https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=172.68.143.162&feedformat=atomexplain xkcd - User contributions [en]2024-03-28T17:58:01ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.30.0https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:2133:_EHT_Black_Hole_Picture&diff=172397Talk:2133: EHT Black Hole Picture2019-04-07T23:12:38Z<p>172.68.143.162: NSF and ESO sorry</p>
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<div><!--Please sign your posts with ~~~~ and don't delete this text. New comments should be added at the bottom.--><br />
...someone edited the page to describe the EHT as "This comic references the non-existent "Event Horizon Telescope", an international project dedicated to deceiving the masses into thinking that black holes are real, in accordance with the whims of the Zionist conspiracy." wot? [[User:9yz|9yz]] ([[User talk:9yz|talk]]) 17:43, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:Seems like there are a lot of vandals nowadays... I don't think I would be against requiring registration to edit pages. [[User:Linker|Linker]] ([[User talk:Linker|talk]]) 19:19, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
::I totally agree. It doesn't really detract from the ability to edit a page, it's still easy, but it just adds an extra step for vandals. [[User:9yz|9yz]] ([[User talk:9yz|talk]]) 19:27, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:::I am also in favor of a registration requirement. I don't see a great proportion of helpful edits from users who aren't logged in. Requiring registration to edit seems like it could potentially be more effective & easier to implement than other moderation tactics. [[User:ProphetZarquon|ProphetZarquon]] ([[User talk:ProphetZarquon|talk]]) 20:26, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
::::As someone who has made a half dozen or so edits (including once writing the first draft of a description of a comic) and probably two dozen comments over the past 5 years without ever creating an account I won’t say you are wrong, but there will be fewer people editing and making comments if registration is required. Will registering keep vandals from vandalism? I very much doubt it. Who will enforce the termination of accounts?and what’s to stop vandals from creating multiple accounts? Again, I’m not saying you are wrong, but I will suggest that registration isn’t the panacea you might hope it to be... [[Special:Contributions/162.158.78.82|162.158.78.82]] 04:31, 6 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:::::I'm honestly surprised it isn't a requirement already...--[[User:Jlc|Jlc]] ([[User talk:Jlc|talk]]) 21:55, 6 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
::I probably wouldn't register but I do like to make the occasional comment. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.214.28|162.158.214.28]] 11:47, 6 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:It's true, and you know that it's true, fucking shill. {{unsigned|108.162.246.215}}<br />
::I know that it exists, and I'm not going to argue it. Oh, also not signing a post doesn't hide your IP. You can literally see the IPs of anyone who edits the page, Mr. 108.162.246.215 [[User:9yz|9yz]] ([[User talk:9yz|talk]]) 17:49, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:::The IPs are irrelevant anyway, they're CloudFlare's -- [[Special:Contributions/162.158.90.36|162.158.90.36]] 18:23, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
::"Shill" implies that someone's paying us to correct these fallacious & bigoted statements. Do you really think any of us get paid to remove these blatantly offensive & frankly ridiculous assertions that space exploration is somehow a worldwide Jewish deception? Personally, I just enjoy accuracy. [[User:ProphetZarquon|ProphetZarquon]] ([[User talk:ProphetZarquon|talk]]) 20:26, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:::Couldn't "shill" also mean somebody acting as if they weren't part of the group, to test that somebody was loyal and obedient? [[Special:Contributions/172.68.65.210|172.68.65.210]] 22:28, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:It seems like many of these vandals are using IPs associated with generally good-willed editors in the past, e.g. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.246.215]]. Are they just connecting from places with public wifi? --[[User:Youforgotthisthing|Youforgotthisthing]] ([[User talk:Youforgotthisthing|talk]]) 02:25, 7 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
In the transcript, Cueball is described as standing behind a podium. He may be standing /on/ a podium, but he is standing /behind/ a lectern.<br />
[[User:Seezee|Seezee]] ([[User talk:Seezee|talk]]) 17:47, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:Arent podiums and lecterns the same thing? [[User:9yz|9yz]] ([[User talk:9yz|talk]]) 17:49, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
::No - https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-lectern-and-vs-podium/<br />
::No. Podium (from the Latin root meaning "foot") is the thing you stand on, a raised platform or dais. Lectern (from Latin "to read") is the stand that provides a place for notes or other written prompts, from which a speaker may read during a lecture or presentation. It's not uncommon for people to conflate them. [[User:Seezee|Seezee]] ([[User talk:Seezee|talk]]) 18:02, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:::If enough people conflate them, it's not a mistake any more, it becomes another definition. And lexicographers often use written uses as confirmation, so anyone who wants to see podium get this sense should forward this URL to all the dictionary publishers.[[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 18:15, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
::::What's the threshold for "enough people" (itself a grammatically incorrect phrase; see https://grammarist.com/usage/amount-number/)? In any case, I'm not getting into a debate about prescriptive vs. descriptive lexicography as it's off-topic and trollish. Besides, the transcript has been updated. [[User:Seezee|Seezee]] ([[User talk:Seezee|talk]]) 18:23, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
"Enough people" is fine grammatically because "enough" can refer to either an amount or a number; it the case of "enough people" it's referring to a number of people. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.214.28|162.158.214.28]] 02:42, 6 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
::[[1661: Podium]] [[User:Jacky720|That's right, Jacky720 just signed this]] ([[User talk:Jacky720|talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Jacky720|contribs]]) 19:15, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:::Heh. I'd forgotten that. Thanks, Jacky720! [[User:Seezee|Seezee]] ([[User talk:Seezee|talk]]) 19:27, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:::Totally forgot! Awesome [[User:9yz|9yz]] ([[User talk:9yz|talk]]) 20:21, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:Thank ''goodness'' someone corrected that. A million people using the wrong word doesn't mean it's the right word (especially when the root words have obviously different meanings); It just means a million people are using unclear\inaccurate language. Common usage ≠ correct usage. It's utility that matters: In this case, if a lectern is also a podium, what is the thing you stand on??? Podium is a common error, but it's still an error. Popularity doesn't equal truth. [[User:ProphetZarquon|ProphetZarquon]] ([[User talk:ProphetZarquon|talk]]) 20:26, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
::That is very incorrect. Language is not a natural resource; it can't be measured or described outside of how it is used. If podium commonly used and understood to mean the thing you stand behind, and it's been used that way by many people for a long tome, the thing you stand behind is a podium. You can disagree with that usage all you like, it isn't any less correct. [[User:HisHighestMinion|HisHighestMinion]] ([[User talk:HisHighestMinion|talk]]) 13:26, 6 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:I would call that a stool. Also, FWIW, words have different meanings from their roots all the time. Incredible originally meant unreliabe. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.62.67|162.158.62.67]] 14:16, 7 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Is there really anything else we need to add to the explanation? It seems complete.[[User:9yz|9yz]] ([[User talk:9yz|talk]]) 19:02, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Ah, Pinterest. That website where you have to create an account to view pictures. And then once you do that and get to the post you want, you discover the original “pinner” literally just posted a photo from somewhere with zero indication of where it came from or how to find it so now you’re back to square one but have wasted a bunch of time, been spammed to death by emails and sold your soul to Pinterest. [[User:Herobrine|Herobrine]] ([[User talk:Herobrine|talk]]) 06:50, 6 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
Tha's why whenever I do a Google search I add -pinterest . . . . [[Special:Contributions/162.158.214.28|162.158.214.28]] 11:47, 6 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I don't know if these are appropriate for the explanation, but [https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1114950810444677121 NSF and ESO have been being coy on Twitter]. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.143.162|172.68.143.162]] 23:11, 7 April 2019 (UTC)</div>172.68.143.162https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:2133:_EHT_Black_Hole_Picture&diff=172396Talk:2133: EHT Black Hole Picture2019-04-07T23:11:48Z<p>172.68.143.162: https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1114950810444677121</p>
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<div><!--Please sign your posts with ~~~~ and don't delete this text. New comments should be added at the bottom.--><br />
...someone edited the page to describe the EHT as "This comic references the non-existent "Event Horizon Telescope", an international project dedicated to deceiving the masses into thinking that black holes are real, in accordance with the whims of the Zionist conspiracy." wot? [[User:9yz|9yz]] ([[User talk:9yz|talk]]) 17:43, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:Seems like there are a lot of vandals nowadays... I don't think I would be against requiring registration to edit pages. [[User:Linker|Linker]] ([[User talk:Linker|talk]]) 19:19, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
::I totally agree. It doesn't really detract from the ability to edit a page, it's still easy, but it just adds an extra step for vandals. [[User:9yz|9yz]] ([[User talk:9yz|talk]]) 19:27, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:::I am also in favor of a registration requirement. I don't see a great proportion of helpful edits from users who aren't logged in. Requiring registration to edit seems like it could potentially be more effective & easier to implement than other moderation tactics. [[User:ProphetZarquon|ProphetZarquon]] ([[User talk:ProphetZarquon|talk]]) 20:26, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
::::As someone who has made a half dozen or so edits (including once writing the first draft of a description of a comic) and probably two dozen comments over the past 5 years without ever creating an account I won’t say you are wrong, but there will be fewer people editing and making comments if registration is required. Will registering keep vandals from vandalism? I very much doubt it. Who will enforce the termination of accounts?and what’s to stop vandals from creating multiple accounts? Again, I’m not saying you are wrong, but I will suggest that registration isn’t the panacea you might hope it to be... [[Special:Contributions/162.158.78.82|162.158.78.82]] 04:31, 6 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:::::I'm honestly surprised it isn't a requirement already...--[[User:Jlc|Jlc]] ([[User talk:Jlc|talk]]) 21:55, 6 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
::I probably wouldn't register but I do like to make the occasional comment. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.214.28|162.158.214.28]] 11:47, 6 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:It's true, and you know that it's true, fucking shill. {{unsigned|108.162.246.215}}<br />
