Exchange (https://history.stackexchange.com/questions/60189/which-mountain-collapsed-in-france-in-1820-21) about a report, in a 19th-century biblical commentary, of a mountain collapsing due to just this kind of thing - fluid pressure building up. First thought when I saw the reference to ''ruina montium'' in the comic was that maybe that's it - but no. So, just curious: anyone have any thoughts on what event is being referred to in that commentary? (The one suggestion that someone made there, about a glacier advancing, doesn't seem to fit.) Thanks! [[Special:Contributions/172.71.23.87|172.71.23.87]] 03:38, 11 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> :No idea, but I gotta say, that font or scan is unreadable. Some words are decipherable like הר גבוה and ובמקומו but damn, about half of it is just splotches. No idea how you could read that. --[[User:NeatNit|NeatNit]] ([[User talk:NeatNit|talk]]) 05:12, 11 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> ::I hear. There's a transcript of it (though without the diagram) at https://he.wikisource.org/wiki/%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%91%D7%99%22%D7%9D_%D7%A2%D7%9C_%D7%90%D7%99%D7%95%D7%91_%D7%9E%D7%91_%D7%99%D7%93. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.175.208|172.70.175.208]] 18:50, 11 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Should there be a goofs section here, because the white board is drawn with perspective, but the picture on it is not. It will look odd, like the whole contraption is tilted, to the students[[User:Drkaii|Drkaii]] ([[User talk:Drkaii|talk]]) 09:10, 11 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> I don't know how to write it, but someone should probably write the actual *point* of the comic: Randall coming up with ridiculous scenarios to disprove the theory, only to be informed that those scenarios actually happened.{{unsigned ip|172.69.70.145|23:57, 11 May 2025 (UTC)}}<br /> <br /> Also don't forget that there was a Mythbusters episode to this effect (well, in reverse and with air, but same principle), it's possible to lift a car with a single household vacuum-cleaner just by splitting the hose into a few dozen rather large suction cups. More surface area = more force for the same pressure.{{unsigned ip|162.158.3.106|07:06, 12 May 2025 (UTC)}}<br /> <br /> I'm sure there must be a name for the belief of absurdity (or counterintuitiveness) due to ignorance or failure/refusal to understand the entirety of a circumstance, or overgeneralization of known outcomes that only partially match the circumstance in question. If there is, that should probably be mentioned in the explanation. Does anyone here know what that might be? [[User:SammyChips|SammyChips]] ([[User talk:SammyChips|talk]]) 16:17, 12 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> :Maybe not entirely congruous with what you describe, but the "{{w|Argument from incredulity}}" is still somewhat similar. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.99.94|141.101.99.94]] 22:13, 12 May 2025 (UTC)<br /> :Do you mean forming incorrect inferences by leaving out some of the facts? [[Special:Contributions/162.158.62.109|162.158.62.109]] 23:35, 12 May 2025 (UTC)</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=3034:_Features_of_Adulthood&diff=374028 3034: Features of Adulthood 2025-04-21T12:10:23Z

<p>Log of n: /* Events */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 3034<br /> | date = January 6, 2025<br /> | title = Features of Adulthood<br /> | image = features_of_adulthood_2x.png<br /> | imagesize = 704x620px<br /> | noexpand = true<br /> | titletext = I don't dig pit traps and cover them with sticks and a thin layer of leaves nearly as much as I expected; I find a chance to do it barely once a month.<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> {{incomplete| Unexpectedly created by an adult BOT digging pit traps - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br /> <br /> This comic is a graph comparing the (mostly) common ideas of adulthood from a young person's perspective with reality of it. The plot is fully populated, with many issues (both common and uncommon) matching expectations pretty well, as well as features that are much rarer than expected (like encounters with quicksand, crocodiles and explosives), and some very common issues that don't occur to young people, such as deciding what to eat, or dealing with weird noises and smells.<br /> <br /> It is clear that much of the 'lower-right triangle' (things that don't come up nearly as often as expected) are ''direct'' references to fictional scenarios on film or TV, likely particularly the type of fiction that [[Randall]] consumed as a child (probably including cartoons and action movies). In contrast, the complimentary 'upper-left triangle' largely consists of the type of mundane adult activities that children don't see or notice in real life, and which often aren't interesting enough to be disproportionately common in fiction.<br /> <br /> ==Events==<br /> <br /> {| class="wikitable sortable"<br /> ! Event<br /> ! Expected frequency in adulthood<br /> ! Actual frequency in adulthood<br /> ! Notes<br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Eating utensil etiquette#Fork etiquette|Which fork you're supposed to use for what}}<br /> | 0%<br /> | 3%<br /> | Traditional, formal dining involves {{w|Fork#Types of forks|different types of forks}} for different courses of a meal. Learning {{w|Table setting#Place setting|which fork to use}} for which course might be taught in {{w|etiquette school}}, and is perceived as a signifier of social class (though this is likely an exaggerated concern). Dining has generally become less formal in Western society since the mid-20th century; as a result, most people are used to only using a single fork, or at most two, for their meals. This means that, for most people, {{tvtropes|FormalFullArrayOfCutlery|the issue rarely comes up}}, even in adulthood.<br /> |-<br /> | {{tvtropes|CartoonBomb|Lit fuses}}<br /> | 40%<br /> | 0%<br /> | Explosives with visible lit fuses are commonly seen in movies and TV shows, particularly in cartoons. In reality, the average person is unlikely to deal with explosives at all. When explosives are used, they're usually electrically detonated, or sometimes use a concealed fuse (e.g. {{w|grenade}}s). Visible, burning fuses are sufficiently obsolete that most people will never encounter them directly. <br /> |-<br /> | {{tvtropes|PalatePropping|Shoving a stick}} in a {{w|crocodile}}'s mouth to wedge it open<br /> | 80%<br /> | 0%<br /> | Placing a vertical stick in a crocodile’s mouth is a popular TV trope to prevent the crocodile from {{w|Crocodile attack|biting down}} (usually on the stick placer). Crocodile attacks on humans are common only in specific geographical areas, meaning that most people will never encounter them. Even when such an encounter happens, using a stick in that way would almost certainly be ineffective. <br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Quicksand}}<br /> | 100%<br /> | 0%<br /> | Quicksand is {{tvtropes|QuicksandSucks|common in adventure fiction}}, but it's quite rare in real life (nor does it generally behave the way it's depicted in such fiction). The average person is unlikely to ever encounter it. <br /> |- <br /> | {{w|Car chase}}s<br /> | 35%<br /> | 5%<br /> | Car chases are frequently seen in movies and TV shows involving police, including real-life police shows, but unless you're a police officer or criminal trying to evade them, you'll probably never be involved in one. <br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Grappling hook}}s<br /> | 100%<br /> | 5%<br /> | A grappling hook is a device, typically made of metal, with multiple hooks and features to allow it to be secured to the end of a rope. It can be thrown to either grab an object at a distance and pull it toward you, or to anchor the rope to an elevated point (such as on a cliff or building) to aid in climbing. The latter use is quite common in action and adventure fiction. While such devices do exist in real life, they generally have specialty uses that the average person is unlikely to have the need for. <br /> |-<br /> | People offering free drugs<br /> | 30%<br /> | 10%<br /> | Children being warned about illicit drugs have often been cautioned that drug dealers would inevitably approach them and offer them free drugs, in order to encourage an addiction and gain a reliable customer. In real life, drug dealers virtually never work that way, and are unlikely to part with their product unless payment has been made. Most people are introduced to drugs by friends or acquaintances, who might offer some for free, but that's only likely in specific social groups and situations. <br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Parachute}}s<br /> | 80%<br /> | 10%<br /> | {{w|Parachuting}} allows people to jump out of planes at altitude, or from other elevated heights, and slow their descent enough to land safely. This is dramatic enough to come up often in adventure fiction. Parachutes are, of course, used in real life, but most people will only have reason to use them if they put the money and effort into recreational skydiving or {{w|BASE jumping}}. <br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Barrels}}<br /> | 95%<br /> | 10%<br /> | Wooden or {{w|Drum (container)|metal}} storage containers are frequently used as concealment, improvised weapons and (sometimes explosive) obstacles in popular media. While barrels are actually quite common, they're large enough that the majority of people rarely have a reason to interact with them, unless they happen to work in a job that either sells or uses liquids in large quantities.<br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Middle name}}s<br /> | 15%<br /> | 20%<br /> | A second (or occasionally also third or more) {{w|given name}}, common in some traditions. In most Anglophone countries, having a middle name is common, but most people only use them in formal situations where a full name is required (as when filling out legal documents), or if they adopt the middle name to be known by (in which case, most people will not realise this). This is true to the point where most people don't know the middle names of most of their acquaintances, or even if they have one. In consequence, both as a child and as an adult, middle names will be encountered occasionally, but not regularly.<br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Food fight}}s<br /> | 50%<br /> | 20%<br /> | A common trope in fiction has a young people eating together (often in a cafeteria), and someone playfully begins throwing food, causing others to retaliate, until the whole room devolves into a food fight. Such a fight is inherently messy and irresponsible, but is unlikely to actually hurt anyone seriously, and so represents youthful hijinks. Such events aren't unknown in real life, but aren't necessarily pleasant (food is wasted and people might miss their meal as a result, you might end up covered in food all day, clean-up is a big job, punishments are likely to be handed out, and clothes might be permanently stained), so they aren't nearly as common as someone raised on fiction might imagine. Adults are most likely to encounter them being indulged in by the children in their life, rather than taking part themselves.<br /> |-<br /> | {{tvtropes|TwinSwitch|Twins switching places}}<br /> | 90%<br /> | 20%<br /> | In fiction, if a pair of identical twins are introduced, it's almost inevitable that they'll trade places at some point, each trying to pass for the other, whether as a prank, or for some more serious purpose (a version of {{w|Chekhov's gun}}), such as in the movie {{w|The Parent Trap}}. Actual identical twins are quite rare (roughly 1 in 300 live births), even identical twins might not look exactly alike, and many twins get tired of being confused for one another at a young age, and so have no interest trying to trade places as adults. Frankly, a real life percentage above 0% may be a joke. <br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Flat tire}}s<br /> | 10%<br /> | 25%<br /> | Anyone who drives or rides a vehicle with tires faces the possibility of a tire going flat, due to either wear or road damage. This is usually merely an inconvenience, as it requires stopping to change or patch the tire, but a person lacking the knowledge or equipment to do so might have to call for help and/or be stranded until help arrives. Young people tend to be aware of this possibility, but it may happen a bit more often than they'd expect. <br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Briefcase}}s<br /> | 70%<br /> | 25%<br /> | Frequently used to carry documents and other small office equipment, they've historically been treated as part of the standard kit for a white collar worker. In fiction, they are often portrayed as {{tvtropes|BriefcaseFullOfMoney|a means to carry a large amount of cash}}, {{tvtropes|BriefcaseBlaster|conceal a firearm}}, or a {{tvtropes|MacGuffin}}. The popularity of briefcases has been declining after the 1980s. In modern times, documents are likely to be kept digitally and people are far more likely to carry a laptop bag for work than a briefcase. <br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Martial arts}}<br /> | 95%<br /> | 25%<br /> | A child raised on action films and TV shows may assume that use of martial arts is a normal part of life for most adults. In reality, most adults aren't trained in martial arts, and those who are very rarely use them in an actual fight. Martial arts are generally encountered only in classes or competitions set up specifically for it.<br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Water damage}}<br /> | 0%<br /> | 25%<br /> | Water getting into the wrong places can be a serious problem, causing damage to homes and other buildings, vehicles, infrastructure, and all kinds of property. Such damage can happen without much warning, can be hard to detect at first, and can be hard to deal with. While precautions are usually taken to prevent such things from getting wet, water incursion can still happen, due to weather events, flooding, plumbing leaks, accidental spills, and even condensation. Children are likely to be entirely unaware of this, but many adults have to deal with it at some point in their lives. <br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Backpack}}s<br /> | 40%<br /> | 40%<br /> | Backpacks of various sizes are a versatile means to carry items. Children in the United States are generally expected and/or required to use them to carry textbooks and school supplies, making them a normal and typical part of life. While not all adults use backpacks, they remain a very practical way to carry loads, particularly when traveling, or for such activities as hiking. [[Randall]] has referred to his interest in backpacks in a number of strips. <br /> |-<br /> | My {{w|Transcript (education)|academic record}}<br /> | 95%<br /> | 30%<br /> | A child's life revolves around school: it's where they spend a large fraction of their waking hours, classmates make up most of their social circle, class schedules dictate when and how they spend their free time, and parental figures often punish/reward children based on their academic performance. The child may assume that school will continue to be an ever-present all-ecompassing feature of their future life, with their grades constituting a "permanent record" that will follow them into adulthood.<br /> In reality, academic records aren't anywhere near that important. Some entry-level jobs may consider a candidate's past grades, but they're a tertiary concern after job interviews and professional references. By the time a person reaches their late 20s, academic records become irrelevant and are supplanted by the person's professional résumé.<br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Adhesive}}s<br /> | 15%<br /> | 50%<br /> | Adhesives such as {{w|glue}}, {{w|adhesive tape|tape}} and {{w|epoxy resin}} are used to bond items together, typically for use in arts and crafts. They also have widespread industrial applications. A common entertainment trope is being stuck to someone else or something resulting in hilarity for the audience and inconvenience for the unfortunate protagonists. While these types of accidents do happen in real life, typically the adhesive is easy to remove at best and at worst will result in property damage. Less often but a very real concern is it can cause burns or serious skin damage, inhalation issues or blindness and potentially death.<br /> |- <br /> | {{w|Board game}}s<br /> | 60%<br /> | 50%<br /> | Board games of various kinds (such as {{w|chess}}, {{w|checkers|checkers/draughts}}, {{w|Monopoly (game)|Monopoly}}, {{w|Parcheesi}}/{{w|Ludo}}, {{w|Risk (game)|Risk}}, {{w|Snakes & Ladders}}, {{w|Cluedo|Clue/Cluedo}}, {{w|Trivial Pursuit}} or [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3149/lost-valley-of-the-dinosaurs Lost Valley of the Dinosaurs]) were often a staple for family home entertainment, in the past. The use of such games has likely declined somewhat with the evolution of other entertainment options (such as video games), but they remain a popular social activity, with the number and complexity of such games having grown substantially.<br /> |-<br /> | Tying {{w|knot}}s<br /> | 85%<br /> | 40%<br /> | There are a large number of knots, with a similar variety of uses. Knowing the right types of knots can be highly useful in certain situations, but how often those situations come up heavily depends on individual circumstances. Camping, fishing and rock-climbing require tying specialty knots quite frequently, but for people who don't have such hobbies, their use is less common. The high expected frequency suggests that [[Randall]] was encouraged to learn knots as a child, possible due to involvement in {{w|scouting}}, or some other outdoor activity, and the emphasis suggested that they'd come up a lot. When interest in knot-heavy activities wanes, the application of knots tends to fall off as well. <br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Cable management}}<br /> | 0%<br /> | 50%<br /> | Cable management is the act of tidying up the cables in and around a computer or other device, which is an annoying but often required task for most adults. Most children are never involved in this task, and don't even realize that it exists until they're old enough to both be responsible for significant electronics and care about tidiness. <br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Laser}}s<br /> | 90%<br /> | 50%<br /> |Lasers are common in sci-fi and spy stories. In real life, the average person will never encounter lasers as a weapon, but they do have a number of practical applications, some that nearly everyone encounters (such as bar code readers), and others that depend on occupation and hobbies (such a laser cutting and engraving). As someone who is interested in science and technology, Randall likely encounters and uses lasers much more than the average person.<br /> |-<br /> | Dangerous driving situations<br /> | 40%<br /> | 60%<br /> | Dangerous driving situations, while existent in lots of {{w|Car chase|children's media}}, still would not be very expected to show up in real life. However, adults who drive have to worry about dangerous driving situations almost constantly to avoid accidents. <br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Pizza}}<br /> | 55%<br /> | 55%<br /> | In the US, pizza is commonly consumed as a takeout or delivery food. it's often a favorite food for children, and is often a favorite of child-oriented characters, such as {{w|Spider-Man}} and the {{w|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles}}. Since it's convenient, filling, tasty and inexpensive, adults tend to enjoy it as well, and some eat it just as frequently as they might have expected as children. <br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Star Wars}}<br /> | 80%<br /> | 55%<br /> | The Star Wars franchise began with the release of the eponymous film in 1977, which was followed by two sequels, and ultimately spawned a media empire of films, television shows, books, video games and merchandising which continues to this day. The series has always had appeal to both children and adults. As a childhood fan, [[Randall]] evidently expected the franchise to continue to be of importance when he was an adult. While it apparently isn't quite as prominent in his adult life as he might have expected, the franchise continues to be a significant feature in popular culture, and he seemingly [[:Category:Star Wars|remains a fan]], even decades later. <br /> |-<br /> | Cool toys<br /> | 95%<br /> | 55%<br /> | Children love to play with cool toys, and naïvely assume they always will. Many adults still buy cool toys, but don't play with them in order to collect them in the best condition as status symbols.<br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Weather forecast}}s<br /> | 10%<br /> | 60%<br /> | Children generally have very little interest in weather forecasts, outside of exceptional circumstances (such as snow days, or extreme weather events). [[Randall]], as an adult, takes an avid interest in weather and the process of forecasting it, and has created [[:Category:Weather|multiple strips dealing with the topic.]]<br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Batteries}}<br /> | 50%<br /> | 60%<br /> | When Randall was a child batteries would have been a necessary but annoying reality, needed to keep toys and games operating. In contrast adult devices would normally operate on mains power. However the advent of cheap and powerful {{w|lithium-ion batteries}} has meant that a large variety of devices from consumer electronics to {{w|electric vehicle|motor vehicles}} are now battery powered which Randall would probably not expected.<br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Power tools}}<br /> | 75%<br /> | 66%<br /> | Children are often fascinated by power tools, and are generally not allowed to use them unsupervised (or at all), due to the risk of injury. Such a child might dream of the day when they can own and use all the tools they want. How often adults actually use power tools depends heavily on occupation and lifestyle. Someone working in a building or manufacturing trade might use them constantly, others might rarely or never find an occasion to use them. <br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Video game}}s<br /> | 60%<br /> | 75%<br /> | During [[Randall]]'s childhood, video games were a relatively new technology, and were often dismissed as juvenile and pointless. With the passage of time, they've become increasingly common as a pastime for adults. Given the increasing complexity of electronic games, it's not uncommon for adults to spend more time on them than children. <br /> |-<br /> | Figuring out what to have for dinner<br /> | 10%<br /> | 85%<br /> | For many children, dinner is something that just 'arrives', having been decided on and prepared by the relevant caregiver. The simple function of making a decision probably seems trivial to children, but planning meals every day (possibly multiple times a day), involves accounting for such factors as nutrition, cost, availability of ingredients, the time and effort involved (with respect to everyone's schedules) and individual taste and possible dietary restrictions (which can become complex when dealing with multiple people). Most people also want variety in their meals, so repeating a small number of dishes can quickly become boring, but managing a large number of dishes presents more challenges. This process can take up far more mental bandwidth than children are ever aware of. Additionally, the range of foodstuffs available to affluent people in Western societies has significantly increased since Randall's childhood, which may induce choice paralysis when confronted with them.<br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Heating, ventilation and air conditioning|HVAC}} issues<br /> | 20%<br /> | 80%<br /> | HVAC is an acronym that stands for 'heating, ventilation and air conditioning.' If one owns a home, problems with the heater or air conditioner can quickly make your home very uncomfortable (too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer) and becomes something you have to deal with right away. This kind of home maintenance is often virtually invisible to children, but something adults have to think about far more frequently<br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Cooking}}<br /> | 95%<br /> | 85%<br /> | From a child's perspective, cooking often seems to be one of the primary activities that at least one of their caregivers participate in. However, as an adult, cooking becomes less prominant as other chores become larger parts of life. Additionally, since the time that Randel was a child, convenient fast food options have increased and it has become more socially normal to eat out when an adult doesn't feel like cooking; with many adults going out to eat far more frequently than they did 4 decades ago.<br /> |-<br /> | Secret {{w|password}}s<br /> | 60%<br /> | 90%<br /> | Traditionally, in fiction, secret passwords have been portrayed as used for purposes such as espionage and admission to secret clubs. Children, accordingly, tend to think of them as an exciting part of adult life. In modern times, most people use secret passwords on a daily basis, but for more mundane purposes such as accessing websites and voicemail. Managing multiple passwords tends to become a chore, rather than a source of intrigue. <br /> |-<br /> | Laundry<br /> | 75%<br /> | 90%<br /> | The process of keeping clothing clean and organized is a routine task in virtually every household. Modern washers and dryers have reduced the time involved, but it remains a constantly ongoing job. The degree to which children are involved in this task varies (often depending on how much responsibility their parents give them), but adults have to be constantly aware of the effort involved (unless they have hired help to deal with it). <br /> |-<br /> | {{w|Tax}}es<br /> | 100%<br /> | 90%<br /> | According to Benjamin Franklin, taxes are one of two inevitable things in life, {{w|Death and taxes (idiom)|the other being death}}. Complaints about taxes (both their level and the effort involved in calculating them) are so common that children may grow up thinking that adults constantly have to deal with taxes, and the strip suggests that's only a mild exaggeration. For the typical American, income taxes only need to be done once a year, but taxes are generally withdrawn from every paycheck, and all major financial transactions have to be considered for tax implications. Additionally, American stores typically don't include sales tax in the listed price, so taxes have to be considered every time someone makes a purchase. <br /> |-<br /> | Customer service<br /> | 40%<br /> | 90%<br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | Shopping<br /> | 100%<br /> | 90%<br /> | In modern societies, most individuals go shopping (whether in person, or online) for food and other consumables on a fairly regular basis, and for larger purchases less regularly. Children are often taken shopping by their parents from an early age, so expect shopping to happen regularly as well.<br /> If anything has changed, possibly some adults now use online shopping and home delivery far more than was ever possible in their own childhood. It would still count as "shopping" for them, probably, but their children would not be ''taken'' shopping and wouldn't necessarily notice much of the process except the arrival of the delivery. Alongside other changes to parenting, a modern child might ''not'' experience the significantly regular and frequent event of being involved in the physical shopping trip, and be surprised when they start to have to buy things in-person/online as an adult (assuming AI-powered self-re-ordering fridges/etc don't change the whole adult situation as well). But it may mean that a version of this plot applicable to a newer generation could lower both expectation and reality scores quite significantly.<br /> |-<br /> | Unexplained smells or noises<br /> | 5%<br /> | 100%<br /> | With relatively few exceptions, children tend to be oblivious to subtle noises or smells around them. Adults, however, tend to be aware that they can potentially be serious. A strange smell might indicate anything from a fire to a gas leak to mold to vehicle problems, while strange sounds could indicate mechanical or electrical problems (in a building or vehicle), or any number of other dangers. Of course, such things could also be unimportant, but that's difficult to know until you've found the source, which can be difficult to do. As a result, adults may spend a lot more time thinking about such things than children would ever expect. <br /> |-<br /> | Pocket radio communicators<br /> | 75%<br /> | 100%<br /> | When [[Randall]] was growing up, the pocket radio communicators were mostly seen in spy fiction or science fiction, and children often dreamed of a day when such devices were available to them. In the 21st century, the ubiquity of {{w|cell phone}}s and other electronic devices means that having, carrying, and using such communicators is a nearly universal experience. <br /> |-<br /> | Bills<br /> | 90%<br /> | 100%<br /> | Most households have to contend with electricity, water and telecommunication service bills. Children will often hear their parents complaining about having to deal with bills, and will generally find out that this task is just as common as it was presented. <br /> |-<br /> | Digging {{w|pit trap}}s (title text)<br /> | N/A<br /> | N/A<br /> | Inside the Star Destroyer in [[1608: Hoverboard]] we see [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/fd/1608_1055x1090y_Trap_covered_with_leaves_and_flying_Ponytail_at_bottom_of_hull.png Cueball cover a pit trap with leaves], so this is something Randall actually thinks about sometimes!<br /> |}<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> <br /> :[Shown is a scatter plot, with arrowed labels on the axes:]<br /> :Y axis label: How often it comes up in my adult life<br /> :X axis label: How often I expected it to come up in my adult life<br /> <br /> :[First row of items (comes up very often, from least to most expected):]<br /> :Unexplained smells or noises; customer service; pocket radio communicators; bills; shopping<br /> :[Items row by row from the second row onwards:]<br /> :Figuring out what to have for dinner; HVAC issues; secret passwords; laundry; cooking; taxes<br /> :Weather forecasts; batteries; video games; power tools<br /> :Cable management; dangerous driving situations; pizza; Star Wars; lasers; cool toys<br /> :Adhesives; board games; tying knots<br /> :Water damage; backpacks; my academic record<br /> :Flat tires; briefcases; martial arts<br /> :Middle names; people offering free drugs; food fights; parachutes; twins switching places; barrels<br /> :[Last row (comes up very rarely, from least to most expected):]<br /> :Which fork you're supposed to use for what; car chases; lit fuses; shoving a stick in a crocodile's mouth to wedge it open; grappling hooks; quicksand<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Scatter plots]]<br /> [[Category:Food]]<br /> [[Category:Weather]]<br /> [[Category:Star Wars]]<br /> [[Category:Video games]]<br /> [[Category:Board games]]<br /> [[Category:Animals]]</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:3078:_Anchor_Bolts&diff=374027 Talk:3078: Anchor Bolts 2025-04-21T12:03:37Z

