explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

652: More Accurate

2022-04-18T17:35:09Z

Macdjord: Added counterpoint that Predators may be better killing machines but they can't operate in a human environment like a Terminator

{{comic
| number = 652
| date = October 21, 2009
| title = More Accurate
| image = more_accurate.png
| titletext = We live in a world where there are actual fleets of robot assassins patrolling the skies. At some point there, we left the present and entered the future.
}}

==Explanation==
This comic spoofs the {{w|Terminator (franchise)|Terminator}} series, in which a super-intelligent machine from the future time travels back in time to kill {{w|Sarah Connor (Terminator)|Sarah Connor}}. As could be expected from a movie, the antagonistic robot is a human-like android.

However, we currently have military "robots" (actually vehicles controlled remotely by people) that are completely unlike anything in the movie. Originally, {{w|Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV}} were only used for surveillance and reconnaissance. But, now more than ever, they are used for attacks. And most importantly, they are not walking humanoids but flying machines. They are not restricted to carrying human-intended guns as in the movie but are armed with powerful explosives and long-range missiles. Thus the name of the comic: Randall points out being attacked by a flying plane-like drone -- such as the {{w|General Atomics MQ-1 Predator|Predator drone}} shown in the last panel (heavily used for offensive operations by the USAF and the CIA in Afghanistan and Pakistan) -- is a much more accurate outcome should the robots rise up against humans.

It is important to note that, in the actual {{w|The Terminator|Terminator 1 movie}}, this substitution would not actually be so simple. The terminator sent back in time knows Sarah Connor's name and city of residence, but not her appearance or address; it locates her by looking her up in a phone book (and ends up killing a number of other women with the same name, as well as its intended target's roommate, before finding the ''correct'' Sarah Connor.) Additionally, the terminator regularly operates inside buildings and rearms itself by picking up human small-arms. A Predator-type drone, while a superior killing system, would be unable to do any of that. A drone which could interact with and operate in the human environment with the ease the terminator displays (let alone successfully disguise itself as a human) would be a major accomplishment which no real-world project has yet come close to.

One thing that keeps us short of a Terminator scenario is that most of the unmanned aerial vehicles are either pre-programmed or flown remotely by members of the military, and are not left to their own devices.

The title text emphasizes this by pointing out that we have entire fleets of these drones, and notes that at some point, we entered the future.

Similar buildup and Terminator reference are to be found in [[1177: Time Robot]].

10 years after this comic was published, almost to the day, a movie in the Terminator franchise called ''{{w|Terminator: Dark Fate}}'' came out which includes a scene very similar to this comic involving a Predator drone being used by the super-intelligent machine to take out its target. Also, shortly after that movie came out Randall published [[2222: Terminator: Dark Fate|a comic about it]] with the same name.

==Transcript==
:[Cueball with a shotgun approaches a woman carrying a tray with glasses.]
:Cueball: Sarah! Come with me if you want to live! A robot assassin has been sent here to kill you!

:[Sarah holds her hands over her mouth. She has presumably dropped the tray, as it lies on the floor.]
:Cueball: I'm here to save you. I may not be as strong or fast as a machine, but I'll fight to keep you-

:[There's a huge orange and yellow explosion. The two are disintegrated and Cueball's shotgun goes flying.]
:''BOOM''

:[A flying robot assassin is above the bomb site.]
{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics with color]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Terminator]]
[[Category:Robots]]
[[Category:Time travel]]
[[Category:Drones]]

779: Anxiety

2022-04-18T17:12:24Z

Macdjord: Changed primary explanation to 'protest'; added 'self-conscious' as an alternate

{{comic
| number = 779
| date = August 13, 2010
| title = Anxiety
| image = anxiety.png
| titletext = Don't need any, thanks. I have a backscattering fetish.
}}

==Explanation==
Some people are upset about airport security policies that mandate the use of {{w|backscatter X-ray}} machines, since the machines can create an image of the subject naked. In protest, the travellers in the lineup (or at least the male ones) are taking {{w|Sildenafil|Viagra}}, sold to them by [[Black Hat]]; there is a heteronormative expectation that the male security guard will be disgusted at being forced to look at erect penises. (An expectation which is supported by the guard's thought bubble of 'Oh god', which could either be in response to seeing what Black Hat is doing or in response to an unseen person, presumably sporting such an erection, already in the scanner.)