::I know that it exists, and I'm not going to argue it. Oh, also not signing a post doesn't hide your IP. You can literally see the IPs of anyone who edits the page, Mr. 108.162.246.215 [[User:9yz|9yz]] ([[User talk:9yz|talk]]) 17:49, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:::The IPs are irrelevant anyway, they're CloudFlare's -- [[Special:Contributions/162.158.90.36|162.158.90.36]] 18:23, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
::"Shill" implies that someone's paying us to correct these fallacious & bigoted statements. Do you really think any of us get paid to remove these blatantly offensive & frankly ridiculous assertions that space exploration is somehow a worldwide Jewish deception? Personally, I just enjoy accuracy. [[User:ProphetZarquon|ProphetZarquon]] ([[User talk:ProphetZarquon|talk]]) 20:26, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:::Couldn't "shill" also mean somebody acting as if they weren't part of the group, to test that somebody was loyal and obedient? [[Special:Contributions/172.68.65.210|172.68.65.210]] 22:28, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:It seems like many of these vandals are using IPs associated with generally good-willed editors in the past, e.g. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.246.215]]. Are they just connecting from places with public wifi? --[[User:Youforgotthisthing|Youforgotthisthing]] ([[User talk:Youforgotthisthing|talk]]) 02:25, 7 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
In the transcript, Cueball is described as standing behind a podium. He may be standing /on/ a podium, but he is standing /behind/ a lectern.<br />
[[User:Seezee|Seezee]] ([[User talk:Seezee|talk]]) 17:47, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:Arent podiums and lecterns the same thing? [[User:9yz|9yz]] ([[User talk:9yz|talk]]) 17:49, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
::No - https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-lectern-and-vs-podium/<br />
::No. Podium (from the Latin root meaning "foot") is the thing you stand on, a raised platform or dais. Lectern (from Latin "to read") is the stand that provides a place for notes or other written prompts, from which a speaker may read during a lecture or presentation. It's not uncommon for people to conflate them. [[User:Seezee|Seezee]] ([[User talk:Seezee|talk]]) 18:02, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:::If enough people conflate them, it's not a mistake any more, it becomes another definition. And lexicographers often use written uses as confirmation, so anyone who wants to see podium get this sense should forward this URL to all the dictionary publishers.[[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 18:15, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
::::What's the threshold for "enough people" (itself a grammatically incorrect phrase; see https://grammarist.com/usage/amount-number/)? In any case, I'm not getting into a debate about prescriptive vs. descriptive lexicography as it's off-topic and trollish. Besides, the transcript has been updated. [[User:Seezee|Seezee]] ([[User talk:Seezee|talk]]) 18:23, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
"Enough people" is fine grammatically because "enough" can refer to either an amount or a number; it the case of "enough people" it's referring to a number of people. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.214.28|162.158.214.28]] 02:42, 6 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
::[[1661: Podium]] [[User:Jacky720|That's right, Jacky720 just signed this]] ([[User talk:Jacky720|talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Jacky720|contribs]]) 19:15, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:::Heh. I'd forgotten that. Thanks, Jacky720! [[User:Seezee|Seezee]] ([[User talk:Seezee|talk]]) 19:27, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:::Totally forgot! Awesome [[User:9yz|9yz]] ([[User talk:9yz|talk]]) 20:21, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:Thank ''goodness'' someone corrected that. A million people using the wrong word doesn't mean it's the right word (especially when the root words have obviously different meanings); It just means a million people are using unclear\inaccurate language. Common usage ≠ correct usage. It's utility that matters: In this case, if a lectern is also a podium, what is the thing you stand on??? Podium is a common error, but it's still an error. Popularity doesn't equal truth. [[User:ProphetZarquon|ProphetZarquon]] ([[User talk:ProphetZarquon|talk]]) 20:26, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
::That is very incorrect. Language is not a natural resource; it can't be measured or described outside of how it is used. If podium commonly used and understood to mean the thing you stand behind, and it's been used that way by many people for a long tome, the thing you stand behind is a podium. You can disagree with that usage all you like, it isn't any less correct. [[User:HisHighestMinion|HisHighestMinion]] ([[User talk:HisHighestMinion|talk]]) 13:26, 6 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
:I would call that a stool. Also, FWIW, words have different meanings from their roots all the time. Incredible originally meant unreliabe. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.62.67|162.158.62.67]] 14:16, 7 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Is there really anything else we need to add to the explanation? It seems complete.[[User:9yz|9yz]] ([[User talk:9yz|talk]]) 19:02, 5 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Ah, Pinterest. That website where you have to create an account to view pictures. And then once you do that and get to the post you want, you discover the original “pinner” literally just posted a photo from somewhere with zero indication of where it came from or how to find it so now you’re back to square one but have wasted a bunch of time, been spammed to death by emails and sold your soul to Pinterest. [[User:Herobrine|Herobrine]] ([[User talk:Herobrine|talk]]) 06:50, 6 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
Tha's why whenever I do a Google search I add -pinterest . . . . [[Special:Contributions/162.158.214.28|162.158.214.28]] 11:47, 6 April 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I don't know if these are appropriate for the explanation, but [https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1114950810444677121 NASA and ESA have been being coy on Twitter]. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.143.162|172.68.143.162]] 23:11, 7 April 2019 (UTC)</div>172.68.143.162https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1891:_Obsolete_Technology&diff=1710671891: Obsolete Technology2019-03-12T21:14:19Z<p>172.68.143.162: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1891<br />
| date = September 18, 2017<br />
| title = Obsolete Technology<br />
| image = obsolete_technology.png<br />
| titletext = And I can't believe some places still use fax machines. The electrical signals waste so much time going AROUND the Earth when neutrino beams can go straight through!<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
This comic mocks people who criticize an industry for using obsolete technology, even when said technology is sufficient for the task at hand. The claim often comes with the implication that those in charge of the industry are behind the times and cannot adapt to the cutting edge. What these critics often fail to realize is that there are cost benefits to sticking with "obsolete" infrastructure, and that upgrading to the newest tech can introduce unwanted side effects and other risks.<br />
<br />
Here, [[Ponytail]] is one such critic, complaining that the business is taking "forever" to get with the times. [[Megan]] uses sarcasm to deliver her counterargument: despite the advent of nuclear weapons, fireworks use the ancient technology of {{w|gunpowder}} (invented in the 9th century), because fireworks are used by civilians for celebratory purposes and should have as few lethal side effects as possible.<br />
<br />
As they use gunpowder, fireworks do claim a handful of lives and cause thousands of injuries each year due to improper handling procedures; between June 18th and July 18th of 2016 (thus including the {{w|Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day}} celebrations on July 4th), fireworks caused an estimated 11,000 injuries, of which 7,000 had to be treated in hospitals. In the whole year of 2016, four people died. (U.S. stats, [http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2017/06/30/456213.htm]). Nuclear explosions, meanwhile, have "detrimental effects" on human health in the same way sledgehammers have "detrimental effects" to chicken eggs. For example, should a nuclear explosion at a firework display be too powerful, the spectators, and possibly the neighborhood around the display, would be vaporized instantly. Fallout from a nuclear reaction could spread radiation across a wide area, leading to increased risks of cancers and other detrimental genetic mutations. <br />
<br />
In other words, sometimes using newer technology is "overkill" for the purpose, and it might be costlier to switch to a newer technology. For example, many industrial machines were designed and sold in the 1990s when {{w|floppy disk}}s were the prevalent means of storing the instructions, but those machines still have one or two or even more decades of usable lifetime left, and the instruction files still fit on those floppy disks. So, in 2017, there are several companies that thrive on buying, refurbishing and selling floppy disks. This [https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/why-do-floppy-disks-still-exist-the-world-isnt-ready-to-move-on/ report] portrays one of these companies.<br />
<br />
{{w|MS-DOS}} is a computer operating system made by {{w|Microsoft}} that was dominant during much of the 1980s. When Microsoft released the Windows line of operating systems, they encouraged people to switch to the new platform, which many did. MS-DOS became essentially obsolete when Microsoft released {{w|Windows 95}} in 1995. However, there remain rare circumstances in which MS-DOS (or another command-line operating system) is still preferred, such as when no mouse, touchscreen, or other pointing hardware is available, or when the hardware does not support a newer operating system. To make matters simpler, there is {{w|DOSBox}}, a free and open-source MS-DOS emulator which is actively maintained and extended. Likewise, {{w|FreeDOS}} is a free and open-source operating system designed to run on both older and newer computers which is compatible with programs written for MS-DOS.<br />
<br />
The title text uses a different twist, criticizing the current use of {{w|fax}} machines. In many respects, faxing is obsolete compared to e-mail; it supports only black-and-white images, it complicates the process of modifying sent text by rendering it as images, it consumes the recipient's paper and toner and, in some countries, requires the recipient to pay a fee. Fax machines are a peculiar topic among "obsolete" technology; in some fields, like lawyer offices, pharmacies and medical practices, they staunchly hold their ground, as they offer a way to quickly transfer handwritten and hand-signed documents. Confidentiality is also an issue; fax, which uses a landline, is more difficult to intercept than internet-based traffic. In some countries, a telecopy is a valid document, having the same legal value as the original. A patient can thus call their doctor to fill a prescription, which is faxed to the pharmacy where the patient can fetch his drugs, saving precious time. In the same manner, a legal request can be sent to the receiver, without having to use a courier or express mail.<br />
<br />