<p>Log of n: </p> <hr /> <div><br /> <br /> As a kid, I was ALWAYS worried about how plate tectonics would change the continent's layout in a few hundred million years' time, along with how the Sun will die (and maybe consume the Earth if we don't move it) in five billion years. Young me would be SO glad we are finally fixing the first issue. [[User:MinersHavenM43|MinersHavenM43]] ([[User talk:MinersHavenM43|talk]]) 03:28, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> : Was young you a Superman fan, and did you ever wonder what <em>really</em> happened on Krypton? Scientists and engineers, funded and enabled by a Trump-style politician and his promise to "Stop The Earthquakes <em>NOW!</em>", actually overcame (temporarily) the materials issues and solved the stress equations (see below), and installed a (temporarily) successful planetary plate-anchoring system. Jor-El objected to the project, he and any who supported him were de-funded as a result, and he spent his remaining time ensuring that he could get his son the [deleted] outa there before the accumulated strain ruptured the anchors and blew the planet apart. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.41.45|162.158.41.45]] 04:09, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> :Did you also worried about the collision with Andromeda galaxy? -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 05:15, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> ::I was more sad that I wouldn't be able to see it within my lifetime :( [[User:MinersHavenM43|MinersHavenM43]] ([[User talk:MinersHavenM43|talk]]) 21:02, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Would an anti-subduction screw really work? The tectonic plates are slow, but they are quite heavy, so they have a fair bit of momentum. Indeed, enough to overcome the not inconsiderable friction already present due to the weight of the uplifted portion of the upper plate. Such a screw would therefore need to exert quite a bit of additional pressure to bring the motion to a halt; Exactly how much I shall leave as an exercise for the reader (because I have no clue where to even start trying to work it out), but my guess is that you're gonna need some seriously high tensile strength material for these, even if they are placed at very short intervals along the plate boundary. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.84.172|172.68.84.172]] 03:52, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :The screw material could easily be some sort of unobtanium, it would still not work. With the forces involved, the result would be the stone would break around the screws, IMHO. -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 05:16, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Looks like somebody got to Randall M. and pointed out that what he drew is a {{w|Bolt_(fastener)|bolt}}, not a screw. The title and caption of the comic have been edited accordingly. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.41.3|162.158.41.3]] 05:38, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :The item depicted is a 'machine screw'; A bolt has a portion of the shaft un-threaded. An actual bolt would likely be more suitable for this application, but it's not uncommon for machine screws to be used instead.[[Special:Contributions/172.69.23.21|172.69.23.21]] 09:21, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::This appears to be incorrect, as least in the USNA (United States in North America), fans of spurious renaming of political geography. "The [https://www.dude-n-dude.com/2025/03/16/amoebas-lorica-meme-ories-59-shame-no-2/ [<em>sigh</em>]] American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) defines machine screws as featuring a diameter of up to 0.75 inches. While machine-screw diameters can be smaller than this, they can't be any larger, which means machine screws are typically smaller than most other screws." "Machine screws are used with a threaded hole to join two components together, sometimes requiring a nut. Bolts rely on nuts and are fitted through a clearance hole to secure parts together." [https://www.essentracomponents.com/en-us/news/solutions/fastening-components/a-guide-to-machine-screws On this evidence], the illustrated fastener is a bolt. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.142.16|172.71.142.16]] 14:34, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> This is silly. The global cooperation and engineering required to make this work (I'm assuming unobtanium as a given) far surpasses that required to decarbonise commerce and fix climate change, which project is not going well, to say the least. [[User:Neil UK|Neil UK]] ([[User talk:Neil UK|talk]]) 08:32, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> :I love how we'll give the narrative enough suspension of disbelief to allow for the bolognium we'd need to make this <i>physically</i> work, but actual humans, working together on a global scale project? That's <i>way</i> too unbelievable.[[Special:Contributions/172.70.126.168|172.70.126.168]] 22:19, 20 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> ::Yes, but that's the entire reason it's funny. [[User:Log of n|Log of n]] ([[User talk:Log of n|talk]]) 12:03, 21 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Added an Actual Citation Needed to vulcanism being bad for humanity. Without it, life may not have started in the first place. And fertile volcanic soils would not have sustained us/our predecessors if such life had started. Minor issues like localised danger are surely a blip in time compared to that, and even now there's only a danger to ''some'' humans (less than, say, yellowstone erupting, which isn't something a bolt could stop... in fact, drilling the bolthole sounds like it could ''cause'' a Yellowstone, if done wrongly (if, in fact, there is a 'right' way)).<br/>...other than that, yeah, go ahead! [[Special:Contributions/172.70.91.181|172.70.91.181]] 09:49, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> :Sure, but that's not the right way to get that issue fixed. Feel free to rephrase it, or ask people to rephrase it for you in the incomplete tag. --[[User:FaviFake|FaviFake]] ([[User talk:FaviFake|talk]]) 11:21, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> ::Did #2 --[[User:FaviFake|FaviFake]] ([[User talk:FaviFake|talk]]) 11:22, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> :::Solved the phrasing? I think I can remove the request from the Incomplete, but would want to retain the other expected bit (at least until the whole Incomplete gets removed, which would traditionally be no earlier than some time next week). Looks like there's arguments about this, though. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.58.97|172.70.58.97]] 14:20, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> To avoid having to travel through the mantle to insert the bolt from the bottom, wouldn't it be better to use something like a spring toggle bolt in this case? Seems like sort of a drywall situation to me. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.58.9|172.69.58.9]] 14:22, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> :Or a molly-bolt (which is dangerously close to using a {{w|wall plug}}/rawlplug ''with a screw''... as originally alluded). [[Special:Contributions/172.70.58.156|172.70.58.156]] 14:30, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> So what would be the result of this for the oceans (and connected systems)? Assuming that the bolts worked, and that the spreading at mid-ocean ridges was halted (by the vent system installed). The sea floor would not be renewed. Sediment would accumulate on the sea floor, and not be swepet under the rug. What would the long term consequences be? Would we have shallower oceans with less rocky bottoms? What would that do? (To currents, to climate, to marine life, ...) Would sedementation disrupt the circulation of ocean water through the lithosphere, messing with such things as the CO2 balance? [[Special:Contributions/108.162.246.57|108.162.246.57]] 20:35, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Changed "crust" to "lithosphere" in a few places to avoid the popular misconception that the plates consist only of crust, rather than crust plus the upper rigid layer of mantle (upper mantle lithosphere). This misconception might be in the comic too, as the scaling of the bolted 'plates' looks more appropriate to the crust (typically ~10 km thick on the ocean side and ~35 km thick in a continent) rather than the real thickness of the plates of lithosphere (typically ~100 km).[[User:Waldronjwf|Waldronjwf]] ([[User talk:Waldronjwf|talk]]) 16:40, 20 April 2025 (UTC)</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:3078:_Anchor_Bolts&diff=374026 Talk:3078: Anchor Bolts 2025-04-21T12:02:21Z

<p>Log of n: </p> <hr /> <div><br /> <br /> As a kid, I was ALWAYS worried about how plate tectonics would change the continent's layout in a few hundred million years' time, along with how the Sun will die (and maybe consume the Earth if we don't move it) in five billion years. Young me would be SO glad we are finally fixing the first issue. [[User:MinersHavenM43|MinersHavenM43]] ([[User talk:MinersHavenM43|talk]]) 03:28, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> : Was young you a Superman fan, and did you ever wonder what <em>really</em> happened on Krypton? Scientists and engineers, funded and enabled by a Trump-style politician and his promise to "Stop The Earthquakes <em>NOW!</em>", actually overcame (temporarily) the materials issues and solved the stress equations (see below), and installed a (temporarily) successful planetary plate-anchoring system. Jor-El objected to the project, he and any who supported him were de-funded as a result, and he spent his remaining time ensuring that he could get his son the [deleted] outa there before the accumulated strain ruptured the anchors and blew the planet apart. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.41.45|162.158.41.45]] 04:09, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> :Did you also worried about the collision with Andromeda galaxy? -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 05:15, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> ::I was more sad that I wouldn't be able to see it within my lifetime :( [[User:MinersHavenM43|MinersHavenM43]] ([[User talk:MinersHavenM43|talk]]) 21:02, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Would an anti-subduction screw really work? The tectonic plates are slow, but they are quite heavy, so they have a fair bit of momentum. Indeed, enough to overcome the not inconsiderable friction already present due to the weight of the uplifted portion of the upper plate. Such a screw would therefore need to exert quite a bit of additional pressure to bring the motion to a halt; Exactly how much I shall leave as an exercise for the reader (because I have no clue where to even start trying to work it out), but my guess is that you're gonna need some seriously high tensile strength material for these, even if they are placed at very short intervals along the plate boundary. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.84.172|172.68.84.172]] 03:52, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :The screw material could easily be some sort of unobtanium, it would still not work. With the forces involved, the result would be the stone would break around the screws, IMHO. -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 05:16, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Looks like somebody got to Randall M. and pointed out that what he drew is a {{w|Bolt_(fastener)|bolt}}, not a screw. The title and caption of the comic have been edited accordingly. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.41.3|162.158.41.3]] 05:38, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :The item depicted is a 'machine screw'; A bolt has a portion of the shaft un-threaded. An actual bolt would likely be more suitable for this application, but it's not uncommon for machine screws to be used instead.[[Special:Contributions/172.69.23.21|172.69.23.21]] 09:21, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::This appears to be incorrect, as least in the USNA (United States in North America), fans of spurious renaming of political geography. "The [https://www.dude-n-dude.com/2025/03/16/amoebas-lorica-meme-ories-59-shame-no-2/ [<em>sigh</em>]] American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) defines machine screws as featuring a diameter of up to 0.75 inches. While machine-screw diameters can be smaller than this, they can't be any larger, which means machine screws are typically smaller than most other screws." "Machine screws are used with a threaded hole to join two components together, sometimes requiring a nut. Bolts rely on nuts and are fitted through a clearance hole to secure parts together." [https://www.essentracomponents.com/en-us/news/solutions/fastening-components/a-guide-to-machine-screws On this evidence], the illustrated fastener is a bolt. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.142.16|172.71.142.16]] 14:34, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> This is silly. The global cooperation and engineering required to make this work (I'm assuming unobtanium as a given) far surpasses that required to decarbonise commerce and fix climate change, which project is not going well, to say the least. [[User:Neil UK|Neil UK]] ([[User talk:Neil UK|talk]]) 08:32, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> :I love how we'll give the narrative enough suspension of disbelief to allow for the bolognium we'd need to make this <i>physically</i> work, but actual humans, working together on a global scale project? That's <i>way</i> too unbelievable.[[Special:Contributions/172.70.126.168|172.70.126.168]] 22:19, 20 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> ::Yes, but that's <b>why</b> it's funny. [[User:Log of n|Log of n]] ([[User talk:Log of n|talk]]) 12:02, 21 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Added an Actual Citation Needed to vulcanism being bad for humanity. Without it, life may not have started in the first place. And fertile volcanic soils would not have sustained us/our predecessors if such life had started. Minor issues like localised danger are surely a blip in time compared to that, and even now there's only a danger to ''some'' humans (less than, say, yellowstone erupting, which isn't something a bolt could stop... in fact, drilling the bolthole sounds like it could ''cause'' a Yellowstone, if done wrongly (if, in fact, there is a 'right' way)).<br/>...other than that, yeah, go ahead! [[Special:Contributions/172.70.91.181|172.70.91.181]] 09:49, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> :Sure, but that's not the right way to get that issue fixed. Feel free to rephrase it, or ask people to rephrase it for you in the incomplete tag. --[[User:FaviFake|FaviFake]] ([[User talk:FaviFake|talk]]) 11:21, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> ::Did #2 --[[User:FaviFake|FaviFake]] ([[User talk:FaviFake|talk]]) 11:22, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> :::Solved the phrasing? I think I can remove the request from the Incomplete, but would want to retain the other expected bit (at least until the whole Incomplete gets removed, which would traditionally be no earlier than some time next week). Looks like there's arguments about this, though. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.58.97|172.70.58.97]] 14:20, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> To avoid having to travel through the mantle to insert the bolt from the bottom, wouldn't it be better to use something like a spring toggle bolt in this case? Seems like sort of a drywall situation to me. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.58.9|172.69.58.9]] 14:22, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> :Or a molly-bolt (which is dangerously close to using a {{w|wall plug}}/rawlplug ''with a screw''... as originally alluded). [[Special:Contributions/172.70.58.156|172.70.58.156]] 14:30, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> So what would be the result of this for the oceans (and connected systems)? Assuming that the bolts worked, and that the spreading at mid-ocean ridges was halted (by the vent system installed). The sea floor would not be renewed. Sediment would accumulate on the sea floor, and not be swepet under the rug. What would the long term consequences be? Would we have shallower oceans with less rocky bottoms? What would that do? (To currents, to climate, to marine life, ...) Would sedementation disrupt the circulation of ocean water through the lithosphere, messing with such things as the CO2 balance? [[Special:Contributions/108.162.246.57|108.162.246.57]] 20:35, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Changed "crust" to "lithosphere" in a few places to avoid the popular misconception that the plates consist only of crust, rather than crust plus the upper rigid layer of mantle (upper mantle lithosphere). This misconception might be in the comic too, as the scaling of the bolted 'plates' looks more appropriate to the crust (typically ~10 km thick on the ocean side and ~35 km thick in a continent) rather than the real thickness of the plates of lithosphere (typically ~100 km).[[User:Waldronjwf|Waldronjwf]] ([[User talk:Waldronjwf|talk]]) 16:40, 20 April 2025 (UTC)</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:3078:_Anchor_Bolts&diff=374025 Talk:3078: Anchor Bolts 2025-04-21T12:01:38Z

<p>Log of n: </p> <hr /> <div><br /> <br /> As a kid, I was ALWAYS worried about how plate tectonics would change the continent's layout in a few hundred million years' time, along with how the Sun will die (and maybe consume the Earth if we don't move it) in five billion years. Young me would be SO glad we are finally fixing the first issue. [[User:MinersHavenM43|MinersHavenM43]] ([[User talk:MinersHavenM43|talk]]) 03:28, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> : Was young you a Superman fan, and did you ever wonder what <em>really</em> happened on Krypton? Scientists and engineers, funded and enabled by a Trump-style politician and his promise to "Stop The Earthquakes <em>NOW!</em>", actually overcame (temporarily) the materials issues and solved the stress equations (see below), and installed a (temporarily) successful planetary plate-anchoring system. Jor-El objected to the project, he and any who supported him were de-funded as a result, and he spent his remaining time ensuring that he could get his son the [deleted] outa there before the accumulated strain ruptured the anchors and blew the planet apart. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.41.45|162.158.41.45]] 04:09, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> :Did you also worried about the collision with Andromeda galaxy? -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 05:15, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> ::I was more sad that I wouldn't be able to see it within my lifetime :( [[User:MinersHavenM43|MinersHavenM43]] ([[User talk:MinersHavenM43|talk]]) 21:02, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Would an anti-subduction screw really work? The tectonic plates are slow, but they are quite heavy, so they have a fair bit of momentum. Indeed, enough to overcome the not inconsiderable friction already present due to the weight of the uplifted portion of the upper plate. Such a screw would therefore need to exert quite a bit of additional pressure to bring the motion to a halt; Exactly how much I shall leave as an exercise for the reader (because I have no clue where to even start trying to work it out), but my guess is that you're gonna need some seriously high tensile strength material for these, even if they are placed at very short intervals along the plate boundary. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.84.172|172.68.84.172]] 03:52, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :The screw material could easily be some sort of unobtanium, it would still not work. With the forces involved, the result would be the stone would break around the screws, IMHO. -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 05:16, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Looks like somebody got to Randall M. and pointed out that what he drew is a {{w|Bolt_(fastener)|bolt}}, not a screw. The title and caption of the comic have been edited accordingly. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.41.3|162.158.41.3]] 05:38, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :The item depicted is a 'machine screw'; A bolt has a portion of the shaft un-threaded. An actual bolt would likely be more suitable for this application, but it's not uncommon for machine screws to be used instead.[[Special:Contributions/172.69.23.21|172.69.23.21]] 09:21, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ::This appears to be incorrect, as least in the USNA (United States in North America), fans of spurious renaming of political geography. "The [https://www.dude-n-dude.com/2025/03/16/amoebas-lorica-meme-ories-59-shame-no-2/ [<em>sigh</em>]] American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) defines machine screws as featuring a diameter of up to 0.75 inches. While machine-screw diameters can be smaller than this, they can't be any larger, which means machine screws are typically smaller than most other screws." "Machine screws are used with a threaded hole to join two components together, sometimes requiring a nut. Bolts rely on nuts and are fitted through a clearance hole to secure parts together." [https://www.essentracomponents.com/en-us/news/solutions/fastening-components/a-guide-to-machine-screws On this evidence], the illustrated fastener is a bolt. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.142.16|172.71.142.16]] 14:34, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> This is silly. The global cooperation and engineering required to make this work (I'm assuming unobtanium as a given) far surpasses that required to decarbonise commerce and fix climate change, which project is not going well, to say the least. [[User:Neil UK|Neil UK]] ([[User talk:Neil UK|talk]]) 08:32, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> :I love how we'll give the narrative enough suspension of disbelief to allow for the bolognium we'd need to make this <i>physically</i> work, but actual humans, working together on a global scale project? That's <i>way</i> too unbelievable.[[Special:Contributions/172.70.126.168|172.70.126.168]] 22:19, 20 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> ::Yes, but that's <b>why<b> it's funny. [[User:Log of n|Log of n]] ([[User talk:Log of n|talk]]) 12:01, 21 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Added an Actual Citation Needed to vulcanism being bad for humanity. Without it, life may not have started in the first place. And fertile volcanic soils would not have sustained us/our predecessors if such life had started. Minor issues like localised danger are surely a blip in time compared to that, and even now there's only a danger to ''some'' humans (less than, say, yellowstone erupting, which isn't something a bolt could stop... in fact, drilling the bolthole sounds like it could ''cause'' a Yellowstone, if done wrongly (if, in fact, there is a 'right' way)).<br/>...other than that, yeah, go ahead! [[Special:Contributions/172.70.91.181|172.70.91.181]] 09:49, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> :Sure, but that's not the right way to get that issue fixed. Feel free to rephrase it, or ask people to rephrase it for you in the incomplete tag. --[[User:FaviFake|FaviFake]] ([[User talk:FaviFake|talk]]) 11:21, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> ::Did #2 --[[User:FaviFake|FaviFake]] ([[User talk:FaviFake|talk]]) 11:22, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> :::Solved the phrasing? I think I can remove the request from the Incomplete, but would want to retain the other expected bit (at least until the whole Incomplete gets removed, which would traditionally be no earlier than some time next week). Looks like there's arguments about this, though. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.58.97|172.70.58.97]] 14:20, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> To avoid having to travel through the mantle to insert the bolt from the bottom, wouldn't it be better to use something like a spring toggle bolt in this case? Seems like sort of a drywall situation to me. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.58.9|172.69.58.9]] 14:22, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> :Or a molly-bolt (which is dangerously close to using a {{w|wall plug}}/rawlplug ''with a screw''... as originally alluded). [[Special:Contributions/172.70.58.156|172.70.58.156]] 14:30, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> So what would be the result of this for the oceans (and connected systems)? Assuming that the bolts worked, and that the spreading at mid-ocean ridges was halted (by the vent system installed). The sea floor would not be renewed. Sediment would accumulate on the sea floor, and not be swepet under the rug. What would the long term consequences be? Would we have shallower oceans with less rocky bottoms? What would that do? (To currents, to climate, to marine life, ...) Would sedementation disrupt the circulation of ocean water through the lithosphere, messing with such things as the CO2 balance? [[Special:Contributions/108.162.246.57|108.162.246.57]] 20:35, 19 April 2025 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Changed "crust" to "lithosphere" in a few places to avoid the popular misconception that the plates consist only of crust, rather than crust plus the upper rigid layer of mantle (upper mantle lithosphere). This misconception might be in the comic too, as the scaling of the bolted 'plates' looks more appropriate to the crust (typically ~10 km thick on the ocean side and ~35 km thick in a continent) rather than the real thickness of the plates of lithosphere (typically ~100 km).[[User:Waldronjwf|Waldronjwf]] ([[User talk:Waldronjwf|talk]]) 16:40, 20 April 2025 (UTC)</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2765:_Escape_Speed&diff=371253 2765: Escape Speed 2025-04-03T18:28:04Z

