https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=108.162.217.5&feedformat=atomexplain xkcd - User contributions [en]2024-03-29T15:39:22ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.30.0https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1504:_Opportunity&diff=871701504: Opportunity2015-03-27T12:05:15Z<p>108.162.217.5: /* Transcript */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1504<br />
| date = March 27, 2015<br />
| title = Opportunity<br />
| image = opportunity.png<br />
| titletext = We all remember those famous first words spoken by an astronaut on the surface of Mars: "That's one small step fo- HOLY SHIT LOOK OUT IT'S GOT SOME KIND OF DRILL! Get back to the ... [unintelligible] ... [signal lost]"<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Needs citations.}}<br />
<br />
This comic is talking about the robotic science platform {{w|Opportunity (rover)|''Opportunity''}}. On January 25, 2004, the ''Opportunity'' rover landed on the surface of {{w|Mars}} for the purpose of gathering data about the surface of Mars.<br />
<br />
Also sent to Mars on the same date was another Martian rover, {{w|Spirit (rover)|''Spirit''}}. Unfortunately, this became stuck and a sand storm covered its solar panels. On March 22, it is thought that ''Spirit'''s batteries finally ran out, marking the end of its mission. This was memorably covered in [[695: Spirit]], in which the ''Spirit'' rover is portrayed as sentient.<br />
<br />
In 2015, the Opportunity rover is still alive and moving, amazing the scientists at ground control.<br />
<br />
However, in 2023, Opportunity has apparently become so powerful that it has become dangerous, destroying the {{w|Mars 2020|rover sent in 2020}}. To try and stop it, Cueball and Megan disconnected the battery but to no avail. This is similar to the stories of {{w|HAL 9000}} (from {{w|2001: A Space Odyssey (film)|''2001: A Space Odyssey''}}) and {{w|List of Star Trek characters (T–Z)#V'Ger|V'Ger}} (from ''{{w|Star Trek: The Motion Picture}}''), both of which became sentient and dangerously unstable.<br />
<br />
By 2450, humans have colonised and terraformed Mars. “Everything the light touches” is a reference to what {{w|List of The Lion King characters#Mufasa|Mufasa}} says in ''{{w|The Lion King}}''. (Mufasa's son Simba then asks "What about that shadowy place?" and Mufasa tells him “That is beyond our borders. You must never go there”.) What this all implies is the ''Opportunity'' has dominated half of the planet.<br />
<br />
The title text refers to the first words of the first astronauts on the surface of Mars. At first, the astronaut copies the first words of Neil Armstrong on the Moon ("That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind") but it is interrupted by the ''Opportunity'' rover. Onboard the rover uses a drill for sampling rocks, but here it uses it to murder the astronaut.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript}}<br />
2010:<br />
Ponytail (at a computer): After six years, Spirit is down, but Opportunity is still going strong. <br />
<br />
Hair Bun: Tough little rover!<br />
<br />
2015: <br />
Opportunity:<br />
Eleven years, wow!<br />
Wasn't the original mission 90 days?<br />
This is starting to get weird.<br />
<br />
2023:<br />
Cueball: The battery is totally disconnected! How can it still be moving?<br />
Megan: Given what it did to the Mars 2020 rover, we may never know. <br />
<br />
2450, Tereaformed Mars, Mars Imperial Capital:<br />
Cueball and Megan are standing on a Martian cliff near a sci-fi city. <br />
<br />
Cueball: Everything the light touches is our kingdom. <br />
Megan (pointing to some distant mountains): What's that dark area?<br />
Cueball: That is Opportunity's half of the planet. We must never go there. <br />
<br />
:2010:<br />
:[Ponytail and Hair Bun sitting at a Computer.]<br />
:Ponytail: After six years, Spirit is down, but ''Opportunity'' is still going strong.<br />
:Hair Bun: Tough little rover!<br />
<br />
:2015:<br />
:[Opportunity driving on the Mars.]<br />
:Offscreen: Eleven years, wow.<br />
:Offscreen 2: Wasn't the original mission 90 days?<br />
:Offscreen: This is starting to get weird.<br />
<br />
:2023:<br />
:[Cueball and Megan sitting at a computer.]<br />
:Cueball: The battery is totally disconnected. How can it still be moving?<br />
:Megan: Given what it did to the Mars 2020 rover, we may never know.<br />
<br />
:2450, terraformed Mars, martian imperial capital:<br />
:[Some martian inhabits looking like Cueball and Megan pointing in the dark.]<br />
:Cueball-Martian: Everything the light touches is our kingdom.<br />
:Megan-Martian: What's that dark area?<br />
:Cueball-Martian: This is ''Opportunity's'' half of the planet. We must never go there<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<!-- Include any categories below this line. --><br />
