explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

Talk:818: Illness

2026-07-06T12:38:58Z

Morpheus:

I would define prayer as the active concentration on someone/something with an intended outcome. I would define remote prayer as praying for/to someone/something that you have no direct or personal contact with with a very specific intended outcome.
When I found out that Randall's fiancee had cancer, I though about him and her hoping that it would work out positively. I assume (Yeah, yeah, I know) that others did as well. Randall's now-wife got better. Did we just prove that remote prayer works when done by geeks?!? Could we make a web site for concentrating geek positive thoughts to make people better? Could we make Stephen Hawking walk?!?--[[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.11|173.245.54.11]] 17:02, 12 May 2014 (UTC)
:This comic isn't about "Stephen Hawking", but it's all about Randall's experience on cancer happening to his wife. Please keep his minds as the main message here. --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 23:30, 12 May 2014 (UTC)
:No we did not, as "I did this and then that happened" doesn't mean "doing this makes that happen"- that's correlation-does-not-imply-causation, anecdotal evidence, AND confirmation bias, all in one, fallacious burrito. [[User:Hppavilion1|Hppavilion1]] ([[User talk:Hppavilion1|talk]]) 04:09, 29 August 2016 (UTC)
I wonder if there's a link to the 2700 games.. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.229.192|108.162.229.192]] 09:30, 24 May 2015 (UTC)
:Can we ask him, or would that be rude?--[[Special:Contributions/162.158.78.240|162.158.78.240]] 14:07, 4 September 2020 (UTC)Bumpf

Is the referenced blag post still available? [[Special:Contributions/108.162.210.196|108.162.210.196]] 21:24, 14 August 2016 (UTC)
: https://blog.xkcd.com/2010/11/05/submarines/ --[[Special:Contributions/141.101.69.93|141.101.69.93]] 23:47, 4 February 2017 (UTC)
: What the fuck is a blag [[User:Morpheus|Morpheus]] ([[User talk:Morpheus|talk]]) 12:38, 6 July 2026 (UTC)

Talk:627: Tech Support Cheat Sheet

2026-06-20T03:26:31Z

Morpheus: Added comment

I think he forgot one: "Use the built-in help, it's magic!" [[User:Zilti|Zilti]] ([[User talk:Zilti|talk]]) 19:48, 29 April 2013 (UTC)

Most people I know that have to ask for computer help couldn't read a flowchart in the first place. This may be the problem. [[Special:Contributions/173.245.52.103|173.245.52.103]] 23:01, 17 November 2014 (UTC)

This comic is so true, I just printed it out for my mom (though I doubt it will help much). She always asks questions like “how do I change the language?”, “where did my song/book/website/photo/document/tab/window go?”, or “how do I log in?”, providing no context whatsoever. I tell her to show me her screen (often AirPlayed to the TV (which she forgets how to do every other time)), and often immediately see a button doing exactly what she wants (or she closed her browser window, thinking it was a tab again 😑).

A slight complaint with the explanation, it states that tech-savvy people don’t know much about computers, which isn’t necessarily true, I could tell you how your computer works from the UI level, down to the components, and logic gates in the CPU. What I don’t necessarily know is how the designers of every single program in the universe laid out their user interface, which is when I use the method depicted in the comic. [[User:PotatoGod|PotatoGod]] ([[User talk:PotatoGod|talk]]) 17:10, 17 December 2017 (UTC)

This issue doesn't apply to me since my parents and I are quite tech-savvy, meaning we don't need any help.Boeing-787lover 14:59, 1 July 2018 (UTC)
:<s>who asked</s> [[User:Beanie|Beanie]] ([[User talk:Beanie|talk]]) 11:02, 20 April 2021 (UTC)
::me :^] [[Special:Contributions/172.70.42.109|172.70.42.109]] 14:19, 28 August 2021 (UTC)Bumpf

I suspect that in a few cases, the person might have tried to follow the flowchart, but still ended up at the "Ask someone else for help or give up" step. Make of such a result as you will, but I suspect if that happens for printing out that flowchart, it doesn't speak well for one's ability to become more tech-savvy. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.75.130|162.158.75.130]] 14:22, 3 August 2018 (UTC)

The increase in the image resolution tickles my brain 😌 https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/tech_support_cheat_sheet_2x.png [[User:Morpheus|Morpheus]] ([[User talk:Morpheus|talk]]) 03:26, 20 June 2026 (UTC)

Talk:590: Papyrus/Font

2026-06-17T04:42:49Z

Morpheus:

I feel so papyrus [[User:CalibansCreations|'''Caliban''']] ([[User talk:CalibansCreations|talk]]) 08:51, 8 January 2025 (UTC)