<p>Log of n: /* Explanation */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 2765<br /> | date = April 19, 2023<br /> | title = Escape Speed<br /> | image = escape_speed_2x.png<br /> | imagesize = 740x700px<br /> | noexpand = true<br /> | titletext = Gotta go fast.<br /> }}<br /> {{TOC}}To experience the interactivity of the game, visit the {{xkcd|2765|original comic}}.<br /> <br /> == Explanation ==<br /> This is the 13th [[:Category:April fools' comics|April fools' comic]] released by [[Randall]], but 18 days late, see the [[2765:_Escape_Speed#Trivia|trivia section]] below. The previous April fools' comic was [[2601: Instructions]], which was released on Friday, April 1st, 2022. The next became [[2916: Machine]] released on Friday April 5th, 2024 (a regular release day, but 4 days late, even though April 1st was a Monday, also a regular release day).<br /> <br /> This interactive comic is similar to [[2712: Gravity]], which celebrated the release of ''[[What If? 2]]'', as you can visit different planets. Your fuel runs out and recharges slowly over time or instantly whenever you land. Like in Gravity, there is no "universal" point of view: the bottom of the window, "down", is oriented towards the object exerting the most gravity upon the player.<br /> <br /> You begin on the Starting Planet, near Origin. To escape Origin's gravitational force, gain enough momentum by swinging a few times inside the large hidden tunnel that goes from the rollercoaster to the opposing side of the planet. However, note that it is possible to escape Origin’s gravitational pull by maneuvering the spacecraft counterclockwise around the Starting Planet, accelerating tangential to the surface above the figure yelling "WOW!". To help you find other planets there are also many small circles surrounding the spaceship indicating the locations of nearby or distant planets depending on how transparent these points are. Collecting circles with a star outline will improve the performance of the spaceship, such as by making the engine more efficient or increasing the rate at which the fuel recharges, and sometimes make you find a new item. Collecting small grey circles will instead just make you find an item, such as a rock with neat stripes, a cool bug, and a pretty leaf.<br /> <br /> Most planets and celestial objects are inside of a large Crystal Sphere in which there is a visible navigable crack. Halfway through the crack, gravity gets increasingly stronger as the spaceship feels the gravitational force of the parts of the Crystal Sphere it is leaving behind. Above the crack in the Crystal Sphere, there is the Star Destroyer from [[1608: Hoverboard]], and on the opposite side of the crack, there is a huge part of the world in [[1110: Click and Drag]] in the form of a round planet.<br /> <br /> The title of the comic is likely a reference to the 1996 computer game {{w|Escape Velocity (video game)|Escape Velocity}}, which also featured a 2D map dotted with planets. The title text says, "Gotta go fast.", a reference to {{w|Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog}}'s catchphrase, and the point of the game: getting able to go faster to escape larger and larger planets and leave the Crystal Sphere.<br /> <br /> ===The Hyperdrive===<br /> The Hyperdrive is a powerful upgrade to the spaceship that massively boosts your thrusters. It is found at the center of the Boston Planet and is needed to explore the planets outside the Crystal Sphere and to escape from the black hole inside the Subway Planet. It can only be unlocked after deactivating the MIT Cloaking Device on the Subway Planet and collecting three of the four subway tokens found at different "Bostons". Subway tokens are circles with a T outline, and they have a distinct color: "blue", "red", "green", and "orange", the four colors of {{w|MBTA subway|Boston's subway system}}. The blue token on the Boston Planet is not strictly necessary to get the Hyperdrive, although it is the easiest to obtain. Note that getting it will require several other upgrades first, so it shouldn't be your first objective. See [[#Celestial Bodies and Collectable Items|the table below]] for other ways to progress in the game.<br /> <br /> Here's how to get the Hyperdrive:<br /> # Get to the Subway Planet by launching from the bush where someone says "Shhh." on Origin. The Subway Planet features all the subways of North America except Boston, which has been ripped out and hidden by the MIT kids, leaving a big empty hole in the crust of the planet.<br /> # Once on the Subway Planet, go to Morgantown, WV via Mexico City and Atlanta, and deactivate the MIT Cloaking Device to make the Boston Planet appear.<br /> # Follow the two intangible grey lines that will first guide you to Origin and then the Roche Lobe Earth (one of the four Bostons) and collect the green subway token on it.<br /> # Go back to Origin and collect the orange token on the Guitar Ship (see [[#Celestial Bodies and Collectable Items|the table below]] for instructions on how to find these planets).<br /> # Get to the East Coast of the US on the Projection of Earth and collect the red token.<br /> # Now that the center of the Boston Planet is accessible, go there and collect the Hyperdrive. The planet also contains the final blue token, but it's not necessary to get to the Hyperdrive.<br /> <br /> ===Extra Escape Speed pages===<br /> Since this comic is so big and complicated, extra pages have been created to include much more information than is wished for on this main page. These pages are listed here for convenience, but they are also listed in the relevant sections below:<br /> * [[2765: Escape Speed/Transcript]] - The full transcript of the entire comic, as if you played the game can be found here. It is linked from the [[#Transcript|Transcript]] section.<br /> * [[2765: Escape Speed/The whole image]] - A collection of different compilations of the whole Image. <br /> * [[2765: Escape Speed/Screen-shots]] - Can be linked from several sections<br /> * [[2765: Escape Speed/Tables]] - Tables used for explanation can be put on this page.<br /> <br /> ===Celestial Bodies and Collectable Items===<br /> This is a table of all celestial bodies and items, in descending order of planet size (the Starting Planet, Origin, and the Hollow Planet are at the top for their relevance). Collectable items and messages are found in the "You found...", "Upgrades", "Messages" and "Subway tokens" columns. For more detailed and in-depth tables and lists, see [[2765: Escape Speed/Tables|here]]. Here are some other useful resources:<br /> * A map of the entire universe created by the community can be found [https://aeromancer.dev/xkcd/escape_speed/ here]<br /> * Screenshots of the entire world, planets, and celestial bodies made using this map can be found [[2765: Escape Speed/The whole image|here]]<br /> * A spreadsheet of all items and messages from the game's source code can be found [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hygJKdwjkufAU3ZYC4NELdCX7XgRdOIW68vPUidR9qA here]<br /> * A spreadsheet of coordinates for all celestial bodies from the game's source code can be found [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xhw3oVb4fMktZB_KEIF9fGkYCkfbpRMHKBLI63laTgc here]<br /> <br /> {| class="wikitable sortable"<br /> ! rowspan="2"|Name <br /> <br /> <code>codename</code> <br /> ! rowspan="2"|Tiles (X, Y) <br /> ! rowspan="2"|Explanation<br /> ! colspan="4"|Collectable items and messages<br /> |-<br /> ! You found...<br /> ! Upgrades<br /> ! Messages <br /> ! Subway tokens<br /> |-<br /> | '''Starting Planet'''<br /> <br /> <code>tiny-world</code> <br /> | (6024, -8976)<br /> | To get here, click the "Home" button in the lower right corner of the comic. <br /> <br /> The planet is tiny, grassy, and has few trees. Beret Guy is saying "WOW!", but since he's on the other side of the planet, it looks like he is shouting "iMOM". This is a reference to the title text of [[1117: My Sky]], and it could also be a reference to [[502: Dark Flow]]. Pressing the "Home" button to go back to the starting planet shows the message, "Welcome back, pilot", which may be a reference to the greeting that plays when re-entering a Titan in the ''Titanfall'' video games. <br /> | <br /> * a rock with neat stripes<br /> * a cool bug<br /> * a pretty leaf <br /> | <br /> | <br /> * Wheeee! <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Origin'''<br /> <br /> <code>origin</code> <br /> | (3096, -5904)<br /> | To get here, launch from Beret Guy saying "Wow!" on the Starting Planet. <br /> <br /> The planet has a sign saying 'Welcome to Origin! You can never leave™'. A large hidden tunnel inside it leads from below the rollercoaster to the St. Louis Arch on the opposing side of the planet, which you can use to gain enough momentum to escape the gravitational force if you don't have many upgrades. There are lots of landmarks and signs that mark the directions to different planets. <br /> | <br /> * a secret glade<br /> * a holographic Charizard business card<br /> * a 5G seagull<br /> * a DVD of The Core (2003)<br /> * a normal-looking leaf<br /> * a marsh wren<br /> * an orb wren<br /> * a single grain of salt<br /> * 11 squares packed into a larger square<br /> * a tumbleweed <br /> | <br /> * Nice flying! (Your tanks recharge faster now.) <br /> | <br /> * You found a tiny meteorite!<br /> * Welcome to liminal space<br /> * The St. Louis arch is also known as the gateway to space.<br /> * Be careful; this roller coaster can be disorienting! <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Hollow Planet'''<br /> <br /> <code>hollow-shell</code> <br /> | (-13952, 1848)<br /> | To get here, launch from the St. Louis Arch on Origin. <br /> <br /> The planet is just a shell with some gaps. On the outside, there are lots of landmarks and signs that mark the directions to different planets. <br /> | <br /> | <br /> * You found a handful of the quantum foam that makes up the fabric of space! (Your tanks recharge much faster now.)<br /> * You found a sixth lagrange point! (Your thrusters are more efficient now.)<br /> * You found a glass of heavy water (Your engine gets a little more powerful.) <br /> | <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Star Destroyer'''<br /> <br /> ''from'' <code>star-destroyer-a</code> ''to'' <code>star-destroyer-i</code> <br /> | (18192, -130000)<br /> | To get here, launch from the crack in the Crystal Sphere. <br /> <br /> The planet has been copied from [[1608: Hoverboard]], with the only difference being that Darth Vader's dialogue was changed from referencing {{w|Steven Universe}} to {{w|The Murderbot Diaries}}. <br /> |<br /> * an unread email<br /> * a glass slipper with a glass foot in it<br /> * a lymphocyte<br /> * a forged resume<br /> * a serif<br /> * a Bursa of Fabricius<br /> * a cluster of data points<br /> * a premium subscription to food<br /> * two goats and a new car<br /> * an out-of-control trolley<br /> * a helium-238 nucleus<br /> * the Death Star plans <br /> | <br /> * You found a perpetual motion fidget spinner! (Your tanks recharge a bit faster now.)<br /> * You found a vintage Juicero juicer! (Your thrusters are more efficient now.) <br /> | <br /> * Hmmm. <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Click and Drag Planet'''<br /> <br /> <code>clickdrag-nw</code>'','' <code>clickdrag-ne</code>'','' <code>clickdrag-sw</code>'', and'' <code>clickdrag-se</code> <br /> | (-31808, 111808)<br /> | To get here, launch from the bow or stern of the Star Destroyer tangentially to the Crystal Sphere to orbit it and keep the stars in the background moving horizontally on the screen until you see a dot around the spaceship guiding you. <br /> <br /> The planet has mostly been copied from [[1110: Click and Drag]] and modelled to form a round planet, so the drawings are very tiny. The large rocket has been changed from the original look, possibly as a reference to SpaceX. Originally, it had no gravity, and the spaceship was only attracted by the gravity of the Crystal Sphere. This made navigating around the planet difficult, so a later update added gravity to it to make it easier for players to explore it. <br /> | <br /> * an ant the size of Rhode Island<br /> * a pin with 17 angels dancing on it <br /> | <br /> * The vehicle below gives you a boost (Your launch speed has increased.)<br /> * We should turn back (Your engine gets a bit more powerful.)<br /> * You found an expert at underwater ropes. (Your thrusters are more efficient now.)<br /> * You found a trisected angle! (Your launch speed has greatly increased.) <br /> | <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Subway Planet'''<br /> <br /> <code>subway-planet</code> ''and'' <code>black-hole-3</code><br /> | (22000, 34000)<br /> | To get here, launch from the bush where someone says "Shhh." on Origin. <br /> <br /> The planet is a reference to [[1196: Subways]] and it's riddled with tunnels. Boston has been ripped out and hidden by the MIT kids, leaving a big empty hole in the crust of the planet, and there is a black hole at the center that can only be escaped with the Hyperdrive. You need to find the switch that turns off the MIT Cloaking Device to help you get the Hyperdrive. Once found, two intangible grey lines will appear (on the Subway Planet and on Origin), guiding you to one of the four Bostons. <br /> | <br /> * a relativistic bowling ball<br /> * a Cybiko® wireless handheld computer for teens (2000)<br /> * a handful of quantum foam<br /> * a normal-sized apple <br /> | <br /> * You get the feeling you're not in Kansas anymore (Your tanks recharge a bit faster now.)<br /> * There is no parking in the white zone (Your thrusters are more efficient now.)<br /> * The next stop is Interplanetary Terminal G (Your engine gets a little more powerful.)<br /> * You feel accomplished (Your engine gets a little more powerful.)<br /> * You found a brightly-lit billboard (Your thrusters are more efficient now.)<br /> * You found a hot dog (Your launch speed has increased.)<br /> * You found a bottle of Coke Absolute Zero! (Your thrusters are more efficient now.)<br /> * You found a beige electron! (Your engine gets a little more powerful.)<br /> * You found $30 in Yahoo! cash! (Your engine gets a little more powerful.)<br /> * You found a friendly cat! (Your engine gets a little more powerful.) <br /> | <br /> * Transfer here for Mornington Crescent <br /> | <br /> * MIT Cloaking Device deactivated! Boston detected. (Blue, red, green, and orange lines activated.)<br /> |-<br /> | '''Boston Planet'''<br /> <br /> <code>mbta</code> <br /> | (-42000, 8000)<br /> | To get here, launch from the back of the Shuttle Skeleton. <br /> <br /> The planet is the Boston subway system that was ripped out from the Subway Planet by the MIT kids. The Hyperdrive, needed to explore the planets outside the Crystal Sphere, is at the center of the planet, which is only accessible after getting the green, red and orange subway tokens. The blue token is not strictly necessary to get the Hyperdrive, although it is the easiest to obtain. If the player goes to the location of the Boston Planet before turning off the MIT Cloaking Device, they will only find an invisible region out in space that has gravity, at the center of which a "strangely heavy subway token" can be found. The gravitational force around it remains even after the token is collected. As hinted by Blondie on Andal, the MIT Cloaking Device doesn't affect gravity, therefore the cloaked Boston planet is intangible and invisible, but its mass still affects the gravitational field around it. <br /> | <br /> * a strangely heavy subway token <br /> | <br /> | <br /> | <br /> * Blue line deactivated!<br /> * Welcome to MIT! You acquired a hyperdrive!<br /> |-<br /> | '''Projection of Earth'''<br /> <br /> <code>earth-map</code> <br /> | (-15808, 22192)<br /> | To get here, launch from the Earth map landmark on Origin or the sign on the Hollow Planet. <br /> <br /> The planet is a huge, distorted map of all land masses on Earth. The spaceship can fly where water would be, but it can't go over land. <br /> | <br /> * the Heart of the Ocean<br /> * a whale shark<br /> * some microbial life<br /> * some tin from the pantai remis mine<br /> * a sparkling gem<br /> * a piece of pumice <br /> | <br /> * You found the Principality of Sealand! (Your engine gets a little more powerful.)<br /> * You found a Rhode Island the size of an ant! (Your engine gets a little more powerful.)<br /> * You found an icosahedral d10 (Your engine gets a little more powerful.) <br /> | <br /> | <br /> * Red line deactivated!<br /> |-<br /> | '''What If? Planet'''<br /> <br /> <code>gravity-earth</code> <br /> | (-46000, -24000)<br /> | To get here, launch from the two people explaining where Boston is on Origin, the left of Stonehenge on the Round Planet, or the left rim of the Guitar Ship. <br /> <br /> The planet contains several scenes from ''[[What If? 2]]'' and [[2712: Gravity]]. Megan and Cueball are floating inside a small space in the center of the planet, which can be reached after getting the Hyperdrive. This is arguably the most remote object within the Crystal Sphere, since all the planets around it are very distant from it. On this planet, a person named Ryan is stuck in a small hole with a dog, a reference to [https://www.polygon.com/2015/8/18/9173621/ryan-north-stuck-hole-twitter a real event] that happened to [https://www.qwantz.com/ Dinosaur Comics] author {{w|Ryan North}}. Nearby is featured the T-rex from his iconic comic strip, in the pose of the last panel.<br /> | <br /> * an eye in the sky<br /> * a stick<br /> * an asterisk<br /> * a sterile neutrino<br /> * a secret leaf<br /> * a pair of squirrel goggles<br /> * a large hadron<br /> * a smooth green snake <br /> | <br /> * You found a sunken treasure (Your thrusters are more efficient now.)<br /> * The Yellowstone Super What? (Your launch speed has increased.)<br /> * Nutritional Facts - Serving Size: 1 Cloud, Total Calories: 0 (Your engine gets a little more powerful.)<br /> * You captured the flag! You decide to leave it there, but it's yours. (Your engine gets a little more powerful.)<br /> * You found a steam calliope! (Your engine gets a little more powerful.)<br /> * You found a dna base pair! (Your engine gets a little more powerful.) <br /> | <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Uzumaki'''<br /> <br /> <code>uzumaki</code> <br /> | (-3904, -26904)<br /> | To get here, launch from Origin's spiral landmark, the sign on the Hollow Planet, or below the plane-towed banner on the Round Planet. <br /> <br /> The planet is a large spiral of grass inspired by the manga ''{{w|Uzumaki}}'' by Junji Ito. A Roomba is loose, a reference to [[1558: Vet]]. <br /> | <br /> * a golden radio tuned to 1.618 MHz<br /> * a scroll lock key<br /> * a primordial black hole<br /> * a cool pair of shoes with flames on the side<br /> * an ink cartridge<br /> * a podcast episode<br /> * a festive but somehow unnerving holiday card from Junji Ito<br /> * a friendly bee<br /> * a spiral-cut diamond<br /> * a burrito <br /> | <br /> * You found a tree-filled grove and a nice spot for quiet contemplation (Your thrusters are significantly more efficient now.)<br /> * You found a single caffeine molecule! (Your tanks recharge a bit faster now.) <br /> | <br /> * Exit Only<br /> * You're going the wrong way!<br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Round Planet'''<br /> <code>orb</code><br /> | (-19154, -7288)<br /> | To get here, launch from the tower with an orb on it on Origin or the sign on the Hollow Planet. <br /> <br /> The planet is moderately small with no vegetation and some architecture such as Stonehenge and the Great Wall of China. <br /> | <br /> * a swatch pop-out wristwatch <br /> | <br /> * You found a sensible cheese platter (Your tanks recharge a bit faster now.)<br /> * ''[no message]'' (Your engine gets a little more powerful.) <br /> | <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Jurassic Park Planet'''<br /> <br /> <code>gravity-qwantz</code> <br /> | (20000, 11000)<br /> | To get here, launch from the dinosaur on Origin or the Andalites on Andal. <br /> <br /> The planet is covered in dinosaurs from [https://www.qwantz.com Dinosaur Comics] and has very weak gravity. It is an exact copy of the Dinosaur Planet from [[2712: Gravity]].<br /> | <br /> * a tiny pteranodon<br /> * a baby hedgehog<br /> * a tattered knapsack containing about $194,00 in $20 bills <br /> | <br /> * Today is a good day I think for space exploration (Your engine gets a little more powerful.)<br /> * But what if gravity doesn't actually exist? (Your tanks recharge a bit faster now.) <br /> | <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Andal'''<br /> <br /> <code>platform-planet</code> <br /> | (12048, 14048)<br /> | To get here, launch from the Andal landmark near the pyramids on Origin or below Saturn's equator, when the soccer ball is oriented to the bottom left compared to the spaceship. <br /> <br /> The planet is small and has a T-shaped tower, mountains, and grass. <br /> | <br /> | <br /> * You found two Andalites, one canonical! (Your thrusters are more efficient now.)<br /> * What a nice place for a ship to sit! (Your tanks recharge a bit faster now.)<br /> * You found a friend (Your thrusters are more efficient now.)<br /> * You found baby shoes (and baby)! (Your engine gets a little more powerful.) <br /> | <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Comet 67P'''<br /> <br /> <code>67p</code> <br /> | (18048, -11152)<br /> | To get here, launch from the duck next to the 'Caution: long vertical drop' sign on Origin. <br /> <br /> The planet is a reference to the comet {{w|67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko}} and contains the crashed Rosetta spacecraft along with the Philae lander that landed on it in 2014. The message "Anyone for Scrabble later?" on this planet is a reference to [[470: The End is Not for a While]].<br /> | <br /> | <br /> * Some people believe that when the Earth appears in the sky, it's a harbinger of doom. (Your tanks recharge a bit faster now.)<br /> * You found a broken smoke machine (Your engine gets a little more powerful.)<br /> * Anyone for Scrabble later? (Your engine gets a little more powerful.)<br /> * You found The Long Now Foundation's nickel paperweight containing an archive of every published Animorphs book! (Your launch speed has increased.) <br /> | <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Guitar Ship'''<br /> <br /> <code>guitar-ship</code> <br /> | (-12000, -30000)<br /> | To get here, launch from the musicians singing "it's more than a feeling" on origin. <br /> <br /> The planet is a huge guitar labeled 'Boston' with the city skyline under a dome on the back (a reference to the cover art of the album {{w|Boston (album)|''Boston''}}). <br /> | <br /> * a guitar pick <br /> | <br /> | <br /> | <br /> * Orange line deactivated!<br /> |-<br /> | '''Saturn'''<br /> <br /> <code>saturn</code> <br /> | (2600, 14000)<br /> | To get here, launch from the pyramid with Saturn on it on Origin. If you see the Spacetime Soccer Field, you're too far left. <br /> <br /> The planet has a soccer ball inside it, a reference to [[2513: Saturn Hexagon]]. <br /> | <br /> * a really cool data point <br /> | <br /> * You found a pair of platonic solids, not quite touching! (Your engine gets a little more powerful.)<br /> * You found a block of scandium! (Your engine gets a little more powerful.) <br /> | <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Roche Lobe Earth'''<br /> <br /> <code>earth-roche</code> ''and'' <code>normal-moon</code> <br /> | (-9952, -3952)<br /> | To get here, launch from the landmark that looks like a very round cannon firing a cannon ball on Origin. <br /> <br /> The planet is a distorted Earth being attracted by the gravity of the moon, which makes the Earth look like a giant drop of water. See ''{{w|Roche Lobe}}'' for more information. <br /> | <br /> * a curious humboldt squid<br /> * a bathyscaphe<br /> * a wayward Roomba full of moondust <br /> | <br /> | <br /> | <br /> * Green line deactivated!<br /> |-<br /> | '''Giant Spider'''<br /> <br /> <code>spider</code> <br /> | (26982, -8714)<br /> | To get here, launch from the spider landmark on Origin. <br /> <br /> The object is a giant spider floating in space with eight people standing on top of his legs. <br /> | <br /> * a spider-silk scarf <br /> | <br /> * You found a friendly jumping spider (Your engine gets a little more powerful.) <br /> | <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Dark Matter Planet'''<br /> <br /> <code>dark-matter</code> <br /> | (-2892, 2640)<br /> | To get here, launch from the goal on the half of the field with just one person on it on Spacetime Soccer Field. <br /> <br /> The planet is small and grey, and it has the words "Dark matter" inside. On its surface, there are two squirrels and Ponytail exclaiming "I found it!", a reference to [[2186: Dark Matter]]). <br /> | <br /> | <br /> * You found a delicate music box. (Your engine gets a little more powerful.) <br /> | <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Shuttle Skeleton'''<br /> <br /> <code>space-shuttle</code> <br /> | (-30200, 14576)<br /> | To get here, launch from the Shuttle Skeleton landmark on Origin or Northwest from Alaska on the Projection of Earth. <br /> <br /> The object is a reference to the Space Shuttle Skeleton from [[2630: Shuttle Skeleton]]. <br /> | <br /> * a piece of space shuttle food <br /> | <br /> * A little upgrade works wonders on fuel efficiency (Your thrusters are more efficient now.) <br /> | <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Diffraction Spikes Star'''<br /> <br /> <code>diffraction</code> <br /> | (-19944, 11240)<br /> | To get here, launch from the back of the left "hand" of the Shuttle Skeleton or the north of Alaska. <br /> <br /> The object is a very spiky star, a reference to [[2762: Diffraction Spikes]]. <br /> | <br /> * a hydrogen ion<br /> <br /> * a piece of coronium (iron) <br /> | <br /> | <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''SafetySat'''<br /> <br /> <code>safetysat</code> <br /> | (17024, 1024)<br /> | To get here, launch from the cell tower on Origin. <br /> <br /> The object is a reference to [[1992: SafetySat]]. <br /> | <br /> * a first of its kind <br /> | <br /> * ''[no message]'' (Your thrusters are more efficient now.)<br /> * The more refined oil had a dinner engagement (Your thrusters are more efficient now.) <br /> | <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Spacetime Soccer Field'''<br /> <br /> <code>soccerfield</code> <br /> | (6048, 4048)<br /> | To get here, launch from the pyramid with a soccer ball on it on Origin. <br /> <br /> The planet is reference to [[2705: Spacetime Soccer]] and consists of a central white body, goals on the poles, and intangible lines farther away. <br /> | <br /> | <br /> * G<wbr>O<wbr>O<wbr>O<wbr>O<wbr>O<wbr>O<wbr>O<wbr>O<wbr>A<wbr>A<wbr>A<wbr>A<wbr>A<wbr>A<wbr>A<wbr>A<wbr>A<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L!!! (Your thrusters are more efficient now.)<br /> * G<wbr>O<wbr>O<wbr>O<wbr>O<wbr>O<wbr>O<wbr>O<wbr>O<wbr>A<wbr>A<wbr>A<wbr>A<wbr>A<wbr>A<wbr>A<wbr>A<wbr>A<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L<wbr>L!!! (Your engine gets a little more powerful.)<br /> * You found the 3 million point line (Your thrusters are more efficient now.)<br /> * You found a sunspot! (Your launch speed has increased.) <br /> | <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Voyager 1'''<br /> <br /> <code>voyager-1</code> <br /> | (1606, -14282)<br /> | To get here, launch from the "Receiving transmission" communication device near the spiral landmark on Origin. <br /> <br /> The object is a satellite flying in space around Origin. It's a recreation of the {{w|Voyager 1}} space probe.<br /> | <br /> | <br /> * You found Voyager 1! Some of its great speed rubs off on you. (Your engine thrust has increased significantly.) <br /> | <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Voyager 2'''<br /> <br /> <code>voyager-2</code> <br /> | (10682, -5172)<br /> | To get here, launch from the "Receiving transmission" communication device near the spider landmark on Origin. <br /> <br /> The object is a satellite flying in space around Origin. It's a recreation of the {{w|Voyager 1}} space probe.<br /> | <br /> | <br /> * You found Voyager 2! Some of its great speed rubs off on you. (Your engine thrust has increased significantly.) <br /> | <br /> | <br /> |-<br /> | '''Crystal Sphere'''<br /> <br /> ''from'' <code>ring-1</code> ''to'' <code>ring-36</code><br /> |<br /> | To get here, launch from anywhere and keep avoiding planets until you hit it. <br /> <br /> Most planets and celestial objects are inside of a large Crystal Sphere in which there is a visible navigable crack. Halfway through the crack, gravity gets increasingly stronger as the spaceship feels the gravitational force of the entire Crystal Sphere. Despite a person on Origin saying that "there's no way you'd be able to escape [the Crystal Sphere's] gravitation pull. You'd need some kind of a Hyperdrive for that", it's actually possible to get out of the Crystal Sphere without the Hyperdrive (but the spaceship won't be able to stay in the air for more than a second without being pulled back). You can also escape by going fast enough and ramming through. Above the crack, there is an arch made up of the repeating words "The End", which is reminiscent of the "Don't leave the play area" message in [[1608: Hoverboard]] that appeared when the player tried to get out of it. A crystal sphere was previously mentioned in [[1189: Voyager 1]] and [[2121: Light Pollution]].<br /> <br /> |<br /> * a necklace of element samples whose symbols spell out your name<br /> * the platinum cylinder formerly used to define the kilogram<br /> |<br /> * A significant boost to the engines for a curious pilot (Your engine thrust has increased significantly.)<br /> * You found the gold crown Archimedes stole! (Your engine thrust has increased significantly.)<br /> |<br /> |<br /> |-<br /> | '''Crack in the Crystal Sphere'''<br /> |<br /> | To get here, launch from the two characters talking about 'shooting for the moon' on Origin or the 'Exit' sign on the Hollow Planet. <br /> <br /> This section of the Crystal Sphere was violently removed, similarly to how Boston was ripped out from the Subway Planet, leaving jagged edges and construction materials visible. Judging by the shape of the edges of the crack, it doesn't look like the Crystal Sphere is made of crystal. As noticed by Ponytail in the Hollow Planet, when the player is inside the Crystal Sphere, they don't feel a gravitational pull from the huge structure, but when they're outside, the spaceship feels the gravitational force of all the celestial bodies it is leaving behind, resulting in an very strong pull towards the interior of the Crystal Sphere. Above the crack, there is an arch made up of the repeating words "The End", which is reminiscent of the "Don't leave the play area" message in [[1608: Hoverboard]] that appeared when the player tried to get out of it. The Crystal Sphere may be a reference to {{w|The Crystal Spheres}}, a short story by science fiction author David Brin which suggests that each star with habitable planets in the universe is surrounded by a crystal sphere that can be broken only from the inside and is otherwise completely impenetrable. <br /> |<br /> |<br /> * There is a way out (Your launch speed has increased.)<br /> |<br /> * Right lane must turn right<br /> * Left lane must turn left<br /> |<br /> |-<br /> | '''Open Space Outside the Crystal Sphere''' <br /> | <br /> |To get here, go through the crack in the crystal sphere<br /> | <br /> | <br /> * It is very lonely out here (Your tanks recharge much faster now.)<br /> * You found a needle in a haystack (Your engine gets a little more powerful.)<br /> * From here you can view the source of it all. (Your thrusters are more efficient now.) <br /> | <br /> |}<br /> <br /> ==Hacks==<br /> Some of the modes and hacks from [[2712: Gravity]] also work in this comic and can be activated by opening the browser console (F12, Ctr+Shift+I or Cmd+Option+I to open your browser's developer tools, then choose the "Console" tab) and typing a command. <div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed leftAlign" style="width:100%"><br /> <br><br /> * <code>python("import antigravity")</code> flips the gravitational pull. It's a reference to comic [[353: Python]].<br /> * <code>noclip = true</code> disables collision detection.<br /> * <code>Comic.gravityConstant = 0</code> turns gravity off (default is 100).<br /> * <code>Comic.voyager.opts.speed = 0.1</code> increases engine power (default is 0.04).<br /> * <code>Comic.voyager.opts.thrustDuration = 1000</code> provides extra fuel (default is 3.5).<br /> * <code>Comic.voyager.opts.turnSpeed = 0.008</code> increases your turning speed (default is 0.002).<br /> * <code>[Comic.voyager.pos.x, Comic.voyager.pos.y] = [1177, 6755]</code> teleports the spaceship to Saturn ([https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xhw3oVb4fMktZB_KEIF9fGkYCkfbpRMHKBLI63laTgc Coordinates list].)<br /> * <code>Comic.map.items</code> is an array of the findable items, and <code>Comic.map.locations</code> is an array of places.<br /> * <code>ship.engines = "infinite improbability drive"</code> moves the spaceship to random locations, in a reference to the Heart of Gold from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.<br /> * <code>ze.goggles()</code> once again prints "they do nothing!"<br /> * <code>ship.shields = false</code> turns the entire screen black when you collide with something.<br /> ===Spaceships===<br /> <br /> This is a table of all spaceships:<br /> <br /> | -<br /> | <code>paperplane</code>[[https://xkcd.com/2765/assets/0/ships/paperplane/landed.png]]<br /> | '''paperplane''' <br /> | changes the spaceship into a paper plane. <br /> | - -<br /> | <code>bubble</code> [[https://xkcd.com/2765/assets/0/ships/bubble/landed.png]]<br /> | '''Default Ship''' <br /> | (the default spaceship) <br /> | - -<br /> | <code>small-bubble</code>[[https://xkcd.com/2765/assets/0/ships/small-bubble/landed.png]] <br /> | '''Small-bubble'''<br /> | (a smaller version of the default) <br /> | -<br /> | <code>carriagereturn</code> [[https://xkcd.com/2765/assets/0/ships/carriagereturn/landed.png]]<br /> | '''USS Enterprise'''<br /> | (the USS Enterprise, presumably a pun on 'Enter') <br /> | -<br /> | <code>lamp</code> [[https://xkcd.com/2765/assets/0/ships/lamp/landed.png]]<br /> | '''Flyable Lamp'''<br /> | (a lamp that shoots light down/up/left/right)<br /> | -<br /> | <code>lampacity</code> [[https://xkcd.com/2765/assets/0/ships/lamp/landed.png]]<br /> | '''Flyable Lamp 2'''<br /> | (also a lamp?) <br /> | -<br /> | <code>ship1</code> [[https://xkcd.com/2765/assets/0/ships/ship1/landed.png]]<br /> | '''Default ship 2'''<br /> | (the default spaceship from "Gravity"). available only with Code inspector <br /> | -<br /> | <br /> | '''USS Enterprise 2''' [[https://xkcd.com/2765/assets/0/ships/carriagereturn/landed.png]]<br /> | <code>ship.engines = "warp"</code> The spaceship USS Enterprise from Star Trek and massively boosts the power of your engines.Use <br /> | <code>ship.engines = "standard"</code> to return to normal.available only with Code inspector<br /> | -<br /> | Right click on the side and then press inspect then click console then Copy and paste this into the console and then put the ship name in between the quote marks <code>Comic.ship = " " </code><br /> | -<br /> <br /> ==Data and Maps==<br /> [[User:CruseCtrl|CruseCtrl]]'s wayfinder adds a blue dot to show where the nearest collectable is.<br /> Paste this into the JavaScript console:<br /> <br /> const waypointDiv = document.createElement("div");<br /> waypointDiv.style = "position: absolute; left: 50%; top: 50%; width: 6px; height: 6px; background: blue; border-radius: 99px;";<br /> document.getElementById("comic").appendChild(waypointDiv);<br /> const findClosestObject = (voyager, xPos, yPos) => {<br /> let bestDist = Infinity;<br /> let bestObject = null;<br /> for (const object of voyager.objects.filter((o) => !voyager.gotObjects.has(o.id) && o.visible?.())) {<br /> const dist = Math.sqrt((xPos - (object.x1 + object.x2) / 2) ** 2 + (yPos - (object.y1 + object.y2) / 2) ** 2);<br /> if (dist < bestDist) {<br /> bestDist = dist;<br /> bestObject = object;<br /> }<br /> }<br /> return { object: bestObject, dist: bestDist };<br /> };<br /> const everyFrame = function (state) {<br /> const { object, dist } = findClosestObject(Comic.voyager, state.x, state.y);<br /> if (!object) {<br /> waypointDiv.style.display = "none";<br /> return;<br /> }<br /> const objectX = (object.x1 + object.x2) / 2;<br /> const objectY = (object.y1 + object.y2) / 2;<br /> const angleToObject = Math.atan2(objectY - state.y, objectX - state.x);<br /> const waypointAngle = angleToObject + Comic.voyager.cameraAngle;<br /> const waypointDistance = 10 + 2 * dist ** (1 / 3);<br /> const waypointX = Math.cos(waypointAngle) * waypointDistance;<br /> const waypointY = Math.sin(waypointAngle) * waypointDistance;<br /> waypointDiv.style.transform = `translate(${waypointX}px, ${waypointY}px)`;<br /> };<br /> const oldOnFrame = Comic.onFrame.bind(Comic);<br /> Comic.onFrame = function (...args) { everyFrame(...args); oldOnFrame(...args); };<br /> <br /> The following script stops the momentum of the spaceship, which can be useful after seeing a planet without being able to slow down in time:<br /> window.onkeydown = function(e){if(e.key == 'p'){Comic.gameHandle.playerConfig.maxSpeed = 0; setTimeout(() => {Comic.gameHandle.playerConfig.maxSpeed = 100;},10)}}<br /> </div><br /> <br><br /> <br /> == Transcript ==<br /> :'''[This transcript only covers the starting page as shown on {{xkcd|2765|xkcd.com}}. A full transcript of the entire comic can be found [[2765: Escape Speed/Transcript|here]].]'''<br /> <br /> :[What is shown on xkcd it what is known as the Starting planet. It is a small planet. On top of it is a small spaceship standing on two legs. It has a circular shape on top of the legs with a round window. Next to it is a small tree which is higher than the spaceship. This is the spaceship to be controlled by the user. The planet has grass all around, and the entire planet is visible. But the ship is in the center, so most of the planet is in the lover part of the panel. The background around the planet is a star-studded black backdrop. Going around the planet to clockwise from the small tree, there are two more trees with some small bushes between the first small tree and the two next trees. A larger tree is on the opposite part of the planet. Between the two trees and this there is a small bush and the Beret Guy who looks and point up from his point of view (down as seen in the image as he is on the opposite side). He is exclaiming a word. After the largest tree next to him, come a small tree. Before that Cueball and Megan stand together. On the last part back to the spaceship there is another small bush. There are also four gray dots. One above the spaceship. One between the first three and the two. One above the largest of the two trees together. And the final near the bush to the left of the spaceship. Those four dots are part of the game and can be removed if the ship touches them. In the bottom right corner of the panel there is a small white square with a black house drawn upon it. There are two small black dots beneath it. A curved arrow goes below the house from the right to the left dot. This is the home button that will always take the player back to this starting window. To the very right of the panel on height with the spaceship there is a white bar about three times the height of the spaceship. This bar indicates how much energy the spaceship has. It always refuels immediately after landing anywhere.]<br /> :Beret Guy: Wow!<br /> :[As Beret Guy is upside down, so is his words. They can thus easily be read as MOM as they are written, as always, in all caps.]<br /> <br /> :[As part of the game there are messages appearing the first time you enter the comic, and every time you return to home of to the comic from another comic. Although they are not part of the image, they do appear on the home image. These messages appear as black text in a rectangular white panel with a black border. The messages are only on screen for a short time. On a mobile phone browser "Use the arrow keys" is "Tap the sides of your screen". The three situations follow here:]<br /> <br /> :[First time opening the game in a new browser there are two messages one appearing after the other:]<br /> :Greetings!<br /> :Use the arrow keys, pilot.<br /> <br /> :[When pressing the home button only one message appears:]<br /> :Welcome back, pilot.<br /> <br /> :[When reloading or going to the page after having been in another page or having shut down the program and opening again, there will be two messages:]<br /> :Welcome back! We saved your progress.<br /> :Use the arrow keys, pilot.<br /> <br /> :[When moving past the grey dots text is revealed in a similar manner to the greetings text. If it is items, then they are collected and listed beneath the panel under the heading "You've found:" A bulleted list will then start to grow beneath this as you play the game and collect items.]<br /> <br /> :'''[For more transcripts from the rest of the game go to the [[2765: Escape Speed/Transcript|full transcript page]].]'''<br /> <br /> == Trivia ==<br /> This was the most delayed [[:Category:April fools' comics|April fools' comic]] so far, as it was 18 days overdue. When it was released, unlike [[1663: Garden]], there was no mention of April fools' Day. The comic [[2757: Towed Message]] was released closest to April 1st on Friday March 31st, and the following comic, [[2758: My Favorite Things]], was released on schedule on Monday April 3rd. This comic was so delayed that it was not released until Wednesday April 19th, which led to some debate in whether this was meant to be an April fools' comic. On May 15th, 2023, [https://chromakode.com/ Max Goodhart], aka Chromakode, published an article titled "[https://chromakode.com/post/xkcd-gravity-escape-speed/ Development notes from xkcd's "Gravity" and "Escape Speed"]". Max was one of the developers for this comic and the earlier [[2712: Gravity]], and was credited in the [[Header text#Escape Speed|header text of this comic]]. At the top of the article, he writes "On April 20th, xkcd published Escape Speed, the 14th annual April Fools comic we’ve made together". This settled the debate, as it was now clear that this was meant to be the April fools' comic of the year.<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:April fools' comics]]<br /> [[Category:Comics with animation]] <br /> [[Category:Dynamic comics]]<br /> [[Category:Interactive comics]]<br /> [[Category:Comics with inverted brightness]]<br /> [[Category:Space]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Black Hat]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Hairbun]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Blondie]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Knit Cap]]<br /> [[Category:Characters with hats]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring real people]]<br /> [[Category:Multiple Cueballs]] <br /> [[Category:Video games]]<br /> [[Category:Star Wars]]<br /> [[Category:Animals]]<br /> [[Category:Spiders]]<br /> [[Category:Squirrels]]<br /> [[Category:Dinosaurs]]<br /> [[Category:Songs]]<br /> [[Category:Soccer]]<br /> [[Category:Robots]]<br /> [[Category:Food]] <br /> [[Category:Volcanoes]]<br /> [[Category:Space probes]]<br /> [[Category:Astronomy]]<br /> [[Category:Maps]]<br /> [[Category:Aviation]]<br /> [[Category:Airplane banner]]<br /> [[Category:Book promotion]]<br /> [[Category:The Core]]<br /> [[Category:Animorphs]]<br /> [[Category:Stilts]]<br /> [[Category:What If?]] </div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=826:_Guest_Week:_Zach_Weiner_(SMBC)&diff=371216 826: Guest Week: Zach Weiner (SMBC) 2025-04-03T14:36:25Z