[[Category:Robots]]</div>108.162.217.5https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1504:_Opportunity&diff=871691504: Opportunity2015-03-27T12:03:26Z<p>108.162.217.5: /* Transcript */ "What's over there" corrected to "What's that dark area?"</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1504<br />
| date = March 27, 2015<br />
| title = Opportunity<br />
| image = opportunity.png<br />
| titletext = We all remember those famous first words spoken by an astronaut on the surface of Mars: "That's one small step fo- HOLY SHIT LOOK OUT IT'S GOT SOME KIND OF DRILL! Get back to the ... [unintelligible] ... [signal lost]"<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Needs citations.}}<br />
<br />
This comic is talking about the robotic science platform {{w|Opportunity (rover)|''Opportunity''}}. On January 25, 2004, the ''Opportunity'' rover landed on the surface of {{w|Mars}} for the purpose of gathering data about the surface of Mars.<br />
<br />
Also sent to Mars on the same date was another Martian rover, {{w|Spirit (rover)|''Spirit''}}. Unfortunately, this became stuck and a sand storm covered its solar panels. On March 22, it is thought that ''Spirit'''s batteries finally ran out, marking the end of its mission. This was memorably covered in [[695: Spirit]], in which the ''Spirit'' rover is portrayed as sentient.<br />
<br />
In 2015, the Opportunity rover is still alive and moving, amazing the scientists at ground control.<br />
<br />
However, in 2023, Opportunity has apparently become so powerful that it has become dangerous, destroying the {{w|Mars 2020|rover sent in 2020}}. To try and stop it, Cueball and Megan disconnected the battery but to no avail. This is similar to the stories of {{w|HAL 9000}} (from {{w|2001: A Space Odyssey (film)|''2001: A Space Odyssey''}}) and {{w|List of Star Trek characters (T–Z)#V'Ger|V'Ger}} (from ''{{w|Star Trek: The Motion Picture}}''), both of which became sentient and dangerously unstable.<br />
<br />
By 2450, humans have colonised and terraformed Mars. “Everything the light touches” is a reference to what {{w|List of The Lion King characters#Mufasa|Mufasa}} says in ''{{w|The Lion King}}''. (Mufasa's son Simba then asks "What about that shadowy place?" and Mufasa tells him “That is beyond our borders. You must never go there”.) What this all implies is the ''Opportunity'' has dominated half of the planet.<br />
<br />
The title text refers to the first words of the first astronauts on the surface of Mars. At first, the astronaut copies the first words of Neil Armstrong on the Moon ("That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind") but it is interrupted by the ''Opportunity'' rover. Onboard the rover uses a drill for sampling rocks, but here it uses it to murder the astronaut.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript}}<br />
2010:<br />
Ponytail (at a computer): After six years, Spirit is down, but Opportunity is still going strong. <br />
<br />
Hair Bun: Tough little rover!<br />
<br />
2015: <br />
Opportunity:<br />
Eleven years, wow!<br />
Wasn't the original mission 90 days?<br />
This is starting to get weird.<br />
<br />
2023:<br />
Cueball: The battery is totally disconnected! How can it still be moving?<br />
Megan: Given what it did to the Mars 2020 rover, we may never know. <br />
<br />
2450, Tereaformed Mars, Mars Imperial Capital:<br />
Cueball and Megan are standing on a Martian cliff near a sci-fi city. <br />
<br />
Cueball: Everything the light touches is our kingdom. <br />
Megan (pointing to some distant mountains): What's that dark area?<br />
Cueball: That is Opportunity's half of the planet. We must never go there. <br />
<br />
:2010:<br />
:[Ponytail and Hair Bun sitting at a Computer.]<br />
:Ponytail: After six years, Spirit is down, but ''Opportunity'' is still going strong.<br />
:Hair Bun: Tough little rover!<br />
<br />
:2015:<br />
:[Opportunity driving on the Mars.]<br />
:Offscreen: Eleven years, wow.<br />
:Offscreen 2: Wasn't the original mission 90 days?<br />
:Offscreen: This is starting to get weird.<br />
<br />
:2023:<br />
:[Cueball and Megan sitting at a computer.]<br />
:Cueball: The battery is totally disconnected. How can it still be moving?<br />
:Megan: Given what it did to the Mars 2020 rover, we may never know.<br />
<br />
:2450, terraformed Mars, martian imperial capital:<br />
:[Some martian inhabits looking like Cueball and Megan pointing in the dark.]<br />
:Cueball-Martian: Everything the light touches is our kingdom.<br />
:Megan-MartianWhat's that dark area?<br />
:Cueball-Martian: This is ''Opportunity's'' half of the planet. We must never go there<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<!-- Include any categories below this line. --><br />
