explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

2941: Cell Organelles

2024-06-03T22:00:24Z

Purah126: Make the joke explanations better

{{comic
| number = 2941
| date = June 3, 2024
| title = Cell Organelles
| image = cell_organelles_2x.png
| imagesize = 563x451px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = It's believed that Golgi was originally an independent organism who was eventually absorbed into our cells, where he began work on his Apparatus.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a GOLGI ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

This comic depicts a cell diagram with a mix of real and fictional organelles, blending accurate biological terms with misplaced or absurd labels. While it includes actual cell components like the nucleus, mitochondria, and Golgi apparatus, it also inserts unrelated concepts from various fields such as geology, engineering, software, and pop culture. Terms like "evil endoplasmic reticulum" and "sticky endoplasmic reticulum" add a whimsical twist to familiar scientific terms. The comic plays on the complexity and diversity of cell structures by mixing in unrelated and humorous terms, highlighting the often confusing and intricate nature of scientific diagrams with clever wordplay and cross-disciplinary jokes.

The title text adds a humorous and fictional backstory to the Golgi apparatus, an essential cell organelle involved in processing and packaging proteins. It playfully suggests that Camillo Golgi, the scientist who discovered the Golgi apparatus, was originally an independent organism. This organism was supposedly absorbed into our cells, where it then started working on what is now known as the Golgi apparatus. The joke is a satirical take on {{w|Symbiogenesis|endosymbiotic theory}}, which posits that certain organelles within eukaryotic cells, like mitochondria and chloroplasts, originated from independent symbiotic prokaryotic organisms that were absorbed by a host cell. Golgi appears to be depicted in the comic as a tiny alien being.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Label
! Meaning
! Real?
! Cell organelle?
! Explanation
|-
| {{w|Carbonation}}
| Carbon dioxide dissolved in a liquid.
| Yes
| No
| The process that causes soda and similar things to bubble.
|-
| {{w|Cellophane}}
| A thin, transparent sheet made of regenerated cellulose.
| Yes
| No
| A type of packaging material.
|-
| {{w|Chloroplasts}} if you're lucky
| Organelles in plant cells responsible for photosynthesis.
| Yes
| Yes
| Actual cell organelles, only found in plant cells. However, these shouldn't be found in animal cells like the one depicted. The phrase "if you're lucky" humorously suggests that these could be something much more dangerous than misplaced plant organelles.
|-
| Drain plug
| A stopper for a drain.
| Yes
| Conceivably
| Plumbing term. Could conceivably refer to a {{w|ion channel pore|pore}} or excretion duct.
|-
| Evil endoplasmic reticulum
| Not a real term.
| No
| No
| A humorous twist on the different types of actual {{w|endoplasmic reticulum}}, implying a malevolent version.
|-
| Golgi
| {{w|Camillo Golgi}} (1843–1926) was an Italian biologist and pathologist known for his works on the central nervous system, for whom the Golgi apparatus is named.
| Yes
| No
| The real Golgi isn't/wasn't a tiny alien being who merged with our cells as the depiction and title text implies.
|-
| {{w|Golgi apparatus}}
| A complex of vesicles and folded membranes involved in secretion and intracellular transport.
| Yes
| Yes
| Actual cell organelle.
|-
| Human skin
| The outer covering of the human body.
| Yes
| No
| Skin cells aren't normally inside cells{{cn}}.
|-
| {{w|Hypoallergenic}} filling
| Materials that do not cause allergic reactions.
| Yes
| No
| Consumer product term.
|-
| {{w|Lithosphere}}
| The rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.
| Yes
| No
| Term from geology, It is part of the Earth's crust.
|-
| {{w|Mantle}} 
| The layer of the earth between the crust and the core.
| Yes
| No
| Misplaced geological term. Many other meanings.
|-
| {{w|Midichlorians}}
| Fictional microorganisms in the {{w|Star Wars}} universe, which confer Force sensitivity.
| Yes
| Fictional
| Unclear whether {{w|George Lucas}} intended for "midi-chlorians" to be {{w|Symbiogenesis|endosymbiotic organelles}} or internal {{w|Symbiosis|symbionts}}.
|-
| {{w|Mitochondria}}
| Organelles that generate energy for the cell.
| Yes
| Yes
| Actual cell organelles, known as the "powerhouse of the cell."
|-
| Natural flavor
| Flavoring derived from natural sources.
| Yes
| Conceivably
| A common ingredient on labels. Is used as an euphenism for many things.
|-
| {{w|Norton AntiVirus}}
| A software product designed to protect computers from malware.
| Yes
| No
| Computer viruses and biological viruses are completely different, and systems designed to counter one generally don't work for the other.
|-
| {{w|Nucleolus}}
| A small dense spherical structure in the nucleus of a cell during interphase.
| Yes
| Yes
| Actual cell organelle, involved in ribosome production.
|-
| Nucleoloulous
| Not a real term.
| No
| No
| A humorous continuation of the terms "nucleus" and "nucleolus."
|-
| {{w|Cell nucleus|Nucleus}}
| The central and most important part of an object, forming the basis for its activity and growth.
| Yes
| Yes
| Actual cell organelle which houses genetic material.
|-
| {{w|Nucleons}}
| Protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.
| Yes
| No
| The depicted circles are far too big to be actual nucleons.
|-
| {{w|O-ring}}
| A mechanical gasket in the shape of a torus; used to seal connections.
| Yes
| No
| Engineering term.
|-
| {{w|Pith}}
| The central tissue in plants, used for nutrient transport.
| Yes
| No
| Botanical term.
|-
| {{w|Pleiades}}
| A cluster of stars in the constellation Taurus.
| Yes
| No
| A cluster of stars is far too big to fit in a cell.
|-
| {{w|Rough endoplasmic reticulum}}
| Endoplasmic reticulum with ribosomes attached, involved in protein synthesis.
| Yes
| Yes
| Actual cell organelle.
|-
| {{w|Seeds}}
| Plant embryos used for reproduction.
| Yes
| No
| Seeds are used for other things in animals, but they are not generally found in cells.
|-
| {{w|Slime}}
| A moist, soft, and slippery substance.
| Yes
| Conceivably
| Misplaced term; could refer to the texture and appearance of {{w|cytoplasm}}, but not specific to cells.
|-
| {{w|Smooth endoplasmic reticulum}}
| A network of tubular membranes within the cytoplasm of the cell, involved in the transport of materials.
| Yes
| Yes
| Just a standard term for the smooth variant of the endoplasmic reticulum.
|-
| Sticky endoplasmic reticulum
| Not a real term.
| No
| No
| Another humorous twist on the actual types of endoplasmic reticulum.
|-
| {{w|Ventricle}}
| A chamber of the heart that pumps blood out.
| Yes
| No
| Ventricles are actually part of the body, and they are composed of many cells.
|-
| {{w|Vitreous humour}}
| The clear gel that fills the space between the lens and the retina in the eyeball.
| Yes
| No
| The vitreous humor is in eyes, not cells.
|-
| Weak spot
| A vulnerable point.
| Yes
| Conceivably
| Cell membrane surfaces do indeed vary in strength, often due to the presence of organelles such as {{w|ion channel pore}}s or similar ducts.
|}

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

Cell Organelles

[A cell is shown with the following structures and areas labeled, counter-clockwise from upper left then down the middle:]

* Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
* Lithosphere
* O-Ring
* Pith
* Nucleus
* Nucleolus
* Nucleoloulous
* Nucleons
* Drain plug
* Evil endoplasmic reticulum
* Hypoallergenic filling
* Weak spot
* Mitochondria
* Midichlorians
* Chloroplasts if you're lucky
* Human skin
* Carbonation
* Golgi
* Golgi apparatus
* Norton AntiVirus
* Sticky endoplasmic reticulum
* Pleiades
* Natural flavor
* Cellophane
* Rough endoplasmic reticulum
* Ventricle
* Mantle
* Slime
* Vitreous humour
* Seeds

{{comic discussion}}

2941: Cell Organelles

2024-06-03T21:52:27Z

Purah126:

{{comic
| number = 2941
| date = June 3, 2024
| title = Cell Organelles
| image = cell_organelles_2x.png
| imagesize = 563x451px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = It's believed that Golgi was originally an independent organism who was eventually absorbed into our cells, where he began work on his Apparatus.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a GOLGI ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

The comic depicts a cell diagram with a mix of real and fictional organelles, blending accurate biological terms with misplaced or absurd labels. While it includes actual cell components like the nucleus, mitochondria, and Golgi apparatus, it also inserts unrelated concepts from various fields such as geology, engineering, software, and pop culture. Terms like "evil endoplasmic reticulum" and "sticky endoplasmic reticulum" add a whimsical twist to familiar scientific terms. The comic plays on the complexity and diversity of cell structures by mixing in unrelated and humorous terms, highlighting the often confusing and intricate nature of scientific diagrams with clever wordplay and cross-disciplinary jokes.

