https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=172.70.214.81&feedformat=atomexplain xkcd - User contributions [en]2024-03-29T04:41:12ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.30.0https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:2659:_Unreliable_Connection&diff=292982Talk:2659: Unreliable Connection2022-08-17T00:39:58Z<p>172.70.214.81: User Friendly was a great strip, is it still going?</p>
<hr />
<div><!--Please sign your posts with ~~~~ and don't delete this text. New comments should be added at the bottom.--><br />
I don’t think this has anything to do with teleconferencing. Am I missing something? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.81|172.70.214.81]] 22:46, 15 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:Yes. The impliction is that people are expecting you to be available for online communications, and you can use the unreliable Internet connection as an excuse to get out of it. [[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 22:51, 15 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
::I think it's more about communication in general. He doesn't want anybody calling him or sending him emails, so by saying he has an "unreliable" connection people might assume it will be hard to get in touch with him.<br />
:::Back in the day, email was usually configured so that it could easily overcome such unreliability, and it's still doable,[https://discourse.mailinabox.email/t/running-from-home/6459/7] but today email for most people is a web or local client-server app, as opposed to a local mail store in a peer-to-peer app. Even people in urban areas can suffer unreliable internet, when squirrels or backhoes gnaw through data cables, copper theives strike, or 5G mind control base stations are congested. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.210.143|172.70.210.143]] 23:45, 15 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:::This could equally cover other instant communication methods where your availability is advertised (e.g. Whatsapp). It could also be about alleviating the social pressure the subject feels to continuously check and immediately respond to messages (including emails), because the immediacy is already hindered by the spotty connection (cf the standard "I will have limited access to email" out of office line, which gives the account owner psychological permission to check it infrequently). [[Special:Contributions/172.70.85.5|172.70.85.5]] 09:02, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
According to a PhET simulator (https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/plinko-probability/latest/plinko-probability_en.html) for this situation, the ideal standard deviation is 1.732 and ideal mean is 6. I don’t feel like doing the calculations :P [[Special:Contributions/172.70.211.134|172.70.211.134]] 23:34, 15 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:If we assume 50-50 for each bounce, the probability that internet is off will be about (11 choose 3)/(2^11), or 8%.--[[User:Account|Account]] ([[User talk:Account|talk]]) 23:51, 15 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
::My first thought was, why so complicated? ''If'' each of the twelve switches is equally (and solely) likely to be struck by each ball, it's (100/12)% of the time, or 8⅓%.<br />
::Although the equal-chance is wrong, so you're definitely doing "end up with exactly 7 bounce rights and 3 bounce lefts, but in any combination" or similar are you? I'd have summed it differently, though. And not sure where the choose ''3'' comes in... Just one bounce left off any row-end pin 11 sends to 11 if all others bounce right. Three bounces left hits switch 9, not eight. If I'm counting correctly. Or am I doing telegraph-poles/wires miscounting?<br />
::Too early in the morning for me to untangle. The only thing I'm sure about is your division by 2^11 (how many total paths there are to get down). [[Special:Contributions/172.70.91.78|172.70.91.78]] 05:00, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:::Me again. I hadn't checked that the transcript (which said it was switch #8) was correct. Have now, and found it to be wrong. Have hence also just corrected the Transcript. So I'm gonna assume your 11-choose-3 is entirely correct after all. ;) [[Special:Contributions/172.70.91.78|172.70.91.78]] 05:08, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
To whomever did [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2659:_Unreliable_Connection&diff=292862&oldid=292861], doesn't [https://drops.dagstuhl.de/opus/volltexte/2018/8817/pdf/LIPIcs-FUN-2018-26.pdf] prove that symmetrical configurations nearly identical to those shown can produce uniform distributions? They seem to show it's just a matter of horizontal pin spacing. However, I for one can not verify the proof, which uses unusual (novel?) non-Unicode math notation, and a fairly opaque method of proof. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.211.134|172.70.211.134]] 00:07, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:Not sure, but [https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%87%98%E8%AA%BF%E6%95%B4 this Japanese Wikipedia article] is fascinating. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.206.213|172.70.206.213]] 01:51, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:Please see section 3.5 on pp. 16-18 of the currently first reference [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1601.05706.pdf]. I am particularly intrigued by, "Open Problem 2: Is every uniform distribution of output probabilities of the form 1/2<sup>k</sup> constructible by a 50-50 Pachinko?" on p. 18. However I haven't dived in enough to even know where the parentheses are supposed to be in that expression, yet. [[User:Liv2splain|Liv2splain]] ([[User talk:Liv2splain|talk]]) 17:27, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
: Good question! https://ibb.co/sRwGwB9 don't look triangular, but it seems the proof might suggest much more triangular solutions. Worth thinking about! [[Special:Contributions/172.69.33.115|172.69.33.115]] 21:24, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
What is the chance that the ball will bounce off the first pin, go down the outside of the pins and miss all the switches?<br />
:Probably quite high if it's a bouncy ball. With idealized physics though it'd just hit the leftmost/rightmost switch. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.254.127|172.70.254.127]] 00:45, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I would describe the device as a https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galton_board. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.230.109|172.70.230.109]] 00:30, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I was watching the photo and hover-over text and the image disappeared and "Unreliable Connection" showed up in its place. I don't know how often this happens.<br />
: Very neat if not a fluke! Can anyone replicate this experience on https://xkcd.com ? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.211.134|172.70.211.134]] 14:21, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
"An added source of humour is that Randall could likely achieve the same effect by looking through the router's settings - which most modern ones have a feature to turn on and off at scheduled times - or via purchasing a smart power strip." But by using these other methods, the connection would still be reliable. If it goes out at regular or pre-scheduled intervals then you know when it will be available or not, hence reliable. I think the joke here is that the contraption does in fact make the connection unreliable. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.114.77|172.70.114.77]] 14:18, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
: Addressed at [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2659:_Unreliable_Connection&diff=292926&oldid=292924]. [[User:Liv2splain|Liv2splain]] ([[User talk:Liv2splain|talk]]) 14:44, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:(Edit conflicted by at least the above, but my answer to the same question...) From a user POV, unless they happen to know that at 11:53 each day (and 12:14, 15:02, 15:07, 16:31, etc...) the scheduler disables tracfic for one (or two, or three) minutes, it is still unreliable, if ultimately predictable ''once you know'' the schedule, having seen it go round a few times and taken note. Similarly a timered power-strip could be used (or even several, in serial, the two or three daily interventions by the first also stopping and delaying the subsequent strips' interventions, making their timings uneven, further down the chain) and until you got the pattern it might as well be 'random', not entirely deterministic. (I'm wondering about some OR-gate-like/etc implementation, so power can pass by at least one parallel timer-shut-off to maintain power at the lower levels while ''some'' mid-way timers get depowered and thus 'shuffled' in interesting ways, and the resulting single output is governed by an intricate multi-dependent set of routes, but I bet an electrician would be wary about wiring that up...)<br />
:You could hack (or patch) the management firmware to be a bit more (pseudo)random about it, though it would still be pseudorandom LFSR/Xorshift with a (long) repetition cycle.<br />
:Or make it dependant upon an external factor (if the modulo 12 of the cumulative sum of all observed packet-destination IPs is zero, shut off for the five times the prior modulo 12 test value, in seconds..?), but that's ''practically'' the pachinko solution but with software hacking rather than hardware-making/hacking as per the comic.<br />
:More effort is needed to make it ultimately unpredictable, but it can still be considered unreliable if it goes out just when you 'want' it.... [[Special:Contributions/172.70.85.5|172.70.85.5]] 15:02, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
For real though, isn't this kind of a good idea? [[User:Fephisto|Fephisto]] ([[User talk:Fephisto|talk]]) 14:34, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:Talk to edtech people in the {{w|MOOC}} space and they will tell you asynchronous is worth it, but talk to people who study educational quality factors like time to receive answers to unanticipated questions, and they will have different ideas. [[User:Liv2splain|Liv2splain]] ([[User talk:Liv2splain|talk]]) 14:44, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Does anyone have an openWRT (or other) implementation of this feature yet?<br />
:You can induce it on stock firmware without reflashing, but you need to know the parameters like how often balls come out of the hopper, and what exactly the off switch does. As pseudocode:<br />
::<tt>#!/bin/sh</tt><br />
::<tt>while true ; do</tt><br />
:::<tt>sleep </tt>''seconds''<br />
:::<tt>if [ `rand100` -le 8 ] ; then</tt><br />
::::<tt>wifictrl off</tt><br />
:::<tt>else</tt><br />
::::<tt>wifictrl on</tt><br />
:::<tt>fi</tt><br />
::<tt>done</tt><br />
:[[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.81|172.70.214.81]] 00:38, 17 August 2022 (UTC)</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:2659:_Unreliable_Connection&diff=292981Talk:2659: Unreliable Connection2022-08-17T00:38:35Z<p>172.70.214.81: pseudocode</p>
<hr />
<div><!--Please sign your posts with ~~~~ and don't delete this text. New comments should be added at the bottom.--><br />
I don’t think this has anything to do with teleconferencing. Am I missing something? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.81|172.70.214.81]] 22:46, 15 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:Yes. The impliction is that people are expecting you to be available for online communications, and you can use the unreliable Internet connection as an excuse to get out of it. [[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 22:51, 15 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
::I think it's more about communication in general. He doesn't want anybody calling him or sending him emails, so by saying he has an "unreliable" connection people might assume it will be hard to get in touch with him.<br />
:::Back in the day, email was usually configured so that it could easily overcome such unreliability, and it's still doable,[https://discourse.mailinabox.email/t/running-from-home/6459/7] but today email for most people is a web or local client-server app, as opposed to a local mail store in a peer-to-peer app. Even people in urban areas can suffer unreliable internet, when squirrels or backhoes gnaw through data cables, copper theives strike, or 5G mind control base stations are congested. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.210.143|172.70.210.143]] 23:45, 15 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:::This could equally cover other instant communication methods where your availability is advertised (e.g. Whatsapp). It could also be about alleviating the social pressure the subject feels to continuously check and immediately respond to messages (including emails), because the immediacy is already hindered by the spotty connection (cf the standard "I will have limited access to email" out of office line, which gives the account owner psychological permission to check it infrequently). [[Special:Contributions/172.70.85.5|172.70.85.5]] 09:02, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
According to a PhET simulator (https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/plinko-probability/latest/plinko-probability_en.html) for this situation, the ideal standard deviation is 1.732 and ideal mean is 6. I don’t feel like doing the calculations :P [[Special:Contributions/172.70.211.134|172.70.211.134]] 23:34, 15 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:If we assume 50-50 for each bounce, the probability that internet is off will be about (11 choose 3)/(2^11), or 8%.--[[User:Account|Account]] ([[User talk:Account|talk]]) 23:51, 15 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
::My first thought was, why so complicated? ''If'' each of the twelve switches is equally (and solely) likely to be struck by each ball, it's (100/12)% of the time, or 8⅓%.<br />
::Although the equal-chance is wrong, so you're definitely doing "end up with exactly 7 bounce rights and 3 bounce lefts, but in any combination" or similar are you? I'd have summed it differently, though. And not sure where the choose ''3'' comes in... Just one bounce left off any row-end pin 11 sends to 11 if all others bounce right. Three bounces left hits switch 9, not eight. If I'm counting correctly. Or am I doing telegraph-poles/wires miscounting?<br />
::Too early in the morning for me to untangle. The only thing I'm sure about is your division by 2^11 (how many total paths there are to get down). [[Special:Contributions/172.70.91.78|172.70.91.78]] 05:00, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:::Me again. I hadn't checked that the transcript (which said it was switch #8) was correct. Have now, and found it to be wrong. Have hence also just corrected the Transcript. So I'm gonna assume your 11-choose-3 is entirely correct after all. ;) [[Special:Contributions/172.70.91.78|172.70.91.78]] 05:08, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
To whomever did [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2659:_Unreliable_Connection&diff=292862&oldid=292861], doesn't [https://drops.dagstuhl.de/opus/volltexte/2018/8817/pdf/LIPIcs-FUN-2018-26.pdf] prove that symmetrical configurations nearly identical to those shown can produce uniform distributions? They seem to show it's just a matter of horizontal pin spacing. However, I for one can not verify the proof, which uses unusual (novel?) non-Unicode math notation, and a fairly opaque method of proof. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.211.134|172.70.211.134]] 00:07, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:Not sure, but [https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%87%98%E8%AA%BF%E6%95%B4 this Japanese Wikipedia article] is fascinating. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.206.213|172.70.206.213]] 01:51, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:Please see section 3.5 on pp. 16-18 of the currently first reference [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1601.05706.pdf]. I am particularly intrigued by, "Open Problem 2: Is every uniform distribution of output probabilities of the form 1/2<sup>k</sup> constructible by a 50-50 Pachinko?" on p. 18. However I haven't dived in enough to even know where the parentheses are supposed to be in that expression, yet. [[User:Liv2splain|Liv2splain]] ([[User talk:Liv2splain|talk]]) 17:27, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
: Good question! https://ibb.co/sRwGwB9 don't look triangular, but it seems the proof might suggest much more triangular solutions. Worth thinking about! [[Special:Contributions/172.69.33.115|172.69.33.115]] 21:24, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
What is the chance that the ball will bounce off the first pin, go down the outside of the pins and miss all the switches?<br />
:Probably quite high if it's a bouncy ball. With idealized physics though it'd just hit the leftmost/rightmost switch. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.254.127|172.70.254.127]] 00:45, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I would describe the device as a https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galton_board. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.230.109|172.70.230.109]] 00:30, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I was watching the photo and hover-over text and the image disappeared and "Unreliable Connection" showed up in its place. I don't know how often this happens.<br />
: Very neat if not a fluke! Can anyone replicate this experience on https://xkcd.com ? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.211.134|172.70.211.134]] 14:21, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
"An added source of humour is that Randall could likely achieve the same effect by looking through the router's settings - which most modern ones have a feature to turn on and off at scheduled times - or via purchasing a smart power strip." But by using these other methods, the connection would still be reliable. If it goes out at regular or pre-scheduled intervals then you know when it will be available or not, hence reliable. I think the joke here is that the contraption does in fact make the connection unreliable. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.114.77|172.70.114.77]] 14:18, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
: Addressed at [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2659:_Unreliable_Connection&diff=292926&oldid=292924]. [[User:Liv2splain|Liv2splain]] ([[User talk:Liv2splain|talk]]) 14:44, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:(Edit conflicted by at least the above, but my answer to the same question...) From a user POV, unless they happen to know that at 11:53 each day (and 12:14, 15:02, 15:07, 16:31, etc...) the scheduler disables tracfic for one (or two, or three) minutes, it is still unreliable, if ultimately predictable ''once you know'' the schedule, having seen it go round a few times and taken note. Similarly a timered power-strip could be used (or even several, in serial, the two or three daily interventions by the first also stopping and delaying the subsequent strips' interventions, making their timings uneven, further down the chain) and until you got the pattern it might as well be 'random', not entirely deterministic. (I'm wondering about some OR-gate-like/etc implementation, so power can pass by at least one parallel timer-shut-off to maintain power at the lower levels while ''some'' mid-way timers get depowered and thus 'shuffled' in interesting ways, and the resulting single output is governed by an intricate multi-dependent set of routes, but I bet an electrician would be wary about wiring that up...)<br />
:You could hack (or patch) the management firmware to be a bit more (pseudo)random about it, though it would still be pseudorandom LFSR/Xorshift with a (long) repetition cycle.<br />
:Or make it dependant upon an external factor (if the modulo 12 of the cumulative sum of all observed packet-destination IPs is zero, shut off for the five times the prior modulo 12 test value, in seconds..?), but that's ''practically'' the pachinko solution but with software hacking rather than hardware-making/hacking as per the comic.<br />
:More effort is needed to make it ultimately unpredictable, but it can still be considered unreliable if it goes out just when you 'want' it.... [[Special:Contributions/172.70.85.5|172.70.85.5]] 15:02, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
For real though, isn't this kind of a good idea? [[User:Fephisto|Fephisto]] ([[User talk:Fephisto|talk]]) 14:34, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:Talk to edtech people in the {{w|MOOC}} space and they will tell you asynchronous is worth it, but talk to people who study educational quality factors like time to receive answers to unanticipated questions, and they will have different ideas. [[User:Liv2splain|Liv2splain]] ([[User talk:Liv2splain|talk]]) 14:44, 16 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Does anyone have an openWRT (or other) implementation of this feature yet?<br />
:You can induce it on stock firmware without reflashing, but you need to know the parameters like how often balls come out of the hopper, and what exactly the off switch does. As pseudocode:<br />
::<tt>#!/bin/sh</tt><br />
::<tt>while true ; do</tt><br />
:::<tt>if [ `rand100` -le 8 ] ; then</tt><br />
::::<tt>wifictrl off</tt><br />
:::<tt>else</tt><br />
::::<tt>wifictrl on</tt><br />
:::<tt>fi</tt><br />
:::<tt>sleep </tt>''seconds''<br />
::<tt>done</tt><br />
:[[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.81|172.70.214.81]] 00:38, 17 August 2022 (UTC)</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:2659:_Unreliable_Connection&diff=292838Talk:2659: Unreliable Connection2022-08-15T22:46:23Z<p>172.70.214.81: </p>
<hr />
<div><!--Please sign your posts with ~~~~ and don't delete this text. New comments should be added at the bottom.--><br />
first [[Special:Contributions/172.70.85.13|172.70.85.13]] 22:37, 15 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:Dude, no [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.81|172.70.214.81]] 22:46, 15 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I don’t think this has anything to do with teleconferencing. Am I missing something? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.81|172.70.214.81]] 22:46, 15 August 2022 (UTC)</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2654:_Chemtrails&diff=2920312654: Chemtrails2022-08-04T13:27:12Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Explanation */ explain source of humor</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2654<br />
| date = August 3, 2022<br />
| title = Chemtrails<br />
| image = chemtrails.png<br />
| titletext = Ants have reverse chemtrails--regular citizens spraying chemicals everywhere they go to control the government.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by an INKJET PRINTER FILLED WITH PERFUME. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
{{w|Ant}}s, studied along with other insects by {{w|entomologist}}s, leave trails of signalling secretions such as {{w|pheromones}}, natural chemicals that they emit along the trail to and from food sources and other events. These chemical trails guide other ants in the colony to return to food, but are only informally refered to as chemtrails by biologists. <br />
<br />
[[Cueball]] is intentionally conflating these with {{w|chemtrails}}, the subject of a conspiracy theory that the government controls the population by spraying toxic or mind-/body-transformative chemicals from high-flying aircraft. This myth may be partly based on the practice of {{w|cloud seeding}}, which uses chemical flares containing silver nitrate to attempt to increase precipitation,[https://www.vox.com/videos/23290459/cloud-seeding-manmade-rain-future-perfect] on studies of chemical mind control among ants,[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022191016301640] or both. Despite [[1677: Contrails|occasional conflation]], chemtrails are distinct from "contrails," short for "condensation trails," which are cloud-like lines in the sky created by jet engines. Such linear cloud-formations only sometimes arise from temperature and pressure disturbances of the passing engines rather than any deliberate release, but are highly visible in the right conditions under flightpaths, and may have the appearance of "spraying" action. {{w|Nucleation#Examples of the nucleation of fluids (gases and liquids)|Vapor nucleation}} is central to both cloud seeding and contrails. <br />
<br />
Chemical manipulation of unwitting people is not uncommon, as general mood-enhancing effects in specific locations,[https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/3469-smells-shoppers-spend-more.html] and doesn't involve high-altitude airplanes. There is very little evidence that sophisticated mind control posited by chemtrail conspiracists is possible, even after extensive research.[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Poisoner_in_Chief/U6iDDwAAQBAJ]<br />
<br />
[[Ponytail]] studies chemically-mediated cooperative ant navigation. [[Cueball]] knows she will be annoyed when he tells her, "So, I hear you're really into chemtrails?" Indeed, he gets the reaction he hoped for when she objects strongly and rejects this with a loud, "'''No!!'''" The choice of terminology is often a sore spot for those who study a particular field in depth, for example entomological discussions of "slave-making" in socially parasitic species.[https://evolve.community.uaf.edu/2015/04/23/emantcipation-when-captured-ants-rise-against-their-captors/] [[Randall]] writes in the caption that such misuse is how to annoy people like Ponytail.<br />
<br />
The title text humorously contrasts individual ants instinctively deciding how the whole colony behaves by using chemicals to indicate routes to food or dangers to motivate the colony to react to their individual experiences, with the human fear of loss of personal independence by being regulated by otherwise disconnected ruling elites, as depicted in the ant/technology interaction speculative fiction-themed [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fISvc-yUU1A "Infrared"] music video by the alt-rock band ''Placebo''. <!-- TENTATIVE pending discussion on talk --><br />
<br />
Ants are a recurring theme, as are those who study them. See for instance [[1610: Fire Ants]]. Chemtrails was also the subject of [[966: Jet Fuel]], [[1677: Contrails]], and were mentioned in [[1803: Location Reviews]]. This comic has a similar format to [[2036: Edgelord]]: a simple one-panel interaction consisting of a (likely deliberate) misuse of a term in regards to a professional's work, followed immediately by the professional's upset outburst, and Randall's caption spelling out "How to annoy" the professional. Both seem related to Randall's [[:Category:My Hobby|hobbies]], as he seems to think a lot about how to annoy specific groups of people, perhaps in an attempt to minimize annoyances.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
:[Cueball stands talking to Ponytail, who has her arms raised and has small lines above her head to indicate annoyance.]<br />
:Cueball: So, I hear you're really into chemtrails?<br />
:Ponytail: '''''No!!'''''<br />
<br />
:[Caption below the panel:]<br />
:How to annoy entomologists who study ant navigation<br />
<br />
==Trivia==<br />
<br />
Whether ant gland secretion signalling is {{w|Turing completeness|Turing-equivalent}} was explored in Douglas Hofstadter's ''{{w|Gödel, Escher, Bach|Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid}}''.<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Chemistry]]<br />
[[Category:Biology]]<br />
[[Category:Puns]]<br />
[[Category:Conspiracy theory]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:2653:_Omnitaur&diff=291756Talk:2653: Omnitaur2022-08-02T13:46:20Z<p>172.70.214.81: Explain</p>
<hr />
<div><!--Please sign your posts with ~~~~ and don't delete this text. New comments should be added at the bottom.--><br />
<br />
Do people thing Omnitaur meant to be a anagram? It would make more sense to me suffix taken from minotaur and centaur etc. with the prefix omni meaning all.<br />
[[User:Mouse|Mouse]] ([[User talk:Mouse|talk]]) Mousetail<br />
:I don't think it is meant to be an anagram. Nevertheless it is one. But that's just my gut feeling. [[User:Elektrizikekswerk|Elektrizikekswerk]] ([[User talk:Elektrizikekswerk|talk]]) 07:07, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
::There are only those two taurs mentioned and there are many other creatures made from animals with different name. It has both human and bull in it (I know it has all the others as well), but to me it seems obvious that Randall is aware this is an anagram of Mino to Omni. And then of course it encompasses most other mythical creatures, given the meanin of Omni. --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 08:16, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:::True, surely he's aware of it. My point is: It's either an anagram that also happens to have the meaning "omni" or it has the meaning "omni" and also happens to be an anagram. My bet is on the latter. [[User:Elektrizikekswerk|Elektrizikekswerk]] ([[User talk:Elektrizikekswerk|talk]]) 10:42, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I dread to think what this thing must look like internally. Especially when I remember the centaurs from C S Lewis' 'Narnia' stories, who are depicted eating two meals - a huge roast meal "to satisfy the man stomach" and a meal of grass "to satisfy the horse stomach". Bleagh.[[User:MarquisOfCarrabass|MarquisOfCarrabass]] ([[User talk:MarquisOfCarrabass|talk]]) 07:32, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:Well it certainly is an Omnivore (does that mean eating only Omnitaurs then...? :-D ) --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 08:16, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
If we take a looser definition of 'omnitaur' as meaning 'made of lots of different creatures' (in parallel to how 'omnivore' really means 'eats lots of different things' rather than literally 'eats everything', and in line with only 11 creatures being depicted), then arguably every creature is an omnitaur - it's just that most of them are special cases that happen to be made up of a lot of very similar creatures. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.162.77|172.70.162.77]] 09:15, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
1/121 seems nonsense to me. Assume this omnitaur has fairly standard genetics: 11 allele pairs for the several body parts with recessivity being random. All parts must have one human allele (which happens to be recessive), 1/11^10. The human allele must be picked, 1/2^11. More like a trillion chance... [[Special:Contributions/172.71.98.193|172.71.98.193]] 10:10, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:I was just going to post a question: why not (<sup>1</sup>/<sub>11</sub>)<sup>11</sup>? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.43|172.70.214.43]] 10:20, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:How on earth is that "standard"? [[User:Nitpicking|Nitpicking]] ([[User talk:Nitpicking|talk]]) 11:32, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Note: you can't call sharks "fish" without also calling humans, frogs, and eagles "fish" (if you're using the current taxonomic system based on cladistics). The cartilaginous fishes split from bony fishes long before the tetrapods like us split off from the lineage that became trout, flounder, and guppies. That is, a snake is much more closely related to a grouper than a shark is. [[User:Nitpicking|Nitpicking]] ([[User talk:Nitpicking|talk]]) 11:32, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
: [https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/california-court-ruling-bees-are-fish-bad-logic-good-humans-rcna32971 According to California courts, bees are fish.] (Spoiler: within the meaning of "Fish and Game" or something like that.) [[Special:Contributions/172.70.206.95|172.70.206.95]] 13:42, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
The speculation section needs a discussion of how living {{w|turducken}} could be engineered. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.211.88|172.70.211.88]] 11:44, 2 August 2022 (UTC)</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:2653:_Omnitaur&diff=291755Talk:2653: Omnitaur2022-08-02T13:44:33Z<p>172.70.214.81: Source</p>
<hr />
<div><!--Please sign your posts with ~~~~ and don't delete this text. New comments should be added at the bottom.--><br />
<br />
Do people thing Omnitaur meant to be a anagram? It would make more sense to me suffix taken from minotaur and centaur etc. with the prefix omni meaning all.<br />
[[User:Mouse|Mouse]] ([[User talk:Mouse|talk]]) Mousetail<br />
:I don't think it is meant to be an anagram. Nevertheless it is one. But that's just my gut feeling. [[User:Elektrizikekswerk|Elektrizikekswerk]] ([[User talk:Elektrizikekswerk|talk]]) 07:07, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
::There are only those two taurs mentioned and there are many other creatures made from animals with different name. It has both human and bull in it (I know it has all the others as well), but to me it seems obvious that Randall is aware this is an anagram of Mino to Omni. And then of course it encompasses most other mythical creatures, given the meanin of Omni. --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 08:16, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:::True, surely he's aware of it. My point is: It's either an anagram that also happens to have the meaning "omni" or it has the meaning "omni" and also happens to be an anagram. My bet is on the latter. [[User:Elektrizikekswerk|Elektrizikekswerk]] ([[User talk:Elektrizikekswerk|talk]]) 10:42, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I dread to think what this thing must look like internally. Especially when I remember the centaurs from C S Lewis' 'Narnia' stories, who are depicted eating two meals - a huge roast meal "to satisfy the man stomach" and a meal of grass "to satisfy the horse stomach". Bleagh.[[User:MarquisOfCarrabass|MarquisOfCarrabass]] ([[User talk:MarquisOfCarrabass|talk]]) 07:32, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:Well it certainly is an Omnivore (does that mean eating only Omnitaurs then...? :-D ) --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 08:16, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
If we take a looser definition of 'omnitaur' as meaning 'made of lots of different creatures' (in parallel to how 'omnivore' really means 'eats lots of different things' rather than literally 'eats everything', and in line with only 11 creatures being depicted), then arguably every creature is an omnitaur - it's just that most of them are special cases that happen to be made up of a lot of very similar creatures. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.162.77|172.70.162.77]] 09:15, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
1/121 seems nonsense to me. Assume this omnitaur has fairly standard genetics: 11 allele pairs for the several body parts with recessivity being random. All parts must have one human allele (which happens to be recessive), 1/11^10. The human allele must be picked, 1/2^11. More like a trillion chance... [[Special:Contributions/172.71.98.193|172.71.98.193]] 10:10, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:I was just going to post a question: why not (<sup>1</sup>/<sub>11</sub>)<sup>11</sup>? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.43|172.70.214.43]] 10:20, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
:How on earth is that "standard"? [[User:Nitpicking|Nitpicking]] ([[User talk:Nitpicking|talk]]) 11:32, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Note: you can't call sharks "fish" without also calling humans, frogs, and eagles "fish" (if you're using the current taxonomic system based on cladistics). The cartilaginous fishes split from bony fishes long before the tetrapods like us split off from the lineage that became trout, flounder, and guppies. That is, a snake is much more closely related to a grouper than a shark is. [[User:Nitpicking|Nitpicking]] ([[User talk:Nitpicking|talk]]) 11:32, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
: [https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/california-court-ruling-bees-are-fish-bad-logic-good-humans-rcna32971 According to California courts, bees are fish.] [[Special:Contributions/172.70.206.95|172.70.206.95]] 13:42, 2 August 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
The speculation section needs a discussion of how living {{w|turducken}} could be engineered. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.211.88|172.70.211.88]] 11:44, 2 August 2022 (UTC)</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2652:_Proxy_Variable&diff=2916242652: Proxy Variable2022-08-01T11:11:22Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Examples of noteworthy proxy variables */ also from talk</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2652<br />
| date = July 29, 2022<br />
| title = Proxy Variable <br />
| image = proxy_variable.png<br />
| titletext = Our work has produced great answers. Now someone just needs to figure out which questions they go with.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a PROXY BOT IN NO WAY RELATED WITH THE ORIGINAL BOT, SO MARRIAGE WOULD BE ETHICALLY AND LEGALLY ACCEPTABLE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
In this comic, [[Hairy]] is discussing use of a proxy variable with [[Cueball]]. In statistics, a {{w|proxy variable}} is used as a stand-in for one or more other variables that are difficult to measure. In order to be useful as such, proxy variables must be correlated with what they are intended to represent. For example, a drug might aim to reduce deaths from a slow-acting disease. But testing if it reduces deaths might take many years, so researchers might test for a proxy outcome instead, like whether it results in loss of bone density or damage to cells. Physicians use blood pressure as one of many proxies for cardiovascular health.<br />
<br />
Hairy is dismissing the question of whether they are studying the right variable as too expensive to answer. This is deeply ironic and thus satirical, because good {{w|experiment design}} requires sufficient attention to the robustness of all the involved parts of an experiment, even if the expense may be prohibitive. This comic might be referring to the recent discovery of [https://www.science.org/content/article/potential-fabrication-research-images-threatens-key-theory-alzheimers-disease nearly two decades] of potentially fraudulent {{w|Alzheimer's disease}} research supporting a mistaken proxy hypothesis.<br />
<br />
Choosing the wrong proxy variable might make the research misleading, irrelevant, or as the title text suggests, answer the wrong question. Separating correlation from {{w|Causality|causation}} is necessary when interpreting proxy variable results to make sure the question they answer is known. Mere correlation instead of {{w|Causal analysis|authentic causation}} yields weaker results. {{w|Exploratory causal analysis}} can assist with finding useful proxy variables, but is difficult for the layperson to interpret and can be misleading, because even if performed correctly, a {{w|combinatorial explosion}} of possible proxy variables can make traditional {{w|statistical significance}} analysis fail, requiring {{w|F-score}}s or similar measures. The history of pharmaceutical research is largely a graveyard of failed proxy hypotheses; that is one of the reasons for [https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/manage-recs/fdaaa experiment registration regulations.]<br />
<br />
The title text's notion of having an answer without knowing the actual question could also be be a reference to the classic comedy science fiction novel {{w|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy}}, where in one scene Earth turns out to be a supercomputer built for the purpose of figuring out the question for the answer "42."<br />
<br />
=== Examples of noteworthy proxy variables ===<br />
* Local temperature for global warming severity<br />
* GDP growth for development (demolishing a hospital adds to GDP but subtracts from development)<br />
* Money supply size for price inflation (see e.g. the {{w|paradox of thrift}})<br />
* {{W|Carbonic anhydrase}} expression for carbon sequestration<br />
* Dialytic {{w|desalination}} for carbon sequestration<br />
* Asphalt production for carbon sequestration <br />
* {{w|Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis}} application for mosquito abatement<br />
<br />
==Transcript== <br />
:[Cueball is looking at Hairy who points a pointer to a poster. On the poster there is a line graph at the top and below that a candlestick chart. The line graph appears to show a time series with a question mark inside a ellipsoid at the end of the curve. The candlestick chart shows a box-and-whiskers plot comparing two variables. There is no readable text except the question mark. Hairy's stick points just below the line chart.]<br />
:Hairy: We want to study this variable, but it's too hard to observe.<br />
:Poster: ?<br />
<br />
:[In a slim panel only Hairy and the poster are shown. His pointer now points to the left variable in the box-and-whiskers plot,]<br />
:Hairy: So we're studying this proxy variable.<br />
:Poster: ?<br />
<br />
:[Back to Cueball and Hairy with the poster out of frame. Hairy holds the pointer down by his side.]<br />
:Cueball: Is it correlated with the other variable?<br />
:Hairy: Look, we don't have the funding to answer every little question.<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]<br />
[[Category:Science]]<br />
[[Category:Line graphs]]<br />
[[Category:Charts]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2652:_Proxy_Variable&diff=2916232652: Proxy Variable2022-08-01T11:07:10Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Examples of noteworthy proxy variables */ not sentences</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2652<br />
| date = July 29, 2022<br />
| title = Proxy Variable <br />
| image = proxy_variable.png<br />
| titletext = Our work has produced great answers. Now someone just needs to figure out which questions they go with.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a PROXY BOT IN NO WAY RELATED WITH THE ORIGINAL BOT, SO MARRIAGE WOULD BE ETHICALLY AND LEGALLY ACCEPTABLE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
In this comic, [[Hairy]] is discussing use of a proxy variable with [[Cueball]]. In statistics, a {{w|proxy variable}} is used as a stand-in for one or more other variables that are difficult to measure. In order to be useful as such, proxy variables must be correlated with what they are intended to represent. For example, a drug might aim to reduce deaths from a slow-acting disease. But testing if it reduces deaths might take many years, so researchers might test for a proxy outcome instead, like whether it results in loss of bone density or damage to cells. Physicians use blood pressure as one of many proxies for cardiovascular health.<br />
<br />
Hairy is dismissing the question of whether they are studying the right variable as too expensive to answer. This is deeply ironic and thus satirical, because good {{w|experiment design}} requires sufficient attention to the robustness of all the involved parts of an experiment, even if the expense may be prohibitive. This comic might be referring to the recent discovery of [https://www.science.org/content/article/potential-fabrication-research-images-threatens-key-theory-alzheimers-disease nearly two decades] of potentially fraudulent {{w|Alzheimer's disease}} research supporting a mistaken proxy hypothesis.<br />
<br />
Choosing the wrong proxy variable might make the research misleading, irrelevant, or as the title text suggests, answer the wrong question. Separating correlation from {{w|Causality|causation}} is necessary when interpreting proxy variable results to make sure the question they answer is known. Mere correlation instead of {{w|Causal analysis|authentic causation}} yields weaker results. {{w|Exploratory causal analysis}} can assist with finding useful proxy variables, but is difficult for the layperson to interpret and can be misleading, because even if performed correctly, a {{w|combinatorial explosion}} of possible proxy variables can make traditional {{w|statistical significance}} analysis fail, requiring {{w|F-score}}s or similar measures. The history of pharmaceutical research is largely a graveyard of failed proxy hypotheses; that is one of the reasons for [https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/manage-recs/fdaaa experiment registration regulations.]<br />
<br />
The title text's notion of having an answer without knowing the actual question could also be be a reference to the classic comedy science fiction novel {{w|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy}}, where in one scene Earth turns out to be a supercomputer built for the purpose of figuring out the question for the answer "42."<br />
<br />
=== Examples of noteworthy proxy variables ===<br />
* Local temperature for global warming severity<br />
* GDP growth for development (demolishing a hospital adds to GDP but subtracts from development)<br />
* Money supply size for price inflation (see e.g. the {{w|paradox of thrift}})<br />
* {{W|Carbonic anhydrase}} expression for carbon sequestration<br />
* Dialytic {{w|desalination}} for carbon sequestration<br />
* {{w|Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis}} application for mosquito abatement<br />
<br />
==Transcript== <br />
:[Cueball is looking at Hairy who points a pointer to a poster. On the poster there is a line graph at the top and below that a candlestick chart. The line graph appears to show a time series with a question mark inside a ellipsoid at the end of the curve. The candlestick chart shows a box-and-whiskers plot comparing two variables. There is no readable text except the question mark. Hairy's stick points just below the line chart.]<br />
:Hairy: We want to study this variable, but it's too hard to observe.<br />
:Poster: ?<br />
<br />
:[In a slim panel only Hairy and the poster are shown. His pointer now points to the left variable in the box-and-whiskers plot,]<br />
:Hairy: So we're studying this proxy variable.<br />
:Poster: ?<br />
<br />
:[Back to Cueball and Hairy with the poster out of frame. Hairy holds the pointer down by his side.]<br />
:Cueball: Is it correlated with the other variable?<br />
:Hairy: Look, we don't have the funding to answer every little question.<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]<br />
[[Category:Science]]<br />
[[Category:Line graphs]]<br />
[[Category:Charts]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2652:_Proxy_Variable&diff=2916222652: Proxy Variable2022-08-01T11:06:19Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Examples of noteworthy proxy variables */ punctuation</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2652<br />
| date = July 29, 2022<br />
| title = Proxy Variable <br />
| image = proxy_variable.png<br />
| titletext = Our work has produced great answers. Now someone just needs to figure out which questions they go with.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a PROXY BOT IN NO WAY RELATED WITH THE ORIGINAL BOT, SO MARRIAGE WOULD BE ETHICALLY AND LEGALLY ACCEPTABLE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
In this comic, [[Hairy]] is discussing use of a proxy variable with [[Cueball]]. In statistics, a {{w|proxy variable}} is used as a stand-in for one or more other variables that are difficult to measure. In order to be useful as such, proxy variables must be correlated with what they are intended to represent. For example, a drug might aim to reduce deaths from a slow-acting disease. But testing if it reduces deaths might take many years, so researchers might test for a proxy outcome instead, like whether it results in loss of bone density or damage to cells. Physicians use blood pressure as one of many proxies for cardiovascular health.<br />
<br />
Hairy is dismissing the question of whether they are studying the right variable as too expensive to answer. This is deeply ironic and thus satirical, because good {{w|experiment design}} requires sufficient attention to the robustness of all the involved parts of an experiment, even if the expense may be prohibitive. This comic might be referring to the recent discovery of [https://www.science.org/content/article/potential-fabrication-research-images-threatens-key-theory-alzheimers-disease nearly two decades] of potentially fraudulent {{w|Alzheimer's disease}} research supporting a mistaken proxy hypothesis.<br />
<br />
Choosing the wrong proxy variable might make the research misleading, irrelevant, or as the title text suggests, answer the wrong question. Separating correlation from {{w|Causality|causation}} is necessary when interpreting proxy variable results to make sure the question they answer is known. Mere correlation instead of {{w|Causal analysis|authentic causation}} yields weaker results. {{w|Exploratory causal analysis}} can assist with finding useful proxy variables, but is difficult for the layperson to interpret and can be misleading, because even if performed correctly, a {{w|combinatorial explosion}} of possible proxy variables can make traditional {{w|statistical significance}} analysis fail, requiring {{w|F-score}}s or similar measures. The history of pharmaceutical research is largely a graveyard of failed proxy hypotheses; that is one of the reasons for [https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/manage-recs/fdaaa experiment registration regulations.]<br />
<br />
The title text's notion of having an answer without knowing the actual question could also be be a reference to the classic comedy science fiction novel {{w|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy}}, where in one scene Earth turns out to be a supercomputer built for the purpose of figuring out the question for the answer "42."<br />
<br />
=== Examples of noteworthy proxy variables ===<br />
* Local temperature for global warming severity.<br />
* GDP growth for development (demolishing a hospital adds to GDP but subtracts from development)<br />
* Money supply size for price inflation (see e.g. the {{w|paradox of thrift}}.)<br />
* {{W|Carbonic anhydrase}} expression for carbon sequestration.<br />
* Dialytic {{w|desalination}} for carbon sequestration.<br />
* {{w|Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis}} application for mosquito abatement.<br />
<br />
==Transcript== <br />
:[Cueball is looking at Hairy who points a pointer to a poster. On the poster there is a line graph at the top and below that a candlestick chart. The line graph appears to show a time series with a question mark inside a ellipsoid at the end of the curve. The candlestick chart shows a box-and-whiskers plot comparing two variables. There is no readable text except the question mark. Hairy's stick points just below the line chart.]<br />
:Hairy: We want to study this variable, but it's too hard to observe.<br />
:Poster: ?<br />
<br />
:[In a slim panel only Hairy and the poster are shown. His pointer now points to the left variable in the box-and-whiskers plot,]<br />
:Hairy: So we're studying this proxy variable.<br />
:Poster: ?<br />
<br />
:[Back to Cueball and Hairy with the poster out of frame. Hairy holds the pointer down by his side.]<br />
:Cueball: Is it correlated with the other variable?<br />
:Hairy: Look, we don't have the funding to answer every little question.<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]<br />
[[Category:Science]]<br />
[[Category:Line graphs]]<br />
[[Category:Charts]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2652:_Proxy_Variable&diff=2916212652: Proxy Variable2022-08-01T11:05:36Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Examples of noteworthy proxy variables */ links</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2652<br />
| date = July 29, 2022<br />
| title = Proxy Variable <br />
| image = proxy_variable.png<br />
| titletext = Our work has produced great answers. Now someone just needs to figure out which questions they go with.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a PROXY BOT IN NO WAY RELATED WITH THE ORIGINAL BOT, SO MARRIAGE WOULD BE ETHICALLY AND LEGALLY ACCEPTABLE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