<p>Log of n: /* Explanation */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 826<br /> | date = November 26, 2010<br /> | title = Guest Week: Zach Weiner (SMBC)<br /> | image = guest week zach weiner smbc.png<br /> | titletext = Guest comic by Zach Weiner of Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal. When I was stressed out, Zach gave me a talk that was really encouraging and somehow involved nanobots.<br /> }}<br /> {{TOC}}To experience the interactivity of this comic, visit the {{xkcd|826|original comic}}.<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> This comic is drawn by a guest webcomic artist, Zach Weiner (now Weinersmith), following the theme of "Guest Week". Zach is the author of the webcomic [http://www.smbc-comics.com/ Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal]. The [http://www.xkcd.com/826/ original comic] is interactive. It will show images of the exhibits (see below) by clicking on them.<br /> <br /> The entire comic is a {{w|hypothetical}} "{{w|Smithsonian Museum}} of {{w|Dad}}-Trolling, an entire {{w|building}} dedicated to {{w|deceiving}} {{w|children for amusement}}." It is a common occurrence that curious {{w|children}} will ask simple {{w|questions}} about {{w|science}} to their {{w|parents}}, such as, "Daddy, why is the {{w|sky}} {{w|blue}}?" and a {{w|parent}} could respond, "Well Susie, the {{w|sky}} is {{w|blue}} to match your {{w|dress}}."<br /> <br /> ''Guest Week'' was a {{w|series}} of {{w|five}} {{w|comics}} written by {{w|five}} other {{w|comic}} {{w|authors}}. They were released over {{w|five}} {{w|consecutive}} {{w|days}} ({{w|Monday}}-{{w|Friday}}); not over the usual {{w|Monday}}/{{w|Wednesday}}/{{w|Friday}} {{w|schedule}}.<br><br /> The {{w|five}} {{w|comics}} are:<br /> *[[822: Guest Week: Jeph Jacques (Questionable Content)]]<br /> *[[823: Guest Week: David Troupes (Buttercup Festival)]]<br /> *[[824: Guest Week: Bill Amend (FoxTrot)]]<br /> *[[825: Guest Week: Jeffrey Rowland (Overcompensating)]]<br /> *[[826: Guest Week: Zach Weiner (SMBC)]]<br /> <br /> ==={{w|Hall}} of {{w|Misunderstood}} {{w|Science}}===<br /> Each {{w|exhibit}} is a {{w|display}} set up to {{w|reinforce}} the {{w|false}}, {{w|sarcastic}}, or {{w|exaggerated}} {{w|answers}} to {{w|typical}} {{w|questions}} that {{w|children}} may ask their {{w|parents}} about {{w|scientific}} {{w|topics}}. The {{w|answers}} given involve just enough {{w|information}} that the {{w|child}} may be {{w|satisfied}} with the {{w|answer}} and {{w|repeat}} it to {{w|others}} while {{w|maintaining}} the {{w|irony}} for {{w|adults}} that the {{w|answers}} are obviously {{w|misleading}} or {{w|false}}. These {{w|explanations}} may be given because the {{w|parent}} does not know how to {{w|explain}} the {{w|topic}}.<br /> <br /> <gallery widths=432px heights=285px><br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_27.png|In this {{w|exhibit}} the {{w|marquee}} {{w|claims}} that {{w|basilisks}} exist, and that they {{w|live}} under your {{w|bed}}. The {{w|basilisk}} is a {{w|mythological}} {{w|reptilian}} {{w|monster}} that was described as having the {{w|ability}} to {{w|kill}} {{w|other}} {{w|living}} things with its {{w|gaze}}. This {{w|story}} might be believed by {{w|children}} because {{w|children}} often {{w|imagine}} that a {{w|monster}} or a {{w|dangerous}} {{w|creature}} is {{w|hiding}} under the {{w|bed}} at {{w|night}}, and {{w|verifying}} that the {{w|basilisk}} is under the {{w|bed}} and might {{w|kill}} the {{w|child}} would likely {{w|terrify}} the {{w|child}}. <br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_26.png|In this exhibit the marquee claims that "In my day" molecules did not exist, and everything was just atoms. Molecules are chains of atoms, and therefore more complex than atoms. This story might be believed by children because old people often tell unbelievable and questionably credible "In my day" stories about how different, or in this case less complicated, things when they where younger. This story may sound no less credible than these stories to a child. Like most "In my day" stories there is at least a grain of truth. The word atom has changed its meaning over time; at one time all discovered molecules were called {{w|atomism|atoms}}, as when they were modified their properties change. Also, according to the {{w|Big Bang}} theory, there was a period billions of years ago when the universe contained no molecules, yet still contained atoms.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_25.png|In this exhibit the marquee claims that magnets are only attracted to each other when they are teenagers. This is an inside joke that the child is not in on about how there is a loss of sexual desire in adults. This story might be believed because magnets are seen as mysterious and possibly magical by children.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_24.png|In this exhibit the plaque on the statue of Jesus claims that {{w|snow}} is composed of Jesus' {{w|dandruff}}. This story might be believed because some children take the expression that {{w|rain}} is "God's tears", and this would be a logical extension.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_20.png|In this exhibit the marquee claims that the reason that there are only four components of {{w|DNA}} is because there where only four letters back then. The following letters describe the {{w|nucleotides}} that make up DNA chains: "G" {{w|guanine}}, "A" {{w|adenine}}, "T" {{w|thymine}}, and "C" {{w|cytosine}}. This story might be believed by children as DNA can be thought as an instruction set to build life. Instructions contain words, and therefore the letters G, A, T, and C can be thought of as the letters that the words in the instructions are made from.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_23.png|In this exhibit the marquee claims that you are more vulnerable to the {{w|Bogeyman|boogie man}} when you are sleeping. "The Boogie Man" is a common legend used to scare young kids; he typically hides in closets and underneath beds, and attacks sleeping children. This story might be believed by children as some believe in the boogie man.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_22.png|In this exhibit the marquee claims that water increases its size to frighten {{w|predator|predators}}. {{w|Ice}} is less dense than liquid {{w|water}}. This is an unusual property as most materials are more dense in solid form. This might be believed by a child because many animals appear to increase their size to frighten away other threatening animals. A {{w|rhinoceros}}, although not traditionally a predator, would be a predator of water.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_21.png|In this exhibit the marquee claims that {{w|antimatter|anti-matter}} is composed of half {{w|ant}} and half matter. The prefix ''{{Wiktionary|anti-}}'' means "the opposite of", but also can sound like ''ant-y''. The suffix ''{{Wiktionary|-y}}'' would make ''anty'' a neologism meaning "having the quality of or involving ants". Children might believe that matter involving ants could in fact be composed of both ants and matter. Antimatter is also referenced in [[683: Science Montage]], [[1621: Fixion]] and [[1731: Wrong]] as well as being the subject of the ''[[what if? (blog)|what if?]]'' ''{{what if|114|Antimatter}}''. It was also mentioned in another ''what if?'': ''{{what if|79|Lake Tea}}''. <br /> </gallery><br /> <br /> ===Regrettable Pranks: An Interactive Experience===<br /> This section holds falsehoods that a dad might use to frighten his children. Fear is often used to discourage children from disobeying their parents. It is an interactive experience, so visitors can try something for themselves, then learn the frightening fact it indicates.<br /> <br /> <gallery class=center widths=432px heights=285px><br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_19.png|In this exhibit the sign claims that helium makes your voice higher because you are about to explode. Helium makes your voice high-pitched, because sound travels faster in helium than in air (79% nitrogen and 21% oxygen), and it does not explode because it is a noble gas; although it could rupture containers in accordance with the {{w|combined gas law}}, which governs the relationship between pressure, temperature and volume: i.e. if a balloon is over-inflated or exposed to heat, it will burst. This story might be used by parents to discourage children from inhaling helium. This story might regrettably convince a child that they are dying after they inhale helium. On the other hand, it can be dangerous to inhale helium from a gas container if the pressure is too high. So maybe better scared than dead.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_18.png|In this exhibit the sign claims that if your middle finger is longer than all the others, you are an alien half-breed. For almost all people the middle finger is longer than all the others. This story might be used by parents to tease their children. This story might regrettably convince a child that one of their parents is an alien, and therefore not to be trusted. Another possibility is that everyone is an alien half-breed, and therefore, their progeny are also alien half-breeds.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_16.png|In this exhibit the sign claims that one of the cups of {{w|Jell-O|Jello}} had a rabbit brain instead of a cherry. Cherries are a common ingredient in gelatin based deserts. One cup is missing and in the hands of the child, possibly eaten. This story might be used by parents to tease their children, or discourage them from eating more dessert. This story might regrettably convince a child that they ate the brain of a small cute fluffy animal.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_17.png|In this exhibit the sign claims that monsters will eat you if you do not make your bed. In some stories monsters specifically prey on children. This story might be used by parents to encourage children to make their beds. This story might regrettably convince a child that there are monsters under their beds and frighten them so they can not sleep.<br /> </gallery><br /> <br /> ===Concessions===<br /> This area holds concession stands, which sell food. There are misleading names on each stand. The pop-outs in this section are based on jokes parents tell their children to frighten them about food.<br /> <br /> <gallery class=center widths=432px heights=285px><br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_15.png|In this exhibit the marquee announces the name of the concession stand as KFP. The parent claims that the "P" stands for phoenix, and the operator adds "also ponies". KFP is a parody of Kentucky Fried Chicken ({{w|KFC}}), a popular fast food chain which specializes in fried chicken. A phoenix is a mythical bird that throws it self into a fire and later rises from the ashes. This story might be believed by children because phoenixes are birds and a fried one may look similar to a chicken.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_14.png|In this exhibit the marquee announces that the concession stand sells {{w|ground beef}} and further explains that ground beef is beef that is found on the ground. The word "ground" here refers to the floor or dirt, but can also be the past tense of the word "grind". This story might be believed by children because the words are spelled and pronounced the same.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_13.png|In this exhibit the marquee announces that the concession stand sells {{w|ice cream}} and claims that ice cream is really spelled eyes cream, and always composed of eyeballs. This story might be believed by children because the words "eyes cream" sounds similar to "ice cream".<br /> </gallery><br /> <br /> ===Conservatory of Poorly Remembered History===<br /> Each exhibit is a display set up to reinforce the false, sarcastic, or exaggerated answers to typical questions that children may ask their parents about history. The answers given involve just enough information that the child may be satisfied with the answer and repeat it to others while maintaining the irony for adults that the answers are obviously misleading or false. These explanations may be given because the parent does not know how to explain the topic.<br /> <br /> <gallery class=center widths=432px heights=285px><br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_11.png|In this exhibit the marquee claims that {{w|Genghis Khan}} achieved his victories by using dragons. Genghis Khan was a Mongolian conqueror who conquered almost all of Asia and much of Europe founding the {{w|Mongol Empire}}, and creating the largest continuous land empire in history. This story might be believed by children because some children associate magical and other fantastic elements with the past instead of fantasy.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_12.png|In this exhibit the marquee claims that the {{w|Crimean War}} was a war on crime. The Crimean War is an often forgotten Eastern European conflict between Russia and a European coalition (including France, which the comic also pretends doesn't exist) with aims to stop Russia's expansion. This story might be believed by children because adding an "a" to a people group sometimes is used to create a country name, making Crimea sounds similar to a nation of criminals. Also worth noting is that the criminal depicted in the mural appears to be the {{w|Hamburglar}}, a McDonald's mascot. <br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_10.png|In this exhibit the marquee claims that wizards were in control during {{w|The Renaissance}}. The Renaissance is a cultural movement in Europe that took place after the Dark Ages. This story might be believed by children because some children associate magical and other fantastic elements with the past instead of fantasy.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_3.png|In this exhibit the marquee claims that {{w|Star Wars}} is actual history. Star Wars is a fantastical science fiction movie. This story might be believed by children because the movie begins "a long time ago in a galaxy far away", and some children associate magical and other fantastic elements with the past instead of fantasy. The "veteran" presented here appears to be wearing a fake beard as part of his costume.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_9.png|In this exhibit the poster claims that {{w|France}} does not exist. The adult in the comic continues to attempt to convince the children that France does not exist. This is supposed to be funny because the knowledge of France as a country is common. This may be parodying the global warming debate, a common theme in both XKCD and SMBC. It may also be a reference to the {{w|Bielefeld Conspiracy}}. <br /> </gallery><br /> <br /> ===Rotunda of Uncomfortable Topics===<br /> Each exhibit is a display set up to explain uncomfortable topics that children may ask their parents about. The answers given so that the children do not ask further questions.<br /> <br /> <gallery class=center widths=432px heights=285px><br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_8.png|In this exhibit the sign on the box covering up a couple in bed claims that naked wrestling is perfectly normal, but kids should never engage in it. "Naked wrestling" is a euphemism for sex. A parent may give this explanation if a child walks in on their parents having sex and they have to come up with an explanation on the spot, or they feel that the children are too young to know about sex.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_7.png|In this exhibit the sign over the stand claims your parents drink alcohol to prevent you from drinking it as alcohol is a poison. This is technically true, as alcohol is a toxin. A parent may give this explanation to a child who asks their parents why they drink alcohol if it is bad for you, and did not want to explain the pleasurable experience of alcohol because it might encourage children to drink.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_5.png|In this exhibit the banner claims that mommies have big tummies because storks like chubby girls. According to some childhood stories storks deliver babies. Also, there are men who prefer heavy women; these men are often called chubby chasers. A parent may give this explanation to a child who asks why, if a stork delivers babies, their mother is changing while she is pregnant, and the parent continues to try to avoid the topic of sex.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_6.png|In this exhibit the sign claims that grandma did not die, but is going back to Saturn. The choice of Saturn as grandma's destination is appropriate because the god Saturn was associated with aging, as in "Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age" from ''{{w|The Planets}}''. Some parents tell their children that their loved ones have gone away instead of telling them the truth, that their loved ones are dead. Going to Saturn "for revenge" is added for comic value. A parent may give this explanation to avoid causing their child pain.<br /> </gallery><br /> <br /> ===Miscellaneous===<br /> <gallery class=center widths=432px heights=285px><br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_4.png|In this exhibit the marquee claims that {{w|dinosaur|dinosaurs}} are made of bones only. The fossil record includes the imprints of the other tissues of dinosaurs including skin, nails, teeth, and feathers. This story might be believed by children because the majority of all displays of dinosaurs in museums only include bones.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_2.png|The restrooms have 3 doors. Clicking reveals that there the two standard gendered restrooms found in the majority of public buildings, and another one for "Korgmen & Spangs" which does not correspond to any known human trait. This could be a reference to the Marvel alien species {{w|Korg_(comics)|the Korg}}.<br /> <br /> File:guest_comic_week_zach_weiner_smbc_1.png|In this exhibit the sign (which the children can not see) explains that the "{{w|Magic Eye}} poster" contains no hidden images. Magic Eye is a company that sells {{w|autostereogram}}s in books. Autostereograms contain a "hidden" three-dimensional image that can only be seen by converging one's eyes towards a point other than upon the poster itself. This takes time and many people find it difficult or impossible to do.<br /> </gallery><br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :In the spirit of xkcd I present a proposal for a new Smithsonian museum:<br /> :The Smithsonian Museum Of Dad-Trolling<br /> :An entire building dedicated to deceiving children for amusement<br /> <br /> :(Click to view exhibits!)<br /> <br /> :The top left room is 'The Hall of Misunderstood Science'. It contains six exhibits.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: A giant basilisk looms over children.<br /> :Exhibit label: BASILISKS: Real, deadly, under your bed.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: Four magnets hang from a square arch. A child is touching two of them together.<br /> :Text on the arch: Magnets only leap at each other when they're teenagers. Later, they lose interest.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: A child on his dad's shoulders looks up at a looming statue of Jesus behind a lectern. There are flakes falling from Jesus onto them both.<br /> :Exhibit label: Snow is Jesus' dandruff. His scalp gets dry when it's cold.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: A child lies asleep, while hands and a scary face reach up around the bed toward him.<br /> :Exhibit label: Sleep: Now you're vulnerable to the boogie man!<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: An ice block sits on a stand in front of pictures of a wolf and rhinoceros looking frightened.<br /> :Exhibit label: Freezing water: Expands to frighten predators.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: An insect on a stick is orbited by a small sphere.<br /> :Exhibit label: Anti-matter: Matter that is more than 50% ants.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: A DNA strand with the letters T, A, C, and G hanging around it.<br /> :Exhibit label: DNA only has four letters because the alphabet was smaller back then.<br /> :Dad, to child: Told you so.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: A bunch of molecules hang from the ceiling.<br /> :Exhibit label: Molecules? In my day, we only had atoms!<br /> <br /> :The top right room is 'Regrettable Pranks: An Interactive Experience'. There are four exhibits.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: Five balloons float tethered to a table. A child is holding a sixth balloon. The Dad looks alarmed.<br /> :Sign on exhibit: If this helium makes your voice go higher, it's because you're ten seconds from exploding.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: An alien face is shown above an outline of several hands next to a ruler. A child holds his hand up to it.<br /> :Sign on exhibit: Measure your middle finger. If it's longer than the others, you're an alien halfbreed.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: Three cups are on a table. A child is walking away with a fourth cup, the dad's arm around the child's shoulder.<br /> :Exhibit label: Has anyone seen my rabbit brain? It looks like a cherry, and I dropped it in a Jello cup.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: A monstrous set of jaws open upward around a bed.<br /> :Sign on exhibit: Make your bed or monsters will know a kid lives there.<br /> <br /> :The center right room is 'Concessions'. There are three booths.<br /> <br /> :Booth: A concession stand is labeled 'KFP', and displays a KFC-style bucket. A dad and child are eating.<br /> :Dad: The "P" is for "phoenix".<br /> <br /> :Booth: A concession stand.<br /> :Sign on stand: Ground beef: Beef we found on the ground.<br /> :Dad, to child: Told you.<br /> <br /> :Booth: A stand shaped like a giant eye.<br /> :Booth label: EYES CREAM<br /> :Subtitle: How did you think it was spelled?<br /> :Sign on booth: Now with more of the goo in your eyes. Same as every other creamery.<br /> <br /> :The lower left room is 'Conservatory of Poorly Remembered History'. There are five exhibits.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: A man is riding a dragon.<br /> :Exhibit label: Genghis Khan: victory through dragons.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: A criminal in front of some windows.<br /> :Exhibit label: The Crimean War: The first war against crime.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: A castle with flags hanging on it.<br /> :Exhibit label: The Renaissance<br /> :Subtitle: Long story short, the wizards were in control.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit:A man in Jedi-style robes with a fake beard.<br /> :Exhibit label: Star Wars is a documentary. No, seriously.<br /> :Dad, to children: Kids, this man is a veteran.<br /> <br /> :The lower right room is 'Rotunda of Uncomfortable Topics'. There are five exhibits.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: A wrestling ring, with a man and woman mostly obscured by the exhibit label.<br /> :Exhibit label: Naked wrestling: perfectly normal. NEVER DO IT.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: a figure sits at a booth in front of a bowl of food. The dad is holding a bottle.<br /> :Exhibit label: Alcohol is poison. I drink to save you from it.<br /> :Dad: You're welcome.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: A large bird.<br /> :Exhibit label: Mommies get big tummies before babies come because the stork likes chubby girls.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: A rocket ship.<br /> :Sign on exhibit: Grandma's not dead. She just returned to Saturn. For REVENGE.<br /> <br /> :In the areas outside the rooms, there are two more exhibits and restrooms, all clickable.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: A dinosaur skeleton.<br /> :Exhibit label: That's right. Dinosaurs were made entirely of BONES.<br /> :Dad, to kid: If you think about it, it makes sense.<br /> <br /> :Exhibit: A large image hangs on the wall. It is a dense squiggly jumble of lines.<br /> :Dad, to kids: You gotta squint juuust right.<br /> :Sign on exhibit: Magic eye trick that doesn't actually work.<br /> <br /> :Restrooms: There are three doors, each with a sign.<br /> :First door (male logo): Men & Boys<br /> :Second door (female logo): Women & Girls<br /> :Third door (unrecognizable logo): Korgmen & Spangs<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Black Hat]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cory Doctorow]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring real people]]<br /> [[Category:Comics with color]]<br /> [[Category:Ferrets]]<br /> [[Category:Guest Week]]<br /> [[Category:Interactive comics]]<br /> [[Category:Dinosaurs]]<br /> [[Category:LOTR]]<br /> [[Category:Religion]]<br /> [[Category:Science]]<br /> [[Category:Star Wars]]<br /> [[Category:Aliens]]<br /> [[Category:Multiple Cueballs]]<br /> [[Category:Kids]]<br /> [[Category:Dynamic comics]]</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2774:_Taxiing&diff=371198 2774: Taxiing 2025-04-03T12:12:28Z

