explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

1821: Incinerator

2017-04-07T20:17:28Z

Pokopolypse: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1821
| date = April 7, 2017
| title = Incinerator
| image = incinerator.png
| titletext = My trash can broke recently and I had to get rid of it. When I picked it up, I suffered a brief but harrowing existential crisis.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a BOT - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

Cueball and Ponytail have just finished installing an incinerator for some unspecified purpose at some establishment. Ponytail brings up the problem of having to get rid of the old incinerator, and Cueball begins to suggest using the new incinerator to incinerate the old one before he is shut down by Ponytail off-panel. This makes him noticeably disappointed.

There are several reasons why incinerating the old incinerator might not be an option. Regulations or safety concerns could easily shut that plan down. The reason that the title text seems to suggest however is that there is something wrong with forcing anything to destroy something of it's own kind, at least for Randall. Since machines that have no human emotion, this would not cause any trauma for the machine, but the humans in charge might feel as if something is wrong, and Randall mentions having an existential crisis in the title text. This is because humans tend to project human qualities onto the machines they are working with, thus possibly framing the situation in the context of something like cannibalism or homicide.

That doesn't even matter though, because disposing of the incinerator in this way would be physically impossible. Incinerators are effective at disposing of organic waste: paper, wood etc. But not good for disposing of an incinerator that is mostly non-flammable. Parts of the old incinerator could be recycled, the remainder would have to go to landfill.

Cueball is probably disappointed because the idea of using an incinerator to destroy an incinerator is novel, and not getting to see something as cool as that happen is a let down if you are in a position where you might expect to get to see that happen. Cueball may also be projecting human qualities onto the incinerators, imagining the scenario with the same excitement as one might have watching a criminal be executed. After all, incinerators are easy to see as a type of executioner when personified, since their whole purpose is to destroy what they are given.

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

''Cueball and ponytail are standing next to an incinerator, with a combustion chamber and flue that rises up to the top of the frame.''

Ponytail: Great, the new incinerator is installed. Now we just need to dispose of the old one.

''Ponytail walks out of frame''

''Cueball is left, thinking..."

Cueball Hey could ---

Ponytail: ''from out of frame'' No!

Cueball ''quietly'' Aww maaan.

{{comic discussion}}

1821: Incinerator

2017-04-07T20:16:52Z

Pokopolypse: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1821
| date = April 7, 2017
| title = Incinerator
| image = incinerator.png
| titletext = My trash can broke recently and I had to get rid of it. When I picked it up, I suffered a brief but harrowing existential crisis.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a BOT - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

Cueball and Ponytail have just finished installing an incinerator for some unspecified purpose at some establishment. Ponytail brings up the problem of having to get rid of the old incinerator, and Cueball begins to suggest using the new incinerator to incinerate the old one before he is shut down by Ponytail off-panel. This makes him noticeably disappointed.

There are several reasons why incinerating the old incinerator might not be an option. Regulations or safety concerns could easily shut that plan down. The reason that the title text seems to suggest however is that there is something wrong with forcing anything to destroy something of it's own kind, at least for Randall. Since machines that have no human emotion, this would not cause any trauma for the machine, but the humans in charge might feel as if something is wrong, and Randall mentions having an existential crisis in the title text. This is because humans tend to project human qualities onto the machines they are working with, thus framing the situation in the context of something like cannibalism or homicide.

That doesn't even matter though, because disposing of the incinerator in this way would be physically impossible. Incinerators are effective at disposing of organic waste: paper, wood etc. But not good for disposing of an incinerator that is mostly non-flammable. Parts of the old incinerator could be recycled, the remainder would have to go to landfill.

Cueball is probably disappointed because the idea of using an incinerator to destroy an incinerator is novel, and not getting to see something as cool as that happen is a let down if you are in a position where you might expect to get to see that happen. Cueball may also be projecting human qualities onto the incinerators, imagining the scenario with the same excitement as one might have watching a criminal be executed. After all, incinerators are easy to see as a type of executioner when personified, since their whole purpose is to destroy what they are given.

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

''Cueball and ponytail are standing next to an incinerator, with a combustion chamber and flue that rises up to the top of the frame.''

Ponytail: Great, the new incinerator is installed. Now we just need to dispose of the old one.

''Ponytail walks out of frame''

''Cueball is left, thinking..."

Cueball Hey could ---

Ponytail: ''from out of frame'' No!

Cueball ''quietly'' Aww maaan.

{{comic discussion}}

1821: Incinerator

2017-04-07T20:06:55Z

Pokopolypse: Added actual words

{{comic
| number = 1821
| date = April 7, 2017
| title = Incinerator
| image = incinerator.png
| titletext = My trash can broke recently and I had to get rid of it. When I picked it up, I suffered a brief but harrowing existential crisis.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a BOT - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
Ponytail and cueball need to get rid of their old incinerator. Cueball apparently has the idea of burning the old incinerator in the new incinerator. Ponytail rejects this idea, disappointing Cueball.

Incinerators are effective at disposing of organic waste: paper, wood etc. But not good for disposing of an incinerator that is mostly non-flammable. Parts of the old incinerator can be recycled, the remainder will have to go to landfill.

Cueball and Ponytail have just finished installing an incinerator for some unspecified purpose at some establishment. Ponytail brings up the problem of having to get rid of the old incinerator, and Cueball begins to suggest using the new incinerator to incinerate the old one before he is shut down by Ponytail off-panel. This makes him noticeably disappointed.

There are several reasons why incinerating the old incinerator might not be an option. Regulations or safety concerns could easily shut that plan down. Perhaps whatever establishment Ponytail and Cueball are working at wants to sell the old incinerator for parts. The reason that the title text seems to suggest however is that there is something wrong with forcing anything to destroy something of it's own kind. Since machines that have no human emotion, this would not cause any trauma for the machine, but the humans in charge might feel as if something is wrong, and Randall mentions having an existential crisis in the title text. This is because humans may project human qualities onto the machines they are working with, thus framing the situation in the context of something like cannibalism or homicide.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
Ponytail: Great, the new incinerator is installed. Now we just need to get rid of the old one.

...

...

Cueball Hey could ---

Ponytail No!

Cueball Aw maaan.

{{comic discussion}}

1815: Flag

2017-03-24T14:59:53Z

Pokopolypse: /* Transcript */

{{comic
| number = 1815
| date = March 24, 2017
| title = Flag
| image = flag.png
| titletext = There's a compromise bill to keep the notification bar but at least charge the battery.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Needs more detail on how flags and images in general are designed/edited using computers, and why what Randall did was wrong.}}

Randall was hired to propose a new flag for an unspecified new country. The process of him editing the flag into it's final draft was done on a laptop or mobile device, and involved taking a screenshot of the product (possibly a shortcut to avoid actually exporting it) which produced the notification bar at the flag's top. He did not catch his error, and sent it to the committee with the notification bar intact. The design committee could have fired Randall either for making the specific mistake, or because the mistake shed some light into the unprofessional way Randall is doing his job in general. The elements of the flag's intended design, the colors red white and blue, the stripes, and the stars, are present in several existing flags for real countries (America, the UK, North Korea, etc.) Flags are often minimalist and involve geometric shapes and solid colors. A notification bar at the top of the flag would clash with these design elements as well as looking unprofessional.

The title text mentions a compromise bill that will change the flag, not removing the notification bar at the top to create the originally intended flag, but instead keeping the notification bar and changing the amount of battery displayed (39%) to 100%. Randall has mentioned before that he cannot take screenshots seriously if the battery of the device is low in [[1373: Screenshot]].

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

[A picture is shown of a flag for a currently nonexistent country. The left and rightmost parts of the flag are dark blue, and the center is red. These parts of the flag are separated by white vertical stripes. In the center of each colored section of the flag is a large, white star. At the top of the flag, there is a conspicuous off-white notification bar like one you would find at the top of a laptop or phone. On the left it is displaying the strength of a 3G connection (3/5 dots), in the center it is displaying the time (5:43 PM) and on the right, it is displaying battery charge (39%)]

The design committee fired me once they realized that my editing process involved a screenshot, but it was too late.

Until they change it, our new country has the only national flag to include a phone notification bar.

{{comic discussion}}

1815: Flag

2017-03-24T14:51:17Z

Pokopolypse: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1815
| date = March 24, 2017
| title = Flag
| image = flag.png
| titletext = There's a compromise bill to keep the notification bar but at least charge the battery.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Needs more detail on how flags and images in general are designed/edited using computers, and why what Randall did was wrong.}}

Randall was hired to propose a new flag for an unspecified new country. The process of him editing the flag into it's final draft was done on a laptop or mobile device, and involved taking a screenshot of the product (possibly a shortcut to avoid actually exporting it) which produced the notification bar at the flag's top. He did not catch his error, and sent it to the committee with the notification bar intact. The design committee could have fired Randall either for making the specific mistake, or because the mistake shed some light into the unprofessional way Randall is doing his job in general. The elements of the flag's intended design, the colors red white and blue, the stripes, and the stars, are present in several existing flags for real countries (America, the UK, North Korea, etc.) Flags are often minimalist and involve geometric shapes and solid colors. A notification bar at the top of the flag would clash with these design elements as well as looking unprofessional.

The title text mentions a compromise bill that will change the flag, not removing the notification bar at the top to create the originally intended flag, but instead keeping the notification bar and changing the amount of battery displayed (39%) to 100%. Randall has mentioned before that he cannot take screenshots seriously if the battery of the device is low in [[1373: Screenshot]].

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

The design committee fired me once they realized that my editing process involved a screenshot, but it was too late.

Until they change it, our new country has the only national flag to include a phone notification bar.

{{comic discussion}}

1815: Flag

2017-03-24T14:49:28Z

Pokopolypse: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1815
| date = March 24, 2017
| title = Flag
| image = flag.png
| titletext = There's a compromise bill to keep the notification bar but at least charge the battery.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a BOT - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

Randall was hired to propose a new flag for an unspecified new country. The process of him editing the flag into it's final draft was done on a laptop or mobile device, and involved taking a screenshot of the product (possibly a shortcut to avoid actually exporting it) which produced the notification bar at the flag's top. He did not catch his error, and sent it to the committee with the notification bar intact. The design committee could have fired Randall either for making the specific mistake, or because the mistake shed some light into the unprofessional way Randall is doing his job in general. The elements of the flag's intended design, the colors red white and blue, the stripes, and the stars, are present in several existing flags for real countries (America, the UK, North Korea, etc.) Flags are often minimalist and involve geometric shapes and solid colors. A notification bar at the top of the flag would clash with these design elements as well as looking unprofessional.

The title text mentions a compromise bill that will change the flag, not removing the notification bar at the top to create the originally intended flag, but instead keeping the notification bar and changing the amount of battery displayed (39%) to 100%. Randall has mentioned before that he cannot take screenshots seriously if the battery of the device is low in [[1373: Screenshot]].

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

The design committee fired me once they realized that my editing process involved a screenshot, but it was too late.

Until they change it, our new country has the only national flag to include a phone notification bar.

{{comic discussion}}

1815: Flag

2017-03-24T14:43:45Z

Pokopolypse: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1815
| date = March 24, 2017
| title = Flag
| image = flag.png
| titletext = There's a compromise bill to keep the notification bar but at least charge the battery.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a BOT - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

Randall was hired to propose a new flag for an unspecified new country. His the process of editing the flag into it's final draft was done on a laptop or mobile device, and involved taking a screenshot of the product (possibly a shortcut to avoid actually exporting it) which produced the notification bar at the flag's top. He did not catch his error, and sent it to the committee with the notification bar intact. The design committee could have fired Randall either for making the specific mistake, or because the mistake shed some light into the unprofessional way Randall is doing his job in general.