The title text adds a humorous and fictional backstory to the Golgi apparatus, an essential cell organelle involved in processing and packaging proteins. It playfully suggests that Camillo Golgi, the scientist who discovered the Golgi apparatus, was originally an independent organism. This organism was supposedly absorbed into our cells, where it then started working on what is now known as the Golgi apparatus. The joke is a satirical take on {{w|Symbiogenesis|endosymbiotic theory}}, which posits that certain organelles within eukaryotic cells, like mitochondria and chloroplasts, originated from independent symbiotic prokaryotic organisms that were absorbed by a host cell. Golgi appears to be depicted in the comic as a tiny alien being.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Label
! Meaning
! Real?
! Cell organelle?
! Joke explanation
|-
| {{w|Carbonation}}
| Carbon dioxide dissolved in a liquid.
| Yes
| No
| Misplaced chemistry term.
|-
| {{w|Cellophane}}
| A thin, transparent sheet made of regenerated cellulose.
| Yes
| No
| Misplaced packaging material term.
|-
| {{w|Chloroplasts}} if you're lucky
| Organelles in plant cells responsible for photosynthesis.
| Yes
| Yes
| Actual cell organelles, only found in plant cells. However, these shouldn't be found in animal cells like the one depicted. The phrase "if you're lucky" humorously suggests that these could be something much more dangerous than misplaced plant organelles.
|-
| Drain plug
| A stopper for a drain.
| Yes
| Conceivably
| Misplaced plumbing term. Could conceivably refer to a {{w|ion channel pore|pore}} or excretion duct.
|-
| Evil endoplasmic reticulum
| Not a real term.
| No
| No
| A humorous twist on the different types of actual {{w|endoplasmic reticulum}}, implying a malevolent version.
|-
| Golgi
| {{w|Camillo Golgi}} (1843–1926) was an Italian biologist and pathologist known for his works on the central nervous system, for whom the Golgi apparatus is named.
| Yes
| No
| The real Golgi isn't/wasn't a tiny alien being who merged with our cells as the depiction and title text implies.
|-
| {{w|Golgi apparatus}}
| A complex of vesicles and folded membranes involved in secretion and intracellular transport.
| Yes
| Yes
| Actual cell organelle.
|-
| Human skin
| The outer covering of the human body.
| Yes
| No
| Misplaced anatomical term.
|-
| {{w|Hypoallergenic}} filling
| Materials that do not cause allergic reactions.
| Yes
| No
| Misplaced consumer product term.
|-
| {{w|Lithosphere}}
| The rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.
| Yes
| No
| Misplaced geological term.
|-
| {{w|Mantle}} 
| The layer of the earth between the crust and the core.
| Yes
| No
| Misplaced geological term. Many other meanings.
|-
| {{w|Midichlorians}}
| Fictional microorganisms in the {{w|Star Wars}} universe, which confer Force sensitivity.
| Yes
| Fictional
| Unclear whether {{w|George Lucas}} intended for "midi-chlorians" to be {{w|Symbiogenesis|endosymbiotic organelles}} or internal {{w|Symbiosis|symbionts}}.
|-
| {{w|Mitochondria}}
| Organelles that generate energy for the cell.
| Yes
| Yes
| Actual cell organelles, known as the "powerhouse of the cell."
|-
| Natural flavor
| Flavoring derived from natural sources.
| Yes
| Conceivably
| Misplaced food industry term.
|-
| {{w|Norton AntiVirus}}
| A software product designed to protect computers from malware.
| Yes
| No
| Misplaced software term.
|-
| {{w|Nucleolus}}
| A small dense spherical structure in the nucleus of a cell during interphase.
| Yes
| Yes
| Actual cell organelle, involved in ribosome production.
|-
| Nucleoloulous
| Not a real term.
| No
| No
| A humorous continuation of the terms "nucleus" and "nucleolus."
|-
| {{w|Cell nucleus|Nucleus}}
| The central and most important part of an object, forming the basis for its activity and growth.
| Yes
| Yes
| Actual cell organelle which houses genetic material.
|-
| {{w|Nucleons}}
| Protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.
| Yes
| No
| Misplaced physics term.
|-
| {{w|O-ring}}
| A mechanical gasket in the shape of a torus; used to seal connections.
| Yes
| No
| Misplaced engineering term.
|-
| {{w|Pith}}
| The central tissue in plants, used for nutrient transport.
| Yes
| No
| Misplaced botanical term.
|-
| {{w|Pleiades}}
| A cluster of stars in the constellation Taurus.
| Yes
| No
| Misplaced astronomical term.
|-
| {{w|Rough endoplasmic reticulum}}
| Endoplasmic reticulum with ribosomes attached, involved in protein synthesis.
| Yes
| Yes
| Actual cell organelle.
|-
| {{w|Seeds}}
| Plant embryos used for reproduction.
| Yes
| No
| Misplaced botanical term.
|-
| {{w|Slime}}
| A moist, soft, and slippery substance.
| Yes
| Conceivably
| Misplaced term; could refer to the texture and appearance of {{w|cytoplasm}}, but not specific to cells.
|-
| {{w|Smooth endoplasmic reticulum}}
| A network of tubular membranes within the cytoplasm of the cell, involved in the transport of materials.
| Yes
| Yes
| Just a standard term for the smooth variant of the endoplasmic reticulum.
|-
| Sticky endoplasmic reticulum
| Not a real term.
| No
| No
| Another humorous twist on the actual types of endoplasmic reticulum.
|-
| {{w|Ventricle}}
| A chamber of the heart that pumps blood out.
| Yes
| No
| Misplaced anatomical term.
|-
| {{w|Vitreous humour}}
| The clear gel that fills the space between the lens and the retina in the eyeball.
| Yes
| No
| Misplaced anatomical term.
|-
| Weak spot
| A vulnerable point.
| Yes
| Conceivably
| Cell membrane surfaces do indeed vary in strength, often due to the presence of organelles such as {{w|ion channel pore}}s or similar ducts.
|}

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

Cell Organelles

[A cell is shown with the following structures and areas labeled, counter-clockwise from upper left then down the middle:]

* Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
* Lithosphere
* O-Ring
* Pith
* Nucleus
* Nucleolus
* Nucleoloulous
* Nucleons
* Drain plug
* Evil endoplasmic reticulum
* Hypoallergenic filling
* Weak spot
* Mitochondria
* Midichlorians
* Chloroplasts if you're lucky
* Human skin
* Carbonation
* Golgi
* Golgi apparatus
* Norton AntiVirus
* Sticky endoplasmic reticulum
* Pleiades
* Natural flavor
* Cellophane
* Rough endoplasmic reticulum
* Ventricle
* Mantle
* Slime
* Vitreous humour
* Seeds

{{comic discussion}}

Talk:2913: Periodic Table Regions

2024-03-29T21:12:55Z

Purah126:

Working on the table catalog. For ones that are part of multiple groups, I used the one that takes up the most. For split ones like Mn, I put them both. For Cs, please don't change it because Randall's American and that's how he would think of it. I know what all the elements are so please don't edit conflict me. --[[User:Purah126|Purah #126]] ([[User talk:Purah126|talk]]) 20:50, 29 March 2024 (UTC)

:I'm done. Again, please don't have an edit war over cesium and aluminum. --[[User:Purah126|Purah #126]] ([[User talk:Purah126|talk]]) 20:50, 29 March 2024 (UTC)
::What about Hahnium? ;) [[Special:Contributions/172.70.163.31|172.70.163.31]] 20:54, 29 March 2024 (UTC)
:::That's only for some people in Berkeley, if someone can find evidence that he's used it before in a comic then sure lol. --[[User:Purah126|Purah #126]] ([[User talk:Purah126|talk]]) 21:12, 29 March 2024 (UTC)

2913: Periodic Table Regions

2024-03-29T20:51:28Z

Purah126: /* Table Sections */

{{comic
| number = 2913
| date = March 29, 2024
| title = Periodic Table Regions
| image = periodic_table_regions_2x.png
| imagesize = 740x501px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Cesium-133, let it be. Cesium-134, let it be even more.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a LAWFUL NEUTRAL MURDER WEAPON COMMONLY USED TO MAKE PEOPLE'S VOICES SQUEAKY- Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

=== Table Sections ===

{| class=wikitable
! scope="col" | Section
! scope="col" | Real table
! scope="col" | Elements contained
! scope="col" | Explanation
|-
| Slightly fancy protons || Hydrogen || Hydrogen || Hydrogen atoms are a proton and an electron. Since the electron can be removed and you can call that a Hydrogen+ ion, hydrogen is a slightly fancy proton.
|-
| Weird dirt || Group 1 and 2 metals || Lithium, Beryllium ||
|-
| Regular dirt || Group 1 and 2 metals || Sodium, Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium
|-
| Ends in a number, let it slumber. Ends in a letter, not much better. || Group 1 and 2 metals || Rubidium, Strontium, Cesium, Barium, Francium, Radium || Highly reactive metals, some of which are commonly used as radioactive isotopes (which are known by a number).
|-
| Boring alloy metals. Probably crucial to the spark plug industry or something. (But one of them is radioactive so stay on your toes.) || The left transition metals || Scandium, Vanadium, Chromium, Manganese, Yttrium, Zirconium, Niobium, Molybdeneum, Technetium, Ruthenium, Hafnium, Tantalum, Tungsten, Rhenium ||
|-
| Regular metals || The top transition metals || Titanium, Manganese, Iron, Cobalt, Nickel, Copper, Zinc, Aluminum, Silicon ||
|-
| $$$ || The platinum group || Rhodium, Palladium, Silver, Iridium, Platinum, Gold ||
|-
| Weird metals || The "ordinary metals" and some transition metals || Gallium, Germanium, Cadmium, Indium, Tin, Mercury ||
|-
| Boron (fool's carbon) || Boron || Boron ||
|-
| You are here || Nonmetals || Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus || Elements involved in biological processes
|-
| Murder weapons || Ordinary metals and metalloids || Arsenic, Antimony, Tellurium, Thallium, Lead, Bismuth, Polonium ||
|-
| Safety Goggles required || The halogens || Fluorine, Sulfur, Chlorine, Selenium, Bromine || These elements are highly reactive.
|-
| Very specific health problems || Iodine and radon || Iodine, Radon || These elements are notorious for causing specific health problems and don't do much else.
|-
| Lawful Neutral || Noble Gases || Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, Xenon || These elements are mostly unreactive.
|-
| Don't bother learning their names – they're not staying long || Astatine and Period 7 from Rutherfordium onwards || Astatine, Rutherfordium, Dubnium, Seaborgium, Bohrium, Hassium, Meitnerium, Darmstadtium, Roentgenium, Copernicum, Nihonium, Flevorium, Moscovium, Livermorium, Tennessine, Oganesson || These elements are hard to produce in large quantities and most of them decay within hours.
|-
| Whoever figures out a better way to fit these up there gets the next Nobel Prize || The lanthanides and actinides || Lanthanum, Cerium, Praesodymium, Neodymium, Promethium, Samarium, Europium, Gadolinium, Terbium, Dysprosium, Holmium, Erbium, Thulium, Ytterbium, Lutetium, Actinium, Thorium, Protactinium, Uranium, Neptunium, Plutonium, Americium, Curium, Berkelium, Californium, Einsteinium, Fermium ||
|}

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

:[A periodic table with regions labeled.]