<p>Log of n: /* Explanation */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 2774<br /> | date = May 10, 2023<br /> | title = Taxiing<br /> | image = taxiing_2x.png<br /> | imagesize = 399x431px<br /> | noexpand = true<br /> | titletext = I don't understand why anyone would pay full price for a flatbed truck rental when you can buy 'DETOUR' signs online for like $10.<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> [[File:A Polish airman marshals a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft March 13, 2014, at Lask Air Base, Poland 140313-F-BH566-088.jpg|thumb|300px| A marshaller marshalling, indicating the airplane should stop. Or possibly a {{w|Sith}}.]]<br /> In this {{w|comic}}, [[Cueball]] is directing an {{w|airplane}} with marshalling wands onto a {{w|ramp} that leads onto the {{w|trailer}} of a {{w|flatbed truck}}. The {{w|caption}} reveals he is not an actual {{w|aircraft}} marshal: instead he is tricking the {{w|pilot}} into driving the {{w|plane}} onto the {{w|trailer}}. [[Randall]], as [[Cueball]], says the "{{w|glowing}} {{w|wand}} things" (the marshalling wands) were bought cheaply on the {{w|internet}}, at a {{w|cost}} much lower than that of the {{w|plane}} he is now {{w|stealing}}.<br /> <br /> The {{w|word}} "ramp" can also refer to the apron of an {{w|airport}}, the {{w|area}} where {{w|marshallers}} most often {{w|work}}. A {{w|pilot}} may be quite used to having their {{w|plane}} directed onto that form of {{w|ramp}}, and not notice that [[Cueball] is using the {{w|ramp}} for a different purpose.<br /> <br /> The title text suggests that [[Cueball]] did not even pay to {{w|rent}} the {{w|truck}}: instead, he placed "{{w|Detour}}" {{w|signs}} on the {{w|road}} to trick the {{w|driver}} into driving the {{w|truck} into {{w|place}} for loading.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[Cueball is waving two orange sticks in the air, one in each hand. They are glowing as indicated with small orange lines all around the orange part. The handle he holds them by is black. Cueball is pointing one stick to the left where, behind him, is a ramp that extends beyond the panel. The other stick is held up in front of his face and he looks up onto the front end of a large plane. Only a small part of the plane is visible, mainly the very tip with just a bit of the window into the cockpit shown. The underside of the tip is gray, the rest is white with the window in black.]<br /> :Cueball: ...Keep going...<br /> :Cueball: ...Slightly left...<br /> :Cueball: ...Okay, good...you're lined up with the ramp...<br /> :Cueball: ...Now pull forward slowly up onto the trailer...<br /> <br /> :[Caption below the panel:]<br /> :I don't understand why anyone would pay full price for an airplane when you can buy those glowing wand things online for like $30.<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Comics with color]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Aviation]]</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2774:_Taxiing&diff=371196 2774: Taxiing 2025-04-03T12:03:11Z

<p>Log of n: /* Explanation */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 2774<br /> | date = May 10, 2023<br /> | title = Taxiing<br /> | image = taxiing_2x.png<br /> | imagesize = 399x431px<br /> | noexpand = true<br /> | titletext = I don't understand why anyone would pay full price for a flatbed truck rental when you can buy 'DETOUR' signs online for like $10.<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> [[File:A Polish airman marshals a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft March 13, 2014, at Lask Air Base, Poland 140313-F-BH566-088.jpg|thumb|300px| A marshaller marshalling, indicating the airplane should stop. But probably not a {{w|Sith}}.]]<br /> In this comic, [[Cueball]] is directing an airplane with marshalling wands onto a ramp that leads onto the trailer of a {{w|flatbed truck}}. The caption reveals he is not an actual aircraft marshal: instead he is tricking the pilot into driving the plane onto the trailer. Randall, as Cueball, says the "glowing wand things" (the marshalling wands) were bought cheaply on the internet, at a cost much lower than that of the plane he is now stealing.<br /> <br /> The word "ramp" can also refer to the apron of an airport, the area where marshallers most often work. A pilot may be quite used to having their plane directed onto that form of ramp, and not notice that Cueball is using the word in a different sense.<br /> <br /> The title text suggests that Cueball did not even pay to rent the truck: instead, he placed "Detour" signs on the road to trick the driver into driving the truck into place for loading.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[Cueball is waving two orange sticks in the air, one in each hand. They are glowing as indicated with small orange lines all around the orange part. The handle he holds them by is black. Cueball is pointing one stick to the left where, behind him, is a ramp that extends beyond the panel. The other stick is held up in front of his face and he looks up onto the front end of a large plane. Only a small part of the plane is visible, mainly the very tip with just a bit of the window into the cockpit shown. The underside of the tip is gray, the rest is white with the window in black.]<br /> :Cueball: ...Keep going...<br /> :Cueball: ...Slightly left...<br /> :Cueball: ...Okay, good...you're lined up with the ramp...<br /> :Cueball: ...Now pull forward slowly up onto the trailer...<br /> <br /> :[Caption below the panel:]<br /> :I don't understand why anyone would pay full price for an airplane when you can buy those glowing wand things online for like $30.<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Comics with color]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Aviation]]</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=3071:_Decay_Chain&diff=371194 3071: Decay Chain 2025-04-03T11:56:52Z

<p>Log of n: </p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 3071<br /> | date = April 2, 2025<br /> | title = Decay Chain<br /> | image = decay_chain_2x.png<br /> | imagesize = 312x595px<br /> | noexpand = true<br /> | titletext = If you have an old phone in a drawer, and you listen very carefully, you can occasionally hear the occasional tap of an emitted SIM card hitting the side of the drawer as the phone transmutes to a lower-end model.<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> {{incomplete|Created by a Bot that has decayed to an Automoton - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br /> This comic suggests that as iPhones get heavier (as model iterations get higher) they, like heavier chemical elements, become unstable and susceptible to decay. In science, some atoms decays into other atoms, releasing some energy in the process. This process is generally dictated by the ratio and configuration of the positively charged protons in an atomic nucleus, which dictate its chemical identity, with the neutrons, which need to act to keep the protons in as stable a clump as possible. Particular isotopes, increasingly so for the heavier atoms, are known to be subject to one or other modes of {{w|nuclear decay}} in order to attain a more stable and simpler form, including by several such steps. This comic humorously explore how an iPhone would decay if decaying works the same, which is obviously absurd as iPhones are not radioactive and thus aren't subject to atomic decay.<br /> <br /> The difference between iPhones undergoing {{w|alpha decay}} (vertically downwards, in the diagram) is the change in model number from a higher one to one two steps lower (equivalent to the change in {{w|atomic number}} when two protons leave the nucleus in a helium ion), except for the step involving the iPhone X which apparently exists instead of a "9" model. The {{w|mass number}} of atoms would reduce by four (that of the He<sup>2+</sup>), though no evidence is given as to how the respective masses of the phones actually changes.<br /> <br /> The process of beta minus decay (in elements, the effective conversion of a neutron into a proton and a free electron) raises the atomic number by one whilst removing an excess neutral particle, by emiting the negatively charged {{w|beta particle}}. In the terms of iPhones, this is represented by the removal of a brand-name modifier (usually denoting additional features included within the same model range) in order to perform a version-upgrade but now being closer to that new range's most basic release of model. This is represented by a sideways and upwards step. The decay step from the iPhone 13 Pro to the iPhone 14 Plus, which is missing a symbol, is clearly one of the beta minus decay steps.<br /> <br /> (After alpha or beta decay, atoms may then emit {{w|gamma radiation}} as they rearrange their atomic state without changing their composition, but this process does not change the element in any meaningful way. It also will occur when neutron capture and/or atomic fission has occured, which is generally considered outwith the natural decay chain of any such isotope, and can also result from nuclear fusion.)<br /> <br /> The title text suggests that the "alpha particle" of the iPhone is a {{w|SIM card}}, and that alpha-decaying phones will emit one of these each time (despite few phones having more than two, and most working ones only having one, but perhaps that's part of the mystery of telephonic {{w|Nuclear transmutation|transmutation}}). The sound of an old phone, sitting in a drawer, ejecting the unnecessary SIM is likened to the slow click of a {{w|Geiger counter}} being prompted to register the decay particles ejected from a decaying radioisotope. Presumably, without the sound, one would never otherwise know if the phone even ''had'' decayed without {{w|Schrödinger's cat|opening the drawer}} to find out.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> {{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br /> <br /> [A flowchart with arrows leading from a circle with the words "iPhone 16 Pro Max", to circles with other iPhone names, eventually leading to a circle with the words "iPhone 7"]<br /> <br /> :[Caption below the panel:]<br /> :Physicists believe that an iPhone 16 Pro Max will, if left alone long enough, eventually decay into an iPhone 7, the heaviest stable model.<br /> <br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Smartphones]]<br /> [[Category:Physics]]</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=3071:_Decay_Chain&diff=371193 3071: Decay Chain 2025-04-03T11:56:14Z

<p>Log of n: </p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 3071<br /> | date = April 2, 2025<br /> | title = Decay Chain<br /> | image = decay_chain_2x.png<br /> | imagesize = 312x595px<br /> | noexpand = true<br /> | titletext = If you have an old phone in a drawer, and you listen very carefully, you can occasionally hear the occasional tap of an emitted SIM card hitting the side of the drawer as the phone transmutes to a lower-end model.<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> {{incomplete|Created by a Bot that has decayed to an Automoton - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br /> This comic suggests that as iPhones get heavier (as model iterations get higher) they, like heavier chemical elements, become unstable and susceptible to decay. In science, some atoms decays into other atoms, releasing some energy in the process. This process is generally dictated by the ratio and configuration of the positively charged protons in an atomic nucleus, which dictate its chemical identity, with the neutrons, which need to act to keep the protons in as stable a clump as possible. Particular isotopes, increasingly so for the heavier atoms, are known to be subject to one or other modes of {{w|nuclear decay}} in order to attain a more stable and simpler form, including by several such steps. This comic humorously explore how an iPhone would decay if decaying works the same, which is obviously absurd as iPhones are not radioactive and thus aren't subject to atomic decay.<br /> <br /> The difference between iPhones undergoing {{w|alpha decay}} (vertically downwards, in the diagram) is the change in model number from a higher one to one two steps lower (equivalent to the change in {{w|atomic number}} when two protons leave the nucleus in a helium ion), except for the step involving the iPhone X which apparently exists instead of a "9" model. The {{w|mass number}} of atoms would reduce by four (that of the He<sup>2+</sup>), though no evidence is given as to how the respective masses of the phones actually changes.<br /> <br /> The process of beta minus decay (in elements, the effective conversion of a neutron into a proton and a free electron) raises the atomic number by one whilst removing an excess neutral particle, by emiting the negatively charged {{w|beta particle}}. In the terms of iPhones, this is represented by the removal of a brand-name modifier (usually denoting additional features included within the same model range) in order to perform a version-upgrade but now being closer to that new range's most basic release of model. This is represented by a sideways and upwards step. The decay step from the iPhone 13 Pro to the iPhone 14 Plus, which is missing a symbol, is clearly one of the beta minus decay steps.<br /> <br /> (After alpha or beta decay, atoms may then emit {{w|gamma radiation}} as they rearrange their atomic state without changing their composition, but this process does not change the element in any meaningful way. It also will occur when neutron capture and/or atomic fission has occured, which is generally considered outwith the natural decay chain of any such isotope, and can also result from nuclear fusion.)<br /> <br /> The title text suggests that the "alpha particle" of the iPhone is a {{w|SIM card}}, and that alpha-decaying phones will emit one of these each time (despite few phones having more than two, and most working ones only having one, but perhaps that's part of the mystery of telephonic {{w|Nuclear transmutation|transmutation}}). The sound of an old phone, sitting in a drawer, ejecting the unnecessary SIM is likened to the slow click of a {{w|Geiger counter}} being prompted to register the decay particles ejected from a decaying radioisotope. Presumably, without the sound, one would never otherwise know if the phone even ''had'' decayed without {{w|Schrödinger's cat|opening the drawer}} to find out.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> {{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br /> <br /> A flowchart with arrows leading from a circle with the words "iPhone 16 Pro Max", to circles with other iPhone names, eventually leading to a circle with the words "iPhone 7"<br /> <br /> :[Caption below the panel:]<br /> :Physicists believe that an iPhone 16 Pro Max will, if left alone long enough, eventually decay into an iPhone 7, the heaviest stable model.<br /> <br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Smartphones]]<br /> [[Category:Physics]]</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2585:_Rounding&diff=370611 2585: Rounding 2025-03-27T16:51:03Z