In this comic, [[Hairy]] is discussing use of a proxy variable with [[Cueball]]. In statistics, a {{w|proxy variable}} is used as a stand-in for one or more other variables that are difficult to measure. In order to be useful as such, proxy variables must be correlated with what they are intended to represent. For example, a drug might aim to reduce deaths from a slow-acting disease. But testing if it reduces deaths might take many years, so researchers might test for a proxy outcome instead, like whether it results in loss of bone density or damage to cells. Physicians use blood pressure as one of many proxies for cardiovascular health.<br />
<br />
Hairy is dismissing the question of whether they are studying the right variable as too expensive to answer. This is deeply ironic and thus satirical, because good {{w|experiment design}} requires sufficient attention to the robustness of all the involved parts of an experiment, even if the expense may be prohibitive. This comic might be referring to the recent discovery of [https://www.science.org/content/article/potential-fabrication-research-images-threatens-key-theory-alzheimers-disease nearly two decades] of potentially fraudulent {{w|Alzheimer's disease}} research supporting a mistaken proxy hypothesis.<br />
<br />
Choosing the wrong proxy variable might make the research misleading, irrelevant, or as the title text suggests, answer the wrong question. Separating correlation from {{w|Causality|causation}} is necessary when interpreting proxy variable results to make sure the question they answer is known. Mere correlation instead of {{w|Causal analysis|authentic causation}} yields weaker results. {{w|Exploratory causal analysis}} can assist with finding useful proxy variables, but is difficult for the layperson to interpret and can be misleading, because even if performed correctly, a {{w|combinatorial explosion}} of possible proxy variables can make traditional {{w|statistical significance}} analysis fail, requiring {{w|F-score}}s or similar measures. The history of pharmaceutical research is largely a graveyard of failed proxy hypotheses; that is one of the reasons for [https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/manage-recs/fdaaa experiment registration regulations.]<br />
<br />
The title text's notion of having an answer without knowing the actual question could also be be a reference to the classic comedy science fiction novel {{w|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy}}, where in one scene Earth turns out to be a supercomputer built for the purpose of figuring out the question for the answer "42."<br />
<br />
=== Examples of noteworthy proxy variables ===<br />
* Local temperature for global warming severity<br />
* GDP growth for development (demolishing a hospital adds to GDP but subtracts from development)<br />
* Money supply size for price inflation (see e.g. the {{w|paradox of thrift}}<br />
* {{W|Carbonic anhydrase}} expression for carbon sequestration<br />
* Dialytic {{w|desalination}} for carbon sequestration<br />
* {{w|Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis}} application for mosquito abatement<br />
<br />
==Transcript== <br />
:[Cueball is looking at Hairy who points a pointer to a poster. On the poster there is a line graph at the top and below that a candlestick chart. The line graph appears to show a time series with a question mark inside a ellipsoid at the end of the curve. The candlestick chart shows a box-and-whiskers plot comparing two variables. There is no readable text except the question mark. Hairy's stick points just below the line chart.]<br />
:Hairy: We want to study this variable, but it's too hard to observe.<br />
:Poster: ?<br />
<br />
:[In a slim panel only Hairy and the poster are shown. His pointer now points to the left variable in the box-and-whiskers plot,]<br />
:Hairy: So we're studying this proxy variable.<br />
:Poster: ?<br />
<br />
:[Back to Cueball and Hairy with the poster out of frame. Hairy holds the pointer down by his side.]<br />
:Cueball: Is it correlated with the other variable?<br />
:Hairy: Look, we don't have the funding to answer every little question.<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]<br />
[[Category:Science]]<br />
[[Category:Line graphs]]<br />
[[Category:Charts]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:2652:_Proxy_Variable&diff=291559Talk:2652: Proxy Variable2022-07-31T14:35:54Z<p>172.70.214.81: Trying to formulate opinion</p>
<hr />
<div><!--Please sign your posts with ~~~~ and don't delete this text. New comments should be added at the bottom.--><br />
Maybe Randall is commenting on this recent article [https://www.nature.com/articles/s43588-022-00281-6 Nature Computational Science: Automated discovery of fundamental variables hidden in experimental data]?<br />
02:10, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
suggested by a proxy editor<br />
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Might be tangentially related to the alleged Alzheimer's disease drug Aduhelm, the anti-amyloid therapy, that did show some success in proxy variable (biomarker), but no success at all in curing the disease or its symptoms (no efficacy), but which got accepted with a huge amount of controversy by NDA (which disregarded its advisory committee’s recommendation against approving Aduhelm). --[[User:JakubNarebski|JakubNarebski]] ([[User talk:JakubNarebski|talk]]) 07:32, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
: More relevantly, it came out recently that [https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/7/22/2111914/-Two-decades-of-Alzheimer-s-research-may-be-based-on-deliberate-fraud-that-has-cost-millions-of-lives|the last ~decade and a half of Alzheimer's drug research] is based on monitoring effects in mice on a specific biomarker that ''may not actually exist in humans'', and the initial study was potentially fraudulent. Seems like a damn topical proxy variable to me. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.166.249|162.158.166.249]] 00:56, 31 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:"It’s not much of a stretch to suggest those amyloids are a primary cause of the associated memory loss and dementia," is the failed proxy hypothesis. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.33.163|172.69.33.163]] 02:47, 31 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
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I removed this paragraph:<br />
:''Proxy variables are of interest to non-scientists as they provide a scientific way to indirectly monitor or improve the complex systems that affect their lives. For example, blood pressure is a causative factor for cardiovascular disease so it can be used as a proxy variable for healthy lifestyle. However, people need to remember that it isn't necessarily the proxy variable alone that is of concern. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is not the only gas released by humanity with global warming potential and other factors affect climate change; and it is not carbon dioxide but the impact of climate change that will cause major social, economic, cultural damage to the future of the planet. ''<br />
because I want to discuss it. The first sentence needs a source, the second and third sentences claim blood pressure is used by non-scientists as a proxy for living a healthy lifestyle, which I'm not sure about on multiple levels, and the fourth and fifth sentences seem like PR for fossil fuel companies. #notallgreenhousegases Nevertheless, I feel as if there are likely one or two good ideas hidden in it. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.206.95|172.70.206.95]] 16:01, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:I feel like the author doesn't know the work climate scientists go to to avoid using greenhouse gas concentration as a proxy for global warming (all the models of atmospheric water and its forms.) For blood pressure, it's easier to see what was attempted to be gotten at. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.211.90|172.70.211.90]] 16:37, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
::Yes: the ones who dangerously simplify the climate change to "we must stop produce carbon dioxide" are not scientists but politicians. -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 16:53, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:Definitely. We don't even KNOW all factors affecting climate change. Still, the link between rising carbon dioxide and temperature looks much more solid that the link between money spent on fighting climate change and levels of carbon dioxide. ... Wait, you didn't wanted to talk about climate did you? :-) (For record, I always though there are much better reasons to stop using fossil fuels than fighting global warming. Recently, for example, the energetic security from geopolitically problematic regions came under lot of attention.) -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 16:46, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
::I want to talk about climate. Do you think we will be able to transition to carbon neutral and negative technologies in time to avoid the {{w|Jevons paradox}}? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.185|172.70.214.185]] 17:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:::The Jevons Paradox exists if the only forces affecting the consumption of a resource are supply and demand. If you're asking about carbon-neutral/negative technological process making sustainable technologies profitable faster than fossil fuel profits grow, then no, there's no hope even before the Jevons Paradox is considered. But if other options are considered, the Jevons Paradox doesn't really apply. (To take an extreme example: It doesn't matter how fuel-efficient internal combustion engines get, they'll never be the preferred choice if their manufacture is banned.) [[User:GreatWyrmGold|GreatWyrmGold]] ([[User talk:GreatWyrmGold|talk]]) 18:14, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
::Only carbon negative technology requires {{w|Carbon-burning_process|5×10^8 K or 50 keV and densities > 3×10^9 kg/m3}}. I think that in the moment we will be using THAT on industrial scale we would be quite desperate. Also, the amount of energy we will need is going to grow unless we reduce population a LOT (like, for example, if all ecological activists would do the carbon responsible thing and commit suicide). Also, more and more of that energy we will need will be specifically electrical energy. -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 20:21, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:::We need to remove 38 gigatons per year, which is only 0.7 milligrams per square centimeter of ocean. Think of the mean depth of the ocean: that square centimeter is very tall. From that perspective, isn't this an easy biological solution? That's only 0.5 micrograms per minute, from the full depth of each square centimeter of ocean, right? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.43|172.70.214.43]] 20:47, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
::::I'm not sure what is the "this" you talk about but it sounds you are only storing carbon, not removing it. BTW, one of best way to store carbon is to make more highways. -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 23:07, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:::::Where on Earth would you ever want to build 38 gigatons of highways per year? By "this" I mean genetically modified {{w|phytoplankton}}; in particular modified by changes to {{w|carbonic anhydrase}} expression. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.81|172.70.214.81]] 23:13, 30 July 2022 (UTC) <br />
::::::Are there enough dissolved minerals in the ocean for that volume, assuming {{w|diatom}}s intended to sink to the seabed? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.211.134|172.70.211.134]] 09:35, 31 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
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:Everyone thinks this is about pharmacology, and maybe it is. But I've been taking economics courses this semester, so that's what I think of. "We can't measure this factor directly, so we made up a formula that should let us calculate it (if we've measured all relevant factors correctly and all our other assumptions and theories are valid)" is a pretty common thing in that field. [[User:GreatWyrmGold|GreatWyrmGold]] ([[User talk:GreatWyrmGold|talk]]) 18:14, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:: What's the best example, using GDP as a proxy for development? Or something current like using the money supply as a proxy for inflation? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.95|172.70.214.95]] 20:19, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
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:This is the remainder from below, apparently objected to:<br />
::''Proxy variables are of interest to non-scientists as they provide a way to indirectly monitor or improve the complex systems that affect their lives. For example, people use local temperature as a rough experiential proxy for the severity of global warming. Economists might mistake GDP for productive or useful development, or mistake the size of the {{w|money supply}} for {{w|price inflation}}. While correlated, the causation implied by such assumptions is very much in doubt, because the GDP increase of demolishing a hospital might conflict with the widespread understanding of development, and while the money supply size is a cause of inflation, there are many other causes.''<br />
:But it's different from the original. Regardless of what my IP address may or may not suggest, I know the original objector to the earliest version does not object to this edited version, because that objector was and is me. However, I have not yet decided whether I think it should be in the explanation. I will let you know when it gets off the main page, like tomorrow, roughly in a day unless Monday morning continues its traditional trend of presenting unexpected immediate commitments. I have to run a long errand tomorrow so let's say Tuesdayish. <br />
:My initial impulse is to add another paragraph from the climate discussion above, and propose it for a subsection or collapse box. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.81|172.70.214.81]] 14:35, 31 July 2022 (UTC) <br />
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;this dude keeps spamming<br />
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Sorry for the mild crassness, especially as a new user, but some Nazi f*ck is vandalizing the page. May someone please ban them?{{unsigned ip|172.71.26.59|03:49, 30 July 2022}}<br />
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Nah, they're using multiple IPs. Someone could semi-protect it or something but there ain't any mods doing their job it seems.{{unsigned ip|172.70.147.47|03:55, 30 July 2022}}<br />
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Where are the mods, anyways?{{unsigned ip|172.71.82.65|03:59, 30 July 2022}}<br />
:You can't always count on volunteer authorities. Even us lowly IP address editors can revert vandalism. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.33.199|172.69.33.199]] 04:09, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
::Yeah nah, we need it semi-protected {{unsigned ip|162.158.162.199|04:13, 30 July 2022}}<br />
::: Funny if that were the goal of the vandalism. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.206.95|172.70.206.95]] 16:03, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:::: One reason that I don't think it should be the go-to counter-vandalism approach being used. But not for me to say. Whilstsoever I'm capable of intervening ''at least'' as much as any vandal tries to, I support the mod actions (they are there, doing things, BTW).<br />
:::: Without actually tolerating the vandal, we easily outnumber the person concerned (and the very few other spammers/bots that sneak through the clearly effective existing speedbumps) and this means that such nuisance edits are heavily mitigated. If you see the damaged bits then you're either a regular or a very unlucky occasional visitor.<br />
:::: (This morning, I went to revert an ad-spam that I noted had been written over a page-redirect, to be told that someone else had just gotten there before me!)<br />
:::: I've been on far more abused online resources, both web (early days, long before CAPTCHA technology) and elsewhere (having seen how Usenet was both before and after The Eternal September) and the interference here is extraordinarily given the generally open nature of the submission process.<br />
:::: PS. Please do sign your posts ( with <code><nowiki>~~~~</nowiki></code> ), if only for the timestamp that makes the to and fro of conversations more understandable... [[Special:Contributions/162.158.34.221|162.158.34.221]] 19:01, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:The rant gets replaced within two minutes of each revert. Presumably it's done by bot. We need a mod to take action. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.130.217|172.70.130.217]] 05:15, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
Article has been restored but some idiots keep spamming the page with random things. pls do something mods {{unsigned ip|172.70.147.47|03:59, 30 July 2022}}<br />
:it's not "some idiots" it's all one person using different ips. he posted the exact same covid rant several times. i think he's schizophrenic or something and just really wants to be heard --[[Special:Contributions/172.69.69.40|172.69.69.40]] 04:39, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
::But why here? Like, this is such a weird place to try and be heard, I'm sure even Reddit posts would have more visibility than edits to a webcomic wiki. [[User:NErDysprosium|NErDysprosium]] ([[User talk:NErDysprosium|talk]]) 06:06, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
::: Don't underestimate the importance of the can't-get-jokes demographic for PSYOP recruitment. The invasion of Panama might not even have occurred if it weren't for people distracted by cartoons. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.33.185|172.69.33.185]] 17:16, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:As one of the admin I can say that I only come here when I have time. Also I'm not as technically skilled as some of the others. But we all just do this as a hobby. At least we are now some active admins, after several years with none... I was just made admin recently. But I can see that both Theusa and Davidy22 has been active, and that Theusa has made some changes to his bot so it also can revert spam. Hope that helps. --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 12:57, 31 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
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[https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2652:_Proxy_Variable&diff=291433&oldid=291400 The protected version has much less text than the last non-vandalized version.] [[Special:Contributions/172.70.211.90|172.70.211.90]] 20:02, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
: Re "The history of pharmaceutical research is largely a graveyard of failed proxy hypotheses." True, but someone should add that is the reason for experiment registration regulations. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.210.145|172.70.210.145]] 20:17, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:: I'm placing that version here, in hopes that it can be edited as a proxy for the protected version: [[Special:Contributions/172.69.33.229|172.69.33.229]] 20:28, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
{{cot|Last non-vandalized version of the explanation, as further edited}}<br />
In this comic, [[Hairy]] is discussing use of a proxy variable with [[Cueball]]. In statistics, a {{w|proxy variable}} is used as a stand-in for one or more other variables that are difficult to measure. In order to be useful as such, proxy variables must be correlated with what they are intended to represent. For example, a drug might aim to reduce deaths from a slow-acting disease. But testing if it reduces deaths might take many years, so researchers might test for a proxy outcome instead, like whether it results in loss of bone density or damage to cells. Physicians use blood pressure as one of many proxies for cardiovascular health.<br />
<br />
Proxy variables are of interest to non-scientists as they provide a way to indirectly monitor or improve the complex systems that affect their lives. For example, people use local temperature as a rough experiential proxy for the severity of global warming. Economists might mistake GDP for productive or useful development, or mistake the size of the {{w|money supply}} for {{w|price inflation}}. While correlated, the causation implied by such assumptions is very much in doubt, because the GDP increase of demolishing a hospital might conflict with the widespread understanding of development, and while the money supply size is a cause of inflation, there are many other causes.<br />
<br />
Hairy is dismissing the question of whether they are studying the right variable as too expensive to answer. This is deeply ironic and thus satirical, because good {{w|experiment design}} requires sufficient attention to the robustness of all the involved parts of an experiment, even if the expense may be prohibitive. This comic might be referring to the recent discovery of [https://www.science.org/content/article/potential-fabrication-research-images-threatens-key-theory-alzheimers-disease nearly two decades] of fraudulent {{w|Alzheimer's disease}} research based on a mistaken proxy hypothesis.<br />
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Choosing the wrong proxy variable might make the research misleading, irrelevant, or as the title text suggests, answer the wrong question. Separating correlation from {{w|Causality|causation}} is necessary when interpreting proxy variable results to make sure the question they answer is known. Mere correlation instead of {{w|Causal analysis|authentic causation}} yields weaker results. {{w|Exploratory causal analysis}} can assist with finding useful proxy variables, but is difficult for the layperson to interpret and can be misleading, because even if performed correctly, a {{w|combinatorial explosion}} of possible proxy variables can make traditional {{w|statistical significance}} analysis fail, requiring {{w|F-score}}s or similar measures. The history of pharmaceutical research is largely a graveyard of failed proxy hypotheses; that is one of the reasons for [https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/manage-recs/fdaaa experiment registration regulations.]<br />
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The title text's notion of having an answer without knowing the actual question could also be be a reference to the classic comedy science fiction novel {{w|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy}}, where in one scene Earth turns out to be a supercomputer built for the purpose of figuring out the question for the answer "42."<br />
{{cob}}<br />
:That such improvements are withheld from the main public view must feel like a victory for the vandal. Can autoconfimed users promote it? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.210.145|172.70.210.145]] 23:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
::I have added the above except the "Proxy variables are of interest to non-scientists" part as there was someone explaining why this was removed above here. I will thus not be the one putting it back in.--[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 12:57, 31 July 2022 (UTC) <br />
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Is anyone going to comment that all of us IP editors are listed by our CDN proxy address? [[Special:Contributions/172.69.33.123|172.69.33.123]] 20:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC)</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:2652:_Proxy_Variable&diff=291522Talk:2652: Proxy Variable2022-07-30T23:13:42Z<p>172.70.214.81: Reply</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 />
Maybe Randall is commenting on this recent article [https://www.nature.com/articles/s43588-022-00281-6 Nature Computational Science: Automated discovery of fundamental variables hidden in experimental data]?<br />
02:10, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
suggested by a proxy editor<br />
<br />
Might be tangentially related to the alleged Alzheimer's disease drug Aduhelm, the anti-amyloid therapy, that did show some success in proxy variable (biomarker), but no success at all in curing the disease or its symptoms (no efficacy), but which got accepted with a huge amount of controversy by NDA (which disregarded its advisory committee’s recommendation against approving Aduhelm). --[[User:JakubNarebski|JakubNarebski]] ([[User talk:JakubNarebski|talk]]) 07:32, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I removed this paragraph:<br />
:''Proxy variables are of interest to non-scientists as they provide a scientific way to indirectly monitor or improve the complex systems that affect their lives. For example, blood pressure is a causative factor for cardiovascular disease so it can be used as a proxy variable for healthy lifestyle. However, people need to remember that it isn't necessarily the proxy variable alone that is of concern. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is not the only gas released by humanity with global warming potential and other factors affect climate change; and it is not carbon dioxide but the impact of climate change that will cause major social, economic, cultural damage to the future of the planet. ''<br />
because I want to discuss it. The first sentence needs a source, the second and third sentences claim blood pressure is used by non-scientists as a proxy for living a healthy lifestyle, which I'm not sure about on multiple levels, and the fourth and fifth sentences seem like PR for fossil fuel companies. #notallgreenhousegases Nevertheless, I feel as if there are likely one or two good ideas hidden in it. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.206.95|172.70.206.95]] 16:01, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:I feel like the author doesn't know the work climate scientists go to to avoid using greenhouse gas concentration as a proxy for global warming (all the models of atmospheric water and its forms.) For blood pressure, it's easier to see what was attempted to be gotten at. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.211.90|172.70.211.90]] 16:37, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
::Yes: the ones who dangerously simplify the climate change to "we must stop produce carbon dioxide" are not scientists but politicians. -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 16:53, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:Definitely. We don't even KNOW all factors affecting climate change. Still, the link between rising carbon dioxide and temperature looks much more solid that the link between money spent on fighting climate change and levels of carbon dioxide. ... Wait, you didn't wanted to talk about climate did you? :-) (For record, I always though there are much better reasons to stop using fossil fuels than fighting global warming. Recently, for example, the energetic security from geopolitically problematic regions came under lot of attention.) -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 16:46, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
::I want to talk about climate. Do you think we will be able to transition to carbon neutral and negative technologies in time to avoid the {{w|Jevons paradox}}? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.185|172.70.214.185]] 17:00, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:::The Jevons Paradox exists if the only forces affecting the consumption of a resource are supply and demand. If you're asking about carbon-neutral/negative technological process making sustainable technologies profitable faster than fossil fuel profits grow, then no, there's no hope even before the Jevons Paradox is considered. But if other options are considered, the Jevons Paradox doesn't really apply. (To take an extreme example: It doesn't matter how fuel-efficient internal combustion engines get, they'll never be the preferred choice if their manufacture is banned.) [[User:GreatWyrmGold|GreatWyrmGold]] ([[User talk:GreatWyrmGold|talk]]) 18:14, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
::Only carbon negative technology requires {{w|Carbon-burning_process|5×10^8 K or 50 keV and densities > 3×10^9 kg/m3}}. I think that in the moment we will be using THAT on industrial scale we would be quite desperate. Also, the amount of energy we will need is going to grow unless we reduce population a LOT (like, for example, if all ecological activists would do the carbon responsible thing and commit suicide). Also, more and more of that energy we will need will be specifically electrical energy. -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 20:21, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:::We need to remove 38 gigatons per year, which is only 0.7 milligrams per square centimeter of ocean. Think of the mean depth of the ocean: that square centimeter is very tall. From that perspective, isn't this an easy biological solution? That's only 0.5 micrograms per minute, from the full depth of each square centimeter of ocean, right? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.43|172.70.214.43]] 20:47, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
::::I'm not sure what is the "this" you talk about but it sounds you are only storing carbon, not removing it. BTW, one of best way to store carbon is to make more highways. -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 23:07, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:::::Where on Earth would you ever want to build 38 gigatons of highways per year? By "this" I mean genetically modified {{w|phytoplankton}}; in particular modified by changes to {{w|carbonic anhydrase}} expression. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.81|172.70.214.81]] 23:13, 30 July 2022 (UTC) <br />
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:Everyone thinks this is about pharmacology, and maybe it is. But I've been taking economics courses this semester, so that's what I think of. "We can't measure this factor directly, so we made up a formula that should let us calculate it (if we've measured all relevant factors correctly and all our other assumptions and theories are valid)" is a pretty common thing in that field. [[User:GreatWyrmGold|GreatWyrmGold]] ([[User talk:GreatWyrmGold|talk]]) 18:14, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:: What's the best example, using GDP as a proxy for development? Or something current like using the money supply as a proxy for inflation? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.95|172.70.214.95]] 20:19, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
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== this dude keeps spamming ==<br />
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Sorry for the mild crassness, especially as a new user, but some Nazi f*ck is vandalizing the page. May someone please ban them?{{unsigned ip|172.71.26.59|03:49, 30 July 2022}}<br />
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Nah, they're using multiple IPs. Someone could semi-protect it or something but there ain't any mods doing their job it seems.{{unsigned ip|172.70.147.47|03:55, 30 July 2022}}<br />
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Where are the mods, anyways?{{unsigned ip|172.71.82.65|03:59, 30 July 2022}}<br />
:You can't always count on volunteer authorities. Even us lowly IP address editors can revert vandalism. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.33.199|172.69.33.199]] 04:09, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
::Yeah nah, we need it semi-protected {{unsigned ip|162.158.162.199|04:13, 30 July 2022}}<br />
::: Funny if that were the goal of the vandalism. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.206.95|172.70.206.95]] 16:03, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:::: One reason that I don't think it should be the go-to counter-vandalism approach being used. But not for me to say. Whilstsoever I'm capable of intervening ''at least'' as much as any vandal tries to, I support the mod actions (they are there, doing things, BTW).<br />
:::: Without actually tolerating the vandal, we easily outnumber the person concerned (and the very few other spammers/bots that sneak through the clearly effective existing speedbumps) and this means that such nuisance edits are heavily mitigated. If you see the damaged bits then you're either a regular or a very unlucky occasional visitor.<br />
:::: (This morning, I went to revert an ad-spam that I noted had been written over a page-redirect, to be told that someone else had just gotten there before me!)<br />
:::: I've been on far more abused online resources, both web (early days, long before CAPTCHA technology) and elsewhere (having seen how Usenet was both before and after The Eternal September) and the interference here is extraordinarily given the generally open nature of the submission process.<br />
:::: PS. Please do sign your posts ( with <code><nowiki>~~~~</nowiki></code> ), if only for the timestamp that makes the to and fro of conversations more understandable... [[Special:Contributions/162.158.34.221|162.158.34.221]] 19:01, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
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:The rant gets replaced within two minutes of each revert. Presumably it's done by bot. We need a mod to take action. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.130.217|172.70.130.217]] 05:15, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
Article has been restored but some idiots keep spamming the page with random things. pls do something mods {{unsigned ip|172.70.147.47|03:59, 30 July 2022}}<br />
:it's not "some idiots" it's all one person using different ips. he posted the exact same covid rant several times. i think he's schizophrenic or something and just really wants to be heard --[[Special:Contributions/172.69.69.40|172.69.69.40]] 04:39, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
::But why here? Like, this is such a weird place to try and be heard, I'm sure even Reddit posts would have more visibility than edits to a webcomic wiki. [[User:NErDysprosium|NErDysprosium]] ([[User talk:NErDysprosium|talk]]) 06:06, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
::: Don't underestimate the importance of the can't-get-jokes demographic for PSYOP recruitment. The invasion of Panama might not even have occurred if it weren't for people distracted by cartoons. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.33.185|172.69.33.185]] 17:16, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2652:_Proxy_Variable&diff=291433&oldid=291400 The protected version has much less text than the last non-vandalized version.] [[Special:Contributions/172.70.211.90|172.70.211.90]] 20:02, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
: Re "The history of pharmaceutical research is largely a graveyard of failed proxy hypotheses." True, but someone should add that is the reason for experiment registration regulations. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.210.145|172.70.210.145]] 20:17, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:: I'm placing that version here, in hopes that it can be edited as a proxy for the protected version: [[Special:Contributions/172.69.33.229|172.69.33.229]] 20:28, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
{{cot|Last non-vandalized version of the explanation, as further edited}}<br />
In this comic, [[Hairy]] is discussing use of a proxy variable with [[Cueball]]. In statistics, a {{w|proxy variable}} is used as a stand-in for one or more other variables that are difficult to measure. In order to be useful as such, proxy variables must be correlated with what they are intended to represent. For example, a drug might aim to reduce deaths from a slow-acting disease. But testing if it reduces deaths might take many years, so researchers might test for a proxy outcome instead, like whether it results in loss of bone density or damage to cells. Physicians use blood pressure as one of many proxies for cardiovascular health.<br />
<br />
Proxy variables are of interest to non-scientists as they provide a way to indirectly monitor or improve the complex systems that affect their lives. For example, people use local temperature as a rough experiential proxy for the severity of global warming. Economists might mistake GDP for productive or useful development, or mistake the size of the {{w|money supply}} for {{w|price inflation}}. While correlated, the causation implied by such assumptions is very much in doubt, because the GDP increase of demolishing a hospital might conflict with the widespread understanding of development, and while the money supply size is a cause of inflation, there are many other causes.<br />
<br />
Hairy is dismissing the question of whether they are studying the right variable as too expensive to answer. This is deeply ironic and thus satirical, because good {{w|experiment design}} requires sufficient attention to the robustness of all the involved parts of an experiment, even if the expense may be prohibitive.<br />
<br />
Choosing the wrong proxy variable might make the research misleading, irrelevant, or as the title text suggests, answer the wrong question. Separating correlation from {{w|Causality|causation}} is necessary when interpreting proxy variable results to make sure the question they answer is known. Mere correlation instead of {{w|Causal analysis|authentic causation}} yields weaker results. {{w|Exploratory causal analysis}} can assist with finding useful proxy variables, but is difficult for the layperson to interpret and can be misleading, because even if performed correctly, a {{w|combinatorial explosion}} of possible proxy variables can make traditional {{w|statistical significance}} analysis fail, requiring {{w|F-score}}s or similar measures. The history of pharmaceutical research is largely a graveyard of failed proxy hypotheses; that is one of the reasons for [https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/manage-recs/fdaaa experiment registration regulations.]<br />
<br />
The title text's notion of having an answer without knowing the actual question could also be be a reference to the classic comedy science fiction novel {{w|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy}}, where in one scene Earth turns out to be a supercomputer built for the purpose of figuring out the question for the answer "42."<br />
{{cob}}<br />
:That such improvements are withheld from the main public view must feel like a victory for the vandal. Can autoconfimed users promote it? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.210.145|172.70.210.145]] 23:08, 30 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Is anyone going to comment that all of us IP editors are listed by our CDN proxy address? [[Special:Contributions/172.69.33.123|172.69.33.123]] 20:44, 30 July 2022 (UTC)</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2650:_Deepfakes&diff=2908662650: Deepfakes2022-07-26T13:54:02Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Explanation */ reword</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2650<br />
| date = July 25, 2022<br />
| title = Deepfakes<br />
| image = deepfakes.png<br />
| titletext = If so great a deductive mind as Arthur Conan Doyle can be fooled by the Cottingley Deepfakes, what chance do we mortals have? Soon our very reality will be dictated by the whims of Frances (9) and Elsie (16).<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a DEEPFAKE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
A {{w|deepfake}} is an altered video, designed to deceive by replacing a person in a video. [[White Hat]] believes that this technology will make it difficult to trust videos. However, [[Cueball]] responds by saying that "fakes" have always existed, in photos (either through {{w|photoshopping|alterations by software such as Adobe Photoshop}}, or deliberately staging fakes images, e.g. {{w|Loch Ness Monster#%22Surgeon's photograph%22 (1934)|of the Loch Ness Monster}}) and even more so by people simply lying. White Hat comes around to Cueball's position and says that even the written word is prone to deception and lying.<br />
<br />
Scientific studies of deepfakes have produced surprising results, suggesting that they are more likely to increase uncertainty than persuade,[https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2056305120903408] that their increased prevalence could inoculate the public against {{w|disinformation}},[https://dspace.cuni.cz/handle/20.500.11956/150489] and that they are more likely to be shared because of their humorousness than persuasiveness.[http://essay.utwente.nl/91654/] Other studies have found that deepfakes are persuasive, especially among those who are unfamiliar with them.[https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/cyber.2020.0174][https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1780812]<br />
<br />
The {{w|complaint tablet to Ea-nasir}} is a 3,800 year-old clay tablet containing the oldest known written complaint, in which a customer complains to a merchant, Ea-nasir, about his copper ingots. Cueball's last statement says that perhaps this complaint could have been a lie to begin with, and there was nothing wrong with Ea-nasir's wares. This supposition is arguably the humor of the comic, apart from the hyperbole of the title text.<br />
<br />
The title text references the {{w|Cottingley Fairies}}, a series of five photographs produced in 1917 by two children, Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths, who were 16 and 9, respectively. The photographs appear to show the children playing with fairies in their garden. The photographs received widespread attention when Sir {{w|Arthur Conan Doyle}}, the author of the ''Sherlock Holmes'' stories, used the photos as proof of paranormal phenomena in a 1920 magazine article. Conan Doyle was notable for being a strong proponent of reaching conclusions based on evidence and reason, and also held a deep believe in paranormal and supernatural phenomena. In 1983, Elsie and Frances finally confessed that the photos had been faked, by the simple process of posing cardboard figures cut out of a children's book. Due to technical advances, young children now can more easily create convincingly realistic fakes.<br />
<br />
A similar dilemma was discussed in [[1958: Self-Driving Issues]], where technology does not create a new way to lie, but may make such lies more convincing to certain parties (in the other strip, self-driving cars).<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:[White Hat and Cueball are walking to the right.]<br />
:White Hat: Thanks to deepfakes, soon we won't know what's real anymore. Video will become meaningless.<br />
<br />
:[White Hat and Cueball walk on, Cueball lifts one hand with the palm up.]<br />
:Cueball: I dunno.<br />
:Cueball: We've had Photoshop for decades and staged photos for centuries.<br />
:Cueball: It hasn't made photos meaningless.<br />
<br />
:[Zoom in on Cueball, who is turned left towards off-panel White Hat.]<br />
:Cueball: The bottleneck for fake stuff isn't technical. The bottleneck is willingness to lie.<br />
:Cueball: "People lying" is a very old problem.<br />
:Cueball: It's a known exploit.<br />
<br />
:[Zoom back out on White Hat and Cueball who have stopped. White Hat has a hand on his chin. Cueball holds his hands out to the sides.]<br />
:White Hat: I guess technically we've been able to make '''''text''''' deepfakes for 5,000 years.<br />
:Cueball: Maybe Ea-nasir's copper ingots were actually fine!<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring real people]]<br />
[[Category:Photography]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2650:_Deepfakes&diff=2908652650: Deepfakes2022-07-26T13:52:14Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Explanation */ compromise? We traditionally say what the joke is when their is one</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2650<br />
| date = July 25, 2022<br />
| title = Deepfakes<br />
| image = deepfakes.png<br />
| titletext = If so great a deductive mind as Arthur Conan Doyle can be fooled by the Cottingley Deepfakes, what chance do we mortals have? Soon our very reality will be dictated by the whims of Frances (9) and Elsie (16).<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a DEEPFAKE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
A {{w|deepfake}} is an altered video, designed to deceive by replacing a person in a video. [[White Hat]] believes that this technology will make it difficult to trust videos. However, [[Cueball]] responds by saying that "fakes" have always existed, in photos (either through {{w|photoshopping|alterations by software such as Adobe Photoshop}}, or deliberately staging fakes images, e.g. {{w|Loch Ness Monster#%22Surgeon's photograph%22 (1934)|of the Loch Ness Monster}}) and even more so by people simply lying. White Hat comes around to Cueball's position and says that even the written word is prone to deception and lying.<br />
<br />
Scientific studies of deepfakes have produced surprising results, suggesting that they are more likely to increase uncertainty than persuade,[https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2056305120903408] that their increased prevalence could inoculate the public against {{w|disinformation}},[https://dspace.cuni.cz/handle/20.500.11956/150489] and that they are more likely to be shared because of their humorousness than persuasiveness.[http://essay.utwente.nl/91654/] Other studies have found that deepfakes are persuasive, especially among those who are unfamiliar with them.[https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/cyber.2020.0174][https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1780812]<br />
<br />
The {{w|complaint tablet to Ea-nasir}} is a 3,800 year-old clay tablet containing the oldest known written complaint, in which a customer complains to a merchant, Ea-nasir, about his copper ingots. Cueball's last statement says that perhaps this complaint could have been a lie to begin with, and there was nothing wrong with Ea-nasir's wares. This supposition is arguably the humor of the comic, apart from the hyperbole of the title text.<br />
<br />
The title text references the {{w|Cottingley Fairies}}, a series of five photographs produced in 1917 by two children, Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths, who were 16 and 9, respectively. The photographs appear to show the children playing with fairies in their garden. The photographs received widespread attention when Sir {{w|Arthur Conan Doyle}}, the author of the ''Sherlock Holmes'' stories, used the photos as proof of paranormal phenomena in a 1920 magazine article. Conan Doyle was notable for being a strong proponent of reaching conclusions based on evidence and reason, and also held a deep believe in paranormal and supernatural phenomena. In 1983, Elsie and Frances finally confessed that the photos had been faked, by the simple process of posing cardboard figures cut out of a children's book. Due to recent technical advances, those mere children now could create convincingly realistic fakes.<br />
<br />
A similar dilemma was discussed in [[1958: Self-Driving Issues]], where technology does not create a new way to lie, but may make such lies more convincing to certain parties (in the other strip, self-driving cars).<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:[White Hat and Cueball are walking to the right.]<br />
:White Hat: Thanks to deepfakes, soon we won't know what's real anymore. Video will become meaningless.<br />
<br />
:[White Hat and Cueball walk on, Cueball lifts one hand with the palm up.]<br />
:Cueball: I dunno.<br />
:Cueball: We've had Photoshop for decades and staged photos for centuries.<br />
:Cueball: It hasn't made photos meaningless.<br />
<br />
:[Zoom in on Cueball, who is turned left towards off-panel White Hat.]<br />
:Cueball: The bottleneck for fake stuff isn't technical. The bottleneck is willingness to lie.<br />
:Cueball: "People lying" is a very old problem.<br />
:Cueball: It's a known exploit.<br />
<br />
:[Zoom back out on White Hat and Cueball who have stopped. White Hat has a hand on his chin. Cueball holds his hands out to the sides.]<br />
:White Hat: I guess technically we've been able to make '''''text''''' deepfakes for 5,000 years.<br />
:Cueball: Maybe Ea-nasir's copper ingots were actually fine!<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring real people]]<br />
[[Category:Photography]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2649:_Physics_Cost-Saving_Tips&diff=2908062649: Physics Cost-Saving Tips2022-07-26T05:09:13Z<p>172.70.214.81: A capacitor as a whole doesn't collect electrons, it just moves them around its layers</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2649<br />
| date = July 22, 2022<br />
| title = Physics Cost-Saving Tips<br />
| image = physics_cost_saving_tips.png<br />
| titletext = I got banned from the county fair for handing out Helium-2 balloons. Apparently the instant massive plasma explosions violated some local ordinance or something.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a FAUX VECTOR - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
This is another one of [[Randall|Randall's]] [[:Category:Tips|Tips]], this time with a series of Physics Cost-Saving Tips. It also continues the previous [[2648: Chemicals]] comic's jocular theme of tricks to supposedly save money based on misinterpretations of science. <br />
<br />
It suggests four ways to reduce costs or provide something for free for physicists to save money on their research. For instance getting free electrons from a conductor or replacing regular {{w|helium}} with {{w|Isotopes_of_helium#Helium-2_(diproton)|helium 2}}. None of these would provide any real advantages even when possible to implement, and could even be very dangerous, see below in the [[#Table of tips|table]]. Obtaining money from physics experiments was also described in [[2007: Brookhaven RHIC]].<br />
<br />
In the title text, Randall claims to have been banned from the county fair for handing out helium-2 balloons because of the instant massive explosions caused by its radioactive decay (that helium-2 decays fast is mentioned in the comic, with a joke suggestion to use it quickly). He jokes that the balloons violated a local ordinance. {{w|Gas balloon|Helium balloons}} are often given out at county fairs and similar events, but they are filled with {{w|helium-4}} and therefore inert (a very small part will be {{w|Helium-3}}, 2 ppm). A balloon filled with helium-2 is a practical impossibility because of its nanosecond half-life. Assuming a 12-inch diameter balloon at 1 atmosphere of pressure, the balloon-bomb would have a yield of roughly 17 {{w|TNT equivalent|tons of TNT equivalent}}.<br />
{{cot|[[User:SqueakSquawk4|Calculations]]}}<br />
{{User:SqueakSquawk4}} <!-- SqueakSquawk4 prefers this not be subst:ed --><br />
{{cob}}<br />
The smallest nuclear bomb, the {{w|W54}}, had a yield of between 10 and 1,000 tons of TNT. The largest conventional bomb, the {{w|GBU-43/B MOAB}}, has a yield of roughly 11 tons. The {{w|2020 Beirut explosion}} was roughly equivalent to 500 tons. So, while the helium-2 balloon bomb would be larger than all conventional bombs, it would still be smaller than most nukes. Handing out what are effectively small atomic bombs at a county fair would not go down well with any surviving local authorities, so merely being banned is a very mild punishment. Criminal charges such as mass murder and terrorism would be more likely if it weren't for the absurd impossibility of the scenario.<br />
<br />
===Table of tips===<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
|-<br />
! scope="col" |Cost-Saving Tip<br />
! scope="col" |Explanation<br />
|-<br />
|Try replacing regular vectors with pseudovectors whenever possible<br />