:[Hydrogen:]
:Slightly fancy protons
:[Lithium and beryllium:]
:Weird dirt
:[4 elements below:]
:Regular dirt
:[6 elements further below:]
:Ends in a number, let it slumber
:ends in a letter, not much better
:[Left side of the d-block:]
:Boring alloy metals
:Probably critical to the spark plug industry or something
:(but one of them is radioactive so stay on your toes)
:[Most of the top row of the d-block + aluminium:]
:Regular metals
:[Between "boring" and "weird metals":]
:$$$$
:[Boron:]
:Boron (fool's carbon)
:[Top-center of p-block:]
:You are here
:[Top-right of p-block, excluding the rightmost column:]
:Safety goggles required
:[5 uppermost elements of the rightmost column:]
:Lawful neutral
:[Iodine and radon:]
:Very specific health problems
:[Below and to the right of "weird metals":]
:Murder weapons
:[Bottom row of d- and p-blocks:]
:Don't bother learning their names - they're not staying long
:[f-block below the rest of the table, arrow pointing to a gap in the third column:]
:Whoever figures out a better way to fit these up there gets the next Nobel Prize

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Chemistry]]

Talk:2913: Periodic Table Regions

2024-03-29T20:50:50Z

Purah126: Add my signature

2913: Periodic Table Regions

2024-03-29T20:37:26Z

Purah126: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 2913
| date = March 29, 2024
| title = Periodic Table Regions
| image = periodic_table_regions_2x.png
| imagesize = 740x501px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Cesium-133, let it be. Cesium-134, let it be even more.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a LAWFUL NEUTRAL MURDER WEAPON COMMONLY USED TO MAKE PEOPLE'S VOICES SQUEAKY- Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

=== Table Sections ===

{| class=wikitable
! scope="col" | Section
! scope="col" | Real table
! scope="col" | Elements contained
! scope="col" | Explanation
|-
| Slightly fancy protons || Hydrogen || Hydrogen || Hydrogen atoms are a proton and an electron. Since the electron can be removed and you can call that a Hydrogen+ ion, hydrogen is a slightly fancy proton.
|-
| Weird dirt || Group 1 and 2 metals || Lithium, Beryllium ||
|-
| Regular dirt || Group 1 and 2 metals || Sodium, Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium
|-
| Ends in a number, let it slumber. Ends in a letter, not much better. || Group 1 and 2 metals || Rubidium, Strontium, Cesium, Barium, Francium, Radium || Highly reactive metals, some of which are commonly used as radioactive isotopes (which are known by a number).
|-
| Boring alloy metals. Probably crucial to the spark plug industry or something. (But one of them is radioactive so stay on your toes.) || The left transition metals || Scandium, Vanadium, Chromium, Manganese, Yttrium, Zirconium, Niobium, Molybdeneum, Technetium, Hafnium, Tantalum, Tungsten, Rhenium ||
|-
| Regular metals || The top transition metals || Titanium, Manganese, Iron, Cobalt, Nickel, Copper, Zinc ||
|-
| $$$ || The platinum group || Rhodium, Palladium, Silver, Iridium, Platinum, Gold ||
|-
| Lawful Neutral || Noble Gases || Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, Xenon || These elements are mostly unreactive. UwU
|-
| You are here || Mixed || Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus || Elements involved in biological processes
|-
| Safety Goggles required || Halogens || Fluorine, Sulfur, Chlorine, Selenium, Bromium || These elements are highly reactive. OwO
|}

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

:[A periodic table with regions labeled.]

:[Hydrogen:]
:Slightly fancy protons
:[Lithium and beryllium:]
:Weird dirt
:[4 elements below:]
:Regular dirt
:[6 elements further below:]
:Ends in a number, let it slumber
:ends in a letter, not much better
:[Left side of the d-block:]
:Boring alloy metals
:Probably critical to the spark plug industry or something
:(but one of them is radioactive so stay on your toes)
:[Most of the top row of the d-block + aluminium:]
:Regular metals
:[Between "boring" and "weird metals":]
:$$$$
:[Boron:]
:Boron (fool's carbon)
:[Top-center of p-block:]
:You are here
:[Top-right of p-block, excluding the rightmost column:]
:Safety goggles required
:[5 uppermost elements of the rightmost column:]
:Lawful neutral
:[Iodine and radon:]
:Very specific health problems
:[Below and to the right of "weird metals":]
:Murder weapons
:[Bottom row of d- and p-blocks:]
:Don't bother learning their names - they're not staying long
:[f-block below the rest of the table, arrow pointing to a gap in the third column:]
:Whoever figures out a better way to fit these up there gets the next Nobel Prize

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Chemistry]]

2913: Periodic Table Regions

2024-03-29T20:35:40Z

Purah126: /* Table Sections */

{{comic
| number = 2913
| date = March 29, 2024
| title = Periodic Table Regions
| image = periodic_table_regions_2x.png
| imagesize = 740x501px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Cesium-133, let it be. Cesium-134, let it be even more.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a LAWFUL NEUTRAL MURDER WEAPON COMMONLY USED TO MAKE PEOPLE'S VOICES SQUEAKY- Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

=== Table Sections ===

{| class=wikitable
! scope="col" | Section
! scope="col" | Real table
! scope="col" | Elements contained
! scope="col" | Explanation
|-
| Slightly fancy protons || Hydrogen || Hydrogen || Hydrogen atoms are a proton and an electron. Since the electron can be removed and you can call that a Hydrogen+ ion, hydrogen is a slightly fancy proton.
|-
| Weird dirt || Group 1 and 2 metals || Lithium, Beryllium ||
|-
| Regular dirt || Group 1 and 2 metals || Sodium, Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium
|-
| Ends in a number, let it slumber. Ends in a letter, not much better. || Group 1 and 2 metals || Rubidium, Strontium, Cesium,Barium, Francium, Radium || Highly reactive metals, some of which are commonly used as radioactive isotopes (which are known by a number).
|-
| Boring alloy metals. Probably crucial to the spark plug industry or something. (But one of them is radioactive so stay on your toes.) || The left transition metals || Scandium, Yttrium, Zirconium, Niobium, Molybdeneum, Technetium, Hafnium, Tantalum, Tungsten, Rhenium ||
|-
| Regular metals || The top transition metals || Titanium, Vanadium, Chromium, Managnese, Iron, Cobalt, Nickel, Copper, Zinc ||
|-
| $$$ || The platinum group || Rhodium, Palladium, Silver, Iridium, Platinum, Gold ||
|-
| Lawful Neutral || Noble Gases || Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, Xenon || These elements are mostly unreactive. UwU
|-
| You are here || Mixed || Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus || Elements involved in biological processes
|-
| Safety Goggles required || Halogens || Fluorine, Sulfur, Chlorine, Selenium, Bromium || These elements are highly reactive. OwO
|}

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

:[A periodic table with regions labeled.]

:[Hydrogen:]
:Slightly fancy protons
:[Lithium and beryllium:]
:Weird dirt
:[4 elements below:]
:Regular dirt
:[6 elements further below:]
:Ends in a number, let it slumber
:ends in a letter, not much better
:[Left side of the d-block:]
:Boring alloy metals
:Probably critical to the spark plug industry or something
:(but one of them is radioactive so stay on your toes)
:[Most of the top row of the d-block + aluminium:]
:Regular metals
:[Between "boring" and "weird metals":]
:$$$$
:[Boron:]
:Boron (fool's carbon)
:[Top-center of p-block:]
:You are here
:[Top-right of p-block, excluding the rightmost column:]
:Safety goggles required
:[5 uppermost elements of the rightmost column:]
:Lawful neutral
:[Iodine and radon:]
:Very specific health problems
:[Below and to the right of "weird metals":]
:Murder weapons
:[Bottom row of d- and p-blocks:]
:Don't bother learning their names - they're not staying long
:[f-block below the rest of the table, arrow pointing to a gap in the third column:]
:Whoever figures out a better way to fit these up there gets the next Nobel Prize

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Chemistry]]