<p>Log of n: /* Explanation */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 2585<br /> | date = February 23, 2022<br /> | title = Rounding<br /> | image = rounding.png<br /> | titletext = I've developed a novel propulsion system powered by loss of precision in unit conversion.<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> This comic is about the follies of unit conversion, later explored again in [[3065: Square Units]]. Normally, when you say you can ride a bike at 45 {{w|Miles per hour|mph}} if you round, you mean that you can ride at a speed between 44.5 and 45.5, something most people are incapable of doing.{{Citation needed}} The joke is that Cueball actually means if you go through a extremely long chain of rounding imprecisely (see [[#Table of rounding|below]]), starting at 17 mph (which is equivalent to 27.4 km/h and not an improbable speed for an ordinary road-bike and a reasonably fit rider), you can get to the value of 45mph (72.4 km/h).<br /> <br /> Randall also esoterically uses some more historic units here: fathoms/sec, furlongs/min, and furlongs/hr. A {{w|fathom}} is a unit of length, in the modern era being equivalent to six feet, usually used to measure the depth of water. Fathoms/sec could potentially be used to measure the ascent/descent speed of a submersible, but it would normally be a strange choice to enumerate the speed of a bike. A {{w|furlong}} is also a unit of length, equivalent to one eighth of a mile (or 660 feet or 110 fathoms) but is mostly unused except in horse racing. It is possible that furlongs/min or furlongs/hour could be used to measure the speed of a horse. {{w|Knot (unit)|Knot}}s (nautical miles per hour) are a standard unit of measuring speed, but are typically used for measuring speed for airplanes or ships, not speed on land. However, km/h (kilometers per hour, spelled kph in the comic) is commonly used internationally to state the speed of land vehicles, while m/s (meters per second) is a measurement encountered in scientific usage.<br /> <br /> The title text furthers the joke by taking the imprecise rounding literally, implying that this increase could actually be used/abused as a novel form of propulsion, but it isn't clarified for what type of vehicle. It could be an engine for ground or air travel, but contains the implication that it is trying to 'trick physics' similar to the {{w|Alcubierre drive|theoretical 'warp drive'}} conceived to propel interstellar spacecraft at otherwise impossible speeds. One interpretation of the supposed chain of conversions is that it has somehow created a great deal of energy from nothing. Suppose there existed a device or system that could magically accelerate an object from 17 mph to 45 mph without any energy input. The sped-up object could be harnessed to a generator or engine in such a way that the object was slowed back down to 17 mph, with the difference in energy being output in a useful way, and the object fed back into the device. The result would be an engine that could create both free energy and non-conserved changes in momentum.<br /> <br /> At the demonstrated rate of about 4% median rounding gain, it would just take 73 more steps of rounding-acceleration to reach supersonic speed from the starting speed of 45 mph. If the speed of light could be approached without relativistic effects, another 349 steps would go from supersonic speed to the speed of light. (More efficient approaches may exist.)<br /> <br /> ===Table of rounding===<br /> {| class="wikitable"<br /> ! step !! percentage gain from rounding !! total percentage gain !! mph !! {{w|Metre per second|m/s}} !! {{w|Knot (unit)|knots}} !! {{w|fathom}}s/sec !! {{w|furlong}}s/min !! {{w|Kilometres per hour|km/h}} !! furlongs/hour !! {{w|yard}}s/sec<br /> |-<br /> ! 1<br /> | N/A || +0.00% ||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 17 ||style="background-color:green;"| 7.599680 || 14.77260 || 4.155<span style="text-decoration:overline;">55</span> || 2.266<span style="text-decoration:overline;">66</span> || 27.35885 || 136|| 8.311<span style="text-decoration:overline;">11</span><br /> |-<br /> ! 2<br /> | +5.27% || +5.27% || 17.89549 ||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 8 ||style="background-color:green;"| 15.55076 || 4.37445 || 2.38607 || 28.8 || 143.16392 || 8.74891<br /> |-<br /> ! 3<br /> | +2.89% || +8.31% || 18.41247 || 8.2311<span style="text-decoration:overline;">11</span> ||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 16 ||style="background-color:green;"| 4.50083 || 2.45500 || 29.63200 || 147.29977 || 9.00165<br /> |-<br /> ! 4<br /> | +11.09% || +20.32% || 20.454<span style="text-decoration:overline;">54</span>|| 9.144000 || 17.77451 ||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 5 ||style="background-color:green;"| 2.727<span style="text-decoration:overline;">27</span>|| 32.91840 || 163.636<span style="text-decoration:overline;">36</span> || 10<br /> |-<br /> ! 5<br /> | +10.00% || +32.35% || 22.5 || 10.05840 || 19.55197 ||style="background-color:green;"| 5.50000 ||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 3 || 36.21024 || 180|| 11<br /> |-<br /> ! 6<br /> | +9.09% || +44.39% || 24.545<span style="text-decoration:overline;">45</span> || 10.97280|| 21.32942||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 6 || 3.272<span style="text-decoration:overline;">72</span>||style="background-color:green;"| 39.50208 || 196.363<span style="text-decoration:overline;">63</span>|| 12<br /> |-<br /> ! 7<br /> | +1.26% || +46.20% || 24.85485 || 11.111<span style="text-decoration:overline;">11</span>||style="background-color:green;"| 21.59827 || 6.07563|| 3.31398||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 40 || 198.83878|| 12.15126<br /> |-<br /> ! 8<br /> | +1.86% || +48.92% || 25.31715 || 11.31778||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 22 || 6.18864|| 3.37562||style="background-color:green;"| 40.74400 || 202.53718|| 12.37727<br /> |-<br /> ! 9<br /> | +0.63% || +49.86% || 25.47622 || 11.388<span style="text-decoration:overline;">88</span>|| 22.13823|| 6.22752|| 3.39683||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 41 ||style="background-color:green;"| 203.80975 || 12.45504<br /> |-<br /> ! 10<br /> | +0.09% || +50.00% || style="background-color:green;"| 25.50000 || 11.39952|| 22.15889 || 6.233<span style="text-decoration:overline;">33</span> || 3.40000 || 41.03827 ||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 204 || 12.466<span style="text-decoration:overline;">66</span><br /> |-<br /> ! 11<br /> | +1.96% || +52.94% || style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 26 ||style="background-color:green;"| 11.62304 || 22.59338 || 6.355<span style="text-decoration:overline;">55</span> || 3.466<span style="text-decoration:overline;">66</span> || 41.84294 || 208 || 12.711<span style="text-decoration:overline;">11</span><br /> |-<br /> ! 12<br /> | +3.24% || +57.90% || 26.84324||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 12 || 23.32617|| 6.56168||style="background-color:green;"| 3.57910 || 43.200<span style="text-decoration:overline;">00</span> || 214.74588 || 13.12336<br /> |-<br /> ! 13<br /> | +11.76% || +76.47% || 30|| 13.41120|| 26.06929|| 7.333<span style="text-decoration:overline;">33</span> ||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 4 || 48.28038|| 240||style="background-color:green;"| 14.666<span style="text-decoration:overline;">66</span><br /> |-<br /> ! 14<br /> | +2.27% || +80.4% || 30.68182|| 13.71600|| 26.66177||style="background-color:green;"| 7.5 || 4.090<span style="text-decoration:overline;">90</span>|| 49.37760|| 245.454<span style="text-decoration:overline;">54</span>||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 15<br /> |-<br /> ! 15<br /> | +6.67% || +92.51% || 32.727<span style="text-decoration:overline;">27</span>||style="background-color:green;"| 14.63040 || 28.43922||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 8 || 4.363<span style="text-decoration:overline;">63</span>|| 52.66944 || 261.818<span style="text-decoration:overline;">18</span> || 16<br /> |-<br /> ! 16<br /> | +2.53% || +97.38% || style="background-color:green;"| 33.55404 ||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 15 || 29.15767 || 8.20210 || 4.47387 || 54|| 268.43236 || 16.40420<br /> |-<br /> ! 17<br /> | +1.33% || +100.00% || style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 34 || 15.19936 || 29.54519 || 8.311<span style="text-decoration:overline;">11</span>||style="background-color:green;"| 4.533<span style="text-decoration:overline;">33</span> || 54.71770 || 272|| 16.622<span style="text-decoration:overline;">22</span><br /> |-<br /> ! 18<br /> | +10.29% || +120.59% || 37.50000|| 16.76400||style="background-color:green;"| 32.58661 || 9.166<span style="text-decoration:overline;">66</span>||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 5 || 60.35040|| 300|| 18.333<span style="text-decoration:overline;">33</span><br /> |-<br /> ! 19<br /> | +1.27% || +123.39% || 37.97572|| 16.976<span style="text-decoration:overline;">66</span>||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 33 || 9.28295|| 5.06343|| 61.11603|| 303.80577||style="background-color:green;"| 18.56591<br /> |-<br /> ! 20<br /> | +2.34% || +128.61% || 38.863<span style="text-decoration:overline;">63</span>|| 17.37360|| 33.77158||style="background-color:green;"| 9.5 || 5.181<span style="text-decoration:overline;">81</span>|| 62.54496|| 310.909<span style="text-decoration:overline;">09</span>||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 19<br /> |-<br /> ! 21<br /> | +5.26% || +140.64% || 40.909<span style="text-decoration:overline;">09</span>|| 18.28800||style="background-color:green;"| 35.54903 ||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 10 || 5.45455|| 65.83680|| 327.272<span style="text-decoration:overline;">72</span>|| 20<br /> |-<br /> ! 22<br /> | +1.27% || +143.69% || 41.42806|| 18.52000||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 36 || 10.12686||style="background-color:green;"| 5.52374 || 66.67200|| 331.42448|| 20.25372<br /> |-<br /> ! 23<br /> | +8.62% || +164.71% || style="background-color:green;"| 45 || 20.11680 || 39.10393 || 11||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 6 || 72.42048 || 360|| 22<br /> |-<br /> ! 24<br /> | +0.00% || +164.71% || style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 45 || 20.11680|| 39.10393|| 11|| 6|| 72.42048|| 360|| 22<br /> |}<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[In the top left part of the panel is a small drawing where Cueball, wearing a bike helmet and holding a bike, is speaking to Megan.]<br /> :Cueball: I can ride my bike at 45 MPH.<br /> :Cueball: If you round.<br /> <br /> :[To their right is a large number with unit, with an arrow going straight down to a normal sized similar number. From there and proceeding all the way down to the bottom, in alternating leftward and rightward rows, the rest of the comic shows arrows connecting conversions from one measured unit into another unit. Straight arrows show the direction of the sequence on each line, the end of each line curving down to start the next line in the opposite direction. The last of these lines ends close to the middle of the panel, with a straight arrow down to another large number with unit, like the first.]<br /> :<big>'''17 MPH'''</big><br /> :8 meters/sec<br /> :16 knots<br /> :5 fathoms/sec<br /> :3 furlongs/min<br /> :6 fathoms/sec<br /> :40 KPH<br /> :22 knots<br /> :41 KPH<br /> :204 furlongs/hr<br /> :26 MPH<br /> :12 M/S<br /> :4 furlongs/min<br /> :15 yards/sec<br /> :8 fathoms/sec<br /> :15 M/S<br /> :34 MPH<br /> :5 furlongs/min<br /> :33 knots<br /> :19 yards/sec<br /> :10 fathoms/sec<br /> :36 knots<br /> :6 furlongs/min<br /> :<big>'''45 MPH'''</big><br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br /> [[Category:Math]]</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2585:_Rounding&diff=370610 2585: Rounding 2025-03-27T16:50:17Z

<p>Log of n: /* Explanation */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 2585<br /> | date = February 23, 2022<br /> | title = Rounding<br /> | image = rounding.png<br /> | titletext = I've developed a novel propulsion system powered by loss of precision in unit conversion.<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> This comic is about the follies of unit conversion, later explored in [[3065: square units]]. Normally, when you say you can ride a bike at 45 {{w|Miles per hour|mph}} if you round, you mean that you can ride at a speed between 44.5 and 45.5, something most people are incapable of doing.{{Citation needed}} The joke is that Cueball actually means if you go through a extremely long chain of rounding imprecisely (see [[#Table of rounding|below]]), starting at 17 mph (which is equivalent to 27.4 km/h and not an improbable speed for an ordinary road-bike and a reasonably fit rider), you can get to the value of 45mph (72.4 km/h).<br /> <br /> Randall also esoterically uses some more historic units here: fathoms/sec, furlongs/min, and furlongs/hr. A {{w|fathom}} is a unit of length, in the modern era being equivalent to six feet, usually used to measure the depth of water. Fathoms/sec could potentially be used to measure the ascent/descent speed of a submersible, but it would normally be a strange choice to enumerate the speed of a bike. A {{w|furlong}} is also a unit of length, equivalent to one eighth of a mile (or 660 feet or 110 fathoms) but is mostly unused except in horse racing. It is possible that furlongs/min or furlongs/hour could be used to measure the speed of a horse. {{w|Knot (unit)|Knot}}s (nautical miles per hour) are a standard unit of measuring speed, but are typically used for measuring speed for airplanes or ships, not speed on land. However, km/h (kilometers per hour, spelled kph in the comic) is commonly used internationally to state the speed of land vehicles, while m/s (meters per second) is a measurement encountered in scientific usage.<br /> <br /> The title text furthers the joke by taking the imprecise rounding literally, implying that this increase could actually be used/abused as a novel form of propulsion, but it isn't clarified for what type of vehicle. It could be an engine for ground or air travel, but contains the implication that it is trying to 'trick physics' similar to the {{w|Alcubierre drive|theoretical 'warp drive'}} conceived to propel interstellar spacecraft at otherwise impossible speeds. One interpretation of the supposed chain of conversions is that it has somehow created a great deal of energy from nothing. Suppose there existed a device or system that could magically accelerate an object from 17 mph to 45 mph without any energy input. The sped-up object could be harnessed to a generator or engine in such a way that the object was slowed back down to 17 mph, with the difference in energy being output in a useful way, and the object fed back into the device. The result would be an engine that could create both free energy and non-conserved changes in momentum.<br /> <br /> At the demonstrated rate of about 4% median rounding gain, it would just take 73 more steps of rounding-acceleration to reach supersonic speed from the starting speed of 45 mph. If the speed of light could be approached without relativistic effects, another 349 steps would go from supersonic speed to the speed of light. (More efficient approaches may exist.)<br /> <br /> ===Table of rounding===<br /> {| class="wikitable"<br /> ! step !! percentage gain from rounding !! total percentage gain !! mph !! {{w|Metre per second|m/s}} !! {{w|Knot (unit)|knots}} !! {{w|fathom}}s/sec !! {{w|furlong}}s/min !! {{w|Kilometres per hour|km/h}} !! furlongs/hour !! {{w|yard}}s/sec<br /> |-<br /> ! 1<br /> | N/A || +0.00% ||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 17 ||style="background-color:green;"| 7.599680 || 14.77260 || 4.155<span style="text-decoration:overline;">55</span> || 2.266<span style="text-decoration:overline;">66</span> || 27.35885 || 136|| 8.311<span style="text-decoration:overline;">11</span><br /> |-<br /> ! 2<br /> | +5.27% || +5.27% || 17.89549 ||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 8 ||style="background-color:green;"| 15.55076 || 4.37445 || 2.38607 || 28.8 || 143.16392 || 8.74891<br /> |-<br /> ! 3<br /> | +2.89% || +8.31% || 18.41247 || 8.2311<span style="text-decoration:overline;">11</span> ||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 16 ||style="background-color:green;"| 4.50083 || 2.45500 || 29.63200 || 147.29977 || 9.00165<br /> |-<br /> ! 4<br /> | +11.09% || +20.32% || 20.454<span style="text-decoration:overline;">54</span>|| 9.144000 || 17.77451 ||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 5 ||style="background-color:green;"| 2.727<span style="text-decoration:overline;">27</span>|| 32.91840 || 163.636<span style="text-decoration:overline;">36</span> || 10<br /> |-<br /> ! 5<br /> | +10.00% || +32.35% || 22.5 || 10.05840 || 19.55197 ||style="background-color:green;"| 5.50000 ||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 3 || 36.21024 || 180|| 11<br /> |-<br /> ! 6<br /> | +9.09% || +44.39% || 24.545<span style="text-decoration:overline;">45</span> || 10.97280|| 21.32942||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 6 || 3.272<span style="text-decoration:overline;">72</span>||style="background-color:green;"| 39.50208 || 196.363<span style="text-decoration:overline;">63</span>|| 12<br /> |-<br /> ! 7<br /> | +1.26% || +46.20% || 24.85485 || 11.111<span style="text-decoration:overline;">11</span>||style="background-color:green;"| 21.59827 || 6.07563|| 3.31398||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 40 || 198.83878|| 12.15126<br /> |-<br /> ! 8<br /> | +1.86% || +48.92% || 25.31715 || 11.31778||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 22 || 6.18864|| 3.37562||style="background-color:green;"| 40.74400 || 202.53718|| 12.37727<br /> |-<br /> ! 9<br /> | +0.63% || +49.86% || 25.47622 || 11.388<span style="text-decoration:overline;">88</span>|| 22.13823|| 6.22752|| 3.39683||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 41 ||style="background-color:green;"| 203.80975 || 12.45504<br /> |-<br /> ! 10<br /> | +0.09% || +50.00% || style="background-color:green;"| 25.50000 || 11.39952|| 22.15889 || 6.233<span style="text-decoration:overline;">33</span> || 3.40000 || 41.03827 ||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 204 || 12.466<span style="text-decoration:overline;">66</span><br /> |-<br /> ! 11<br /> | +1.96% || +52.94% || style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 26 ||style="background-color:green;"| 11.62304 || 22.59338 || 6.355<span style="text-decoration:overline;">55</span> || 3.466<span style="text-decoration:overline;">66</span> || 41.84294 || 208 || 12.711<span style="text-decoration:overline;">11</span><br /> |-<br /> ! 12<br /> | +3.24% || +57.90% || 26.84324||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 12 || 23.32617|| 6.56168||style="background-color:green;"| 3.57910 || 43.200<span style="text-decoration:overline;">00</span> || 214.74588 || 13.12336<br /> |-<br /> ! 13<br /> | +11.76% || +76.47% || 30|| 13.41120|| 26.06929|| 7.333<span style="text-decoration:overline;">33</span> ||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 4 || 48.28038|| 240||style="background-color:green;"| 14.666<span style="text-decoration:overline;">66</span><br /> |-<br /> ! 14<br /> | +2.27% || +80.4% || 30.68182|| 13.71600|| 26.66177||style="background-color:green;"| 7.5 || 4.090<span style="text-decoration:overline;">90</span>|| 49.37760|| 245.454<span style="text-decoration:overline;">54</span>||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 15<br /> |-<br /> ! 15<br /> | +6.67% || +92.51% || 32.727<span style="text-decoration:overline;">27</span>||style="background-color:green;"| 14.63040 || 28.43922||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 8 || 4.363<span style="text-decoration:overline;">63</span>|| 52.66944 || 261.818<span style="text-decoration:overline;">18</span> || 16<br /> |-<br /> ! 16<br /> | +2.53% || +97.38% || style="background-color:green;"| 33.55404 ||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 15 || 29.15767 || 8.20210 || 4.47387 || 54|| 268.43236 || 16.40420<br /> |-<br /> ! 17<br /> | +1.33% || +100.00% || style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 34 || 15.19936 || 29.54519 || 8.311<span style="text-decoration:overline;">11</span>||style="background-color:green;"| 4.533<span style="text-decoration:overline;">33</span> || 54.71770 || 272|| 16.622<span style="text-decoration:overline;">22</span><br /> |-<br /> ! 18<br /> | +10.29% || +120.59% || 37.50000|| 16.76400||style="background-color:green;"| 32.58661 || 9.166<span style="text-decoration:overline;">66</span>||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 5 || 60.35040|| 300|| 18.333<span style="text-decoration:overline;">33</span><br /> |-<br /> ! 19<br /> | +1.27% || +123.39% || 37.97572|| 16.976<span style="text-decoration:overline;">66</span>||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 33 || 9.28295|| 5.06343|| 61.11603|| 303.80577||style="background-color:green;"| 18.56591<br /> |-<br /> ! 20<br /> | +2.34% || +128.61% || 38.863<span style="text-decoration:overline;">63</span>|| 17.37360|| 33.77158||style="background-color:green;"| 9.5 || 5.181<span style="text-decoration:overline;">81</span>|| 62.54496|| 310.909<span style="text-decoration:overline;">09</span>||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 19<br /> |-<br /> ! 21<br /> | +5.26% || +140.64% || 40.909<span style="text-decoration:overline;">09</span>|| 18.28800||style="background-color:green;"| 35.54903 ||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 10 || 5.45455|| 65.83680|| 327.272<span style="text-decoration:overline;">72</span>|| 20<br /> |-<br /> ! 22<br /> | +1.27% || +143.69% || 41.42806|| 18.52000||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 36 || 10.12686||style="background-color:green;"| 5.52374 || 66.67200|| 331.42448|| 20.25372<br /> |-<br /> ! 23<br /> | +8.62% || +164.71% || style="background-color:green;"| 45 || 20.11680 || 39.10393 || 11||style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 6 || 72.42048 || 360|| 22<br /> |-<br /> ! 24<br /> | +0.00% || +164.71% || style="background-color:lightgreen;"| 45 || 20.11680|| 39.10393|| 11|| 6|| 72.42048|| 360|| 22<br /> |}<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[In the top left part of the panel is a small drawing where Cueball, wearing a bike helmet and holding a bike, is speaking to Megan.]<br /> :Cueball: I can ride my bike at 45 MPH.<br /> :Cueball: If you round.<br /> <br /> :[To their right is a large number with unit, with an arrow going straight down to a normal sized similar number. From there and proceeding all the way down to the bottom, in alternating leftward and rightward rows, the rest of the comic shows arrows connecting conversions from one measured unit into another unit. Straight arrows show the direction of the sequence on each line, the end of each line curving down to start the next line in the opposite direction. The last of these lines ends close to the middle of the panel, with a straight arrow down to another large number with unit, like the first.]<br /> :<big>'''17 MPH'''</big><br /> :8 meters/sec<br /> :16 knots<br /> :5 fathoms/sec<br /> :3 furlongs/min<br /> :6 fathoms/sec<br /> :40 KPH<br /> :22 knots<br /> :41 KPH<br /> :204 furlongs/hr<br /> :26 MPH<br /> :12 M/S<br /> :4 furlongs/min<br /> :15 yards/sec<br /> :8 fathoms/sec<br /> :15 M/S<br /> :34 MPH<br /> :5 furlongs/min<br /> :33 knots<br /> :19 yards/sec<br /> :10 fathoms/sec<br /> :36 knots<br /> :6 furlongs/min<br /> :<big>'''45 MPH'''</big><br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br /> [[Category:Math]]</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=318:_Nostalgia&diff=369281 318: Nostalgia 2025-03-17T20:40:13Z

<p>Log of n: /* Explanation */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 318<br /> | date = September 19, 2007<br /> | title = Nostalgia<br /> | image = nostalgia.png<br /> | titletext = If you don't get this one, don't Google it.<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> [[Cueball]] and [[Megan]] refer to the practice of tricking people to see {{w|shock sites}} using {{w|bait-and-switch}} pranks. A shock site is a website that is intended to be offensive, disgusting, and/or disturbing to its viewers, containing materials of high shock value that is also considered distasteful and crude, and is generally of a pornographic, scatological, extremely violent, insulting, painful, profane, or otherwise provocative nature.<br /> <br /> This comic is a direct reference to the former shock site {{w|goatse.cx}} that displayed a human distended anus (among other things). The domain was taken down in 2004, but it remains a memorable cultural reference from its time period. It therefore may be cited as nostalgia by trolls in the future. This comic evidently takes place in the future, as the characters are using some sort of advanced levitation technology that has yet to exist.<br /> <br /> The title text warns us not to Google this meme, as it contains some horrifying results. If you ignore the warning from the title text and Google for "distended anus," you will find many results on this awful dysfunction like {{w|rectal prolapse}}.<br /> <br /> Furthermore, the aforementioned shock site still exists.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[Cueball and Megan, both wearing headsets with antennae, sunglasses, and jetpacks, are hovering.]<br /> :Cueball: Darling, let's put on our best fake accounts, connect to the core ForumSpace, and trick people into looking at a picture of a man's distended anus!<br /> :Megan: Oh, it'll be just like old times!<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:2002:_LeBron_James_and_Stephen_Curry&diff=369280 Talk:2002: LeBron James and Stephen Curry 2025-03-17T20:38:07Z