|[[File:Torque animation.gif|frame|right|Relationship of pseudovectors {{w|torque}} ('''τ''') and {{w|angular momentum}} ('''L''') to "regular" Euclidian vectors {{w|Position (vector)|position}} ('''r'''), {{w|force}} ('''F'''), and linear {{w|momentum}} ('''p''') in an oscillatory rotating system. Not shown is the {{w|centripetal force}} of the spoke's {{w|Tension (physics)|tension}}, a Euclidian vector towards the axle proportional to linear momentum, converting it to angular momentum.]]<br />
<br />
The prefix "pseudo-" refers to an inauthentic variation of something. Fakes are usually cheaper than their original brand-name product, while often working just as well, so the comic implies a {{w|pseudovector}} could be a less expensive substitute for a regular vector. On the contrary, pseudovectors, or axial vectors, are distinct from regular {{w|Euclidean vector}}s, the former usually being involved with rotation or physical effects that share properties with rotation, similar to the relationship between angles and lengths. Pseudovectors are formed from the {{w|cross product}}s of Euclidean vectors, in three dimensions, and while similar to Euclidean vectors, there is no physical meaning to their specific direction, only their magnitude and portions of their position. For example, {{w|angular momentum}} is described by a pseudovector, labeled '''L''' in the comic, {{w|Normal (geometry)|normal}} to the {{w|plane of rotation}}, originating from the center of rotation, with magnitude equal to the angular velocity of rotation '''ω''' multiplied by the {{w|moment of inertia}} '''I'''. (The comic's diagram is drawn according to very uncommon {{w|Right-hand rule#Coordinates|left-handed coordinates}} instead of the standard {{w|right-hand rule}}. Randall is right-handed.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1tcyEo2tQk&t=28s])<br />
|-<br />
|A square wave can be broken down into an infinite supply of valuable sine waves<br />
|{{w|Fourier analysis}} can decompose any periodic function into a series of {{w|sine wave}}s. A {{w|square wave}} can thereby be represented as the sum of an infinite series of sine waves. However, the sine waves are not removed or separated individually, so such a {{w|Fourier transform}} does not produce a "supply" of sine waves for practical use in any tasks other than analysis, and as abstract mathematical objects exempt from the laws of supply and demand, their value is similarly limited.<br />
|-<br />
|Cut waste by buying lighter isotopes that don't have any dead-weight neutrons<br />
|Chemical elements are identified by the number of protons in each atomic nucleus, equal to the number of electrons in their shell (unless the atom is ionized), which dictates most of their chemical behavior. {{w|Isotopes}} are variants of the element with different numbers of neutrons in the nucleus, among which chemical behavior is usually nearly identical. The comic suggests that the neutrons don't serve any useful purpose, so, in theory, if purchasing an element by weight, and its isotopes have the same price per unit weight, then you can save money by buying isotopes with no neutrons at all. In reality, the cost per unit weight for material containing a larger concentration of normally rare isotopes, such as {{w|heavy water}} or {{w|enriched uranium}}, is much higher than the cost of material containing isotopes in their ordinary proportions. (An exception is {{w|depleted uranium}}, which costs less than regular uranium because it is a byproduct of the production of enriched uranium.) In addition, a certain range of neutron quantity is needed to keep atoms stable, as atoms with too many or too few neutrons will decay more quickly than the common isotopes. The image shown is helium-2, an {{w|Isotopes of helium|isotope of helium}} which has a half-life of less than a nanosecond. It decays into two ionized hydrogen atoms, releasing a large amount of energy—hence the explosions mentioned in the title text.<br />
|-<br />
|Conductors are a great source of free electrons (may carry charges)<br />
|{{w|Charge carrier|Free}} {{w|electron}}s are electrons that are not tightly bound to specific atoms so they can move freely, such as in {{w|conduction band}}s of the {{w|metallic bond}}s throughout the iron ingot depicted in the comic. Randall interprets "free" in a different sense, meaning no cost. The charges free electrons carry are electric, not monetary as implied by the pun. In fact all objects contain electrons, but although the {{w|dielectric}} layer of a {{w|capacitor}} can collect electrons, it is not easy to store pure electrons, as they repel each other. Randall has [https://what-if.xkcd.com/140/ explained the problems] with collecting a large number of electrons before. <br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:[The comic shows four rows each with a drawing and an explanation text belonging to each drawing. They alternate between having the drawing on the left and the right side. Above the first row is a large header:]<br />
:<big>Physics Cost-Saving Tips</big><br />
<br />
:[The first row has a drawing of a diagramatical spinning disc, at an angle. It is identified with an 'I', with a dotted axial arrow labelled 'L' and a rotational movement labelled 'ω' (small omega). <br />
:I<br />
:L<br />
:ω<br />
<br />
:[To the right of the diagram is this text:]<br />
:Try replacing regular vectors with pseudovectors whenever possible<br />
<br />
:[The second row shows a square wave with three maxima between four minima. Below the central maxima and the two nearby minima are five arrows pointing down (two bending left two right one straight down). Each arrow points to one of five sine waves below the square wave, in three rows, with different wavelengths. The one with the shortest wavelength is the top left, then the wavelength becomes longer for the one to the right and even longer for each of the next two, in the next row with the final very long wave with longest wavelength at the bottom, with the straight down arrow pointing to that. The long waves at the bottom has the same frequency as the square wave.]<br />
<br />
:[To the left of the waves is this text:]<br />
:A square wave can be broken down into an infinite supply of valuable sine waves<br />
<br />
:[The third row shows two atomic models. The left containing two protons (white with a "+" sign), two neutrons (black) and orbited by two electrons (white with a "-" sign, small outlines, dotted orbits/movement lines). The right model is drawn similarly but without the black neutrons.]<br />
:+ +<br />
:- -<br />
:+ +<br />
:- -<br />
<br />
:[The atoms have labels below and there is an extra message for the second model:]<br />
:<sup>4</sup>He<br />
:<sup>2</sup>He<br />
:<small>(Decays fast- use quickly)</small><br />
<br />
:[To the right of the models is this text:]<br />
:Cut waste by buying lighter isotopes that don't have any dead-weight neutrons<br />
<br />
:[The fourth row shows a flat rectangular bar, drawn in perspective with a scattering of four small circles with "-" sign inside them and ten lines looking like parts of circles, all on the top face towards the far end.]<br />
:- - - - <br />
<br />
:[A bending arrow goes from a label above the bar and points to one of the circles. And on the forward-facing side of the bar there is a label.]<br />
:Arrow: Free electrons<br />
:Label: Iron<br />
<br />
:[To the left of the bar is this text:]<br />
:Conductors are a great source of free electrons<br />
:(May carry charges)<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Tips]]<br />
[[Category:Physics]]<br />
[[Category:Chemistry]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Template:cot&diff=290492Template:cot2022-07-24T14:12:09Z<p>172.70.214.81: Space instructions from rendered code, I think there's something like includeonly for this</p>
<hr />
<div><noinclude>Use this in conjunction with the <nowiki>{{cob}}</nowiki> template to clamp down on flame wars that go off topic.<br />
<br />
Usage:<br />
<br />
<nowiki>{{cot|hidden}}</nowiki><br />
YOU SUCK. -Anonymous user<br />
:WHY DID YOU INSULT ME. -Another anonymous user<br />
<nowiki>{{cob}}</nowiki> <br />
<br />
Which gives us:<br />
{{cot|hidden}}<br />
YOU SUCK. -Anonymous user<br />
:WHY DID YOU INSULT ME. -Another anonymous user<br />
{{cob}}<br />
<br />
<br />
----<br />
<br />
<br />
</noinclude>{{Collapse top|1={{{1}}}}}</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Template:cot&diff=290491Template:cot2022-07-24T14:10:17Z<p>172.70.214.81: fix parameter and initial vertical space</p>
<hr />
<div><noinclude>Use this in conjunction with the <nowiki>{{cob}}</nowiki> template to clamp down on flame wars that go off topic.<br />
<br />
Usage:<br />
<br />
<nowiki>{{cot|hidden}}</nowiki><br />
YOU SUCK. -Anonymous user<br />
:WHY DID YOU INSULT ME. -Another anonymous user<br />
<nowiki>{{cob}}</nowiki> <br />
<br />
Which gives us:<br />
{{cot|hidden}}<br />
YOU SUCK. -Anonymous user<br />
:WHY DID YOU INSULT ME. -Another anonymous user<br />
{{cob}}<br />
<br />
----<br />
<br />
</noinclude>{{Collapse top|1={{{1}}}}}</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2649:_Physics_Cost-Saving_Tips&diff=2902362649: Physics Cost-Saving Tips2022-07-23T04:46:05Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Transcript */ lowercase are called small</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2649<br />
| date = July 22, 2022<br />
| title = Physics Cost-Saving Tips<br />
| image = physics cost saving tips.png<br />
| titletext = I got banned from the county fair for handing out Helium-2 balloons. Apparently the instant massive plasma explosions violated some local ordinance or something.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a FAUX VECTOR - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
This comic continues the previous comic [[2648: Chemicals]]'s jocular theme of tricks to supposedly save money based on misinterpretations of science. Here is a list of "cost-saving tips" which would seem to reduce a cost or provide something for free, allowing physicists to save money in their research.<br />
<br />
* The prefix "pseudo-" refers to an inauthentic variation of something. Fakes are usually cheaper than their original brand-name product, while often working just as well, so the comic implies a {{w|pseudovector}} could be a less expensive substitute for a regular vector. On the contrary, pseudovectors, or axial vectors, are distinct alternatives to regular polar vectors, the former usually being involved with rotation or physical effects that share properties with rotation, similar to the relationship between angles and lengths. Pseudovectors are formed from the {{w|cross product}}s of polar vectors, and while similar to polar vectors, there is no physical meaning to their specific direction, only their magnitude and portions of their position. For example, {{w|angular velocity}} is described by a pseudovector (labeled 'L' in the comic) {{w|Normal (geometry)|normal}} to the {{w|plane of rotation}}, originating from the center of rotation, with magnitude proportional to the velocity ('ω') of rotation. <br />
<br />
* {{w|Fourier analysis}} can decompose any periodic function into a series of {{w|sine wave}}s. A {{w|square wave}} can thereby be represented as the sum of an infinite series of sine waves. However, the sine waves are not removed or separated individually, so such a {{w|Fourier transform}} does not produce a "supply" of sine waves for practical use in any tasks other than analysis, and as abstract mathematical objects exempt from the laws of supply and demand, their value is similarly limited.<br />
<br />
* Chemical elements are identified by the number of positive protons in each atomic nucleus, which is also equal to the number of negative electrons in the shell (unless the atom is ionized) that dictates most of their chemical behaviour. {{w|Isotopes}} are variants of the element with different numbers of neutral neutrons in the nucleus where the potential chemical reactions are practically identical under most circumstances. The comic suggests that the neutrons don't serve any useful purpose so, in theory, if you're purchasing matter by weight, and all isotypes have the same price per unit weight, then you can save money by buying isotopes with no neutrons at all. In reality, the cost per unit weight for material containing a high concentration of normally rare isotypes, such as "heavy water" or "enriched uranium", is much higher than the cost of material containing isotypes in their ordinary proportions. (One exception is depleted uranium, which can be obtained more cheaply than regular uranium, because it is a waste product from the production of enriched uranium.) In addition, the right number of neutrons are needed to keep the atom stable, and atoms with too many or too few neutrons will decay more quickly than the common isotopes. The image shown is Helium-2, an {{w|Isotopes of helium|isotope of helium}} with a half-life of less than a nanosecond. It decays into two protons, releasing a large amount of energy—hence the explosion mentioned in the title text.<br />
<br />
: Helium balloons are often given out at county fairs and other similar events. However, these are usually Helium-4, and therefore inert. If a balloon was filled with helium-2, as the title text suggests, the results would be rather explosive. Handing out what are effectively bombs at a county fair would likely not go down well with local authorities, and therefore being banned from the fair is a very light punishment. Anyone who did this in real life would likely face criminal charges, such as reckless endangerment or even attempted murder.<br />
<br />
* {{w|Charge carrier|Free}} {{w|electron}}s are electrons that are not tightly bound to specific atoms so they can move freely, such as in {{w|conduction band}}s of the {{w|metallic bond}}s throughout the iron ingot depicted in the comic. Randall interprets "free" in a different sense, meaning no cost. The charges free electrons carry are electric, not monetary as implied by this pun.<br />
<br />
Saving money from science experiments like this was also mentioned in [[2007: Brookhaven RHIC]]<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
:[Title]<br />
:Physics Cost-Saving Tips<br />
<br />
:[A diagramatical spinning disc, at an angle]<br />
:[It is identified with an 'I', with a dotted axial arrow labelled 'L' and a rotational movement labelled 'ω' (small omega)]<br />
:[It sits on the left, and to the right of this is text...]<br />
:Try replacing regular vectors with pseudovectors whenever possible<br />
<br />
:[A square wave with three maxima (between four minima), and arrows pointing down into a collection of five sine waves of different wavelengths]<br />
:[One of the waves having the same frequency as the square wave and the rest of them are of shorter lengths with more peaks and troughs]<br />
:[It sits on the right, and to the left of this is text...]<br />
:A square wave can be broken down into an infinite supply of valuable sine waves<br />
<br />
:[Two atomic models]<br />
:[The left containing two protons (white with a "+" sign), two neutrons (black) and orbited by two electrons (small outlines, dotted orbits/movement lines), labelled below with the text of superscript atomic weight and element symbol]<br />
:<sup>4</sup>He<br />
:[The right model has just the two protons and the two electrons, labelled below with the text of an atomic weight and elemental symbol, and some subtext within brackets]<br />
:<sup>2</sup>He<br />
:(Decays fast - use quickly)<br />
:[Both models sit on the left of the comic, and to the right is text...]<br />
:Cut waste by buying lighter isotopes that don't have any dead-weight neutrons<br />
<br />
:[A flat rectangular bar, drawn in perspective with a scattering of dots/small circles on the top face and on the forward-facing one the label]<br />
:Iron<br />
:[An arrow points to the dots, from the text...]<br />
:Free electrons<br />
:[It sits to the right, and there is text to the left...]<br />
:Conductors are a great source of free electrons<br />
:(May carry charges)<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Tips]]<br />
[[Category:Physics]]<br />
[[Category:Chemistry]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2649:_Physics_Cost-Saving_Tips&diff=2902152649: Physics Cost-Saving Tips2022-07-23T01:52:24Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Explanation */ origin of pseudovector</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2649<br />
| date = July 22, 2022<br />
| title = Physics Cost-Saving Tips<br />
| image = physics cost saving tips.png<br />
| titletext = I got banned from the county fair for handing out Helium-2 balloons. Apparently the instant massive plasma explosions violated some local ordinance or something.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a FAUX VECTOR - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
This comic continues the previous comic [[2648: Chemicals]]'s theme of tricks to supposedly save money based on misinterpretations of science. Here is a list of "cost-saving tips" which would seem to reduce a cost or provide something for free, allowing physicists to save money in their experiments.<br />
<br />
* The prefix "pseudo-" refers to something that is an inauthentic variation of something else. Fakes are usually cheaper than their original brand-name product, while often working just as well, so the comic implies a {{w|pseudovector}} could be a less expensive substitute for a real vector. On the contrary, pseudovectors, or axial vectors, are distinct alternatives to ordinary polar vectors, the former usually being involved with rotation or physical effects that share properties with rotation, similar to the relationship between angles and lengths. Pseudovectors are formed from the {{w|cross product}}s of polar vectors, and while similar to polar vectors, there is no physical meaning to their direction, only their magnitude and position. For example, {{w|angular velocity}} is described by a pseudovector {{w|Normal (geometry)|normal}} to the {{w|plane of rotation}} originating from the center of rotation. <br />
<br />
* {{w|Fourier analysis}} can decompose any periodic function into a series of {{w|sine wave}}s. A {{w|square wave}} can thereby be represented as the sum of an infinite series of sine waves. However, the sine waves are not removed or separated individually, so such a {{w|Fourier transform}} does not produce a "supply of valuable sine waves" for practical use in any tasks other than analysis.<br />
<br />
* Chemical elements are identified by the number of positive protons in each atomic nucleus, which is also equal to the number of negative electrons in the shell (unless the atom is ionized) that dictates most of their chemical behaviour. {{w|Isotopes}} are variants of the element with different numbers of neutral neutrons in the nucleus where the potential chemical reactions are practically identical under most circumstances. The comic suggests that the neutrons don't serve any useful purpose so, if you're purchasing matter by weight, you can save money by buying isotopes with no neutrons at all. In reality, the right number of neutrons are needed to keep the atom stable, and atoms with too many or too few neutrons will decay more quickly than the common isotopes. The image shown is Helium-2, an {{w|Isotopes of helium|isotope of helium}} with a half-life of less than a nanosecond. It decays into two protons, releasing a large amount of energy—hence the explosion mentioned in the title text.<br />
<br />
: Helium balloons are often given out at county fairs and other similar events. However, these are usually Helium-4, and therefore inert. If a balloon was filled with helium-2, as the title text suggests, the results would be rather explosive. Handing out what are effectively bombs at a county fair would likely not go down well with local authorities, and therefore being banned from the fair is a very light punishment. Anyone who did this in real life would likely face criminal charges, such as reckless endangerment or even attempted murder.<br />
<br />
* {{w|Charge carrier|Free}} {{w|electron}}s are electrons which are not tightly bound to specific atoms, so are ably to ''move'' freely, such as in {{w|conduction band}}s of {{w|metallic bond}}s. Randall interprets "free" in a different sense, meaning no cost. The charges free electrons carry are electric, not monetary as implied by this pun.<br />
<br />
Getting money from science experiments like this was also mentioned in [[2007: Brookhaven RHIC]]<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
:[Title]<br />
:Physics Cost-Saving Tips<br />
<br />
:[A diagramatical spinning disc, at an angle]<br />
:[It is identified with an 'I', with a dotted axial arrow labelled 'L' and a rotational movement labelled 'ω' (little omega)]<br />
:[It sits on the left, and to the right of this is text...]<br />
:Try replacing regular vectors with pseudovectors whenever possible<br />
<br />
:[A square wave with three maxima (between four minima), and arrows pointing down into a collection of five sine waves of different wavelengths]<br />
:[One of the waves having the same frequency as the square wave and the rest of them are of shorter lengths with more peaks and troughs]<br />
:[It sits on the right, and to the left of this is text...]<br />
:A square wave can be broken down into an infinite supply of valuable sine waves<br />
<br />
:[Two atomic models]<br />
:[The left containing two protons (white with a "+" sign), two neutrons (black) and orbited by two electrons (small outlines, dotted orbits/movement lines), labelled below with the text of superscript atomic weight and element symbol]<br />
:<sup>4</sup>He<br />
:[The right model has just the two protons and the two electrons, labelled below with the text of an atomic weight and elemental symbol, and some subtext within brackets]<br />
:<sup>2</sup>He<br />
:(Decays fast - use quickly)<br />
:[Both models sit on the left of the comic, and to the right is text...]<br />
:Cut waste by buying lighter isotopes that don't have any dead-weight neutrons<br />
<br />
:[A flat rectangular bar, drawn in perspective with a scattering of dots/small circles on the top face and on the forward-facing one the label]<br />
:Iron<br />
:[An arrow points to the dots, from the text...]<br />
:Free electrons<br />
:[It sits to the right, and there is text to the left...]<br />
:Conductors are a great source of free electrons<br />
:(May carry charges)<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Tips]]<br />
[[Category:Physics]]<br />
[[Category:Chemistry]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2649:_Physics_Cost-Saving_Tips&diff=2902142649: Physics Cost-Saving Tips2022-07-23T01:50:58Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Explanation */ pseudovector position</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2649<br />
| date = July 22, 2022<br />
| title = Physics Cost-Saving Tips<br />
| image = physics cost saving tips.png<br />
| titletext = I got banned from the county fair for handing out Helium-2 balloons. Apparently the instant massive plasma explosions violated some local ordinance or something.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a FAUX VECTOR - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
This comic continues the previous comic [[2648: Chemicals]]'s theme of tricks to supposedly save money based on misinterpretations of science. Here is a list of "cost-saving tips" which would seem to reduce a cost or provide something for free, allowing physicists to save money in their experiments.<br />
<br />
* The prefix "pseudo-" refers to something that is an inauthentic variation of something else. Fakes are usually cheaper than their original brand-name product, while often working just as well, so the comic implies a {{w|pseudovector}} could be a less expensive substitute for a real vector. On the contrary, pseudovectors, or axial vectors, are distinct alternatives to ordinary polar vectors, the former usually being involved with rotation or physical effects that share properties with rotation, similar to the relationship between angles and lengths. Pseudovectors are formed from the {{w|cross product}}s of polar vectors, and while similar to polar vectors, there is no physical meaning to their direction, only their magnitude and position. For example, {{w|angular velocity}} is described by a pseudovector {{w|Normal (geometry)|normal}} to the {{w|plane of rotation}} at the center of rotation. <br />
<br />
* {{w|Fourier analysis}} can decompose any periodic function into a series of {{w|sine wave}}s. A {{w|square wave}} can thereby be represented as the sum of an infinite series of sine waves. However, the sine waves are not removed or separated individually, so such a {{w|Fourier transform}} does not produce a "supply of valuable sine waves" for practical use in any tasks other than analysis.<br />
<br />
* Chemical elements are identified by the number of positive protons in each atomic nucleus, which is also equal to the number of negative electrons in the shell (unless the atom is ionized) that dictates most of their chemical behaviour. {{w|Isotopes}} are variants of the element with different numbers of neutral neutrons in the nucleus where the potential chemical reactions are practically identical under most circumstances. The comic suggests that the neutrons don't serve any useful purpose so, if you're purchasing matter by weight, you can save money by buying isotopes with no neutrons at all. In reality, the right number of neutrons are needed to keep the atom stable, and atoms with too many or too few neutrons will decay more quickly than the common isotopes. The image shown is Helium-2, an {{w|Isotopes of helium|isotope of helium}} with a half-life of less than a nanosecond. It decays into two protons, releasing a large amount of energy—hence the explosion mentioned in the title text.<br />
<br />
: Helium balloons are often given out at county fairs and other similar events. However, these are usually Helium-4, and therefore inert. If a balloon was filled with helium-2, as the title text suggests, the results would be rather explosive. Handing out what are effectively bombs at a county fair would likely not go down well with local authorities, and therefore being banned from the fair is a very light punishment. Anyone who did this in real life would likely face criminal charges, such as reckless endangerment or even attempted murder.<br />
<br />
* {{w|Charge carrier|Free}} {{w|electron}}s are electrons which are not tightly bound to specific atoms, so are ably to ''move'' freely, such as in {{w|conduction band}}s of {{w|metallic bond}}s. Randall interprets "free" in a different sense, meaning no cost. The charges free electrons carry are electric, not monetary as implied by this pun.<br />
<br />
Getting money from science experiments like this was also mentioned in [[2007: Brookhaven RHIC]]<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
:[Title]<br />
:Physics Cost-Saving Tips<br />
<br />
:[A diagramatical spinning disc, at an angle]<br />
:[It is identified with an 'I', with a dotted axial arrow labelled 'L' and a rotational movement labelled 'ω' (little omega)]<br />
:[It sits on the left, and to the right of this is text...]<br />
:Try replacing regular vectors with pseudovectors whenever possible<br />
<br />
:[A square wave with three maxima (between four minima), and arrows pointing down into a collection of five sine waves of different wavelengths]<br />
:[One of the waves having the same frequency as the square wave and the rest of them are of shorter lengths with more peaks and troughs]<br />
:[It sits on the right, and to the left of this is text...]<br />
:A square wave can be broken down into an infinite supply of valuable sine waves<br />
<br />
:[Two atomic models]<br />
:[The left containing two protons (white with a "+" sign), two neutrons (black) and orbited by two electrons (small outlines, dotted orbits/movement lines), labelled below with the text of superscript atomic weight and element symbol]<br />
:<sup>4</sup>He<br />
:[The right model has just the two protons and the two electrons, labelled below with the text of an atomic weight and elemental symbol, and some subtext within brackets]<br />
:<sup>2</sup>He<br />
:(Decays fast - use quickly)<br />
:[Both models sit on the left of the comic, and to the right is text...]<br />
:Cut waste by buying lighter isotopes that don't have any dead-weight neutrons<br />
<br />
:[A flat rectangular bar, drawn in perspective with a scattering of dots/small circles on the top face and on the forward-facing one the label]<br />
:Iron<br />
:[An arrow points to the dots, from the text...]<br />
:Free electrons<br />
:[It sits to the right, and there is text to the left...]<br />
:Conductors are a great source of free electrons<br />
:(May carry charges)<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Tips]]<br />
[[Category:Physics]]<br />
[[Category:Chemistry]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=75:_Curse_Levels&diff=29020575: Curse Levels2022-07-22T22:52:29Z<p>172.70.214.81: Undo revision 290099 by 172.71.94.181 (talk)</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 75<br />
| date = March 13, 2006<br />
| title = Curse Levels<br />
| image = curse levels.jpg<br />
| titletext = I find so much fun in language.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
In this fourth "[[My Hobby]]" strip, the hobby is mixing curse levels. Curse words (aka: swear words/profanities) are disrespectful words that are typically impolite to use in public. As noted in the strip, there are "levels" of curse words ranging from those "mild" words that are more acceptable to use, to those "severe" words that are considered very impolite (the milder curse words can be used on network television in the US, for example, while severe ones can not). Although they cannot be exactly defined, they roughly fit into "safe"(heck, gosh, dang, etc.),"mild"(d*mn, s**t, h*ll and so forth) and "severe"(those that refer to more suggestive things than the others, as well as racial slurs and such). One usually uses milder cursing ("safe") because either they personally don't feel comfortable using the more severe words, or because it would not be appropriate in the context (such as on network television, in the presence of children, etc.) Thus, mixing mild and severe curses in one usage does not usually occur, as the effect achieved by keeping the one curse word mild is negated by using another that is severe.<br />
<br />
In a mild curse, "gosh-darned" is typically used as a {{w|minced oath}} of "God-damned" when the latter would be inappropriate. This is mixed with "{{w|cunt}}" — a vulgar term for the female genitalia, considered the most offensive swear word in many English-speaking countries.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:My hobby: mixing curse levels<br />
:Cueball: What a gosh-darned cunt.<br />
<br />
{{Comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:My Hobby]]<br />
[[Category:Language]]<br />
[[Category:Comics with lowercase text]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring cursed items]] <!-- Words only, however. --></div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1608:_Hoverboard&diff=2902011608: Hoverboard2022-07-22T22:51:33Z<p>172.70.214.81: Undo revision 290097 by 172.71.94.181 (talk)</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1608<br />
| date = November 24, 2015<br />
| title = Hoverboard<br />
| image = hoverboard.png<br />
<!--DO NOT ADD the title text: Return to the play area. This is not shown in the comic. See trivia--><br />
}}<br />
{{TOC}} <br />
*To experience the interactivity of this game, visit the {{xkcd|1608|original comic}}.<br />
==Explanation==<br />
The "comic" is actually a {{w|browser game}} made to celebrate the release of [[Randall|Randall's]] new book, ''[[Thing Explainer]]'', which was released on the same day as this comic: Tuesday, November 24, 2015. The comic thus appeared on a Tuesday, replacing that week's normal Wednesday release to coincide with the release day. The [[xkcd Header text]] also [[xkcd_Header_text#2015-11-24_-_Thing_Explainer_is_out_today|changed that day]] to shout out that the book was released on that day.<br />
<br />
The title refers to a {{w|hoverboard}} (which resembles a hovering skateboard without wheels) which has been most [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1ZdMOMUgXE prominently featured] in the movie {{w|Back to the Future Part II}}, which took place in the future, until a little more than a month before this comic was released. {{w|Marty McFly}} traveled to the future in this second installment, more precisely to [https://www.facebook.com/October212015BTTF 2015-10-21], and this comic was released just over one month later 2015-11-24. Hoverboards are just one of many things predicted in Back to the Future Part II that [http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-33785285 have] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HI137m7XA4 come] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLwNGBB_Yb0 to] [http://www.wired.com/2016/03/hendo-2-hoverboard/ pass] before reaching the date from the movie, but are more uncommon in our world, along with other inventions like [http://www.terrafugia.com/ flying] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-1pXbW5wVg cars] and [http://www.soundandvision.com/content/wear-your-music-thinkgeeks-soundtrack-shirt#jo8J1DassbWxlptj.97 musical clothing]. Randall is known to have had [[:Category:Electric skateboard|electric skateboards]], which is also thematically related, although another type of hoverboard would be mentioned just five weeks later in [[1623: 2016 Conversation Guide]].<br />
<br />
Given Randall's enjoyment of movies and time travel it is very likely that this game is also a tribute to the {{w|Back to the Future}} movies. But the release day of the game has been used to promote his new book (as is clear with the text in the start screen of the game), and this explains why it was not released on the Back to the Future date. Apart from the date of release and the text about the book, the game does not seem to have any direct relation to the book; there are, however, several scenes in the game that could be seen as [[#Reference to Thing Explainer|references to ''Thing Explainer'']]. Instead the main part of the game is all the references to several movies and other stuff that has often been featured in xkcd as well as many of the other comics.<br />
<br />
===The game feature===<br />
The game features an {{w|animated}} [[Cueball]] riding on a hoverboard which can take [[#Animation|several different positions]]. The controls are the left, up, and right arrows, as written on the start screen until you begin the game, after which the text disappears. There are alternatives as explained in the [[#Controls|Controls]] section. The player can jump repeatedly mid-jump to reach increasing heights, and can move left and right both while jumping and descending (see more under controls).<br />
<br />
The player begins in a line-drawing maze (called the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a9/All_play_area_hanging_all_coins.PNG Play Area]) with 17 gold coins located throughout and a "deposit" terminal. The ostensible goal of the game is to collect as many coins as possible and return them to the deposit in the fastest possible time, which returns [[#Messages in Play Area|text messages]] describing the result. Players consumed with obtaining the best possible time result for collecting the coins may not realize there is anything more to the game.<br />
<br />
The best way to enjoy this comic is to {{xkcd|1608|play the game!}} If you didn't do that already, '''reading anything below or the [https://xkcd.com/1608/info.0.json official transcript]''' will spoil you from truly enjoying the comic, and maybe making some interesting discoveries yourself! So:<br />
<br />
<big><big>'''!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!'''</big></big><br />
<br />
{{incomplete| There are still several tables that need to be filled out. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
Beyond the maze on either side (just far enough that players who remain within the maze will not see) are [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/8/8b/1680_Play_Area_Full_Size_Coins_Hoverboard_and_View.png tall walls seemingly designed to contain the player]. However, the walls have a finite height and, combined with the ability to double-jump, the player can leave the purported "play area" either to the sides or above the initial maze. This returns a flashing red [[#Messages in Play Area|error message]]: "'''[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/ae/Return_to_the_play_area.PNG Return to the Play Area]'''".<br />
<br />
But if the player overcomes the desire to comply and return to the play area and disregards this message, they can take hoverboard Cueball outside beyond the tall walls surrounding the initial play area. And here they will discover an entire world that can be explored left and right (and above), including numerous points of interest and {{w|Easter egg (media)|Easter eggs}} similar in style to comic [[1110: Click and Drag]]. There are also many more [[#Coins|coins]] to collect, 169 coins all in all, so 152 more than those from the play area.<br />
<br />
Although this game is reminiscent of Click and Drag, this was the first time an actual game, where the user moves an object in front of the drawing, has been released on xkcd. In previous "games" this has not been the case. In Click and Drag the user only moves the drawing into the view section. And in for instance the two previous [[:Category:April fools' comics|April fools' comics]], [[1350: Lorenz]] and [[1506: xkcloud]], the user does not move anything, but only supplies choices, text and drawings. However, already on the next {{w|April Fools' Day}} a new game, [[1663: Garden]], was released where the users also actively moved items around on the screen and could make items disappear (like taking coins in this game.). The ability to infinitely doubles jump allows us to reach beyond just the ground.<br />
<br />
===The main themes===<br />
There are many themes and references throughout the game, but the two main themes are '''{{w|Star Wars}}''' and '''{{w|The Lord of the Rings}}'''. Below there is a [[#List of details and references|table]] listing all references to both of these movies and much more. For instance there are 19 references to SW and 6 to LOTR.<br />
<br />
The largest part of the game is located on the '''right side''' of the play area and is mainly a world dominated by references to ''Star Wars''. Most noticeable is a recreation of [https://youtu.be/yHfLyMAHrQE?t=112 the opening scene] in the {{w|Star Wars (film)|first film}}, where {{w|Princess Leia|Princess Leia's}} space ship ''{{w|Tantive IV}}'' also known as ''[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/8/82/1608_1015x1078y_Entire_Rebel_Blockade_Runner_zoom_out.png The Rebel Blockade Runner]'' is flying over [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/33/1608_1015x1073y_Ponytail_in_the_dunes_zoom_out.png the desert] planet {{w|Tatooine}}. Here it is followed by the {{w|Star Destroyer}}, ''[http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Devastator Devastator]''. The [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/04/1608_1015x1078y_Entire_Rebbel_Blockade_Runner_zoom_out_to_torpedoes_and_ground.png desert ground with these two space ships] above is the first you find to the right. Although in the game they are located inside the atmosphere, not as in the movie out in space, a fact that is [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/1d/1608_1049x1090y_Atmosphere_worry_and_car_room_at_bottom_of_hull.png commented on] by [[Megan]] who looks out from an opening in the bottom of the Destroyer's hull. <br />
:Megan: Is this ship designed to fly in the atmosphere like this? <br />
<br />
Both ships are high above the ground, but there are three [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/76/1608_1014x1076y_Entire_wires_from_ground_to_Runner.png wires from the ground] that connect (and thus guide you) up to ''The Runner'' and from there [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/8/87/1608_1023x1085y_Entire_torpedoes_rain_from_Runner_to_Destroyer.png 100+ torpedoes], which are fired [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/f1/1608_1018x1079y_Top_rear_end_of_the_Rebel_Blockade_Runner.png down on the Runner] coming [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/5f/1608_1034x1091y_Torpedo_canon_below_Destroyer.png from the Destroyer] above, gives away the location of the Destroyer itself. The Destroyer is so high up in the air, that you would not be likely to find it by chance without these leads (or at least some of the several other hints from people on the ground [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/f2/1608_1010x1073y_Cliff_with_rock_and_cactus.png looking up and reacting] or like [[White Hat]] looking from the tip of the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/21/1608_0995x1079y_Entire_Washington_monument_extra_zoom_out.png Washington Monument] and reacting [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/6f/1608_0995x1083y_Tip_of_Washington_monument.png by saying]: "Uh, what the heck is ''that?!''.").<br />
<br />
One of the main points (The Joke) of the entire game is the extreme size of [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/cd/1608_Entire_Star_Destroyer.png such a Destroyer]. It takes up more space than the rest of the game (and most of the coins are located there). Inside the Destroyer there are many, many rooms, long corridors and deep shafts, even a [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/58/1608_Entire_Cave.png huge cave] with trees and animals. At [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/c7/1608_Vader_twice_and_emperor_on_and_near_bridge.png the bridge] we meet both {{w|Darth Vader}} and the Emperor himself, {{w|Palpatine}}. There are many other jokes related both to Star Wars and other movies and xkcd comics inside the Destroyer. For instance, Darth Vader discusses {{w|Steven Universe}}, bringing up Rose Quartz and Steven himself ([http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/39/1608_1031x1095y_Steven_Universe_family_and_ice_cream_prediction.png who can be found with the Crystal Gems] in a different part of the Destroyer).<br />
:Darth Vader: But Steven's ''mother'' is a Crystal Gem...<br />
There are also interesting things and references along the ground beneath the Destroyer, some of these are also Star Wars related like [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/c9/1608_1038x1073y_Wedding_and_picnic.png the wedding scene] where {{w|Jabba the Hutt}} is mentioned. <br />
<br />
To the '''left side''' is an entirely different world, although much smaller (shorter) than the one to the right. Here the main theme is ''The Lord of the Rings'' mainly with the presence of a [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/6a/Entire_Volcano_zoom_out.png volcano] where for instance [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/77/1608_0952x1087y_Ring_of_power_and_lave_floor_at_the_right_crater_top.png Megan tries to throw] in {{w|One Ring|''rings'' of power}}, as in [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXpF3SUFaDw the scene] from the {{w|The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|last LOTR film}} where {{w|Frodo Baggins|Frodo}} fails and {{w|Gollum}} attacks inside the volcano {{w|Mount Doom}}, thus making it clear that the volcano in the game represents this volcano. Both Frodo, {{w|Sauron}} and {{w|Gandalf}} are mentioned in the game. The first two by name in the text. Two {{w|Eagle (Middle-earth)|great eagles}} are [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/cb/1608_0956x1088y_Eagles_over_right_crater_top.png talking about Frodo] and {{w|J. R. R. Tolkien|Tolkien}}, Sauron's name is [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/66/1608_0964x1078y_Megan_reading_for_children_about_Saurons_ring.png read up by Megan from a book], and [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a5/1608_0944x1083y_Rock_with_Gandalf_in_Lava_lake.png Gandalf is drawn as a wizard figure] in the crater and also his name is used in the [[#Messages in Play Area|message]] you receive if you collect [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/f7/169_coins_fastest_way.PNG all possible coins]. <br />
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The two worlds do conflict though, as an {{w|X-wing fighter}} is [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/4/44/1608_0982x1077y_Gas_station_with_x-wing.png parked at a gas station] to the left in LOTR world, and Gandalf's famous quote ''You shall not pass!'' from his fight against the {{w|Balrog}} is modified by [[Cueball]] who is [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/ad/1608_1026x1093y_Shall_not_not_pass_room_and_parachutes_at_one_of_two_ledges_at_bottom_of_hull.png ''not'' trying to block your path] to a coin inside a room in the Destroyer. This conflict could very well be a reference to the fact that {{w|Andy Serkis}} who played {{w|Gollum}} in LOTR, now plays the {{w|Supreme Leader Snoke}} in the new Star Wars movie, and [http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/villains/images/6/64/Supremeleader.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/270?cb=20151223201852 his appearance] as Snoke is not that much different from Gollum's. Snoke also delivers a line in the movie (about "bringing someone to me") that reminds one of Gollum when he talks about "the ring coming to me". Randall would not have known this last part at the time that this comic was released, but he would likely be aware of Andy Serkis' involvement.<br />
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Other themes are related to other movies, like a [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/star-wars-the-force-awakens/star-trek-fans-rivalry-george-lucas-roddenberry/ naughty reference] to {{w|Star Trek}} from inside [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/bc/1608_1012x1078y_Bridge_on_the_Rebel_Blockade_Runner.png the bridge] of the Rebel Blockade Runner where a long-haired woman (maybe [[Danish]] since she obviously does this to annoy Star Wars fans and [[Hairbun]] behind her, which could represent Princess Leia with her [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1b/Princess_Leia%27s_characteristic_hairstyle.jpg special hair style]) delivers the following line taken from the Star Trek universe: <br />
:Long haired woman: Captain's log, stardate November 24th, 2015...<br />
:Hairbun: ''Augh!'' No!<br />
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Also references to video games are seen, best shown with the maze towards the back end of the Destroyer which are an almost [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e2/1608_Comparing_Prince_of_Persia_maze_with_real_level_1.png complete depiction] of ''[http://cdn.wikimg.net/strategywiki/images/a/a2/Princeofpersia_dos_level1.png Level 1]'' of the computer game ''{{w|Prince of Persia}}'' down to the three coins being in the place of three items to take in that game, and at least two of the opposing sword fighters in the correct places as well. <br />
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The comic/game and book were released only 3 weeks before the 7th Star Wars movie ''{{w|Star Wars: The Force Awakens}}'' was released on December 14, 2015. And this movie had already been referenced by Randall 7½ weeks earlier in [[1585: Similarities]], when another movie ({{w|The Martian (film)|The Martian}}) were released. It was a reference in the title text to the new robot ''BB-8'' that are featured in the Force Awakens. That the Star Wars section is thus so much larger than the LOTR section could be a hint to the fact that it is now 12 years ago that the last of those films were released, and although {{w|the Hobbit}} has been released as {{w|The Hobbit (film series)|three films}} over the previous three Christmases it was Star Wars that dominated the Christmas a month after this comics release.<br />
<br />
===Reference to Thing Explainer===<br />
Some of the scenes in this game are references to pictures in the new book that it celebrates. Here are some examples:<br />
*The original comic that was the impetus for ''[[Thing Explainer]]'' in the first place, [[1133: Up Goer Five]], is also included in the book. These are both referenced in this game by the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e2/1608_0976x1079y_Space_capsule_with_parachutes.png space capsule] used for reentry by the astronauts that flew to the moon using the {{w|Saturn V|Saturn Five}} rocket. This capsule is floating down over the plateau before the volcano to the left. <br />
*In ''Sky Toucher'', the last entry explaining a sky scraper, there are several references to the game, one of these being the space capsule just mentioned above. Other references:<br />
**Ponytail throwing a paper plane out, which she also does [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/20/1608_1077x1107y_Tarkin_on_the_bridge_and_Ponytail_with_paper_plane.png below the bridge] of the Destroyer. (This is also a reference to [http://explainxkcd.com/1110 Click and Drag] where [http://imgs.xkcd.com/clickdrag/6n2w.png Cueball does the same], here even from a skyscraper).<br />
**Cueball is setting up a kite and Ponytail is crawling up in the line. In the comic a small girl looking like Megan [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/ae/1608_0970x1077y_Kite_and_weird_bug.png also has a kite]. Being up in a kite is also referenced in both [[235: Kite]] and in the title text of [[1614: Kites]] (from just a few weeks after the release of this comic.)<br />
**There is a floor in the middle of the building with trees, just like there is a cave inside the Destroyer [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/75/1608_1053x1093y_Lake_with_tree_birds_and_puma_on_rock_at_exit_in_the_bottom_left_side_of_the_cave.png with a tree "inside"].<br />
**Cueball is holding a fishing rod out over the side of the building letting the hook hand in the air. The same [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/58/1608_1014x1078y_Three_wires_and_reaching_up_to_anchors_in_Runner.png can be seen] under the Rebel Blockage Runner.<br />
**Megan is using a skateboard in a strange ellipsoid-shaped room. This can be a reference both to where Megan is seen on a [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/8/89/1608_1038x1095y_Hamsterball_and_stilts_room.png skate board inside a hamster ball] and to the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/7b/1608_1078x1111y_Globe_of_Death_at_the_top_of_the_Destroyer.png globe of death] at the top of the bridge on the Destroyer.<br />
**There is a car in the top section of the tower (long away from the parking cellar in the basement). There are two [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/1d/1608_1049x1090y_Atmosphere_worry_and_car_room_at_bottom_of_hull.png cars inside] the Destroyer, [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d4/1608_1048x1099y_Cueball_on_hood_of_car_room_and_a_giant_step_with_coins_at_top_of_hull.png one of them] deep inside with no easy access to the outside.<br />
**Two people are standing on a cloud, one of them (Megan) jumps out from it. This is similar to the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/9/92/1608_0993x1112y_Top_of_floating_rock_island_with_base_jumpers.png two base jumpers] on the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/5c/1608_0994x1110y_Entire_floating_rock_island_zoom_out.png rock island].<br />
*In the ''Red world space car'' explaining (about the {{w|Curiosity Rover}} on {{w|Mars}}) there are two references to the scenes around the Rebel Blockade Runner:<br />
**Curiosity toasts a marshmallow over a fire as does Megan and Cueball over the exhaust pipe at [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/f1/1608_1018x1079y_Top_rear_end_of_the_Rebel_Blockade_Runner.png the rear of the Runner].<br />
**When Curiosity is set down on Mars by the {{w|Mars Science Laboratory}} (MSL), lowered down in wires below the MSL, the wires were released once the rover was down and then it flies away. In the book Megan is hanging from one of these wires when it flies away. This is similar to [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/76/1608_1014x1076y_Entire_wires_from_ground_to_Runner.png Megan hanging in one of the anchor lines] going from the ground up to the Runner.<br />
*In ''The USS Laws of the Land'' about the ship called {{w|USS Constitution}} (named after the {{w|United States Constitution}} which is explained in the entry just before this one), there are two references to this comic:<br />