2913: Periodic Table Regions

2024-03-29T20:33:52Z

Purah126: /* Table Sections */

2913: Periodic Table Regions

2024-03-29T20:33:26Z

Purah126: /* Table Sections */

2913: Periodic Table Regions

2024-03-29T20:29:45Z

Purah126: /* Table Sections */

2913: Periodic Table Regions

2024-03-29T20:28:56Z

Purah126: /* Table Sections */

2913: Periodic Table Regions

2024-03-29T20:27:39Z

Purah126: /* Table Sections */

2913: Periodic Table Regions

2024-03-29T20:25:23Z

Purah126: /* Table Sections */

2913: Periodic Table Regions

2024-03-29T20:24:13Z

Purah126: /* Table Sections */

2913: Periodic Table Regions

2024-03-29T20:23:40Z

Purah126: /* Table Sections */

2913: Periodic Table Regions

2024-03-29T20:19:02Z

Purah126: /* Table Sections */

2913: Periodic Table Regions

2024-03-29T20:16:59Z

Purah126: /* Table Sections */

2913: Periodic Table Regions

2024-03-29T20:15:19Z

Purah126: /* Explanation */

224: Lisp

2024-03-21T20:17:21Z

Purah126: Grammar

{{comic
| number = 224
| date = February 16, 2007
| title = Lisp
| image = lisp.jpg
| titletext = We lost the documentation on quantum mechanics. You'll have to decode the regexes yourself.
}}

==Explanation==
{{w|Lisp (programming language)|Lisp}} is a computer programming language with simple, highly regular syntax. The language's most notable feature is that programs take the same form as the language's primary data structure (the linked list). This blurs the line between code and data and permits programs to inspect and even alter their own source code, thereby opening up deep opportunities for {{w|metaprogramming}}. Lisp is also a {{w|Functional programming|functional programming language}} (though not purely functional, as {{w|Haskell (programming language)|some more recent languages are}}), meaning that programs are expressed in terms that are simple elaborations or extensions of the {{w|lambda calculus}}, a formal mathematical model of computation. This gives programs written in functional languages such as Lisp a distinctively abstract, mathematical form that is commonly considered difficult to fully {{w|Grok#In_computer_programmer_culture|grok}} (see [[1270: Functional]]).

The phrase ''A suffusion of blue'' is a reference to {{w|Douglas Adams}}' book ''{{w|The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul}}''. In it, an ''{{w|I Ching}}'' calculator calculates that everything above the value of 4 is ''a suffusion of yellow''.

In the comic, Cueball marvels at the fundamental and complete nature of the language of creation that he sees in his dream. In the Lisp programming language, "car" is a primitive (i.e. basic) function that produces the first item in a list. The line "My God, It's full of '{{w|CAR_and_CDR|car}}'s" is a pun, most likely referring to the movie {{w|2010 (film)|2010: The Year We Make Contact}}, the sequel to {{w|2001: A Space Odyssey (film)|2001: A Space Odyssey}}. In the book {{w|2001: A Space Odyssey (novel)|2001: A Space Odyssey}}, when astronaut David Bowman accidentally activates a star gate, he exclaims as he enters it "The thing's hollow — it goes on forever — and — oh my God - it's full of stars!", although he does not say anything in the first movie during the final sequence. This likely also includes a transitive reference a chapter in {{w|The Little Schemer}}, a popular introductory Lisp book, called ''*Oh My Gawd*: It's Full of Stars'', also itself a reference to 2001. From the shape of the two discs in front of Cueball, it may also be referring to Terry Pratchett's book ''The Last Hero'' where the last survivor of a ship that went under the disc says “Oh my God it’s full of elephants.”

In the second panel, Cueball remarks that, "At once, just like they said, I felt a great enlightenment." This is a reference to a pattern of observations among programmers and computer scientists that while Lisp often seems alien or arcane — even deliberately so, even to experienced hackers, even with repeated exposure over time — truly ''understanding'' Lisp in a deep, non-superficial way, results in a profound epiphany, a sudden and abiding ''illumination'' wherein one's preconceived notions about computation and programming are fundamentally transfigured, oftentimes over the course of a very short span such as during a single all-day hacking binge. Lispers commonly describe the experience as being akin to learning programming for the first time ''again''; {{w|Daniel P. Friedman}} (author of much ground-breaking research and many popular introductory texts on Lisp and programming language design) described it as "[learning] ''to think {{w|Recursive_definition|recursively}}''," and contended that "''thinking about'' [functional] ''computing is one of the most exciting things the human mind can do''."

Cueball's remarks about patterns, metapatterns, and the disappearance of syntax are reactions to the elegant simplicity of the Lisp programming language, in which it is relatively easy to build immensely sophisticated programs using simple recursive elaborations of structure. This is fundamentally unlike the much more typical and common {{w|Imperative programming|imperative programming languages}}, in which programs are written as chains of instructions for the machine to follow.

Cueball then, in the third, borderless panel, muses that this has to have been the language the gods used to create the universe, which is a pretty bold statement that Cueball seems to make because he views Lisp as something flawless and perfect, as these are qualities that often subjectively apply to things that people, like Cueball, claim to have been made or used by gods or other holy beings.

A cloudy, bearded man, presumably representing God, states that this is untrue, and after a surprised inquiry from Cueball replies that the universe was actually hacked together with the programming language {{w|Perl}}. Perl employs an idiosyncratic syntax that borrows liberally from a number of other languages. Although a versatile language often employed for assembling projects quickly (the much-loved {{w|Programming Perl}} introduces it as "[the] ''language for getting your job done''"), Perl has a reputation for being ugly and inelegant, partly as a result of its pidgin-like fusion of many inconsistent language elements and code styles. It was famously described as a "{{w|Swiss Army knife|Swiss-Army}} chainsaw," because it is very powerful but also unwieldy and unattractive. By way of contrast to Daniel Friedman above, {{w|Larry Wall}}, the creator of Perl, criticized the highly cerebral Lisp attitude toward programming with the words
<blockquote>"By policy, LISP has never really catered to mere mortals.</blockquote>
<blockquote>And, of course, mere mortals have never really forgiven LISP for not catering to them."</blockquote>

The joke is that the Creator, like many software developers, was a bit rushed and chose to quickly throw together a working prototype rather than do the job right from the beginning; concurrently, that Cueball, thinking he has discovered an amazing and beautiful secret in the hidden world of Lisp, learns that in fact the real world is filled with ugly hacks and quick-and-dirty imperative code.

A (possible) hidden joke might be an oblique reference to {{w|Greenspun's tenth rule}} when God replies with "I mean, ostensibly, yes." Greenspun's tenth rule says that any sufficiently complex program written in another high level programming language will necessarily contain an imperfect, undocumented, slow, and bug-ridden implementation of about half of {{w|Common Lisp}}. Greenspun's tenth rule was meant to express the belief that Common Lisp, a large, full-featured Lisp dialect, is so flexible and robust that any attempt to render any really sophisticated program in most other languages requires the programmer to expend extraordinary effort unwittingly reinventing, in needlessly convoluted fashion, features and systems that would be elegant and trivial in Common Lisp. This explains why such a program might look or feel "Lispy" to an unfamiliar observer, and why the universe (if viewed as such a program) might ''look'' to mathematicians and scientists as though it probably has a beautifully simple mathematical basis, even if in reality it was just hacked together with a bunch of ersatz, special-case rules.

The title text continues the analogy by suggesting that the theory of {{w|quantum mechanics}} was written in {{w|Regular expression|regular expressions}} ("regexes"), a complex language for pattern matching used heavily in Perl. Regular expressions are often criticized as being a {{w|write-only language}}, that is, a language so complicated in syntax that any significant program written in them cannot be understood by anybody (often not even the original author). Documentation is essential to assist in the understanding of complex regular expressions. The title text claims that at some point, the documentation for quantum mechanics was lost, which explains why quantum mechanics is so bizarre and counterintuitive.

==Transcript==
:[Floating in space.]
:Speaker: Last night I drifted off while reading a Lisp book.
:Cueball: Huh?
:Speaker: Suddenly, I was bathed in a suffusion of blue.

:[Floating in space before a vast concept tree.]
:Speaker: At once, just like they said, I felt a great enlightenment. I saw the naked structure of Lisp code unfold before me.
:Cueball: My God
:Cueball: It's full of 'car's
:Speaker: The patterns and metapatterns danced. Syntax faded, and I swam in the purity of quantified conception. Of ideas manifest.

:[Close-up of floating in space before part of a concept tree.]
:Truly, this was the language from which the gods wrought the Universe.

:[Floating in space with God appearing through a line of clouds.]
:God: No, it's not.
:Cueball: It's not?
:God: I mean, ostensibly, yes. Honestly, we hacked most of it together with Perl.

==Trivia==
*In his [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJOS0sV2a24#t=29m11s Google-speech], [[Randall]] said that he spent 3–4 hours on getting the blue shading just right.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]
[[Category:Programming]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Computers]]
[[Category:Regex]]

2890: Relationship Advice

2024-02-05T19:55:29Z

Purah126: typo

{{comic
| number = 2890
| date = February 5, 2024
| title = Relationship Advice
| image = relationship_advice_2x.png
| imagesize = 740x241px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Good to be a little wary of advice that sounds too much like a self pep talk.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a RELATIONSHIP WITH A JOB IN FINE ARTS - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
In this comic, [[White Hat]], [[Cueball]], and [[Ponytail]] can be seen having a conversation about relationships. In the second frame, White Hat is saying that relationships are a job in of itself and need constant work. An off-frame voice expresses wary and unsure news. In the third frame, White Hat is saying that relationships are “a challenge that feels overwhelming” and create a crushing burden. Again, Cueball voices confusion and disagreement. Finally, in the last frame, he says that relationships are “a grueling ordeal”. Hearing all of this “relationship advice”, Cueball and Ponytail ask who he’s trying to convince and if he’s ok. White Hat manically yells out that he’s ok, making his point moot, as his behaviour is clearly NOT ok. The joke is that even though White Hat is giving relationship advice, his advice is actually negative and isn’t helping the couple feel better. Perhaps White Hat is even having trouble in his own relationship, which would explain why he seems to be describing relationships in general so pessimistically. There’s also a possibility that White Hat is {{w|aromantic}}, meaning that he doesn’t experience love and may have a negative outlook on romance. Seeing Randall’s negative thoughts on Valentine’s Day, it may not be a coincidence that this comic was released only 9 days before the holiday.