Given Black Hat's personality, it is unlikely he himself is doing this in protest; rather he is monetizing the opportunity, a supposition reinforced by the inflated price ($20 for a single dose) at which he is selling the medication.

An alternate interpretation is that many men feel self-conscious (or anxious, as the name puts it) about their size when flaccid,{{citation needed}} and thus might wish to "put their best foot forward" and look their best, as it were.

Realistically, given the size of the line, there would be insufficient time between consuming the pills and entering the scanner for them to take effect.

In the title text, one of the people in the line explains he has a {{w|sexual fetish|fetish}} with being X-ray scanned, and thus doesn't need Viagra to achieve the above effect.

==Transcript==
:[There is an airport security checkpoint where a queue of ten passengers is waiting to go through a backscatter x-ray scanner. Near the back of the line, Black Hat is standing next to a stand and a sign which says "Viagra $20". One passenger next to him is drinking a glass of water, probably just before taking the pills; another is contemplating the sign.]
:Security Guard (thinking): Oh god.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Black Hat]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Physics]]
[[Category:Sex]]
[[Category:Multiple Cueballs]]

510: Egg Drop Failure

2013-11-26T22:03:38Z

Macdjord: Rewrote explanation.

{{comic
| number = 510
| date = November 28, 2008
| title = Egg Drop Failure
| image = egg_drop_failure.png
| titletext = I hear my brother Ricky won his school's egg drop by leaving the egg inside the hen.
}}

==Explanation==
A common competition for school-age children (e.g. in science fairs or summer camps) is the 'egg drop': each team is given an uncooked egg and an assortment of materials, e.g. newspaper, Popsicle sticks, string, tape, etc.. The challenge is to use the provided materials to build a contraption that will allow the egg to be dropped from some specified height onto a hard floor without breaking. Scoring varies wildly - common elements are speed of assembly, an accurately targetable landing, and mass of the contraption - but one near-universal requirement is that you are disqualified if the egg is broken.

In the comic, the student pictured fails, not because of any flaw in his design, but because the egg he was given hatches during the fall! (Of course, this is ludicrous; the hatching process takes longer than the few seconds the fall would last, and the newborn chick cannot fly immediately.)

The title text suggests an alternate strategy: select for your egg one that has not yet been laid. The hen provides both active lift with her wings and significant padding, thus nearly guaranteeing that the egg will survive the fall. Of course, this would not be permitted in most contests, as a chicken is not one of the provided materials. And even if it were allowed, a chicken is much heavier than the usual contraptions of newspaper and string.

==Transcript==
:[Boy tosses contraption off of building with egg in it.]
:[Egg cracks and little chick flies out while people look quizzically at the hatched egg.]
:''Crack! Chirp, chirp''
:[Device with cracked egg lands on ground.]

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]

503: Terminology

2013-11-26T09:40:01Z

Macdjord: /* Explanation */

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

==Explanation==
This comic shows a map of the world, showing an X indicating [[Randall]]'s location in the U.S. and arrows pointing west and east from it. The map uses a format, popular in America, which places the American continents centrally, therefore splitting Asia, (parodied by [http://weknowmemes.com/tag/you-cut-asia-in-half/ memes]). The comic then shows Europe with the title "The West" as it is commonly referred to, despite being located to the east of Randall, and vice versa for Asia. Randall is therefore annoyed with the common terms "The West" and "The East" referring to locations east and west of him.

Of course, due to historical reasons, the terms "The East" and "The West" are eurocentric, making perfect sense when looking at a map centered around that continent.