The title text mentions a compromise bill that will change the flag, not removing the notification bar at the top to create the originally intended flag, but instead keeping the notification bar and changing the amount of battery displayed (39%) to 100%. Randall has mentioned before that he cannot take screenshots seriously if the battery of the device is low in [[1373: Screenshot]].

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

The design committee fired me once they realized that my editing process involved a screenshot, but it was too late.

Until they change it, our new country has the only national flag to include a phone notification bar.

{{comic discussion}}

1795: All You Can Eat

2017-02-06T17:02:23Z

Pokopolypse: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1795
| date = February 6, 2017
| title = All You Can Eat
| image = all_you_can_eat.png
| titletext = After my absent-mindedness resulted in a bad posterboard-related stomachache, I learned to do the sign-making place last.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|stub}}
An All-you-can-eat buffet is when a restaurant will charge you once for entry and then continuously serve you more food at no additional cost until you have eaten all-you-can-eat. Part of the "[[:Category:My Hobby|My Hobby]]" series, this comic shows [[Randall]] wishes to append "all-you-can-eat" to random stores. These stores do not sell food, so the very idea of eating their product would be ridiculous. However, this is what Randall's stunt makes the stores he defaces seem to advertise. Most people would not seriously consider eating the products these stores sell even with the signs suggesting they should, as it is just a monumentally stupid idea.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript}}
:[The panel shows the facades of four shops appended with white signs. The white signs partially cover the names of the stores, with the exception of the third store.]
:[Shop number 1:]
:White sign: All-you-can-eat
:Store sign: discount tires
:[Shop number 2:]
:White sign: All-you-can-eat
:Store sign: hair salon
:[Shop number 3:]
:White sign: All-you-can-eat
:Store sign: Lumber and flooring depot
:[Shop number 4:]
:White sign: All-you-can-eat
:Store sign: pet store
:[Caption below the frame:]
:My hobby: Going out at night and adding "all-you-can-eat" to every store's sign

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:My Hobby]]

1792: Bird/Plane/Superman

2017-01-30T19:46:44Z

Pokopolypse: Added can take a punch explanation

{{comic
| number = 1792
| date = January 30, 2017
| title = Bird/Plane/Superman
| image = bird_plane_superman.png
| titletext = You can apply special translucent films to your windows to help keep birds/Superman from accidentally flying into them.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|title text}}

This comic is a logical comparison of observations to resolve the classic comic book trope of: "Look, up in the sky... It's a bird!... It's a plane!... It's {{w|Superman}}!" Taking the random citizens' declarations at face value -- a quite exaggerated position -- this comic aims to help such clueless folks identify the airborne object.

The observations compared range from the mundane to the bizarre.

{| class="wikitable"
! !! Bird !! Plane !! Superman !! Explanation
|-
| Carries people || || ✓ || ✓ || Some birds are capable of carrying a small human, but this happens extremely rarely (although hoax stories are often reported). Most planes are created specifically designed to carry human passengers, although many are cargo planes with humans only acting as crew, and autonomous drones without humans also exist. Superman, a comic book character created in 1933, is an alien with superpowers, including the power of unaided flight. He often carries other people with him, such as girlfriends or rescued victims of various villains.
|-
| Often flies in groups || ✓ || ✓ || || Many types of birds fly in flocks, particularly during long-range migrations. Planes sometimes fly in group formation, particularly when engaged in military operations where mutual support is tactically useful (or when conducting practice maneuvers for such operations). Superman is a unique person, and thus does not fly in groups. (While there have occasionally been stories where Superman was duplicated, split into multiple beings, etc, these circumstances are too unusual to be regarded as happening "often".)
|-
| Created in 20th century || || ✓ || ✓ || Birds evolved from dinosaurs, appearing as early as the Late Jurassic period, roughly 150 million years ago. The first successful flight of a powered heavier-than-air craft took place on December 17, 1903. Superman first appeared in ''Action Comics'' #1, published on April 18, 1938.
|-
| Uses magnetic navigation || ✓ || ✓ || ||
|-
| Enthusiast community obsesses over small coloration details || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Preyed on by cats || ✓ || || || Cats kill several billion birds a year, often - but not always - eating them. There are never been a case of a cat successfully catching and eating either a plane or Superman.{{Citation needed}}
|-
| Occasional mid-air sex || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || Mid-air sex involving planes is usually involving passengers (and potentially air crew), not the plane itself. However, this may be referring to in-flight refueling, or this incident where one plane landed atop another in mid-air: http://avstop.com/news/plantcity.html
|-
| Eaten during seasonal feasts || ✓ || || ||
|-
| Propelled by flapping || ✓ || || ||
|-
| Sometimes loses ability to fly, needs to sunbathe to regain it || ✓ || || ✓ ||
|-
| Can take a punch || || ✓ || ✓ || Birds are generally small, fragile creatures, whose bone structures are meant to be light in order to fly, and thus are not vary durable. If you punched, say, a pigeon, you would probably break/dislocate most of it's bones, either killing it immediately or leaving it in a state from which it will probably not ever recover. However, there are definitely some big, flightless birds that could take a punch from a human such as ostriches or emus, but since both are large creatures that would probably react by fighting back, it would not be wise to try. Randall is plainly ignoring these. Planes are usually massive, or at least big enough to carry a human, and have to be made of materials durable enough to withstand hurtling through the sky at hundreds of miles an hour reliably on a regular basis. You could definitely punch one safely. One of Superman's trademark abilities is his near indestructibility. A punch from any regular human would not hurt him.
|-
| Mating behaviour often observed by a hidden David Attenborough || ✓ || || Not that we know of ||
|-
| Capable of intentionally releasing poop mid-flight || ✓ || || ✓ || Birds often poop during flight; it is arguably more important to shed excess mass while flying, to increase efficiency. Some planes may be able to intentionally purge their septic tanks mid-flight, depending on the design of the waste interlocks, especially assuming the controls are inside the cockpit or cabin. As the TV show ''MythBusters'' has shown, a leaky septic disposal system can unintentionally lose liquid waste and cause a "blue ice" sighting on the ground. Superman, being more or less human, is certainly capable of pooping during flight, but this would generally result in unnecessary drycleaning bills.
|-
| Chases and eats bugs || ✓ || || Only when bored || Many bird species prey on insects and similar-sized animals. Planes often fly into and kill insects (as well as birds), but this is unintentional and doesn't provide them with nutritional value. Superman is not known for eating insects, but Randall implies that he does sometimes, but only when he's bored.
|-
|}

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript}}

{| class="wikitable"
! !! Bird !! Plane !! Superman
|-
| Carries people || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Often flies in groups || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Created in 20th century || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Uses magnetic navigation || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Enthusiast community obsesses over small coloration details || ✓ || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Preyed on by cats || ✓ || ||
|-
| Occasional mid-air sex || ✓ || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Eaten during seasonal feasts || ✓ || ||
|-
| Propelled by flapping || ✓ || ||
|-
| Sometimes loses ability to fly, needs to sunbathe to regain it || ✓ || || ✓
|-
| Can take a punch || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Mating behaviour often observed by a hidden David Attenborough || ✓ || || Not that we know of
|-
| Capable of intentionally releasing poop mid-flight || ✓ || || ✓
|-
| Chases and eats bugs || ✓ || || Only when bored
|-
|}

{{comic discussion}}

1792: Bird/Plane/Superman

2017-01-30T19:33:29Z

Pokopolypse: Finished moving stuff into table from notes, removed notes

{{comic
| number = 1792
| date = January 30, 2017
| title = Bird/Plane/Superman
| image = bird_plane_superman.png
| titletext = You can apply special translucent films to your windows to help keep birds/Superman from accidentally flying into them.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|title text}}

This comic is a logical comparison of observations to resolve the classic comic book trope of: "Look, up in the sky... It's a bird!... It's a plane!... It's Superman!" Taking the random citizens' declarations at face value -- a quite exaggerated position -- this comic aims to help such clueless folks identify the airborne object.

The observations compared range from the mundane to the bizarre.

{| class="wikitable"
! !! Bird !! Plane !! Superman !! Explanation
|-
| Carries people || || ✓ || ✓ || Some birds are capable of carrying a small human, but this happens extremely rarely (although hoax stories are often reported). Most planes are created specifically designed to carry human passengers, although many are cargo planes with humans only acting as crew, and autonomous drones without humans also exist. Superman, a comic book character created in 1933, is an alien with superpowers, including the power of unaided flight. He often carries other people with him, such as girlfriends or rescued victims of various villains.
|-
| Often flies in groups || ✓ || ✓ || || Many types of birds fly in flocks, particularly during long-range migrations. Planes sometimes fly in group formation, particularly when engaged in military operations where mutual support is tactically useful (or when conducting practice maneuvers for such operations). Superman is a unique person, and thus does not fly in groups. (While there have occasionally been stories where Superman was duplicated, split into multiple beings, etc, these circumstances are too unusual to be regarded as happening "often".)
|-
| Created in 20th century || || ✓ || ✓ || Birds evolved from dinosaurs, appearing as early as the Late Jurassic period, roughly 150 million years ago. The first successful flight of a powered heavier-than-air craft took place on December 17, 1903. Superman first appeared in ''Action Comics'' #1, published on April 18, 1938.
|-
| Uses magnetic navigation || ✓ || ✓ || ||
|-
| Enthusiast community obsesses over small coloration details || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Preyed on by cats || ✓ || || || Cats kill several billion birds a year, often - but not always - eating them. There are never been a case of a cat successfully catching and eating either a plane or Superman.{{Citation needed}}
|-
| Occasional mid-air sex || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || Mid-air sex involving planes is usually involving passengers (and potentially air crew), not the plane itself. However, this may be referring to in-flight refueling, or this incident where one plane landed atop another in mid-air: http://avstop.com/news/plantcity.html
|-
| Eaten during seasonal feasts || ✓ || || ||
|-
| Propelled by flapping || ✓ || || ||
|-
| Sometimes loses ability to fly, needs to sunbathe to regain it || ✓ || || ✓ ||
|-
| Can take a punch || || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Mating behaviour often observed by a hidden David Attenborough || ✓ || || Not that we know of ||
|-
| Capable of intentionally releasing poop mid-flight || ✓ || || ✓ || Birds often poop during flight; it is arguably more important to shed excess mass while flying, to increase efficiency. Some planes may be able to intentionally purge their septic tanks mid-flight, depending on the design of the waste interlocks, especially assuming the controls are inside the cockpit or cabin. As the TV show ''MythBusters'' has shown, a leaky septic disposal system can unintentionally lose liquid waste and cause a "blue ice" sighting on the ground. Superman, being more or less human, is certainly capable of pooping during flight, but this would generally result in unnecessary drycleaning bills.
|-
| Chases and eats bugs || ✓ || || Only when bored || Many bird species prey on insects and similar-sized animals. Planes often fly into and kill insects (as well as birds), but this is unintentional and doesn't provide them with nutritional value. Superman is not known for eating insects, but Randall implies that he does sometimes, but only when he's bored.
|-
|}

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript}}

{| class="wikitable"
! !! Bird !! Plane !! Superman
|-
| Carries people || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Often flies in groups || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Created in 20th century || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Uses magnetic navigation || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Enthusiast community obsesses over small coloration details || ✓ || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Preyed on by cats || ✓ || ||
|-
| Occasional mid-air sex || ✓ || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Eaten during seasonal feasts || ✓ || ||
|-
| Propelled by flapping || ✓ || ||
|-
| Sometimes loses ability to fly, needs to sunbathe to regain it || ✓ || || ✓
|-
| Can take a punch || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Mating behaviour often observed by a hidden David Attenborough || ✓ || || Not that we know of
|-
| Capable of intentionally releasing poop mid-flight || ✓ || || ✓
|-
| Chases and eats bugs || ✓ || || Only when bored
|-
|}

{{comic discussion}}

1792: Bird/Plane/Superman

2017-01-30T19:26:55Z

Pokopolypse: Added more stuff

{{comic
| number = 1792
| date = January 30, 2017
| title = Bird/Plane/Superman
| image = bird_plane_superman.png
| titletext = You can apply special translucent films to your windows to help keep birds/Superman from accidentally flying into them.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|title text}}

This comic is a logical comparison of observations to resolve the classic comic book trope of: "Look, up in the sky... It's a bird!... It's a plane!... It's Superman!" Taking the random citizens' declarations at face value -- a quite exaggerated position -- this comic aims to help such clueless folks identify the airborne object.