When someone is in an abusive relationship, they may struggle to see that the relationship is abusive. There are various reasons this may occur (e.g. {{w| Traumatic bonding}}) but does not change the fact that the relationship is abusive. If someone is in a situation like this, they may need help from friends or professional counselors to see the situation they are in.

The title text explains that when a person's advice sounds overtly negative, or otherwise seemingly too specific to their own personal difficulties in life, then that person may not be the most qualified to give that advice. Perhaps the person in this position is more so giving advice as a way to project their own feelings about their circumstances rather than actually providing helpful information. In this comic, this sentiment is seemingly applied to White Hat, whose "relationship advice" may be much more personal than such advice should reasonably be, and the reader is thus warned to take advice like this with a grain of salt.

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

:[White Hat, Cueball and Ponytail are walking. White Hat has his palm out.]
:White Hat: What you have to remember is, relationships aren't easy.
:Ponytail: Yeah, fair.

:[Close-up of White Hat with his finger raised.]
:White Hat: They're hard. They require constant work.
:White Hat: A relationship is a job.
:Off-panel voice: I guess...

:[White Hat has stopped walking and is facing Cueball and Ponytail standing a bit further away.]
:White Hat: It's a challenge that feels overwhelming. It's a crushing burden.
:Cueball: Umm.

:[White Hat has his arms raised while still facing Cueball and Ponytail.]
:White Hat: A relationship is a grueling ordeal.
:Cueball: ...Who are you trying to convince, exactly?
:Ponytail: Yeah, are '''''you''''' okay?
:White Hat: I'm '''''fine!''''' This is '''''normal!'''''

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Social interactions]]

Talk:2863: Space Typography

2023-12-04T21:00:54Z

Purah126: Undo revision 330140 by Purah126 (talk)

Talk:2863: Space Typography

2023-12-04T21:00:11Z

Purah126:

How many E’s are required in the title text? —21:00, 4 December 2023 (UTC)

2855: Empiricism

2023-11-16T03:20:48Z

Purah126: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 2855
| date = November 15, 2023
| title = Empiricism
| image = empiricism_2x.png
| imagesize = 273x315px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = The problems started with my resolution next year to reject temporal causality.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Will be created by a DECEMPIRE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

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

{{comic discussion}}

User:Purah126

2023-11-01T19:26:07Z

Purah126:

{{notice|'''This explanation may be incomplete or incorrect:''' ''Created by a PURAH126 - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.'' If you can address this issue, please '''[{{fullurl:{{{target|{{FULLPAGENAME}}}}}|action=edit}} edit the page]!''' Thanks.}}

Random xkcd fan

I like coding python.

I also like BOTW and TOTK.

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User:Purah126

2023-11-01T19:25:30Z

Purah126:

{{notice|'''This explanation may be incomplete or incorrect:''' ''Created by a PURAH126 - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.'' If you can address this issue, please please '''[{{fullurl:{{{target|{{FULLPAGENAME}}}}}|action=edit}} edit the page]!'''! Thanks.}}

Random xkcd fan

I like coding python.

I also like BOTW and TOTK.

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859: (

2023-08-20T14:28:06Z

Purah126: Typo

{{comic
| number = 859
| date = February 11, 2011
| title = (
| image = (.png
| titletext = Brains aside, I wonder how many poorly-written xkcd.com-parsing scripts will break on this title (or ;;"'<nowiki/>'{<<[' this mouseover text."
}}

== Explanation ==

). Okay, with that out of the way, let the explanation begin.

In programming, punctuation is often used to mark sections of code. Paired punctuation marks must always be matched up with a corresponding closing mark, otherwise a so-called {{w|syntax error}} occurs. The programming language {{w|Lisp_(programming_language)|Lisp}} (also featured in [[224: Lisp]] is known for large numbers of nested/paired parentheses. Even in literary works intended only for human consumption, the absence of a matching closing parenthesis as appears in this sentence or other "balanced" punctuation sets creates a mental expectation of eventual closure and completion that remains unfulfilled even long after the unmatched mark is encountered.

There is also a reference to [[312: With Apologies to Robert Frost]] which could contain the missing parentheses.

It can also be interpreted as a {{w|metaphor}}, which compares the reader with a Lisp {{w|Interpreter (Computing)|interpreter}}. The interpreter looks for the parenthesis until the end of the file, where it eventually halts, and prints out the error. The comic claims that if you read an unmatched parenthesis, you will look for it for the rest of the day too.

It also refers to an awkward feeling when you see something out of place in a piece of literary text (like unmatched parentheses, spellying error or a randomly-plac,ed comma..

Finally, some countries (Russia in particular) use just parentheses instead of text smileys so that <code>:)</code> turns into <code>)</code> and <code>:(</code> becomes <code>(</code>. Hence those readers can magically resist the unresolved tension of the comic but may feel a bit sad instead as a side effect.

The title text refers to the same issue as already highlighted in [[327: Exploits of a Mom]]: if your scripts trust external input, you sometimes will be surprised. At the time of this comic, there were quite a few websites that would grab the xkcd comic three times a week and publish them on their own site. This comic likely broke at least some of the websites because of either the unmatched paren or the extra unmatched markup that is in the title text.

==Transcript==
:[Caption inside an oblong panel:]
:(An unmatched left parenthesis creates an unresolved tension that will stay with you all day.

==Trivia==

* There are other comics with unpaired parentheses (not counting emoticons): [[19]], [[850]], [[1079|1079 (in "Colorado")]], [[1960]] This list is incomplete. Please expand it.
** By contrast, [[312]] has an unpaired close parenthesis.
* The well-known "helper website" [http://gChq.github.io/CyberChef/# CyberChef] has a text on its loading page that is a reference to this comic, probably as a joke.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Programming]]

2802: Fireflies

2023-07-16T16:04:19Z

Purah126: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 2802
| date = July 14, 2023
| title = Fireflies
| image = fireflies_2x.png
| imagesize = 740x573px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = I feel bad for Earth 2 and their shadowflies.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by THE INSECT VERSION OF DYLAN THOMAS - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

{{w|Fireflies}} are a variety of beetles that are able to emit flashes of light, a process known as {{w|bioluminescence}}. Megan explains that while this ability is not uncommon in ocean-dwelling species, it's pretty rare on land; presumably this is because sunlight doesn't penetrate very far under water, so there's evolutionary pressure to develop a process to generate one's own light. Land animals have much less need to generate their own light -- even at night there's light from the moon and stars, so nocturnal animals tend to have good eyesight or other enhanced sensory abilities (e.g. {{w|echolocation}}). It's thought that it originally served to ward off predators of the larvae, but adults coopted it as a mating signal. There are many varieties of {{w|List of bioluminescent fungus species|bioluminescent fungus species}}, and the ecological benefit of that effect is uncertain. Some ocean-dwelling species, such as {{w|anglerfish}}, use their bioluminescence as lures for prey.

While Megan and Cueball are walking towards a field with fireflies, she points all this out and suggests that it was just a fluke that fireflies developed this ability. When they see the firefly display, the two of them agree that we're lucky to be on a planet where this happened.

The title text suggests that there's an alternate Earth that has "shadowflies", which are presumably like fireflies but cast shadows instead of light, and that this isn't as nice for the people there. Since everything that's opaque casts a shadow{{citation needed}}, this isn't really much of an ability. Possibly Randall's shadowflies have some sort of {{w|vantablack}}-like coating, or somehow create darkness near them beyond merely absorbing incident light (in violation of physics as we understand it). "Earth 2" is the name of an {{w|Earth-Two|alternate world in the DC Comics universe}}, but it's unclear if this the specific world being referred to. A presumably different alternate earth has been [[1268: Alternate Universe|mentioned before]].

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
:[Cueball and Megan are seen in silhouette (drawn in white against a black background) throughout the strip. They are walking to the right.]
:Cueball: So where is this spot?
:Megan: It's just up ahead.

:[Cueball and Megan continue walking.]
:Megan: You know,
:Megan: fireflies didn't have to exist.

:[Closeup on Megan.]
:Megan: The ocean has lots of bioluminescence, but it's less common on land.
:Megan: Creatures that glow are pretty rare here.

:[Cueball and Megan continue walking. The light of one firefly is seen to their right.]
:Megan: So it's not some niche whose exploitation was inevitable.
:Megan: If insects hadn't stumbled on their fatty acid enzyme trick, Earth just wouldn't have fireflies.
:Megan: Ooh, look!
:Megan: They're starting!

:[A panel as wide as the first four combined. Cueball and Megan stand in the tall grass, at night, and many stars can be seen in the sky above them. Above and below them, to their left and right, the lights of dozens of fireflies can be seen.]
:Cueball: I'm glad we got a planet that has these.
:Megan: Yeah, it's a good one.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Comics with inverted brightness]]

User:Purah126

2023-07-11T19:30:19Z

Purah126:

{{notice|'''This explanation may be incomplete or incorrect:''' ''Created by a PURAH126 - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.'' If you can address this issue, please edit the page! Thanks.}}

Random xkcd fan

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Talk:2800: Down

2023-07-11T00:41:50Z

Purah126:

Shouldn't it be geolocated, to be rotated accordingly? [[Special:Contributions/172.71.160.110|172.71.160.110]] 12:35, 10 July 2023 (UTC)
:You need to know where ''and when'' you are. Taking the 220 degrees (why not 140?) currently in the transcript as correct, that means Mars is at 50° azimuth, which a versatile but overly-fiddly astronomy app I have (why ''doesn't'' it remember I do manual orientation? ...it's flat out wrong when it tries to do it from device settings/current orientation!) suggests that Mars will reach 50° 'up', for me, at about 16:30 local time (could have checked when it fell back down to that again, but I didn't) at which point I could easily be sat facing whichever direction puts "Mars down" at a similar angle to the one seen in the comic. But it will change throughout the day, every day that it applies. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.162.244|172.70.162.244]] 13:05, 10 July 2023 (UTC)
::I guess that's why Randall hates it so much, it changes continuously. Although he missed a great opportunity for a clever animated comic -- it could calculate the rotation of the scene based on the reader's location and time. [[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 14:20, 10 July 2023 (UTC)

Why didn't Orson Scott Card get cowriting props for this one?