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

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

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

487: Numerical Sex Positions

2013-11-26T09:00:17Z

Macdjord: /* Transcript */ Fixed description of '34' panel

{{comic
| number = 487
| date = October 10, 2008
| title = Numerical Sex Positions
| image = numerical sex positions.png
| titletext = We didn't even get to the continued fractions!
}}

==Explanation==
{{w|Sex positions}} are positions that two people can have {{w|sexual intercourse}} in. Many of them are named, although only one generally accepted position is named after a number: the {{w|69 (sex position)|69}}.

[[Cueball]] and [[Megan]] try to approximate the shapes of numbers that they are given as sex positions. They start with the classic 69, then represent the number 99 as "spooning" while standing and the number 71 as "doggy-style" sex over a table. They are then given ever more difficult numbers to attempt, although they are completely baffled by √8 before finally giving up and leaving at ln(2π). This interpretation of the comic suggests breaking the {{w|Fourth wall}}.

The title text mentions {{w|continued fraction}} as an ultimate challenge.

==Transcript==
:XKCD{{sic}} presents a guide to numerical sex positions:
:69
:[Traditional sixty-nine position (i.e. mutual oral sex).]

:99
:[A standing spooning position.]

:71
:[Megan is bent over a table, doggy-style.]

:34
:[Megan is contorted oddly; Cueball look confusedly at her.]
:Cueball: Uh.

:√8
:[Cueball and Megan are staring blankly at each other.]
:Guys?

:ln(2π)
:[Megan begins walking away.]
:Aww, c'mon...

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Sex]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Math]]

363: Reset

2013-11-16T19:50:01Z

Macdjord: Rewrote description

{{comic
| number = 363
| date = December 28, 2007
| title = Reset
| image = reset.png
| titletext = Clearance for this Sign: 11 Feet
}}

==Explanation==
A common sight in workplaces is a sign reading '[XX] days since [event]' or '[XX] days without [event]', where [XX] is a two-digit number (indicated using flip cards so it may be easily changed) and [event] is some undesirable preventable occurrence. The purpose of such signs is to inspire employees by proudly displaying how long the event has been avoided or prevented. The most common version of such signs, used in industrial workplaces, displays the number of days since the last workplace accident or injury.

This version of the sign, however, simply displays the number of days since it has been reset, without assigning any significance to the number. It is thus meaningless and pointless. Why would anyone want such a sign? Or go to the trouble of updating the count every day?

The title text refers to the signs sometimes hung over roadways in front of bridges which display the clearance of the bridge for the benefit of tall vehicles. However, this one displays only it's own clearance, a number which would be unimportant if the sign itself were not there.

==Transcript==
:[Cueball stands looking at a flip-counter sign posted on a wall.]
:Sign: 38 days since someone reset this sign

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]

289: Alone

2013-11-16T08:18:35Z

Macdjord: Eliminated totally irrelevant and unsubstantiated line about erectile disfunction

{{comic
| number = 289
| date = July 13, 2007
| title = Alone
| image = alone.png
| titletext = Worries assuaged, the numbers become less important than your touches.
}}

==Explanation==
[[Cueball]] is making love with [[Megan]] but, like many highly intuitive people, his attention is split between his inner and outer worlds. Part of his mind is counting her touches, and another part is wondering why his brain does these things, automatically and without his wanting it to. This worries him, and makes him feel guilty because he isn't giving her his undivided attention, which he believes she deserves.

As he unwillingly counts her touches, he recognized the {{w|Fibonacci sequence}}. This recognition shocks him: it's like she knows what is going on in his head, and secretly sent him this signal to tell him that it's okay, she understands. Awestruck, he is reassured, and glories in her love.

The title text makes this clear, he is able to stop worrying about the counting, and he is able to let it continue just in the background. It doesn't stop, but it isn't nearly that important or salient as the touching done by Megan.