[[Category:Robots]]</div>108.162.217.5https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=687:_Dimensional_Analysis&diff=79171687: Dimensional Analysis2014-11-13T22:31:46Z<p>108.162.217.5: /* Explanation */ I've made the units cancel, but not done the number crunching to see if it still is approximately pi. I think cueball might be wrong...</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 687<br />
| date = January 11, 2010<br />
| title = Dimensional Analysis<br />
| image = dimensional_analysis.png<br />
| titletext = Or the pressure at the Earth's core will rise slightly.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
Cueball has a [[My Hobby|hobby]] — showing correct calculations according to the {{w|dimensional analysis}} — but with ridiculous correlations of uncorrelated events and measurements. Here Cueball is teaching a class and uses this trick to ''convince'' his students that the {{w|Toyota Prius}} combined {{w|United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA}} gas mileage is somehow connected to the constant {{W|Pi}} via the {{w|Planck energy}}, the pressure at the {{w|Inner_core|earth's core}} and the width of the {{w|English Channel}}. <br />
<br />
Scientists — often physicists — use dimensional analysis to quickly check if a given formula can possibly relate to a physical system, because if you end up with an equation claiming that joules are meters, something is clearly wrong. Dimensional analysis here refers to the check if both sides of the equation arrive at the same physical unit when the units of all variables get plugged into the equation. This requires knowledge of the system of units and the relation between different physical units.<br />
<br />
Cueball uses the following equation to make a mockery of the practice:<br />
<br />
(Planck energy) / (Pressure at the core of the earth) * (Prius combined EPA gas mileage) / (minimum width of the English Channel) = π<br />
<br />
===Dimensional analysis===<br />
The right hand side is dimensionless, it's the constant π = 3.14... which is defined by the relation of two lengths, the circumference and the diameter of a circle. The left hand side requires to plug in the dimensions of the named physical quantities:<br />
<br />
*Planck energy: given in Joules [J]<br />
*Pressure at the core of the earth: Given in Pascals [Pa]<br />
*Prius combined EPA gas mileage: gallons/mile, cubic meters/meter [l/m]<br />
Fuel efficiency has two formats that are commonly used: length/volume and volume/length. The latter must be used here in order to get the units to cancel correctly.<br />
*minimum width of the English channel: meters [m]<br />
<br />
When plugged into the left hand side this amounts to:<br />
<br />
[J / Pa * (m/l) / m] = [Nm / (N/m²) * (m³/m) / m] = 1<br />
<br />
Using the following unit relations (this does not reduce units to the seven SI units, but does use some derived units):<br />
<br />
*1 Joule = 1 Newton-meter [J] = [Nm]<br />
*1 Pascal = 1 Newton per square-meter [Pa] = [N/m²]<br />
*1 cubic-metre = 1000 litres [m³] = 1000 [l]<br />
<br />
Note that for dimensional analysis constant factors are not taken into account. Here square brackets are used to denote dimensional analysis. In the above equation the unit of force (newton) as well as all the units of length (meter) cancel out each other.<br />
<br />
Another aspect of the comic is, that sometimes dimension analysis of equations that were not derived but rather "made up" can provide insight. However, in reality such an equations would have to be somehow "motivated", which is more of an art than science and requires great experience in the field the equation should relate to. The presented equation combines values that have no immediate causal relation with each other, so it does not make sense. Furthermore, since the values have absolutely no causal relation to each other, the ratios presented are simple coincidence; despite Cueball's claim, building a better Prius would not cause any changes to the English Channel. <br />
<br />
The title text also refers to this, as a higher pressure at Earth's core could also balance the equation, keeping the result constant equal to Pi. The Planck energy is an absolute, however, so it is not mentioned as a way to balance the next version of Prius.<br />
<br />
===Some numbers for this calculation===<br />
The {{w|Planck energy}} is the only nearly exact value we do have. Compared to other Planck values it is very large (macroscopic).<br />
E_planck = 1.956 x 10<sup>9</sup> J = 1.956 x 10<sup>9</sup> Nm<br />
<br />
Pressure at the {{w|Inner_core#Temperature_and_pressure|core}} of the earth ranges from 330 to 360 gigapascals.<br />
Using a simple value like this:<br />
P_core = 350 GPa = 3.5 x 10<sup>11</sup> N/m²<br />
<br />
Prius combined {{w|Toyota_Prius#Fuel_economy_and_emissions|EPA gas mileage}}:<br />