I can't believe this is the only page that is not categorized. .-. Category:Jokes would be fine :) --[[User:1234231587678|1234231587678]] ([[User talk:1234231587678|talk]]) 03:07, 18 March 2025 (UTC)
:Funnily enough, before I fixed it (see history), this page was categorised as a comic so we had one more comic in the categories. --[[User:FaviFake|FaviFake]] ([[User talk:FaviFake|talk]]) 15:44, 18 March 2025 (UTC)

This is hilarious [[User:Morpheus|Morpheus]] ([[User talk:Morpheus|talk]]) 04:42, 17 June 2026 (UTC)

564: Crossbows

2026-06-10T06:42:04Z

Morpheus: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 564
| date = April 3, 2009
| title = Crossbows
| image = crossbows.png
| titletext = I hate being the slowest guy in the lab.
}}

==Explanation==
There are conflicting theories as to the meaning of this comic.
#At the time this was written, there was much hype about the {{w|Higgs mechanism}}, as it was a theory explaining how particles got their masses. Experimental confirmation of the Higgs mechanism and its signature particle (the {{w|Higgs boson}}) was seen as so important that the boson was dubbed the "God particle". Detecting it, however, required accelerating particles to energies higher than ever before. Since this was at the cutting edge of physics, it was unknown what would actually happen. There were [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/09/05/lhc_to_leave_fabric_of_spacetime_continuum_unripped/ fears] that the experiment would create a micro black hole or worse. This comic could be seen as applying those fears to a common trope in horror movies and video games where a mutant infestation is created by unknowing scientists. The scientists here, apart from poor [[Cueball]], have done their research and armed themselves for any upcoming dangers. It is unknown whether these dangers are specific or not. Some argue that [[:Category:Velociraptors|velociraptors]] are a common enough theme in xkcd that the experimenters are preparing for a velociraptor attack. Others point out that the crossbow is a weapon in the game series ''{{w|Half-Life (video game)|Half-Life}}'', whose plot has a similar infestation following a failed physical experiment ripping dimensional seams. They mention that someone at the particle accelerator closely resembled one of the main characters of ''Half-Life''. Of course, the crossbows may just be a general preparation for danger.
#Since the experimental confirmation or denial of the Higgs mechanism was widely recognized as important to the development of physics, the experimenters involved were likely to receive Nobel Prizes. Nobel Prizes, however, are only given to living people and groups of up to three in size. The experimenters, therefore, are preparing to fight to the death when the discovery comes. Peter Higgs had [http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/04/07/us-science-particle-idUSL0765287220080407 made a statement] in 2008 hinting that the confirmation would come within one year, and that statement was made one year before the Tuesday mentioned in the comic. Tentative experimental confirmation of the Higgs boson was made in July 2013.
#This comic may simply be general sympathy for those late to catch on to something. Substituting different things for "crossbow" and "Higgs excitation" would give a similar situation for Cueball. [[Randall]] apparently hates these situations. A layer of {{w|metahumor}} could be present here, as Cueball may represent the clueless readers of xkcd who have to go to the [http://forums.xkcd.com/index.php forum] or [[Main Page|this wiki]] to understand its comics.
#The comic may simply be making a jab at school/university labs used in science classes, which have a reputation of containing strange or confusing equipment that may or may not pertain to the assigned experiments. While the particular nature of the object (a lethal weapon) and the complexity of the supposed topic (the then-unconfirmed Higgs-Boson particle) may be exaggerations, this only adds to the surreality often present in xkcd (as well as the fact that Cueball's peers have a complete understanding of the crossbow's purpose).
#The other scientists are messing with Cueball (and perhaps also the readers of this comic).

In the first and second interpretations, the title text could refer to literally being the slowest in the lab, and therefore the least able to outrun whatever is making everyone carry crossbows.

The proper interpretation of this comic, or whether there even is one, remains an open question.

==Transcript==
:[Cueball is pulling a crossbow out of a desk.]
:Cueball: Why do you have a crossbow in your desk?
:Megan (off-screen): You ''don't''?

:[Pan to Megan who looks towards Cueball who is off-screen to the left.]
:Cueball (off-screen): No—why would—
:Megan: You ''are'' studying the consequences of Higgs excitation, aren't you?
:Megan: Like the rest of the lab?