I'm TenGolf and I started the explanation! [[Special:Contributions/172.70.131.6|172.70.131.6]] 15:03, 10 July 2023 (UTC)

I'm not so sure about the "relative to gravity in actuality" - there's no objective reason why "down" must follow gravity. (Take Ender's Game - "The enemy's gate is down") [[User:DownGoer|DownGoer]] ([[User talk:DownGoer|talk]]) 15:07, 10 July 2023 (UTC)
:That's not the directional sense of "down". When it's used as a direction, it's towards the center of whatever body currently exerts the most gravity -- if you're on Earth it's towards the Earth's center, if you're on the Moon it's towards the Moon's center, etc. "Down" has other senses, like "the computer is down" that just refers to whether it's functioning. [[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 17:16, 10 July 2023 (UTC)
::[[241:_Battle_Room]] Relevant here? —[[User:Purah126|Purah #126]] ([[User talk:Purah126|talk]]) 00:41, 11 July 2023 (UTC)

This may be a reference to the band named Down Left Forte. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.154.156|172.71.154.156]] 23:37, 10 July 2023 (UTC)

2800: Down

2023-07-10T19:15:04Z

Purah126:

{{comic
| number = 2800
| date = July 10, 2023
| title = Down
| image = down_2x.png
| imagesize = 611x290px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = It's just that I get nervous about heights.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a SOLAR COORDINATE SYSTEM. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

Megan states that down was redefined to be relative to Mars. Down is relative to gravity in actuality (in this context, that is), not to a fixed "coordinate center". If this was actually true, then they would be falling towards Mars, which would not be good. {{citation needed}}

In the title text, Cueball states that he gets nervous about heights, and rightfully so- Mars is about 34,000,000 mi (55,000,000 km) away from Earth at their closest approaches (on the extremely rare occasion that Mars is at perihelion and opposition (relative to Earth) simultaneously).

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

:: [Megan is seated at a desk, in front of a laptop. The scene is rotated by 150° clockwise, so she appears to be upside down. The gravity still seems to be relative to the ground, not the bottom of the image.]

:: [Cueball enters the scene from the right side, behind Megan. He has three question marks below his head, oriented relative to the frame.]

:: Megan: They announced that "down" is relative to Mars today.
:: Cueball: Ugh, I hate when they make another planet the coordinate system origin.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]

User:Purah126

2023-07-08T14:38:38Z

Purah126:

User:Purah126

2023-07-08T14:38:23Z

Purah126:

{{notice|'''This explanation may be incomplete or incorrect:''' ''Created by a PURAH126 - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.''

If you can address this issue, please edit the page! Thanks.}}

Random xkcd fan

Likes coding python and KSP

User:Purah126

2023-07-08T14:21:13Z

Purah126:

{{notice|’’’This explanation may be incomplete or incorrect:’’’ ‘’Created by a PURAH126 - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.’’ If you can address this issue, please edit the page! Thanks.}}

Random xkcd fan

Likes coding python and KSP

User:Purah126

2023-07-08T13:38:50Z

Purah126:

Random xkcd fan

Likes coding python and KSP

Talk:2799: Frankenstein Claim Permutations

2023-07-08T13:38:29Z

Purah126:

Expanding on [[1589: Frankenstein]], clearly. [[User:Trimeta|Trimeta]] ([[User talk:Trimeta|talk]]) 03:17, 8 July 2023 (UTC)

The last permutation is a garden path sentence that starts off talking about the TV show ''Doctor Who''. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.62.175|162.158.62.175]] 03:21, 8 July 2023 (UTC)

:"The [unnamed] ''Doctor Who'' [Dr. Who might be a function title like Q and M in the James Bond Franchises] [whom] creates ''Mary Shelly'' in ''Frankenstein'''s novel". Does this mean Frankenstein is the original creator of the Dr. Who universe? [[User:IIVQ|IIVQ]] ([[User talk:IIVQ|talk]]) 12:49, 8 July 2023 (UTC)

:The title text seems straightforward enough to me, anyways: "No, the doctor (who creates Mary Shelley (in Frankenstein's novel)) doesn't have a name." Not much of a garden path sentence at all. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.34.187|172.70.34.187]] 03:43, 8 July 2023 (UTC)

The best part of this comic is that every last one of these claims is wrong. In the original novel, Victor Frankenstein is an obsessive undergrad, notably with no medical degree. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.151.35|172.71.151.35]] 03:54, 8 July 2023 (UTC)

You could argue rather that Walton and Saville were the names of the authors. The monster Shelly created was named Victor von Frankenstein. The tragic hero was unnamed. [[User:EebstertheGreat|EebstertheGreat]] ([[User talk:EebstertheGreat|talk]]) 04:02, 8 July 2023 (UTC)

Pretty sure that Randall saw the image of the misprinted book where the title is Mary Shelly, and the author is Frankenstein. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.151.35|172.71.151.35]] 06:54, 8 July 2023 (UTC)

:See here: https://twitter.com/MedCrisis/status/1511644464544104452?t=B23sq4iftXXWPdSKYCqOyg&s=19
[[User:Svízel přítula|Svízel přítula]] ([[User talk:Svízel přítula|talk]]) 08:46, 8 July 2023 (UTC)

No, Frankenstein is the name of the novel created by the monster (according to her sleepless readers) Mary Shelley. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.34.38|172.68.34.38]] 08:12, 8 July 2023 (UTC)

The second permutation could be read in the "the scientist who abandoned his creation is the ''real'' monster" sense. --[[Special:Contributions/172.69.62.28|172.69.62.28]] 11:19, 8 July 2023 (UTC)

The Doctor joined the Who and married Shelley, the inventor of Monster energy drinks. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.237.102|108.162.237.102]] 12:28, 8 July 2023 (UTC)

Very funny (I'd like to read that book myself) but ironic to be so aware of this controversy of detail without ever acknowledging that *Frankenstein is actually a student not a doctor.*

Should the title text explanation be after the table? —[[User:Purah126|Purah126]] ([[User talk:Purah126|talk]]) 13:38, 8 July 2023 (UTC)

2798: Room Temperature

2023-07-08T01:25:50Z

Purah126: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 2798
| date = July 5, 2023
| title = Room Temperature
| image = room_temperature_2x.png
| imagesize = 299x352px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = They're also refusing to fund my device that demonstrates uncontrolled hot fusion.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a ROOM-TEMPERATURE FUSION REACTOR. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

In this comic, Cueball presents a room-temperature {{w|Semiconductor|semiconductor}}, consisting of layered silicon crystals. He enthusiastically describes the properties of his "discovery", namely that it can be tweaked to amplify or switch the flow of electric currents, but his audience is not impressed. This might be because silicon crystal semiconductors are already widely in use as a {{w|Semiconductor_device|key component of electronic systems}}. Silicon {{w|Semiconductor_device_fabrication|semiconductor manufacturing}} is, in simplest terms, adding materials to a flat wafer made of silicon crystal, often in a process that adds an entire layer of material, then removing the unwanted areas through various etching methods. Development of these processes began in the 1960s.

It appears that Cueball has confused semiconductors with {{w|Superconductivity|superconductors}} - materials that have no electrical resistance, meaning the flow of electrons is not slowed down at all (resistance can be thought of as the electrical equivalence of friction). Superconducting properties are extremely desirable since they allow for the lossless flow of electric current, as opposed to regular conductors like copper which have a low but non-zero resistance so the electric current decreases over time and distance, and this may also lead to superconductors having interesting magnetic properties. However, the known superconductors only work at extremely low temperatures close to 0 K, so their practical use is very limited. The discovery of superconductors that work above the boiling point of nitrogen (77 K or -196 °C) was a big deal because it meant that relatively cheap liquid nitrogen could be used as coolant rather than liquid helium. The comic probably references the recent controversy around alleged superconducting properties of carbonaceous sulfur hydride and nitrogen-doped lutetium hydride under extreme pressures. A team at the University of Rochester published two papers in the journal Nature, the first for C–S–H at 267 GPa which was later retracted after failed attempts at replication, and the second for Lu–N–H at just 1 GPa, which was later replicated. These pressures are too high to be practical for most engineering purposes, but the discoveries are still progress in the study of superconductivity. The discovery of a superconductor at standard temperature and pressure would be extremely surprising and could revolutionize electricity transmission, among other things, and dramatically reduce the cost of technologies like magnetic levitation and high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.