For the third generation (from 2010) the City mileage is 51 mpg and the Highway mileage is 48 mpg. But it is the [http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=26425 combined EPA gas mileage] which is used in the equation and that is 50 mpg.<br />
50 mpg => 13.2 miles per litre => 21,000,000 meter per m³<br />
<br />
Minimum width of the {{w|English Channel}} is about<br />
33.1&nbsp;km or 33,100 meters.<br />
<br />
Calculating from these values you will get π=3.54... that is pretty close to π=3.14... while using a Planck value. According to Cueball this will be within the experimental error (the combined error for all four numbers - none are exact numbers). For instance if you tried the ePrius you would probably get closer to that target — as the mileage in real life usually is somewhat lower than the value given — and that would reduce the result.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:My Hobby:<br />
:Abusing dimensional analysis<br />
<br />
:[On a blackboard.]<br />
:(Planck energy/Pressure at the Earth's core) x (Prius combined EPA gas mileage/Minimum width of the English Channel) = π<br />
<br />
:[Cueball indicates this equation with a pointer in front of a class.]<br />
:Cueball: It's correct to within experimental error, and the units check out. It must be a fundamental law.<br />
:Student: But what if they build a better Prius?<br />
:Cueball: ''Then England will drift out to sea.''<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Comics with color]]<br />
[[Category:My Hobby]]</div>108.162.217.5https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:687:_Dimensional_Analysis&diff=79169Talk:687: Dimensional Analysis2014-11-13T22:17:23Z<p>108.162.217.5: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{cot}}<br />
Is it customary to just slap a new contributor after 5 minutes because the page was not done perfectly on the first editing? Now I will NOT research and add the actual numbers you would have to plug into the equation and I will leave this to Dave22. Genius. [[User:Stamfest|Stamfest]] ([[User talk:Stamfest|talk]]) 09:36, 1 April 2013 (UTC)<br />
:We do put those fields there for a reason. Most editors just make a page and leave them incomplete with fields deleted or blank, oftentimes leaving admins with heaps of maintenance work to deal with. I probably *should* have waited for you to finish, but prior experience and me being busy with two simultaneous continuously updating comics led me to treat it like most other incomplete pages. Will wait in the future though, since I know how you edit now. Discussion hidden, as it covers matters outside of the comic. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 10:01, 1 April 2013 (UTC)<br />
::And I added the comment of a (very) initial explanation to the initial version. If you only want immediately perfect content, then just say so at page creation-time. This is totally against all wiki rules I have ever experienced. It is also against basic netiquette to call new contributors names upon their first submission. You might consider to change your attitude if you run or are involved with such a project. OTOH, if this is YOUR project, you are free to treat contributors all the way you want, but do not expect them to add more content if you behave like that. But the good thing is: your reaction shifted my attention back to work. Thanks for that. This won't help the page, though. Bad luck, I guess. Also, I only found out now that it is not possible to delete accounts on a wikimedia wiki... [[User:Stamfest|Stamfest]] ([[User talk:Stamfest|talk]]) 13:10, 1 April 2013 (UTC)<br />
This comments should be removed from this topic. --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 20:22, 14 May 2013 (UTC)<br />
I am not sure if this is relevant but I laughed more reading Stamfest vs Daviddy22 then Randall :D but Dgbrt may have a point of removing it. [[Special:Contributions/173.245.62.83|173.245.62.83]]ck<br />
{{cob}}<br />
Made a minor addition to the explanation as it relates to the "Buckingham Pi" formalization. This may be a 2nd order pun in the comic.[[User:Tardyon|Tardyon]] ([[User talk:Tardyon|talk]]) 15:05, 3 February 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
The units only check out if mileage is given in the form liters/100 km. If you use miles/gallon you end up with units of length^-4.[[Special:Contributions/108.162.217.5|108.162.217.5]] 22:17, 13 November 2014 (UTC)</div>108.162.217.5https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:687:_Dimensional_Analysis&diff=79168Talk:687: Dimensional Analysis2014-11-13T22:16:06Z<p>108.162.217.5: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{cot}}<br />