The observations compared range from the mundane to the bizarre.

{| class="wikitable"
! !! Bird !! Plane !! Superman !! Explanation
|-
| Carries people || || ✓ || ✓ || Some birds are capable of carrying a small human, but this happens extremely rarely (although hoax stories are often reported). Most planes are created specifically designed to carry human passengers, although many are cargo planes with humans only acting as crew, and autonomous drones without humans also exist. Superman, a comic book character created in 1933, is an alien with superpowers, including the power of unaided flight. He often carries other people with him, such as girlfriends or rescued victims of various villains.
|-
| Often flies in groups || ✓ || ✓ || ||
|-
| Created in 20th century || || ✓ || ✓ || Birds evolved from dinosaurs, appearing as early as the Late Jurassic period, roughly 150 million years ago. The first successful flight of a powered heavier-than-air craft took place on December 17, 1903. Superman first appeared in ''Action Comics'' #1, published on April 18, 1938.
|-
| Uses magnetic navigation || ✓ || ✓ || ||
|-
| Enthusiast community obsesses over small coloration details || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Preyed on by cats || ✓ || || || Cats kill several billion birds a year, often - but not always - eating them. There are no records of a cat successfully catching and eating either a plane or Superman.
|-
| Occasional mid-air sex || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || Mid-air sex involving planes is usually involving passengers (and potentially air crew), not the plane itself. However, this may be referring to in-flight refueling, or this incident where one plane landed atop another in mid-air: http://avstop.com/news/plantcity.html
|-
| Eaten during seasonal feasts || ✓ || || ||
|-
| Propelled by flapping || ✓ || || ||
|-
| Sometimes loses ability to fly, needs to sunbathe to regain it || ✓ || || ✓ ||
|-
| Can take a punch || || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Mating behaviour often observed by a hidden David Attenborough || ✓ || || Not that we know of ||
|-
| Capable of intentionally releasing poop mid-flight || ✓ || || ✓ ||
|-
| Chases and eats bugs || ✓ || || Only when bored ||
|-
|}

=== Notes ===

*Birds often poop during flight; it is arguably more important to shed excess mass while flying, to increase efficiency. Some planes may be able to intentionally purge their septic tanks mid-flight, depending on the design of the waste interlocks, especially assuming the controls are inside the cockpit or cabin. As the TV show ''MythBusters'' has shown, a leaky septic disposal system can unintentionally lose liquid waste and cause a "blue ice" sighting on the ground. Superman, being more or less human, is certainly capable of pooping during flight, but this would generally result in unnecessary drycleaning bills.
* Many bird species prey on insects and similar-sized animals. Planes often fly into and kill insects (as well as birds), but this is unintentional and doesn't provide them with nutritional value. Superman is not known for eating insects, but Randall implies that he does sometimes, but only when he's bored.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript}}

{| class="wikitable"
! !! Bird !! Plane !! Superman
|-
| Carries people || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Often flies in groups || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Created in 20th century || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Uses magnetic navigation || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Enthusiast community obsesses over small coloration details || ✓ || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Preyed on by cats || ✓ || ||
|-
| Occasional mid-air sex || ✓ || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Eaten during seasonal feasts || ✓ || ||
|-
| Propelled by flapping || ✓ || ||
|-
| Sometimes loses ability to fly, needs to sunbathe to regain it || ✓ || || ✓
|-
| Can take a punch || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Mating behaviour often observed by a hidden David Attenborough || ✓ || || Not that we know of
|-
| Capable of intentionally releasing poop mid-flight || ✓ || || ✓
|-
| Chases and eats bugs || ✓ || || Only when bored
|-
|}

{{comic discussion}}

1792: Bird/Plane/Superman

2017-01-30T19:18:32Z

Pokopolypse: Moved stuff to table

{{comic
| number = 1792
| date = January 30, 2017
| title = Bird/Plane/Superman
| image = bird_plane_superman.png
| titletext = You can apply special translucent films to your windows to help keep birds/Superman from accidentally flying into them.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|title text}}

This comic is a logical comparison of observations to resolve the classic comic book trope of: "Look, up in the sky... It's a bird!... It's a plane!... It's Superman!" Taking the random citizens' declarations at face value -- a quite exaggerated position -- this comic aims to help such clueless folks identify the airborne object.

The observations compared range from the mundane to the bizarre.

{| class="wikitable"
! !! Bird !! Plane !! Superman !! Explanation
|-
| Carries people || || ✓ || ✓ || Some birds are capable of carrying a small human, but this happens extremely rarely (although hoax stories are often reported). Most planes are created specifically designed to carry human passengers, although many are cargo planes with humans only acting as crew, and autonomous drones without humans also exist. Superman, a comic book character created in 1933, is an alien with superpowers, including the power of unaided flight. He often carries other people with him, such as girlfriends or rescued victims of various villains.
|-
| Often flies in groups || ✓ || ✓ || ||
|-
| Created in 20th century || || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Uses magnetic navigation || ✓ || ✓ || ||
|-
| Enthusiast community obsesses over small coloration details || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Preyed on by cats || ✓ || || || Cats kill several billion birds a year, often - but not always - eating them. There are no records of a cat successfully catching and eating either a plane or Superman.
|-
| Occasional mid-air sex || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Eaten during seasonal feasts || ✓ || || ||
|-
| Propelled by flapping || ✓ || || ||
|-
| Sometimes loses ability to fly, needs to sunbathe to regain it || ✓ || || ✓ ||
|-
| Can take a punch || || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Mating behaviour often observed by a hidden David Attenborough || ✓ || || Not that we know of ||
|-
| Capable of intentionally releasing poop mid-flight || ✓ || || ✓ ||
|-
| Chases and eats bugs || ✓ || || Only when bored ||
|-
|}

=== Notes ===

*Birds evolved from dinosaurs, appearing as early as the Late Jurassic period, roughly 150 million years ago. The first successful flight of a powered heavier-than-air craft took place on December 17, 1903. Superman first appeared in ''Action Comics'' #1, published on April 18, 1938.
*Mid-air sex involving planes is usually involving passengers (and potentially air crew), not the plane itself. However, this may be referring to in-flight refueling, or this incident where one plane landed atop another in mid-air: http://avstop.com/news/plantcity.html
*Birds often poop during flight; it is arguably more important to shed excess mass while flying, to increase efficiency. Some planes may be able to intentionally purge their septic tanks mid-flight, depending on the design of the waste interlocks, especially assuming the controls are inside the cockpit or cabin. As the TV show ''MythBusters'' has shown, a leaky septic disposal system can unintentionally lose liquid waste and cause a "blue ice" sighting on the ground. Superman, being more or less human, is certainly capable of pooping during flight, but this would generally result in unnecessary drycleaning bills.
* Many bird species prey on insects and similar-sized animals. Planes often fly into and kill insects (as well as birds), but this is unintentional and doesn't provide them with nutritional value. Superman is not known for eating insects, but Randall implies that he does sometimes, but only when he's bored.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript}}

{| class="wikitable"
! !! Bird !! Plane !! Superman
|-
| Carries people || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Often flies in groups || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Created in 20th century || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Uses magnetic navigation || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Enthusiast community obsesses over small coloration details || ✓ || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Preyed on by cats || ✓ || ||
|-
| Occasional mid-air sex || ✓ || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Eaten during seasonal feasts || ✓ || ||
|-
| Propelled by flapping || ✓ || ||
|-
| Sometimes loses ability to fly, needs to sunbathe to regain it || ✓ || || ✓
|-
| Can take a punch || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Mating behaviour often observed by a hidden David Attenborough || ✓ || || Not that we know of
|-
| Capable of intentionally releasing poop mid-flight || ✓ || || ✓
|-
| Chases and eats bugs || ✓ || || Only when bored
|-
|}

{{comic discussion}}

1792: Bird/Plane/Superman

2017-01-30T19:16:28Z

Pokopolypse: Fixed table I added but forgot to mention in last edit.

{{comic
| number = 1792
| date = January 30, 2017
| title = Bird/Plane/Superman
| image = bird_plane_superman.png
| titletext = You can apply special translucent films to your windows to help keep birds/Superman from accidentally flying into them.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|title text}}

This comic is a logical comparison of observations to resolve the classic comic book trope of: "Look, up in the sky... It's a bird!... It's a plane!... It's Superman!" Taking the random citizens' declarations at face value -- a quite exaggerated position -- this comic aims to help such clueless folks identify the airborne object.

The observations compared range from the mundane to the bizarre.

{| class="wikitable"
! !! Bird !! Plane !! Superman !! Explanation
|-
| Carries people || || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Often flies in groups || ✓ || ✓ || ||
|-
| Created in 20th century || || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Uses magnetic navigation || ✓ || ✓ || ||
|-
| Enthusiast community obsesses over small coloration details || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Preyed on by cats || ✓ || || ||
|-
| Occasional mid-air sex || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Eaten during seasonal feasts || ✓ || || ||
|-
| Propelled by flapping || ✓ || || ||
|-
| Sometimes loses ability to fly, needs to sunbathe to regain it || ✓ || || ✓ ||
|-
| Can take a punch || || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Mating behaviour often observed by a hidden David Attenborough || ✓ || || Not that we know of ||
|-
| Capable of intentionally releasing poop mid-flight || ✓ || || ✓ ||
|-
| Chases and eats bugs || ✓ || || Only when bored ||
|-
|}

=== Notes ===

*Some birds are capable of carrying a small human, but this happens extremely rarely (although hoax stories are often reported). Most planes are created specifically designed to carry human passengers, although many are cargo planes with humans only acting as crew, and autonomous drones without humans also exist. Superman, a comic book character created in 1933, is an alien with superpowers, including the power of unaided flight. He often carries other people with him, such as girlfriends or rescued victims of various villains.
*Birds evolved from dinosaurs, appearing as early as the Late Jurassic period, roughly 150 million years ago. The first successful flight of a powered heavier-than-air craft took place on December 17, 1903. Superman first appeared in ''Action Comics'' #1, published on April 18, 1938.
*Cats kill several billion birds a year, often - but not always - eating them. There are no records of a cat successfully catching and eating either a plane or Superman.
*Mid-air sex involving planes is usually involving passengers (and potentially air crew), not the plane itself. However, this may be referring to in-flight refueling, or this incident where one plane landed atop another in mid-air: http://avstop.com/news/plantcity.html
*Birds often poop during flight; it is arguably more important to shed excess mass while flying, to increase efficiency. Some planes may be able to intentionally purge their septic tanks mid-flight, depending on the design of the waste interlocks, especially assuming the controls are inside the cockpit or cabin. As the TV show ''MythBusters'' has shown, a leaky septic disposal system can unintentionally lose liquid waste and cause a "blue ice" sighting on the ground. Superman, being more or less human, is certainly capable of pooping during flight, but this would generally result in unnecessary drycleaning bills.
* Many bird species prey on insects and similar-sized animals. Planes often fly into and kill insects (as well as birds), but this is unintentional and doesn't provide them with nutritional value. Superman is not known for eating insects, but Randall implies that he does sometimes, but only when he's bored.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript}}

{| class="wikitable"
! !! Bird !! Plane !! Superman
|-
| Carries people || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Often flies in groups || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Created in 20th century || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Uses magnetic navigation || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Enthusiast community obsesses over small coloration details || ✓ || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Preyed on by cats || ✓ || ||
|-
| Occasional mid-air sex || ✓ || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Eaten during seasonal feasts || ✓ || ||
|-
| Propelled by flapping || ✓ || ||
|-
| Sometimes loses ability to fly, needs to sunbathe to regain it || ✓ || || ✓
|-
| Can take a punch || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Mating behaviour often observed by a hidden David Attenborough || ✓ || || Not that we know of
|-
| Capable of intentionally releasing poop mid-flight || ✓ || || ✓
|-
| Chases and eats bugs || ✓ || || Only when bored
|-
|}

{{comic discussion}}

1792: Bird/Plane/Superman

2017-01-30T19:13:51Z

Pokopolypse: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1792
| date = January 30, 2017
| title = Bird/Plane/Superman
| image = bird_plane_superman.png
| titletext = You can apply special translucent films to your windows to help keep birds/Superman from accidentally flying into them.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|title text}}

This comic is a logical comparison of observations to resolve the classic comic book trope of: "Look, up in the sky... It's a bird!... It's a plane!... It's Superman!" Taking the random citizens' declarations at face value -- a quite exaggerated position -- this comic aims to help such clueless folks identify the airborne object.