**There is both a giant octopus arm (marked as ''not real'') and a very large octopus under the ship. The shape of the octopus is the same as the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/b5/1608_1038x1094y_Giant_octopus_in_Destroyer.png silhouette of a giant octopus] inside the Destroyer. <br />
***Octopuses like this are often used in xkcd, and they are also included in the explanation about ''Writing sticks'' (as the source of ink for the pens), as a motive in ''Picture taker'' and in ''Tree of life''. As an example from another xkcd comic with octopuses see for instance [[435: Purity]].<br />
**There is also a bowling alley in the hull of the ship - a reference to the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/53/1608_0987x1075y_Hamsterball_bowling.png hamster ball bowling] in the left part of the world.<br />
***Bowling is also used two other places in the book, namely on the suspension of the longest bridge in ''Tall roads'' and an bowling alley is used for measuring length in ''How to count things''. <br />
*Ants are used three times in the book. A zoom-in on an ant is used to indicate size in ''Earth's past'' about geological ages of the Earth, and under the ''Tree'' in that explanation there is an ant colony where one ant is much bigger than the others; an ant queen, a clear reference to the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d2/1608_1078x1095y_Ant_Queen_in_Destroyer.png ant queen] in the Destroyer. They are of course also in the ''Tree of life''.<br />
*Basketball is shown twice in this comic ([http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a4/1608_0936x1084y_Basketball_on_the_volcano.png left of volcano] and [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/1d/1608_1067x1104y_Basket_ball_on_top_of_Destroyer.png on top of Destroyer]). In the book the size of different ''Playing Fields'' is one of the stories, and it included the field for basketball (i.e. ''circle ball'').<br />
*The [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d0/1608_1046x1074y_Huge_foot.png huge foot] before the pyramid look like the foot used in the explanation for ''How to count things'' to describe the wight "one kilo" using a picture labeled ''one foot'' (i.e. not the length one foot, as the length is given in meters). A similar experience to the one in [[526: Converting to Metric]].<br />
*The [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d2/1608_1084x1090y_Giant_light_bulb_room.png giant light bulb] towards the bottom rear end of the Destroyer is a reference to the entry on {{w|tungsten}} in the explanation for ''The pieces everything is made of'' (i.e. the {{w|periodic table}}). In the book a {{w|Incandescent_light_bulb|light bulb}} is shown and then an arrow points to the {{w|Incandescent_light_bulb#Filament|filament}} which is made of tungsten in the typical {{w|Thomas Edison|Edison}} light bulbs.<br />
*In the explanation for ''Box that cleans food holders'' (Dishwasher) Ponytail yells ''Wheee!'' as she slides through a pipe inside the machine on her stomach (bottom left). This is similar to her position and movement in the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/c6/1608_Entire_Corridor_peristalsis_and_colon.png colon like structure] inside the Destroyer and Cueball also sliding in this colon yells ''Wheee!''<br />
*In the explanation for ''Bending computer'' Ponytail comes racing on her bike with a laptop on top of the handlebars. She is also seen [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/cd/1608_0958x1083y_Ponytail_racing_down_the_steep_slope_on_a_bike.png racing a bike down the slope of the volcano].<br />
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===Reference to other comics===<br />
There are also many references to other xkcd comics, like the room at the front end of the Destroyer [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a7/1608_1004x1095y_Very_front_with_playpen_balls_pit_at_top_of_hull.png ball pit] filled with '''[[:Category:Playpen balls|playpen balls]]''', and two adults playing in it, like in [[150: Grownups]]. Also [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/2e/1608_0980x1075y_Entire_well_zoom_out.png the well] in the left part of the world with [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/8/82/1608_0980x1073y_Well_bottom.png a girl and a coin] at the bottom is likely a reference to the movie ''The Ring'', which has been referenced before in xkcd. Wells have also come up in xkcd in the early '''[[:Category:Well|Well series]]'''.<br />
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There have been many comics with electric skateboards as mentioned, which do not appear in this comic, but there is one example of a normal '''skateboard'''. This is [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/8/89/1608_1038x1095y_Hamsterball_and_stilts_room.png used by Megan] in a room in the Destroyer, while she is inside a {{w|hamster ball}}. There is also [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/53/1608_0987x1075y_Hamsterball_bowling.png another hamster ball], with a kid (looking like Megan) inside. It is used in a more than human sized {{w|ten pin bowling}} game to the left. '''Hamster balls''' is another item that has been [[:Category:Hamster Ball|prominently featured]] in xkcd.<br />
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In the weeks before, and especially the weeks after there were also other comics that had a subject which could refer back to Hoverboard in some ways. Maybe these comics were either influenced by the game, or the other way around so that relevant items were added to the game because of these other comics:<br />
*[[1600: MarketWatch]] - the {{w|Washington Monument}} (an obelisk) is part of the skyline depicted, and this monument is the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/21/1608_0995x1079y_Entire_Washington_monument_extra_zoom_out.png first that is encountered] in the picture when going left from the play area, plus a [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/dc/1608_0994x1074y_Base_of_Washington_monument.png comment at the base] of the monument to make sure we know it is the Washington monument, and another [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/6f/1608_0995x1083y_Tip_of_Washington_monument.png comment at the top] of the monument referring to the {{w|Washington_Monument#Aluminum_apex|aluminum apex}} that constitutes the very tip of the monument, which was very expensive at the time it was installed in 1884, when aluminum was a rare metal as valuable as silver. Today it would not make anyone rich from the metal alone, although the tip would be worth a lot for other historical reasons, but this is not what Cueball's comment is about.<br />
::Cueball to Megan at the bottom: Honestly, it doesn't even look that much like Washington.<br />
::Cueball to White Hat at the tip: Look at that- solid aluminum! We´re gonna be rich! <br />
*[[1610: Fire Ants]] - in this game there is a [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d2/1608_1078x1095y_Ant_Queen_in_Destroyer.png giant ant queen] inside the Destroyer talking with Cueball about laying eggs.<br />
**See also [[1641: Hot Dogs]] where Cueball has a similar style conversation, with the same ''Eww'' ending as with the ant queen:<br />
::Cueball: What's up?<br />
::Ant queen: The usual. Poopin' out ants.<br />
::Cueball: Eww.<br />
*[[1611: Baking Soda and Vinegar]] - this is about super volcanoes, vs. [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/6a/Entire_Volcano_zoom_out.png the Volcano], Mount Doom in the game as indicated by Megan [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/77/1608_0952x1087y_Ring_of_power_and_lave_floor_at_the_right_crater_top.png throwing rings into the lava]: <br />
::Megan at the edge of the volcano crater: One of these is probably a ring of power or whatever.<br />
*[[1614: Kites]] - Megan is seen with a kite, and in this comics a small girl looking like Megan [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/ae/1608_0970x1077y_Kite_and_weird_bug.png also has a kite] to the left towards Mount Doom.<br />
*[[1620: Christmas Settings]] - another Star Wars reference to {{w|lightsaber}} noises in the title text. Lightsabers are featured twice in this comic, with [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/bc/1608_1012x1078y_Bridge_on_the_Rebel_Blockade_Runner.png Ponytail practicing] on the Rebel Blockade Runner, and with a [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/20/1608_1006x1095y_Pinata_and_Cueball_with_lightsaber_at_top_of_hull.png kid about to hit a Piñata] in the Destroyer.<br />
*[[1623: 2016 Conversation Guide]] - a direct hoverboard reference, and complaint that they are not real yet (only [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/01/1608_1048x1095y_Two_hoverboards_room.png in this game]).<br />
*[[1630: Quadcopter]] - in this comic three quadcopters act together to abduct Cueball. Thus making them sentient, like the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/7c/1608_0950x1084y_Quadcopters_over_lava_lake_right.png quadcopter who is speaking to another] over the lava lake in the Mount Doom crater to the left.<br />
::Right quadcopter: Remember: There's no such thing as good volcano footage taken by a quadcopter that survived. <br />
*[[1632: Palindrome]] - a reference to the famous palindrome about the Panama canal: "''A Man, A Plan, A Canal: Panama''", and thus also to the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/0d/1608_1026x1073y_Ruins_with_Cueball_singing_of_Spiders_and_Panama.png song that Cueball sings] at the ruin to the right, where the first four lines is mashup of the palindrome and {{w|Spider-Man_(theme_song)|the Spider-Man theme song}} (see this [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUtziaZlDeE video]):<br />
::Cueball singing: <br />
:::Spider-man <br />
::::Spider-plan<br />
:::Spider-canal<br />
::::Spider-Panama<br />
:::Gates let in<br />
::::Spider boats<br />
:::Flood the locks<br />
::::Spiders float<br />
:::''Look out!''<br />
:::Spiders in both oceans.<br />
<br />
*[[735: Floor]] Instead of pretending the floor is lava as in the comic, they stand by the lava pretending that it is the floor.<br />
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===Characters===<br />
Almost all main [[:Category:Characters|characters]] in the xkcd gallery are used more than once, especially there are three characters that are used several times. Number one is of course [[Cueball]] (with close to 90 appearances) who is already shown at the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/6c/1608_1000x1074y_The_Play_Area.png starting point]. He is also the first character seen when walking both [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/c0/1608_1004x1074y_Cueball_outside_play_area.png right] and [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/dc/1608_0994x1074y_Base_of_Washington_monument.png left] (where he speaks the first line to the left).<br />
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Then follows [[Megan]] with at least 40 appearances, she is even shown twice in the same location three times, one of these three even occurs within one of the [http://xkcd.com/1608/1090:-1088+s.png small images]. She is also shown with Cueball in his first appearance to the left, and she is the first to speak a line to the right [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/f2/1608_1010x1073y_Cliff_with_rock_and_cactus.png here]. <br />
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Also [[Ponytail]] is well represented with 26 appearances (for instance [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/2d/1608_0947x1073y_Antenna_cave_in_lair.png here)]. <br />
<br />
[[Hairy]] (with different hair styles) is used 7 times (for instance [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/54/1608_Actual_Bridge_with_Vader_and_Tarkin.png here]) and [[Hairbun]] is used 5 times (for instance [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e4/1608_1054x1099y_Corridor_peristalsis_and_two_coin_rooms_at_top_of_hull.png here)]. <br />
<br />
Two of the main characters are used twice: [[Beret Guy]] ([http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/4/4f/1608_0990x1074y_If_loving_you_is_wrong_I_dont_want_to.png here] and [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/21/1608_1020x1083y_Torpedoes_two_steps_above_Runner_with_Beret_Guy.png here]) and [[White Hat]] ([http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/6f/1608_0995x1083y_Tip_of_Washington_monument.png here] and [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d9/1608_1093x1074y_White_Hat_hiding_in_the_grass.png here]).<br />
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The only exception is that the main villain of xkcd [[Black Hat]] who is very hard to find. He is only [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/68/1608_1069x1093y_Deer_and_exit_below_lamp_coin_and_Black_Hat_in_the_bottom_right_side_of_the_cave.png shown once] in the comic where he very uncharacteristically just sits and snores at the right wall in the cave inside the Destroyer (is it really him...?). The only other hint that he is not forgotten is that his hat can be seen [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/bc/1608_1073x1074y_Ponytail_and_bird_black_hat_on_a_stick_and_Cueball_whistling.png on a stick] under the Destroyer after the three large T-like structures. And this is not that kind of stick characters Randall usually draws. But at least we now know where Danish has hidden it from him this time (see [[405: Journal 3]]). Given that his hat is stuck there, he could also be any of the Cueballs close by…<br />
<br />
Also [[Blondie]] seems to be only represented once, while in her reporter mode while discovering a bug before the volcano as can be seen [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/ae/1608_0970x1077y_Kite_and_weird_bug.png here]. <br />
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There are also several characters that are not recognizable as either any of the standard xkcd characters or in any other way (see for instance a few of the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a6/1037x1073y_Wedding.png wedding guests]). But there are possibly some of the minor characters are used like [[Danish]] at the bridge in the Blockade Runner ([http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/bc/1608_1012x1078y_Bridge_on_the_Rebel_Blockade_Runner.png here]) but this cannot be confirmed, she just looks like her and has some similarities teasing the Star Wars fan.<br />
<br />
Several places in the comic it is clear from the size and the behavior that some of the characters are kids, see for instance the Blondie image mentioned above, where two kids looking like Megan and Hairy stand behind her, but they would in principle not be Megan or Hairy despite appearance, as these named characters are adults.<br />
<br />
There are also many fictive people from different movies, books, and shows; for instance Darth Vader ([http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/fa/1608_1077x1109y_Darth_Vaders_talks_about_Steven_Universe_on_the_bridge_Megan_adjust_antenna.png here]), Gandalf ([http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a5/1608_0944x1083y_Rock_with_Gandalf_in_Lava_lake.png here]) and Steven Universe ([http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/39/1608_1031x1095y_Steven_Universe_family_and_ice_cream_prediction.png here]) all three mentioned above, and some real life people: you can find {{w|Elon Musk|Elon Musk}}, who has a [[#Secret passages and hidden places|hidden lair]] under the Volcano (see [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/73/1608_0945x1074y_Elon_Musks_cave_in_lair.png here]), and Gregor Mendel, hanging out on a Star Destroyer with a pea plant.<br />
<br />
Furthermore, there are many animals (like [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/b0/1608_1067x1094y_Gazebo_puma_deer_Cueball_with_bow_and_talk_of_Palpatine_in_the_middle_of_the_cave.png the puma and the deer]) in the cave, some even rather big like this [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/b5/1608_1038x1094y_Giant_octopus_in_Destroyer.png octopus] or even gigantic like this [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d2/1608_1078x1095y_Ant_Queen_in_Destroyer.png ant queen] (all three from inside the Destroyer). There are also a couple of small Star Wars robots, one in a corridor in each space ship ([http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/df/1608_1034x1091y_Photon_canon_Tetris_piece_and_mini_robot_at_bottom_of_hull.png here from the Destroyer]).<br />
<br />
===Extra Hoverboard pages===<br />
*Since this comic is so big and complicated extra pages have been created to include much more information than is wished for on this main page (which is already of considerable size).<br />
*These pages are listed here for convenience, but they are also listed in the relevant sections below:<br />
**[[1608: Hoverboard/Transcript]] - The full transcript of the entire comic, as if you played the game can be found here. It is linked from the [[#Transcript|Transcript]] section.<br />
**[[1608: Hoverboard/The whole image]] - A collection of different compilations of the whole Image. It is linked from the [[#Whole Image|Whole Image]] section.<br />
**[[1608: Hoverboard/Images of secret passages]] - Images with an overview of the secret passages in the game. It is linked from the [[#Secret passages and hidden places|Secret passages and hidden places]] section.<br />
**[[1608: Hoverboard/All image links]] It is linked from the [[#All images|All images]] section.<br />
**[[1608: Hoverboard/Images coins]] It is linked from the [[#Coins|Coins]] section.<br />
**[[1608: Hoverboard/Screen-shots]] It can be linked from several sections, but among others from the [[#Messages in Play Area|Messages in Play Area]] section.<br />
**[[1608: Hoverboard/Images of individual scenes]] It will be linked from the [[#List of details and references|List of details and references]] section which will be using these images in the explanation.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:[This transcript only covers the starting page as shown on xkcd: {{xkcd|1608}}. A full transcript of the entire comic can be found on this [[1608: Hoverboard/Transcript|page]].]<br />
<!-- There is also an official transcript here: https://xkcd.com/1608/info.0.json on xkcd. But on Explain xkcd these xkcd transcripts are not used. This transcript covers what is on the first image you see when opening the comic on xkcd --><br />
<br />
:[Cueball is shown on a hoverboard in the center of the comic. Around him is a simple maze with 12 yellow coins. Another Cueball without hoverboard is shown standing on one of the platforms to the right. The bottom half of the window is black. Right of where Cueball stands is a ramp. Behind the ramp is a terminal. There is lots of space left of the maze, outside the maze. Text is only written in white below in the black area. The first part of the text is written below Cueball on hoverboard. Then there is an arrow pointing to the terminal and a label. Finally there is a line of text at the bottom of the black area.]<br />
<br />
:[Under Cueball:]<br />
:My new book,<br />
:''Thing Explainer,''<br />
:comes out today!<br />
:To celebrate, here's<br />
:a small game.<br />
<br />
:[Under the arrow below the terminal.]<br />
:Deposit<br />
:coins here<br />
<br />
:[At the bottom:]<br />
:Use the arrow keys to move<br />
<br />
:['''For the full transcript of the entire comic as it could be played see [[1608: Hoverboard/Transcript]].''']<br />
:['''For a transcript only of the text for the scenes with text in the comic see the [[#Table with references|table]] below.''']<br />
<br />
==Trivia==<br />
*There is as usual [[:Category:No title text|no title text]] for these interactive comics. But there is actually one listed in the [http://xkcd.com/1608/info.0.json info page] on xkcd. But this text: "Return to the play area", is never shown as a normal title text. But it will erroneously be shown in the unofficial mobile versions of the site. <br />
**This is actually the [[#Messages in Play Area|text that is shown blinking red]] at the bottom of the screen when leaving the Play Area.<br />
<br />
==Viewers==<br />
*{{xkcd|1608|1608: Hoverboard}} (native game, use arrows)<br />
<br />
Apart from using one of the a full maps below there are also other [[#Cheats and Exploits|cheating possibilities]] where people (or the game) have implemented ways to explore the game world more easily.<br />
<br />
*Though you can download the full view, the easiest way to browse it is through a {{w|Zooming user interface}}:<br />
**[http://1101b.com/xkcd1608/ Fully zoomable map w/ toggleable coins and passages]. '''[Recommended]''' - includes all of the game, zoom-able and with toggle-able passages and coins. Courtesy of [https://www.reddit.com/user/lanzaa lanzaa] on this [https://www.reddit.com/r/xkcd/comments/3u4sy1/xkcd_1608_hoverboard/cxbyn86 reddit thread]<br />
**[http://codepen.io/KyleDavidE/full/605dc87b614ff6b2bd716f4c6f640203/ Quickly hacked overview]. Missing the rock island in the sky. Courtesy of [https://www.reddit.com/user/kyledavide kyledavide] on the same [https://www.reddit.com/r/xkcd/comments/3u4sy1/xkcd_1608_hoverboard/cxbyn86 reddit thread].<br />
*Below are several examples of full pictures:<br />
**[http://paste.click/DsPuSL Full-size-png-map]. '''Do not open this directly in the browser!''' It might take a few minutes to download. Full resolution picture of the entire game (also without coins) - courtesy of [https://www.reddit.com/user/0x90-0x90 0x90-0x90] on the same reddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/xkcd/comments/3u4sy1/xkcd_1608_hoverboard/cxbyn86 thread].<br />
**[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/9/92/thumb_1608.jpg Incomplete compilation] of the entire game area (note the missing pinnacle of the Washington Monument. It also missed the floating island above the monument).<br />
**[https://i.imgur.com/uYryxss.png Full png-map]. Simple picture of the entire game without coins - courtesy of [https://www.reddit.com/user/luke_in_the_sky luke_in_the_sky] on the same reddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/xkcd/comments/3u4sy1/xkcd_1608_hoverboard/cxbyn86 thread].<br />
**[https://i.imgur.com/rNU9ZgN.png Full png-map green for non existing tiles]. Here's the transparent spaces in green - also courtesy of [https://www.reddit.com/user/luke_in_the_sky luke_in_the_sky] on the another [https://www.reddit.com/r/xkcd/comments/3u4sy1/xkcd_1608_hoverboard/cxc1245 reddit thread].<br />
**[https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/content_link/6wIRprxQ7rh3EQGEPer7zCdiaCDeXFM3m2tW9aDd3ECJu9Kgz4s5LPLjjHnJN6SR/file Black areas that you can walk through in red]. This includes the walls and ceilings or other surfaces that you can stand on or hit into. So not only the secret passages are in red.<br />
*See also under the [[#Whole Image|Whole Image]].<br />
**And see also the collection of different versions of [[1608: Hoverboard/The whole image|the whole image]]!<br />
<br />
===Standalone application===<br />
*Standalone cross-platform open source remake of hoverboard is available, with some extra features:<br />
** Off-line play<br />
** Arbitrary game window size<br />
** Persistent games state on exit<br />
** Ability to save up to 10 locations and teleport to them at will<br />
** Explorable world map<br />
* Links:<br />
** [https://github.com/AMDmi3/hoverboard-sdl Project on GitHub]<br />
** [https://github.com/AMDmi3/hoverboard-sdl/releases Downloads] (Windows binaries available)<br />
<br />
===Metroid XK===<br />
*Satirical crossover with the classic game Super Metroid. Explore the world as Samus in search of powerups and secrets, while encountering danger at every turn.<br />
[[File:1608_MetroidXK.png]]<br />
* [http://forums.xkcd.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=113083&start=120#p3913102 more information]<br />
* [http://www.xeloh.com/Releases#MetroidXK download]<br />
<br />
==Messages in Play Area==<br />
*Different amounts of coins collected in the play area, will give different messages in yellow on the black part at the bottom of the screen when delivered to the coin collector.<br />
*Below is a table with examples of what may be written depending on the number of coins. The time (and the amount when there is a range with similar rating) is just chosen at random (although in a realistic range). To get above 17 you of course have to leave the play area and come back again... <br />
**In Chrome and Firefox there is not message for those above 9 coins, except 17, 42 and 169. But in Internet Explorer there is still a message for those cases: "Undefined".<br />
**See [[1608: Hoverboard/Screen-shots#Coin collecting messages|screen-shots]] or click on the links from the number of coins in the table below:<br />
<br />
:{| class="wikitable"<br />
!# coins<br />
!Text when depositing this number of coins<br />
"X" is the number of coins collected<br />
|-<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e3/0_coins.PNG 0 coins]<br />
|style="background-color:black;"| <font color="yellow">'''You got 0 coins in 1 second'''<br>You successfully avoided all the coins.</font><br />
|-<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/00/1_coin.PNG 1 coin]<br />
|style="background-color:black;"| <font color="yellow">'''You got a single coin in 1 second'''<br>It's a start.</font><br />
|-<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/8/83/2_coins.PNG 2]-[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/05/4_coins.PNG 4 coins]<br />
|style="background-color:black;"| <font color="yellow">'''You got X coins in 3 seconds'''<br>Not bad!</font> <br />
|-<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/fc/5_coins.PNG 5]-[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/30/9_coins.PNG 9 coins]<br />
|style="background-color:black;"| <font color="yellow">'''You got X coins in 12 seconds'''<br>Terrific!</font><br />
|-<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/74/10_coins.PNG 10]-[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/55/16_coins.PNG 16 coins]<br />
|style="background-color:black;"| <font color="yellow">'''You got X coins in 10 seconds'''</font><br />
|-<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/7e/17_coins.PNG 17 coins]<br />
|style="background-color:black;"| <font color="yellow">'''You got 17 coins in 15 seconds'''<br>You found all the coins! Great job!</font><br />
|-<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/bd/18_coins.PNG 18-41 coins]<br />
|style="background-color:black;"| <font color="yellow">'''You got X coins in 430 seconds'''</font><br />
|-<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/1c/42_coins.PNG 42 coins]<br />
|style="background-color:black;"| <font color="yellow">'''You got 42 coins in 460 seconds'''<br>No answers here.</font><br />
|-<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d8/45_coins.PNG 43-168 coins]<br />
|style="background-color:black;"| <font color="yellow">'''You got X coins in 460 seconds'''</font><br />
|-<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/f7/169_coins_fastest_way.PNG All 169 coins]<br />
|style="background-color:black;"| <font color="yellow">'''You got 169 coins in 1457 seconds'''<br>Are you Gandalf?</font><br />
|}<br />
<br />
*Once you leave the area you get a [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/ae/Return_to_the_play_area.PNG flashing warning message] in red letters at the bottom of the screen:<br />
:{| class="wikitable"<br />
|style="background-color:black;"| <font color="red">'''Return to the play area'''</font><br />
|}<br />
*This message flashes three times over 1.2 seconds (the message only disappears for about 150 ms each time)<br />
*Then there is a pause for about 1.3 seconds and then this repeats for a total of 5 repetitions, a total of 15 flashes in just about 11.3 second seconds. <br />
*The message will stop immediately if you re-enter the play area during this period. <br />
*If you re-enter later it will flash once you leave again.<br />
*For the program the play area is anything within and below the walls just outside the maze you start in. <br />
**More precisely you first leave the play area if you pass over the middle part at the top of the walls<br />
**Or if you make one jump from standing on top of the walls.<br />
<br />
==Animation==<br />
*There have before been several interactive comics and also a few with animations. But these animations have typical been something along the lines of flashing text or changing lights.<br />
**This comic is the first with a character that is specifically changing position in animation style.<br />
**Apart from this there are also flashing text when leaving the play-area and text that appears and disappears when handing in coins at the terminal as described above under [[#Messages in Play Area|Messages in Play Area]].<br />
**This also happens with the text written to begin with explaining how to play the game: ''Use the arrow keys to move'' which disappears when touching the keys.<br />
*Here are two images showing two kinds of animation of the hoverboard Cueball. <br />
**The first image shows the eight standard animation that can easily be seen. They are<br />
***Standing still facing right (starting position)<br />
***Standing still facing left<br />
***Moving left along flat ground (lifting arms)<br />
***Moving right along flat ground (lifting arms)<br />
***Jumping while facing left looking up with hoverboard pointing down<br />
***Jumping while facing right looking up with hoverboard pointing down<br />
***Falling while facing left looking down with hoverboard pointing up<br />
***Falling while facing right looking down with hoverboard pointing up<br />
[[File:1608 Hoverboard Cueball standard animation.png]]<br />
*But there are several in between drawings of the hoverboard Cueball turning from left to right and even more from right to left. <br />
**The second image shows eight in between animations (together with four from above)-<br />
**Not all possible positions are necessarily caught in this collage here, but there is only a limited amount of them and none of them last for more than a split second.<br />
**They have been sorted so it could look like Cueball has just turned to the right standing still, then jumping while turning right, then turning right while in jump, to finish the turn while falling. <br />
**Image 2, 3, 5 and the last are the same used in the image of standard animations<br />
[[File:1608 Hoverboard Cueball turning animation.png]]<br />
<br />
==Whole Image==<br />
[[File:1608 full tiny.png|none|frame|Whole Image zoomed very much out, without coins. The part visible at the beginning is marked red.]]<br />
*See also a collection of different versions of [[1608: Hoverboard/The whole image|the whole image]]!<br />
<br />
==Secret passages and hidden places==<br />
There are many places where you can disappear behind black areas, as not all of these are solid. You might have discovered this yourself if you stayed in the play area, as the platform below the inverted parentheses is only solid at the edges. Some of these places out of the play area even hide secret passages or hidden rooms. You can reveal them by [https://explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/1608:_Hoverboard#Cheats_and_Exploits activating goggles mode].<br />
<br />
One notable hidden area is {{w|Elon Musk|Elon Musk's}} volcano lair, which is located beneath the lava in the crater of Mount Doom. It can be difficult to find your way in here without using goggles mode even if you know it is there. (For more details, see [[1608: Hoverboard/Images of secret passages|secret passages]].)<br />
<br />
Another hidden place is the floating rock island that floats high above the {{w|Washington Monument}}, which is almost the highest point with solid ground. It is located just outside the left edge of the play area. This island is almost impossible to find by chance, as it takes around 30 seconds of repeatedly pressing the Up Arrow key to reach it from the top of the Monument. Even if you go up enough, you will almost miss it, as the Monument is not aligned to the island. (The [[#Viewers|maps]] can help you if you're having trouble finding it.)<br />
<br />
As there are two coins on the floating rock island and four coins in the lair below the lava, it is very hard to find all the coins. There are even several coins that are hard to find because they just float in the air nowhere near any drawn things, or at least no things you can see before seeing the coin. They may hang in the air a few jumps above the ground, or in one case more than a seconds drop below the Destroyer. So getting all coins without help from a map would truly make you a [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/f7/169_coins_fastest_way.PNG Gandalf-like wizard]. (See more regarding [[#Coins|coins]] below.)<br />
<br />
==Boundaries==<br />
The larger game world is physically bounded in the left, right, and down directions, with invisible walls to each side and the ground binding you from going any further down than the deepest depression or hidden caves... In the upward direction, there is in principle also an invisible wall, but while jumping up Cueball on his hoverboard will appear to continue upwards as long as you press to jump, in addition, the longer the up arrow is pressed repeatedly, the longer it will take for [[Cueball]] to fall down again once the button is released. So although there are no new things above, you can keep jumping as high as you like and will then fall proportionally longer to get back to where you started out. Until maps were created it could have been possible that there were some hidden unexplored parts. Not long after the games release, however, the [[#Viewers|maps]] was created, covering the entire game.<br />
<br />
To the far right is a platform at the top of a high pole. This platform turns out to be a nest (like a stork nest). Above the three eggs are ten coins (the most collected in one place outside the play area, and these are closer together).<br />
<br />
To the far left is a blond haired woman with a hair bun looking right. In front of her are four coins on a row. She tells about the Destroyer (should you have gone this way without finding it yet).<br />
:Woman: In the sky, beyond the mountain, I saw a starship.<br />
<br />
Regarding the highest part you find the highest straight rise up in the air to something other than white, under the Rock Island just left of and very high above the Washington monument. Standing on the large rock on top of this floating rock island you are standing almost as high up as possible. There is a coin here one step down from the top of this large rock. This is the highest located coin in the game. Going over the edge also represents the largest possible drop in the game. However this is not the highest point where you can stand, as the very top of the bridge on the Destroyer is just a tat higher. But there is no coin there. Also this is not close enough to the end of the Destroyer that you can jump down to the ground, so the drop from the rock is by far the longest possible.<br />
<br />
The deepest part of the lair should have been the lowest point, but as this lair's entrance is up in the volcano crater, it does not reach down to become the lowest part of the image. There is also a deep well (half way left to the Volcano) with a girl at the bottom, that goes just as deep. But the deepest part where you can stand is in the ocean below the Destroyer where a rogue wave is talking to Cueball:<br />
:Wave: I know rogue waves seem implausible, but we're a straightforward consequence of the equations of fluid dynamics.<br />
:Cueball: ...But you can talk?<br />
:Wave: The equations are really complicated.<br />
When standing under this wave you cannot get any lower. There are coins in all three locations, but as the coin is above the top of the high wave, it may be that it is the coin in the well that is the deepest. The coin under the lava is not at the bottom of the room so that is not so low.<br />
<br />
Taking a route that takes the hoverboard through all the extremes mentioned above, that is the lowest, highest, left and rightmost coins and solid positions within the game can be done in about 9 minutes and 30 seconds. See a picture here of the coin delivery after such a trip that [[1608: Hoverboard/Screen-shots#Reaching all the boundaries|reached all the boundaries]].<br />
<br />
==All images==<br />
*Coordinates for the images are given in (X, Y) coordinates with the starting point at [http://xkcd.com/1608/1000:-1074+s.png (1000, 1074)]. <br />
*In total there are 3440 images on xkcd that can be accessed via links of this format: http://xkcd.com/1608/1000:-1074+s.png [This link is for the (1000, 1074) starting point image.]<br />
**'''Here is a page with a table of all the links to images: [[1608: Hoverboard/All image links|All image links]].'''<br />
**'''Note:''' This is a large page which may take some time to load.<br />
*The individual images are so small, and cut of at "random" so they do often go straight down through a person, and you can rarely see both a person and the (full) text belonging to them in the same image.<br />
**See for instance this [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a6/1037x1073y_Wedding.png wedding scene] to the right under the Destroyer, which only makes sense when these four images are put together (as they are in the link): <br />
***[http://xkcd.com/1608/1037:-1073+s.png (1037, 1073)]<br />
***[http://xkcd.com/1608/1037:-1074+s.png (1037, 1074)]<br />
***[http://xkcd.com/1608/1038:-1073+s.png (1038, 1073)]<br />
***[http://xkcd.com/1608/1038:-1074+s.png (1038, 1074)]<br />
**It will thus not make sense to make a transcript of all individual images, but instead, only of a complete setting (or maybe a part of a setting.)<br />
*Maximum possible number of images in the x-direction is 180.<br />
**Going left will decrease X down to 928 (so 82 pictures left of the starting point in X-direction)<br />
**Going right will increase X up to 1107 (so 107 pictures left of the starting point in X-direction)<br />
*Total number of (possible) images in the y-direction is 44. <br />
**Going down will decrease Y down to 1069 (so 5 pictures down from the starting point in Y-direction)<br />
**Going up will increase Y up to 1112 (so 38 pictures up from the starting point in Y-direction)<br />
***The "(possible)" is included because the number of possible active Y-images depends on the X-coordinate, as there are several non-existing images that are not just totally white (i.e. blank images), but which does not even have a number/or active link on xkcd. <br />
***But the top active image over the floating island and over the top of the bridge section of the Destroyer all have Y coordinate 1112. There are only 20 active images at this Y-coordinate.<br />
***The same by the way also goes for the x coordinate. Above X=1076 there are also many non existing images with not active link.<br />
* All possible images are thus spread over a 180 x 44 grid, with a possible 7920 images. But 4480 of these images are non existing on xkcd, but you can travel through them in the game, as they are just shown as completely blank/white empty air in the game.<br />
**If you try to load one of the completely blank images like [http://xkcd.com/1608/1000:-1077+s.png (1000, 1077)], three images above the starting point, you will get an error message. There are only 76 (vs 180) images at this Y-coordinate.<br />
***Note there are several completely empty/white images that are active, but those can be loaded on xkcd like the one below the missing picture mentioned above: [http://xkcd.com/1608/1000:-1076+s.png (1000, 1076)].<br />
**There are no blank images in completely black areas, like inside structures or under ground. And below Y = 1077 all 180 possible Y-images exist for all X-coordinates, from Y = 1069 to 1076. <br />
***For instance the image below the starting point is completely black [http://xkcd.com/1608/1000:-1073+s.png (1000, 1073)], and so are the next three below. <br />
***The bottom images at Y = 1069 has a white border at the bottom: [http://xkcd.com/1608/1000:-1069+s.png (1000, 1069)]. <br />
***All the images at Y = 1069 are the same except the one at the very right edge because at this edge there is also a white border to the right [http://xkcd.com/1608/1107:-1069+s.png (1107, 1069)] (this is not the case to the far left at [http://xkcd.com/1608/928:-1069+s.png (928, 1069)]).<br />
***You will never see the images at Y = 1069 in the game. Actually you will neither see anything of the images with Y = 1070 or 1071. And there is nothing that is not completely black for Y = 1069 to 1072. First from Y = 1073 are there active images which includes white. <br />
***This picture with the wave at [http://xkcd.com/1608/1022:-1073+s.png (1022, 1073)] gives the lowest point where the hoverboard Cueball can actually stand. <br />
***Since you will sink into the water here, you are almost standing on the top of the Y = 1072 image: [http://xkcd.com/1608/1022:-1072+s.png (1022, 1072)], which is of course completely black. <br />
***In places where you can stand in a low position on Y = 1073 images you will actually see some part of the images with Y = 1072, not that it makes any difference since they are all black.<br />
*Here is a list of the places where there are most images at a given X coordinate:<br />
**At X = 1078, right under the highest point of the Destroyers bridge [http://xkcd.com/1608/1078:-1112+s.png (1078, 1112)] there are 36 active images. Thus even here 8 images are missing between the bottom active image below the Destroyer and the first active near the ground level at Y=1076. (Y = 1077 to 1084 are missing).<br />
**These missing Y coordinates are active in other places, for instance under the torpedo rain at X = 1020 where all Y images are active up until 1100 - 32 images. But since the last 12 images above this are missing it is still 4 less than under the bridge.<br />
**Under the floating island, where there are active images at the top Y = 1112, like [http://xkcd.com/1608/990:-1112+s.png (990, 1112)], there is also the Washington monument below which goes high up, but still there are only 20 active Y images, as there are no active images between 1084 and 1109 (24 missing in between).<br />
**Over the volcano's edges the highest images directly connecting to solid ground is found at Y = 1087. One image above this is also active making the height here going up to 1088, thus also making it 20 active Y images. The only '''not''' completely white image over the volcano at Y = 1088 is the one with the eagles [http://xkcd.com/1608/956:-1088+s.png (956, 1088)].<br />
<br />
==Dimensions==<br />
{{incomplete|Here should be an overview of how large the picture is (physical distances and time to traverse it. Speed of hoverboard etc.) Could be based on known monuments sizes.(I added a description but am leaving the tag until someone smarter can verify.)}}<br />
*It takes 1 minute 52 s to reach from the starting point to the left edge. While we do not have a definite speed for the hoverboard, we can obtain the dimensions of the map by using the Washington monument. Since it is referenced by name we can assume that the dimension is properly applied. In this case, the monument is 100 pixels tall (when viewed on my photo editor) and the actual monument is 555' meaning that 1 pixel= 5.55'. The whole map is 1920 pixels wide, for a length of 10,656' or 3247.9488m.<br />
<br />
==List of details and references==<br />
{{incomplete|The table with references should be filled out with explanations. Some explanations need to be reviewed}}<br />
*On this page [[1608: Hoverboard/Images of individual scenes]], images covering all individual scenes (in full size and with coins) has been saved and uploaded to be used for reference in the [[#Table with references|table]] below from where they are linked directly.<br />
**There are also several overviews in smaller resolution<br />
**Almost all these images have been made using this [http://1101b.com/xkcd1608/ Fully zoomable map w/ toggleable coins and passages] which includes all of the game, zoom-able and with toggle-able passages and coins. <br />
***Courtesy of [https://www.reddit.com/user/lanzaa lanzaa] on this [https://www.reddit.com/r/xkcd/comments/3u4sy1/xkcd_1608_hoverboard/cxbyn86 reddit thread]<br />
<br />
===Explanation of the table===<br />
*The contents of the comic are documented in the [[#Table with references|table]] below.<br />
**It first goes through the entire image from left to right along the ground<br />
***I.e. going up the volcano and down in the lair, down the well and up to the top of the Washington Monument. Only exception so far is that it here goes to the rocky island in the sky. Then it continues right along the ground, only following the wires up to the bottom of the Rebel Runner and then after going over the pyramid it ends up at the far right<br />
**Then it goes back to the Rebel Runner, and after that follows the torpedoes up to the Star Destroyer-<br />
**Finally it goes through the Star Destroyer from tip to rear in four sections, taking everything within each section top to bottom, before moving on to the next section.<br />
**The table can be sorted on all columns, so the above is only valid until any sorting takes place.<br />
*In the table are the following columns:<br />
**Descriptions of the scene depicted in the overview links.<br />
***If the scene is a zoomed out overview that covers the images below this scene's description has been written in '''bold text'''.<br />
***This can be used as a guide to where in the image the scenes are located.<br />
***That is, until any sorting begins.<br />
**Transcript.<br />
***Any text has only been transcribed once. If some scenes overlap, the text has only been written in the first or the one where the text is most central.<br />
***Also any overview that has been zoomed out never has any transcript - these have been listed as (N/A)<br />
***Scenes with no text has written (None) in the transcript. <br />
***The use of parenthesis for those with no transcript makes it possible to sort on the transcript to get all the scenes with text to the top.<br />
**Overview links.<br />
***There can be more than one, even many, but the first will always be the overview.<br />
***If there are secret passages or other situations where it will be interesting to see why the hoverboard can disappear beneath the surface (like in the ocean) then two versions of the images have been included. <br />
***The second version is called ''Hidden passages in red'' as it has these passages changed to appear in red instead of black.<br />
**Tile images on xkcd.<br />
***For those images that are zoomed to 100% (i.e. not the zoomed out overviews) there is also a link to the defining image tile on xkcd.<br />
***In cases where there are more than one interesting image tile in one scene (maybe because there is actually two or more distinct scenes), there can be one more link in the ''Other'' tile column.<br />
**References.<br />
***Three things are referenced many times, and each has their own column so the table can be sorted on these<br />
****SW: Star Wars<br />
****LOTR: The Lord of the Rings<br />
****TE: Thing Explainer<br />
***Other. There is also a column for "other" types of references so they can also be sorted, without drowning in the three recurring types of references.<br />
****These have some further sorting by starting with Comics: or Movies: etc.<br />
**Explanations is in the last column.<br />
***So far lots of scenes still miss explanations, and some are not complete. <br />
***Red text has been used to make this clear. <br />
***If updating this and making a good enough explanation delete the red text.<br />
<br />
===Table with references===<br />
*See [[#Explanation of the table|explanation of the table]] above.<br />
**Hint: Open the overview links in a new window and return to this one for the next image and for reading the text.<br />
*Abbreviations:<br />
**'''SW''': Star Wars<br />
**'''LOTR''': The Lord of the Rings<br />
**'''TE''': Thing Explainer<br />
{|class="wikitable sortable"<br />
! <br />
! <br />
! <br />
! colspan="2"|Tiles (X, Y)<br />
! colspan="4"|References<br />
! <br />
|-<br />
! Description<br />
! Transcript<br />
! Overview links<br />
! Defining<br />
! Other<br />
! S<br>W<br />
! L<br>O<br>T<br>R<br />
! T<br>E<br />
! Other<br />
! Explanation<br />
|-<br />
|'''Everything Left of play area.'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d4/1608_Everything_Left_of_play_area.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e4/1608_Everything_Left_of_play_area_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Section of the image revealed when going left of the starting point.<br />
|-<br />
|Entire Volcano plateau.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d5/1608_Entire_Volcano_plateau_zoom_out_extra.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/3d/1608_Entire_Volcano_plateau_zoom_out_extra_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|About halfway from the Play Area to the volcanos slope, there is a steep plateau. This is the part left of this plateau.<br />
|-<br />
|Woman with white hair bun at the left end of world looking right.<br />
|<br />
:Woman: In the sky,<br />
:Woman: beyond the mountain,<br />
:Woman: I saw a starship.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/63/1608_0928x1082y_At_the_end_of_all_things.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/928:-1082+s.png (928, 1082)]<br />
|<br />
|Y<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|The woman at the left end of the world tells about the Star Destroyer in the right part of the world. There are four coins in front of her to anyone coming this far.<br />
|-<br />
|Coin and boulders.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/63/1608_0933x1083y_Coin_and_boulders.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/933:-1083+s.png (933, 1083)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/935:-1083+s.png (935, 1083)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|A single coin hangs in the air above the rocky ground with giant boulders.<br />
|-<br />
|'''Entire Volcano.'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/6a/Entire_Volcano_zoom_out.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/01/1608_Entire_Volcano_zoom_out_red.png Hidden&nbsp;passages&nbsp;in&nbsp;red]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Y<br />
|<br />
|Comic: [[1611: Baking Soda and Vinegar]]<br />
|The comic released a week after this one is about a super volcano made in a science fair experiment. As can be seen there is a lair beneath the lava lake. The entrance is revealed by the other link that turns the hidden passages to red. It is for sure possible to get stuck in the lava lake, as everything becomes black in the game when going beneath the surface.<br />
|-<br />
|'''Left Volcano Top.'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/4/4e/1608_0943x1087y_Left_Volcano_Top_zoom_out.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|A zoom out of the left rim of the volcanic crater.<br />
|-<br />
|Basketball on the volcano.<br />
|<br />
:Ponytail: OK, as soon as it erupts, go for the dunk. Our sweet moves will be preserved for all eternity!<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a4/1608_0936x1084y_Basketball_on_the_volcano.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/936:-1084+s.png (936, 1084)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Y<br />
|<br />
|This is a reference to {{w|Pompeii}} a Roman town-city near modern Naples, which has become famous when it was discovered that it had been preserved in the ash when it was mostly destroyed and buried under 4 to 6&nbsp;m (13 to 20&nbsp;ft.) of volcanic ash in the eruption of {{w|Mount Vesuvius}} in AD 79. When it was {{w|Pompeii#Rediscovery|found again}} it turned out that people had been surprised by the ash, and thus buried alive. During the excavation, plaster was used to fill in the voids in the ash layers that once held human bodies. This allowed one to see the exact position the person was in when they died. This is what Ponytail wishes for her and Megan, when the volcano they are standing on erupts, a rather morbid wish. She wants their sweet basketball moves to be preserved for eternity. In ''Playing Fields'' in TE basketball is mentioned. It is also played on top of the Destroyer close to the bridge. In this case the coin is on top of the basket, but too large to go into the hoop.<br />
|-<br />