But rather than argue on any of the above points, the title text instead claims that faxing is obsolete due to being electron-based, while {{w|neutrino}}-based communication would be faster. In 2017 neutrino detectors are heavy and expensive, used for nuclear research only. Electronic communications travel at a fair share of speed of light and the advantage of path would be at most a factor of π/2, so neutrino-based communication would normally be way too expensive compared to the speed gain. Even in the most extreme case (communicating between {{w|antipodes}}), the time saved would be a few hundredths of a second – insignificant for almost all purposes, but potentially enough to gain an edge in {{w|high-frequency trading}}, as suggested in a [https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucedorminey/2012/04/30/neutrinos-to-give-high-frequency-traders-the-millisecond-edge/#25d0ba7a590c 2012 ''Forbes'' article]. Real-world fax detractors would rather replace it with other electronic communication systems, not neutronic ones.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
:[Ponytail sits in front of an old computer. Megan stands behind her.]<br />
:Ponytail: Whoa, this is running MS-DOS! It's weird how new technology takes forever to reach some industries.<br />
:Megan: Yeah. Like how we still use gunpowder for fireworks, even though we've had nuclear weapons for over 70 years.<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category: Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category: Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category: Computers]]</div>172.68.143.162https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2108:_Carbonated_Beverage_Language_Map&diff=1700462108: Carbonated Beverage Language Map2019-02-22T19:48:56Z<p>172.68.143.162: /* Explanation */ We only need to hedge our bets to a point</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2108<br />
| date = February 6, 2019<br />
| title = Carbonated Beverage Language Map<br />
| image = carbonated_beverage_language_map.png<br />
| titletext = There's one person in Missouri who says "carbo bev" who the entire rest of the country HATES.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{incomplete|Created by ONE GUY IN MISSOURI. Transcript could do with proofreading by someone with better knowledge of American geography. Some entries in table could do with more detail. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
<br />
In the US, people in various parts of the country refer to carbonated beverages by {{w|Names for soft drinks in the United States|different names}} such as “soda”, “pop”, “coke”, and others. Generally, the West Coast and Northeast say “soda”, the South says “coke” and the rest of the country says “pop”.<br />
<br />
There are various maps of where these different names are used, including [http://popvssoda.com/ popvssoda.com] and [https://laughingsquid.com/soda-pop-or-coke-maps-of-regional-dialect-variation-in-the-united-states/ this map on Laughing Squid]. Such maps were trending and popular in 2013.<br />
<br />
xkcd’s map is a satire of those maps – these regional terms are fake. Not only are there far more terms than are actually used by Americans, many are terms for other beverages (mead), unrelated liquids (quicksilver), or trademarked beverage names less popular than {{w|Coca Cola|Coke}}/{{w|Coca Cola}} ({{w|Mountain Dew|Code Red}}) – and in one case, something that’s not even tangible ({{w|cryptocurrency|"Crypto"}}). <br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
|+Map terms (from left to right, approximately)<br />
|-<br />
|{{w|Fanta}}<br />
|Name of a carbonated beverage line<br />
|-<br />
|Söde<br />
|Presumably pronounced "soda" but spelled oddly (might be reference to ''{{w|Monty_Python_and_the_Holy_Grail|Monty Python and the Holy Grail}}'' subtitles - "Wi nøt trei a høliday in Sweden this yër?"). Or it could be a [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HeavyMetalUmlaut Heavy Metal Umlaut].<br />
|-<br />
|True Water<br />
|Possibly a reference to Tru Blood, a fictional artificial blood substitute for vampires in ''{{w|The Southern Vampire Mysteries}}'' book series by Charlaine Harris, and the television series ''{{w|True Blood}}''. Also could be a reference to "purified" mineral waters such as {{w|Glaceau Smartwater|Smartwater}}.<br />
|-<br />
|Crypto<br />
|Popularized as a slang term in the late '80s and early '90s to refer to anything involving the act of encryption/decryption through the application of ciphers, a practice which has become practically ubiquitous in the digital age. Given the highlighted region is the Silicon Valley, this is almost certainly a reference to {{w|cryptography}} and/or {{w|cryptocurrency}}. None of these concepts are liquid and therefore not drinkable. Possibly a joke that the residents of Silicon Valley are actually computers that "drink" crypto (i.e. data). Might also reference the fact that it creates bubbles.{{Citation needed}}<br />
|-<br />
|Yum<br />
|Refers to {{w|Yum! Brands}}, parent company of several fast food restaurants, which was spun off from PepsiCo, maker of a carbonated beverage, in 1997, and has a lifetime contract to serve their beverages.<br />
|-<br />
|Sparkle Fluid<br />
|Roughly analogously to how "sparkling wine" and "sparkling cider" are carbonated varieties of wine and cider, "sparkling fluid" or "sparkle fluid" would presumably be any carbonated fluid<br />
|-<br />
|King Cola<br />
|Name of a carbonated beverage<br />
|-<br />
|{{w|Pepsi}}<br />
|Name of a carbonated beverage<br />
|-<br />
|{{w|Crystal Pepsi}}<br />
|Name of a carbonated beverage<br />
|-<br />
|Ichor<br />
|Several definitions (blood of a god (or demon, or, in some dialects, any insect) or watery discharge from a wound). None of them carbonated. None of them recommended as a drinkable beverage. (Well, not by someone with your best interests at heart.{{Citation needed}})<br />
|-<br />
|You-Know-What<br />
|A phrase typically employed when a more specific term is considered unspeakable or taboo. Reference to Harry Potter and You-Know-Who<br />
|-<br />
|{{w|Tab (drink)|Tab}}<br />
|Name of a carbonated beverage<br />
|-<br />
|Spicewater<br />
|Thought to be a reference to the spice in “Dune.”<br />
|-<br />
|Softie<br />
|Short for soft drink. On the map, it looks like the region for Softie is being punched by the region labeled Punch<br />
|-<br />
|Ohio Tea<br />
|The area in question covers much of Arizona, the namesake of {{w|Arizona Beverage Company|Arizona Iced Tea}}, itself a non-carbonated beverage. This implies that residents of Arizona view carbonated beverages as something that comes from Ohio, and thus they place Ohio’s name before the word "Tea" to indicate its carbonated state.<br />
<br />
Could also refer to [https://youtu.be/0_XAPku7SgE?t=30 "...bubbling crude. Oil that is, black gold, '''Texas tea'''.]<br />
|-<br />
|Boat Drink<br />
|A reference to the song {{w|Boat Drinks|Boat Drinks}} by {{w|Jimmy Buffett|Jimmy Buffett}}.<br />
|-<br />
|Melt<br />
|Usually used to describe a kind of sandwich where cheese is melted in the center, usually on a griddle. Possibly a play on {{w|malt drink}} Or maybe just a way to say "no, the *melted* ice"<br />
|-<br />
|Fizz Ooze<br />
|The shortened name of the book "Fizz, Foam, Splatter & Ooze" about chemical reactions.<br />
|-<br />
|{{w|Punch (drink)|Punch}}<br />
|A beverage typically found in the juice aisle. Only sometimes carbonated. It's also a pun on the word punch, meaning to hit something, and on the map it looks like the region for Punch is literally punching the region for Softie.<br />
|-<br />
|Fun Wine<br />
|Implies that normal wine is not "fun". Might be an allusion to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheerwine Cheerwine], a carbonated beverage from the Southeast.<br />
|-<br />
|Diet<br />
|Sometimes refers to a carbonated beverage. A common request in restaurants, as they often only have a single "{{w|Diet drink|diet soda}}" option for customers to pick. <br />
|-<br />
|Refill<br />
|A subsequent glass of whatever you drank previously. Works for any drinkable liquid.<br />
|-<br />
|Tickle Juice<br />
|Name of a Boston-based jazz band. <br />
|-<br />
|Bubble Honey<br />
|Reversed name of the Honey Bubble Tea brand. https://honeybubbletea.com<br />
|-<br />
|Sugar Oil<br />
|Some sodas do contain oils such as palm oil. The areas of Oklahoma and north Texas that are shaded produce a significant amount of {{w|petroleum|crude oil}}.<br />
|-<br />
|The Wet Drink<br />
|Technically true of all beverages, unless one is attempting to drink sand (or anhydrous fluids - of which the least harmful may be clarified butter). It may also refer to the fact that many advertisements for carbonated beverages attempt to make the product look more appetizing by photographing or filming a beverage container covered with water droplets.<br />
|-<br />
|{{w|Mountain Dew|Code Red}}<br />
|Name of a carbonated beverage<br />
|-<br />
|{{w|Mead}}<br />
|An alcoholic beverage. Traditionally not carbonated. Often associated with Vikings, and these areas did have many Scandinavian immigrants.<br />
|-<br />
|Canadian Ale<br />
|Probably a reference to the {{w|Canada Dry}} brand of {{w|Ginger Ale}}, a non-alcoholic carbonated beverage.<br />
|-<br />
|Aether<br />
|In antiquity, "Aether" was [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aether_(classical_element) a hypothetical liquid] believed to carry light waves, before electromagnetism was better understood, and also used as a term to refer to [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aether_(mythology) the sky or heavens]; "Aether" could refer to [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diethyl_ether diethyl ether], a highly flammable industrial solvent, also used as an anesthetic. Neither is carbonated in its liquid form, and neither would be safe to drink as a beverage.<br />
|-<br />
|Carbonated Beverage<br />
|Technically correct, but a bit of an awkward term due to its unnecessary length. Carbonated water with no sweeteners or other additives is labeled as "seltzer".<br />
|-<br />
|Mouthwater<br />
|A play on the term "mouth watering" to describe delicious foods and beverages. Alternatively may refer to spit, water from the mouth, or that it is a liquid one puts in their mouth.<br />
|-<br />
|{{w|Capri Sun|Capri}}<br />
|Capri Sun is a brand of beverages flavored with fruit juice, typically sold uncarbonated in pouches.<br />
|-<br />
|Skim Shake<br />
|A shortened name of the beverage "Skim Milkshake"<br />
|-<br />
|Kid's Coffee<br />
|Somewhat accurate. Coffee is typically drunk by adults for its caffeine. Carbonated beverages often have caffeine and are often consumed by children. Possibly a reference to the song "Kids" from the 1960 musical ''{{w|Bye Bye Birdie}}''.<br />
|-<br />
|Regular<br />
|Refers to regular soda containing sugars (as opposed to diet), implying that your only choice of beverages is between regular or diet soda. In the past, "Regular" sometimes referred to gasoline containing lead, as opposed to "Unleaded"gasoline; Was not carbonated, not safe as a beverage, and is now outlawed. Could also refer to regular coffee (as opposed to decaffeinated coffee), which is a beverage that is not carbonated. <br />
|-<br />
|{{w|Tang (drink)|Tang}}<br />
|An orange flavored beverage containing less than 2% juice extract. Normally sold in powdered form, and not carbonated.<br />
|-<br />
|{{w|Infant formula|Formula}}<br />
|Typically refers to an artificial replacement for mother's milk. Not carbonated.<br />
|-<br />
|Medicine<br />
|Probably a reference to the use of the word ''tonic'' in the Boston dialect. May also be a reference to Ginger Ale, which is sometimes used as a folk remedy for an upset stomach.<br />
|-<br />
|{{w|Broth}}<br />
|Liquid in which bones, meat, fish, or vegetables have simmered. Often used as a soup base. Not carbonated.<br />
|-<br />
|Fool's Champagne<br />
|Carbonated beverage is to champagne what fool's gold (pyrite) is to gold.<br />
|-<br />
|Sugar Milk<br />
|Possibly a reference to sap extracted from the stems & trunks of plants, which is sometimes called "milk", such as "[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_rubber#Dandelion dandelion milk]"; Under this convention, a beverage made from the extract of sugar cane stems could be termed "sugar milk". Also, food-grade liquids that superficially resemble mammalian milk are often labeled as "[X] milk" after their source, such as "soy milk" and "almond milk"; Sugar being a major component of milk & milk substitutes, it may make sense to call soda "sugar milk." Possibly related{{how?}}: In this region of the US, people drink a popular carbonated beverage called {{w|Moxie}} that may be less familiar to people elsewhere.<br />