The observations compared range from the mundane to the bizarre.

{| class="wikitable"
! !! Bird !! Plane !! Superman !! Explanation
|-
| Carries people || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Often flies in groups || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Created in 20th century || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Uses magnetic navigation || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Enthusiast community obsesses over small coloration details || ✓ || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Preyed on by cats || ✓ || ||
|-
| Occasional mid-air sex || ✓ || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Eaten during seasonal feasts || ✓ || ||
|-
| Propelled by flapping || ✓ || ||
|-
| Sometimes loses ability to fly, needs to sunbathe to regain it || ✓ || || ✓
|-
| Can take a punch || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Mating behaviour often observed by a hidden David Attenborough || ✓ || || Not that we know of
|-
| Capable of intentionally releasing poop mid-flight || ✓ || || ✓
|-
| Chases and eats bugs || ✓ || || Only when bored
|-
|}

=== Notes ===

*Some birds are capable of carrying a small human, but this happens extremely rarely (although hoax stories are often reported). Most planes are created specifically designed to carry human passengers, although many are cargo planes with humans only acting as crew, and autonomous drones without humans also exist. Superman, a comic book character created in 1933, is an alien with superpowers, including the power of unaided flight. He often carries other people with him, such as girlfriends or rescued victims of various villains.
*Birds evolved from dinosaurs, appearing as early as the Late Jurassic period, roughly 150 million years ago. The first successful flight of a powered heavier-than-air craft took place on December 17, 1903. Superman first appeared in ''Action Comics'' #1, published on April 18, 1938.
*Cats kill several billion birds a year, often - but not always - eating them. There are no records of a cat successfully catching and eating either a plane or Superman.
*Mid-air sex involving planes is usually involving passengers (and potentially air crew), not the plane itself. However, this may be referring to in-flight refueling, or this incident where one plane landed atop another in mid-air: http://avstop.com/news/plantcity.html
*Birds often poop during flight; it is arguably more important to shed excess mass while flying, to increase efficiency. Some planes may be able to intentionally purge their septic tanks mid-flight, depending on the design of the waste interlocks, especially assuming the controls are inside the cockpit or cabin. As the TV show ''MythBusters'' has shown, a leaky septic disposal system can unintentionally lose liquid waste and cause a "blue ice" sighting on the ground. Superman, being more or less human, is certainly capable of pooping during flight, but this would generally result in unnecessary drycleaning bills.
* Many bird species prey on insects and similar-sized animals. Planes often fly into and kill insects (as well as birds), but this is unintentional and doesn't provide them with nutritional value. Superman is not known for eating insects, but Randall implies that he does sometimes, but only when he's bored.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript}}

{| class="wikitable"
! !! Bird !! Plane !! Superman
|-
| Carries people || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Often flies in groups || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Created in 20th century || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Uses magnetic navigation || ✓ || ✓ ||
|-
| Enthusiast community obsesses over small coloration details || ✓ || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Preyed on by cats || ✓ || ||
|-
| Occasional mid-air sex || ✓ || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Eaten during seasonal feasts || ✓ || ||
|-
| Propelled by flapping || ✓ || ||
|-
| Sometimes loses ability to fly, needs to sunbathe to regain it || ✓ || || ✓
|-
| Can take a punch || || ✓ || ✓
|-
| Mating behaviour often observed by a hidden David Attenborough || ✓ || || Not that we know of
|-
| Capable of intentionally releasing poop mid-flight || ✓ || || ✓
|-
| Chases and eats bugs || ✓ || || Only when bored
|-
|}

{{comic discussion}}

1763: Catcalling

2016-12-12T23:05:12Z

Pokopolypse: Theories on how the universal control console works, and how it would manage to work in this instance.

{{comic
| number = 1763
| date = November 23, 2016
| title = Catcalling
| image = catcalling.png
| titletext = Effect strength => [unstoppable] | Effect range => [2 miles] | Effect duration => [1 year]
}}

==Explanation==
"{{w|Street harassment|Catcalling}}" refers to the act of whistling or shouting to express sexual interest in a person, and often constitutes harassment. Annoyed by this practice, [[Megan]] alters the Universe Control Console to create a setting in which catcalling actually attracts cats (as the name implies), thus resulting in the catcaller being harassed by the overwhelming feline presence, instead of the other way around, likely in an attempt to discourage the act.

When read without the title text, it could be assumed that [[Megan]] is trying not to punish catcallers, but to turn catcalling into a positive thing, since after the change is made catcalling will no longer offend women and instead attract the attention of cats, an animal many people on the internet find cute.{{Citation needed}} It is only with the clarifying information in the title text that it becomes clear that Megan is trying to punish catcalling, thus changing the joke.

It is interesting to note that changing what women find insulting/harassment would involve fundamentally changing their psychology on some level. How exactly the Universal Control Console will make them immune to this specific behavior is unclear. The Universal Control Console is an intentionally ambiguous device, but based on how Megan and Ponytail used it in [[1620: Christmas Settings]], it can be implied to change people's memories of what reality was like before a change, so using the catcalling example, it might make everyone in the universe forget what catcalling initially was, thus removing the insult of even trying to do it in the first place.

The "Universe Control Console" was introduced in [[1620: Christmas Settings]] as the "Universe Control Panel", where it was used to control aspects of reality related to Christmas. Based on the name, it is presumed all aspects of reality could be altered using this fictitious device. The pointer arrow and menu options shown above Megan appear to depict aspects of the user interface that Megan is seeing.

The Console appears to have been modified/upgraded since its last appearance and features fewer controls while gaining a joystick in this incarnation. It also appears that Megan has learned to operate the console better since first encountering it. ([[Ponytail]], who first demonstrated the console to Megan, could be the offscreen voice in this comic.)

Furthermore, the title text suggests that catcalling now attracts ''all'' cats within two miles for an entire year. The prospect of being piled in cats for a year would discourage people from catcalling by a large amount.{{Citation needed}} [[1156: Conditioning]] also persuades people to change behavior related to wildlife.

The redefining of terms related to sexual harassment as more innocent things has also been discussed in [[1178: Pickup Artists]].

Also, the cursor on the console is left-handed for some reason.

==Transcript==
:Offscreen: ''Hey! Are you messing with the Universe Control Console!?''

:Megan: [standing at a control panel with a small lever and what appears to be a display] It's cool. Just gotta fix one thing.

:[Megan still at the control panel; now a mouse pointer appears]

:[Megan still at the control panel; "Catcalling" appears written at the top of the panel above a dropdown menu that says "Harasses women"; the pointer is hovering over the arrow]

:[Megan still at the control panel; The dropdown menu is expanded to show two elements: "Harasses women" and "Attracts cats". The pointer is hovering over "Attracts cats", which is highlighted]

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]

1770: UI Change

2016-12-09T15:33:35Z

Pokopolypse: Added clarity to previous edit.

{{comic
| number = 1770
| date = December 9, 2016
| title = UI Change
| image = ui_change.png
| titletext = I know they said this change is permanent, but surely when they hear how much we're complaining someone will find a way to change things back.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|First draft.}}
When websites and apps are updated, menu functions are often shifted around either to make space for new features, or simply to make the app feel tidier. Sometimes, these changes don't actually do anything, and are simply there to give the illusion of improvement when no new features have been added, thus making them completely arbitrary. [[Workflow|Whether or not these changes are good in the long term, users often complain]] because all the workflows they're familiar with have been changed, and often the software never tells you where buttons and other options have been moved to.

And, just as young people like to complain about petty changes to websites, old people complain about the way their body starts to break down as they age. Muscle weakness makes tasks like opening doors and jars more difficult, the senses such as sight and hearing deteriorate, and mental processes such as memory and rationalization can become slower and less reliable. These have a far bigger impact on one's day-to-day ability to do tasks than a simple UI change.

When big websites make unpopular changes, users sometimes start petition to have them reverted - for example, [http://www.pcworld.com/article/161752/facebook_users_against_redesign.html 1.7 million Facebook users] joined "Petition Against the New Facebook". Of course, they didn't get their way, and nowadays few will even remember the old Facebook layout. As for aging, well, there's no-one you could even try petitioning{{Citation needed}}. Cueball's comment in the title text might be a reference to scientific efforts to stop or reverse the effects of aging, such as organ transplants and various other surgeries. There has always been a market for immortality, with many historical figures seeking it through alchemy, science, or magic, but as of yet, products claiming to grant it have all been shams. Perhaps he is hoping that advancing technologies will become sufficient to keep him from experiencing the negative effects of old age at all.

==Transcript==
[Cueball is doing something on his phone]

Cueball: Ugh, I hate when apps make arbitrary changes to their UI.

Cueball: Stuff I do all the time just got harder for no reason!

Off-Screen Voice: Man.

Off-Screen Voice: You are '''''not''''' gonna like getting old.

{{comic discussion}}

1770: UI Change

2016-12-09T15:31:50Z

Pokopolypse: Added idea that Cueball thinks he can use science to reverse aging in title text.

{{comic
| number = 1770
| date = December 9, 2016
| title = UI Change
| image = ui_change.png
| titletext = I know they said this change is permanent, but surely when they hear how much we're complaining someone will find a way to change things back.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|First draft.}}
When websites and apps are updated, menu functions are often shifted around either to make space for new features, or simply to make the app feel tidier. Sometimes, these changes don't actually do anything, and are simply there to give the illusion of improvement when no new features have been added, thus making them completely arbitrary. [[Workflow|Whether or not these changes are good in the long term, users often complain]] because all the workflows they're familiar with have been changed, and often the software never tells you where buttons and other options have been moved to.

And, just as young people like to complain about petty changes to websites, old people complain about the way their body starts to break down as they age. Muscle weakness makes tasks like opening doors and jars more difficult, the senses such as sight and hearing deteriorate, and mental processes such as memory and rationalization can become slower and less reliable. These have a far bigger impact on one's day-to-day ability to do tasks than a simple UI change.

When big websites make unpopular changes, users sometimes start petition to have them reverted - for example, [http://www.pcworld.com/article/161752/facebook_users_against_redesign.html 1.7 million Facebook users] joined "Petition Against the New Facebook". Of course, they didn't get their way, and nowadays few will even remember the old Facebook layout. As for aging, well, there's no-one you could even try petitioning{{Citation needed}}. Cueball's comment in the title text might be a reference to scientific efforts to stop or reverse the effects of aging, such as organ transplants and various other surgeries. There has always been a market for immortality, with many historical figures seeking it through alchemy, science, or magic, but as of yet, products claiming to grant it have all been shams. Perhaps he is hoping that these technologies will become sufficient to keep him from experiencing the negative effects of old age at all.