|Old man walking up the volcano.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/5d/1608_0937x1085y_Old_man_walking_up_the_volcano.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/937:-1085+s.png (937, 1085)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Is it an old man who just walks up a mountain, or a young man using a walking stick? It makes quite a difference to how this scene is viewed.<br />
|-<br />
|Duck at the left crater top.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/4/41/1608_0940x1087y_Duck_at_the_left_crater_top.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/940:-1087+s.png (940, 1087)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|A duck is sitting at the top of the crater. There are several birds in this comic. Another duck looking the other way is found on top of the flag pole near the base of the Washington Monument.<br />
|-<br />
|Megan’s treasure hoard.<br />
|<br />
:Megan: Gooooold!<br />
:Megan: Goold!<br />
:Bags: $ $<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/4/43/1608_0941x1084y_Megans_treassure_hoarde.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/941:-1084+s.png (941, 1084)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/941:-1083+s.png (941, 1083)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|In the side of the crater there is a small cave where Megan has found a treasury hoard and she is celebrating all the gold she has found, including two coins.<br />
|-<br />
|'''Entire Lava lake.'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/b1/1608_0946x1083y_Entire_Lava_lake_zoom_out.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/09/1608_0946x1083y_Entire_Lava_lake_zoom_out_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/f4/1608_0942x1081y_Lava_lake_left.png Zoom in left part]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/8/82/1608_0942x1081y_Lava_lake_left_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/02/1608_0943x1083y_Left_Lava_lake_zoom_out.png Entire left part]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/75/1608_0943x1083y_Left_Lava_lake_zoom_out_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d6/1608_0946x1080y_Lava_lake_Upper_shaft_red.png Shaft in lake in red]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/9/94/1608_0947x1081y_Lava_lake_center.png Zoom in central part]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/25/1608_0947x1081y_Lava_lake_center_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/f7/1608_0949x1083y_Right_Lava_lake_zoom_out.png Entire Right part]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/ba/1608_0949x1083y_Right_Lava_lake_zoom_out_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/3f/1608_0944x1076y_Lava_lake_very_bottom_of_shaft_and_shaft_in_lair.png Shaft into lair below]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/c0/1608_0944x1076y_Lava_lake_very_bottom_of_shaft_and_shaft_in_lair_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|These images only cover the part beneath the surface where there is actually still lava, as can be seen in the images where ''Hidden passages in red''. Only the top of the lair below is shown here. From the hidden passage it is here possible to see how to enter this lair. In the images that shows the hidden part the two loose boulders that float (or are outcrops) in the right part of the lake can be seen as well as the two other holes in the lava lakes floor, which all explain why it is easy to get stuck in the lake once you go below the surface and move around. Since everything is black, you do not even know if the game still works and many people may have given up, maybe reloading after not being able to get on with the game. There is no place in the lake where you can get really stuck, as long as you just push upwards while changing direction from left to right, you are bound to get out sooner or later.<br />
|-<br />
|Rock with Gandalf in Lava lake.<br />
|<br />
:Megan: If you breathe out through you nose a little as you jump in, it can keep you from getting lava in you nasal passages.<br />
:Cueball: Artex!<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a5/1608_0944x1083y_Rock_with_Gandalf_in_Lava_lake.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/fa/1608_0944x1083y_Rock_with_Gandalf_in_Lava_lake_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/944:-1083+s.png (944, 1083)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Y<br />
|<br />
|Film: {{w|The Neverending Story}}<br />
|The wizard on the rock represents Gandalf from LOTR. What Megan tells Cueball works fine with water, not so much with lava. The horse Artax (pronounced Artex in the film) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y688upqmRXo drowns in the swamp of sadness] while Atreyu tries to save it and yells its name. Drowning in a swamp sucks, but doing so in lava will make death swifter. Both situations, however, indicate that you can actually go into the lava. If playing for the first time and becoming uncertain what would happen if the hoverboard touched the lava, the player might actually not even try to go into the lava, thus for certain would miss finding the lair beneath the lava.<br />
|-<br />
|Quadcopters over lava lake right.<br />
|<br />
:Right quadcopter: Remember: There's no such thing as good volcano footage taken by a quadcopter that survived.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/7c/1608_0950x1084y_Quadcopters_over_lava_lake_right.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/b2/1608_0950x1084y_Quadcopters_over_lava_lake_right_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/950:-1084+s.png (950, 1084)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Comics: [[1630: Quadcopter]] and in general those about [[:Category:Robots|Robots]] and [[:Category:Artificial Intelligence|AI]]<br />
|The comic was released shortly after this one, and is about AI quadcopters that abduct Cueball. One of these {{w|quadcopters}} tells the other that no one will think much of their volcano footage if they actually survive. I.e. they have to get too close to the bubbling surface to survive before they actually obtain the footage wished for. It sounds like it tries to instill courage in them to perform this deadly task. There is a coin below the left copter. Drones has become a [[:Category:Drones|recurrent subject]] xkcd.<br />
|-<br />
|'''Entire Lava lair.'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/69/1608_0946x1075y_Entire_Lava_lair_zoom_out.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e0/1608_0946x1075y_Entire_Lava_lair_zoom_out_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|The three rooms of the volcanic lair (and the entrance haft in the image with hidden passages in red).<br />
|-<br />
|Trending on twitter cave in lair and Lava lake bottom shaft.<br />
|<br />
:Cueball: What news of the world above? Please, tell me- what's hot and viral? ''What's trending on Twitter?!!''<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/6e/1608_0944x1079y_Trending_on_twitter_cave_in_lair_and_Lava_lake_bottom_shaft.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/2a/1608_0944x1079y_Trending_on_twitter_cave_in_lair_and_Lava_lake_bottom_shaft_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/944:-1079+s.png (944, 1079)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/945:-1079+s.png (945, 1079)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Comics with [[:Category:Social networking|Social networking]]<br />
|Cueball has been stuck below the lava for some times without access to the internet, and he now craves news from the world above. But it is not really news stories he craves but only the hot and viral videos and what is trending on {{w|Twitter}}. To be addicted to social networks and viral videos is probably a real infliction and it is a pain for Cueball to not be able to get on-line. Two coins are behind him.<br />
|-<br />
|Elon Musk’s cave in lair.<br />
|<br />
:Left Cueball: I always assumed Elon Musk's volcano lair would be like... Tropical. And ...Well, ''pleasant''.<br />
:Elon Musk in the high chair: Back to your desks, swine!<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/73/1608_0945x1074y_Elon_Musks_cave_in_lair.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/945:-1074+s.png (945, 1074)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/946:-1074+s.png (946, 1074)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Comics with [[:Category:Comics featuring Elon Musk|Elon Musk]]<br />
|It turns out that this is {{w|Elon Musk's}} lair. Having a secret lair with a hidden entrance is an often uses trope in films. Often it would be the villain (like in a {{w|James Bond}} film) that has such a place, but also heroes, like {{w|Batman}}, uses such hiding places. The joke here is that Cueball has assumed that Elon Musk, a very rich and enterprising man, that could be one of these megalomaniacs that might end up being a super villain, would have a bit more class over his secret lair. It also turns out that Elon sits in the cave and shouts at his workers to get back to work, even calling them names. There is also a coin here.<br />
|-<br />
|Ground symbol in lair.<br />
|<br />
:Ponytail: So ''this'' is where it is.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/2d/1608_0947x1073y_Antenna_cave_in_lair.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/947:-1073+s.png (947, 1073)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|The antenna looking item hanging from the ceiling is the embodiment of the {{w|Ground_%28electricity%29#Electronics|Earth ground symbol}} commonly used in circuit diagrams for electronics. So this is where the Earth is grounded in "real life" and finally Ponytail has found it. To protect themselves i their long search for this Ponytail and Megan seem to be wearing {{w|Antistatic_wrist_strap|antistatic wrist straps}}. This may also be a reference to the Circuit Diagram comic in which a ground is labeled as "bury deep, but not too deep"<br />
|-<br />
|'''Right Volcano Top'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/70/1608_0953x1087y_Right_Volcano_Top_zoom_out.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/b8/1608_0953x1087y_Right_Volcano_Top_zoom_out_extra.png Extra zoom out]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/75/1608_0953x1087y_Right_Volcano_Top_zoom_out_extra_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|A zoom out of the right rim of the volcanic crater. In the extra zoom out the eagles can be seen as well, they are high enough to be missed entirely when moving along the crater surface.<br />
|-<br />
|Ring of power and lave floor at the right crater top.<br />
|<br />
:Megan: One of these is probably a ring of power or whatever.<br />
:Girl with hair bun: Let's play a game where the lava is the floor of a house.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/77/1608_0952x1087y_Ring_of_power_and_lave_floor_at_the_right_crater_top.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/952:-1087+s.png (952, 1087)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/953:-1087+s.png (953, 1087)]<br />
|<br />
|Y<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Megan tells Cueball that one of the many rings she throws into the crater is probably a {{w|One Ring|''ring'' of power}}, a reference to [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXpF3SUFaDw the scene] from the {{w|The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|last LOTR film}} where {{w|Frodo Baggins|Frodo}} fails and {{w|Gollum}} attacks inside the volcano {{w|Mount Doom}}, thus making it clear that the volcano in the game represents this volcano. From her last comment, ''or whatever'', it seems she doesn't care too much, which make it clear, from the LOTR universe, that neither of these rings in the one ring. It would not have be this easy throwing them into the lava if it had been. There seems to be 16 rings, which is less than the other rings that are ruled by the one ring, the 9 for the humans, the 7 for the dwarfs and the 3 for the elves (19 plus the one ring 20 rings in total).<br />
<br />
The two girls are playing a dangerous game, the exact opposite of the normal version of the children’s game {{w|Hot lava (game)|Hot lava}}, where they pretend the floor in the house is made out of lava, and that you die if you touch it. However, in this version of the game they pretend to play that the lava is the floor in a house, and they may then just walk out into the lava pool, where they would die.<br />
|-<br />
|Megan sliding down slope on snow sleigh.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/15/1608_0956x1085y_Megan_sliding_down_slope_on_snow_sleigh.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/956:-1085+s.png (956, 1085)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/956:-1086+s.png (956, 1086)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Megan is sliding fast down the crater side. She will hit a jump near the coin, and would probably fly a considerable distance given the speed she seems to have.<br />
|-<br />
|Eagles over right crater top.<br />
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:Left eagle: Tolkien said Frodo left the cloak somewhere over here.<br />
:Right eagle: Can't ''he'' just fix it?<br />
:Left eagle: He doesn't want to rewrite that chapter.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/cb/1608_0956x1088y_Eagles_over_right_crater_top.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/956:-1088+s.png (956, 1088)]<br />
|<br />
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|Y<br />
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|<font color="red">Did Frodo lose his cloak in the books? Is this a reference to any real plot holes (not just using eagles) about the cloak being lost somewhere but then back later? If you can dismiss this, then make a note below. If there is something please explain</font> Two of the {{w|Eagle (Middle-earth)|great eagles}} from LOTR flies above the right crater top. In this situation the eagles are being used to find {{w|Frodo|Frodo's}} cloak, with one eagle complaining that "he", meaning {{w|J. R. R. Tolkien}} the author of LOTR, should just fix the issue without the eagles. This is a reference to the eagles use in LOTR as a {{w|Deus ex machina|deus ex machina}} and the [http://periannath.com/feature/why-doesnt-frodo-just-ride-an-eagle-to-mount-doom/ supposed plot hole] of the eagles not [http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Eagles#Flying_the_Ring_to_Mount_Doom flying the ring to mordor]. However, this was of course not possible before Sauron and his ringwraiths were defeated. <br />
|-<br />
|Ponytail racing down the steep slope on a bike.<br />
|<br />
:Ponytail: 114 mph!<br />
:Ponytail: Suck it, previous downhill volcano record-holder!<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/cd/1608_0958x1083y_Ponytail_racing_down_the_steep_slope_on_a_bike.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/958:-1083+s.png (958, 1083)]<br />
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|Ponytail is trying to break the world record for downhill race on a bike on a volcano. The {{w|Cycling_records#History_of_downhill_records|record}} at the time of this comic was from 2002 and was 107&nbsp;mph (172&nbsp;km/h) easily beaten by the 114&nbsp;mph (183&nbsp;km/h) that Ponytail reaches as she mocks the previous record holder. There were two different records, one for prototype bike by {{w|Éric Barone}} (the 107&nbsp;mph (172&nbsp;km/h)) and one for serial production bicycle (102.5&nbsp;mph (164.95&nbsp;km/h) set in 2011 by {{w|Markus Stöckl}}). She beat them both and it looks like a very ordinary bike she rides. The all-time record for downhill racing is not using the ashy slopes on volcanos but from racing on snow, and here the record is not in danger from Ponytail as it is a staggering 138&nbsp;mph (222&nbsp;km/h) again with a lesser record for serial produced bikes of 130&nbsp;mph (210&nbsp;km/h). She will soon hit a rock outcrop so hopefully she has very good brakes...<br />
|-<br />
|Tell my wife why you left me there, and Megan and Cueball with a device<br />
|<br />
:Right Cueball: If I don't make it back...<br />
:Right Cueball: ...Tell my wife...<br />
:Right Cueball: ...Where I am...<br />
:Right Cueball: ...And why you left me there…<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/ce/1608_0960x1081y_Tell_my_wife_why_you_left_me_there.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/960:-1081+s.png (960, 1081)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/961:-1081+s.png (961, 1081)]<br />
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|''If I don't make it back'' is a common [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/IfIDoNotReturn trope] in films and books used when the speaker is about to make a noble sacrifice. The speaker will then usually tell the other to go tell his wife that he died bravely or that his friends should remember him. There is even a [https://vimeo.com/58319575 song] with the same title by {{w|Tracy Lawrence}}. In Cueball's case, both him and his companion are attempting to scale a dangerous mountain and neither are inclined to sacrifice their own lives for the other. Cueball appears to be struggling, climbing on all fours while his friend is standing. Subverting the trope, he attempts to guilt trip his friend into helping him. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Also here are Megan with some kind of device and Cueball on top of a large boulder. Maybe they are investigating the environment on the volcanic slope. Cueball has just discovered the coin hanging above them.<br />
|-<br />
|It becomes a V7 if the volcano erupts and Ponytail and Cueball on the slope<br />
|<br />
:Megan: This is currently a V2, but it becomes a V7 if the volcano erupts.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/75/1608_0962x1080y_It_becomes_a_V7_if_the_volcano_erupts.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/962:-1080+s.png (962, 1080)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/963:-1079+s.png (963, 1079)]<br />
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|Megan and Cueball climb a very steep part of the mountain slope. In {{w|bouldering}}, the relative difficulty of a bouldering problem is graded using the {{w|Grade (bouldering)|V scale}}. She exclaims that at the moment the climb is only a V2, but if the volcano erupts this would increase to V7. The joke is that the shaking ground and the lava resulting from the eruption would obviously make it harder to complete the bouldering problem without getting killed. In reality, passing environmental conditions do not affect the grade that a bouldering problem receives.<br />
|-<br />
|Megan reading for children about Sauron’s ring.<br />
|<br />
:Megan: ”The time has come” the Walrus said, and put on a Sauron's ring…<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/66/1608_0964x1078y_Megan_reading_for_children_about_Saurons_ring.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/964:-1078+s.png (964, 1078)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/964:-1079+s.png (964, 1079)]<br />
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|Y<br />
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|The line "”The time has come” the Walrus said, to talk of many things" is from the poem {{w|The Walrus and the Carpenter}} by {{w|Lewis Carroll}}'s book {{w|Through the Looking-Glass}}, the sequel to {{w|Alice's Adventures in Wonderland}}. {{w|Sauron}} is the main enemy in LOTR, the one who has made the ring, and now needs it to gain his powers back. In this mixed poem the second line is changed but follows the same rhyme scheme. But although ''rings'' would have rhymed with ''things'', it of course have to ''ring'' as the {{w|walrus}} can only put the {{w|One Ring|one ring of power}} on, while uttering the now much more ominous sounding phrase ''The time has come''. Megan is reading this poem/story at the base of the volcano Mount Doom where the ring was created and later destroyed. Like Frodo, Sauron is one of the characters from LOTR who is only mentioned, not shown, in the comic.<br />
|-<br />
|Vaping Earth.<br />
|<br />
:Cueball: The Earth is vaping.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/bd/1608_0969x1077y_Vaping_Earth.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/969:-1077+s.png (969, 1077)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/968:-1077+s.png (968, 1077)]<br />
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|{{w|Vaping}} is a term used instead of smoking for the use of electronic cigarettes. There is even a game called the {{w|Vaping game}} for blowing extra large clouds of vapor out while using these substitutes for cigarettes. Cueball remarks that here it is the Earth that does so, due to the volcanic activity of the nearby volcano.<br />
|-<br />
|'''Left of play area to Kite.'''<br />
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:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a9/1608_Left_of_play_area_to_Kite.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/8/80/1608_Left_of_play_area_to_Kite_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|Overview<br />
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|This is the area from below the volcano's slope and towards the play area. There are several hidden places and pools that can be seen in the second image link.<br />
|-<br />
|Kite and weird bug.<br />
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:Mom: Check out this one weird bug, discovered by a local mom.<br />
:Girl: Oh my God, mom, stop saying everything like that.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/ae/1608_0970x1077y_Kite_and_weird_bug.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a4/1608_0970x1077y_Kite_and_weird_bug_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/970:-1077+s.png (970, 1077)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/972:-1077+s.png (972, 1077)]<br />
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|Y<br />
|Comic [[1614: Kites]] and in general the [[:Category:Kites|kite category]]. Also the [[:Category:Clickbait|Clickbait category]]<br />
|The comic was released only two weeks after this game, and although it is clearly a girl in this comic, she looks like Megan who sets up the kite in the next comic. There is also a kite in ''Sky Toucher'' in TE and kites is a recurring theme in xkcd.<br />
<br />
The mother that discovers the bug is [[Blondie]]. She talks like she is one of the {{w|clickbait}} headlines used for getting people to click in on the link generally aimed at generating online advertising revenue, which fits nicely with her recurring theme of as a news anchor. Her daughter is tired of this, especially as it seems like the mother speaks like that all the time. The girl may be embarrassed by this, especially if she is with a friend rather than a brother. Maybe the mother has been reading too many clickbait news on-line? As noted in the other references ''clickbait'' is a recurring theme in xkcd. The mother is near a small lake, so it is likely that there is plenty of insects and other bugs. It is possible to sink into the lake as can be seen in the second image with the hidden parts shown in red.<br />
|-<br />
|Space capsule with parachutes.<br />
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:Bird thinking: I don't remember laying these but ''wow'' they're already flying. Gonna be awesome when they hatch.<br />
<br />
:Cueball: Yes! My phone has a signal.<br />
:Voice from inside: How many new likes did we get during reentry?<br />
:Cueball: I'm checking!<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e2/1608_0976x1079y_Space_capsule_with_parachutes.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/976:-1079+s.png (976, 1079)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/976:-1080+s.png (976, 1080)]<br />
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|Y<br />
|Comic : [[1133: Up Goer Five]]<br />
|The book TE was based on the comic ''Up Goer Five'' which was about the rocket that took this space capsule to the moon. When it lands it uses three large parachutes to slow down after the main brake-down during reentry. On top of these sits a bird looking like a hen. It is a hen that can think, but it is still not very clever. It believes that this is three eggs, and is amazed that they are already flying before they hatch, which is of course ridiculous, but they do float in the air...<br />
<br />
The astronauts inside (two at least, but there should be three if it was one of the moon landing missions) has just been waiting to get close enough to Earth again that they can get a signal on their smart phones. Cueball is even opening the hatch during descend to increase this chance, which would be highly dangerous. Also normally they would land in water (which will though not be the case this time). The reason he does this is that they wish to know how many more likes they (and their mission) has received during the reentry. This would have been relevant if the moon landings had taken place today. There where no social media or internet back in 1969. This is similar to the Cueball who is trapped in the lava lair without connection to Twitter.<br />
|-<br />
|Girl running to other girl and small forest.<br />
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:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/30/1608_0978x1077y_Girl_running_to_other_girl_and_small_forrest.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/978:-1077+s.png (978, 1077)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/976:-1077+s.png (976, 1077)]<br />
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|Just two young girls playing near a forest of low trees. But with the space capsule above the forest.<br />
|-<br />
|Entire well - zoom out.<br />
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:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/2e/1608_0980x1075y_Entire_well_zoom_out.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/06/1608_0980x1075y_Entire_well_zoom_out_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|Overview<br />
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|Comics in the [[:Category:Well|Well series]].<br />
|There are many similarities in this well to the well series. Someone is looking into a well that has the same general appearance and there is a person inside which turned out to be the case in [[568: Well 2]]. People throw coins into it and there is a coin at the bottom in the game (although above the water.)<br />
|-<br />
|Well top.<br />
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:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/70/1608_0980x1077y_Well_top.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/980:-1077+s.png (980, 1077)]<br />
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|Cueball looks into the deep well.<br />
|-<br />
|Well bottom.<br />
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:Girl: I'm not a ghost. I just like wells.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/8/82/1608_0980x1073y_Well_bottom.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/aa/1608_0980x1073y_Well_bottom_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/980:-1073+s.png (980, 1073)]<br />
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|At the bottom of the well in the water (see also the hidden passages image) is a girl. Above to the left of her is a coin. Maybe thrown in by Cueball at the top. Ghost living in wells is a common theme, for instance there is a Japanese movie {{w|Banchō Sarayashiki}} whose [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0202946/releaseinfo English title] is ''Ghost in the Well''. So this is why this real girl explains that she is actually not a ghost, she just like wells and thus likes to sit in the cold water at the bottom of wells. This could be very dangerous, and she will probably have a hard time getting up. It is also a very deep well, so falling into this well might very well be lethal. There are also many stories (in this case also real stories like the one about {{w|Jessica McClure}}) about kids that fall into wells, some of them surviving being stuck for several days in the wells. Also in movies this story is often used, for instance in {{w|Batman Begins}} the young Bruce Wayne falls down a dry well and is attacked by a swarm of bats, subsequently developing a fear of bats.<br />
|-<br />
|Entire gas station with birds above<br />
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:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/b3/1608_0982x1079y_Gas_station_with_birds_above_with_coin_on_string.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/8/83/1608_0982x1079y_Gas_station_with_birds_above_without_coin_on_string.png Without coin]<br />
|Overview<br />
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|The two birds with a coin between them flying above the gas station is way too high up, to be discovered when just moving normally over the gas station, even jumping once up from the highest spot. This is thus one of several coins that are easily missed. There are more explanation this scene where these two individual scenes are described.<br />
|-<br />
|Gas station with x-wing.<br />
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:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/4/44/1608_0982x1077y_Gas_station_with_x-wing.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/982:-1077+s.png (982, 1077)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/983:-1077+s.png (983, 1077)]<br />
|Y<br />
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|Megan has managed to land her {{w|x-wing}} fighter from the rebel fleet in Star Wars right next to a standard gas station. And she has planned to fill her space ship up. That it could run on petrol for cars seems highly unlikely. The question is if she has already filled it up and is heading back with the handle to the gas stander, or if she has just discovered that the hose is not long enough to reach all the way under the wing to the fighter. It will have taken considerable skills to land this close to the station without hitting the cover over the stander. Ponytail is sitting in the shop with a coin. This is the first coin to be discovered when going left from the play-area. There is a long stretch without coins to begin with. The coins on the rock island in the sky it on this stretch, but so far above that most people would miss them altogether. There is also a coin with two birds straight above the right wing on the X-wing. But about three jumps up, so it is easy to miss. the To get into the shop you need to go over the stander and back. Why Cueball have crawled up in the roof is not clear. But maybe he is enjoying the view over the cliff that is to the right of the station. There is a stop sign to the left, but there seems to be no road that way. Maybe that is why you should stop...<br />
|-<br />
|Birds with coin.<br />
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:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/7e/1608_0982x1079y_Birds_with_coin.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/9/9e/1608_0982x1079y_Birds_without_coin.png Without coin]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/982:-1079+s.png (982, 1079)]<br />
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|Film: {{w|Monty Python and the Holy Grail}}<br />
|In the film it is discussed if two swallows could carry a coconut between them on a string as the two birds do with the coin here. First when the coin has been taken, can the string between the birds be seen (see the other image). The birds are three jumps above the X-wing below, and this coin is thus easily missed by the players. In the film the horses are simulated with the sound of two coconuts shells being hit together. Someone asks how they happened to be in England and there is discussion about migratory birds like {{w|swallows}} and the possibility that they have brought the coconuts along with them. But the consensus is that they cannot do this by themselves the coconut being to heavy, but then it is suggested that two swallows could carry it on a string between them. Later in the film someone is seen actually tying two birds together to a coconut. In this comic, we now know how the coins have been transported through the image...<br />
|-<br />
|Our kingdom from a cliff.<br />
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:Cueball: Everything the light touches is our kingdom.<br />
:Girl: What's with the shadowy place over there?<br />
:Cueball: That is beyond our borders.<br />
:Girl: No, I mean what object casts a shadow over a whole region?<br />
:Cueball: Oh, that's god. He lives over there.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a0/1608_0986x1076y_Our_kingdom_from_a_cliff.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/986:-1076+s.png (986, 1076)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/986:-1075+s.png (986, 1075)]<br />
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|Film: {{w|The Lion King}} and comic: [[1504: Opportunity]] as well as [[:Category:The Lion King|The Lion King category]]<br />
|Cueballs lines is from The Lion King and has been used directly before in the comic Opportunity. Randall has made several references to the film in xkcd, and it is obvious that he was very affected by this film that came out when he was just the right age.<br />
<br />
Cueball is talking to a child version of Ponytail, whose mother may be the one climbing up the cliff side below. The first three lines of the quote goes as in the film, but then it turns out that the girl is properly referring to the Star Destroyer that would be clearly visible from this cliff as it covers almost the entire right part of this world from just beyond the play-area. (They do not look high enough to see the rock island in the sky, and it would also not cast shadow over an entire region.) As it is not certain players coming here have already been to the right to see the Destroyer it is not necessarily clear that the reply from Cueball should apply to the Destroyer. But if it does then it would be the Emperor Palpatine that he reefers to as God. The emperor is on board the Destroyer near the bridge at the very top rear end of the space ship and has God like powers. It could however also just be a general reference to the {{w|God}} and thus be inferred as if God cast a shadow over an entire region (country). Maybe just in general as if he has a place in the sky that cast a shadow (like sitting on a cloud). Alternatively it could be the people who believe too much in any God, that can be viewed as living under a shadow, as they will not try to see any reality if it does not fit with their religious beliefs.<br />
|-<br />
|Hamster ball bowling.<br />
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:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/53/1608_0987x1075y_Hamsterball_bowling.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/987:-1075+s.png (987, 1075)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/989:-1074+s.png (989, 1074)]<br />
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|Y<br />
|Comics: [[:Category:Hamster Ball|Hamster Ball category]]<br />
|There have been several xkcd comics with human sized hamster balls, and there is even one more in this comic up in the Destroyer. In this scene it is two young girls that use the hamster ball as a bowling ball in a human sized {{w|ten pin bowling}} game. Hopefully the little girl with the hair bun behind the pins get away in time if it is a strike. It is the first time hamster ball and bowling has been matched, but in TE there are bowling alleys both on the ship ''The USS Laws of the Land'' and on the suspension of the longest bridge in ''Tall roads'' and such an alley is also used for measuring length in ''How to count things''. One of the many large trees that are found in the drawing is standing alone in this scene. Most other places there are more than one tree together.<br />
|-<br />
|If loving you is wrong I don’t want to and Beret Guy following insects<br />
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:Cueball: If loving you is wrong, I don't want to.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/4/4f/1608_0990x1074y_If_loving_you_is_wrong_I_dont_want_to.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/990:-1074+s.png (990, 1074)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/991:-1074+s.png (991, 1074)]<br />
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|Song (or quote): {{w|(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right}}<br />
|A reference to either the [http://krexy.com/if-loving-you-is-wrong general love quote] or maybe more likely to the song [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvJj7SN9EWI performed most notably] by {{w|Luther Ingram}}. Recently (2014), there has also been a TV series produced called {{w|If Loving You Is Wrong (TV series)|If Loving You Is Wrong}}.<br />
<br />
The quote is very romantic, because the speaker is stating that if it is wrong to love a specific person, the speaker chooses to be in love and does not wish to be right. However, Cueball twist the quote quite a lot, saying instead that if it is wrong to love Ponytail then he does not want to love her at all - taking all romance out of the statement.<br />
<br />
Also in this scene is one of only two instances where Beret Guy appears. Typical of his past appearances, he seems to be occupied by following a small flying insect through the tall grass.<br />
|-<br />
|'''Entire Washington monument'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/21/1608_0995x1079y_Entire_Washington_monument_extra_zoom_out.png Overview] <br />
[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/ae/1608_0995x1079y_Entire_Washington_monument_extra_zoom_out_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/7a/1608_0995x1078y_Middle_of_Washington_monument_zoom_out.png Central hidden passage]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/6d/1608_0995x1078y_Middle_of_Washington_monument_zoom_out_red.png Hidden passages in red] <br />
<br />
|Overview<br />
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|Comic: [[1600: MarketWatch]]<br />
|The tallest man made structure on the ground in this game is the {{w|Washington Monument}} which recently before the release of this comic was refereed to in the mentioned comic. As can be seen in the hidden passages images there are two secret passages, one at the bottom (see this scene for more) and one in the middle of the monument. The one in the central part of the monument is actually quite large, and as can be seen in the images zooming in on the central part there is also a fault line in the monument at the base of this hidden passage. But it doesn't really lead to anywhere interesting. The fault line could be a reference to the {{w|Washington_Monument#2011_earthquake_damage|earthquake damage}} from 2011 where several stones cracked.<br />
|-<br />
|Base of Washington monument with Cueball and Megan<br />
|<br />
:Cueball: Honestly, it doesn't even look that much like Washington.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/dc/1608_0994x1074y_Base_of_Washington_monument.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/16/1608_0994x1074y_Base_of_Washington_monument_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/994:-1074+s.png (994, 1074)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/995:-1074+s.png (995, 1074)]<br />
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|At the base of the Washington Monument Megan and Cueball is looking up at it, and Cueball complains that it doesn't even look like {{w|Washington, D.C.|Washington}}. By "Washington" he could be referring to the city of Washington DC or to the real Washington monument, but he is probably referring to the first US President George Washington, since monuments often depict (look like) the person they are dedicated to but the real Washington monument is not meant to look like Washington himself. Cueball seems to have expected all presidential monuments to include a statue of the honored president and is confused and disappointed when the monument fails to meet his expectations. Of course since this is the only Washington based building in the game it is true that the place doesn't look like the city. If he refers to the monument then it can be questioned if this is because the monument is not an exact replica (in proportions and/or scale). In any case it is clearly meant as an indicator that this is supposed to look like the monument, and with the tips apex being made of aluminum (see that scene) as on the real monument, there can be no doubt what is referenced. It is possible to get to the left side of the monument without going up to see the tip, if the player immediately understands the sign with the white arrow that points to a hidden passage through the base of the monument, as can be seen in the second image with the hidden passages shown in red.<br />
<br />
To the left of the monument there is a flag pole with a blown out flag. It is all black, but it should be the {{w|Flag of the United States|the Stars and Stripes}} as there are fifty flag poles with the US flag (one for each [[1653: United States Map|state]]) surrounding the monument in a circle. On top of the pole there sits a duck looking left. Towards the end of the world to the left on top of the left volcanic rim there also sits a similar duck looking right.<br />
|-<br />
|Tip of Washington monument with Cueball and White Hat<br />
|<br />
:Cueball: Look at that- Solid aluminum!<br />
:Cueball: We´re gonna be rich!<br />
:White Hat: Uh, what the heck is ''that?!''<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/6f/1608_0995x1083y_Tip_of_Washington_monument.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/995:-1083+s.png (995, 1083)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/995:-1084+s.png (995, 1084)]<br />
|<br />
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|The tip of the monument is actually {{w|Washington_Monument#Aluminum_apex|made of solid aluminum}} and at the time this {{w|aluminum}} apex was installed it was a rare metal as valuable as {{w|silver}}, but today it is maybe about 1/300 as valuable as silver. So Cueball and White Hat will not become rich based on the metal value. Of course if they did steal the tip of such a famous monument, they might actually be able to sell it to a scrupulous collector at a value comparable to if was just a lump of silver of that weight.<br />
<br />
White Hat looking over his shoulder spots the Star Destroyer and thus help guide a player that has started going left towards the Destroyer to the right. How they have managed the climb, getting the ropes over the tip, or how Cueball intends to get down with the tip is left to the readers imagination...<br />
|-<br />
|'''Entire floating rock island.'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/5c/1608_0994x1110y_Entire_floating_rock_island_zoom_out.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|Film: {{w|Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar}}<br />
|This floating rock island may be a reference to the film Avatar where floating rocks is part of the scenery of the fictive moon {{w|Fictional_universe_of_Avatar#Astronomy_and_geology|Pandora}}. The rock in the game is very hard to find by chance, it is kind of unobtainable, which may be a further reference to the film since the reason the rocks do float is a combination of a weak gravity, a strong magnetic field and a mineral whose {{w|Superconductivity|superconductive properties}} allow it to float in magnetic fields. Of course the levitating Hallelujah Mountains in the film contain significant quantities of the mineral which is called {{w|Unobtanium}}. Only thing pointing towards it is the Washington Monument and even if you go up from there, pushing the up arrow continuously for more than half a minute you may almost miss it, as only the far right girl would move through the view. And with two coins around this island it is important to find it in order to get all coins. Apart from the coins and the surprise there is little of interest here, and not even any spoken text.<br />
<br />
To the right just beneath the rear end of the Destroyer there is a small lump of earth that has floated up from the ground, hovering over the corresponding hole in the ground. Maybe this is caused by the same force that have created this floating island.<br />
|-<br />
|Top left of floating rock island with coin.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/f5/1608_0989x1112y_Top_of_floating_rock_island_with_coin.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/990:-1112+s.png (990, 1112)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/990:-1111+s.png (990, 1111)]<br />
|<br />
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|The large rock on top of the floating island is one of only two places where there is anything at a coordinate of Y=1112. On top of the globe of Death over the bridge of the destroyer, there are three images at the top of this that enters 1112. And there [http://xkcd.com/1608/1078:-1112+s.png the very top] is just slightly higher up. But there is no coin there, so the coin that would be in the tile used for main reference here that holds the coin is the highest location for any coin in the game, as the Globe of Death has its coin in its center below the top.<br />
|-<br />
|Top right of floating rock island with base jumpers.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/9/92/1608_0993x1112y_Top_of_floating_rock_island_with_base_jumpers.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/994:-1111+s.png (994, 1111)]<br />
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|Y<br />
|<br />
|In ''Sky Toucher'' in TE two people jump of a cloud, like the base jumpers Megan and Ponytail does here from the floating rock, but at least these two girls do have parachutes on (as opposed to the cloud jumpers in TE). How they got here is a good question, but of course they could have flown here in for instance the X-wing from below at the gas station.<br />
|-<br />
|Bottom of floating rock island with coin.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e1/1608_0992x1109y_Bottom_middle_of_floating_rock_island_with_coin.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/992:-1109+s.png (992, 1109)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/993:-1109+s.png (993, 1109)]<br />
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|At the bottom of the island several small and large boulders can be seen hanging only loosely on to the bottom. At the center the largest rock can be seen, but even this is slipping a little as can be seen by the small white speck high over the very bottom of this boulder. Right of this is the other coin that belongs to this hidden place in the sky.<br />
|-<br />
|'''Entire Play Area - zoom out.'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/7b/1608_1001x1074y_Entire_Play_Area_Zoom_out.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/8/8b/1680_Play_Area_Full_Size_Coins_Hoverboard_and_View.png With starting view]<br />
|Overview<br />
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|The entire play area with the walls and their outer foundation. See also the insert with the starting view shown in red in the second image link and see more about the buildup of scenes from the individual image tiles using the [[#Play Area used as example|play area down below]]. It is easy to see how a player of the game, with no knowledge of Randall's way of thinking, may not even think about exploring outside this area, even if they do try to go outside the maze. Because it is possible to jump around in the maze without discovering that you can actually fly rather than just jump. If you only jump once you cannot see the too op the walls. On top of this there is the large [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/ae/Return_to_the_play_area.PNG red warning letters] telling you to go back if you try to leave the confines of the wall.<br />
|-<br />
|The Play Area.<br />
|<br />
:My new book,<br />
:''Thing Explainer,''<br />
:comes out today!<br />
:To celebrate, here's<br />
:a small game.<br />
<br />
:Deposit coins here<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/6c/1608_1000x1074y_The_Play_Area.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/30/1608_1000x1074y_The_Play_Area_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1000:-1074+s.png (1000, 1074)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1000:-1075+s.png (1000, 1075)]<br />
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|Y<br />
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|This is the starting area where the game begins. There is even some extra text telling you to ''Use arrow keys to move'' but as soon as you do, this text disappears, just like the [[#Messages in Play Area|message you can receive]] below in the view depending on your action in this area. The text below the starting point of the hoverboard Cueball that you control, explains that the game is released on this day to celebrate the release of Randall's new book [[Thing Explainer]] and thus directly references the book. And also explains why this comic has been made, and furthermore why it was released on a Tuesday rather than the usual Wednesday release, which was then skipped this week. It also explains that if you collect coins you can deposit them at the terminal, and when you do it list the score (number of coins and the time used) and rates your achievement. By noting that [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/7e/17_coins.PNG you got all the coins] if you collect all 17 coins in the play area maze, then it is one more trick to try to make you stay inside the walls of the maze. There is only one small feature that can be spotted from within the maze that breaks the symmetry and may give away the clue of the game. And that is the small stone that lies on the ground to the left. Because why should it be there, if this was just a platform/maze game. The walls cannot be seen if you stay in or just around the outer wall of the maze. But if you go to them you may think this is the end. Another detail about the game to be learned already here is that there can be "solid" black parts of the surroundings which are not solid at all. This can be seen in the image showing the hidden passages in red. Here it can be seen that the ledge beneath the two inverted parenthesis " )( " is not solid, and that you can fall or jump up through this section. This could forewarn you of the hidden passages, especially to the lair beneath the volcano which are the only real hidden place based on hidden passages, but also for those in the Washington Monument and in the cotton trap in the Destroyer and the glitch floor also on the Destroyer.<br />
|-<br />
|'''Everything Right of Washington monument.'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/66/1608_Everything_Right_of_washington_monument.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
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|Most of the details in the image is found to the right of the play-area, mainly in the form of the rooms in the Destroyer. On the ground only a few artifacts are large enough to be seen in this zoomed out version. The three T's and the forest, and then of course the pyramid. Interestingly enough there are almost more to be seen inside the Destroyer with the two large rooms (the cave and the Glitch floor room) both being large enough to [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/bf/1608_Entire_Cave_With_entire_pyramid_for_scale.png accommodate the entire pyramid].<br />
|-<br />
|Cueball outside play area.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/c0/1608_1004x1074y_Cueball_outside_play_area.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1004:-1074+s.png (1004, 1074)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1003:-1074+s.png (1003, 1074)]<br />
|<br />
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|Typically reading direction would lead a player to this location first after escaping the play area. Is this is indeed the case then the grass and after that Cueball is the first hint that something more is going to happen in this game. Apart from the Cueball standing inside the play area, this is the closest person to the play area. He is just standing there doing nothing, so it is still not clear how big this is going to be.<br />
|-<br />
|Megan points at Runner after forest.<br />
|<br />
:Megan: Wow.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/53/1608_1008x1074y_Megan_points_at_Runner_after_forest.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1008:-1074+s.png (1008, 1074)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1006:-1074+s.png (1006, 1074)]<br />