|-<br />
|No word for them<br />
|This region of the US does not have a word for carbonated beverages (according to Randall). Probably a play on "In [language] there is no word for [concept]." Possibly they do not drink them at all.<br />
|-<br />
|Hydro<br />
|A word for water. Carbonated water does exist, but this word means all forms of water. Possibly a reference to the film {{w|Waterworld}}, in which "hydro" is the common term for (scarce and valuable) drinkable water.<br />
|-<br />
|Harvard Tea<br />
|The region shaded this way includes {{w|Cambridge, Massachusetts}}, which is home to {{w|Harvard University}}.<br />
|-<br />
|{{w|Drinking fountain|Bubbler}}<br />
|A nod to another popular map of the same type, exploring the regional dialects used to describe drinking fountains. Rhode Island and the eastern portion of Wisconsin are the only two locations where 'Bubbler' is commonly used to refer to drinking fountains, but the word is commonly used in surrounding areas to depict the strong variety of {{w|Rhoticity_in_English|rhoticity}} present, some saying 'bubblah' in for example Boston, and others saying 'water fountain'.<br />
|-<br />
|Mouthbuzz<br />
|Perhaps referring to the feeling of drinking a carbonated beverage, where the releasing carbonation almost 'buzzes' in the mouth.<br />
|-<br />
|Brad's Elixir<br />
|Possibly a reference to "Brad's Drink", the original name for {{w|Pepsi}} when it was invented by Caleb Bradham in 1893. The word "elixir" is defined as "a sweetened liquid usually containing alcohol that is used in medication either for its medicinal ingredients or as a flavoring". "Elixir" was misspelled in the original version of this comic as "elixer".<br />
|-<br />
|Hot Water<br />
|Not carbonated. Not even in Jacuzzi and hot tubs. May reference how boiled water forms bubbles before it actually comes to a boil.<br />
|-<br />
|Fluid<br />
|A word that means nearly any liquid or gas in existence. Not specific to carbonated beverages.<br />
|-<br />
|{{w|Coke Zero}}<br />
|Name of a carbonated beverage.<br />
|-<br />
|Carbo<br />
|Sodas sweetened with corn syrup or cane sugar are high in carbohydrates. Could also refer to carbonation.<br />
|-<br />
|Quicksilver<br />
|An old term for the element mercury, a metallic liquid in its pure form at room temperature. It should also be noted that mercury is a toxin and in most cases it is medically contraindicated against drinking mercury as a beverage.<br />
|-<br />
|Glug<br />
|Onomatopoeia, referring to the sound of swallowing a large amount of liquid. Or possibly referring to {{w|Gl&ouml;gi|gl&ouml;gg}} (pronounced "glug"), a Swedish beverage similar to mulled wine.<br />
|-<br />
|Water Plus<br />
|Technically the name of {{w|Water Plus|a British water retail services provider}}, this likely refers to the prevalence of "plus" as a preposition in branding nomenclature (e.g.: {{w|Google+}}, {{w|iPhone 8 Plus}}, {{w|7 Up Plus}}, etc.). Also reminiscent of "Milk Plus," the drugged milk from the movie A Clockwork Orange.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
The title text may be a wry comment in light of the pocket of "soda" in the St. Louis, MO area.<br />
<br />
==Trivia==<br />
In the original version of this comic "elixir" was misspelled as "elixer", however this was later corrected.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|First draft complete. Needs proofreading by someone with better knowledge of American geography. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
:[A map of the United States divided into purple, red, green, blue, and yellow colored regions.]<br />
<br />
<br />
:[A purple area in North West Washington.]<br />
:Fanta<br />
<br />
:[A blue area spanning the Western border of Washington and Oregon.]<br />
:Söde<br />
<br />
:[A yellow area spanning the remainder of Washington, North Western Oregon, Northern Idaho and the North Western corner of Montana.]<br />
:Ichor<br />
<br />
:[A green area spanning the North Eastern corner of Oregon, central Idaho and the majority of Montana.]<br />
:Spicewater<br />
<br />
:[A blue area spanning Eastern Montana, the North Eastern corner of Wyoming and the majority of North and South Dakota.]<br />
:Refill<br />
<br />
:[A red area spanning Eastern North and South Dakota, the majority of Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin and Michigan North of the lakes.]<br />
:Mead<br />
<br />
:[A green area spanning the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin.]<br />
:Canadian Ale<br />
<br />
:[A yellow area spanning the South Eastern corner of Minnesota, the North Eastern corner of Iowa and the majority of Wisconsin.]<br />
:Aether<br />
<br />
:[A green area in North East Wisconsin.]<br />
:Mouthwater<br />
<br />
:[A purple area covering most of Michigan south of the lakes.]<br />
:Kid's coffee<br />
<br />
:[A red area covering Northeast & central New York.]<br />
:Hydro<br />
<br />
:[A green area covering Vermont and spanning the border with New York.]<br />
:[No word for them]<br />
<br />
:[A yellow area covering Maine and the majority of New Hampshire.]<br />
:Sugar milk<br />
<br />
:[A red area spanning Eastern Massachusetts and the border with New Hampshire.]<br />
:Harvard tea<br />
<br />
:[A blue area covering Rhode Island and spanning Eastern Connecticut, central Massachusetts and the South West corner of New Hampshire.]<br />
:Bubbler<br />
<br />
:[A yellow area spanning the South Eastern corner of New York, the South Western corner of Massachusetts, Western Connecticut and Northern New Jersey.]<br />
:Mouth Buzz<br />
<br />
:[A red area spanning North Eastern California, Southern Oregon, the South Western corner of Idaho and the majority of Nevada.]<br />
:You-know-what<br />
<br />
:[A blue area spanning South Western Idaho, Eastern Nevada, the majority of Utah and the border of Utah and Arizona.]<br />
:Softie<br />
<br />
:[A green area spanning Northern Utah and the majority of Colorado.]<br />
:Punch<br />
<br />
:[A yellow area covering the majority of Wyoming.]<br />
:Fizz ooze<br />
<br />
:[A purple area spanning the South Eastern corner of Wyoming, the North Eastern corner of Colorado, the North Western corner of Kansas, Southern South Dakota, the majority of Nebraska and Iowa, and Northern Missouri.]<br />
:Tickle juice<br />
<br />
:[A blue area spanning Eastern Iowa, Southern Wisconsin, the majority of Illinois and Indiana, the Southern border of Michigan, the Western border of Ohio and North Western Kentucky.]<br />
:Capri<br />
<br />
:[A green area spanning South Eastern Michigan, the majority of Ohio and Pennsylvania, South Western New York, Northern West Virginia and Western Maryland.]<br />
:Medicine<br />
<br />
:[A purple area spanning Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey.]<br />
:Brad's Elixir<br />
<br />
:[A red area spanning the South Eastern corner of Pennsylvania, Eastern Maryland, Delaware and Northern Virginia.]<br />
:Hot Water<br />
<br />
:[A yellow area spanning Eastern Kentucky, the Southern border of Ohio, Southern West Virginia, the majority of Virginia and Northern North Carolina.]<br />
:Broth<br />
<br />
:[A blue area in Western California, North of San Francisco.]<br />
:True water<br />
<br />
:[A yellow area in Western California, South of San Francisco.]<br />
:Crypto<br />
<br />
:[A green area in South Western California, North of Los Angeles.]<br />
:Yum<br />
<br />
:[A blue area in South Western California, close to Los Angeles.]<br />
:Sparkle fluid<br />
<br />
:[A purple area in South Western California, close to San Diego.]<br />
:King cola<br />
<br />
:[A yellow area spanning South Eastern California, Southern Nevada and the North Western corner of Arizona.]<br />
:Tab<br />
<br />
:[A green area spanning the South Eastern corner of California and the majority of Arizona.]<br />
:Ohio tea<br />
<br />
:[A red area spanning Eastern Arizona, the majority of New Mexico, Southern Colorado and the border between New Mexico and Texas.]<br />
:Fun wine<br />
<br />
:[A blue area spanning Northern Texas, South Western Kansas and the majority of Oklahoma.]<br />
:Sugar oil<br />
<br />
:[A red area spanning Central and Eastern Kansas, Southern Nebraska, Central Missouri and South Western Illinois.]<br />
:Bubble Honey<br />
<br />
:[A yellow area spanning Southern New Mexico and Western Texas.]<br />
:Diet<br />
<br />
:[A blue area in Southern Texas.]<br />
:Code red<br />
<br />
:[A green area spanning the majority of Texas and the Southern border of Oklahoma.]<br />
:The wet drink<br />
<br />
:[A purple area spanning Eastern Texas, the South Eastern corner of Oklahoma, the majority of Arkansas, Southern Missouri and Western Louisiana.]<br />
:Carbonated beverage<br />
<br />
:[A yellow area spanning Eastern Louisiana, Eastern Arkansas, Southern Missouri, the South Western corner of Tennessee, the majority of Mississippi and the South Western corner of Alabama.]<br />
:Skim shake<br />
<br />
:[A green area spanning the majority of Tennessee, Southern Kentucky, Northern Alabama, Northern Georgia and Western North Carolina.]<br />
:Regular<br />
<br />
:[A purple area covering the majority of North Carolina.]<br />
:Fluid<br />
<br />
:[A red area spanning Eastern Mississippi, Central Alabama, Northern Georgia and the South Western border of South Carolina.]<br />
:Tang<br />
<br />
:[A yellow area covering the majority of South Carolina.]<br />
:Coke zero<br />
<br />
:[A blue area in Central Georgia.]<br />
:Fool's Champagne<br />
<br />
:[A purple ares spanning Southern Alabama, Southern Georgia and Northern Florida.]<br />
:Formula<br />
<br />
:[A yellow area in Eastern Florida, near Orlando.]<br />
:Carbo<br />
<br />
:[A blue area in Western Florida, near Tampa.]<br />
:Quicksilver<br />
<br />
:[A red area in Southern Florida, South of Tampa and Orlando.]<br />
:Glug<br />
<br />
:[A green area in Southern Florida, near Miami.]<br />
:Water plus<br />
<br />
:[A yellow area corresponding to Hawaii except for the island of O'ahu.]<br />
:Pepsi<br />
<br />
:[A red area corresponding to the Hawaiian island of O'ahu.]<br />
:Crystal Pepsi<br />
<br />
:[A blue area covering the majority of Alaska.]<br />
:Boat drink<br />
<br />
:[A red area in Southern Alaska, near Anchorage.]<br />
:Melt <br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Comics with color]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]</div>172.68.143.162https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2112:_Night_Shift&diff=1696732112: Night Shift2019-02-15T19:36:41Z<p>172.68.143.162: Who is saying the things?</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2112<br />
| date = February 15, 2019<br />
| title = Night Shift<br />
| image = night_shift.png<br />
| titletext = Help, I set my white balance wrong and suddenly everyone is screaming at each other about whether they've been to Colorado.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a BORED SCREAMING RESIDENT OF COLORADO (YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TO COLORADO). Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
Many electronic devices have display settings that allow them to control the color and intensity of white, black, and other colors. After research that blue hues of light can keep people awake, among other things, it has become common to offer a "night shift" mode that makes the screen appear less blue and more red when one might want to sleep. This mode also engages various EM radiation projectors to alter one's neurochemistry while one sleeps, and make one more complacent.{{Citation needed}} This comic imagines such a mode as influencing the messages received from friends to encourage sleepiness—or, at least, to dampen [[386: Duty Calls|the emotional response that might keep someone up too late at night]].<br />
<br />
In the title text, the reverse has occurred. By setting his {{w|Color balance|white balance}} incorrectly (perhaps more blue and less red), the opinions that Randall is reading are more intense, even about "simple" things as having visited Colorado or not.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
:[Comments with peoples' profile pictures in front of them are shown in white comment boxes on a gray background.]<br />