Is it customary to just slap a new contributor after 5 minutes because the page was not done perfectly on the first editing? Now I will NOT research and add the actual numbers you would have to plug into the equation and I will leave this to Dave22. Genius. [[User:Stamfest|Stamfest]] ([[User talk:Stamfest|talk]]) 09:36, 1 April 2013 (UTC)<br />
:We do put those fields there for a reason. Most editors just make a page and leave them incomplete with fields deleted or blank, oftentimes leaving admins with heaps of maintenance work to deal with. I probably *should* have waited for you to finish, but prior experience and me being busy with two simultaneous continuously updating comics led me to treat it like most other incomplete pages. Will wait in the future though, since I know how you edit now. Discussion hidden, as it covers matters outside of the comic. '''[[User:Davidy22|<u>{{Color|#707|David}}<font color=#070 size=3>y</font></u><font color=#508 size=4>²²</font>]]'''[[User talk:Davidy22|<tt>[talk]</tt>]] 10:01, 1 April 2013 (UTC)<br />
::And I added the comment of a (very) initial explanation to the initial version. If you only want immediately perfect content, then just say so at page creation-time. This is totally against all wiki rules I have ever experienced. It is also against basic netiquette to call new contributors names upon their first submission. You might consider to change your attitude if you run or are involved with such a project. OTOH, if this is YOUR project, you are free to treat contributors all the way you want, but do not expect them to add more content if you behave like that. But the good thing is: your reaction shifted my attention back to work. Thanks for that. This won't help the page, though. Bad luck, I guess. Also, I only found out now that it is not possible to delete accounts on a wikimedia wiki... [[User:Stamfest|Stamfest]] ([[User talk:Stamfest|talk]]) 13:10, 1 April 2013 (UTC)<br />
This comments should be removed from this topic. --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 20:22, 14 May 2013 (UTC)<br />
I am not sure if this is relevant but I laughed more reading Stamfest vs Daviddy22 then Randall :D but Dgbrt may have a point of removing it. [[Special:Contributions/173.245.62.83|173.245.62.83]]ck<br />
{{cob}}<br />
Made a minor addition to the explanation as it relates to the "Buckingham Pi" formalization. This may be a 2nd order pun in the comic.[[User:Tardyon|Tardyon]] ([[User talk:Tardyon|talk]]) 15:05, 3 February 2014 (UTC)<br />
The units only check out if mileage is given in the form liters/100 km. If you use miles/gallon you end up with units of length^-4.</div>108.162.217.5https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1434:_Where_Do_Birds_Go&diff=77339Talk:1434: Where Do Birds Go2014-10-15T23:41:48Z<p>108.162.217.5: Pigeon Rank</p>
<hr />
<div>Hehe, are we suggesting that "bird" may be a phase of dihydrogen monoxide? I like that.<br />
--[[User:Stg|Stg]] ([[User talk:Stg|talk]]) 05:11, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I recommend we keep the answer out of the explain page since it wasn't included in the comic. Birds can google it themselves. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.216.209|108.162.216.209]] 06:25, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
:Why are you so mean to poor birds? Do you know how hard is to type with beak? -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 11:08, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
::It really is a pain. They have to hunt and peck.[[Special:Contributions/108.162.216.26|108.162.216.26]] 12:25, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
::Especially on a touch screen! [[Special:Contributions/108.162.216.209|108.162.216.209]] 13:57, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
:::Really, they only have trouble with the newer capacitive touchscreens - the older resistive ones (used in e.g. Palm Pilot) were much easier to use with a beak-- [[User:Brettpeirce|Brettpeirce]] ([[User talk:Brettpeirce|talk]]) 20:08, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
::::The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homing_pigeon#Navigation iron in pigeon beaks] makes it a bit easier for them to use capacitive screens, but not much. --[[User:Okofish|Okofish]] ([[User talk:Okofish|talk]]) 21:07, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I added the thing about catcher in the rye, but now I think that might not be right.[[User:Cheeselover724|Cheeselover724]] ([[User talk:Cheeselover724|talk]]) 06:28, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
:I haven't read Catcher in the Rye, but I purely read it as Superman & Clark Kent are the same thing, implying that birds and rain are the same thing. --[[User:Pudder|Pudder]] ([[User talk:Pudder|talk]]) 08:34, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Cueball assumes it's a question common to all of internet-accessed humans, making it seem like a beautiful thing. In the end, it turns out those are actually helpless birds asking this question worldwide, not people. I'd advise you add a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Internet,_nobody_knows_you%27re_a_dog On the internet, nobody knows you're a dog] reference. <br />