In the title text, Cueball talks about a device that produces “uncontrolled {{w|Nuclear_fusion|hot fusion}}” which is also not met with enthusiasm. Again, this is likely due to the fact that it has already been discovered{{cn}} and used - in the form of {{w|Thermonuclear weapon|hydrogen bombs}}. This is likely why no one wants to fund the device - not only is it not novel, but it is {{w|Operation Ivy|extremely dangerous}}; though clearly he also hasn't excited those people who typically ''want'' something dangerous. ''Controlled'' hot fusion could be useful as an {{w|Fusion_power|alternative power source}} to nuclear reactors (which currently use nuclear ''fission''); however, {{w|Tokamak|current implementations}} still require more energy than they create. Cueball probably confused this with ''cold'' fusion, i.e. nuclear fusion that takes place at temperatures much, much lower than the millions of degrees required for "regular" hot fusion. There are {{w|Muon-catalyzed_fusion|reputable ways}} of achieving this (all of which require vast amounts of energy), but "cold fusion" has become the epitome of bad science since two scientists claimed, with much media attention, to have achieved cold nuclear fusion by doing an {{w|Cold_fusion|electrolysis of palladium in heavy water}}. The results could not be replicated by other scientists and the experiment was widely criticized for its many flaws, most importantly that the only indication of nuclear fusion was excess heat, with no detection of actual fusion byproducts.

High(er)-temperature super-conductivity might be the key to more effortlessly initiating and maintaining low(er)-temperature fusion, through very concentrated magnetic fields, but so far their respective temperature ranges are too different to use them in combination, and whether this will ever be possible remains subject to speculation.

It should be noted that both "discoveries" presented in the comic were in fact very big and important discoveries back in their day. The proposal that nuclear fusion is what powers stars earned {{w|Hans_Bethe|Hans Bethe}} the Nobel prize in Physics, and semiconductors are what allow modern electronic devices to be so small, as their properties make it possible to selectively steer the flow of electrical current, {{w|Integrated_circuit|even over an extremely small area}}.

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

:[A single frame with a table in the middle. A device consisting of multiple components and electrical wires is on the table. A Cueball stands to the left of the table, and facing him, Ponytail and another Cueball stand to the right of the table.]
:Cueball: My layered silicon crystals can amplify or switch current while sitting right here on the table!
:Ponytail: Uh huh.
:Another Cueball: I see.

:[Caption below the panel:]
:No one is impressed by my discovery of room-temperature semiconductors.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Multiple Cueballs]]
[[Category:Physics]]

User:Purah126

2023-07-06T21:50:38Z

Purah126:

Random xkcd fan

Likes coding python

User:Purah126

2023-07-06T21:50:15Z

Purah126: Hi

{{incomplete|Created by a PURAH126. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

Random xkcd fan

Likes coding python

2798: Room Temperature

2023-07-06T21:47:34Z

Purah126: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 2798
| date = July 5, 2023
| title = Room Temperature
| image = room_temperature_2x.png
| imagesize = 299x352px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = They're also refusing to fund my device that demonstrates uncontrolled hot fusion.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a ROOM-TEMPERATURE FUSION REACTOR. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

In this comic, Cueball presents a room-temperature {{w|Semiconductor|semiconductor}}, consisting of layered silicon crystals. He enthusiastically describes the properties of his "discovery", namely that it can be tweaked to amplify or switch the flow of electric currents, but his audience is not impressed. This might be because silicon crystal semiconductors are already widely in use as a {{w|Semiconductor_device|key component of electronic systems}}. Silicon {{w|Semiconductor_device_fabrication|semiconductor manufacturing}} is, in simplest terms, adding materials to a flat wafer made of silicon crystal, often in a process that adds an entire layer of material, then removing the unwanted areas through various etching methods. Development of these processes began in the 1960s.

It appears that Cueball has confused semiconductors with {{w|Superconductivity|superconductors}} - materials that have no electrical resistance, meaning the flow of electrons is not slowed down at all (resistance can be thought of as the electrical equivalence of friction). Superconducting properties are extremely desirable since they allow for the lossless flow of electric current, as opposed to regular conductors like copper which have a low but non-zero resistance so the electric current decreases over time and distance, and this may also lead to superconductors having interesting magnetic properties. However, the known superconductors only work at extremely low temperatures close to 0 K, so their practical use is very limited. The discovery of superconductors that work above the boiling point of nitrogen (77 K or -196 °C) was a big deal because it meant that relatively cheap liquid nitrogen could be used as coolant rather than liquid helium. The discovery of a superconductor that works at 'room temperature' (i.e. somewhere around 293 K) would be a much bigger deal and would likely earn the discovering scientist(s) a Nobel prize.

In the title text, Cueball talks about a device that produces “uncontrolled {{w|Nuclear_fusion|hot fusion}}” which is also not met with enthusiasm. Again, this is likely due to the fact that it has already been discovered and used - in the form of {{w|Thermonuclear weapon|hydrogen bombs}}. This is likely why no one wants to fund the device - not only is it not novel, but it is {{w|Operation Ivy|extremely dangerous}}{{cn}}; though clearly he also hasn't excited those people who typically ''want'' something dangerous. ''Controlled'' hot fusion could be useful as an {{w|Fusion_power|alternative power source}} to nuclear reactors (which currently use nuclear ''fission''); however, {{w|Tokamak|current implementations}} still require more energy than they create. Cueball probably confused this with ''cold'' fusion, i.e. nuclear fusion that takes place at temperatures much, much lower than the millions of degrees required for "regular" hot fusion. There are {{w|Muon-catalyzed_fusion|reputable ways}} of achieving this (all of which require vast amounts of energy), but "cold fusion" has become the epitome of bad science since two scientists claimed, with much media attention, to have achieved cold nuclear fusion by doing an {{w|Cold_fusion|electrolysis of palladium in heavy water}}. The results could not be replicated by other scientists and the experiment was widely criticized for its many flaws, most importantly that the only indication of nuclear fusion was excess heat, with no detection of actual fusion byproducts.

High(er)-temperature super-conductivity might be the key to more effortlessly initiating and maintaining low(er)-temperature fusion, through very concentrated magnetic fields, but so far their respective temperature ranges are too different to use them in combination, and whether this will ever be possible remains subject to speculation.

It should be noted that both "discoveries" presented in the comic were in fact very big and important discoveries back in their day. The proposal that nuclear fusion is what powers stars earned {{w|Hans_Bethe|Hans Bethe}} the Nobel prize in Physics, and semiconductors are what allow modern electronic devices to be so small, as their properties make it possible to selectively steer the flow of electrical current, {{w|Integrated_circuit|even over an extremely small area}}.

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

:[A single frame with a table in the middle. A device consisting of multiple components and electrical wires is on the table. A Cueball stands to the left of the table, and facing him, Ponytail and another Cueball stand to the right of the table.]
:Cueball: My layered silicon crystals can amplify or switch current while sitting right here on the table!
:Ponytail: Uh huh.
:Another Cueball: I see.

:[Caption below the panel:]
:No one is impressed by my discovery of room-temperature semiconductors.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Multiple Cueballs]]
[[Category:Physics]]

2798: Room Temperature

2023-07-05T22:05:26Z

Purah126: /* Explanation */

2798: Room Temperature

2023-07-05T21:22:46Z

Purah126: /* Explanation */

Talk:2794: Alphabet Notes

2023-06-26T23:39:49Z

Purah126:

No, we must rid ourselves of the redundant C. Also we need to bring back Ð and Þ. [[User:SDSpivey|SDSpivey]] ([[User talk:SDSpivey|talk]]) 19:20, 26 June 2023 (UTC)

daMNation, randoMNess, chiMNey, gyMNastics, autuMN are not fancy words [[Special:Contributions/172.70.250.204|172.70.250.204]] 19:43, 26 June 2023 (UTC)

You can't have rUIn without U and I together!

Or UI! [[User:GetPunnedOn|GetPunnedOn]] ([[User talk:GetPunnedOn|talk]]) 22:35, 26 June 2023 (UTC) (Reply to above text)

We need to bring back way more letters: https://youtu.be/wJxKyh9e5_A
--[[Special:Contributions/172.71.246.84|172.71.246.84]] 20:33, 26 June 2023 (UTC)

I would be useful to include the letter frequency table from Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_frequency but we don't appear to have the "bartable" template from wikipedia to display bar charts. It would explain a lot about the haunted letters in particular to have it.

The circled JK is clearly referencing the text-language abbreviation for "just kidding", and the bracketed VW... I'm not sure but, it might have to do with Volkswagen, or the spikiness of the letters, or "why isn't W called double-V or at least next to the U".
[[Special:Contributions/172.70.174.166|172.70.174.166]] 21:18, 26 June 2023 (UTC)

:I think the bracketed V and W is referencing the fact that W is equivalent to two V’s together. (Or the fact that W originated as VV) —[[User:Purah126|Purah126]] ([[User talk:Purah126|talk]]) 23:39, 26 June 2023 (UTC)

Added the Twinkle Twinkle justification into the existing explanation. But I might be talking out of my hat, as I'm British and only really know the US treatment from imported media. (Sesame Street? No, I can only bring to mind their counting 1-12 song. And "Conjunction Junction".) The UK's "alphabet" recital form, at least when I was that young, is far less musical. And tends to rhyme "Z" with "Drop dead!", naturally. ;) [[Special:Contributions/172.70.90.183|172.70.90.183]] 22:06, 26 June 2023 (UTC)

Pretty sure he isn't questioning the position of Q as much as its inclusion. If we wanted to reform English spelling, we could get rid of Q pretty kwiklee.[[Special:Contributions/172.71.26.207|172.71.26.207]] 23:29, 26 June 2023 (UTC)

Talk:2792: Summer Solstice

2023-06-22T16:58:38Z

Purah126:

Related to [[1878: Earth Orbital Diagram]]? [[User:Purah126|Purah126]] ([[User talk:Purah126|talk]]) 00:32, 22 June 2023 (UTC)
:Great minds think alike*. Hadn't read down here when I leapt in and added that link (and made some other very minor tweaks). Or at least leapt in once I'd found it myself (not rembering its title or enough of its keywords), having had to trawl through [[:Category:Astronomy]] and visit almost all likely titles and several unlikely ones. Which was enjoyable, so not a problem. ;) [[Special:Contributions/172.70.85.92|172.70.85.92]] 00:58, 22 June 2023 (UTC) ''* - fools never differ... :P''