==Transcript==
[Cueball is doing something on his phone]

Cueball: Ugh, I hate when apps make arbitrary changes to their UI.

Cueball: Stuff I do all the time just got harder for no reason!

Off-Screen Voice: Man.

Off-Screen Voice: You are '''''not''''' gonna like getting old.

{{comic discussion}}

1770: UI Change

2016-12-09T15:22:32Z

Pokopolypse: Further explained arbitrarity of certain UI updates,

{{comic
| number = 1770
| date = December 9, 2016
| title = UI Change
| image = ui_change.png
| titletext = I know they said this change is permanent, but surely when they hear how much we're complaining someone will find a way to change things back.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|First draft.}}
When websites and apps are updated, menu functions are often shifted around either to make space for new features, or simply to make the app feel tidier. Sometimes, these changes don't actually do anything, and are simply there to give the illusion of improvement when no new features have been added, thus making them completely arbitrary. [[Workflow|Whether or not these changes are good in the long term, users often complain]] because all the workflows they're familiar with have been changed, and often the software never tells you where buttons and other options have been moved to.

And, just as young people like to complain about petty changes to websites, old people complain about the way their body starts to break down as they age. Muscle weakness makes tasks like opening doors and jars more difficult, the senses such as sight and hearing deteriorate, and mental processes such as memory and rationalization can become slower and less reliable. These have a far bigger impact on one's day-to-day ability to do tasks than a simple UI change.

When big websites make unpopular changes, users sometimes start petition to have them reverted - for example, [http://www.pcworld.com/article/161752/facebook_users_against_redesign.html 1.7 million Facebook users] joined "Petition Against the New Facebook". Of course, they didn't get their way, and nowadays few will even remember the old Facebook layout. As for aging, well, there's no-one you could even try petitioning{{Citation needed}}.

==Transcript==
[Cueball is doing something on his phone]

Cueball: Ugh, I hate when apps make arbitrary changes to their UI.

Cueball: Stuff I do all the time just got harder for no reason!

Off-Screen Voice: Man.

Off-Screen Voice: You are '''''not''''' gonna like getting old.

{{comic discussion}}

1762: Moving Boxes

2016-11-21T18:01:35Z

Pokopolypse: Added alternate interpretation where boxes actually contain items.

{{comic
| number = 1762
| date = November 21, 2016
| title = Moving Boxes
| image = moving_boxes.png
| titletext = Later, when I remember that I'm calling movers, I frantically scribble over the labels and write 'NORMAL HOUSE STUFF' on all of them, which actually makes things worse.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Fill table}}
[[Randall]] talks about moving boxes and not labeling them until he forgets what's in them. Since he doesn't know what's in them, he writes silly things on the boxes as a joke. Some things are unusual/unlikely (e.g. sand, hydrants, peat) and some are abstract/impossible (e.g. elves, taupe, dark matter). Several of the categories overlap confusingly; for instance, "sand" and "silt" and "dark matter" are all generally considered as "particles"; "membranes", "edges", and "shawls" are all kinds of "manifolds"; "hooves" are part of "bison"; "fog" contains "water"; and "triangles" consist of three "edges". Another way to interpret this comic is that Randall actually has these items (or at least some of them) in the boxes and has simply forgotten which boxes contain what.

===Explanation of boxes===
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
!Label
!Explanation
|-
!Box 1
|-
|Grids||
|-
|Bison||{{w|Bison}}, also known as buffalo, are large animals{{Citation needed}} that would probably not fit in the box{{Citation needed}}.
|-
|Checkerboards||
|-
|Fog||{{w|Fog}} is essentially low-lying clouds which, being gaseous, are hard to box using only cardboard.
|-
!Box 2
|-
|Beacons||
|-
|Elves||
|-
|Sand||
|-
!Box 3
|-
|Hemoglobin||
|-
!Box 4
|-
|Water||
|-
|Hooves||
|-
!Box 5
|-
|Shorebirds||
|-
!Box 6
|-
|Oil||
|-
|Vectors||{{w|Vector}}s are not physical objects, so they cannot be put in boxes.
|-
|Silt||
|-
!Box 7
|-
|Membranes||Delicate thin pliable sheet or skin of various kinds. Usually fragile or cut easily. Not something you would expect to be packed with something sharp, which shards are likely to be.
|-
|Shards||Broken pieces of smooth and hard objects, e.g. ceramic, glass, crystal. Something you would normally expect to be thrown out, rather than packed up for moving house.
|-
!Box 8
|-
|Shawls||Simple item of clothing, worn loosly over shoulders. Of rectangular shape, and is supposed to be worn in colder weather, winter.
|-
|Glucose||{{w|Glucose}} is possibly best-known as the sugar plants produce for energy, but can be manufactured.
|-
|Kits||A kit is any set of tools, supplies, and/or instructions for a specific purpose. These could be first aid kits, software development kits, bomb-making kits, sewing kits...
|-
!Box 9
|-
|Hydrants||{{w|Fire Hydrant}}s, which are likely too big to fit n boxes, and is also simply an odd object to be packing into a box.
|-
|Particles||As almost all matter is composed of {{w|particles}}, it is hard to find exceptions. Thus, this is very vague.
|-
|Knots||
|-
!Box 10
|-
|Graphite||
|-
|Taupe|| {{w|Taupe}}, a dark tan color in between brown and gray.
|-
!Box 11
|-
|Field Lines||
|-
!Box 12
|-
|Traps||May be a reference to 'My house is full of traps from [https://what-if.xkcd.com/34// What-If #34]
|-
!Box 13
|-
|Edges||
|-
|Tribes||
|-
|Dough||
|-
!Box 14
|-
|Dark Matter||{{w|Dark Matter}}
|-
!Box 15
|-
|Manifolds||
|-
!Box 16
|-
|Triangles||
|-
|Peat|| {{w|Peat}}, an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation that forms in wetland bogs, moors, mires, and swamps.
|-
|Crowns||
|-
!Box 17
|-
|Scrolls|| {{w|Scroll}}, a roll of papyrus, paper, or parchment that contains writing
|}

According to the title text, when Randall remembers that he is calling movers, he frantically scribbles "Normal House Stuff" on all the boxes. He says this makes the situation worse because the movers see the scribble and become suspicious.

==Transcript==
[A bunch of cardboard boxes stacked up, each labeled]
{| class="wikitable"
| style="visibility:hidden" |
| colspan="2" height="80px" width="80px" |
Grids 
Bison 
Checkerboards 
Fog
| colspan="2" width="80px" height="80px"|
Beacons 
Elves 
Sand
| colspan="2" width="80px" height="80px" |
Hemoglobin
| colspan="2" width="80px" height="80px" |
Water 
Hooves
| style="visibility:hidden" |
|-|
| style="visibility:hidden" |
| colspan="2" width="80px" height="80px" |
Shorebirds
| colspan="2" width="80px" height="80px" |
Oil 
Vectors 
Silt
| colspan="2" width="80px" height="80px" |
Membranes 
Shards
| colspan="2" width="80px" height="80px" |
Shawls 
Glucose 
Kits
| style="visibility:hidden" |
|-|
| style="visibility:hidden" |
| colspan="2" width="80px" height="80px" |
Hydrants 
Particles 
Knots
| colspan="2" width="80px" height="80px" |
Graphite 
Taupe
| colspan="2" width="80px" height="80px" |
Field Lines
| colspan="2" width="80px" height="80px" |
Traps
| style="visibility:hidden" |
|-|
| colspan="2" width="80px" height="80px" |
Edges 
Tribes 
Dough
| colspan="2" width="80px" height="80px" |
Dark Matter
| colspan="2" width="80px" height="80px" |
Manifolds
| colspan="2" width="80px" height="80px" |
Triangles 
Peat 
Crowns
| colspan="2" width="80px" height="80px" |
Scrolls
|}
[A caption:]
I always forget to label my moving boxes until they're sealed up and I've forgotten what's in them.
{{comic discussion}}

1757: November 2016

2016-11-09T14:02:02Z

Pokopolypse: /* Table */

{{comic
| number = 1757
| date = November 9, 2016
| title = November 2016
| image = november_2016.png
| titletext = Once you've done this, make a note of how old they were. Then, when their age reaches double that, show them this chart again.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Need individual explanations.}}
This is yet another comic designed to [[Feel old|make you feel old]]. It lists ages between 16 and 41, and a major event that happened a little over half their life ago. So, for an age of 16 (people born in 2000), it lists the release of GTA IV, which happened in 2008. Thus, GTA IV has been around for the majority of their life. The joke at the end is that people over 41 don't need anything to make them feel old, because they are in fact old and thus already feel so.

The titletext points out that the same chart can be used for the same person much later in their life. However, the major event shifts earlier and earlier into their life; when their age has doubled, the event in the chart has happend in the year of their birth.
year of event(age) = 2016 - age/2
year of event(2*age) = 2016 - (2* age)/2 = 2016-age = year of birth

===Table===
{| class = "wikitable"
! Age
! Birthyear
! Release date
! Thing
! Explanation
|-
| 16
| 2000
| April 29, 2008
| Grand Theft Auto IV
|
|-
| 17
| 1999
| May 2007
| Rickrolling
|
|-
| 18
| 1998
|
| Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Colon Movie Film for Theaters
|
|-
| 19
| 1997
| November 19, 2006
| The Nintendo Wii
|
|-
| 20
| 1996
| March 2006
| Twitter
|
|-
| 21
| 1995
| November 22, 2005 (Xbox),
| The Xbox 360, xkcd
|
|-
| 22
| 1994
|
| Chuck Norris Facts
|
|-
| 23
| 1993
| January 25, 2004
| Opportunity's Mars Exploration
|
|-
| 24
| 1992
| February 4, 2004
| Facebook
|
|-
| 25
| 1991
| April 1, 2004 (Gmail), July 9, 2003 (Pirates of the Caribbean)
| Gmail, Pirates of the Caribbean
|
|-
| 26
| 1990
|
| In da Club
|
|-
| 27
| 1989
| September 20, 2002
| Firefly
|
|-
| 28
| 1988
|
| The War in Afghanistan
|
|-
| 29
| 1987
| 2001
| The iPod
|
|-
| 30
| 1986
|
| Shrek, Wikipedia
|
|-
| 31
| 1985
|
| Those X-Men movies
|
|-
| 32
| 1984
|
| The Sims
|
|-
| 33
| 1983
|
| Autotuned hit songs
|
|-
| 34
| 1982
|
| The Star Wars Prequels
|
|-
| 35
| 1981
|
| The Matrix
|
|-
| 36
| 1980
| 1998 (outside Japan)
| Pokémon Red & Blue
|
|-
| 37
| 1979
|
| Netflix, Harry Potter, Google
|
|-
| 38
| 1978
|
| Deep Blue's Victory
|
|-
| 39
| 1977
|
| Tupac's Death
|
|-
| 40
| 1976
|
| The last Calvin and Hobbes strip
|
|-
| 41
| 1977
|
| Toy Story
|
|-
| >41
| Before 1977
| n/a
| [Don't worry, they've got this covered]
|
|}

==Transcript==

The November 2016
Guide to making people
feel old

[In rectangle]
If they're [age], you say:
"Did you know [thing] has been around for the majority of your life?"