:[Cueball, now carying Megan's crossbow joins her as the panel extends to include another Cueball-like guy to her right, he also carries a crossbow.]
:Cueball: Yes, but why—
:Guy: Maybe he's slow with the math.
:Megan: Well, he has until Tuesday.
:Guy: Poor guy.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Multiple Cueballs]]
[[Category:Crossbows]]

Talk:541: TED Talk

2026-06-04T00:59:18Z

Morpheus:

It's not the first time Randall gets banned from conventions, see [[153: Cryptography]].
[[User:Xylon|Xylon]] ([[User talk:Xylon|talk]]) 13:10, 9 April 2013 (UTC)

: There are enough of these that it should probably be a category. (Anon) 12 August 2013 {{unsigned ip|24.142.134.100}}

How about "Linux(or BSD (: )"? Actually, that looks just as weird. Oh well. [[User:Alcatraz ii|Alcatraz ii]] ([[User talk:Alcatraz ii|talk]]) 05:10, 6 November 2013 (UTC)

What about "Linux (or BSD :D)"? That looks great! 05:54, 1 December 2013 (UTC) {{unsigned ip|199.27.128.120}}

: That's exactly what I was thinking! I use that all the time :D [[User:Morpheus|Morpheus]] ([[User talk:Morpheus|talk]]) 00:59, 4 June 2026 (UTC)

Or "(Linux (or BSD ( :) )))"...nope! [[User:Squirreltape|Squirreltape]] ([[User talk:Squirreltape|talk]]) 18:19, 21 January 2014 (UTC)

Suggestion: Linux (or BSD (: ) [[User talk:Quillathe Siannodel|{)|(}]][[User:Quillathe_Siannodel|Quill]][[User talk:Quillathe Siannodel|{)|(}]] 14:59, 16 April 2021 (UTC)

"Every talk has a length of 18 minutes and is supposed to be as captivating as possible." this is just wrong(first part of the statement). someone should edit it out. {{unsigned ip|108.162.219.24}}

Use an asian smiley. So you'd write Linux (or BSD ^_^) instead. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.216.101|108.162.216.101]] 04:25, 2 November 2014 (UTC)

... LINUX (OR BSD 😀 ) WOULD ... [[Special:Contributions/162.158.255.187|162.158.255.187]] 19:16, 14 September 2015 (UTC)

LInux (: or BSD :) would...? [[Special:Contributions/108.162.217.179|108.162.217.179]] 22:51, 27 March 2016 (UTC)
I got it! Linux [ or bsd :) ]

... Linux (or BSD ͜ ¨ ) would ... [[User:KangaroOS|Kangaro]][[User talk:KangaroOS|OS]] 16:15, 10 September 2016
Linux (or BSD ☺) would ....[[Special:Contributions/162.158.75.190|162.158.75.190]] 22:59, 7 October 2018 (UTC)

Smileys in parentheses look wrong, :)) looks mismatched and wrong, and :) ) is just weird. WHAT SHALL WE DO?! --[[User:JayRulesXKCD|JayRulesXKCD]] ([[User talk:JayRulesXKCD|talk]]) 12:03, 5 January 2017 (UTC)
:I have found a solution! As it turns out, There are people who make Unicode emojis that you can use in web browsers. Go figure. 😄 --[[User:JayRulesXKCD|JayRulesXKCD]] ([[User talk:JayRulesXKCD|talk]]) 12:11, 5 January 2017 (UTC)
::Emojis are not emoticons though [[Special:Contributions/162.158.214.58|162.158.214.58]] 19:38, 27 July 2017 (UTC)
:::Except they are, and they're better than emoticons --[[User:JayRulesXKCD|'''JayRules''XKCD''' ]][[User talk:JayRulesXKCD|what's up?]] 10:20, 8 October 2018 (UTC)

How about using square brackets? Linux [or BSD :)] would... --[[Special:Contributions/172.68.245.241|172.68.245.241]] 23:20, 20 July 2019 (UTC)
:Alternatively: Linux (or BSD :]) would... --[[User:Lupo|Lupo]] ([[User talk:Lupo|talk]]) 08:59, 18 October 2019 (UTC)
::Yes. [[User:Beanie|Beanie]] ([[User talk:Beanie|talk]]) 13:41, 31 March 2021 (UTC)
:::Linux (or BSD (:)? [[User talk:Quillathe Siannodel|{)|(}]][[User:Quillathe_Siannodel|Quill]][[Special:Contributions/Quillathe_Siannodel|{)|(}]] 20:35, 31 May 2021 (UTC)
Linux (or BSD :) ) would... Just put a space. [[User:The Cat Lady|-- The Cat Lady]] ([[User talk:The Cat Lady|talk]]) 12:43, 16 August 2021 (UTC)
linux [ or bsd : ) ] is awesome[and the best way : ) ]

: Would a U with diaresis (ü) work? -- {{User:PoolloverNathan/Signature}} 15:49, 26 April 2023 (UTC)

uppercase works better in my opinion (Ü) --an user who has no account yet {{unsigned ip|172.64.236.54|14:22, 2 September 2023}}

just realized, you can put a c like this:

linux (or bsd c:)

just don't make the c uppercase near a bunch of windows users xd

also this works better if the font is monospace [[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]]) 16:49, 5 September 2023 (UTC)

linux (or bsd :) ) Wahlah! [[User:Explainyourself|Explainyourself]] ([[User talk:Explainyourself|talk]]) 22:16, 18 July 2025 (UTC)