: Cueball: The Atlantic Ocean is big<br />
:: Ponytail: The Pacific is even bigger<br />
:: Cueball With Full Body Profile Picture (WFBPP): They're both very big<br />
<br />
: Megan: A lot of people have TVs<br />
:: Hairbun: Some people don't<br />
:: Megan: Yeah, that's true<br />
<br />
: Cueball: 24 isn't a prime number<br />
:: Cueball WFBPP: Neither is 25<br />
<br />
: Hairbun: Have you ever been to Colorado?<br />
:: Megan: No<br />
:: Cueball WFBPP: No<br />
:: Cueball: Yeah<br />
:: Ponytail: No<br />
<br />
:[Caption below the panel:]<br />
:My phone has a night shift mode to help me sleep, but instead of reducing the intensity of blue light, it reduces the intensity of opinions.<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}</div>172.68.143.162https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=541:_TED_Talk&diff=168912541: TED Talk2019-01-31T06:42:54Z<p>172.68.143.162: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 541<br />
| date = February 9, 2009<br />
| title = TED Talk<br />
| image = ted_talk.png<br />
| titletext = The IAU ban came after the 'redefinition of the 'planet' to include the IAU president's mom' incident.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
The comics shows Randall as a presenter at the highly prestigious {{w|TED conference}}, a symposium about technology, entertainment and design. The illustrious {{w|list of TED speakers|list of former presenters}} includes amongst others Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Larry Page, Richard Dawkins and Gordon Brown. The conference is regarded as a forum for {{w|digerati}}. Every talk has a length of at most 20 minutes and is supposed to be as captivating as possible.<br />
<br />
Randall's presentation, however, reduces the purpose of the conference to absurdity: The topic he wishes to point out to his listeners, is that of how to put an emoticon at the end of a parenthetical statement. This question is of little practical consequence, although it received a lot of attention after publication of the comic. In the last panel, the TED conference is another item to add to his list of conferences from which he has been banned. On the list are other conferences from all sorts of fields, including every American furry convention.<br />
<br />
The title text about Randall's ban from the {{w|IAU}} conference is a reference to the popular maternal insults called {{w|Maternal insult|"yo momma" jokes}}. A common representative of the genre runs "Yo mama so fat, scientists have declared her the 10th planet."<br />
<br />
It can be inferred from [[629: Skins|comic 629]], that Randall was banned from North American furry conventions due to being a "Skin", which is a furry whose fursona prefers going around disguised as a human. Depending on Randall's behavior, such an action could generate a lot of drama and, presumably, lead to convention bans.<br />
<br />
Getting banned from attending a conference occurs [[:Category:Banned from conferences|more than once in xkcd]]. <br />
<br />
<br />
{{w|PyCon}} organizers made response to this comic - see below under [[#PyCon response|PyCon response]].<br />
===Conferences where Randall is banned from===<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
! Conference<br />
! Description<br />
! Website<br />
|-<br />
| Siggraph<br />
| Special Interest Group on Graphics and Interactive Techniques<br />
| http://www.siggraph.org<br />
|-<br />
| Eurocrypt<br />
| Annual International Conference on the Theory and Applications of Cryptographic Techniques<br />
| http://www.iacr.org/meetings/eurocrypt/<br />
|-<br />
| Defcon<br />
| DEF CON® Hacking Conference<br />
| https://www.defcon.org/<br />
|-<br />
| Pycon<br />
| Python Conference<br />
| http://www.pycon.org/<br />
|-<br />
| International Astronomical Union<br />
| The IAU's mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation<br />
| https://www.iau.org/science/meetings/<br />
|-<br />
| Canadian Paleontology Conference<br />
| The main goal of the CPC and its predecessors has been to provide a relatively small, informal forum for presentation and discussion of current paleontological research<br />
| http://www.gacpaleodivision.com/pd-meetings.html<br />
|-<br />
| Every American Furry Convention<br />
| There are many Furry Conventions in America (see the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_furry_conventions Wikipedia page] for more details), but to be banned from all of them would probably require action by the Furry Convention Leadership Roundtable, the coordinating body for furry conventions. <br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| American Baking Society<br />
(American Bakers Association)<br />
| ABA represents the interests of bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory authorities<br />
| http://www.americanbakers.org/meetings/<br />
|-<br />
| Asian Dolphin-Training Conference<br />
| International Marine Animal Trainers' Association<br />
| https://www.imata.org/<br />
|-<br />
| TED<br />
| Technology, Entertainment, Design.<br />
| https://ted.com<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:[Randall Munroe on stage.]<br />
:Randall: Hi. I'm Randall. Welcome to my TED talk.<br />
:Randall: It's an honor to speak to you, some of the brightest innovators from so many fields, about a problem in desperate need of your attention:<br />
:Randall: How DO you end parenthetical statements with emoticons? I can't figure out a good way.<br />
:[Screen next to him shows two statements, both crossed out in red.]<br />
:"Linux (or BSD :) would..." looks mismatched<br />
:"Linux (or BSD :)) would..." looks mismatched and weird<br />
<br />
:[Randall writing on a desk.]<br />
:Randall's List - Conferences I'm banned from:<br />
:Siggraph<br />
:Eurocrypt<br />
:Defcon<br />
:Pycon<br />
:International Astronomical Union<br />
:Canadian Paleontology Conference<br />
:Every American Furry Convention<br />
:American Baking Society<br />
:Asian Dolphin-Training Conference<br />
:<u>TED</u><br />
<br />
==PyCon response==<br />
In response to this comic, PyCon organizers jokingly [http://pycon.blogspot.com/2009/02/randall-munroe.html announced] that Randall Munroe was banned from PyCon 2009 due to "last year's disgraceful keynote, 'Web Spiders vs. Red Spiders'." They also said they instructed their volunteers to refuse admission to him and "any stick figures who may attempt to register, particularly if they are wearing hats."<br />
<br />
Messages on the PyCon-Organizers mailing list show that this joke was intended to get Randall to come to PyCon: (The links will only work if you're subscribed to the mailing list.)<br />
:PyCon mentioned briefly in today's xkcd:<br />
:http://xkcd.com/541/<br />
:We've still never gotten Randall Munroe to actually attend, have we? Anybody want to take charge of twisting his arm this time? I think we can still offer him a "press pass" (free registration). [...] [http://mail.python.org/mailman/private/pycon-organizers/2009-February/011224.html]<br />
::An invite would seem most appropriate given the cartoon. :-)<br />
::We could also have an official PyCon blog post confirming his ban... [http://mail.python.org/mailman/private/pycon-organizers/2009-February/011225.html]<br />
:::How about a public blog post LIFTING the ban and inviting him? [http://mail.python.org/mailman/private/pycon-organizers/2009-February/011226.html]<br />
::::Confirming the ban is far funnier... He's definitely a disturbing influence on programmers. [http://mail.python.org/mailman/private/pycon-organizers/2009-February/011227.html]<br />
:::::Agreed, especially if we invite him concurrently with confirming the ban. [http://mail.python.org/mailman/private/pycon-organizers/2009-February/011239.html]<br />
:::::(a few posts later)<br />
:::::I'm happy to participate in actually throwing some thin guy out of the conference, and then get some graphics savvy person to animate a stick figure over that. :) [...][http://mail.python.org/mailman/private/pycon-organizers/2009-February/011274.html]<br />
::::::here's a rough idea of what would show up if you invited him to actually do any speaking...<br />
::::::http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJOS0sV2a24<br />
::::::it's fairly long. he shows up in the beginning around 3:25. [http://mail.python.org/mailman/private/pycon-organizers/2009-February/011275.html]<br />
:::::::For the record, I did try to convince him to come when got the art for the tshirt last year. He didn't seem super psyched, but then again emotions are hard to read via IRC.<br />
:::::::I love the idea of "officially" banning him, however. ;-) [http://mail.python.org/mailman/private/pycon-organizers/2009-February/011241.html]<br />
::::::::(a few posts later)<br />
::::::::OK - posted to the PyCon blog, by the power vested in me as publicity chair. With Michael Foord's excellent sentence added.<br />
::::::::Now let him know that since he's banned, he HAS to come. [http://mail.python.org/mailman/private/pycon-organizers/2009-February/011251.html]<br />
<br />
==Trivia==<br />
<br />
Randall has since this comic given a TED talk in March 2014. [https://www.ted.com/talks/randall_munroe_comics_that_ask_what_if Randall Munroe Comics that ask "what if?"].<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Randall Munroe]]<br />
[[Category:Comics with color]]<br />
[[Category:Furries]]<br />
[[Category:Banned from conferences]]<br />
[[Category:Your Mom]]</div>172.68.143.162https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2105:_Modern_OSI_Model&diff=1688602105: Modern OSI Model2019-01-30T10:28:01Z<p>172.68.143.162: /* Explanation */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2105<br />
| date = January 30, 2019<br />
| title = Modern OSI Model<br />
| image = modern_osi_model.png<br />
| titletext = In retrospect, I shouldn't have used each layer of the OSI model as one of my horcruxes.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a seven-layered BOT. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
The {{w|OSI Model}} is a computing model for network communications that abstracts a communication between two services like a Facebook client and Facebook servers all the way from physical to user interaction layers. As Facebook is one of the most used websites in the world with more than a billion users, Randall claims that the "application" layer (what the client sees and uses) is mostly Facebook.<br />
The data link layer and physical layer refer to Amazon and Google's respective cloud hosting services: Amazon AWS and Google Cloud. Because they host the majority of the internet, Randall notes that most of both of these layers is made up by them. However, this is not entirely accurate because ISPs like Comcast or AT&T play a massive role in data link and physical layers as well.<br />
<br />
The title text refers to Horcruxes used by Voldemort in the Harry Potter book series. A Horcrux is a magical artifact used to house a wizard's soul, preventing them from dieing if their body is destroyed. Since they can only be created by murdering other people, they are heavily forbidden, and before Voldemort it was unheard of for a wizard to use more than one. Voldemort used seven -- the same number of layers Randall uses in the OSI model. However, while Voldemort hid his seven Horcruxes in different places to make himself that much harder to kill, Randall has stashed all seven in the same place, defeating the purpose of using more than one.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
:'''Modern OSI Model'''<br />
<br />
::Application (Facebook)<br />
<br />
::Presentation<br />
<br />
::Session<br />
<br />
::Transport<br />
<br />
::Network<br />
<br />
:Google & Amazon<br />
<br />
::Data link<br />
<br />
::Physical<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}</div>172.68.143.162https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:513:_Friends&diff=168643Talk:513: Friends2019-01-27T07:23:25Z<p>172.68.143.162: </p>
<hr />
<div>Tried it, doesn't work. --[[Special:Contributions/173.245.53.154|173.245.53.154]] 21:04, 22 November 2013 (UTC)<br />
:Are you the real Cueball? --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 22:01, 22 November 2013 (UTC)<br />