{| class = "wikitable"
! Age
! Thing
|-
| 16
| Grand Theft Auto IV
|-
| 17
| Rickrolling
|-
| 18
| Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters
|-
| 19
| The Nintendo Wii
|-
| 20
| Twitter
|-
| 21
| The Xbox 360, xkcd
|-
| 22
| Chuck Norris Facts
|-
| 23
| Opportunity's Mars Exploration
|-
| 24
| Facebook
|-
| 25
| Gmail, Pirates of the Caribbean
|-
| 26
| In da Club
|-
| 27
| Firefly
|-
| 28
| The War in Afghanistan
|-
| 29
| The iPod
|-
| 30
| Shrek, Wikipedia
|-
| 31
| Those X-Men movies
|-
| 32
| The Sims
|-
| 33
| Autotuned hit songs
|-
| 34
| The Star Wars Prequels
|-
| 35
| The Matrix
|-
| 36
| Pokémon Red & Blue
|-
| 37
| Netflix, Harry Potter, Google
|-
| 38
| Deep Blue's Victory
|-
| 39
| Tupac's Death
|-
| 40
| The last Calvin and Hobbes strip
|-
| 41
| Toy Story
|-
| >41
| [Don't worry, they've got this covered]
|}
{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics to make one feel old]]

1757: November 2016

2016-11-09T13:48:16Z

Pokopolypse: /* Table */

{{comic
| number = 1757
| date = November 9, 2016
| title = November 2016
| image = november_2016.png
| titletext = Once you've done this, make a note of how old they were. Then, when their age reaches double that, show them this chart again.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Need individual explanations.}}
This is yet another comic designed to [[Feel old|make you feel old]]. It lists ages between 16 and 41, and a major event that happened a little over half their life ago. So, for an age of 16 (people born in 2000), it lists the release of GTA IV, which happened in 2008. Thus, GTA IV has been around for the majority of their life. The joke at the end is that people over 41 don't need anything to make them feel old, because they are in fact old and thus already feel so.

The titletext points out that the same chart can be used for the same person much later in their life. However, the major event shifts earlier and earlier into their life; when their age has doubled, the event in the chart has happend in the year of their birth.
year of event(age) = 2016 - age/2
year of event(2*age) = 2016 - (2* age)/2 = 2016-age = year of birth

===Table===
{| class = "wikitable"
! Age
! Birthyear
! Release date
! Thing
! Explanation
|-
| 16
| 2000
| April 29, 2008
| Grand Theft Auto IV
|
|-
| 17
| 1999
| May 2007
| Rickrolling
|
|-
| 18
| 1998
|
| Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Colon Movie Film for Theaters
|
|-
| 19
| 1997
| November 19, 2006
| The Nintendo Wii
|
|-
| 20
| 1996
| March 2016
| Twitter
|
|-
| 21
| 1995
| November 22, 2005 (Xbox),
| The Xbox 360, xkcd
|
|-
| 22
| 1994
|
| Chuck Norris Facts
|
|-
| 23
| 1993
| January 25, 2004
| Opportunity's Mars Exploration
|
|-
| 24
| 1992
| February 4, 2004
| Facebook
|
|-
| 25
| 1991
|
| Gmail, Pirates of the Caribbean
|
|-
| 26
| 1990
|
| In da Club
|
|-
| 27
| 1989
|
| Firefly
|
|-
| 28
| 1988
|
| The War in Afghanistan
|
|-
| 29
| 1987
| 2001
| The iPod
|
|-
| 30
| 1986
|
| Shrek, Wikipedia
|
|-
| 31
| 1985
|
| Those X-Men movies
|
|-
| 32
| 1984
|
| The Sims
|
|-
| 33
| 1983
|
| Autotuned hit songs
|
|-
| 34
| 1982
|
| The Star Wars Prequels
|
|-
| 35
| 1981
|
| The Matrix
|
|-
| 36
| 1980
| 1998 (outside Japan)
| Pokémon Red & Blue
|
|-
| 37
| 1979
|
| Netflix, Harry Potter, Google
|
|-
| 38
| 1978
|
| Deep Blue's Victory
|
|-
| 39
| 1977
|
| Tupac's Death
|
|-
| 40
| 1976
|
| The last Calvin and Hobbes strip
|
|-
| 41
| 1977
|
| Toy Story
|
|-
| >41
| Before 1977
| n/a
| [Don't worry, they've got this covered]
|
|}

==Transcript==

The November 2016
Guide to making people
feel old

[In rectangle]
If they're [age], you say:
"Did you know [thing] has been around for the majority of your life?"

{| class = "wikitable"
! Age
! Thing
|-
| 16
| Grand Theft Auto IV
|-
| 17
| Rickrolling
|-
| 18
| Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters
|-
| 19
| The Nintendo Wii
|-
| 20
| Twitter
|-
| 21
| The Xbox 360, xkcd
|-
| 22
| Chuck Norris Facts
|-
| 23
| Opportunity's Mars Exploration
|-
| 24
| Facebook
|-
| 25
| Gmail, Pirates of the Caribbean
|-
| 26
| In da Club
|-
| 27
| Firefly
|-
| 28
| The War in Afghanistan
|-
| 29
| The iPod
|-
| 30
| Shrek, Wikipedia
|-
| 31
| Those X-Men movies
|-
| 32
| The Sims
|-
| 33
| Autotuned hit songs
|-
| 34
| The Star Wars Prequels
|-
| 35
| The Matrix
|-
| 36
| Pokémon Red & Blue
|-
| 37
| Netflix, Harry Potter, Google
|-
| 38
| Deep Blue's Victory
|-
| 39
| Tupac's Death
|-
| 40
| The last Calvin and Hobbes strip
|-
| 41
| Toy Story
|-
| >41
| [Don't worry, they've got this covered]
|}
{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics to make one feel old]]

1757: November 2016

2016-11-09T13:41:14Z

Pokopolypse: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1757
| date = November 9, 2016
| title = November 2016
| image = november_2016.png
| titletext = Once you've done this, make a note of how old they were. Then, when their age reaches double that, show them this chart again.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Need individual explanations.}}
This is yet another comic designed to [[Feel old|make you feel old]]. It lists ages between 16 and 41, and a major event that happened a little over half their life ago. So, for an age of 16 (people born in 2000), it lists the release of GTA IV, which happened in 2008. Thus, GTA IV has been around for the majority of their life. The joke at the end is that people over 41 don't need anything to make them feel old, because they are in fact old and thus already feel so.

The titletext points out that the same chart can be used for the same person much later in their life. However, the major event shifts earlier and earlier into their life; when their age has doubled, the event in the chart has happend in the year of their birth.
year of event(age) = 2016 - age/2
year of event(2*age) = 2016 - (2* age)/2 = 2016-age = year of birth

===Table===
{| class = "wikitable"
! Age
! Birthyear
! Release date
! Thing
! Explanation
|-
| 16
| 2000
| 2008
| Grand Theft Auto IV
|
|-
| 17
| 1999
|
| Rickrolling
|
|-
| 18
| 1998
|
| Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Colon Movie Film for Theaters
|
|-
| 19
| 1997
| 2006
| The Nintendo Wii
|
|-
| 20
| 1996
|
| Twitter
|
|-
| 21
| 1995
|
| The Xbox 360, xkcd
|
|-
| 22
| 1994
|
| Chuck Norris Facts
|
|-
| 23
| 1993
|
| Opportunity's Mars Exploration
|
|-
| 24
| 1992
|
| Facebook
|
|-
| 25
| 1991
|
| Gmail, Pirates of the Caribbean
|
|-
| 26
| 1990
|
| In da Club
|
|-
| 27
| 1989
|
| Firefly
|
|-
| 28
| 1988
|
| The War in Afghanistan
|
|-
| 29
| 1987
| 2001
| The iPod
|
|-
| 30
| 1986
|
| Shrek, Wikipedia
|
|-
| 31
| 1985
|
| Those X-Men movies
|
|-
| 32
| 1984
|
| The Sims
|
|-
| 33
| 1983
|
| Autotuned hit songs
|
|-
| 34
| 1982
|
| The Star Wars Prequels
|
|-
| 35
| 1981
|
| The Matrix
|
|-
| 36
| 1980
| 1998 (outside Japan)
| Pokémon Red & Blue
|
|-
| 37
| 1979
|
| Netflix, Harry Potter, Google
|
|-
| 38
| 1978
|
| Deep Blue's Victory
|
|-
| 39
| 1977
|
| Tupac's Death
|
|-
| 40
| 1976
|
| The last Calvin and Hobbes strip
|
|-
| 41
| 1977
|
| Toy Story
|
|-
| >41
| Before 1977
| n/a
| [Don't worry, they've got this covered]
|
|}

==Transcript==

The November 2016
Guide to making people
feel old

[In rectangle]
If they're [age], you say:
"Did you know [thing] has been around for the majority of your life?"

{| class = "wikitable"
! Age
! Thing
|-
| 16
| Grand Theft Auto IV
|-
| 17
| Rickrolling
|-
| 18
| Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters
|-
| 19
| The Nintendo Wii
|-
| 20
| Twitter
|-
| 21
| The Xbox 360, xkcd
|-
| 22
| Chuck Norris Facts
|-
| 23
| Opportunity's Mars Exploration
|-
| 24
| Facebook
|-
| 25
| Gmail, Pirates of the Caribbean
|-
| 26
| In da Club
|-
| 27
| Firefly
|-
| 28
| The War in Afghanistan
|-
| 29
| The iPod
|-
| 30
| Shrek, Wikipedia
|-
| 31
| Those X-Men movies
|-
| 32
| The Sims
|-
| 33
| Autotuned hit songs
|-
| 34
| The Star Wars Prequels
|-
| 35
| The Matrix
|-
| 36
| Pokémon Red & Blue
|-
| 37
| Netflix, Harry Potter, Google
|-
| 38
| Deep Blue's Victory
|-
| 39
| Tupac's Death
|-
| 40
| The last Calvin and Hobbes strip
|-
| 41
| Toy Story
|-
| >41
| [Don't worry, they've got this covered]
|}
{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics to make one feel old]]

1716: Time Travel Thesis

2016-11-08T01:33:43Z

Pokopolypse: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1716
| date = August 5, 2016
| title = Time Travel Thesis
| image = time_travel_thesis.png
| titletext = 'Hey, what are those futuristic goggles for, anyway?' 'Oh, this is just a broken Google Glass. It was 2010's night at the club.'
}}

==Explanation==

{{incomplete | Explanation can be scaled back to mention that closed loop and time paradoxes are not real since time travelers can predict outcome of conversation that may never take place}}

[[Cueball]] has apparently been reading about {{w|time travel}}. He tells [[Megan]] about this, and Megan excitedly remarks that she did her college thesis on time travel which basically means that she is supposed to know a lot more about time travel than a guy who has just been "reading" about it.

Cueball, however, continues to ask her if she knows basic facts about time travel, like he is investigating if he has discovered facets about it that she would have overlooked while writing a thesis about it. Megan keeps trying to say that since she wrote a '''Time Travel Thesis''', (hence the title of the comic), she already knows all of this and much, much more, and she is obviously getting frustrated by Cueball's attempts to impress her with his "knowledge".

At this point Megan's future-self arrives with a ''Bzzzzt'', having used time travel to arrive at this exact moment in time. It seem she has continued her research and has successfully managed to make a time machine.

The reason she arrives is only to tell her younger self that this conversation with Cueball doesn't go anywhere and isn't important, and so present-Megan can leave and not waste her time anymore. Up till then, Megan was presumably reluctant to break off a conversation on the topic of time travel, since the conversation could potentially have improved, or maybe she was even at first attracted to Cueball and interested because he at least had read about time travel. But once the conversation began to run off track, it came as a relief to know that she could quit without the risk of missing out on anything important. Also, since Megan took the effort to time travel back to this exact moment, that must mean the conversation was so boring and uneventful she kept regretting having this conversation even far into the future to the point where she remembers it as one of the moments that need to be changed with her acquired time travel abilities.

And then she just walks away with her future-self leaving Cueball hanging in the last panel, having invented a completely new way to get out of useless/boring conversations.