|<br />
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|The small forest with two large trees and several small ones is the first really interesting to show up if exiting the play area to the right for the first time and finally a person actually speaking shows up (although Cueball at the base of the Washington Monument to the right would be closer). Megan is not saying much, but she is clearly reacting to something. It could be to one or both the space ships above her. Since the Destroyer is already on top of her, as the front end of that ship is just short of being above the right wall of the play area, then it could also be the Rebel Runner she is pointing out. No matter what, following her arm going up and right it is likely that the runner will enter the view, but it is possible to miss it, in which case there would be a long way up to the Destroyer. Megan and Cueball is standing on the edge of a cliff, offering them an excellent view. Stepping down on the plateau below the cliff takes the player close to the lowest possible level to be at in the game. There are no tiles with any white below that level (1073). But the lowest point is first in the Ocean.<br />
|-<br />
|Cliff with rock and cactus.<br />
|<br />
:(None, or rather the text has been written in the previous scene)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/f2/1608_1010x1073y_Cliff_with_rock_and_cactus.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/c4/1608_1010x1073y_Cliff_with_rock_and_cactus_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1010:-1073+s.png (1010, 1073)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1008:-1073+s.png (1008, 1073)]<br />
|<br />
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|After the grassy ground and the forest above the cliff to the left this marks the beginning of a long stretch of barren land ending in a dessert before reaching the ocean. Here a cactus and two large boulders display this inhospitable terrain. It seems like something is sitting on top of the smaller boulder, this could be a lizard, but it is too small to be certain. But that it is not part of the rock can be seen in the other image showing the parts of the image that you can walk through in red. And this small "lizard" is obviously sitting on top of the boulder.<br />
|-<br />
|Entire wires from ground to Runner.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/76/1608_1014x1076y_Entire_wires_from_ground_to_Runner.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
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|Here is the first direct link from the ground to the Destroyer. This specific link takes the player from the ground level up along one of the three wires to the bottom of the hull of the Rebel Runner. If you went straight for the runner without going further right, the first coin you would find to the right would be one of the three at the runner. Else the first coin to the right (along the ground) would be in the dunes before Ponytail to the right.As can be seen the three wires are held by people and are then attached with anchors to the hull. Megan is climbing up the last of the three wires. See more in the specific scenes. <br />
|-<br />
|Three wires and people holding on on the ground<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/c9/1608_1013x1073y_Three_wires_and_people_holding_on.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1013:-1073+s.png (1013, 1073)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1011:-1073+s.png (1011, 1073)]<br />
|<br />
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|Three pairs of people are trying to hold on the three wires going straight up. Cueball and Megan holds on leaning left on the left wire, another Cueball and Hairy hold on to each side of the middle wire and finally yet a Cueball holds on to the last, while a small girl with a hair bun steps on the end of the wire, like she would be able to walk it like a tightrope. This should not be physically possible as the ropes do not seem to be attached to the ground, at least not the one to the left. But there can be no doubt that the drawing shows her standing with both feet on the rope. She is thus not helping Cueball. From here it is not yet known to the player that it is the Rebel Runner they have caught (with anchors) above, but when this becomes clear it will also be clear that they have no chance of holding on to the space ship. But here it seems they are doing a great job. The ground is barren between these wires and a {{w|tumbleweed}} is blowing along to make this even more clear. This part of a plant was also mentioned in a toast in [[1645: Toasts]].<br />
|-<br />
|Three wires Megan hanging on that reaches up to three anchors in the bottom hull of the Runner.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/58/1608_1014x1078y_Three_wires_and_reaching_up_to_anchors_in_Runner.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1015:-1076+s.png (1015, 1076)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1014:-1078+s.png (1014, 1078)]<br />
|<br />
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|Y<br />
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|Megan tries to climb up the last of the wires going from the ground, and it turns out that it leads up to the bottom of the hull of the Rebel Runner. Not to a really good spot in her wires case, as there seems to be nothing to help her get inside the runner from there. The other two wires comes up to a cannon close to an entrance, where Cueball is fishing birds with a crumb of bread or a cracker on the end of the hook. (The bird fishing scene is also depicted when going through the Runner [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/bc/1608_1012x1078y_Bridge_on_the_Rebel_Blockade_Runner.png down below]). All three wires ends in anchors that are here used the reverse way of a normal anchor, with the anchor attached to the ship instead of to the bottom of the sea (or at least the ground below an air ship). In ''Red world space car'' in TE, Megan is also seen hanging on to a rope like this.<br />
|-<br />
|Ponytail in the dunes - zoom out.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/33/1608_1015x1073y_Ponytail_in_the_dunes_zoom_out.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|Y<br />
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|Ponytail is standing in the dunes of the desert that continues after the barren landscape to the left of the desert. Here a zoom out of the entire desert with the first three coins along the ground to the right. The Rebel Runner flying above this dune landscape is a reference to the desert planet {{w|Tatooine}} where the opening scene is taking place.<br />
|-<br />
|Ponytail in the dunes.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/c4/1608_1015x1073y_Ponytail_in_the_dunes.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1015:-1073+s.png (1015, 1073)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1016:-1073+s.png (1016, 1073)]<br />
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|Ponytail is standing in the desert on top of a small dune, as these get increasingly higher further right into the desert. The coin to the left of her at the tip of a dune is the first along the ground when going right. It is soon followed by a second one at the base of the largest dune in desert.<br />
|-<br />
|The largest dune.<br />
|<br />
:(None - the text is written in the scene centered on the ocean)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/0a/1608_1017x1073y_The_largest_dune.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1017:-1073+s.png (1017, 1073)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1018:-1073+s.png (1018, 1073)]<br />
|<br />
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|The largest dune in the desert, also shown partly in the scene with Ponytail, also has a coin at the other base. After this there is only one smaller dune and then the desert stops at the shore of a small sea or ocean.<br />
|-<br />
|Entire ocean.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/0e/1608_1022x1073y_Entire_ocean.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/0c/1608_1022x1073y_Entire_ocean_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
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|The sea/ocean consist of a rather large body of water with a tall wave in the center. It is quite deep as can be seen in the other image with the water shown in red. Where the sea is deepest, is also the point that is the lowest hoverboard Cueball can get in the entire image. It is the closest that anything other than completely black comes to the level with Y=1072.<br />
|-<br />
|Megan rates the Sea.<br />
|<br />
:Megan: This is an OK sea.<br />
:Megan:★★⯪☆☆<br />
:[a rating of 2.5 stars].<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/9/99/1608_1019x1073y_Megan_rates_the_Sea.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/c8/1608_1019x1073y_Megan_rates_the_Sea_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1019:-1073+s.png (1019, 1073)]<br />
|<br />
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|It is very unusually to rate a sea, like you would a film or book, or a restaurant or museum. But today it is also common to rate anything you have used on-line like an internet shop or a company you have used. So this may be a jab at all the people that rate everything in stars. According to [[1098: Star Ratings]] 2½ stars as an online star ratings means that the sea is a crap sea, so this indicates that Megan's rating should not be viewed as such, since she also exclaims that it is an OK sea, as in a acceptable. All in all another joke about online behavior, like the reference to Twitter and likes in the volcanic lair and the space shuttle respectively.<br />
|-<br />
|Rouge wave.<br />
|<br />
:Wave: I know rogue waves seem implausible, but we're a straightforward consequence of the equations of fluid dynamics.<br />
:Cueball: ...But you can talk?<br />
:Wave: The equations are really complicated.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/11/1608_1022x1073y_Rouge_wave.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/bf/1608_1022x1073y_Rouge_wave_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1022:-1073+s.png (1022, 1073)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1023:-1073+s.png (1023, 1073)]<br />
|<br />
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|Comic: [[1315: Questions for God]]<br />
|{{w|Fluid dynamics}} is a complex subdiscipline of {{w|fluid mechanics}} that deals with fluid flow. Although it is not their main target they can also be used for {{w|surface waves}} which would be like the {{w|rogue wave}} in this scene. This kind of waves is also known as freak waves, monster waves etc. They are large and spontaneous surface waves that occur far out in open water, and can be extremely dangerous. But as the wave describes to Cueball these big waves can be predicted from the equations in fluid dynamics. Of course Cueball is less afraid of the wave (even though it is {{w|Rogue (vagrant)|rouge}}), than he is fascinated by the fact that it speaks. The wave just replies that the equations are really complicated. That this is the case was for instance part of [[1315: Questions for God]] where a famous quote regarding turbulent motion of fluids is mentioned. {{w|Turbulence}} is also described by fluid dynamics, so they are part of the equations and the {{w|Horace_Lamb#Career| quote}} by {{w|Horace Lamb}} was: "I am an old man now, and when I die and go to heaven there are two matters on which I hope for enlightenment. One is {{w|quantum electrodynamics}}, and the other is the turbulent motion of fluids. And about the former I am rather optimistic." He turned out to be correct as nowadays we have a much clearer understanding of QED, while our understanding of turbulence has improved little. {{w|Richard Feynman}}, who was himself largely responsible for explaining QED, famously {{w|Turbulence|described turbulence}} as "the most important unsolved problem of classical physics". So who knows if these formulas could describe a talking wave? A coin crowns the wave.<br />
|-<br />
|Ruins with Cueball singing of Spiders and Panama.<br />
|<br />
:Cueball singing:<br />
::Spider-man <br />
:::Spider-plan<br />
::Spider-canal<br />
:::Spider-Panama<br />
::Gates let in<br />
:::Spider boats<br />
::Flood the locks<br />
:::Spiders float<br />
::''Look out!''<br />
::Spiders in both oceans.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/0d/1608_1026x1073y_Ruins_with_Cueball_singing_of_Spiders_and_Panama.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1026:-1073+s.png (1026, 1073)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1027:-1073+s.png (1027, 1073)]<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|Comic: [[1632: Palindrome]] and the [[:Category:Spiders|Spiders category]]<br />
|<font color="red">Any explanation for the ruin?</font> The palindrome comic was released shortly after this and used a palindrome about the {{w|Panama canal}} which is the first four lines with ''Spider-'' changed with "A" the first three times and then with nothing before Panama as in ''"A Man, A Plan, A Canal: Panama''. The song is inspired by the {{w|Spider-Man (theme song)|Spider-Man theme song}} (see this [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUtziaZlDeE video]), but takes it in a rather different direction. Spiders have been a recurring theme and as the rest of the song tells that the spiders have now breached through the Panama canal using spider-boats and by flooding the gates (in the canal) so now there are spiders in both oceans. If they came from the {{w|Atlantic ocean}} to the {{w|Pacific ocean}} or the other way around is not clear, but there are now spiders on both sides of the {{w|Central America|Central American}} strip of land. If the line ''Spiders float'' refer to actually floating spiders or just because they float on their boat is unclear. But we are forewarned about these spreading spiders with a '''''Look out!''''' (another lyric from the Spider-Man theme song). This threat continues the theme of the [[:Category:Red Spiders|Red Spiders]] especially those from [[126: Red Spiders Cometh]].<br />
<br />
There is a coin inside the ruin beneath Cueball who sits on top of the ruin and both sings the song and plays the guitar. Megan just stands inside the ruin at ground level and listens. It is not difficult to get to the coin, but there is only entrance into the little coin room between the ledge under Cueball and the ceiling of the lower room. But it is possible to walk directly in their from the left. Maybe the ruin is in this state of affair because the spiders have crossed the ocean just to the left, the shore of this can be seen at the edge of the scene. But there is no indication of any spiders anywhere else in the comic, in spite of the many animals throughout the comic.<br />
|-<br />
|Ponytail flying.<br />
|<br />
:Ponytails arms: Flap Flap Flap Flap Flap Flap Flap<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/3b/1608_1029x1073y_Ponytail_flying.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1029:-1073+s.png (1029, 1073)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1030:-1073+s.png (1030, 1073)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|Ponytail manages to fly by just flapping her arms violently, a feat that is of course not possible. It keeps he above the coin on the ground, so the player can get to it first... In the Destroyer another Ponytail seems to be [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/76/1608_1053x1091y_Ponytail_flying_up_a_shaft_towards_a_coin.png flying straight up in a shaft] towards a coin this time without using her arms as wings. So her flying is a small theme in the game. (It is not close to being directly above the Ponytail on the ground as the Ponytail in the Destroyer is just past the pyramid on the ground).<br />
|-<br />
|Entire forest - zoom out.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/3a/1608_1032x1074y_Entire_forest_zoom_out.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
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|This is the largest collection of such tall trees, and if all smaller trees are counted probably also the largest collection of trees in general. In the left part of the world there is a scene with lots of trees, but they are all smaller than even the two medium-sized trees besides the five really large. the last tree to the right somehow belongs more to the wedding scene just right of it, but there are smaller trees all the way up to it, making it part of this forest. Drawing trees like this is often used in xkcd and in particularly also allot in ''click and drag''.<br />
|-<br />
|Left part of forest.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/56/1608_1032x1074y_Left_part_of_forest.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1032:-1074+s.png (1032, 1074)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1033:-1074+s.png (1033, 1074)]<br />
|<br />
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|The left part of the forest has the largest trees and also the two coins, one in the fork of the first big trees and another some way above the first substantial tree to the left. It is just high enough that it will be missed by just sliding along the ground, and even when jumping to get the other coin it will still not necessarily enter into the viewing frame, so it can be considered one of the slightly hidden coins in the game.<br />
|-<br />
|Right part of forest.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/37/1608_1034x1073y_Right_part_of_forest.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1034:-1073+s.png (1034, 1073)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1035:-1073+s.png (1035, 1073)]<br />
|<br />
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|The right part of the forest has the last two trees in the clump of four large ones, and then small to tiny trees continue the "forest" until the final tree, just beyond which the wedding takes place, and this tree also seems to be part of that scene.<br />
|-<br />
|Wedding and picnic.<br />
|<br />
:Priest: And if any here can give cause why these two should not be wed,<br />
:Priest: The Great Jabba the Hutt will now listen to your pleas.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/c9/1608_1038x1073y_Wedding_and_picnic.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1038:-1073+s.png (1038, 1073)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1040:-1074+s.png (1040, 1074)]<br />
|Y<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Megan, in a black wedding dress, and Cueball, with a tie, is married by a female priest in front of a crowd of five sitting in chairs in front of them. In the crowd there are yet another Cueball, Hairy and Ponytail, but the last two are not the familiar versions in xkcd: one has a cap on backwards and then a person (M/W?) with black. Just before a {{w|wedding}} it is sometimes customary to ask if any in the crowd could give a cause why these two people should not be wed. What is not customary is to threaten those who do have any objections that they would then have to plead these in front of the great gangster boss from Star Wars, {{w|Jabba the Hutt}}. In case he has condoned this wedding, you may end up pleading for him to kill you mercifully if you did object anyway. The normal form of the priest's question goes more [http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/marriage.pdf like this]: "If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now; or else for ever hold your peace." (See the top of page 4 of the pdf file in the link (page 424) and a discussion about this sentences use [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=635317 in real life]).<br />
<br />
Beyond the wedding, another Megan is sitting on a large boulder facing the wedding, and behind her a third Cueball is having a picnic with a second Ponytail. The question here is if Megan looks at the wedding or turns her back to the picnic. Depending if the player went right along the ground to begins with and saw the wedding first or went through the Destroyer and came back the other way and saw the picnic first the players preconceptions on this questions may be completely different. In either case it still looks like Megan would have liked to be with Cueball (either the one in the tie or the one at the picnic. Of course with characters drawn "randomly" in many places she may bot even belong to either scene. Standing on the rock with Megan hoverboard Cueball cannot see either of the scenes, but standing between Megan and either scene, she can be seen together with either of the relevant Cueball and another girl. In the first case with the wedding, she might have wished she had the courage to speak up in spite of the Jabba threat. In the other case she may feel rejected by the happy picnic couple and has turned her back to them. Poor Megan. Ponytail and Cueball seems to enjoy their picnic lunch in the open air though.<br />
|-<br />
|Cemetery.<br />
|<br />
:Megan: They're inscribed with our family motto, ”Cur ego committitur dictar latinae,” which means ”Why did I just start speaking Latin?”<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/7b/1608_1042x1074y_Cemetary.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1042:-1074+s.png (1042, 1074)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1043:-1074+s.png (1043, 1074)]<br />
|<br />
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|<font color="red">Someone with better Latin knowledge than using Google translate would be most welcome to chip in here</font> It is so common to have your motto translated in to the dead language {{w|Latin}} that there even is an entire category for {{w|Category:Latin mottos|Latin mottos}} on Wikipedia. Since no one really speaks the language anymore, and only few learn it well enough to just read any sentence, by doing so you actually hide this motto that you probably would like to tell people about. The only Latin that has entered popular usage are generally idioms, like {{w|Carpe diem}} (seize the day), etc. (et cetera, meaning "and the rest"). However, most of the time, like the one Megan is explaining to her friend, it would make much more sense to just write it in your native language (English in this case); but then of course there would be no need for a motto, where you ask yourself why you are speaking Latin. In this way, the joke is quite self-referential. There is also a cemetery in Click and Drag.<br />
<br />
The Latin in the motto is not correct, but close, and it could both be Randall's accidental errors or purposeful errors (as there are probably many "private" mottoes out there that are not completely correct. <br> The original sentence:<br />
<br />
'''Cur''' - why. <br>'''Ego''' - I.<br>'''Committitur''' - can be translated as "start", but is incorrectly conjugated; in view of the proper translation, a more acceptable word would be "commisi".<br>'''Dictar''' - likely a misspelling of "dictare", an acceptable translation of "to speak". <br>'''Latinae''' - Latin, but in the wrong case; a more correct translation would probably be "Latinam".<br>A possible translation of this sentence is therefore "Why did I start to speak Latin?". The word ''just'' is completely missing, and could have been included by using ''modo''. However, Megan could have added it to make it more "natural" in English. In this way, the family motto given here is a slightly misused satirical statement on Latin family mottoes.<br />
|-<br />
|Huge foot.<br />
|<br />
:Cueball: It says ”Yo, future dirtbags! Check out my huge foot!”<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d0/1608_1046x1074y_Huge_foot.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1046:-1074+s.png (1046, 1074)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1047:-1074+s.png (1047, 1074)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Y<br />
|<br />
|In ''How to count things'' in TE there is also a drawing of a huge foot, used to count mass, not length... The two Cueballs check out an inscription at the foot ([[559: No Pun Intended|pun intended]]) of a monument. Typically old relics from the past has been demolished, and if only part of a human body is displayed (at least when it is not just a {{w|Bust (sculpture)|bust}} supposed to only have head and shoulders), then it is often assumed that the rest of the statue has been lost. Just like the missing arms of the ancient Greek statue {{w|Venus de Milo}}. These arms was there originally. But as it turns out as Cueball reads the transcription someone in the past just wished to show the future his huge foot. Suggesting that this is either actual size, or just that he was very proud of at least one of his feet. He also mock anyone reading the inscription by calling them the derogating word [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=dirtbag dirtbags]. This is a recent word so if this was an ancient monument it would be highly unlikely that it said that. Of course it could be Cueballs translation of what is actually written, or as this is not necessarily old, it is not just part of the original monument but the entire unbroken statue of a foot, then it could be a contemporary artist who made it. However it is just in front of the pyramid to the right, and in front of the real pyramid {{w|Pyramid of Khafre}} the {{w|Great Sphinx of Giza}}, also much larger than life size lies. (It has lost it's nose by the way). So this could be the games version of such a large statue in front of a pyramid.<br />
<br />
As from the scene to the left of this giant foot, the inscription that Cueball reads is probably in Latin, in which case it could have read something along the lines of: ''Io, de futuro sacculo terra! Reprehendo sicco meus ingens radices!'' (which could be translated back to ''Io, for the future of the bag, earth Check out my huge foot!'', since there was no words for ''Yo dirtbags'' in Latin.<br />
<br />
This is likely to be a reference to Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem ''{{w|Ozymandias}}'', which starts:<br />
I met a traveller from an antique land,<br />
Who said: "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone<br />
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,<br />
[..."]<br />
|-<br />
|Entire Pyramid.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/1d/1608_1050x1075y_Pyramid_Entire_zoom_out.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/bf/1608_Entire_Cave_With_entire_pyramid_for_scale.png Size scale of Destroyer]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|A smooth pyramid with Ponytail in front of the left side and a coin at the tip. It is large but not compared to the Destroyer above it. To illustrate the other image shows that the pyramid could comfortably be placed inside the cave in the Destroyer. There is also a pyramid in Click and Drag.<br />
|-<br />
|Pyramid protip.<br />
|<br />
:Ponytail: Protip:<br />
:Ponytail: Don't stop climbing just because you reach the top.<br />
:Ponytail: ☑ Show tips on startup<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/50/1608_1048x1074y_Pyramid_protip.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1048:-1074+s.png (1048, 1074)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Comics: [[:Category:Protip|Protip category]]<br />
|Ponytail greets the player as (if) they approach the pyramid from the left. She points up the side of the pyramid and gives a protip (a feature often used in xkcd). The tip is yet another indication that the Destroyer is above (the tip) of the pyramid. She tells the player to keep "climbing" after the top (that is not usually possible, but the hoverboard can keep on flying). By doing so the player may reach up to the entrance leading into the spiral corridor (although it will be difficult to keep the same incline as the pyramid on the way up). Ponytails last remark about showing tips on startup makes her sound like she is some kind of program, that can give you interesting hints and tips every time you start the program. If you do not wish this, you can just leave the [http://help.formulatrix.com/rock-maker/3.4/Content/Resources/Images/RM%203.0.3/StartUp%20Tips.png check box unchecked]. This is the last scene with spoken words (or other text) along the right ground, although it is only halfway from the play area to the right end of this world.<br />
|-<br />
|Pyramid tip.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/f6/1608_1050x1076y_Pyramid_tip.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1051:-1076+s.png (1051, 1076)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|At the very tip of the pyramid there is a coin. This is the highest point in the right part of the world, that is directly connected with the ground through a fixed structure (i.e. not a wire). In most of the left part of the world even the ground level is higher, and the Washington Monument is much taller. The next coins is five scenes longer to the right as nothing much happens on the remaining stretch along the ground towards the end of the right part of the world from here.<br />
|-<br />
|Pyramid Right bottom.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/c5/1608_1053x1074y_Pyramid_Right_bottom.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1053:-1074+s.png (1053, 1074)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|As opposed to the left side of the pyramid with a protip, there is nothing on the right side of the pyramid, even the ground is completely featureless, and actually continuous to be so for a while as can be seen in the next two scenes. It is the longest stretch along the ground with no features of interest and also almost completely flat ground. Even the third scene from here is still without characters although there at least is some ground features. For certain the entertainment of the right side is up above in the Destroyer.<br />
|-<br />
|Flat and bare ground.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/19/1608_1056x1074y_Flat_and_bare_ground.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1056:-1074+s.png (1056, 1074)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1057:-1074+s.png (1057, 1074)]<br />
|<br />
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|The first of several "boring" scenes without much feature. This though, even without much plant life probably takes the prize as thee most featureless scene in the game. <br />
|-<br />
|Flat grassy ground.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d2/1608_1059x1074y_Flat_grassy_ground.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1059:-1074+s.png (1059, 1074)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1060:-1074+s.png (1060, 1074)]<br />
|<br />
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|The second in a row of several "boring" scenes without much feature. This though have a little more grass than the previous scene...<br />
|-<br />
|Small cliff or hill.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/9/99/1608_1063x1075y_Small_cliff_or_hill.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1063:-1075+s.png (1063, 1075)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1062:-1074+s.png (1062, 1074)]<br />
|<br />
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|Almost as boring as the previous two scenes, but at least there is a little cliff. <br />
|-<br />
|The three T's.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/15/1608_1066x1075y_The_three_Ts.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1066:-1075+s.png (1066, 1075)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1067:-1075+s.png (1067, 1075)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Computer games<br />
|<font color="red">Could there be another explanation than computer games, or at least another game that comes even closer in appearance?</font> These three T's with Megan on top of the first, looks similar to scenes from many {{w|Platform game|platform computer games}}, like for instance [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PlatformGame this example] from {{w|Mario Bros.}}.<br />
|-<br />
|Coin over grass hole.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/71/1608_1071x1074y_Coin_over_grass_hole.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/b6/1608_1071x1074y_Coin_over_grass_hole_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1071:-1074+s.png (1071, 1074)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1072:-1074+s.png (1072, 1074)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|The fourth "boring" scene in a row at least have a coin. The grass is rather tall in this location and there are also two small hills to the left, and behind the coin another small bump to the right. The coin is located over a small hole that is filled with grass, so when the player takes the coin hoverboard Cueball will [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/58/Grasshole_under_coin.PNG sink to his waist].<br />
|-<br />
|Ponytail and bird black hat on a stick and Cueball whistling.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/bc/1608_1073x1074y_Ponytail_and_bird_black_hat_on_a_stick_and_Cueball_whistling.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1073:-1074+s.png (1073, 1074)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1074:-1074+s.png (1074, 1074)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Ponytail is walking towards a small cliff with a flying bird following behind her. She approaches a black hat on a stick, looking like Black Hats hat. He usually never leaves without it, so it seems a little strange to find i hanging there. It is actually quite hard to find any Black Hat's in the comic, but above in the Destroyer, just slightly to the left of this hat the only instance of Black Hat in the game sits and snores in the Cave. So he is not only represented by this hat. A kid looking like Cueball stand to the right below the cliff. He seems to be either singing or whistling.<br />
|-<br />
|Small stone pile.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/04/1608_1078x1074y_Small_stone_pile.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1078:-1074+s.png (1078, 1074)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|After a small step down in the terrain height the only feature of this fifth boring scene is a small stone pile that seems to be made of 5-6 small stones with different size not ordered after size, so it looks like it could easily fall over. The pile is solid, so the player need to jump to get past it and hoverboard Cueball can stand on top of it.<br />
|-<br />
|Two birds and coin above them.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/33/1608_1081x1074y_Two_birds_and_coin_above_them.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1081:-1074+s.png (1081, 1074)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Once again two birds are seen together, this time they are not (as over the gas station to the left) tied together with string. But also here there is a coin, and just like there it is hidden. Not so much as over the gas station, as here the birds can be seen from the ground, but the coin can only be seen by jumping once. Walking along the ground would let the birds enter into the view but not the coin right above them.<br />
|-<br />
|Pedestal.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/bf/1608_1086x1074y_Pedestal.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1086:-1074+s.png (1086, 1074)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Once again a very boring scene (6th) but at least there is a small pedestal to the right. In it self not very interesting, but if the player drops straight down out of the rear entry of the Destroyer above, hoverboard Cueball will land on this pedestal.<br />
|-<br />
|Medusa and floating earth.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e5/1608_1088x1074y_Medusa_and_floating_earth.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1088:-1074+s.png (1088, 1074)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1090:-1075+s.png (1090, 1075)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|The first character in four scenes is no one else but {{w|Medusa}} coming towards the player (if going right) arms outstretched and what appears to ne about 10 snakes jutting out of her head which Medusa is known for. The snakes are venomous and people who gaze upon her face would be turned to stone. So not so nice to come by and it for sure relates to the coming end of the world, at least of this worlds right end.<br />
<br />
The floating earth to the right may be of similar origin as the floating rock island above the Washington Monument, maybe the same forces are at work. Seems like it has just been torn up from the hoke in the ground below it, like it is now floating up. If the player drops straight down from the very end of the Destroyer up above, hoverboard Cueball will land on this floating earth. Anything right of the start of the hole is no longer under the Destroyer, which anything else right of the play area until this hole has been. Could be the Destroyer's influence that creates this hole? (But not just because it passes over, because then the earth should be floating up all the way behind it).<br />
|-<br />
|White Hat hiding in the grass.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d9/1608_1093x1074y_White_Hat_hiding_in_the_grass.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1093:-1074+s.png (1093, 1074)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Another flat scenery but at least White Hat is hiding in the grass to the right, only his head showing above the high grass, so her must be either sitting or even lying down propped up on his arms. This is one of only two scenes with White Hat throughout the game.<br />
|-<br />
|Lollipop plant and coin.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/09/1608_1095x1075y_Lollipop_plant_and_coin.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1095:-1075+s.png (1095, 1075)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1094:-1074+s.png (1094, 1074)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|The seventh boring scene is lit up by a coin that hangs in the air slightly before the only feature of the scene, which appears to be a plant, with a strange lollipop shape.<br />
|-<br />
|Drifting Cueball.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/9/9d/1608_1098x1074y_Drifting_Cueball.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1098:-1074+s.png (1098, 1074)]<br />
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|Another completely flat grassy landscape but with a strangely elongated Cueball drifting in the wind. Characters flying is depicted in two scenes where Ponytail flies, but she does this of her own will. Here is seems like Cueball is just drifting with the wind towards the end of the world, which is only two scenes away, and he is the last character along the ground towards the end. This is in some way reminiscent of Click and Drag, where the Cueball floating with the balloon to begin with, can also be seen at the very right end of the world. But then again here it more seems like Cueball doesn't have a choice, and he also seems to be out of shape. The shape he is in, and the relation to the end of the world could be a (loose) reference to the sixth and seventh day in [[1245: 10-Day Forecast]].<br />
|-<br />
|Just grass.<br />
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:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/30/1608_1103x1074y_Just_grass.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1103:-1074+s.png (1103, 1074)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1104:-1074+s.png (1104, 1074)]<br />
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|The eight boring scene since the pyramid, with a rolling hill of grass, but only the 2nd most boring, as the most boring scene was the first scene after the pyramid because that one did not even have grass. <br />
|-<br />
|Storks nest at right end of the world with 10 coins.<br />
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:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/ce/1608_1107x1075y_Storks_nest_at_right_end_of_the_world_with_10_coins.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1107:-1075+s.png (1107, 1075)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1107:-1074+s.png (1107, 1074)]<br />
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|This is the right end of the world, marked by a high pole raising up from a foundation, and on the top of the pole there is a large {{w|White stork|stork}} nest with three eggs in it. Maybe it is not a stork nest (though it looks like a {{w|White_stork#Conservation|man-made nest platform}} for storks), but an eagle nest, though they do not usually use mad made structures for their nest as do storks. But if it was an eagles nest, it could be for those two that are flying over the right tip of the volcano crater in the far of left part of the world.<br />
<br />
With ten coins on top of the three eggs in the nest this is the place with the highest coin density in the game, but not most coins over a single image tile as that price goes to the starting tile with 11 coins. There are also 17 coins in the play area scene, but they are not as closely gathered as here, where all 10 coins are almost as close together as possible, and all of them in the same [http://xkcd.com/1608/1107:-1076+s.png completely white image tile] right above the tile with the nest and eggs.<br />
|-<br />
|'''Entire Rebel Blockade Runner'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/8/82/1608_1015x1078y_Entire_Rebel_Blockade_Runner_zoom_out.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/fd/1608_1015x1078y_Entire_Rebbel_Blockade_Runner_and_wires_zoom_out.png Also with wires]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/04/1608_1015x1078y_Entire_Rebbel_Blockade_Runner_zoom_out_to_torpedoes_and_ground.png Also with torpedoes]<br />
|Overview<br />
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|Y<br />
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|An overview of the entire Rebel Blockade Runner ''{{w|Tantive IV}}'' from the opening scene of the original Star Wars movie. It has four rooms (one blown open), a small cannon room that cannot be entered by the hoverboard and two corridors. The rear is the large engines. There are three coins. There is a clear symmetry along the center, as the two cannons and the two parabolic antennas are placed symmetrical on the top and bottom hull, and also the curves of the hull is symmetric. In the second image link the way to find the runner from the ground via the wires can be seen (six coins). And in the third the way to find the Destroyer above via the torpedoes can be seen (14 coins). The Destroyer is thus not hidden, like for instance the Floating Rock Island or the Hidden Lair beneath the lava lake, and there are many less direct indications that there is a runner from all the people who comment on them or even directly or indirectly point the way to the Destroyer. The Runner is supposed to be 150 m long.<br />
|-<br />
|Bridge on the Rebel Blockade Runner.<br />
|<br />
:First scene:<br />
:Long haired woman: Captain's log, stardate November 24th, 2015...<br />
:Hairbun: ''Augh!'' No!<br />
:Second scene:<br />
:Megan: Good against remotes is one thing, but a ''true'' Jedi trains with a T-shirt cannon.<br />
:Box: Shirts<br />
:Third scene:<br />
:Box: Bullets<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/bc/1608_1012x1078y_Bridge_on_the_Rebel_Blockade_Runner.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1012:-1078+s.png (1012, 1078)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1013:-1078+s.png (1013, 1078)]<br />
|Y<br />
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|Y<br />
|Film: The {{w|Star Trek}} universe<br />
|The bridge of the Rebel Blockade Runner is crammed with interesting scenes. First on the bridge itself a long haired woman (the captain) is mocking both Star Wars and Star Trek fans alike by using the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcRX0Gw1aaw opening line] from the Star Trek series about stating the {{w|stardate}} for the captains log on board the first space ship ever shown in the Star Wars franchise. Hairbun behind her (it could be {{w|Princess Leia}} who also has buns but above each ear) is clearly distressed by this ”mistake”. This could either be because she is a Star Wars fan that dislike Star Trek or because the stardate used is the real date, November 24, 2015, on which the comic was released (as well as the book ''Thing Explainer'') instead of using the normal convention for stardates with a four or five digit number plus a decimal like 1513.1. Given that the long haired woman has the appearance of [[Danish]], this may be intentionally rather than a mistake. There is another reference to the Star Trek universe in the scene where the torpedoes are fired from the Destroyer above, so no less than two Trek infiltrations in the opening scene of Star Wars.<br />
<br />
Beneath the bridge there is a smaller room where Ponytail and Megan spoofs [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X69NCLxwLEY Luke's Lightsaber Training] from the original Star Wars movie where {{w|Luke Skywalker}} practices under {{w|Ben Kenobi}}'s guidance while {{w|Han Solo}} comes with snide remarks. Ponytail (in Luke's place) holds a {{w|lightsaber}} above which floats a sphere which represents the small remote controlled {{w|Jedi}} training device from that scene. Megan both guides like Ben and comments like Han. She holds some kind of cannon that she obviously loads with T-shirts from the box behind her. As she tells Ponytail, a true Jedi trains with a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgCz7C6jEIk t-shirt cannon]. Han Solo's quote begins like it but ends quite differently: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOuCbDkKIs4 Good against remotes is one thing good against the living it's something else]. He would also prefer a {{w|Blaster (Star Wars)|blaster}} as he explains: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V268Qk6-xsw Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side kid]. There is a coin behind Ponytail.<br />
<br />
Above the bridge there is a hatch open where hoverboard Cueball may enter and a Cueball is standing behind the hatch looking down along the hull.<br />
<br />
There are cannons both above and below the hull, the one on top has a coin in front of the barrel. There is a similar cannon with a coin in front on top of the Destroyer. Beneath this cannon is a tiny room where another Cueball is pouring several small bullets from a bucket into a black box labeled bullets (for the cannon). From this room there is a small shaft down to the main corridor in the Runner. But this shaft is too slim for hoverboard Cueball to pass up through it, or rather for the board to get in. Cueball can pass into the hole but the board holds him back from reaching up in the small room. The cannon below has two of the anchors from the wires going to the ground attached around its barrel. The third anchor is stuck in the bottom hull further down the hull. It is unclear how this last has become attached to the hull!<br />
<br />
In the corridor that runs away from the bridge a small robot on wheels drive towards left. Similar types of robots are often seen in the Star Wars universe and there is also [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/5f/1608_1034x1091y_Torpedo_canon_below_Destroyer.png another robot] looking like two of these on top of each other in the Destroyer above where the torpedoes connecting them ends up. Further down the corridor Ponytail is walking to the right while singing indicated with two notes.<br />
<br />
Above the cannon at the bottom of the hull on a ledge with an entry to the ship is a third Cueball holding a fishing rod out over the ledge so the hook hangs in the air. Maybe he is fishing for either of the two birds that are flying around the line. What appears to be a loaf of bread or [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/58/1608_1014x1078y_Three_wires_and_reaching_up_to_anchors_in_Runner.png a cracker is attached to the hook] at the end of the line. A similar scene is also found in TE in ''Sky Toucher''.<br />
|-<br />
|Death Star Plans in the Rebel Blockade Runner.<br />
|<br />
:First scene:<br />
:First Cueball: The Death Star plans are ''not'' in the main computer.<br />
:Second Cueball: Darn.<br />
:Second Cueball: See, if we had found them in the main computer, that would be good news, since it would mean no one else had them.<br />
:Second Cueball: But since we didn’t find them, we need to keep searching for anyone with a copy.<br />
:Second Cueball: That all makes sense and I ''definitely'' understand how computers work.<br />
:Second scene:<br />
:Third Cueball: So you just came down and made a hole in our ship without permission?<br />
:Fourth Cueball: Yup<br />
:Third Cueball: Wow, Rude.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/fa/1608_1017x1078y_Death_Star_Plans_in_the_Rebel_Blockade_Runner.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1017:-1078+s.png (1017, 1078)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1016:-1079+s.png (1016, 1079)]<br />
|Y<br />
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|<font color="red">Further explanation needed by someone with more computer skill than Second Cueball and me who wrote the current version... Also is there some reference to someone saying something like that to an attack, rather than the one with C3PO </font>The reference to the Death Star plans are from [https://youtu.be/yHfLyMAHrQE?t=340 the opening scene] in the first Star Wars movie. The sentence uttered by First Cueball is said by a Storm Trooper to Darth Vader. The [http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0076759/quotes?qt=qt0440708 rest of the quote] is not quite like in the comic. Rather is goes like this:<br />
:Darth Vader: [addressing the Tantive IV's captain, whom he is interrogating] Where are those transmissions you intercepted? WHAT have you DONE with those plans?<br />
:Captain Antilles: We intercepted no transmissions... This is a consular ship... We're on a diplomatic mission...<br />
:Darth Vader: [shouting] If this is a consular ship, WHERE is the ambassador?<br />
:Darth Vader: Commander, tear this ship apart until you find those plans! And bring me all passengers, I want them ALIVE! <br />
The comic jokes with the way Darth Vader seems to assume that if the plans had been found on the computer, then no one else would have had access to them. The second Cueball, although not Vader, represents a superior that have absolutely no idea about how computers work, in spite of his insistence that he actually do. If the data has once been intercepted they could have been shared or copied to several other computers or devices or even been printed. By finding them in the main computer they would only make sure that they were indeed intercepted, but not be certain that they have not been delivered to the rebel base.<br />
<br />
The other two Cueballs on top of the ship stand over a hole in the hull going into a small room above and left of the large room. It seems that the fourth Cueball has made this hole directly from the outside (i.e. it is not caused by an exploding torpedo from the Destroyer above). Because he confirms when the third Cueball asks if he just came down to make the hole without permission. The third Cueball thinks this is rude. This is, of course, hilarious as if a space pirate or any other attacker of a space ship would ask permission before attacking. And also the idea that he might get permission for asking is likewise crazy. To call this rude is also a weird way to look at such an attack. {{w|C3PO}} uses [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWoG9tKf1lA this as reply] to a comment made to him by a similar droid in the second movie.<br />
|-<br />
|Top rear end of the Rebel Blockade Runner.<br />
|<br />
:First scene:<br />
:First Cueball: That thing is ''huge. Imperial''-class?<br />
:Second Cueball: Yeah. Maybe a MK-1. Depends on whether this is the expanded universe or not.<br />
:Second scene:<br />
:Third Cueball's bow: Twang<br />
:Torpedo: Boom<br />
:Third scene:<br />
:Fourth Cueball: Why are they still firing?<br />
:Fifth Cueball: Oh, the turret operators pretty much do their own thing.<br />
:Fifth Cueball: It's definitely a pain sometimes.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/f1/1608_1018x1079y_Top_rear_end_of_the_Rebel_Blockade_Runner.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1018:-1079+s.png (1018, 1079)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1019:-1080+s.png (1019, 1080)]<br />