<p>Log of n: </p> <hr /> <div><br /> I have no idea what this is about, but wondered if Stephen Curry was related to the Curry twins Tom and Ben, who are both over 6' - or to Tim, who isn't except in heels.<br /> [[User:Arachrah|Arachrah]] ([[User talk:Arachrah|talk]]) 07:53, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> : Both LeBron James and Stephen Curry are famous NBA players. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.190.4|172.69.190.4]] 08:46, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> ::How would you not know that? And even if you don't know who they are, you must have at least heard about them before, right? [[User:Herobrine|Herobrine]] ([[User talk:Herobrine|talk]]) 09:21, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> ::: Not everyone is from USA. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.190.4|172.69.190.4]] 09:41, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> :::: That excuse could work, except your IP address is based in the USA :) [[User:Zachweix|Zachweix]] ([[User talk:Zachweix|talk]]) 12:01, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> ::::: So is mine right now, but that doesn't mean I'm '''from''' here, and they didn't make us memorise every NBA player on the plane. (Hey cool, this IP has edited here before too) [[Special:Contributions/162.158.186.60|162.158.186.60]] 15:36, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> :::: Basketball is the second most popular sport in the world [Citation needed], so it is safe to assume a large portion of the internet people know LeBron and Curry even if it is only by memes. {{unsigned ip|172.68.26.173}}<br /> ::::: According to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport Wikipedia Sport page], cricket is the second most popular sport in the world. Basketball is number 7. 05:15, 2 June 2019 (UTC)<br /> ::: I like Curry. You know, the dish. And the actor. Tim, that is. [[User:Elektrizikekswerk|Elektrizikekswerk]] ([[User talk:Elektrizikekswerk|talk]]) 11:58, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> Not everyone in the USA follows sports. I've heard of LeBron James, but only in passing. The only Curry I know of is a fictional one from some old movie. {{unsigned ip|162.158.74.147}}<br /> ;Nate Silver<br /> <br /> Nate Silver is famous for his numerical approach and extensive use of statistics and simulations.<br /> He foresaw a probability of 28.6% for Donald to win the electoral college just before the election. That is a greater chance than most political commentators would have granted Donald. Typical betting sites saw Hillary 5:1 ahead at the evening of the election.<br /> So I would not at all say that he got everything wrong in 2016. He predicted that Hillary would be a formidable number of votes ahead as most probable outcome, but also that many states would be very tight.<br /> [[https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2016-election-forecast/]]. Sebastian --[[Special:Contributions/172.68.110.106|172.68.110.106]] 09:21, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ;Definitions needed <br /> Hi! Could definitions be added for some of the terms used, such as "bleachers"? Thanks! [[Special:Contributions/162.158.155.200|162.158.155.200]] 11:30, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> : really?[[https://www.google.com/search?q=bleachers&client=firefox-b-1-ab&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjPv-v82LzbAhWLzlkKHUPVByAQ_AUICigB&biw=794&bih=941|really?]][[Special:Contributions/108.162.219.232|108.162.219.232]] 14:07, 5 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> :: Glad someone said it before I did. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.58.203|172.68.58.203]] 20:43, 5 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> ::: IDK, "bleachers" is a pretty basic word from the English language... Okay, somewhat sports-centric - it means the array of seats around a sporting event, where the audience sits (and as such would be out of bounds in this case, outside of the valid playing area) - but still. [[User:NiceGuy1|NiceGuy1]] ([[User talk:NiceGuy1|talk]]) 02:34, 6 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> ::::Note that when you ask google to "[https://www.google.com/search?q=define+bleachers define bleachers]", google includes the fact that it's a "NORTH AMERICAN" term. So no, it's not a "pretty basic word from the English language", it's a "pretty basic word from the North American English language". I'm not sure what's worse: someone who doesn't think to use google when they don't know a word, or someone who thinks that everyone in the world should know all the words they use in their country. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.187.19|162.158.187.19]] 03:39, 7 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> :::::Sorry, you're very wrong in your analysis here, your outrage is inappropriately misplaced. There is absolutely NOTHING about the word "bleachers" or the concept for any of us to suspect it might be a term unique to North America. There is no reason me or any other North American might check if it's a term not used elsewhere. This SHOULD be a worldwide term, there's nothing North-America-centric about the concept. Honestly, it just makes me wonder what the hell England and other English speaking countries use. I have to think Cricket and football (what we call soccer) matches and whatever other sporting events occur must have audiences on occasion, where do they sit? And in Harry Potter, both the books and movies, all Quidditch matches - including the World Championship - are surrounded by bleachers (if raised high), the items certainly exist! I guess they weren't referred to as "bleachers", I just didn't notice the absence of the word. And allow me to bounce your outrage right back at you. Most North Americans - in my experience - are quite aware of British terms not used here - lift for what we call elevators, flat for what we call apartments, football for what we call soccer, to name a few - why can't people from other cultures show ours the same respect? I think this might be the first North American term I've heard of, that isn't attached to local products! (Well, second, after "soccer"). I knew there were British words not used here, this is the first I hear that the reverse was true too. [[User:NiceGuy1|NiceGuy1]] ([[User talk:NiceGuy1|talk]]) 05:42, 12 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> ::::::I am not a native English speaker, but at school we generally learned more of a british English. Also from time to time tune I in to English football (aka soccer) matches, which are naturally broadcasted in British English. I think in British English they usually refer to the place where the crowd is as (the) stands. And regarding the "analysis" you claim is wrong, it was you in the first place who said it was basic, apperantly as a native speaker of American English and without of research, so I'd tend to argue against you, if you wouldn't have started the statement with "idk", exactly saying that this is a statement based on your gut-feeling about the word, instead of giving definite knowledge. And regarding that one specific comment: Thanks for reminding me that I always procastrinate in reading the Harry Potter series in its original language :D My book pile of shame is bigger than the one in my steam-library. --[[User:Lupo|Lupo]] ([[User talk:Lupo|talk]]) 10:01, 16 January 2020 (UTC)<br /> :::::::As a (belated) addendum to the above "stands" (I've been to, e.g., basketball games in the UK and the stadium seating was never described as "bleachers", though I know the term from US shows/films), before a small set of deadly accidents in football (soccer) stadiums, about thirty years ago, the common large/medium football ground spectator area was a stepped slope upon which those watching would stand, often shoulder to shoulder and pretty much chest to back of head. Hence (at least in part) "stands"<br /> :::::::(Almost as packed as you could imagine everyone, though apparently enough 'wriggle room' to allow the (almost always male) spectator who was "caught short" to take the rolled up newspaper they may have brought, tucked in their overcoat pocket, and manouever it to the area of their trouser-fly to funnel the bodily product of the last few pints of beer, before the match, 'safely' down onto the steps to not overly-annoy the guy directly in front, though you can imagine that this got multiplied into more than just a trickle by the time you got to the lower tiers of steps (if there were drains/channels in the steps, they probably got blocked/restricted by the used cigarette butts and sodden fragments of newspaper) from the accumulated 'relief' of the tens/hundreds of higher-up persons discreetly (and discretely) so inclined to do so...)<br /> :::::::After Hillsborough, especially, "all-seater stands" became necessary (with further required measures to prevent the likes of the Bradford Stadium Fire, that being seating on antiquated wood with an accumulation of rubbish slipped beneath through the riserless 'flooring'), although there have been very recent changes made to allow all-standing stands again (with careful review).<br /> :::::::But "stands" seems to apply to many structures (generic), at least in sports context from top-level golf to F1. Usually with seating, possibly temporary, either with a solid base (or solid but over various mezzanines with conveniences and food/etc outlets) or merely scaffold with the kind of 'make-out' space beneath (for those enterprising/daring enough to go there, assuming this space isn't tightly locked or patrolled by security). Not so much in theatres (a language of their own), but as likely in multi-use stadium spaces (O2 Arena, say), even if officially they still print "balcony"/etc on the appropriate seat tickets.<br /> :::::::Obviously, non-UK usage (across the rest of the Commonwealth, specifically) might be heavily influenced by the US term, especially (anglophonic) Canada. I'm sure the Aussies have their own branch of terminology, 'creative' as they are with that sort of thing, even if mixed in and interchangable with such terms of US/UK origin as they don't outright dislike the sound of. But can't speak for them, nor necessarily of ''all'' regions of the UK, because who knows what the likes of a Wegie/etc is ever really saying if you're not from around there yersel'! [[Special:Contributions/172.70.91.54|172.70.91.54]] 17:27, 12 October 2022 (UTC)<br /> ::::::::FYI, "scaffold with the kind of 'make-out' space beneath" would be the primary version called "bleachers". :) Usually if you say bleachers, this is the first kind people think of. "Under the bleachers" is a common concept. [[User:NiceGuy1|NiceGuy1]] ([[User talk:NiceGuy1|talk]]) 05:51, 12 November 2022 (UTC)<br /> : I thought "bleachers" was a US-term for _outdoor_ seating, with the name coming from being bleached by the Sun. Even if we ignore the fact that they're then the things being bleached rather than the bleachER (maybe the bleachees?), wouldn't that mean that an indoor basketball court wouldn't have bleachers? {{unsigned ip|162.158.90.102}}<br /> :Merriam-Webster does not refer to any specific origin or region of typical use for the term (but gives usage examples that appear to cite american sources exclusively), while both Britannica and Cambridge dictionaries refer to it as 'US'. Thus, it's likely not even 'North American', which would include Canada, but rather U.S. American. Being trained in British English as well, I would also have used 'stands'<br /> ::You should sign your comments, FYI, to end them and have the bots add a timestamp. If I hadn't seen this in a list of Recent Changes I wouldn't know it was recent. To be clear, my big comment above I keep saying "North America" because I'm in Canada, and yes, it's a Canadian word too. :) [[User:NiceGuy1|NiceGuy1]] ([[User talk:NiceGuy1|talk]]) 05:51, 12 November 2022 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ;Magnetic North<br /> I would have liked the "magnetic north" thing to be due to the geographical orientation of the teams home courts (if the Cavaliers are the only team to have a court that happens to be roughly north-south oriented, it would explain the higher points value). Looking at the Stupid Name Arena, however, it appears that the court inside is probably about NW-SE. Too bad. [[User:Chrullrich|Chrullrich]] ([[User talk:Chrullrich|talk]]) 14:15, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> : It is probably referencing how Lebron-led teams always make quick work of the perennially promising Toronto Raptors teams that call themselves "the North". {{unsigned ip|172.68.26.173}}<br /> <br /> I was thinking that might be a reference to the Cleveland Cavaliers playing their home games at a slightly high latitude than the (San Fransico-based) Golden State Warriors. (However, they are nearly at the same latitude, and neither is anywhere near 75 degrees North) [[User:JamesCurran|JamesCurran]] ([[User talk:JamesCurran|talk]]) 19:24, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :when I read “when net is within 15° of magnetic north” I assumed it meat games played where the arena was inside the circle with a radius of 15° latitude centered on magnetic north, which I’m guessing would include a few (or at least 1) arenas, perhaps in Canada (since magnetic north is somewhere in north eastern Canada). Do American basketball teams play Canadian teams in Canada like they do ice hockey and baseball teams? {{unsigned ip|162.158.62.159}}<br /> <br /> ::Yes, they do. As of the 2017-2018 NBA season, there was one team located in Canada, the Toronto Raptors. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Basketball_Association_arenas/ List of National Basketball Association arenas] Each team plays all other teams at least twice each season, once at home and once away. Some teams play each other more than that, depending on Division and Conference. [https://www.quora.com/How-many-times-does-one-team-in-the-NBA-play-another-in-a-regular-season/ How many times does one team in the NBA play another in a regular season?] [[User:These Are Not The Comments You Are Looking For|These Are Not The Comments You Are Looking For]] ([[User talk:These Are Not The Comments You Are Looking For|talk]]) 00:37, 10 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ;SSN to Free Throw%<br /> Would it be too much of a stretch to add in the fact that Stephen Curry's point is highlighted on the chart, as a nod to the fact that (the majority of) one's SSN can actually be determined if one knows details about personal information such as where one was born? [[Special:Contributions/108.162.219.130|108.162.219.130]] 16:08, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> :Not anymore. My three kids were all born in the same hospital -- same wing; rooms only meters apart -- but have TOTALLY different SSN's. (No, I'm not sharing them as proof!) We even asked the local SS office what happened and they said they're starting to reuse numbers at random. I think it's not "reuse" as much as "reallocate", but either way the strict geographical basis is no longer valid. --'''BigMal''' // [[Special:Contributions/172.69.70.209|172.69.70.209]] 16:31, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> :Originally, the first three digits indicated the office where the person requested an SSN. It didn't really signify anything. It was just that each office was given on a block of numbers to assign, and that block all started with the same three digits. Since in the early days of Social Security, a person got theirs, not at birth, but when they first got a job, it was more of an indication of where they happened to be living then, rather than where they were born. By the 60s, SSN assignment had been centralized, but they still tried to maintain the regional number, based on the zip code of the person requesting an SSN. Apparently, they have more recently realized that's just a waste of time and just started issuing them sequentially. [[User:JamesCurran|JamesCurran]] ([[User talk:JamesCurran|talk]]) 19:17, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> ::New method started in 2011, so until around 2029 we'll be able to use the "SSN to FT% in NBA" metric, and have it tie to location at time of SSN generation.[[Special:Contributions/162.158.74.165|162.158.74.165]] 21:37, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Does anyone know what the "sandwiches" graph is a reference to? I don't believe I have heard anything about the Warriors and a love for sandwiches. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.46.101|172.68.46.101]] 17:03, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> :Maybe this? [[https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2015/04/10/warriors-stephen-curry-45-point-game-sandwich]] [[Special:Contributions/162.158.62.39|162.158.62.39]] 17:23, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> ::No, its this. [[https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-golden-state-went-to-war-over-peanut-butter-and-jelly-1454346852]] The Warriors were obsessed with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, eating tons of them and fighting ownership when they tried to take them away. The idea that Curry at four a game is completely plausible and might even have been reported in the news. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.79.175|162.158.79.175]] 20:31, 14 April 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ;More on SSN to Free Throw%<br /> I did a quick digitization of the SSN /FT% graph, and the Steph Curry point is at about FT% = 92.5% and SSN ~ 300-XX-XXXX, which corresponds to his 2018 ft% of 92.1% (from wikipedia) and his birthplace of Ohio having a SSN in the range of 268-302 https://www.ssofficelocation.com/social-security-number-prefix . Even if SSN prefixes are random now, they probably weren't when he was born 30 years ago, so it is probably safe to conclude that the location of the point is deliberate. [[User:Acflip|Acflip]] ([[User talk:Acflip|talk]]) 19:01, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> :They changed in 2011 to random generation. I doubt there's any 7 year old NBA players, so until 2029 we'll be able to use this -ahem- metric.[[Special:Contributions/162.158.74.165|162.158.74.165]] 21:34, 4 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ;On the pog collection<br /> <br /> Is it possible that the "pog collection" also refers to the player's collection of Player of the Game awards? Lebron James would surely have a staggering amount of it, and Steph Curry would have considerably less, since Steph Curry has a lot of other good teammates.<br /> [[User:Skybreak|Skybreak]] ([[User talk:Skybreak|talk]]) 07:58, 5 June 2018 (UTC)Skybreak<br /> <br /> ;Best Sport<br /> <br /> Lets be real here. The odds of them being better at a sport then basketball are basically nill. Unless you use an unusual definition of "sport" or "better".<br /> [[Special:Contributions/108.162.219.232|108.162.219.232]] 14:07, 5 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ;Shot Map<br /> <br /> It may be a reference to the tunnel shot, but it's more likely just a joke about Steph Curry's unusual range for field goals. He's well known for making 3-point shots from much farther out than the average the NBA player. [[User:Hasown|Hasown]] ([[User talk:Hasown|talk]]) 14:57, 5 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> :Thinking about it further, the map doesn't even show any shots from the tunnel, and the tunnel's placement is inaccurate as well. The tunnels to the locker rooms are in the corners of the court, not directly behind the hoop. There are always bleachers behind the hoop for fans to sit. [[User:Hasown|Hasown]] ([[User talk:Hasown|talk]]) 15:03, 5 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> Jimmy Kimmel made a similar joke on TV last night, saying that Curry made a 3-pointer from the parking lot. Should Randall sue?<br /> [[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 16:11, 5 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> <br /> "correctly predicting for whom 49 of 50 of the 2008 and every US state would vote for in the 2012", this line is rather mangled, but I'm not sure how to fix it (dunno this guy, dunno if his predictions were thus accurate for 2008, 2012, or both, etc). Also, I must thoroughly agree with Randall about people hearing of them. As a non-sports fan from North America, I've heard LeBron referenced elsewhere (like TV shows) many, many times, but I feel like I've never heard of the other guy. [[User:NiceGuy1|NiceGuy1]] ([[User talk:NiceGuy1|talk]]) 02:45, 6 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> <br /> Google is honoring the inventor of the Apgar score, Doctor Virginia Apgar, today. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.210.34|172.69.210.34]] 19:46, 7 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> <br /> ;Have You Heard of Him<br /> <br /> With over 800 million fans worldwide [https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-are-the-most-popular-sports-in-the-world.html] it's very unlikely that fewer than 140 million people (2% of the population) have heard of this era's dominant player.[[User:Harris|Harris]] ([[User talk:Harris|talk]]) 10:10, 10 June 2018 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == APGAR plot reversed ==<br /> <br /> Was the APGAR plot reversed since the explanation was written? It appears to me that it's saying James had an APGAR of something around 2, while the teammates average is closer to 6 or 7 - so either I'm misreading it, someone else misread it, or it changed at some point? - [[User:Brettpeirce|Brettpeirce]] ([[User talk:Brettpeirce|talk]]) 16:05, 29 March 2023 (UTC)<br /> :It's rating players by their points per game and the average Apgar scores of their teammates. According to this graph, LeBron's teammates' Apgar scores were lower than those of the teammates of anyone else who got a similar number of points. That's impressive, because it means LeBron was able to do this basically on his own, with the assistance only of blue babies. That seems about right to me—LeBron had a very bad team that year, probably the worst team to ever win a finals (except for LeBron himself). Curry, meanwhile, was on one of the best NBA teams of all time. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.79.175|162.158.79.175]] 20:34, 14 April 2024 (UTC)<br /> <br /> The shot possibly could have been made from the locker room if he threw it hard enough. [[User:Log of n|Log of n]] ([[User talk:Log of n|talk]]) 20:38, 17 March 2025 (UTC)</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=3063:_Planet_Definitions&diff=369180 3063: Planet Definitions 2025-03-17T11:09:56Z