Alternatively, future-Megan just makes an excuse to haul present-Megan off in order to prevent the latter from disclosing some details of time travel science to Cueball, which could have unintended consequences. However, using very advanced technology, or even violating physics law, for ''very mundane'' ends is very common in xkcd, so using time travel to prevent useless conversation is not surprising from Megan.

In either case, future-Megan finished this conversation before inventing time travel, and thus knows this conversation's outcome. So by coming back, she now changes her own (and Cueball's) future. Of course the general implications of being able to travel like this are enormous, and the paradoxes arising from such a possibility are endless, the most pressing (at the moment) being the {{w|Grandfather paradox|grandfather paradox}}, where a time traveler creates circumstances that negate their existence (such as killing their own grandfather), in this case, Older Meagan going back in time to stop Younger Megan from finishing this conversation, who will eventually become Older Megan but with no reason to go back to tell Younger Megan to stop this boring conversation. It is worth noting, however, that the comic does not inherently cause a paradox: so long as the Megan who ''didn't'' finish the conversation stills travels back in time with the ''knowledge'' that the conversation needed to be stopped and still saves her younger self from wasting her time, a time loop can be logically sustained. (It is also worth noting that a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XayNKY944lY&ab_channel=minutephysics "Mobius" time loop] is also perfectly possible, the grandfather paradox isn't a paradox if quantum entanglement is taken into account - something Megan would no doubt know)

It is possible that [[Randall]] may have had some conversations like this, where after having spent a lot of time getting nothing out of it himself, would have wished his future self had come back to tell him to just leave the conversation now.

In the title text present-Megan asks future-Megan about her futuristic googles and what they are for, presumably assuming they are needed for the time travel (maybe it is the backpack?). People from the future wearing weird clothing, often involving eyewear of some sort is a trope in Science-Fiction. Movies like Back to the Future 2 which tried to predict the fashion of 2015 back in 1989 didn't get it right, so this might be a commentary on those movies. However it turns out it's just some old and broken {{w|Google Glass}}. The only reason future Megan wears these is that she attended a party at the club that had a 2010's night theme. The fact that the Google Glass is broken and from 2010 alludes to Randall believing that the project was a fad that and that it will never pan out, even in the future. Indeed that seems to be the case. It seems generally that Randall is no fan of Google Glass, which was also shown earlier in [[1251: Anti-Glass]] and later again in [[1304: Glass Trolling]]. Google Glass has become a [[:Category:Google Glass|recurring theme]] in xkcd.

This is an indication of how far from the future she has traveled, as Google Glass was first released in the 2010s. It is not clear whether she is wearing Google Glass because it became popular in the 2010s or because it was an esoteric piece of hardware that people would readily associate with the 2010s. Also a 90s party may be thrown today, but not a 2000s party. So it is safe to assume that Megan is at least from the 2030s. Also people attending retro dress-up parties frequently make mistakes and do not dress up exactly in-style, creating some anachronisms, especially if they dress up like they did many years ago.

==Transcript==
:[Cueball is facing Megan, talking to her.]
:Cueball: I've been reading about time travel.
:Megan: Cool! I did my thesis on time travel!

:[Cueball is now gesturing toward Megan. An electrical charge of some sort is shown occurring outside the panel in the bottom right corner behind Megan.]
:Cueball: Nice! So you know about closed timelike curves?
:Megan: Yup. Thesis.
:Cueball: Apparently wormholes can use exotic matter to–
:Megan: I know. Like I said–
:Charge: <big>''Bzzzt!''</big>

:[Megan has turned away from Cueball to the right. Megan from the future, wearing sunglasses, a headset and a machine strapped to her back has entered the frame from the right where the charge appeared.]
:Future-Megan: You can skip this conversation. It doesn't turn out to be important.
:Megan: Oh, thank God.

:[Cueball is standing alone, the two Megans have left the panel.]

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Time travel]]
[[Category:Google Glass]]

1756: I'm With Her

2016-11-08T00:53:39Z

Pokopolypse: /* How to help */

{{comic
| number = 1756
| date = November 7, 2016
| title = I'm With Her
| image = im_with_her.png
| titletext = We can do this.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete| Title text - is that also a Hillary slogan? Explanation of the phone number and the reminder in the [[#How to help|table]]!}}
In this serious, ''no joke'', comic released the day before the {{w|2016 United States presidential election}}, [[Randall]] urges his American viewership to vote, and shows his {{w|Political endorsement|endorsement}} for {{w|Hillary Clinton}}, the {{w|US Democratic Party|Democratic}} nominee in the election. She is up against the {{w|US Republican Party|Republican}} nominee {{w|Donald Trump}}.

The "H" with an arrow is {{w|Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, 2016|Clinton's campaign}} logo, and '''I'm with her''' is an official slogan of the campaign and it is thus widely used by her supporters, and explains the title and the caption below the H. Randall then lists tips to help you cast your vote, [[#How to help|see table below]]. This suggests he is invested in the election. Clinton herself may be represented by [[Blondie]] sitting on top of the H looking out at the reader as the only of the 11 characters (see [[#Character gallery|character gallery]] below).

It is the second time Randall refers to this election, the first being [[1748: Future Archaeology]] three weeks before the election, but here it was just a wish to know the result using time travel (of course he did not learn the result...)

This is the first time Randall has used a comic to directly support a presidential campaign, although he did [https://blog.xkcd.com/2008/01/28/obama/ endorse] {{w|Barack Obama}} in 2008 on his [[Blag]]. He wrote himself later that it was very controversial when he endorsed Obama, but that is was not the most [[388:_Fuck_Grapefruit#Controversy|controversial he had published]] at that time. This comic might take that price now, given that this is likely one of the most discussed elections ever, especially in the rest of the world outside the US, where for instance European leaders have made it clear that they are against Trump. That was mainly earlier on, before they realized he might actually stand a chance of winning.

It is not given from this comic that Randall is a fan of Hillary Clinton, but rather that he is afraid of what will become of US, the world and the {{w|climate}} if Donald Trump wins. Donald Trump is an acclaimed {{w|climate change denier}}, and with a comic like this: [[1732: Earth Temperature Timeline]], published less than two month before the election, and the general [[:Category:Climate change|comics on Climate change]] it is no wonder Randall fears a president which {{w|Donald_Trump#Healthcare.2C_education_and_environment|publicly distrust}} human caused {{w|global warming}}.

All the information on the bottom half of the comic includes sites, numbers, info, etc that will help US voters to vote, regardless of for whom they will vote for. Including this information helps voters because every election many voters don't vote because they feel they don't know how or that it isn't worth it. It seems like Randall doesn't want the US election to have some of the same problems that the {{w|Brexit}} vote had (where many voters opposed to exiting the EU didn't vote for one reason or another).

The title text states that "We can do this" refers to Randall's wish that the democratic voters united can put Hillary in the White House rather than Trump. It is possible to [https://www.lookhuman.com/design/86542-hillary-clinton-we-can-do-it/tshirt buy t-shirts] with the famed {{w|We Can Do It!}} logo from the war time poster, but with Hillary Clinton in the famed position. However it is not the "We can do this" sentence Randall uses.

==How to help==
The list of things that can help, is all about getting people to vote. This could be interpreted as if Randall just wished people to support the democracy and use their right to vote. But with the endorsement of Clinton in the main comic, there can be now doubt that he means that these advices should help Clinton. Generally the people who are most likely to refrain from voting, would vote for the Democrats if they get registered and make it to the polls. So getting more people to vote is likely to help Clinton. In general, however, it is likely that Randall always would wish for more voters to support the democracy by actually voting.

Here are Randall's lists four suggestion for how to help Hillary Clinton winning the election:
{|class="wikitable"
!What to do
!How to do it
!Explanation
|-
|Vote
|[https://iwillvote.com/ iwillvote.com]
|A site to look up polling location, ID requirements, etc.
|-
|Get a ride to the polls:
|[http://www.drive2vote.org/ drive2vote.org]
|For voters in Douglas or Sarpy County, Nebraska, who need a ride to the polls from {{w|Warren Buffett}} or his friends.
|-
|If you're having problems voting
|866-OUR-VOTE
|In many states, racism or other biases on the part of people running polling places is a real issue for minorities. Though it is illegal in theory, people may lie or deny rights to would-be-voters who they believe will not vote for the candidate they agree with. In some instances, these people may require backup from someone with legal understanding to get to vote, which is a service this phone number provides. Since Donald Trump has had a history of racist remarks, Randall may want to empower minorities because he believes they will more likely try to vote for Hillary. More likely, he is trying to protect due democratic process. The phone number written out as numbers is (866) 687-8683
|-
|Experimental social turnout project
|[http://www.civicinnovation.com/ civicinnovation.com] App Store: VoteWithMe
|An app which "gives you a list of the top 10 highest-impact potential voters in your address book to get in touch with -- based on the likelihood that they support progressive candidates, and that they live in states with the most competitive races". This app is for Android and iOS, with the App Store ID as "VoteWithMe". The "VoteWithMe" app is created by Civic Innovation Works and "uses publicly available voter records to predict which of your contacts are likely to support Democratic candidates, but might not have a plan to vote", as it says on its [https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/votewithme/id1170104517/ App Store Page].
|-
|Reminder:
|If you're in line when the polls close, they have to let you vote.
|This is correct. Being turned down for trying to vote after the polling place is officially closed might be an instance where you want to use the phone number mentioned above.
|}

==Character gallery==
The comic show a gallery of 11 xkcd characters including all the main characters from xkcd (except [[Hairy]]), which stand united behind Randall and Clinton despite their lack of agreement in many other comics.

*From left to right on the left side of the H are:
**[[Ponytail]] with a ray gun for melting computers, (the one she also wielded in [[322: Pix Plz]], a comic where she was named Joanna)
**[[Black Hat]] (who was the one introducing Joanna/Ponytail in the mentioned comic)
**[[Danish]] (Black Hat's girlfriend setting up a kite for him, although it could be Megan, but she is also shown later with her regular shorter hair). However it has mainly been Megan in comics with kites, like [[235: Kite]] and [[1614: Kites]]. Kites are a [[:Category:Kites|recurring theme]] on xkcd.
**[[White Hat]] looking at the kite.
*On top of the H are:
**[[Blondie]] (looking out at us, maybe representing Clinton herself)
**[[Megan]] (next to Cueball)
**[[Cueball]] (forming the standard couple in xkcd with Megan)
**[[Hairbun]] with glasses (so specifically not the one from the previous comic [[1755: Old Days]], but rather like in [[1637: Salt Mine]]).
*On the right side of the H are:
**[[Science Girl]] (The adult version of her, is holding her hand out towards a cute squirrel. Of course she could also be the girl from [[635: Locke and Demosthenes]] where the squirrel is poisoned...)
**[[Beret Guy]] is holding a squirrel out towards Science Girl. (The first time squirrels was mentioned was actually when Beret Guy found them in a tree in [[167: Nihilism]] and since then they have become a [[:Category:Squirrels|recurring theme]] on xkcd and a similar squirrel can for instance be seen in [[1503: Squirrel Plan]]. Beret Guy has not been seen together with a squirrel before, but has been shown to care for animals, for instance in [[614: Woodpecker]]).
**[[:Category:Multiple Cueballs|Another Cueball]] is standing on an office chair wielding a sword as he was shown in [[303: Compiling]]. (Interestingly enough the previous comic [[1755: Old Days]] was about Cueball asking Hairbun about {{w|compiling}} in the old days. Seems realistic that Randall has this comic ready for this Monday before the election for some time, and when finding this 9 year old version of Cueball in the old comics, he may have gotten inspired to make a comic about compiling in the old days).

Note that the two characters at either side of the comic wields weapons pointing out defending the other nine. Those next to the characters with weapons are doing recreational things like kiting and admiring adorable squirrels, both are recurring subjects in xkcd.