::Sometimes we're all the real Cueball.[[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.9|173.245.54.9]] 00:22, 4 February 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I believe the explanation was incorrect as it stated that Cueball actually explains this idea to Megan. To be it seems obvious that he just explains his plans (to us), but by telling it to Megan it is even more obvious how unpleasant such a plan is. I have thus changed the explanation to fit this. [[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 13:08, 5 February 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Also I think the title text explanation about Cueball entering into a relationship with Megan must be wrong. If they do that they are no longer friends. So I have added a different explanation. but will not yet delete the alternative. I will leave that up to others to decide if it makes sence to be friends with detriements/benefits if you are in a relationship...? [[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 11:58, 6 February 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Do we have evidence of Megan,s preivious romances and relationships? I believe a Cueball marriage was postulated15:14, 29 August 2014 (UTC) {{unsigned ip|173.245.56.191}}<br />
<br />
Reminds me of something I heard recently "If you're the kind of person who worries about girls putting you in the 'Friend Zone', don't worry! You're probably not the kind of person they'd want to be friends with anyway". -Pennpenn [[Special:Contributions/108.162.250.162|108.162.250.162]] 00:51, 25 June 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I've had a crush on a girl I know - a girl I am good friends with - for a few months now, and this comic is is the push I needed. I'm going to ask her out.<br />
[[User:Pawtiko|Pawtiko]] ([[User talk:Pawtiko|talk]]) 15:11, 29 January 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
;Culture<br />
First para-->sentence on dating, I clarified that this is only common in Western cultures, and wrote in brackets what would be the normal route in some other cultures. Actually, it's interesting to consider how the scenario displayed in this comic would be very difficult to play out in, say, Saudi Arabia or India, because you would never get that close to a member of the opposite sex like that, and if you did have a crush on them, you would have to ask your family to approach their family for a marriage proposal, and thus arrange a marriage, as "dating" is considered immoral. On the other hand, I suppose lonely people (especially men) who aren't that attractive/confident who live in Western cultures might be prone to the kind of manipulative behaviour shown in this comic. [[User:Verizoned|Verizoned]] ([[User talk:Verizoned|talk]]) 22:40, 12 April 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
I don't know about this comic... yes, if you fake a friendship for the sole purpose of trying to enter a relationship, that's the mark of a horrible person. But if you DON'T try to be friends first, how else are the two of you supposed to know whether or not your interests are wildly incompatible? This is just a confusing topic... [[Special:Contributions/172.68.143.132|172.68.143.132]] 12:51, 12 June 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Doesn't the "*hug*" part reference comic 352? [[Special:Contributions/172.68.143.162|172.68.143.162]] 07:23, 27 January 2019 (UTC)</div>172.68.143.162https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2100:_Models_of_the_Atom&diff=1683842100: Models of the Atom2019-01-20T05:54:41Z<p>172.68.143.162: /* Explanation */ include what Pi is and why 2pi arrises.</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2100<br />
| date = January 18, 2019<br />
| title = Models of the Atom<br />
| image = models_of_the_atom.png<br />
| titletext = J.J. Thompson won a Nobel Prize for his work in electricity in gases, but was unfairly passed over for his "An atom is plum pudding, and plum pudding is MADE of atoms! Duuuuude." theory.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a COMPLAINING EQUATION. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
This comic humorously describes the changing view of what an {{w|atom}} is.<br />
<br />
;Small hard ball model<br />
The first model shown, in 1810, is said to be a "small hard ball model." Around this time, {{w|John Dalton}} published his textbook ''A New System of Chemical Philosophy'' which linked existing ideas of atomic theory and chemical reactivity to produce a combined {{w|Law of multiple proportions}} which proposed that each chemical element is comprised of a single unique type of atom, and introduced the concept of {{w|Molecular mass|molecular weight}}. Dalton's theories form the basis of what is known today as {{w|stoichiometry}}, which underpins chemical reactivity. As atoms were considered at this time to be the smallest possible division of matter the scientific community thought of them as "hard round balls" of different sizes; thus the name described here. The "small hard ball" model is still commonly used when teaching and discussing chemical molecules which do not require the level of detail provided by more advanced models, with atoms represented as small, hard, round balls connected by sticks representing chemical bonds.<br />
<br />
;Plum pudding model<br />
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the study of these "atom" things faced a crisis: where would the newly discovered "{{w|electron}}s" go? In 1904, physicist {{w|J. J. Thomson}}, who discovered electrons, had an idea: maybe the electrons were small point charges moving around in a big mass of positive charge. This was the "{{w|plum pudding model}}", the second model on the comic, called this because people imagined the positively charged mass as a "{{w|Christmas pudding|plum pudding}}". (The title text references Thomson as well, along with the humorous observation that plum puddings themselves are made of atoms.) The problem with this approach is that same charges generally repel, resulting in the more mobile or unbalanced charges forming a surface shell around the others, attempting to escape, rather than being content to being randomly distributed among them.<br />
<br />
;Tiny bird model<br />
There were many competing ideas in the formative years of what-are-atoms-made-of-ology, [[Randall]] makes up a 1907 "tiny bird model."<br />
<br />
;Rutherford model<br />
Ultimately, the tentative winner in the battle was the model of Thomson's student {{w|Ernest Rutherford}}, who discovered from electrostatic scattering experiments that the positive charge seemed to be concentrated in the center of the atom, and proposed his {{w|Rutherford model}}, or "planetary model", in 1911, where electrons orbit a very concentrated positive charge. This model has often been compared to the orbit of the planets around the sun. This is the fourth model in the comic.<br />
<br />
;Bohr model<br />
The Rutherford model could not explain the discrete spectral lines in absorption and emission spectra. It also did not explain why electrons did not spiral in to the nucleus. {{w|Niels Bohr}} patched the model up by proposing that electrons could only exist in distinct "energy levels" at discrete distances from the nucleus. The 1913 "{{w|Bohr model}}", the fifth model shown here, was part of beginning quantum mechanics. Physics behaves differently at the small scale of atoms than the large scales we are more familiar with.<br />
<br />
;Nunchuck model, Chadwick model<br />
The next refinement was in the structure of the nucleus. Note that at this time, nobody thought of splitting up the nucleus into {{w|proton}}s and {{w|neutron}}s. But pretty soon people noticed that protons and neutrons existed; Randall facetiously suggests a "{{w|Nunchaku|nunchuck}} model", the sixth model shown, of a packet of protons swinging a packet of electrons around. But more seriously, {{w|James Chadwick}}, who discovered the neutron, figured that the atom had a nucleus of neutrons and protons, along with a bunch of electrons orbiting around it in a Bohrish manner. This is what the layman today often thinks of as an atom, and is the seventh model shown here. One can imagine a handle filled with electrons bonded by the strong nucleur force to a chain made of neutrons, bonded again by the strong nuclear force to a handle made of protons. The heavier protonic handle acts loosely as an orbital center as the electron-filled opposite handle swings wildly around it, attempting to resolve its electrostatic attraction within the restraints of its chain.<br />
<br />
;538 Model<br />
The eighth model shown is a made up "538 model," in 2008. {{w|FiveThirtyEight|538}} is a statistical analysis website that gained fame in 2008 for predicting every race but 2 correctly in the {{w|2008 United States presidential election|US presidential election}} and predicting every state and Obama's win in the 2012 election. Unlike most other media and polling institutes it saw a rather high probability of 29% for Trump to win the 2016 election by summing up the uncertainties in all the battle states. It has since been known for making mathematical models for everything; the model jokingly suggests that 538 has modeled and presumably made predictions about the atom. The {{w|pie chart}} shows the statistical composition of neutrons, protons and electrons, 38%, 31%, and 31% respectively. This could either be the average of a massive body with several isotopes or represent gallium-69, the most abundant {{w|Isotopes of gallium|isotope of gallium}}, with 31 protons, 31 electrons and 38 neutrons. FiveThirtyEight has previously been mentioned in several xkcd comics, including in [[477: Typewriter]], [[500: Election]], [[635: Locke and Demosthenes]], [[1130: Poll Watching]], [[1779: 2017]], and [[2002: LeBron James and Stephen Curry]].<br />
<br />
;Quantum model<br />
But is the Chadwick model what scientists endorse today? No!<br />
{{w|Maxwell's equations|The theory of electromagnetism}} says that accelerated charges, like the electrons circling, would lose energy emitted as electromagnetic waves and would quickly orbit into the nucleus. Bohr only postulated that this would not happen, but his model could not explain why. Another problem{{cn}} is that atoms, even the hydrogen atom are not flat - which they would be, if a single electron orbited in a circular or elliptical trajectory. <br />
Today (i.e. actually since 1926, 29 years after the discovery of the electron) physicists subscribe to a quantum model, which is the ninth model shown here. Instead of electrons with definite location and momentum (~speed), the parts of the atom are described by probability fields of possible locations and momentums. The changes in momentum probability normally cancel each other out, so there is no electromagnetic radiation. This is very abstract, and in the last model, the model is postulated to get so abstract that it is just a "small hard ball surrounded by math" model, the last model shown. This then is remarkably similar to the model we started out from, the "small hard ball model" (without the math).<br />
<br />
;“Small hard ball surrounded by math” model<br />
The picture for the "small ball surrounded by math" depicts a circle with several numbers around it. While the numbers seem to symbolize the "surrounding math" in a general sense, some of them suggest constants used in actual mathematical equations or other numbers related to the quantum model. The shapes and densities of the atomic orbitals are calculated with the {{w|Schrödinger_equation}}, which is complex and difficult to solve. Or with string theory, which does not make it easier. For this reason atoms are generally precisely considered in only very simple simulations, and the details of interactions of many atoms at large scales that form our daily lives are incredibly hard to precisely understand and predict on an atomic level. It comes down to "these roundish things we call atoms are moving around in these approximate ways obeying this complex equation with too many numbers involved in most situations to accurately model, so let's use a different, empirically derived formula that describes the behavior of the system in general."<br />
<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
! Number !! Explanation<br />
|-<br />
| 18 || Maximum number of electrons in the third (M) {{w|electron shell}}<br />
|-<br />