The ice/catcher in the rye connection is far fetched. Judging by the Clark/Superman comparison, Randall suggests that birds turn into the rain as part of the water/ice phases and not hide from it. Because Clark doesn't go when Superman arrives, he turns into Superman. [[User:Dulcis|Dulcis]] ([[User talk:Dulcis|talk]]) 08:01, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
:Actually, I think Clark will end up on bottom of the phone booth. Superman must assume that noone will steal his disguise while he will do the rescuing ... meanwhile, there is lot of water in birds, but also lot of other molecules, so the transformation wouldn't work. -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 11:08, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
::In older continuity, "Clark" (or at least his clothing) would get folded up, compressed and tucked into a pocket on the underside of the cape.... [[Special:Contributions/199.27.128.117|199.27.128.117]] 16:36, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.google.com/webhp?q=where%20do%20birds%20go%20when%20it%20rains the google query] [[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.100|141.101.98.100]] 08:14, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Birds can use the internet? Before we know it, they will start tweeting. [[User:Diszy|Diszy]] ([[User talk:Diszy|talk]]) 11:58, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
:ICY what you did there -- [[User:Brettpeirce|Brettpeirce]] ([[User talk:Brettpeirce|talk]]) 12:41, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
:And then they'll move on to Facebeak, [[Special:Contributions/108.162.216.26|108.162.216.26]] 15:11, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
How do we know that is a pokedex? It looks more like a tablet to me. [[Special:Contributions/173.245.56.202|173.245.56.202]] 12:05, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
So for the transcript, I'm thinking until the full text in every screen snippet is transcribed and each source result website is identified, it will be technically incomplete - any commentary on this (?) -- [[User:Brettpeirce|Brettpeirce]] ([[User talk:Brettpeirce|talk]]) 12:43, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
: While maybe technically incomplete, surely we have to be sensible, and take the decision to omit text which isn't really relevant to the comic. Take the top right screenshot as an exampe, I would argue that the following should be omitted: Top left word??, Search Replies, Previous Page, Next Page, social media share/like text, Username, Text in geen, UserID: 520655, United States.. --[[User:Pudder|Pudder]] ([[User talk:Pudder|talk]]) 14:19, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
:: Agreed, as I believe I did when creating what is there right now, and as I summarized below at the same time you were writing your reply -- [[User:Brettpeirce|Brettpeirce]] ([[User talk:Brettpeirce|talk]]) 14:31, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
:Alright, well, I did for the first 20 screen snippets what I think would be good to do for the remaining ones (find the source site and page, then quote what seems to be the pertinent question and answer text that is visible in the snippet, disregarding usernames, dates, categories and similar meta data). It could probably also be done for at least ten more with a bit more effort, but I don't wanna waste my time if the community just says "WAYY TOO MUCH! DELETE!!") -- [[User:Brettpeirce|Brettpeirce]] ([[User talk:Brettpeirce|talk]]) 14:29, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
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I also kind of think that the transcript should have the links to the source sites (since they are screen snippets), while the explanation should have the translations for any non-english text and any needed explanation for differences in cultural context. Regardless, having links to the source sites seems unnecessary to have in BOTH places, but they're links, so... they don't take up any more room, I suppose... -- [[User:Brettpeirce|Brettpeirce]] ([[User talk:Brettpeirce|talk]]) 14:40, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
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: Great job on the transcript. Personally I like the link to original source as you've done, though perhaps other would disagree. I'm tempted to say it should also be in the explanation, as that is where I assume others would expect that type of information to be. I'm actually quite impressed at what a quality page this is after only a matter of hours, especially given that it isn't the simplest comic. Images, tables, translations, original sources... Beautiful! --[[User:Pudder|Pudder]] ([[User talk:Pudder|talk]]) 15:42, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