|Y<br />
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|In this overview of the top rear of the hull of the Runner, there are four scenes with two persons in each, with no less than six Cueballs. Beginning with the scene to the far left the two first Cueballs discuss what type of Star Destroyer is shooting at their ship from above them. They are clearly tilting their head far back to look up. The first Cueball comments on how huge it is and asks if it is an {{w|Star_Destroyer#Imperial_class|''Imperial'' class}} Destroyer. "''Imperial'' class" is the designation of the Destroyer ''[http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Devastator Devastator]'' that followed the Rebel Runner ''Tantive IV'' in the opening scene. There is also an more than 10 times as large version called a {{w|Star_Destroyer#Super_Star_Destroyer|Super Star Destroyer}}, which were featured in the two sequels in the original trilogy. But even the original Star Destroyers were improved during the movies, so when the improved Destroyers came out they became known as ([http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Imperial_II-class_Star_Destroyer Mark II], Mk-II or plainly II, and the original (as Devastator) became known as [http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Imperial_I-class_Star_Destroyer Mk-1]. The second Cueball agrees with the first and suggest that it is an Mk-1 and thus makes it even more clear that this scene is actually the opening scene of the original Star Wars movie. But then again, he continues, it depends weather this is the {{w|Star Wars expanded universe|expanded universe}} (now known as ''Star Wars Legends'') where all authorized media (books etc.) released based on the Star Wars franchise should be counted in, or if it is only the movies sanctioned directly by George Lucas (and now Disney). What he says is that in all those work there could be so many other types os ships mentioned, that he could mistake for an Mk-1, that in that universe he would not be certain at all. But in the "official" universe he would claim that it was an Mk-1 ''Imperial'' class Star Destroyer.<br />
<br />
In the next scene Ponytail and a third Cueball fights a ridicules fight with bows and arrows against the Destroyers 100+ torpedoes raining down from above. Ten of these can be seen falling, one hits the ship and one has just exploded in a big ''boom'', to be compared with the feeble ''twang'' made by Cueballs bow when he fires the arrow. When later discovering how far there is up to the bottom of the Destroyer it only becomes even more silly.<br />
<br />
In the third scene two more Cueballs (four and five) look up at the torpedoes falling down in an arch over their heads. The fourth Cueball asks why they still keep firing. And the fifth Cueball tries to explain. A {{w|Gun turret|turret}} is generally a weapon mount that houses the crew and a projectile-firing weapon and lets the weapon be aimed and fired in a given cone of fire. So it is this crew, that are the turret operators. There is also such [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/bc/1608_1012x1078y_Bridge_on_the_Rebel_Blockade_Runner.png an operator] on the Rebel Runner below the top cannon (or turret), in the scene with the bridge. The reason they keep fighting is given that they just do their own thing and that is annoying. This indicates that these two Cueballs do no longer think that the Destroyer needs to fire anymore on the Runner, and thus also indicates that they are part of the crew from the Destroyer send down to take over the Runner. Thus it is annoying that the shooting has not stopped as it puts them in danger. If they belong to the Runner then they would not think it weird that the shooting continued. It turns out to be Megan who is the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/5f/1608_1034x1091y_Torpedo_canon_below_Destroyer.png turret operator in the Destroyer]! At least they can be happy that it is regular torpedoes. (See the explanation of the scene regarding the Torpedo cannon below Destroyer).<br />
<br />
In the final scene at the very end of the hull is the sixth Cueball together with Megan. She holds on to him as he tries to toasts a giant marshmallow on a stick by holding it in front of the exhaust pipe of the Runner. This would must likely melt the marshmallow instantaneously... In ''Red world space car'' in TE the Mars rower also toasts a marshmallow on a stick over a small fire.<br />
|-<br />
|Bottom rear end of the Rebel Blockade Runner.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/5b/1608_1020x1078y_Bottom_rear_end_of_the_Rebel_Blockade_Runner.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1020:-1078+s.png (1020, 1078)]<br />
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|The rear end of the Rebel Runner with the last part of the big Death Star plan room to visible to the left. Three engines are visible, with the top one being cut of (Cueball is roasting a marshmallow above the cut off - see previous scene). This is consistent with the three rows of engines as [http://cdn-static.denofgeek.com/sites/denofgeek/files/styles/insert_main_wide_image/public/2016/04/tantive_iv_over_tatooine.png?itok=1k3g3pFH can be seen in the film], with four engines in top and bottom row and three in the middle. There is a coin behind the lowest of the engines. There appear to be {{w|truck nuts}} attached to the rear of the ship beneath the hull. These are plastic or metal accessories, typically for cars, which resemble a pair of dangling testicles/balls. They are attached under the rear bumper of the vehicle so they are visible from behind as a practical joke. Some find it is in so bad a taste that it should be banned or fined.<br />
|-<br />
|'''Entire torpedoes rain from Runner to Destroyer.'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/8/87/1608_1023x1085y_Entire_torpedoes_rain_from_Runner_to_Destroyer.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
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|An overview of the entire rain of torpedoes fired down from the Star Destroyer to the Runner. There are 100 undamaged torpedoes in the air, two that are hitting each other exploding, one that has just made contact with the hull and one that has just exploded on the hull of the Runner. A total of 104 torpedoes has thus been fired at this moment in time. The rain is not so much there for jokes but to guide the player up to the Destroyer. Only real interesting scene on the way up is Beret Guy riding a torpedo, and apart from that and the two torpedoes hitting each other and exploding, there is nothing else to see. But there are two coins to collect.<br />
|-<br />
|Torpedoes just above Runner with coin.<br />
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:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a7/1608_1019x1081y_Torpedoes_just_above_Runner_with_coin.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1019:-1081+s.png (1019, 1081)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1020:-1081+s.png (1020, 1081)]<br />
|<br />
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|11 torpedoes just above the Runner with a coin.<br />
|-<br />
|Torpedoes two steps above Runner with Beret Guy.<br />
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:Beret Guy: Horsey!<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/21/1608_1020x1083y_Torpedoes_two_steps_above_Runner_with_Beret_Guy.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1020:-1083+s.png (1020, 1083)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1021:-1083+s.png (1021, 1083)]<br />
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|Film: {{w|Dr. Strangelove}}<br />
|Beret Guys only second appearance in this comic. He is flying down from the Destroyer sitting astray a torpedo riding it like it was a horse. In the film Dr. Stangelove a man is also flying down like this riding a bomb like it is a horse (a nuclear bomb in that case though). Beret Guy will likely survive due to his [[:Category:Strange powers of Beret Guy|strange powers]]. With his torpedo there are eight torpedoes in this scene<br />
|-<br />
|Torpedoes three steps above Runner.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a7/1608_1023x1085y_Torpedoes_three_steps_above_Runner.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1023:-1086+s.png (1023, 1086)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1024:-1086+s.png (1024, 1086)]<br />
|<br />
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|21 torpedoes are shown. This image is so large that it goes outside the "active" images, and thus the lower right part is in gray. In the game this part will be displayed as white, but there is no image below to save (but many all white images are active though!)<br />
|-<br />
|Torpedoes two steps below Destroyer with exploding torpedoes.<br />
|<br />
:Torpedoes: Boom<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a8/1608_1025x1087y_Torpedoes_two_steps_below_Destroyer_with_exploding_torpedoes.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1025:-1087+s.png (1025, 1087)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1026:-1087+s.png (1026, 1087)]<br />
|<br />
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|21 torpedoes are shown, but two of them are hitting each other exploding. Where you can stand on the torpedoes, you can not stand on the "boom", but still on the black part of the exploding torpedoes. If the two exploding torpedoes are the same and if they have no means of self-propelling, then they should not hit each other under normal conditions. Only if a wind gust slowed down the one and not the other (which could of course be the case.) But else they would follow the same parabolic path from cannon to target without getting closer.<br />
|-<br />
|Torpedoes one step below Destroyer with coin.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/2b/1608_1029x1089y_Torpedoes_one_step_below_Destroyer_with_coin.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1029:-1089+s.png (1029, 1089)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1031:-1090+s.png (1031, 1090)]<br />
|<br />
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|19 torpedoes just below the Destroyer with a coin.<br />
|-<br />
|Torpedo cannon below Destroyer.<br />
|<br />
:Megan: We have no photon torpedoes, so I'm firing regular ones<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/5f/1608_1034x1091y_Torpedo_canon_below_Destroyer.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1034:-1091+s.png (1034, 1091)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1033:-1091+s.png (1033, 1091)]<br />
|Y<br />
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|Film: The {{w|Star Trek}} universe<br />
|The 12 last torpedoes leads up to the cannon below the Destroyer that has fired them all towards the runner far below. In the control room (or turret room see explanation of scene where the torpedoes hits the Runner) is Megan and Cueball. She explains that she used regular torpedoes rather than the much more powerful {{w|Weapons_in_Star_Trek#Projectile_weapons|'''photon''' torpedoes}}. This may cheat some to think this is a reference to the weapon Luke Skywalker used when destroying the Death Star in the original Star Wars movie. But they were called {{w|List_of_Star_Wars_weapons#Ship-mounted|'''proton''' torpedoes}}. Photon torpedoes are a standard ship-based weapon armed with an {{w|antimatter}} warhead and one of those alone would probably take a ship like the Runner out if it was not shielded... However, they are used by the {{w|Starship Enterprise}} in the Star Trek universe. So this is the second (but more subtle) mixing of the two competing franchises connected with the torpedoes in the opening scene of Star Wars. The first being on the bridge of the Runner below. Above the control room there is a shaft up to a corridor in which a small robot of the types typically seen on spaceships in Star Wars is seen. There is a [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/bc/1608_1012x1078y_Bridge_on_the_Rebel_Blockade_Runner.png similar robot] down in the Runner but only half this ones height.<br />
|-<br />
|'''Entire Star Destroyer.'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/cd/1608_Entire_Star_Destroyer.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
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|Y<br />
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|This is the only reference to Star Wars just because of the Destroyer. Anything inside the spaceship will only be listed as SW reference if there is something in relation to SW, or at least to part of the ship itself (like using special outcrops on the ship for a special room, like the Globe of Death at the top of the bridge).<br />
|-<br />
|'''Entire front end.'''<br />
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:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e1/1608_Entire_front_end.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/22/1608_Entire_front_end_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|Overview<br />
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|This overview is shown to illustrate how far apart the rooms are even in the very front end of the Destroyer where it is slimmest. The image with hidden passages shows how deep the swimming pool is and that the hoverboard can also sink into the playpen pit. Moving just a little further right than this overview, and the Destroyer becomes wider than the zoom scale for these overviews.<br />
|-<br />
|Overview of the very tip of the front end.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/9/92/1608_Zoom_out_of_the_very_front_end.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
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|The front has both a mouth a nose and an eye with a pupil. It has just eaten a coin and can smell the one above its nose. See more on this interpretation under the ''Colon like structure'' below.<br />
|-<br />
|Very front with Cueball looking out at bottom of hull.<br />
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:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/60/1608_1002x1094y_Very_front_with_Cueball_looking_out_at_bottom_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1002:-1094+s.png (1002, 1094)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1003:-1094+s.png (1003, 1094)]<br />
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|The closest entrance to the Destroyer from the starting point is guarded by Cueball. Going straight up from the right wall in the play area will take the hoverboard straight up in front of Cueball. There is a coin behind him where this first corridor turns up into a shaft.<br />
|-<br />
|Very front with playpen balls pit at top of hull.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a7/1608_1004x1095y_Very_front_with_playpen_balls_pit_at_top_of_hull.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/35/1608_1004x1095y_Very_front_with_playpen_balls_pit_at_top_of_hull_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1004:-1095+s.png (1004, 1095)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1005:-1095+s.png (1005, 1095)]<br />
|<br />
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|[[150: Grownups]] and the [[:Category:Playpen balls|Playpen balls Category]].<br />
|The top part of the front of the Star Destroyer also has an entrance as does the bottom section (see above). There is a coin above the hull. This first corridor leads to a playpen pit filled with playpen balls, which is a recurring subject in xkcd. Cueball and Megan is adult sized (i.e. as big as hoverboard Cueball) and it is thus a clear reference to Grownups. There could be water down below the balls as a fish is seen jumping out over the surface. But given that there are no splashes from the balls Cueball throws in the air, it could also just be a gimmick by Randall. To have something like this in a Star Destroyer kind of ruins the mood surrounding these war machines. Something seen several times throughout the space ship.<br />
|-<br />
|Piñata and Cueball with lightsaber at top of hull.<br />
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:Cueball: No, I got this.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/20/1608_1006x1095y_Pinata_and_Cueball_with_lightsaber_at_top_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1006:-1095+s.png (1006, 1095)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1007:-1095+s.png (1007, 1095)]<br />
|Y<br />
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|Comic: [[1620: Christmas Settings]]<br />
|Although the original {{w|piñata}} was star shaped it is now common to use different shapes like the horse or donkey displayed in the comic. Children usually hits the piñata with a club until it breaks and falls down revealing candy or toys inside. The two Cueballs, Megan and Hairy are adults though as big as hoverboard Cueball, just like in the playpen pit. It is though not uncommon for adults to participate in hitting down a piñata. But to do it with a {{w|lightsaber}} would defeat the purpose of this game as it will go right through the piñata on contact thus spilling the contest out on the floor in the first go. The Cueball with the lightsaber can thus confidently say that he got this. But it seems like the other Cueball is trying to stop him and that Hairy, holding the club they were intended to use, puts a hand protectively on Megan. A lightsaber would be a very dangerous weapon, and should not be used lightly in a playful setting. As a side note any candy/toy in the path of the ligtsaber as it passes through the piñata will melt/burn immediately. Lightsaber noises are mentioned in the title text of the Christmas Settings comic coming out shortly after this one.<br />
|-<br />
|Shaft and corridor at bottom of hull.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/eb/1608_1007x1094y_Shaft_and_corridor_at_bottom_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1007:-1094+s.png (1007, 1094)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1008:-1094+s.png (1008, 1094)]<br />
|<br />
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|Lots of sections inside the Destroyer consist of long corridors with shafts going up and down here and there, but with no interesting features or objects. This is the first example of such a corridor, near the bottom hull of the Destroyer, showing that it is not a featureless outer hull. Apart from the ever increasing width of the Destroyer there are some steps up and down, to indicate some of the features seen in the Star Wars movie.<br />
|-<br />
|Swimming pool with Ponytail jumping at bottom of hull.<br />
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:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/ba/1608_1010x1094y_Swimming_pool_with_Ponytail_jumping_at_bottom_of_hull.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e6/1608_1010x1094y_Swimming_pool_with_Ponytail_jumping_at_bottom_of_hull_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1010:-1094+s.png (1010, 1094)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1011:-1094+s.png (1011, 1094)]<br />
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|Another enjoyable activity to attend to by adults is located here in the front sections of the Destroyer: A swimming pool. Don't worry about Ponytail jumping head first into the water, as can be seen in the hidden passage image it is rather deep. Cueball and Megan is already in. Supposedly there is a rung ladder up again on the side, but it cannot be seen in this slice through the Destroyer. A coin hangs in the top corner of the room. When standing with the hoverboard on the bottom of the pool it will be possible to see that there is a coin on the outside of the hull in the indentation in the hull below the pool. From the outside, however, it will not be possible to see that there is a pool above as the water is the same black (to the eye) as the solid hull.<br />
|-<br />
|Shaft and corridor with three coins at top of hull.<br />
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:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/ba/1608_1011x1096y_Shaft_and_corridor_with_three_coins_at_top_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1011:-1096+s.png (1011, 1096)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1009:-1095+s.png (1009, 1095)]<br />
|<br />
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|After leaving the piñata room going down the corridor there are two coins. One under the shaft going up and one further down the corridor. Going up the shaft there is also a coin on the outside of the top hull at the top of another of the small step where the hulls width increases faster than the steady slope that are always there. This coin is almost on top of the one in the corridor below.<br />
|-<br />
|Dead end shaft with rubbles at bottom of hull.<br />
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:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/0c/1608_1015x1093y_Dead_end_shaft_with_rubbles_at_bottom_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1015:-1093+s.png (1015, 1093)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1016:-1093+s.png (1016, 1093)]<br />
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|From the shaft that exits the Destroyers bottom hull there goes a corridor to the left. But only for a short while. Then there is a pile of rubble like there has either been a cave in or as if someone has been digging this tunnel and then has stopped. This is consistent with the mining company seen much further down the Destroyer. There is a coin in front of the rubble.<br />
|-<br />
|Zoom out of shaft and corridors with Hairy looking down a shaft at top of hull.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/34/1608_1019x1095y_Zoom_out_of_shaft_and_corridors_with_Hairy_looking_down_a_shaft_at_top_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
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|This zoom out gives an overview of a large section of the Destroyer with only a long corridor and two shafts going down from it. There is almost no features, but for Hairy standing carefully at the edge of one shaft looking down into it. So again an example of the larger areas inside the destroyer where nothing happens.<br />
|-<br />
|Hairy looking down a shaft at top of hull.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/73/1608_1016x1095y_Hairy_looking_down_a_shaft_at_top_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1016:-1095+s.png (1016, 1095)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1013:-1096+s.png (1013, 1096)]<br />
|<br />
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|This is the shaft that came out of the piñata room. At the end of this image is the first shaft going down where Hairy is standing carefully at the edge looking down. Before that a shaft goes up to the top hull where a coin is situated on top of a small step down. At the other end of this "step" to the left there was also a coin.<br />
|-<br />
|Three coins room and shafts.<br />
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:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e6/1608_1023x1095y_Three_coins_room_and_shafts.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1023:-1095+s.png (1023, 1095)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1022:-1095+s.png (1022, 1095)]<br />
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|This is the room where the long corridor going from the piñata room ends. Although it is a quite boring room it has three coins, the highest coin density seen so far when entering the Destroyer from the front end. A shaft down outside the room prevents this from being a dead end.<br />
|-<br />
|Triple coins and a single coin on top of a shaft at top of hull.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d0/1608_1023x1097y_Triple_coins_and_a_single_coin_on_top_of_a_shaft_at_top_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1023:-1097+s.png (1023, 1097)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1025:-1097+s.png (1025, 1097)]<br />
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|There is a very long straight stretch on top of the hull where nothing happens after the step down, but suddenly there are three coins in a row, and then a shaft down, with a ledge out over the shaft opening, with yet a coin, makes it worth the players while to come up there as well.<br />
|-<br />
|Zoom out of shaft and corridors with ledge at bottom of hull.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/6f/1608_1025x1092y_Zoom_out_of_shaft_and_corridors_with_ledge_at_bottom_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
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|This overview at the bottom of the hull shows the shaft (to the right) that was covered with a ledge at the top of the hull. Although it takes a small turn left before going down and out at the bottom it thus almost runs straight through the Destroyer and also here at the bottom a thin ledge covers the shafts exit. But here are no coins. There are another shaft and two corridors.<br />
|-<br />
|Shall '''not not''' pass room and parachutes at one of two ledges at bottom of hull.<br />
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:Cueball: You shall not not pass!<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/ad/1608_1026x1093y_Shall_not_not_pass_room_and_parachutes_at_one_of_two_ledges_at_bottom_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1026:-1093+s.png (1026, 1093)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1028:-1092+s.png (1028, 1092)]<br />
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|Y<br />
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|The shaft going out at the bottom left is the one mentioned above. Going through the corridor above takes hoverboard Cueball into a room with a Cueball blocking his way holding a hand out towards him. He almost uses the last part of a [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120737/quotes?item=qt0445998 famous quote by Gandalf] when facing the {{w|Balrog}} in the mines of {{w|Moria (Middle-earth)|Moria}}, but here with an '''extra not''' added to negate the "not" from the quote. So "You shall ''not'' '''not''' pass" = You '''shall''' pass, and when you do you get a coin. It is easy to miss that there are two times not in the sentence which is for certain intentionally by Randall, as the spoken sentence thus do not match the appearance of Cueball with a hand out.<br />
<br />
If hoverboard Cueball jump ship at the ledge to the left he can fly over to the next ledge where Cueball and a guy with black hair is preparing to jump of the ship using parachutes. Behind them there is a shaft going up into the ship with a coin.<br />
|-<br />
|Two coins room and shafts.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/5d/1608_1026x1095y_Two_coins_room_and_shafts.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1026:-1095+s.png (1026, 1095)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1027:-1095+s.png (1027, 1095)]<br />
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|The shaft going up in the two coins room comes from a corridor below that also connects to the shaft to the left. The corridor is right above the ''you shall not not pass'' room below. The shaft to the left goes up the ledge covered exit to the top hull.<br />
|-<br />
|Steven Universe and Crystal Gems; and ice cream prediction.<br />
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:Megan: Prediction: Seconds before you die, you will remember these words.<br />
:Box: Ice cream<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/39/1608_1031x1095y_Steven_Universe_family_and_ice_cream_prediction.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1031:-1095+s.png (1031, 1095)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1028:-1095+s.png (1029, 1095)]<br />
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|TV series: {{w|Steven Universe}}<br />
|In the room to the left, Megan talks to Cueball while they walk towards an ice cream freezer (at the end of the room with a coin on top). Her comment that she can predict that he will remember those words when he dies could be quite sinister. Since they are so boring the only way she can make this prediction come through is if she now turns around killing him. If she waits a little longer she will not have to move him so far before she can hide his body in the freezer...<br />
<br />
In the room to the right is a group of four stick figures representing {{w|Steven Universe (character)|Steven Universe}} and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Steven_Universe_characters#/media/File:StevenFinalPoster.jpg Crystal Gems]. From left to right, Steven is next to {{w|Pearl (Steven Universe)|Pearl}} (as a stick figure with shorter hair), {{w|Garnet (Steven Universe)|Garnet}} (as a taller stick figure with sunglasses and an afro), and {{w|List_of_Steven_Universe_characters#Amethyst|Amethyst}} (as a shorter stick figure with long hair). The Crystal Gems are a "superhero" team of alien "Gems" who protect the earth, with their newest member being the half-Gem, half-human Steven. (Elsewhere on the bridge of the Destroyer, Darth Vader references Steven Universe in that Steven is half Gem.) A coin is hovering over Garnet's raised left hand.<br />
<br />
Below these two rooms runs a corridor that goes left to the shaft going up to the top hull. The shaft going down goes to the two guys with parachutes. There is a coin next to the shaft. To get from this corridor to the rooms above hoverboard Cueball either have to go out on the top hull or move through the rotary that follows to the right.<br />
|-<br />
|'''Entire Rotary section.'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/67/1608_Entire_Rotary_section.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e4/1608_Entire_Rotary_section_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e1/1608_Entire_Rebel_Blockade_Runner_swallowed_by_Destroyer.png Swallow Runner]<br />
|Overview<br />
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|Y<br />
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|To the left in this overview is the roundabout like structure that Cueball above it calls a rotary, which has given name to this section of the ship that follows after it up to the section with the cave. The Destroyer becomes much broader here especially due to the two large steps that the top part of the hull takes in the middle and to the right in this image.<br />
<br />
In the hidden passage image the cotton trap is revealed with the two entrances to the room below and to the corridor to the right that leads past different traps into the cave. At the top and bottom middle of the image there are two cars, and as it can be seen in the hidden passage image the hoverboard cannot rest on top of those.<br />
<br />
In the composite ''Swallow Runner'' image the Rebel Runner has been placed in the opening in the bottom hull to reveal that this is indeed the opening in the bottom of the Destroyer that swallows the entire Rebel Runner in the opening scene of the first Star Wars movie. This feature is thus a direct reference to the "real" Devastator Destroyer and thus a direct reference to the opening scene and to Star Wars. Below the individual scenes in the Rotary section will be described. <br />
|-<br />
|Empty room and Cueball on corridor going to rotary at top of hull.<br />
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:Cueball: Ugh, rotaries.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/cf/1608_1029x1097y_Empty_room_and_Cueball_on_corridor_going_to_rotary_at_top_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1032:-1096+s.png (1032, 1096)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1030:-1097+s.png (1030, 1097)]<br />
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|A big empty room near the top hull and a coin in a shaft going down from the top hull. The shaft going down will lead to both the room with the ice dream box and the one with Steven Universe and the Crystal Gems. The corridor going right will go down into the rotary, see next scene. Cueball is looking down into this and expressing his dislike of this {{w|Traffic circle|type of structures}}. Maybe he has bad experience with these in real life traffic.<br />
|-<br />
|The rotary.<br />
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:(none)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/3e/1608_1033x1095y_The_rotary.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1033:-1095+s.png (1033, 1095)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1035:-1095+s.png (1035, 1095)]<br />
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|This is the {{w|Traffic circle|Rotary}} that has given it's name to the section of the Star Destroyer from the structure itself and right of this until the section where the cave is located. A rotary is also known as a ''traffic circle'' and is a large version of a roundabout with several roads exiting from it. At the top of the upper left passage (see the scene above) Cueball is looking down into this structure and calls it a rotary (hence the name).<br />
<br />
The centre contains a small room with a stick figure wearing a tonsure haircut (where only the top of the head is shaved bald), a potted plant, and a coin. The plant resembles a pea plant, and the tonsure is a haircut associated with monks, so this is likely to be Gregor Mendel. Mendel was a 19th century Czech monk who discovered the principles of genetic inheritance by crossing strains of pea plants.<br />
<br />
Large rotaries may have more than four roads leading away, but in this case there are four, and neither of them are leading straight away up/down or left/right. Three of them are almost at a 45 degree angel, but the one going down is only a little of to the right, and soon turns straight down.<br />
<br />
Only other feature is the Cueball rushing right on his bike in the corridor leading away from the rightmost exit. There are several bikes throughout the comic, with two more in the Globe of Death above the bridge of the Destroyer and one going down the right slope of the Volcano.<br />
<br />
Entering the rotary for the first time there are of course three new directions to move along in, making it a special point in the users exploration of the Destroyer.<br />
|-<br />
|Photon cannon Tetris piece and mini robot at bottom of hull.<br />
|<br />
:(None - the cannon part has been transcribed in the torpedo section)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/df/1608_1034x1091y_Photon_canon_Tetris_piece_and_mini_robot_at_bottom_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1034:-1093+s.png (1034, 1093)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1034:-1092+s.png (1035, 1092)]<br />
|<br />
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|Computer game: {{w|Tetris}}<br />
|The bottom part of the scene has already been described in relation to the torpedo rain. But as can be seen here it is possible to enter the torpedo room almost directly from the bottom exit of the rotary above. Coming down that way is also a T-shaped {{w|Tetris#Colors_of_Tetriminos|tetriminos}} from the Tetris computer game. At the end of the corridor with the small robot there is a shaft, and in the exit from the corridor there is a coin.<br />
|-<br />
|Shaft corridor with coin and room with coin over ledge at bottom of hull.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d3/1608_1038x1092y_Shaft_corridor_with_coin_and_room_with_coin_over_ledge_at_bottom_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1038:-1092+s.png (1038, 1092)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1036:-1092+s.png (1036, 1092)]<br />
|<br />
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|Going down from the corridor from the scene above takes the player through a small room with a coin at the bottom of the hull and then out over a thick ledge in the air beneath the Destroyer. There is a large gap starting here that ends in the ''Atmosphere worry and car room at bottom of hull''. This large section is the section in which [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e1/1608_Entire_Rebel_Blockade_Runner_swallowed_by_Destroyer.png the Destroyer swallows the Rebel Runner] in the opening scene of the first Star Wars movie, as mentioned in the overview above.<br />
|-<br />
|Giant octopus in Destroyer.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/b5/1608_1038x1094y_Giant_octopus_in_Destroyer.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1038:-1094+s.png (1038, 1094)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1038:-1093+s.png (1038, 1093)]<br />
|<br />
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|Y<br />
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|A giant octopus with a dome shaped head in a dome shaped room with coins above its tentacles left and right. In TE there are several octopuses, and this animal is also often used in xkcd in general. But particularly in ''The USS Laws of the Land'' there is both a large octopus beneath the ship and one giant tentacle reaching up from the deep. If this is considered a monster then this section of the ship may be the monster section as there also seem to be some kind of horned monster in the room to the right of this room.<br />
|-<br />
|Hamster ball and stilts room.<br />
|<br />
:Megan: ''AaaaAaaa'' <br />
:Guy with hair: I can't leave.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/8/89/1608_1038x1095y_Hamsterball_and_stilts_room.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1038:-1095+s.png (1038, 1095)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1039:-1096+s.png (1039, 1096)]<br />
|<br />
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|Y<br />
|Comics: [[:Category:Hamster Ball|Hamster Ball category]]<br />
|This room is the first after exiting the rotary to the upper right. The shaft goes down past the octopus room (see scene above). It is the second instance with a hamster ball in this comic, the first being a small girl (with Megan like hair) in the left part of the world just before the plateau. But in this case it is the adult Megan that is inside the ball, not only running but actually standing on a skateboard. She is clearly not in control. As the player is on a hoverboard there is some kind of connection with a girl on skateboard. In ''Sky Toucher'' in TE Megan also uses a skateboard, inside a rounded structure.<br />
<br />
Megan is not alone though as there is also a guy (with a wee bit of hair) on stilts. The stilts seems to be very high and if the guy wishes to stay on these stilts his assessment, that he can't leave the room, is true. Between his stilts there is a coin. The world highest stilts is shown in [[482: Height]] and in the next "game" comic after this one, [[1663: Garden]], it is possible to "[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/0c/1663_garden_One_color_Between_Light_yellow_and_yellow_First_thing_stilts.png grow]" a [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d0/Garden_Stilt_walker.png girl on stilts].<br />
|-<br />
|Box with horns and coin room.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a2/1608_1043x1093y_Box_with_horns_and_coin_room.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1043:-1093+s.png (1043, 1093)]<br />
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|<font color="red">Is there any clear references to a horned box that is being missed here?</font> In this room across from the giant octopus room there is yet a possible monster hidden in a box. Two large horns jut out of the box, but if they are standing on the box or is sitting on some horned beast inside the box is not clear. But they look rather ominously, and if it is a monster it would with the giant octopus make this section a monster section. A coin is hovering between the horns. The shaft up is the only way to move further down inside the Destroyer without moving over or under the hull.<br />
|-<br />
|Zoom out of three empty rooms near bottom of hull.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e6/1608_1046x1094y_Zoom_out_of_three_empty_rooms_near_bottom_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
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|A dead end with three empty room with no coins or any interesting features, thus only this zoomed out version is displayed here. The rooms are just right of the horned box and below is the part of the hull that is the opening where the Runner will be swallowed by the Destroyer. It is not a complete waste to come over this way, as the room to the right with the hoverboard is central to the comic. But no need to go into these rooms if trying to pick up all the coins as fast as possible.<br />
|-<br />
|Corridor with coin.<br />
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:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a2/1608_1046x1097y_Corridor_with_coin.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1046:-1097+s.png (1046, 1097)]<br />
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|This is one of the longer corridors without any features. It is the only way to move right inside the destroyer in this section. The corridor goes above the three empty rooms in the scene above and also above the hoverboard room in the scene below. At the end of the corridor there is a shaft up. The only reason this segment is shown is because of the coin.<br />
|-<br />
|Two hoverboards room.<br />
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:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/01/1608_1048x1095y_Two_hoverboards_room.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1048:-1095+s.png (1048, 1095)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1048:-1094+s.png (1048, 1094)]<br />
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|Comic: [[1623: 2016 Conversation Guide]]<br />
|Self-reference to title of this comic, and the conversation guide comic released shortly after this is also referencing this entire comic as it complains that hoverboards are not real yet. There is both another hoverboard Cueball and a hoverboard Megan in this room, but compared to the players hoverboard Cueball these two are some what more advanced, and managed to swoop around the coin in the middle. The room can only be entered from the right. To the left there is only a dead end with three completely empty rooms, so don't bother going there if you are in a hurry to pick up all the coins...<br />
|-<br />
|Zoom out with dead end corridor car room and shaft at top of hull.<br />
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:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/f9/1608_1051x1097y_Zoom_out_with_dead_end_corridor_car_room_and_shaft_at_top_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
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|Overview of the end of the long corridor with the coin mentioned above. It ends here in the dead end at the bottom. The corridor above has Cueball lying on the hood of a car in a small room quite a distance from any exits to the outside.<br />
|-<br />
|Cueball on hood of car room and a giant step with coins at top of hull.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d4/1608_1048x1099y_Cueball_on_hood_of_car_room_and_a_giant_step_with_coins_at_top_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1048:-1099+s.png (1048, 1099)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1049:-1099+s.png (1049, 1099)]<br />
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|Y<br />
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|In this dead end room Cueball is lying on the hood of a car. Hoverboard Cueball cannot copy this as the car is not a solid segment of the image. The hull is not far away, and the car room is right where one of the large steps in the upper hull appears. Right outside there are two coins at the bottom and top of the step. These cannot be seen from inside the room. There is no fast way to get outside from here, and actually no easy way to get a car into this room either. In ''Sky Toucher'' in TE there is also a car stuck in the middle of the sky scraper a long way from the parking cellar. In this comic there is actually even one more car in the Destroyer, but that is at least close to an exit ledge (see scene below).<br />
|-<br />
|Atmosphere worry and car room at bottom of hull.<br />
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:Megan: Is this ship designed to fly in the atmosphere like this?<br />
:Blonde woman with hair bun: Whatever. Who cares it’s probably fine.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/1d/1608_1049x1090y_Atmosphere_worry_and_car_room_at_bottom_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1049:-1090+s.png (1049, 1090)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1050:-1090+s.png (1050, 1090)]<br />
|Y<br />
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|Megan is referring to the fact that space ships in Star Wars often fly fast also inside the atmosphere of a planet. Not something you would normally design for. Though in the case with the Destroyer and Runner they did not go inside the atmosphere as depicted here in the comic, in the scene from the original Star Wars movie. The blonde woman comes with a comment typical for b-moves, who cares if this would work in real life, it is just a film.<br />
<br />
There is a large gap in the bottom hull ending here and starting in the ''Shaft corridor with coin and room with coin over ledge at bottom of hull''. This large section is the section in which [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e1/1608_Entire_Rebel_Blockade_Runner_swallowed_by_Destroyer.png the Destroyer swallows the Rebel Runner] in the opening scene of the first Star Wars movie, as mentioned in the overview above.<br />
<br />
Behind the two women, who are standing on a thin ledge where the large gap ends, there is another car (see scene above). At least it is clear how this car could get into this room (and out again). Above the car there is a coin. Behind the car there is a corridor going into the Destroyer, but quite high up on the wall for a normal exit. The car cannot be used as a step to jump in there, as it is not part of the solid picture. <br />
|-<br />
|Ponytail flying up a shaft towards a coin.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/76/1608_1053x1091y_Ponytail_flying_up_a_shaft_towards_a_coin.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1053:-1091+s.png (1053, 1091)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1054:-1091+s.png (1054, 1091)]<br />
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|The corridor from the room with Megan and the car is long. In the middle of it there is a shaft going up (a long way). Just inside this shaft Ponytail is seen flying up, hands in front of her like another Superman. Above her in the shaft there is a coin. This is not the only place in the comic where Ponytail is flying. Although here it seems like an automatic thing (like Superman), whereas down below on the ground below the Destroyer she has to flap her arms violently, but then actually manages to take of from the ground. In a space ship like this Destroyer there could both be a system to let people float upwards, some gravitational effects or just plain effects of the flying itself, wheres down on the ground flying like that would be magic for sure. But at least there seems to be some correlation since it is Ponytail that flies in both cases.<br />
|-<br />
|Trap covered with leaves and flying Ponytail at bottom of hull.<br />
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:Cueball: ...And we cover it with leaves so no one sees it.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/fd/1608_1055x1090y_Trap_covered_with_leaves_and_flying_Ponytail_at_bottom_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1055:-1090+s.png (1055, 1090)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1055:-1091+s.png (1055, 1091)]<br />
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|After the shaft where Ponytail flies up (see more in the scene above) the corridor continues to a pit which Cueball and a kid have been covering with leaves and sticks. It seems like they are making a trap, which is even more likely seeing that the bottom of the pit has six sharp spikes that would likely impale any unlucky victims that fell in. Alternatively (given the words Cueball uses), they have made this hole by mistake, and now tries to cover it so no one sees it. If he meant it to be a trap he might instead have phrased it, "so they won't see it until it is too late". The kid looks like the kid in the room at the rotary, as they have the same hairdo.<br />
|-<br />
|Corridor and shaft with coin.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/8/8f/1608_1053x1094y_Corridor_and_shaft_with_coin.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1053:-1094+s.png (1053, 1094)]<br />
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|The shaft going up from Ponytail below goes past the corridor to the left that goes to the hoverboards room. There is a coin in the entrance.<br />
|-<br />
|'''Entire Corridor peristalsis and colon.'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/c6/1608_Entire_Corridor_peristalsis_and_colon.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/be/1608_Entire_area_around_Corridor_peristalsis_and_colon.png Zoom out to entire area]<br />
|Overview<br />
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|With the comment from Hairbun about peristalsis - the bowel movement getting food etc. through the digestive system, and with the three chambers with coins above a colon like structure, leading into the corridor with these motions, with a coin both going down the colon and through the peristalsis, there can be no doubt that this is the digestive system for this ”living” space ship, and coins is what it lives off. This interpretation can further be extended to the very front end, where there is the appearance of a head that eats coins (see the front end overview) and at the rear end a coin is bouncing out at the very last shaft before the very end of the ship. Suggesting where this animal gets rid of the waste products afterwards. (The rest of the ship is not part of this interpretation).<br />
|-<br />
|Corridor peristalsis and two coin rooms at top of hull.<br />
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:Hairbun: Ah, yes. Corridor peristalsis.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e4/1608_1054x1099y_Corridor_peristalsis_and_two_coin_rooms_at_top_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1054:-1099+s.png (1054, 1099)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1057:-1100+s.png (1057, 1100)]<br />
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|Following the corridor from the room with Cueball on the hoof of a car leads to a part of that corridor experiencing {{w|peristalsis}}. This is the kind of muscle movements that causes food to move through the {{w|human gastrointestinal tract}}. Hairbun is telling Cueball that this is indeed corridor peristalsis, so a way for the corridor to move stuff along. As there are coins at both end of this section it is quite clear that these coins are moved along by the corridor itself. The indentations of the corridor is so strong that the corridor is not wide enough to allow hoverboard Cueball to pass through. So to get both coins another route needs to be found. The shortest way is to go up the shaft behind Hairbun, passing the two empty rooms with coins on the way to the top of the Destroyers hull. To get to the other side hoverboard Cueball will then have to pass through the Destroyers colon like structure to the right. See below. As mentioned in the overview above this is a clear reference to the human digestive system, or in this case the Destroyers ditto.<br />
|-<br />
|Corridor peristalsis and colon.<br />
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:Cueball: Wheee!<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/0a/1608_1055x1099y_Corridor_peristalsis_and_colon.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1055:-1099+s.png (1055, 1099)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1056:-1099+s.png (1056, 1099)]<br />
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|Y<br />