I think there's a 3rd option for what the "fix" entails: eliminating Earth's axial tilt so it's always equinox (12 hour days almost everywhere, perpetual dawn at the poles). The title text specifies "on the equator", not "near" the equator. The only way for eclipses always "on" the equator is if the equator is always aligned with the ecliptic. - [[User:Frankie|Frankie]] ([[User talk:Frankie|talk]]) 02:06, 22 June 2023 (UTC)

:Wouldn’t that cause a lot of trouble with stuff like crop growth patterns? —[[User:Purah126|Purah126]] ([[User talk:Purah126|talk]]) 16:58, 22 June 2023 (UTC)

I think that to make the solstices match the earliest sunrise/sunset might require straightening out the Earth's tilt as well. Making it a circular orbit I think actually makes the summer solstice even further from the latest sunset (but the winter solstice closer to latest sunrise). [https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/equation-of-time.html]. Oh but straightening the tilt would mean no more solstices at all, hm. Maybe what's required is an elliptical orbit but with the sun at the center rather than a focus. --[[Special:Contributions/172.70.111.153|172.70.111.153]] 14:27, 22 June 2023 (UTC)

While we're at it, can we please make the year, lunar phase period, and day neat ratios of one another? [[Special:Contributions/172.69.247.44|172.69.247.44]] 13:52, 22 June 2023 (UTC)

Anyone have any What If? type insights about any unintended consequences of the proposed changes? Thinking more of the physical and natural rather than societal, but anything might be an interesting addition to the article. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.35.28|172.68.35.28]] 14:58, 22 June 2023 (UTC)
:Tides, possibly ocean currents. Need a physicist for details (I'm a marine biologist; tides are on my radar, tide modeling isn't), but regularization of Earth and Moon orbits would remove many of the gravitational drivers of things like "spring" and "neap" tides, leading (it sez here) to permanent changes to littoral zones and their biotas, and (ditto) impacting coastal zone management strategies, especially if the "new normal" (and consistent) tides were much higher or lower than previous means. Arguably, an ocean biosphere already under stress from global warming would resent having to put up with yet another anthropogenic set of challenges. Hm? [[Special:Contributions/162.158.186.169|162.158.186.169]] 16:41, 22 June 2023 (UTC)

Talk:2792: Summer Solstice

2023-06-22T00:32:56Z

Purah126:

2767: Recipe Relativity

2023-04-25T14:30:27Z

Purah126: It's length contraction, not expansion. (If someone has justification for another value, please feel free)

{{comic
| number = 2767
| date = April 24, 2023
| title = Recipe Relativity
| image = recipe_relativity_2x.png
| imagesize = 303x332px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = It says to cut the onions into 1/4" slices, but I'd better correct for length contraction.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by an EDITOR MOVING AT 94% OF THE SPEED OF LIGHT. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

In this comic, [[Randall]] is cooking a recipe found online. It took him much longer than the recipe said it would, and he concludes that this was due to the recipe author moving at 94% of the speed of light, causing relativistic effects. To calculate the 94% figure, he takes the recipe’s official duration (t’) and his actual duration (t), and then calculates what speed of light fraction would account for the cooking time difference.

Randall is likely making fun of 3 related phenomena:
# '''His culinary amateurism''': Randall is making fun of himself by acknowledging it takes him a great deal longer to make a recipe than it apparently should, and then pretending to blame the (inferred) speed of light difference rather than his own culinary amateurism.
# '''His own pride that this culinary amateurism is better explained by a recipe author moving at 94% of the speed of light''': Randall is pretending to be so cocky that it’s not his skills that are to blame, but the hyper speed of the recipe author. Finding absurd external reasons for personal shortcomings is funny, and calculating it to two significant digits is funnier.
# '''Online recipes that give optimistic time estimates''': Randall is also poking fun at online recipes that give an idealistically minimum amount of cooking time. The recipe author may assume an ideally (A) equipped kitchen, (B) skilled chef, and (C) chopped and prepared ingredients, such as canned or frozen beans instead of dried black beans which take over an hour to soak and cook.[https://i.ibb.co/sWJR8Vq/Screenshot-2023-04-25-6-28-35-AM.png] Online recipe authors sometimes give optimistic cooking times as a form of marketing. If the given cooking time matched the true average — say, 60 minutes instead of the given 35 minutes — many fewer people would attempt the recipe. But the result is to make the average cook feel like a failure when their cooking time is longer than the recipe’s — or to look for alternative, relativistic explanations.

The title text takes this even further, saying that because of {{w|Length contraction|Lorentz contraction}} caused by the recipe author moving close to the speed of light, he should use different sizes for the ingredients. In all likelihood, this wouldn't benefit the outcome of the recipe: in the case of the 1/4" onion slices in the title text, Randall would end up with 0.09" onion slices—far too thin for most people's liking.

==Transcript==
:[In a small square panel the top part is written in black. It looks like a search from the internet and most of the top part of the browser is too small to be read. There are three small squares and a long rectangular address bar. To the right of the first small square which has a triangle inside it pointing down, there are two lines with unreadable text. Then followed by the second square, which are empty, and the address bar with a long line of unreadable text. Finally there are two lines of unreadable text before the last square which has a symbol inside it. Beneath this is a large header which can easily be read:]
:<big>Black bean burrito bowl</big>

:[Beneath this header there is a line with unreadable text, and below that line a thin empty rectangle. Beneath this are the second line of readable text. The last part indicating a time is circled in red. The readable black words are written in normal letters, as opposed to the standard of xkcd with all small caps.]
:Total time: 35 minutes

:[Beneath this there are three more lines of text, but this has all been written in red. Also it uses the standard xkcd all caps text format. The first line is normal text. And the last indication of time is also circled in red as the one above it, and a small double arrow goes between those two red lines around the time.]
:My actual time: 1h 45m
:[Below this there are two lines with equations written in math version, but here given here in text. The last result is also circled in red.]
:t=t'/√(1-v2/C2)
:v=c*√(1-(t'/t)2) = c*√(1-(35/105)2) = 0.94c

:[Caption below the panel:]
:I think this recipe author is moving past me at 94% of the speed of light.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics with color]]
[[Category:Physics]]
[[Category:Food]]
[[Category:Comics with lowercase text]]

2767: Recipe Relativity

2023-04-25T02:27:05Z

Purah126: Fix redirect

2767: Recipe Relativity

2023-04-25T02:00:23Z

Purah126: /* Explanation */

2767: Recipe Relativity

2023-04-25T01:59:26Z

Purah126: /* Explanation */

2766: Helium Reserve

2023-04-22T21:15:29Z

Purah126: aaah double newlines

{{comic
| number = 2766
| date = April 21, 2023
| title = Helium Reserve
| image = helium_reserve_2x.png
| imagesize = 347x253px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = The government has been trying to sell off the Federal Helium Reserve for a few years now, but the sale has been on hold while they try to figure out how to explain this situation to buyers.
}}

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

The {{w|National Helium Reserve|Strategic National Helium Reserve}} is a reserve of helium in the United States, which holds more than 1 billion cubic meters of helium. Apparently, in this comic, [[Cueball]] was hired to manage the reserve, and due to the fact that the caption says that he can not explain anything out loud, it can be inferred that [[Randall]] used all of it by repeatedly inhaling the helium supply, so speaking would instantly give away where the helium has gone since the helium would make his voice squeaky.

The title text implies that other people with access to the reserve have been inhaling the helium. They are also trying to sell the helium, but cannot explain this to buyers, either because of their modified voices or because they are embarrassed of what happened.

Another much more realistic but admittedly less funny explanation is that Cueball didn't use up all the Helium frivolously: Helium is lighter than air, and once released into the atmosphere, it escapes into space and can never be recovered. A major leak in the reserve would simply mean that all the Helium is lost, and if it happened under Cueball's watch, he'd have to be held responsible.

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

:[An officer is talking to Cueball. There is a "National Strategic Helium Reserve" building in the background.]
:Officer: You were in charge of guarding the national helium reserve. So where did it go?!

:[Caption below the panel:]
:Unfortunately, there's no good way for me to answer this question out loud.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]

2766: Helium Reserve

2023-04-22T17:01:19Z

Purah126: Title text

{{comic
| number = 2766
| date = April 21, 2023
| title = Helium Reserve
| image = helium_reserve_2x.png
| imagesize = 347x253px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = The government has been trying to sell off the Federal Helium Reserve for a few years now, but the sale has been on hold while they try to figure out how to explain this situation to buyers.
}}

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

The {{w|National Helium Reserve|Strategic National Helium Reserve}} is a reserve of helium in the United States, which holds more than 1 billion cubic meters of helium. Apparently, in this comic, [[Randall]] was hired to manage the reserve, and due to the fact that the caption says that he can not explain anything out loud, it can be inferred that [[Randall]] used all of it by repeatedly inhaling the helium supply, so speaking would instantly give away where the helium has gone since the helium would make his voice squeaky.

The title text implies that other people with access to the reserve have been inhaling the helium. They are also trying to sell the helium, but cannot explain this to buyers because of their modified voices

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

:[An officer is talking to Cueball. There is a "National Strategic Helium Reserve" building in the background.]
:Officer: You were in charge of guarding the national helium reserve. So where did it go?!

:[Caption below the panel:]
:Unfortunately, there's no good way for me to answer this question out loud.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]