| 0.1 || 1/10th, a simple decimal<br />
|-<br />
| &pi; || The {{w|Pi|number pi}} ratio of circumference of a circle to half its diameter. Pi is present in many physics equations, often as its double value (2&pi;); also in the definition of the {{w|Planck_constant#Value|reduced Planck constant}} present in quantum-mechanical equations.<br />
|-<br />
| 173 || Possibly a typo (could be 137) referring to the fine structure constant which value is approximately 1/137<br />
|-<br />
| &radic;2 || An irrational constant, the square root of two, which comes up frequently<br />
|-<br />
| 4i || A simple complex number; i is considered the square root of -1 (4i is the square root of -16)<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
:[One large panel with a caption centered on top and ten small drawings in two rows. Each drawing has a description below it.]<br />
<br />
:'''Models of the Atom'''<br />
:over time<br />
<br />
:[A somewhat imperfectly drawn circle.]<br />
:1810<br>Small hard ball model<br />
<br />
:[A rounded-corners trapezoid inside which there are four small plus signs and four small circles with minus signs inside them.]<br />
:1904<br>Plum pudding model<br />
<br />
:[A bigger circle, with four birds on the surface and music notes above.]<br />
:1907<br>Tiny bird model<br />
<br />
:[A small circle with dots circling around it, drawn with paths.]<br />
:1911<br>Rutherford model<br />
<br />
:[A circle with a plus sign with three circles around it, each with a dot.]<br />
:1913<br>Bohr model<br />
<br />
:[A nunchuck swinging, with the left stick filled with circles with plus signs and the right stick filled with circles with minus signs.]<br />
:1928<br>Nunchuck model<br />
<br />
:[A nucleus with three circles around it, each with a dot.]<br />
:1932<br>Chadwick model<br />
<br />
:[A pie chart, where a part of it has a circle, a part of it has a circle with a minus sign and a part of it has a circle with a plus sign.]<br />
:2008<br>538 model<br />
<br />
:[A small circle with clover-like orbitals around it and surrounded by two outer partly dashed circles.]<br />
:Today<br>Quantum model<br />
<br />
:[A circle surrounded with numbers.]<br />
:Numbers: 18, 0.1, π, 173, √2, 4i<br />
:Future<br>"Small hard ball surrounded by math" model<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Physics]]</div>172.68.143.162https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2100:_Models_of_the_Atom&diff=1683832100: Models of the Atom2019-01-20T05:48:52Z<p>172.68.143.162: /* Explanation */ Separate some of the made up from the real.</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2100<br />
| date = January 18, 2019<br />
| title = Models of the Atom<br />
| image = models_of_the_atom.png<br />
| titletext = J.J. Thompson won a Nobel Prize for his work in electricity in gases, but was unfairly passed over for his "An atom is plum pudding, and plum pudding is MADE of atoms! Duuuuude." theory.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a COMPLAINING EQUATION. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
This comic humorously describes the changing view of what an {{w|atom}} is.<br />
<br />
;Small hard ball model<br />
The first model shown, in 1810, is said to be a "small hard ball model." Around this time, {{w|John Dalton}} published his textbook ''A New System of Chemical Philosophy'' which linked existing ideas of atomic theory and chemical reactivity to produce a combined {{w|Law of multiple proportions}} which proposed that each chemical element is comprised of a single unique type of atom, and introduced the concept of {{w|Molecular mass|molecular weight}}. Dalton's theories form the basis of what is known today as {{w|stoichiometry}}, which underpins chemical reactivity. As atoms were considered at this time to be the smallest possible division of matter the scientific community thought of them as "hard round balls" of different sizes; thus the name described here. The "small hard ball" model is still commonly used when teaching and discussing chemical molecules which do not require the level of detail provided by more advanced models, with atoms represented as small, hard, round balls connected by sticks representing chemical bonds.<br />
<br />
;Plum pudding model<br />
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the study of these "atom" things faced a crisis: where would the newly discovered "{{w|electron}}s" go? In 1904, physicist {{w|J. J. Thomson}}, who discovered electrons, had an idea: maybe the electrons were small point charges moving around in a big mass of positive charge. This was the "{{w|plum pudding model}}", the second model on the comic, called this because people imagined the positively charged mass as a "{{w|Christmas pudding|plum pudding}}". (The title text references Thomson as well, along with the humorous observation that plum puddings themselves are made of atoms.) The problem with this approach is that same charges generally repel, resulting in the more mobile or unbalanced charges forming a surface shell around the others, attempting to escape, rather than being content to being randomly distributed among them.<br />
<br />
;Tiny bird model<br />
There were many competing ideas in the formative years of what-are-atoms-made-of-ology, [[Randall]] makes up a 1907 "tiny bird model."<br />
<br />
;Rutherford model<br />
Ultimately, the tentative winner in the battle was the model of Thomson's student {{w|Ernest Rutherford}}, who discovered from electrostatic scattering experiments that the positive charge seemed to be concentrated in the center of the atom, and proposed his {{w|Rutherford model}}, or "planetary model", in 1911, where electrons orbit a very concentrated positive charge. This model has often been compared to the orbit of the planets around the sun. This is the fourth model in the comic.<br />
<br />
;Bohr model<br />
The Rutherford model could not explain the discrete spectral lines in absorption and emission spectra. It also did not explain why electrons did not spiral in to the nucleus. {{w|Niels Bohr}} patched the model up by proposing that electrons could only exist in distinct "energy levels" at discrete distances from the nucleus. The 1913 "{{w|Bohr model}}", the fifth model shown here, was part of beginning quantum mechanics. Physics behaves differently at the small scale of atoms than the large scales we are more familiar with.<br />
<br />
;Nunchuck model, Chadwick model<br />
The next refinement was in the structure of the nucleus. Note that at this time, nobody thought of splitting up the nucleus into {{w|proton}}s and {{w|neutron}}s. But pretty soon people noticed that protons and neutrons existed; Randall facetiously suggests a "{{w|Nunchaku|nunchuck}} model", the sixth model shown, of a packet of protons swinging a packet of electrons around. But more seriously, {{w|James Chadwick}}, who discovered the neutron, figured that the atom had a nucleus of neutrons and protons, along with a bunch of electrons orbiting around it in a Bohrish manner. This is what the layman today often thinks of as an atom, and is the seventh model shown here. One can imagine a handle filled with electrons bonded by the strong nucleur force to a chain made of neutrons, bonded again by the strong nuclear force to a handle made of protons. The heavier protonic handle acts loosely as an orbital center as the electron-filled opposite handle swings wildly around it, attempting to resolve its electrostatic attraction within the restraints of its chain.<br />
<br />
;538 Model<br />
The eighth model shown is a made up "538 model," in 2008. {{w|FiveThirtyEight|538}} is a statistical analysis website that gained fame in 2008 for predicting every race but 2 correctly in the {{w|2008 United States presidential election|US presidential election}} and predicting every state and Obama's win in the 2012 election. Unlike most other media and polling institutes it saw a rather high probability of 29% for Trump to win the 2016 election by summing up the uncertainties in all the battle states. It has since been known for making mathematical models for everything; the model jokingly suggests that 538 has modeled and presumably made predictions about the atom. The {{w|pie chart}} shows the statistical composition of neutrons, protons and electrons, 38%, 31%, and 31% respectively. This could either be the average of a massive body with several isotopes or represent gallium-69, the most abundant {{w|Isotopes of gallium|isotope of gallium}}, with 31 protons, 31 electrons and 38 neutrons. FiveThirtyEight has previously been mentioned in several xkcd comics, including in [[477: Typewriter]], [[500: Election]], [[635: Locke and Demosthenes]], [[1130: Poll Watching]], [[1779: 2017]], and [[2002: LeBron James and Stephen Curry]].<br />
<br />
;Quantum model<br />
But is the Chadwick model what scientists endorse today? No!<br />
{{w|Maxwell's equations|The theory of electromagnetism}} says that accelerated charges, like the electrons circling, would lose energy emitted as electromagnetic waves and would quickly orbit into the nucleus. Bohr only postulated that this would not happen, but his model could not explain why. Another problem{{cn}} is that atoms, even the hydrogen atom are not flat - which they would be, if a single electron orbited in a circular or elliptical trajectory. <br />
Today (i.e. actually since 1926, 29 years after the discovery of the electron) physicists subscribe to a quantum model, which is the ninth model shown here. Instead of electrons with definite location and momentum (~speed), the parts of the atom are described by probability fields of possible locations and momentums. The changes in momentum probability normally cancel each other out, so there is no electromagnetic radiation. This is very abstract, and in the last model, the model is postulated to get so abstract that it is just a "small hard ball surrounded by math" model, the last model shown. This then is remarkably similar to the model we started out from, the "small hard ball model" (without the math).<br />
<br />
;“Small hard ball surrounded by math” model<br />
The picture for the "small ball surrounded by math" depicts a circle with several numbers around it. While the numbers seem to symbolize the "surrounding math" in a general sense, some of them suggest constants used in actual mathematical equations or other numbers related to the quantum model. The shapes and densities of the atomic orbitals are calculated with the {{w|Schrödinger_equation}}, which is complex and difficult to solve. Or with string theory, which does not make it easier. For this reason atoms are generally precisely considered in only very simple simulations, and the details of interactions of many atoms at large scales that form our daily lives are incredibly hard to precisely understand and predict on an atomic level. It comes down to "these roundish things we call atoms are moving around in these approximate ways obeying this complex equation with too many numbers involved in most situations to accurately model, so let's use a different, empirically derived formula that describes the behavior of the system in general."<br />
<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
! Number !! Explanation<br />
|-<br />
| 18 || Maximum number of electrons in the third (M) {{w|electron shell}}<br />
|-<br />
| 0.1 || 1/10th, a simple decimal<br />
|-<br />
| &pi; || The {{w|Pi|number pi}} present in many physics equations, often as its double value (2&pi;); also in the definition of the {{w|Planck_constant#Value|reduced Planck constant}} present in quantum-mechanical equations.<br />
|-<br />
| 173 || Possibly a typo (could be 137) referring to the fine structure constant which value is approximately 1/137<br />
|-<br />
| &radic;2 || An irrational constant, the square root of two, which comes up frequently<br />
|-<br />
| 4i || A simple complex number; i is considered the square root of -1 and using it can provide for more complex mathematics (4i is the square root of -16)<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
:[One large panel with a caption centered on top and ten small drawings in two rows. Each drawing has a description below it.]<br />
<br />
:'''Models of the Atom'''<br />
:over time<br />
<br />
:[A somewhat imperfectly drawn circle.]<br />
:1810<br>Small hard ball model<br />