==Transcript==
:[Megan crawling on bed toward Cueball.]
:Cueball: It's not something you can turn off.
:[Cueball pulling Megan, bedspread, and pillow off of bed onto floor.]
:Cueball: A part of me is always detached. Abstracting, looking at numbers and patterns.
:[Megan on top of Cueball, both under bedspread, on floor. Megan looks to be 'touching' Cueball.]
:Cueball: When we should be closest, part of me is still alone. Counting the touches of her fingertips. Touch. Touch. Touch touch. Touch touch touch. Touch touch touch touch touch.
:[Same scene as third panel.]
:Cueball: Wait. Is that... That's the Fibonacci Sequence! Whatever I did to deserve you, it couldn't have been enough.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Math]]
[[Category:Romance]]

229: Graffiti

2013-11-14T06:44:40Z

Macdjord: Elaborated on meaning of title text, improved transcript

{{comic
| number = 229
| date = February 28, 2007
| title = Graffiti
| image = graffiti.png
| titletext = FOR AN INTRIGUING TIME CALL
}}

==Explanation==
The humor in this comic comes from the irony of a deep philosophical musing on the nature of individuals sharing a private space in a public place, unknown to one another and separated by time. The graffiti text is juxtaposed with more common bathroom stall scrawlings - insults, slurs, and "[Name] was here."

The title text parodies one of the archetypical pieces of graffiti: "For a good time, call [phone number]", which indicates that the person reachable at that number is available for prostitution, casual sex, and/or phone sex. However, 'good' has been replaced with 'intriguing' time, implying that instead of sex the writer is offering witty and insightful conversation.

==Transcript==
:[Cueball sits on a toilet in a bathroom. The stall sidewall next to him is covered in graffiti: 'you suck', 'Mike sucks cock', 'CUNT', 'dane was here' struck through and 'dane is a fag' written under it, a crude pictogram of a penis, and various other unreadable scribbles.]
:[One block of graffiti is salient:]
::This graffiti is
::fleeting human contact
::both of us lost,
::but for a moment
::we're lost together.
::I wonder who you are.

:I think I look for meaning in the wrong places sometimes.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]

215: Letting Go

2013-11-14T06:20:09Z

Macdjord: Complete rewrite of explanation, minor fixes to transcript

{{comic
| number = 215
| date = January 26, 2007
| title = Letting Go
| image = letting_go.png
| titletext = At least I never gave her the root password.
}}

==Explanation==
In fiction, a character who has had a romantic relationship end will be shown taking some act to remove a sign of their partner's presence in their life, e.g. removing/selling a wedding or engagement ring, removing the partner's toiletries from the bathroom, or deleting the partner's phone number from a cell phone. This is used to symbolize that the character has accepted the end of the relationship and is ready to move on, no longer pining for their loss or seeking to restore the relationship.

The first three panels imply that [[Cueball]] was presumably in a now-terminated relationship with [[Megan]]. The final panel shows him using the Unix command 'userdel' is used to delete her user account from his computer. The joke here is that he considers this to be a significant part of accepting that she is no longer a part of his life, where most people would consider it a routine administrative task.

The title text refers to Cueball's thankfulness that he never gave Megan the password to the administrator ('root') account on the computer. It is unclear why this is; he might be worried she would have used the access to perform [[340|malicious actions]] after the breakup, or simply glad to be spared the need to change the root password. Alternately, it could be a metaphor for marriage and/or a closer emotional relationship, and he is glad he did not allow her an even greater hold on his heart before the breakup (which would, of course, have entailed commensurately more pain when she did leave him).

==Transcript==
:[A picture of Cueball and Megan in a heart is being held by someone; it has been ripped down the middle, separating the two people.]

:[Cueball sits at computer, looking at an object in his hands, presumably the picture from the previous frame.]

:[Cueball still sits at computer with the object in front of him and his head drooped. This frame is drawn in photo-negative (i.e. white lines on black background)]

:[Cueball types on the computer.]
:Text from computer: <code>root@homebox:~# userdel megan</code>

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Linux]]
[[Category:Romance]]