==Transcript==
:[Eleven characters are drawn left, right and on top of a huge H with an arrow as the horizontal bar connecting the two vertical towers. The arrow breaks the right part of the H. It represents the logo from Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign for 2016. From left to right on the left side of the H are Ponytail with an exotic looking futuristic ray gun like weapon looking to the left away from the H and the others. Behind her is Black Hat who looks at a girl that might be Danish or Megan (but with longer hair than Megan typically has). She is setting up a kite that flies above the first two characters. Behind her and looking up at the kite is White Hat. The H is right behind him, and on top of the left tower of the H sits Blondie looking straight out at the reader with her legs dangling over the edge and her arms resting on her knees. On the arrow between the two H towers sits Megan leaning against the left H tower, also dangling her legs over the edge and arms resting on her knees. Cueball is standing to her right, just left of the right H tower. On top of the right H towers sits Hairbun with glasses looking straight right with her legs dangling over the edge one arm resting on a knee and leaning back on the other arm. On the right side of the H is an adult version of Science Girl holding a hand out towards the squirrel which Beret Guy is holding out in both arms towards her. Behind them is another Cueball standing on an office chair holding a sword high up in front of him to the right away from the others. He keeps his balance by holding his other arm out behind him. Below the H there is a large caption.]
:<big><big><big>H</big></big></big>
: <big><big>I'm with her.</big></big>

:[Below the panel there are several lines of text. The first header line refers to the next four lines with solutions to problems, title/problem on one side then a long dash and the web-link or other information on the right side of that. Below those there is a reminder.]
:<big>How to help</big>
:Vote - iwillvote.com
:Get a ride to the polls - drive2vote.org
:If you're having problems voting - 866-OUR-VOTE
:Experimental social turnout project - civicinnovation.com App Store: VoteWithMe

:<big>Reminder:</big>
:If you're in line when the polls close, they have to let you vote.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Black Hat]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Danish]]
[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Blondie]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairbun]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Science Girl]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]
[[Category:Comics featuring politicians]] 
[[Category:Multiple Cueballs]]
[[Category:Politics]]
[[Category:Kites]]
[[Category:Squirrels]]

1756: I'm With Her

2016-11-08T00:42:17Z

Pokopolypse: /* How to help */

{{comic
| number = 1756
| date = November 7, 2016
| title = I'm With Her
| image = im_with_her.png
| titletext = We can do this.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete| Title text - is that also a Hillary slogan? Explanation of the phone number and the reminder in the [[#How to help|table]]!}}
In this serious, ''no joke'', comic released the day before the {{w|2016 United States presidential election}}, [[Randall]] urges his American viewership to vote, and shows his {{w|Political endorsement|endorsement}} for {{w|Hillary Clinton}}, the {{w|US Democratic Party|Democratic}} nominee in the election. She is up against the {{w|US Republican Party|Republican}} nominee {{w|Donald Trump}}.

The "H" with an arrow is {{w|Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, 2016|Clinton's campaign}} logo, and '''I'm with her''' is an official slogan of the campaign and it is thus widely used by her supporters, and explains the title and the caption below the H. Randall then lists tips to help you cast your vote, [[#How to help|see table below]]. This suggests he is invested in the election. Clinton herself may be represented by [[Blondie]] sitting on top of the H looking out at the reader as the only of the 11 characters (see [[#Character gallery|character gallery]] below).

It is the second time Randall refers to this election, the first being [[1748: Future Archaeology]] three weeks before the election, but here it was just a wish to know the result using time travel (of course he did not learn the result...)

This is the first time Randall has used a comic to directly support a presidential campaign, although he did [https://blog.xkcd.com/2008/01/28/obama/ endorse] {{w|Barack Obama}} in 2008 on his [[Blag]]. He wrote himself later that it was very controversial when he endorsed Obama, but that is was not the most [[388:_Fuck_Grapefruit#Controversy|controversial he had published]] at that time. This comic might take that price now, given that this is likely one of the most discussed elections ever, especially in the rest of the world outside the US, where for instance European leaders have made it clear that they are against Trump. That was mainly earlier on, before they realized he might actually stand a chance of winning.

It is not given from this comic that Randall is a fan of Hillary Clinton, but rather that he is afraid of what will become of US, the world and the {{w|climate}} if Donald Trump wins. Donald Trump is an acclaimed {{w|climate change denier}}, and with a comic like this: [[1732: Earth Temperature Timeline]], published less than two month before the election, and the general [[:Category:Climate change|comics on Climate change]] it is no wonder Randall fears a president which {{w|Donald_Trump#Healthcare.2C_education_and_environment|publicly distrust}} human caused {{w|global warming}}.

All the information on the bottom half of the comic includes sites, numbers, info, etc that will help US voters to vote, regardless of for whom they will vote for. Including this information helps voters because every election many voters don't vote because they feel they don't know how or that it isn't worth it. It seems like Randall doesn't want the US election to have some of the same problems that the {{w|Brexit}} vote had (where many voters opposed to exiting the EU didn't vote for one reason or another).

The title text states that "We can do this" refers to Randall's wish that the democratic voters united can put Hillary in the White House rather than Trump. It is possible to [https://www.lookhuman.com/design/86542-hillary-clinton-we-can-do-it/tshirt buy t-shirts] with the famed {{w|We Can Do It!}} logo from the war time poster, but with Hillary Clinton in the famed position. However it is not the "We can do this" sentence Randall uses.

==How to help==
The list of things that can help, is all about getting people to vote. This could be interpreted as if Randall just wished people to support the democracy and use their right to vote. But with the endorsement of Clinton in the main comic, there can be now doubt that he means that these advices should help Clinton. Generally the people who are most likely to refrain from voting, would vote for the Democrats if they get registered and make it to the polls. So getting more people to vote is likely to help Clinton. In general, however, it is likely that Randall always would wish for more voters to support the democracy by actually voting.

Here are Randall's lists four suggestion for how to help Hillary Clinton winning the election:
{|class="wikitable"
!What to do
!How to do it
!Explanation
|-
|Vote
|[https://iwillvote.com/ iwillvote.com]
|A site to look up polling location, ID requirements, etc.
|-
|Get a ride to the polls:
|[http://www.drive2vote.org/ drive2vote.org]
|For voters in Douglas or Sarpy County, Nebraska, who need a ride to the polls from {{w|Warren Buffett}} or his friends.
|-
|If you're having problems voting
|866-OUR-VOTE
|Phone number: (866) 687-8683
|-
|Experimental social turnout project
|[http://www.civicinnovation.com/ civicinnovation.com] App Store: VoteWithMe
|An app which "gives you a list of the top 10 highest-impact potential voters in your address book to get in touch with -- based on the likelihood that they support progressive candidates, and that they live in states with the most competitive races". This app is for Android and iOS, with the App Store ID as "VoteWithMe". The "VoteWithMe" app is created by Civic Innovation Works and "uses publicly available voter records to predict which of your contacts are likely to support Democratic candidates, but might not have a plan to vote", as it says on its [https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/votewithme/id1170104517/ App Store Page].
|-
|Reminder:
|If you're in line when the polls close, they have to let you vote.
|This is correct. Being turned down for trying to vote after the polling place is officially closed might be an instance where you want to use the phone number mentioned above.
|}

==Character gallery==
The comic show a gallery of 11 xkcd characters including all the main characters from xkcd (except [[Hairy]]), which stand united behind Randall and Clinton despite their lack of agreement in many other comics.

*From left to right on the left side of the H are:
**[[Ponytail]] with a ray gun for melting computers, (the one she also wielded in [[322: Pix Plz]], a comic where she was named Joanna)
**[[Black Hat]] (who was the one introducing Joanna/Ponytail in the mentioned comic)
**[[Danish]] (Black Hat's girlfriend setting up a kite for him, although it could be Megan, but she is also shown later with her regular shorter hair). However it has mainly been Megan in comics with kites, like [[235: Kite]] and [[1614: Kites]]. Kites are a [[:Category:Kites|recurring theme]] on xkcd.
**[[White Hat]] looking at the kite.
*On top of the H are:
**[[Blondie]] (looking out at us, maybe representing Clinton herself)
**[[Megan]] (next to Cueball)
**[[Cueball]] (forming the standard couple in xkcd with Megan)
**[[Hairbun]] with glasses (so specifically not the one from the previous comic [[1755: Old Days]], but rather like in [[1637: Salt Mine]]).
*On the right side of the H are:
**[[Science Girl]] (The adult version of her, is holding her hand out towards a cute squirrel. Of course she could also be the girl from [[635: Locke and Demosthenes]] where the squirrel is poisoned...)
**[[Beret Guy]] is holding a squirrel out towards Science Girl. (The first time squirrels was mentioned was actually when Beret Guy found them in a tree in [[167: Nihilism]] and since then they have become a [[:Category:Squirrels|recurring theme]] on xkcd and a similar squirrel can for instance be seen in [[1503: Squirrel Plan]]. Beret Guy has not been seen together with a squirrel before, but has been shown to care for animals, for instance in [[614: Woodpecker]]).
**[[:Category:Multiple Cueballs|Another Cueball]] is standing on an office chair wielding a sword as he was shown in [[303: Compiling]]. (Interestingly enough the previous comic [[1755: Old Days]] was about Cueball asking Hairbun about {{w|compiling}} in the old days. Seems realistic that Randall has this comic ready for this Monday before the election for some time, and when finding this 9 year old version of Cueball in the old comics, he may have gotten inspired to make a comic about compiling in the old days).

Note that the two characters at either side of the comic wields weapons pointing out defending the other nine. Those next to the characters with weapons are doing recreational things like kiting and admiring adorable squirrels, both are recurring subjects in xkcd.

==Transcript==
:[Eleven characters are drawn left, right and on top of a huge H with an arrow as the horizontal bar connecting the two vertical towers. The arrow breaks the right part of the H. It represents the logo from Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign for 2016. From left to right on the left side of the H are Ponytail with an exotic looking futuristic ray gun like weapon looking to the left away from the H and the others. Behind her is Black Hat who looks at a girl that might be Danish or Megan (but with longer hair than Megan typically has). She is setting up a kite that flies above the first two characters. Behind her and looking up at the kite is White Hat. The H is right behind him, and on top of the left tower of the H sits Blondie looking straight out at the reader with her legs dangling over the edge and her arms resting on her knees. On the arrow between the two H towers sits Megan leaning against the left H tower, also dangling her legs over the edge and arms resting on her knees. Cueball is standing to her right, just left of the right H tower. On top of the right H towers sits Hairbun with glasses looking straight right with her legs dangling over the edge one arm resting on a knee and leaning back on the other arm. On the right side of the H is an adult version of Science Girl holding a hand out towards the squirrel which Beret Guy is holding out in both arms towards her. Behind them is another Cueball standing on an office chair holding a sword high up in front of him to the right away from the others. He keeps his balance by holding his other arm out behind him. Below the H there is a large caption.]
:<big><big><big>H</big></big></big>
: <big><big>I'm with her.</big></big>

:[Below the panel there are several lines of text. The first header line refers to the next four lines with solutions to problems, title/problem on one side then a long dash and the web-link or other information on the right side of that. Below those there is a reminder.]
:<big>How to help</big>
:Vote - iwillvote.com
:Get a ride to the polls - drive2vote.org
:If you're having problems voting - 866-OUR-VOTE
:Experimental social turnout project - civicinnovation.com App Store: VoteWithMe

:<big>Reminder:</big>
:If you're in line when the polls close, they have to let you vote.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Black Hat]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Danish]]
[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Blondie]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairbun]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Science Girl]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]
[[Category:Comics featuring politicians]] 
[[Category:Multiple Cueballs]]
[[Category:Politics]]
[[Category:Kites]]
[[Category:Squirrels]]