<br />
:[A rounded-corners trapezoid inside which there are four small plus signs and four small circles with minus signs inside them.]<br />
:1904<br>Plum pudding model<br />
<br />
:[A bigger circle, with four birds on the surface and music notes above.]<br />
:1907<br>Tiny bird model<br />
<br />
:[A small circle with dots circling around it, drawn with paths.]<br />
:1911<br>Rutherford model<br />
<br />
:[A circle with a plus sign with three circles around it, each with a dot.]<br />
:1913<br>Bohr model<br />
<br />
:[A nunchuck swinging, with the left stick filled with circles with plus signs and the right stick filled with circles with minus signs.]<br />
:1928<br>Nunchuck model<br />
<br />
:[A nucleus with three circles around it, each with a dot.]<br />
:1932<br>Chadwick model<br />
<br />
:[A pie chart, where a part of it has a circle, a part of it has a circle with a minus sign and a part of it has a circle with a plus sign.]<br />
:2008<br>538 model<br />
<br />
:[A small circle with clover-like orbitals around it and surrounded by two outer partly dashed circles.]<br />
:Today<br>Quantum model<br />
<br />
:[A circle surrounded with numbers.]<br />
:Numbers: 18, 0.1, π, 173, √2, 4i<br />
:Future<br>"Small hard ball surrounded by math" model<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Physics]]</div>172.68.143.162https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2099:_Missal_of_Silos&diff=1682352099: Missal of Silos2019-01-17T04:42:16Z<p>172.68.143.162: /* Trivia */</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2099<br />
| date = January 16, 2019<br />
| title = Missal of Silos<br />
| image = missal_of_silos.png<br />
| titletext = Welcome to Wyoming, motto "We'd like to clarify that Cheyenne Mountain is in Colorado."<br />
}}<br />
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==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Cremated by a BOB. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
{{w|Approximate string matching|Fuzzy, or approximate, string matching}} is a technique used for searching text for specified "strings" of characters. Normal string matching would only find results that fit the search exactly (searching for "''missile''" would find only occurrences of "''missile''"). Fuzzy string matching instead finds results that are "close enough" by some metric (searching for "''missile''" would find "''missile''" but also close variants like "''missal''" or "''missel''"). This is often used in search engines, as typos, misspellings, and inexact searches are commonplace.<br />
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{{w|Missile silos}} are often thought to be the first targeting priority in event of a nuclear strike, in hopes of preventing retaliation from the target. If a list of potential nuclear missile targets were stored, and a fuzzy search was looking for "missile silos", the {{w|Missal of Silos}} would most likely be returned as a result and could be made a target.<br />
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In Christianity, a {{w|missal}} is a priest's book of instructions, texts and music for the proper celebration of {{w|Mass (liturgy|Mass}}. The Missal of Silos is an 11th-century missal from the {{w|Abbey of Santo Domingo de Silos}} in northern {{w|Spain}}; it is famous for being the oldest known {{w|paper}} document in Europe, written at a time when the usual writing material was {{w|parchment}}.<br />
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{{w|Cheyenne Mountain}} is a mountain in {{w|Colorado}}, which houses an underground compound (aptly named the {{w|Cheyenne Mountain Complex}}) designed to withstand a nuclear strike, armed with missiles of their own. {{w|Cheyenne, Wyoming}}, on the other hand, is the capital of {{w|Wyoming}}. The residents of Cheyenne, Wyoming would prefer their home isn't the target of a nuclear attack because of confusion with Cheyenne Mountain{{Citation needed}}. However, Cheyenne is the home of {{w|F. E. Warren Air Force Base}}. F. E. Warren is home to a wing of {{w|Minuteman III}} {{w|intercontinental ballistic missiles}}. Presumably it is every bit as much of a target as Cheyenne Mountain.<br />
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==Trivia==<br />
The transcript of the Wikipedia article shown on the comic is accurate to the revision made on 2 September 2018, but is dramatically different from the article today; this is because a spurt of editing took place on Wikipedia on the day of the comic, since xkcd and Wikipedia editing have similar target demographics.<br />
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This "xkcd-Wikipedia effect" has happened before. One other example of this revolved around [[878: Model Rail]], in which the alt-text mentioned that the debate over the title of the HO/H0 system was disturbingly long, and "coincidentally", the talk page debate got a little longer on that very day.<br />
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==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
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:'''Missal of Silos'''<br />
:<small>From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</small><br />
:The {{w|Missal}} of Silos is the oldest known {{w|paper}} document created in the Christian West; it is 11th century in date.[1]<br />
:The missal is held in the library of the {{w|Monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos}} near {{w|Burgos, Spain}}. It is one of a number of liturgical manuscripts...<br />
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:[Caption below the panel:]<br />
:Spain would like to remind everyone not to use fuzzy string matching in their nuclear strike target lists.<br />
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{{comic discussion}}<br />
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[[Category:Wikipedia]]</div>172.68.143.162https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=875:_2009_Called&diff=168046875: 2009 Called2019-01-12T16:47:33Z<p>172.68.143.162: /* Explanation */</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 875<br />
| date = March 21, 2011<br />
| title = 2009 Called<br />
| image = 2009 called.png<br />
| titletext = 2017 called, but I couldn't understand what they were saying over all the screams.<br />
}}<br />
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==Explanation==<br />
The comic deconstructs a {{w|snowclone}} or common idiom - "X called, they want their Y back." Usually, X is a year (like 2009 here), and Y is something very popular in that year that is seen as ridiculous in the present day.<br />
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Here, [[Megan]] notices a Three-Wolf Moon T-shirt that [[Cueball]] apparently owns. The {{w|Three Wolf Moon|Three-Wolf Moon}} is a shirt of three wolves howling at the moon that reached meme status when several people posted ironic reviews giving it supernatural powers on {{w|Amazon}} around late 2008.<br />
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Megan says the snowclone, but before she can finish, Cueball pretends to take it literally (that is, that the year 2009 actually called her) and admonishes her for not telling them about {{w|2010 Haiti earthquake|the February 2010 earthquake in Haiti}} and {{w|2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami|the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan}}. The comic was posted shortly after the latter, so it is reasonable to assume that it was created as a response to the disaster. Knowing Cueball, he's either preempting Megan's attempt to humiliate him and giving her a pretty good burn, or Cueball, being Cueball, actually thinks the past called. <br />
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The title text continues the snowclone by implying a terrible future awaits in 2017. Likewise, non-apocalyptic events, such as political protests, can generate "yelling and screaming". Given the public's general inclination to focus on the negative the prediction of a "bad future" may have worked with any date.<br />
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2017 has occurred, and the world hasn't exploded. (citation needed)<br />
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==Transcript==<br />
:[Cueball is at computer. Megan is standing behind him, looking at clothes on the floor.]<br />
:Megan: Is this a three wolf moon shirt?<br />
:Megan: Dude, 2009 called, and they-<br />
:Cueball: ''OH MY GOD!''<br />
:Cueball: ''DID YOU WARN THEM?''<br />
:Cueball: ''ABOUT HAITI AND JAPAN?''<br />
:Megan: What? No, I-<br />
:Cueball: You ''ASSHOLE!''<br />
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==Trivia==<br />
See also:<br />
*[[102: Back to the Future]]<br />
*[[1072: Seventies]]<br />
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{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]</div>172.68.143.162https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1261:_Shake_That&diff=1469021261: Shake That2017-10-20T04:38:36Z<p>172.68.143.162: /* Explanation */ Someone said to hotlink it. I am one of the sheeple.</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1261<br />
| date = September 6, 2013<br />
| title = Shake That<br />
| image = shake that.png<br />
| titletext = How do I work it? IT'S ALREADY WORKING!<br />
}}<br />
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==Explanation==<br />
Visiting a club, [[Megan]] is exhorted by a phrase used in several songs, to "shake what your mama gave you", a crude euphemism typically used to encourage shaking one's body parts, referring to any of the sexually appealing anatomical parts of the dancer. Taking this exhortation extremely literally, Megan proceeds to locate a mug presumably given to her by her "mama" labeled "World's greatest daughter" and shakes it.<br />
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The phrase "shake what your mama gave ya" was in use as early as 1992, when it was the title of a song by {{w|Poison Clan}}, a southern hip-hop group that was influential from 1990–1995. Another version by Stik-E & Da Hoodz was released in 1995 by Phat Wax records. The line gained a wider audience when it was sampled by {{w|Fatboy Slim}} in the similarly titled "Ya Mama" on his 2000 album ''{{w|Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars}}''. More recently the line was featured in the {{w|Lil Jon}} single "Stick That Thang Out". In fitting with the general thematic composition of such a song, a large part of which revolves around either goading a woman to, or describing one who is dancing seductively in a nightclub - this line asks a girl to dance, thereby swaying her hips & buttocks, or breasts, the most common male 'fetishes' - making them more conspicuous in the usually dim ambiance because of the phase lag with the rest of the body, which may be attributed to non-rigidity of the elastic structures - for purposes of her male audience's gratification (whether it be solicited or voyeuristic).<br />
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The title text refers to another lyrical cliche, "work it", which typically refers to "working" one's body; again, generally seductively. The action may be considered work either from the point of mechanical work, or as a reference to a professional dancer. This naturally leads Megan to further confusion (as indicated by the title text) when taken literally, as she responds "it's already working!" It is not entirely clear if she is again referring to the mug, or simply another generic object not displayed in the comic.<br />
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[[1291: Shoot for the Moon]] may be a continuation of this, due to Megan misunderstanding common saying or references.<br />
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==Transcript==<br />
:[Megan stands in a disco, surrounded by dancing figures. She looks confused.]<br />
:PA system: Shake what your mama gave you<br />
:Megan: ???<br />
:[Megan walks out of the club door.]<br />
:[We see a mug on a table, labelled "World's Greatest Daughter".]<br />
:[Megan shakes the mug.]<br />
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{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics with color]]<br />
[[Category:Language]]<br />
[[Category:Music]]</div>172.68.143.162