<p>Log of n: /* Explanation */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 3063<br /> | date = March 14, 2025<br /> | title = Planet Definitions<br /> | image = planet_definitions_2x.png<br /> | imagesize = 653x1435px<br /> | noexpand = true<br /> | titletext = Under the 'has cleared its orbital neighborhood' and 'fuses hydrogen into helium' definitions, thanks to human activities Earth technically no longer qualifies as a planet but DOES count as a star.<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> {{incomplete|A table might be better to format the explanation.}}<br /> <br /> This comic addresses the {{w|IAU definition of planet|controversy of whether of Pluto is a planet}} and explores many definitions, most of them humorous and nonsensical, of what a planet could be.<br /> <br /> ;Traditionalist: <u>{{w|Pluto}} is a planet</u> (9 planets)<br /> :In modern times, there was {{w|IAU definition of planet#Background|no formal definition of a "planet"}} prior to 2006. However, it was generally accepted as a colloquialism that there were nine planets around the {{w|Sun}}, Pluto included, primarily starting with Pluto's discovery in 1930, based upon that time's scientific consensus that there ought to be another planet to account for peculiarities in the the orbits of the other outer planets. As more sophisticated methods of mapping the {{w|Solar System}} were developed and {{w|Eris (dwarf planet)|Eris}} was discovered to be even more massive than Pluto (which may not have been as significant as the theories that led to its discovery suggested) it became clear to astronomers that a more standardized definition was needed. In 2006 the International Astronomical Union (IAU) published their formal redefinition of a "planet" to require a planet to be gravitationally dominant within its orbit, disqualifying Pluto (and Eris) which is now considered a "dwarf planet". This has been subject to push back from countless people, including [https://arxiv.org/abs/2110.15285 some planetary scientists], but in mostly nostalgic laypeople dissatisfied with Pluto being "demoted" or otherwise relegated when schoolchildren and adults alike have 'known' that there are nine planets for the most part of the last century (and [[988: Tradition|tradition]] has previously been referred to as whatever was current during "Baby Boomers' childhoods").<br /> :Ironically, some of the latest study of the outer solar-system includes the possibility of yet ''another'' {{w|Planet Nine}}, but only time will tell if such an object exists and whether it would cross the IAU's current threshold or even require the threshold itself to be reassessed once more.<br /> <br /> ;Modern: <u>Pluto is not a planet</u> (8 planets)<br /> :When the IAU redefined what a planet is in 2006, Pluto no longer qualified as a planet (since it wasn't able to clear its neighborhood around its orbit). Using the modern, and recently official, definition of a planet, only eight celestial objects qualified: {{w|Mercury (planet)|Mercury}}, {{w|Venus (planet)|Venus}}, {{w|Earth (planet)|Earth}}, {{w|Mars (planet)|Mars}}, {{w|Jupiter (planet)|Jupiter}}, {{w|Saturn (planet)|Saturn}}, {{w|Uranus (planet)|Uranus}} and {{w|Neptune (planet)|Neptune}}.<br /> <br /> ;Expansive: <u>Dwarf planets are planets</u> (17+ planets)<br /> :It is likely that since the term "dwarf planet" contained "planet" in its name, Randall considered those as also planets under this category. <br /> :It is also likely that the number of planets includes the ones that are considered planets and the ones that are considered to have compacted into fully solid bodies, {{w|Dwarf planet#Most likely dwarf planets| as defined by Grundy ''et al.'',}} those being {{w|Ceres (dwarf planet)|Ceres}}, Pluto, Eris, {{w|Makemake}}, {{w|Haumea}}, {{w|Gonggong (dwarf planet)|Gonggong}}, {{w|Quaoar}}, {{w|Orcus (dwarf planet)|Orcus}} and {{w|Sedna (dwarf planet)|Sedna}}.<br /> :The basis for this viewpoint is the possible alternative re-evaluation that the IAU could have adopted, in that all newly discovered things ''like'' Pluto (being considered a planet) should therefore be considered a planet. Indeed, Ceres had been observed some time before Pluto and had been called a planet (or a "minor planet") within both scientific and public realms.<br /> <br /> ;Ultratraditionalist: <u>Only the classical planets are planets</u> (5 planets)<br /> :The {{w|classical planets}} are objects found and considered by the Greek astronomers in classical antiquity to be considered planets. Their definition of "planet" considered visible objects that move across the sky relative to the fixed stars, the original word itself being translated as "wanderer". There are seven classical planets, but if one were to only consider the ones that fall under the IAU's definition of a planet (this being ''less'' traditional), then there would only be five. (The Sun and the {{w|Moon}} would be disqualified.)<br /> :Being (mostly) true to the spirit of the historic naming convention, this would be a conservative but 'valid' version of the criterion. Notably, Earth itself is not considered a planet by these criteria, as (from the prospective of anyone who might even consider such things), it was not even wandering the heavens, or in the night skies at all, but always underfoot.<br /> <br /> ;Condescending: <u>Only giant planets are planets; the rest are big {{w|asteroid}}s</u> (4 planets)<br /> :This definition may refer to the {{w|giant planets}}, planets much larger than the {{w|Earth}}. Only the four outer (IAU-defined) planets fall under this definition.<br /> :Relegation of anything smaller, including our own planet, is an extreme attitude, but most of the initial [[:Category:Exoplanets|exoplanets]] discovered were, by practical necessity in their detection, also only of the "giant planet" kind.<br /> <br /> ;Simplistic: <u>Anything gravitationally round is a planet</u> (37+ planets)<br /> :Using the Wikipedia {{w|list of gravitationally rounded objects of the Solar System}}, there are 37 objects listed. That includes the Sun, 8 planets, 9 dwarf planets and 19 {{w|Natural satellite|moon}}s, but falls short of also highlighting all of the smallest visible objects (as per Universalist, below).<br /> :This definition is essentially ''part'' of the actual current definition of a planet, leaving out the main factor that specifically disqualifies Pluto.<br /> <br /> ;Grounded: <u>Only objects a spaceship has landed on are planets</u> (10 planets)<br /> :This list includes objects in the Solar System that a spacecraft has {{w|List of landings on extraterrestrial bodies|performed a soft landing on}}. The list includes {{w|Venus}}, Earth, {{w|Mars}}, the Moon, {{w|Titan (moon)|Titan}}, {{w|433 Eros|Eros}}, {{w|25143 Itokawa|Itokawa}}, {{w|162173 Ryugu|Ryugu}}, {{w|101955 Bennu|Bennu}} and {{w|Churyumov-Gerasimenko}}.<br /> :The justification for this seems to be that we must 'touch' the object before we consider it as worthy of being classified as more than a mere blob (or dot) in space.<br /> :It could be argued that Jupiter and Saturn also count due to the Galileo and Cassini spacecraft respectively.<br /> <br /> ;Regolithic: <u>Anything covered in dirt and ice and stuff is a planet</u> (infinite)<br /> :This list excludes the {{w|Gas Giant}}s and the {{w|Ice Giant}}s. The list would likely include dwarf planets, asteroids, moons and comets. This is effectively the opposite of the "condescending" definition: every object in the solar system is included in one definition or the other (except for the Sun).<br /> :This is also an extension on the prior classification. In this case we ''could'' meaningfully touch the object, with predominantly atmospheric bodies being not considered so.<br /> <br /> ;Lunar: <u>You can't be a planet if you don't have a moon</u> (12+ objects)<br /> :Only some objects in the solar system have known and acknowledged moons orbiting them. The value given may be {{w|List of natural satellites|the number of planets and dwarf planets}} that have moons, when excluding {{w|Haumea}} for not reaching {{w|hydrostatic equilibrium}} despite having moons. The Sun is excluded because its satellites are not moons, because the sun is not a planet.<br /> :Adopting this definition would suggest that a planetary body is not worthy of the name if it doesn't (with no matter for what reason) demonstrably have the means to dominate its local area by being the overwhelming focus of all adjacent bodies' own orbits.<br /> <br /> ;Solipsistic: <u>Earth is the only planet</u> (1 planet)<br /> :{{w|Solipsism}} is the idea that only one's own mind is sure to exist. Randall extrapolated this idea to mean that only one's own planet that they are standing on is sure to exist.<br /> :This projects (and relies upon) a more philosophical and/or semiotic assessment than any scientific one.<br /> <br /> ;Judgemental: <u>Only the prettiest ones are planets</u> (6 planets)<br /> :This list is likely formulated from Randall's own perception of the prettiest planets in the Solar System. Strangely, seven objects are highlighted:<br /> :* Earth<br /> :* Jupiter<br /> :* One of Jupiter's moons (unclear, most likely Io or Europa)<br /> :* Saturn<br /> :* One of Saturn's moons (unclear, but almost certainly Titan)<br /> :* Neptune's moon (probably Triton)<br /> :* Pluto<br /> :The subjectivity of this version of the definition makes it unlikely that a consensus of this form could be established.<br /> <br /> ;Empiricist: <u>Only worlds that I, author of this table, have personally seen are planets</u> (12 planets)<br /> :This list may refer to the celestial objects in the Solar System that have been made visible at night, probably using an optical telescope (a hobbyist one, perhaps Randall's, or from time borrowed on a major institutional installation). Jupiter's {{w|Galilean moons|four largest moons}} are [https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024151/http://denisdutton.com/jupiter_moons.htm technically visible to the naked eye] but hard to distinguish due to Jupiter's brightness, while Neptune is considered too faint to see (even if you know where to look). It may also be the case that Randall has never taken the time to look for Neptune while using a telescope. Apparently Randall has seen Uranus, which technically [https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/skills/how-see-uranus-in-night-sky ''is'' visible to the naked eye] under the very best viewing conditions, but these conditions are rare and it again requires knowing exactly where to look.<br /> :The omission of the Sun from the list of worlds that Randall has personally seen is interesting. Yes, people are not supposed to stare at the Sun{{citation needed}}, but it is not too uncommon to accidentally look in its direction for a split-second before instinctively closing one's eyes and turning one's head away. Also Randall has definitely seen [[:Category:Solar eclipses|solar eclipses]]. But can you empirically say the sun is there when the moon is in front of it? (''Duude'')<br /> :As a different form of subjectivity, the value of this grouping's criteria is questionable, but not uncommon in other 'softer' sciences.<br /> <br /> ;Marine biologist: <u>Only objects with oceans are planets</u> (6+ planets)<br /> :This list includes Earth, {{w|Europa (moon)|Europa}}, {{w|Ganymede (moon)|Ganymede}}, {{w|Callisto (moon)|Callisto}}, Titan, and {{w|Enceladus}}. Most of these have had the presence of significant water identified from the way local magnetic/electric fields are detected, but see the following item.<br /> :There is a resemblance, here, to a loose understanding of what a "world" is, i.e. one that possesses various distinct 'terrains' beyond mere dry (and possibly considered featureless) rock. A marine biologist would, of course consider a marine (if not pelagic or bathyspheric) environment to be an essential element of any world.<br /> <br /> ;Maritime: <u>Only objects with ''surface'' oceans are planets</u> (2 planets)<br /> :In the comic, only Earth and a Saturnian moon (likely to be Titan) are highlighted. Earth is the only body known in the solar system to have liquid water on the surface significant enough to be called an ocean. Titan's cold and dense atmosphere notably maintains surface 'seas' of methane and nitrogen, where other moons (given as additional in the prior item) seem to have their liquid water beneath either whole-surface ice caps or otherwise deep under the surface.<br /> :From the narrower point of view of a sailor, for example, there is no benefit in considering water hidden away far beneath the surface, and it might as well not be there. Whereas it's possible that a well-prepared mariner could eventually sail the strange seas of Titan, as easily (or easier) as an airman might {{w|Dragonfly (Titan space probe)|fly through its skies}}.<br /> <br /> ;Universalist: <u>They're all planets</u> (infinite)<br /> :This list claims that all objects are planets, all drawn items (also presumably all undrawn/undrawable items) being marked as such, including the Sun.<br /> :Giving up on any thought of exclusivity, this unconventional view willingly inducts all visible objects into consideration.<br /> <br /> ;Existentialist: <u>What if {{w|outer space|space}} ''itself'' is a planet???</u> (Duude)<br /> :This list is different from the list above as it claims that all of space, rather than only the objects existing in space, are planets. The interjection ''Duude'' expresses one's amazement at this 'revelation' and replaces the number count— and is sometimes stereotyped to imply the speaker is high on marijuana or other drugs popular with the 1960s hippie counterculture.<br /> :The strange stretch of imagination, as prompted by some narcotic or other, abandons all pretense at sensibly sorting everything into "planet" or "not planet", as not only is everything a planet, but so is the nothing ''between'' these titular planets.<br /> <br /> ;Spiteful: <u>''Only'' Pluto is a planet</u> (1 planet)<br /> :This list is a malicious play on the demotion of Pluto by demoting all other planets except Pluto instead, leaving Pluto as the only planet in the solar system. Because after all, what did Pluto do to deserve this? It's a planet, dammit! Let's remove the other eight and see how you like it!<br /> :This is the taxonomic equivalent of refusing to play and taking your ball home to spite those who you think don't deserve it.<br /> <br /> ;(title text) {{w|Star}}: <u>Earth is a star</u> (2 stars)<br /> :In May 1934, Mark Oliphant, Paul Harteck and Ernest Rutherford at the Cavendish Laboratory, published an intentional deuterium fusion experiment, and made the discovery of both tritium and helium-3. This is widely considered the first experimental demonstration of fusion. Randall considers that this makes Earth fall into the category of a star due to the human-induced ability for Earth to fuse hydrogen into helium using nuclear fusion.<br /> :One definition of a planet requires that the planet has cleared its "orbital neighborhood" of other objects - objects must either be captured as a moon, or have their orbits disrupted such that they are flung away. Under this definition, one could humorously argue that recent human activities, releasing <i>new</i> objects into orbit like the James Webb Space Telescope, technically disqualify Earth from being a planet, as the orbital neighborhood is no longer completely clear.<br /> <br /> :By changing not only the definition, but the term being defined, this drifts yet further from any consensus view on the original question and into a typical punchline absurdity.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> {{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br /> :[A table with 3 columns, and 17 rows below the the header row, labelled "Definition", "# of planets" and "Solar system".]<br /> :[In each row, the first column has a single word, in bold, then a descriptive sentence. The second column has a digit or other 'value'. The third column is a not-to-scale drawing of the Solar system, featuring the Sun, various 'planetary' bodies and an apparently selective sample of moons and asteroids, as follows: The Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth with the Moon, Mars with its two moons (Phobos and Deimos), a small selection of some asteroid belt bodies (Ceres in the midst of other, smaller, examples), Jupiter and four of its moons (likely the Galilean moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto), a ringed Saturn and usually one of its moons (probably Titan) or two (possibly Enceladus or Iapetus, as required), Uranus and four or five of its moons (likely to be Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania and Oberon, but one of these (shown upon the face of Uranus) only appears in some iterations of the base image), Neptune and one of its moons (probably Triton), Pluto and one of its moons (Charon), four more plutoid or Kuiper Belt objects (too little context to identify, but possibly Haumea, Makemake, Eris, and maybe Sedna in distance order), the first two of them with distinct moons indicated (entirely dependent upon which main objects they are).]<br /> :[Each row's illustrated solar system has individual combinations of green highlights applied to the otherwise repeated diagram.]<br /> :[Row 1: Definition:] Traditionalist: Pluto is a planet [Number:] 9 [Highlighted: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto]<br /> :[Row 2: Definition:] Modern: Pluto is not a planet [Number:] 8 [Highlighted: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune]<br /> :[Row 3: Definition:] Expansive: Dwarf planets are planets [Number:] 17+ [Highlighted: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Ceres (in Asteroid Belt), Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and the further main bodies]<br /> :[Row 4: Definition:] Ultratraditionalist: Only the classical planets are planets [Number:] 5 [Highlighted: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn]<br /> :[Row 5: Definition:] Condescending: Only giant planets are planets; the rest are big asteroids. [Number:] 4 [Highlighted: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune]<br /> :[Row 6: Definition:] Simplistic: Anything gravitationally round is a planet [Number:] 37+ [Highlighted: The Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, The Moon, Mars, Ceres (without other asteroids), Jupiter + moons, Saturn with Titan, Uranus and its moons, Neptune with its moon, Pluto and the four further dwarf planets]<br /> :[Row 7: Definition:] Grounded: Only objects a spaceship has landed on are planets [Number:] 10 [Highlighted: Venus, Earth, The Moon, Mars, five (non-Cererian) asteroids and Titan]<br /> :[Row 8: Definition:] Regolithic: Anything covered in dirt and ice and stuff is a planet [Number:] [infinity symbol] [Highlighted: Mercury, Venus, Earth, The Moon, Mars, Ceres with all other asteroids depicted in the Asteroid Belt, the moons of Jupiter, the sole moon! of Saturn, the moons of Uranus, the moon of Neptune, Pluto with Charon, and all remaining dwarf planets with their moons]<br /> :[Row 9: Definition:] Lunar: You can't be a planet if you don't have a moon [Number:] 12+ [Highlighted: Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and three of the other dwarf planets in the Kuiper belt, including one with no obviously drawn moon]<br /> :[Row 10: Definition:] Solipsistic: Earth is the only planet [Number:] 1 [Highlighted: The Earth]<br /> :[Row 11: Definition:] Judgemental: Only the prettiest ones are planets [Number:] 6 [Highlighted: The Earth, Jupiter with one of its moons (not identified), Saturn, one of ''two'' Saturnian moons in this image and Pluto]<br /> :[Row 12: Definition:] Empiricist: Only worlds that I, author of this table, have personally seen are planets [Number:] 12 [Highlighted: Mercury, Venus, The Earth, The Moon, Mars, Jupiter with its four moons, Saturn and Uranus]<br /> :[Row 13: Definition:] Marine biologist: Only objects with oceans are planets [Number:] 6+ [Highlighted: The Earth, three Jovian moons, the two illustrated Saturnian moons]<br /> :[Row 14: Definition:] Maritime: Only objects with [next word in italics] surface oceans are planets [Number:] 2 [Highlighted: The Earth and Titan]<br /> :[Row 15: Definition:] Universalist: They're all planets [Number:] [infinity symbol] [Highlighted: All drawn objects, including The Sun and all other objects including all the moons/asteroids]<br /> :[Row 16: Definition:] Existentialist: What if space [next word in italics] itself is a planet??? [Word:] ''Duude'' [Highlighted: The whole third column cell]<br /> :[Row 17: Definition:] Spiteful: [next word in italics] Only Pluto is a planet [Number:] 1 [Highlighted: Pluto]<br /> <br /> ==Trivia==<br /> *In the [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/archive/6/66/20250314195557%21planet_definitions_2x.png original version of the comic], there were two errors that would later be fixed. The "Traditionalist" definition highlighted Neptune's satellite {{w|Triton (moon)|Triton}} instead of Pluto. The images of the Solar System for the "Traditionalist" and "Modern" definitions were swapped, resulting in Pluto being incorrectly highlighted in "Modern" and omitted in "Traditionalist.<br /> <br /> *The "Judgemental" definition has seven colored objects instead of the labelled six. This mistake has never been fixed.<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Comics with color]]<br /> [[Category:Charts]]<br /> [[Category:Astronomy]]<br /> [[Category:Space]]<br /> [[Category:Philosophy]]<br /> [[Category:Comics edited after their publication]]</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=706:_Freedom&diff=368844 706: Freedom 2025-03-13T18:30:03Z

<p>Log of n: /* Explanation */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 706<br /> | date = February 24, 2010<br /> | title = Freedom<br /> | image = freedom.png<br /> | titletext = Sometimes I'm terrified to realize how many options other people have.<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> [[Cueball]] on the left, here most likely representing [[Randall]] as given in the title text, comments on the absence of physical enforcement for {{w|Norm (social)|social norms}}. He tells his friend that he is sometimes shocked to realize how many options he has. Cueball then goes through a list of possible things he could do that only his conscience and learned social norms (and his cerebrum) prevent him from doing, including stripping naked, taking a plane to {{w|Fiji}} or just punching his conversation partner for no reason at all, with all the "interesting" ensuing events that would result, potentially life changing (he could go to prison for instance).<br /> <br /> Cueball continues, explaining that he does understand the mental rules and also the reason, but also that at least once in his life he should exercise that "freedom", hence the title. This is enough to convince his friend who promptly exercises his option to punch Cueball in the face, perfectly in keeping with Cueball's beliefs of how everyone should do so at least once.<br /> <br /> On the ground, Cueball remarks that he should have expected this reaction. That he didn't was the beauty of it all, his friend states, because only when the "freedom" is used to do something completely unexpected could the person doing so denounce his mental ruleset.<br /> <br /> The title text is a restatement of the first line of the comment, but reversed to show that Randall is terrified about his realization that the same freedoms apply to other {{w|people}}. This is justified by the {{w|comic}}, as some of these {{w|people}} could engage in actions detrimental to others, as Cueball's friend demonstrates; combined with the fact that there are many other {{w|people}},{{Citation needed}} that makes for a lot of unpredictable possible situations.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[Cueball is talking to his Cueball like friend.]<br /> :Cueball: Sometimes I'm shocked to realize how many options I have.<br /> :Friend: Oh?<br /> <br /> :[The text is written above a half height frame with a zoom in on Cueball who shakes his fist.]<br /> :Cueball: Like, at any moment in any conversation, I could just punch the person I was talking to, and all these potentially life-changing events would unfold.<br /> <br /> :[Zoom further out than the first panel with Cueball holding his arms out and his friends taking his hand to his chin.]<br /> :Cueball: It's only my mental rules that stop me from punching you, or stripping naked, or getting on a plane to Fiji. Sure, rules have reasons. But shouldn't you exercise that freedom at least once before you die?<br /> :Friend: Hmm.<br /> <br /> :[In very big black letters written vertically between the two panels:]<br /> :<big>'''WHAM'''</big><br /> <br /> :[Cueball is knocked to the ground, dazed (three stars over his head) and bruised while his friend is looking down at him with his fist raised.]<br /> :Cueball: Okay, I should have seen that coming.<br /> :Friend: But you ''couldn't!'' That's the beauty!<br /> <br /> ==Trivia==<br /> *This may also be an ironic reference to {{w|Zechariah Chafee}}'s oft-quoted [https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Zechariah_Chafee line]:<br /> :"Your right to swing your arms ends just where the other man's nose begins."<br /> *"Getting on a plane to Fiji" could be a reference to the film titled {{w|''The Truman Show''}}. In the film Truman is the only one who doesn't know that his world is a film set with him as the only true-man on set. His first serious love affair, an actress, tries to tell him about the show, and is then taken of the show going to Fiji. Later Truman [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120382/quotes?item=qt0462320 tries] in vain to go to Fiji and mentions such a trip [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120382/quotes?item=qt1902201 more than once.]<br /> *Philosopher [https://www.iep.utm.edu/sartre-ex/ Jean-Paul Sartre] expressed a very similar notion, which is known as "radical freedom."<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Multiple Cueballs]]<br /> [[Category:Philosophy]]</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=943:_Empirical&diff=368829 943: Empirical 2025-03-13T16:24:37Z

<p>Log of n: /* Explanation */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 943<br /> | date = August 26, 2011<br /> | title = Empirical<br /> | image = empirical.png<br /> | titletext = I'm as surprised as you!<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> When faced with the question "Will you marry me?", [[Cueball]] approaches the {{w|Hypothesis|question}} in an {{w|empirical}} way. The word empirical denotes information gained by means of direct observation or experiments. In this comic, Cueball completes the "Will you marry me?" experiment, by actually getting married (as opposed to deciding on the spot or taking time to think) and the results are "yes".<br /> <br /> The word "will" has two meanings: auxiliary verb of the future and disposition to do something. In the first sense [[Cueball]] cannot answer this question since he cannot know the future. Of course the question ''Will you marry me?'' uses the verb ''will'' in the second sense.<br /> <br /> This comic is likely a reference to [[Randall]]'s marriage around this time.<br /> <br /> The title text states that Cueball is surprised by the results, suggesting that Cueball actually was not confident of his ability to marry, meaning that perhaps the marriage is not in good standing.<br /> <br /> This is similar to [[1088: Five Years]].<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[Two people are standing together, Megan and Cueball.]<br /> :Megan: Will you marry me?<br /> <br /> :[Cueball throws his hands in the air excitedly.]<br /> :Cueball: Let's find out!<br /> <br /> :[The couple are now standing in front of an altar. A flower arch stretches over the couple and a person is standing behind the altar. Megan is wearing a knee length white dress and a veil. Cueball is wearing a bow tie. They are holding hands.]<br /> <br /> :[The couple stand together, still dressed from the wedding and still holding hands.]<br /> :Cueball: Apparently, yes!<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br /> [[Category:Romance]]<br /> [[Category:Wedding]]</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1088:_Five_Years&diff=368828 1088: Five Years 2025-03-13T16:23:45Z

<p>Log of n: /* Explanation */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 1088<br /> | date = July 30, 2012<br /> | title = Five Years<br /> | image = five_years.png<br /> | titletext = 'Well, no further questions. You're hired!' 'Oh, sorry! I'm no longer interested. There's a bunch of future I gotta go check out!'<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> This comic is a take on the common and cliched job interview question here asked by [[Hairbun]]: ''Where do you see yourself in 5 years?'' The interviewer is attempting to see where the job seeker would like to take their career and also what their hopes and dreams are etc.<br /> <br /> In the comic, instead of explaining where he would like to be in 5 years, [[Beret Guy]] and the interviewer wait around for 5 years without moving to find out. And as Beret Guy expected they stayed exactly where they were. (This could be suggesting that most people do not change much over five years.)<br /> <br /> The title text is a continuation of their conversation in which Beret Guy turns down the job because he wants to find out what happened in the last 5 years while they were both sitting in that room.<br /> <br /> Given Beret Guy's ability to manipulate reality ([[1099: Tuesdays]]), it's possible he froze himself and the interviewer for 5 years or sped up time to ensure that 5 years would pass quickly enough that the interviewer could not react and affect the experiment.<br /> <br /> This is similar to [[943: Empirical]].<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[Hairbun and Beret Guy sit across from each other at a desk.]<br /> :Hairbun : Where do you see yourself in five years? <br /> :Beret Guy: Oh man, I don't know! Let's find out!<br /> :[The characters stare at one another.]<br /> :[Cobwebs and hair grow; the desk and chairs fall into disrepair.]<br /> :[Five years pass.]<br /> :Beret Guy: Hah—<br /> :Beret Guy: I ''thought'' so!<br /> <br /> {{Comic discussion}}<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Hairbun]]<br /> [[Category:Job interviews]]<br /> [[Category:Strange powers of Beret Guy]]</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1088:_Five_Years&diff=368827 1088: Five Years 2025-03-13T16:23:26Z

<p>Log of n: /* Explanation */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 1088<br /> | date = July 30, 2012<br /> | title = Five Years<br /> | image = five_years.png<br /> | titletext = 'Well, no further questions. You're hired!' 'Oh, sorry! I'm no longer interested. There's a bunch of future I gotta go check out!'<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> This comic is a take on the common and cliched job interview question here asked by [[Hairbun]]: ''Where do you see yourself in 5 years?'' The interviewer is attempting to see where the job seeker would like to take their career and also what their hopes and dreams are etc.<br /> <br /> In the comic, instead of explaining where he would like to be in 5 years, [[Beret Guy]] and the interviewer wait around for 5 years without moving to find out. And as Beret Guy expected they stayed exactly where they were. (This could be suggesting that most people do not change much over five years.)<br /> <br /> The title text is a continuation of their conversation in which Beret Guy turns down the job because he wants to find out what happened in the last 5 years while they were both sitting in that room.<br /> <br /> Given Beret Guy's ability to manipulate reality ([[1099: Tuesdays]]), it's possible he froze himself and the interviewer for 5 years or sped up time to ensure that 5 years would pass quickly enough that the interviewer could not react and affect the experiment.<br /> <br /> This is similar to ([[943: Empirical]]).<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[Hairbun and Beret Guy sit across from each other at a desk.]<br /> :Hairbun : Where do you see yourself in five years? <br /> :Beret Guy: Oh man, I don't know! Let's find out!<br /> :[The characters stare at one another.]<br /> :[Cobwebs and hair grow; the desk and chairs fall into disrepair.]<br /> :[Five years pass.]<br /> :Beret Guy: Hah—<br /> :Beret Guy: I ''thought'' so!<br /> <br /> {{Comic discussion}}<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Hairbun]]<br /> [[Category:Job interviews]]<br /> [[Category:Strange powers of Beret Guy]]</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=318:_Nostalgia&diff=368663 318: Nostalgia 2025-03-11T17:12:02Z

<p>Log of n: /* Explanation */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 318<br /> | date = September 19, 2007<br /> | title = Nostalgia<br /> | image = nostalgia.png<br /> | titletext = If you don't get this one, don't Google it.<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> [[Cueball]] and [[Megan]] refer to the practice of tricking people to see {{w|shock sites}} using {{w|bait-and-switch}} pranks. A shock site is a website that is intended to be offensive, disgusting, and/or disturbing to its viewers, containing materials of high shock value that is also considered distasteful and crude, and is generally of a pornographic, scatological, extremely violent, insulting, painful, profane, or otherwise provocative nature.<br /> <br /> This comic is a direct reference to the former shock site {{w|goatse.cx}} that displayed a human distended anus (among other things). The domain was taken down in 2004, but it remains a memorable cultural reference from its time period. It therefore may be cited as nostalgia by trolls in the future. This comic evidently takes place in the future, as the characters are using some sort of advanced levitation technology that has yet to exist.<br /> <br /> The title text warns us not to Google this meme, as it contains some horrifying results. If you ignore the warning from the title text and Google for "distended anus," you will find many results on this awful dysfunction like {{w|rectal prolapse}}.<br /> <br /> Furthermore, the aforementioned shock site still exists... somewhere.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[Cueball and Megan, both wearing headsets with antennae, sunglasses, and jetpacks, are hovering.]<br /> :Cueball: Darling, let's put on our best fake accounts, connect to the core ForumSpace, and trick people into looking at a picture of a man's distended anus!<br /> :Megan: Oh, it'll be just like old times!<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]</div>

Log of n https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2756:_Qualifications&diff=368655 2756: Qualifications 2025-03-11T16:46:05Z

<p>Log of n: /* Explanation */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 2756<br /> | date = March 29, 2023<br /> | title = Qualifications<br /> | image = qualifications_2x.png<br /> | imagesize = 265x316px<br /> | noexpand = true<br /> | titletext = 'So how DID you go from working at the employment records office to becoming president of MIT and CEO of IBM?' 'I guess I just have an eye for opportunities.'<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> [[Black Hat]] is being interviewed for some unidentified position. From the conversation, it seems clear that he has used some prior access to the employment records at the employment record office he worked at to fraudulently manufacture a history of having worked there for 600 years. There are some institutions that are extant today with over 600 years of history, but, with the exception of some arms of the {{w|Catholic Church}}, none of their individual offices or departments have existed for that long; also, human lifespans rarely exceed 100 years, never mind 600.{{Citation needed}} He also claims an additional pair of prestigious jobs in the title text, but it is unclear whether these 'facts' were entirely due to false records or, knowing Black Hat's [[498: Secretary: Part 5|other]] [[1094: Interview|interviews]], briefly true but only as a result of false representation/underhanded actions.<br /> <br /> His interviewers, Cueball and Hairbun, are not entirely unaware of the implausibility, but Hairbun, at least, seems content to have just verified the validity of the claim. The 'validation' arises from the clearly tainted information source, given the whole chain of supporting evidence that may have been falsified. This is essentially a more elaborate version of Black Hat's ploy in another interview [[125: Marketing Interview|17 years prior]].<br /> <br /> Employers often encounter résumés that have implausibly padded experience claims. Most applicants try not to be this implausible, and few employers are so credulous as to take self-supporting lies at face value.<br /> <br /> The title text suggests that [[Black Hat]] changed the records during his position at the employment records office to make it look like he was president of MIT and CEO of IBM.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> <br /> :[Black Hat sits in an office chair. Cueball, facing him, sits on another office chair at his desk and Hairbun stands behind him. Cueball is holding documents in his hands.]<br /> :Cueball: Impressive résumé.<br /> :Cueball: It says that you have over '''''six hundred''''' years of experience at the employment records office? That can't be right.<br /> :Hairbun: I thought so too, but it checks out.<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Black Hat]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Hairbun]]<br /> [[Category:Job interviews]]</div>

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