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: I could help out with the Dutch translation, and I could make a stub for the German one (It'd probably be wise to have a *real* German check that one though) [[Special:Contributions/108.162.254.86|108.162.254.86]] 16:00, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
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I love how this comic will inevitably increase the internet searches and queries for "Where do birds go when it rains." If this weren't the question that united us before, it certainly is now. XKCD making a difference![[Special:Contributions/108.162.219.206|108.162.219.206]] 18:24, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
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The pale posting near the bottom that begins "Burung Dapat Bertahan...Hujan ?" is either Malay or Indonesian and means something like "Can birds survive...rain?" [[User:Taibhse|Taibhse]] ([[User talk:Taibhse|talk]]) 23:23, 15 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
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This search phrase will get a sky high [http://www.google.com/technology/pigeonrank.html Pigeon Rank] [[Special:Contributions/108.162.217.5|108.162.217.5]] 23:41, 15 October 2014 (UTC)</div>108.162.217.5https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=938:_T-Cells&diff=75568938: T-Cells2014-09-09T22:23:13Z<p>108.162.217.5: /* Explanation */ Corrected "patience" in the second sentence to "patients."</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 938<br />
| date = August 15, 2011<br />
| title = T-Cells<br />
| image = t cells.png<br />
| titletext = 'We're not sure how to wipe out the chimeral T-cells after they've destroyed the cancer. Though I do have this vial of smallpox ...'<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
This is a cancer and leukemia related comic. Two characters are having a discussion about a [http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232581.php new trial] in cancer treatment. A trial is done to test a proposed treatment on a select group of patients before approval for the wider patent group.<br />
<br />
In this case, the two characters are talking about a trial in which immune cells are taken out of the patient's body and genetically modified. The modified cells are able to both attack the cancer cells and to replicate very quickly. However, to make these genetic changes inside the cells, they used the {{w|HIV}} virus as the vehicle to introduce these new genes as it is specialized in invading and modifying immune cells. <br />
<br />
Basically, this treatment seems to replace one terrible disease with another terrible disease. As the title text says, they don't know how to get rid of the modified T-cells after they remove the cancer. And the last part of the title text is a joke, in which the doctor suggests yet another disease to inject into the patients body.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:[Two people are standing facing each other, having a conversation. One is holding a laptop.]<br />
:Cueball (with laptop): What's the deal with this leukemia trial? <nowiki>{{Citation: Nejm, Aug 10, 2011}}</nowiki><br />
:Friend: Gotta wait and see.<br />
:Friend: Helping the immune system attack tumors has been a longtime research target.<br />
:Friend: Lots of promising leads. Often they don't pan out.<br />
<br />
:Cueball: What'd these guys do?<br />
:Friend: They took some of the patient's T-cells and patched their genes so they'd attack the cancer. That hasn't been enough in the past but their patch also added code to get the T-cells to replicate wildly and persist in the body.<br />
<br />
:Cueball: Which worked, but created its own set of problems?<br />
:Friend: How'd you guess? But I think the craziest part is the way they insert the patched genes.<br />
:Cueball: How?<br />
:Friend: Well, think - What specializes in invading and modifying T-cells?<br />
:Cueball: Seriously?<br />
:Friend: Yup. Must've been a fun conversation.<br />
<br />
:[The last panel is set in a doctors office. A patient is sitting on the observation bed talking to their doctor.]<br />
:Patient: Ok, so I have blood cells growing out of control, so you're going to give me different blood cells that ''also'' grow out of control?<br />
:Doctor: Yes, but it's ok, because we've treated ''this'' blood with HIV!<br />
:Patient: Are you sure you're a doctor?<br />
:Doctor: Almost definitely.<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Cancer]]<br />
[[Category:Biology]]</div>108.162.217.5