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|Moving a little further down right than the peristalsis scene above the bottom part of the {{w|Large intestine|colon}} like structure can be seen, closely connected to this other intestine like structure (The three coins in the left part of the image are the same as in the scene above). The reason for showing this scene is to show the closeness of these two digestive system structures. In ''Box that cleans food holders'' in TE Ponytail yells Wheee! as she slides through a pipe inside the machine on her stomach, a mix of the action performed by Cueball and Ponytail in the colon like structure. Ponytail is sliding towards a coin at the bottom in one of the colon loops. The top part of the colon can be seen in the next scene.<br />
|-<br />
|Colon like structure with Ponytail and Cueball sliding down.<br />
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:(None - text already transcribed in the scene above ''Corridor peristalsis and colon''.)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/b3/1608_1058x1100y_Colon_like_structure_with_Ponytail_and_Cueball_sliding_down.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1058:-1100+s.png (1058, 1100)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1058:-1101+s.png (1058, 1101)]<br />
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|The entrance from the top to the colon like structure have a Cueball looking down into it. The rest of the scene has been described above.<br />
|-<br />
|Huge step and three room with coin and Cueball looking into shaft at top of hull.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/14/1608_1058x1102y_Huge_step_and_three_room_with_coin_and_Cueball_looking_into_shaft_at_top_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1058:-1102+s.png (1058, 1102)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1056:-1103+s.png (1056, 1103)]<br />
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|This is the upper entrance to the colon like structure into which Cueball is looking. (See scenes above). To the left is the top hull of the Destroyer which takes two huge steps up at this place. Cueball is standing in a corridor with three small rooms, each with a coin in the top of the room. This seems to be a place to hold the coins until they are ready to move down the colon like structure, where another coin is already moving through, going down to the corridor peristalsis in the corridor below, where more coins are moving through the ships digestive system. Going over the hull and down this colon like structure is the fastest/shortest way between the two separated sides of the corridor peristalsis.<br />
|-<br />
|Coin in corridor under Buffer stop room.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/75/1608_1060x1099y_Coin_in_corridor_under_Buffer_stop_room.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1060:-1099+s.png (1059, 1099)]<br />
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|Moving away to the right from the corridor peristalsis takes hoverboard Cueball past a small shaft up into a room with two coins in front of what looks like a train {{w|buffer stop}}. One coin in front of each of the buffers. Continuing along the corridor there is another coin. The corridor continues and a shaft is going up. This part of the Destroyer is the beginning of the cave section. The cave can be entered from above by continuing along the corridor.<br />
|-<br />
|Cannon with coin on top of hull.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a0/1608_1060x1103y_Canon_with_coin_on_top_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1060:-1103+s.png (1060, 1103)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1062:-1103+s.png (1062, 1103)]<br />
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|There is a similar cannon with a coin in front of the barrel on the top of the Runner below the Destroyer. This cannon is on top of the hull above and right of the three room above the colon like structure. The shaft going down right is over the next cave section.<br />
|-<br />
|Coin in corridor below mining company in dead end corridor.<br />
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:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/c8/1608_1062x1101y_Coin_in_corridor_below_mining_company_in_dead_end_corridor.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1062:-1101+s.png (1062, 1101)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1063:-1101+s.png (1063, 1101)]<br />
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|Two Cueballs work as a mining company in this corridor which they are expanding. It could be that they are digging for gold, but if that gold should be represented by coins, it is weird that the coin hangs above the Cueball with the {{w|pickaxe}} in the higher section of this corridor, instead of being in front of him. The other Cueball drives away with a wheelbarrow full of the rubble they have dug free from the ship. This is another indication of how big the ship is. It is easier to just dig a new corridor than to build the corridor into the ship to begin with. Further to the left in the Destroyer there was another dead end corridor that looked like it had been dug out - see the scene ''Dead end shaft with rubbles at bottom of hull.'' But here the mining company had left (even though there also was a coin there). The shaft to the left goes up to the hull right of the cannon from the scene above. The corridor below goes left (past another coin) to the shaft down to the corridor with peristalsis. To the right it goes above the cave to the dance hall room with piano.<br />
|-<br />
|Mining company in dead end corridor also coin on top of hull.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/ca/1608_1063x1102y_Mining_company_in_dead_end_corridor_also_coin_on_top_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1063:-1102+s.png (1063, 1102)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1063:-1103+s.png (1063, 1103)]<br />
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|The same mining company scene as described above but with the view moved to show the top hull, right of the cannon. Right of the shaft going up there is a coin. At the very top right of the hull, the basketball dropped by the Cueball like kid can be seen as it comes bouncing down the length of the hull. This basketball scene is part of the cave section and will be describved below.<br />
|-<br />
|'''Entire cotton trap and spark gap room.'''<br />
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:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/78/1608_Entire_cotton_trap_and_spark_gap_room.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/65/1608_Entire_cotton_trap_and_spark_gap_room_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/36/1608_Entire_area_around_cotton_trap.png Entire area around]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/ae/1608_Entire_area_around_cotton_trap_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|Overview<br />
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|Here are two different zoom out of the cotton trap room with the spark gap room below. In the first overview a zoom out is shown with only these two rooms. There are four coins inside and two on the outside of the hull. The three coins around the cotton trap is almost connected by the cotton, as can be seen in the next overview where the hidden passage through the cotton is clearly marked in red. As can be seen there is a very deep black hole beneath the surface of the cotton (which Ponytail states is cotton). From the bottom of the cotton trap going left will lead to a hidden entrance to the top of the spark gap room. Going right will lead to the hidden entrance to the corridor with traps going to the left entrance to the cave. There are coins on each exit as well as just above the cotton to the right. The third image is a further zoom out to show the entire surroundings of the cotton trap room. (And the last is with the cotton etc. turned red). Here the traps in the corridor leading to the cave can be seen as well as the opening into the cave. Below that the strange spiral corridor can be seen. Both these scenes will be described below in the cave section. To the left the shaft and corridors that connect the two rooms even if not noticing the hidden passage can be seen. It is the corridor with the trap covered by Cueball and the shaft where Ponytail flies up. Three more coins are visible in this wider zoom out for a total of nine coins in this area. The two rooms will be described in further detail below. All of the rooms that can be entered through the cotton trap can also be entered through different entrances from other routes. This means that failing to find out how the cotton trap works, will not prevent the player in reaching either the spark gap from below or the cave to the right.<br />
|-<br />
|Entire Cotton trap room.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/be/1608_1058x1094y_Zoom_out_of_Cotton_trap_room.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/11/1608_1058x1094y_Zoom_out_of_Cotton_trap_room_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|Overview<br />
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|Overview with the entire cotton trap with and without the cotton shown in red. See above and below for more details.<br />
|-<br />
|Coins in two corridors towards cotton trap.<br />
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:(None - transcript is written in the scene below.)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/1d/1608_1055x1095y_Coins_in_two_corridors_towards_cotton_trap.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1055:-1095+s.png (1055, 1095)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1056:-1095+s.png (1056, 1095)]<br />
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|The corridor going from the shaft with the flying Ponytail to the Ponytail warning about the cotton trap also has a coin. The coin in the exit of the other corridor to the shaft was mentioned previously as it is the exit from the room with two hoverboards. See more about the cotton trap below.<br />
|-<br />
|Cotton trap room with Ponytail.<br />
|<br />
:Ponytail: Watch out for the cotton. It's a trap for someone, I think.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/28/1608_1058x1094y_Cotton_trap_room_with_Ponytail.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/4/42/1608_1058x1094y_Cotton_trap_room_with_Ponytail_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1057:-1095+s.png (1057, 1095)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1059:-1094+s.png (1059, 1094)]<br />
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|Entering this room along the top corridor reveals Ponytail standing at the beginning of a steep descend. She clearly warns the player about a trap made of cotton. As can be seen in the hidden passage image most of the black at the bottom of the descend is not solid floor but a hidden passage. Given Ponytails comment it must be assumed to be made of cotton. Given that hoverboard Cueball is not affected by the cotton and can move either up again, or out left or right it is not a trap for him. But other unlucky persons falling into the cotton might not be as lucky. If this is not a trap in it self, there are several traps if moving out to the right (where the coin is below the cotton level). This corridor goes to the cave, but first after passing five traps. See more about the entire surroundings in the overview scenes above. <br />
|-<br />
|Cotton trap room bottom.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/32/1608_1058x1092y_Cotton_trap_room_bottom.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/73/1608_1058x1092y_Cotton_trap_room_bottom_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1058:-1092+s.png (1058, 1092)]<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
|The bottom of the cotton trap is a dark place. But as can be seen in the red hidden passage image it is possible to move both left and right to get out. In either case a coin can be obtained at the exit. The left exit leads to a shaft going into the spark gap room below, and the right exit leads through a corridor with traps into the cave. Going up in the spark gap room below will clearly reveal the shaft up. But if the cotton trap has not been discovered at this time, it is likely that the player will not attempt to breech the wall, and would thus fail to enter the cotton trap from below. The coin could easily seem enough reason for this dead end shaft above the room.<br />
|-<br />
|Entire spark gap room to bottom of hull.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/7b/1608_1058x1090y_Zoom_out_of_spark_gap_room_to_bottom_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|An overview of the entire spark gap room, both showing the two coins beneath the outside hull as well as the coin in the top shaft (leading to the cotton trap to the right of this) and the coin behind the spark gap. See more below.<br />
|-<br />
|Spark gap room<br />
|<br />
:Cueball on wall: Shh.<br />
:Electrode bottom: JS<br />
:Electrode top: JS<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/4/4d/1608_1057x1092y_Spark_gap_room_with_Cueball_on_the_wall.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/6a/1608_1058x1090y_Spark_gap_room_only_with_Cueball_on_floor_and_coins_at_bottom_of_hull.png Buttom part to below hull]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1058:-1090+s.png (1058, 1090)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1057:-1092+s.png (1057, 1092)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Why is ''JS'' written on both electrodes</font> This room is called the {{w|spark gap}} room, because there seems to be a spark between the two large electrode like structures marked JS. Cueball is watching this, maybe he is the evil inventor that has created this device. At least another Cueball is climbing high above him up on the wall to the left, and when the player passes him on his hoverboard he asks the player no to tell about him (''shh''). It is unclear if he is sneaking away, spying or sneaking down to attack the other Cueball. A coin is hidden behind the spark gap, but as the spark gap is of the "red" type of black hoverboard Cueball can pass without problems into the coin. As can be seen in the other image displaying the lower part of this scene, the coin outside of the hull is close by, and actually the two coins above each other down there are in the same small image (see the first of the small images).<br />
|-<br />
|Corridor with fire and hammer traps.<br />
|<br />
:Hammers left: Chomp Chomp <br />
:Hammer right: Chomp<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a2/1608_1061x1093y_Corridor_with_fire_and_hammer_traps.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/16/1608_1061x1093y_Corridor_with_fire_and_hammer_traps_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1060:-1094+s.png (1060, 1094)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1061:-1093+s.png (1061, 1093)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|This is the corridor exiting the cotton trap room (with a coin as mentioned previously), see the cotton in the hidden passage in red image. The corridor leads to the cave, but to get there five traps has to be passed. First there are four hammers with jagged edges that opens and closes with much force as perceived by the noises. And then a pit with a fire has to be surpassed. Of course as can be seen in the "red" image, neither of these traps are any problem for hoverboard Cueball as they are all of the red type of black. But it is a clear indication that the player is about to enter some interesting place, which is true as the cave is one of the most interesting places in the Destroyer. Although there are two other ways to get into the cave, it is by far the most interesting way to enter the cave for the first time!<br />
|-<br />
|Corridor to cave opening.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/32/1608_1062x1094y_Corridor_to_cave_opening.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1062:-1094+s.png (1062, 1094)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1063:-1094+s.png (1063, 1094)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Same scene as above but only the right part with the fire, to show how the corridor enters the beginning of the cave.<br />
|-<br />
|Zoom out with spiral corridor at bottom of the hull.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/4/45/1608_1063x1091y_Zoom_out_with_spiral_corridor_at_bottom_of_the_hull.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Below the corridor to the cave is a strange corridor which spirals into nothing in the middle. There are no coins in this section so this is a zoom out without any further zoom in on this section. The room at the top seems like a starting point to go into the spiral. The corridor to the right goes into the huge glitch floor room below the cave. The shaft down goes out the bottom of the hull.<br />
|-<br />
|'''Entire Cave Bridge and rear end.'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/74/1608_Entire_Cave_Bridge_and_rear_end.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e0/1608_Entire_Cave_Bridge_and_rear_end_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|'''Entire cave section.'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/1d/1608_Entire_cave_section.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Entire Cave and Glitch floor room.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/ea/1608_Entire_Cave_and_Glitch_floor_room.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|Y<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|From this image it is clear that the two largest rooms in the Destroyer are almost of the same size, and positioned almost on top of each other. They only need a little parallel shift to make them into one big circular room. The Glitch floor room, is a feature that can be seen in the Star Wars film, as a protrusion beneath the hull of the Destroyer.<br />
|-<br />
|'''Entire Cave.'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/58/1608_Entire_Cave.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/24/1608_Entire_Cave_and_shaft_above.png With shaft and room above]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/bf/1608_Entire_Cave_With_entire_pyramid_for_scale.png Size scale of Pyramid]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|In ''Sky Toucher'' there is also a floor in the sky scraper with trees inside, just like the tree inside the cave inside the Destroyer.<br />
|-<br />
|Lake with tree birds and puma on rock at exit in the bottom left side of the cave.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/75/1608_1053x1093y_Lake_with_tree_birds_and_puma_on_rock_at_exit_in_the_bottom_left_side_of_the_cave.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/8/81/1608_1053x1093y_Lake_with_tree_birds_and_puma_on_rock_at_exit_in_the_bottom_left_side_of_the_cave_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1065:-1093+s.png (1065, 1093)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1067:-1094+s.png (1067, 1094)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Three birds in the top left side of the cave.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/5a/1608_1065x1095y_Three_birds_in_the_top_left_side_of_the_cave.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1065:-1095+s.png (1065, 1095)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Gazebo puma deer Cueball with bow and talk of Palpatine in the middle of the cave.<br />
|<br />
:Cueball: I know it seems weird, but every Star Destroyer has one of these rooms.<br />
:Cueball: Say what you will about Palpatine's politics, but he's a staunch supporter of the imperial parks and the Coruscant Audubon society.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/b0/1608_1067x1094y_Gazebo_puma_deer_Cueball_with_bow_and_talk_of_Palpatine_in_the_middle_of_the_cave.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1068:-1093+s.png (1068, 1093)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1068:-1094+s.png (1068, 1094)]<br />
|Y<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|The {{w|National Audubon Society}} is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to conservation. Palpatine is the evil emperor and the capital ”planet” Coruscant is a planet with city all over the solid parts of the surface. So that he is interested in keeping parks both on this planet and on all his Star Destroyers comes as a surprise...<br />
|-<br />
|The broad shaft going into the top of the cave.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a5/1608_1067x1097y_The_broad_shaft_going_into_the_top_of_the_cave.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1067:-1097+s.png (1067, 1097)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1068:-1096+s.png (1068, 1096)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Deer and exit below lamp coin and Black Hat in the bottom right side of the cave.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/68/1608_1069x1093y_Deer_and_exit_below_lamp_coin_and_Black_Hat_in_the_bottom_right_side_of_the_cave.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/69/1608_1069x1093y_Deer_and_exit_below_lamp_coin_and_Black_Hat_in_the_bottom_right_side_of_the_cave_no_coin.png Without coin]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1069:-1093+s.png (1069, 1093)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1071:-1093+s.png (1071, 1093)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Lamp coin and Black Hat in the top right side of the cave.<br />
|<br />
:Insects: ''Bzzzzz''<br />
<br />
:Black Hat: Zzz<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/0d/1608_1070x1095y_Lamp_coin_and_Black_Hat_in_the_top_right_side_of_the_cave.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/aa/1608_1070x1095y_Lamp_coin_and_Black_Hat_in_the_top_right_side_of_the_cave_no_coin.png Without coin]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1070:-1095+s.png (1070, 1095)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|In this image the coin is part of the scenery as it is the lamp the buzzing insects fly around. When it is gone it reveals a broken lamp, and an insect that had been hidden behind the coin.<br />
|-<br />
|Corridor from shaft to the two coins in corridors.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e1/1608_1063x1099y_Corridor_from_shaft_to_the_two_coins_in_corridors.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1065:-1099+s.png (1065, 1099)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1064:-1098+s.png (1064, 1098)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Two coins in corridors and four coin room above shaft to cave.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/0b/1608_1067x1104y_Two_coins_in_corridors_and_four_coin_room_above_shaft_to_cave.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1067:-1100+s.png (1067, 1100)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1067:-1098+s.png (1067, 1098)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Chandelier room with two coins above cave.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d6/1608_1070x1098y_Chandelier_room_with_two_coins_above_cave.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1070:-1098+s.png (1070, 1098)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1071:-1098+s.png (1071, 1098)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Zoom out with dance room and basketball and slinky stair at top of hull.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/f3/1608_1068x1101y_Zoom_out_with_dance_room_and_basketball_and_slinky_stair_at_top_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Basketball on top of Destroyer - zoom out.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/5a/1608_1065x1104y_Basket_ball_on_top_of_Destroyer_zoom_out.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Coin close to basketball on top of Destroyer.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/4/4e/1608_1063x1104y_Coin_close_to_basket_ball_on_top_of_Destroyer.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1065:-1104+s.png (1065, 1104)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1064:-1104+s.png (1064, 1104)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Basketball on top of Destroyer.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/1d/1608_1067x1104y_Basket_ball_on_top_of_Destroyer.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1067:-1104+s.png (1067, 1104)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1066:-1104+s.png (1066, 1104)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Y<br />
|<br />
|In ''Playing Fields'' in TE basketball mentioned, and it is also played on the left side of the volcano crater<br />
|-<br />
|Dancing room with piano.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a7/1608_1069x1101y_Dancing_room_with_piano.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1069:-1101+s.png (1069, 1101)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1070:-1101+s.png (1070, 1101)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Possibly a reference to Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, and Oscar Levant in "An American In Paris."<br />
|-<br />
|Slinky staircase at top of hull.<br />
|<br />
:Slinky: Slink slink slink<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/1c/1608_1069x1104y_Slinky_stair_case_at_top_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1069:-1104+s.png (1069, 1104)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1070:-1103+s.png (1070, 1103)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|While it is unclear why the slinky is on the star destroyer at all, the stairs are a reference to the slinky {{w|jingle}} which says "walks down stairs..." The noise is also a reference to the creation of the name "slinky" which was based on the word slink in the dictionary.<br />
|-<br />
|Upside down room and Giddyayup cowboy riding the ship at top of hull.<br />
|<br />
:Cowboy: Giddyayup!<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/79/1608_1073x1104y_Upside_down_room_and_Giddyayup_cowboy_riding_the_ship_at_top_of_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1072:-1104+s.png (1072, 1104)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1074:-1103+s.png (1074, 1103)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|The man on top of the hull is a reference to riding a horse and specifically an American cowboy riding a horse. The (Cueball?) is using reins to "steer" the star destroyer much the same as one would steer a horse. In addition "Giddyayup" is the command for a horse move. The upside-down room is most likely just a simple visual gag, but could also be a reference to the fact that star destroyers have artificial gravity in SW and thus any direction could be "up" depending on where you are.<br />
|-<br />
|'''Entire Glitch floor room.'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/52/1608_Entire_Glitch_floor_room.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/6b/1608_Entire_Glitch_floor_room_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/63/1608_Entire_Glitch_floor_room_and_two_close_rooms.png Including two rooms]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/dd/1608_Entire_Glitch_floor_room_and_two_close_rooms_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/4/49/1608_Entire_area_around_Glitch_floor_room.png Entire area around the room]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/00/1608_Entire_area_around_Glitch_floor_room_red.png Hidden passages in red] [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/63/1608_Entire_Glitch_floor_room_and_two_close_rooms.png Also including two close rooms]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/dd/1608_Entire_Glitch_floor_room_and_two_close_rooms_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/4/49/1608_Entire_area_around_Glitch_floor_room.png Entire area around the room]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/00/1608_Entire_area_around_Glitch_floor_room_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|In the zoom outs the coin below the hidden glitch in the floor can be seen at the very bottom of the pictures. It is quite a drop to catch it, but if you did not expect it, it is likely you would reach it before going up again.<br />
|-<br />
|Bottom center of Glitch floor room with coin sign and Cueball.<br />
|<br />
:Large sign:<br />
::! <br />
::Caution: <br />
::Glitchfloor.<br />
<br />
:Floor signs:<br />
::!<br />
::!<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/fa/1608_1070x1089y_Bottom_center_of_Glitch_floor_room_with_coin_sign_and_Cueball.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/71/1608_1070x1089y_Bottom_center_of_Glitch_floor_room_with_coin_sign_and_Cueball_red.png Hidden passages in red]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1069:-1088+s.png (1069, 1088)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1070:-1088+s.png (1070, 1088)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|You are warned not to step onto this glitch floor! But if you do you can drop down to yet another coin far below the Destroyer, but even farther up above the ground.<br />
|-<br />
|Two rooms with coins right of Glitch floor room.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/2e/1608_1074x1090y_Two_rooms_with_coins_right_of_Glitch_floor_room.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1073:-1092+s.png (1073, 1092)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1074:-1091+s.png (1074, 1091)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Cannon protruding below the hull.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/f4/1608_1075x1088y_Canon_protruding_below_the_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1075:-1088+s.png (1075, 1088)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1076:-1088+s.png (1076, 1088)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|This cannon is a standard cannon seen on a star destroyer in star wars, and is not out of place here. It is somewhat unusual that this is on the bottom, since these cannons are generally on top though they are all over the ship, and there are turrets on the bottom of the First Order star destroyer in Force Awakens. Also the shape is more reminiscent of a real tank gun than the more square turrets in star wars, though this is probably just an effect of Randall's drawing style, rather than anything significant.<br />
|-<br />
|Entire area around the bridge.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/bd/1608_Entire_area_around_the_bridge.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/4/4b/1608_Entire_Bridge_and_rear_section.png Entire bridge area]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/f1/1608_Entire_Bridge_and_emperor.png Brdige and emperor]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/c2/1608_Entire_Bridge_and_globe_of_death.png Bridge and globe of death]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/54/1608_Actual_Bridge_with_Vader_and_Tarkin.png Actual bridge]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/c7/1608_Vader_twice_and_emperor_on_and_near_bridge.png Vader twice and emperor]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Ponytail with paper plane and coin below her on top hull.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/11/1608_1077x1107y_Ponytail_with_paper_plane_and_coin_below_her_on_top_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1078:-1106+s.png (1078, 1006)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1077:-1105+s.png (1077, 1105)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Y<br />
|<br />
|Cueball also throws out a plane in Click and Drag from the sky scraper. This also happens in the ''Sky Toucher'' in TE where it is Ponytail again.<br />
|-<br />
|Tarkin on the bridge and Ponytail with paper plane.<br />
|<br />
:Cueball: The fault, dear Tarkin, is not in our star destroyers, but in ourselves.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/2/20/1608_1077x1107y_Tarkin_on_the_bridge_and_Ponytail_with_paper_plane.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1077:-1107+s.png (1077, 1107)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1077:-1108+s.png (1077, 1108)]<br />
|Y<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|| This is most likely a reference to the book (then made into a movie) titled {{w|The_Fault_in_Our_Stars |"The Fault in Our Stars"}}. The title of which is a reference to a line in {{w|William Shakespeare |Shakespeare's}} play {{W|Julius Caesar (play) |Julius Ceasar}}; "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in ourselves". Grand Moff Tarkin is the commander of the Death Star in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.<br />
|-<br />
|Darth Vader talks about Steven Universe on the bridge Megan adjust antenna.<br />
|<br />
:Megan: Such a pain adjusting this thing every time we move<br />
<br />
:Darth Vader: ''Breathe''<br />
:Darth Vader: But Steven's ''mother'' is a crystal gem,<br />
:Darth Vader: ''Breathe'')<br />
:Darth Vader: so he's half- Are you getting all this?<br />
:Hairy: Yes, my Lord!<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/fa/1608_1077x1109y_Darth_Vaders_talks_about_Steven_Universe_on_the_bridge_Megan_adjust_antenna.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1077:-1109+s.png (1077, 1109)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1077:-1110+s.png (1077, 1110)]<br />
|Y<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|TV series: {{w|Steven Universe}}<br />
|Darth Vader refers to Steven Universe from the TV series. His mother is a Crystal Gem, so since his father is human, he is only a half gem, which is a joke in itself. Steven and his family are located inside a room in the middle of the Destroyer. Maybe as prisoners or it could be Vader is just a big fan since he talks about them on the bridge.<br />
|-<br />
|Globe of Death at the top of the Destroyer.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/7b/1608_1078x1111y_Globe_of_Death_at_the_top_of_the_Destroyer.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1078:-1110+s.png (1078, 1110)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1077:-1112+s.png (1077, 1112)]<br />
|Y<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|This structure of the Globe of death is part of the Star Destroyer as can be seen in the films.<br />
|-<br />
|Fire system with pure oxygen and two coins room.<br />
|<br />
:Hairbun: In the event of a fire on one of the decks, this system will seal it off and pump in pure oxygen.<br />
:Ponytail: Wait, ''Oxygen?'' Not a fire suppressant like-<br />
:Hairbun: Ugh, ''boring''.<br />
<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d0/1608_1080x1105y_Fire_system_with_pure_oxygen_and_two_coins_room.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1080:-1105+s.png (1080, 1105)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1081:-1105+s.png (1081, 1105)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|This is a reference to a {{w|Gaseous fire suppression}} in which tanks similar to those shown are filled with an inert gas, usually nitrogen. Similar systems are referenced in [[1737: Datacenter Scale]]. This system is generally used in large server rooms, where a room with fire will be sealed off from the rest of the servers, and the inert gas will flow into the room, extinguishing the fire, at the cost of whatever was in the room. Since this could be deadly these systems are only legal in rooms with little or no human interaction. The character on the left (Possibly Megan with hair buns) starts off by describing this system, though the system on the star destroyer has the key difference of piping in oxygen, instead of nitrogen, which Ponytail questions. Megan responds "Uhh, ''Boring''." which is technically true. An Inert gas will have a little visible effect, and the fire will slowly die. Piping in oxygen, however, is not a valid way to extinguish flames, as it would feed the fire instead of extinguishing it, though, if you have an adequate seal, this might not be as much of a problem as it sounds. The fire will eventually consume all of the oxygen and die. Unfortunately, there are 3 problems with this. The first is simple: there are people on a star destroyer, and this system will kill them if they happen to be near the fire. The second is that in addition to simply feeding the fire the oxygen is explosive, which could potentially blow the doors that seal the decks, allowing the fire to spread. The third is in the wording of (Megan?); who says that it will seal off the affected ''deck'' which is SW generally refers to an entire level. While this may just be a wording error by Randall, given the humor of the rest of the system, it would not be a great leap to imagine a system that seals off a whole floor regardless of the size of the fire, killing everyone on that floor. In addition given that the Empire is evil, it is also not a stretch to believe that they would kill an entire deck for a small fire just because the alternative is boring. This kind of scenario was in fact explored in the novel {{w|Star Wars: Lost Stars}} where it is described that entire decks were destroyed during the scene in {{w|The Empire Strikes Back}} where a star destroyer chases the Millennium Falcon through an asteroid field. This destruction is pointed out in the novel and dismissed, as it is in this comic.<br />
|-<br />
|Darth Vader’s gold bullion and Cueball and Ponytail in small room at the top of the hull.<br />
|<br />
:Cueball: Aha! Darth Vader's secret gold bullion reserves! We'll be rich!<br />
:Megan: I'm not sure this is canon.<br />
:Bags: $ $ $<br />
:Boxes: $ $ $ $ $<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/7e/1608_1080x1108y_Darth_Vaders_gold_bullion_and_Cueball_and_Ponytail_in_small_room_at_the_top_of_the_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1080:-1108+s.png (1080, 1108)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1079:-1109+s.png (1079, 1109)]<br />
|Y<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Large crocodile near globe of death at the top of the hull.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e8/1608_1081x1110y_Large_crocodile_near_globe_of_death_at_the_top_of_the_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1081:-1110+s.png (1081, 1110)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1079:-1111+s.png (1079, 1111)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|The Emperor Palpatine and his birds at the top of the hull.<br />
|<br />
:Guy: My emperor...<br />
:Guy: We all share in your newfound enthusiasm for birdwatching.<br />
:Guy: But normally one watches them in the wild, rather than drugging and imprisoning them in a house of stairs.<br />
:Emperor: ''Silence.''<br />
:Bird: Chirp<br />
:Bird: Chirp<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/6b/1608_1083x1109y_The_Emperor_Palpatine_and_his_birds_at_the_top_of_the_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1083:-1109+s.png (1083, 1109)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1084:-1109+s.png (1084, 1109)]<br />
|Y<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|House of Stairs may refer to the M. C. Escher {{w|House Of Stairs|lithograph}} with that title, but this is more likely to be a reference to the William Sleator novel {{w|House of Stairs (Sleator novel)|House Of Stairs}} (named for the Escher work) which features five teenage orphans who wake up inside an environment with similarities to that in the Escher print (but with normal gravity).<br />
|-<br />
|Coin behind the rear end at the top of the hull.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/01/1608_1087x1108y_Coin_behind_the_rear_end_at_the_top_of_the_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1087:-1108+s.png (1087, 1108)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|'''Entire Prince of Persia maze.'''<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/b0/1608_Entire_Prince_of_Persia_maze.png Overview]<br>[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/fa/1608_Entire_Prince_of_Persia_maze_with_both_exits.png Including both exits]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Computer game: {{w|Prince of Persia}}<br />
|Compare to this [http://cdn.wikimg.net/strategywiki/images/a/a2/Princeofpersia_dos_level1.png picture of level 1] taken from the game.<br />
|-<br />
|Corridor left of Prince of Persia maze.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/5b/1608_1073x1101y_Corridor_left_of_Prince_of_Persia_maze.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1073:-1101+s.png (1073, 1101)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1072:-1101+s.png (1072, 1101)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Left entrance to Prince of Persia maze.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/6c/1608_1076x1101y_Left_entrance_to_Prince_of_Persia_maze.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1076:-1101+s.png (1076, 1101)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1077:-1101+s.png (1077, 1101)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Left part of Prince of Persia maze.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/03/1608_1079x1102y_Left_part_of_Prince_of_Persia_maze.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1077:-1102+s.png (1077, 1102)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1080:-1102+s.png (1080, 1102)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Right part and exit of Prince of Persia maze.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/1d/1608_1082x1101y_Right_part_and_exit_of_Prince_of_Persia_maze.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1082:-1101+s.png (1082, 1101)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1081:-1102+s.png (1081, 1102)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Right exit of Prince of Persia maze and shafts.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/4/42/1608_1084x1103y_Right_exit_of_Prince_of_Persia_maze_and_shafts.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1083:-1102+s.png (1083, 1102)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1083:-1103+s.png (1083, 1103)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Ant Queen and alarm ante room.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/10/1608_Ant_Queen_and_alarm_ante_room.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|In this section all rooms have the same dome shaped ceiling that goes a little below the walls of the corridors.<br />
|-<br />
|Corridor with alarm and trapped Cueball.<br />
|<br />
:Alarm: …Beep…<br />
:Alarm: …Beep…<br />
:Alarm: …Beep…<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/01/1608_1075x1094y_Corridor_with_alarm_and_trapped_Cueball.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1075:-1094+s.png (1075, 1094)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1074:-1094+s.png (1074, 1094)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Ant Queen in Destroyer.<br />
|<br />
:Cueball: What's up?<br />
:Ant queen: The usual. Poopin' out ants.<br />
:Cueball: Eww.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d2/1608_1078x1095y_Ant_Queen_in_Destroyer.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1078:-1095+s.png (1078, 1095)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1077:-1094+s.png (1077, 1094)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Y<br />
|Comic: [[1610: Fire Ants]] and [[1641: Hot Dogs]]<br />
|The ant comic was released only a week after this comic and refers how cool ants are. Ants are also used twice in TE A zoom in on an ant is used to indicate size in ''Earth's past'' and under the ''Tree'' in that explanation there is an ant colony where one ant is much bigger than the others; an ant queen, a clear reference to the ant queen in the Destroyer. The other comic is a discussion running along exactly the same template ending in ''Eww''.<br />
<br />
This is probably a reference to a part of Orson Scott Card's "Xenocide" in his Ender series. In it, the main character, Ender, visits a hive queen "bugger" he saved on his travels and became friends with, at a time after the queen has settled in on a new planet. At one point, Ender brings other humans to meet the queen at a time when she was giving birth to some of her drones. This is most likely meant to represent a parody of that conversation or else represent a comedic idea of his first conversation with her when she had been birthing, where Ender is alone and is speaking to the Hive Queen. In this version, when he finds out that she is in the process of birthing more ants, rather than being compassionate and understanding with the Queen (as he is in the book), Ender is weirded out like the other humans he brings along with him later. <br />
|-<br />
|Entire shafts from top to bottom towards the rear end.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/ce/1608_Entire_shafts_from_top_to_bottom_towards_the_rear_end.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|This is the longest shaft in the Destroyer, and with the other shaft going out at the rear end, it is possible to go from the top room at the emperor and out beneath in a very short time.<br />
|-<br />
|Coin in the longest shaft.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/5a/1608_1084x1099y_Coin_in_the_longest_shaft.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1084:-1099+s.png (1084, 1099)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Cueball and Megan hanging on to each other in a shaft figuring this out.<br />
|<br />
:Cueball: Okay<br />
:Cueball: We can figure this out.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/c/c4/1608_1084x1095y_Cueball_and_Megan_hanging_on_to_each_other_in_a_shaft_figuring_this_out.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1084:-1095+s.png (1084, 1095)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Possibly a reference to a similar scene in "The Emperor's New Groove", although neither character here is obviously a llama.<br />
|-<br />
|Zoom out on light bulb with corridor and other room.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/5/5b/1608_1084x1092y_Zoom_out_on_light_bulb_with_corridor_and_other_room.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Giant light bulb room.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/d/d2/1608_1084x1090y_Giant_light_bulb_room.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1084:-1090+s.png (1084, 1090)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1085:-1090+s.png (1085, 1090)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Y<br />
|<br />
|In ''The pieces everything is made of'' in TE a light bulb is used as reference for the entry on tungsten as the filament in such bulbs is made from this element.<br />
|-<br />
|Hairbun proposition room and Cueball losing his sandwich at the rear end.<br />
|<br />
:Hairbun: Use a proposition instead of a preposition if you need something to end a sentence with, baby.<br />
<br />
:Cueball: My sandwich!<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/6/63/1608_1086x1091y_Hair_Bun_Girl_proposition_room_and_Cueball_losing_his_sandwich_at_the_rear_end.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1086:-1091+s.png (1086, 1091)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1089:-1091+s.png (1089, 1091)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|One comment is inside the other on the outside of the Destroyer. Cueballs sandwich will fall to the ground.<br />
|-<br />
|Coin bouncing out from a shaft below the hull.<br />
|<br />
:Coin: Bounce<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/4/44/1608_1086x1088y_Coin_bouncing_out_from_a_shaft_below_the_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1086:-1088+s.png (1086, 1088)]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1086:-1090+s.png (1086, 1090)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|In relation to the colon interpretation (see above) then this would literally be the rear of this living space ship, and the coin is the waste going out the rear entry!<br />
|-<br />
|Megan hanging on below the bottom of the hull.<br />
|<br />
:Megan Hmm.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/ee/1608_1082x1088y_Megan_hanging_on_below_the_bottom_of_the_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1082:-1088+s.png (1082, 1088)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Zoom out on shaft and small dead end room at the rear end.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/1/11/1608_1088x1098y_Zoom_out_on_shaft_and_small_dead_end_room_at_the_rear_end.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Zoom out on shafts and part of the rear end.<br />
|<br />
:(N/A)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/4/45/1608_1088x1105y_Zoom_out_on_shafts_and_part_of_the_rear_end.png Overview]<br />
|Overview<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Coin in a small indentation corridor at the rear end.<br />
|<br />
:(None)<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/3/35/1608_1090x1102y_Coin_in_a_small_indentation_corridor_at_the_rear_end.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1090:-1102+s.png (1090, 1102)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<font color="red">Explanation missing</font><br />
|-<br />
|Megan wants synesthesia at the rear end at bottom of the hull.<br />
|<br />
:Megan: I want synesthesia so bad I can ''taste'' it.<br />
|[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/9/9d/1608_1090x1088y_Megan_want_synesthesia_at_the_rear_end_at_bottom_of_the_hull.png Overview]<br />
|[http://xkcd.com/1608/1090:-1088+s.png (1090, 1088)]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|Comic: [[1213: Combination Vision Test]]<br />
|{{w|synesthesia}} is a neurological phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. One typical version is where numbers are perceived as having colors. This was used in the comic referenced. In this comic a wish for something makes Megan almost taste it. If she did indeed have this dysfunction, she might already have what she wished for... This is one of the rare incidences where there are two almost identically Megans in one scene.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Coins==<br />
*There are 169 coins.<br />
*For more details see here for [[1608: Hoverboard/Images coins|coins location]].<br />
*The Coins are not part of the drawing. <br />
**They are added later for the game, and they are superimposed on top of the image. <br />
**This means they are always on top of the black parts of the image. <br />
**There are no coins located over any part of the type of black that you cannot pass through. <br />
**But in more than one occasion the coins cover some of the black parts that you can walk through.<br />
***See example here [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/0b/1608_with_coin_1070_1095.png with coin] vs. [http://xkcd.com/1608/1070:-1095+s.png without coin].<br />
***The coin is here a lamp, and then when it is removed it reveals an exploded lamp beneath the coin, and also one more insect.<br />
****This means that the coins can never be hidden by anything black, and although coins can be hidden away in a secret lair, they can never be hidden under water or lava or holes in the Washington Monument.<br />
****Because if there were any coins in these dark areas, the coins would still be shown on top of the image.<br />
<br />
==Technical aspects==<br />
The game was made by [http://chromakode.com Max Goodman] who has previously worked on [[1416: Pixels]]. The source code for the game can be found [https://xkcd.com/1608/tigl.js here].<br />
<br />
===Image tiles and coordinates===<br />
As previously noted, the comic bears considerable resemblance to [[1110: Click and Drag]]. The comic is made in much the same way, with 'drawn' images "glued" together to form a large "map", with the illusion of infinite bounds made possible through space saving techniques where blank tiles are not stored and are instead painted white. The boundary between blank squares and 'drawn' squares is made clear as any white space in the normal images has a very slight grey tint. Thus, seams between images and blank spaces can be discerned.<br />
<br />
The tiles for the map are stored as simple PNG files in the naming scheme: X:-Y+s.png. An example from the starting tile can be seen here: http://xkcd.com/1608/1000:-1074+s.png, with the coordinate (X, Y) coordinate (1000, 1074).<br />
<br />
Each file is 513x513 pixels in size, one pixel is reserved as overlap to ensure seamless joining of images. The image tiles names are listed as coordinates in an X - Y grid with X in the range from 928 to 1108 and Y in the range from 928 to 1112. <br />
<br />
Internally in the game, the position of the player is given for instance as (X: 512187, -Y: -549668) for the starting position. Then these numbers are divided by 512 and rounded down. This gives the coordinate of the tile that the hoverboard is currently in.<br />
:(X: 512187, -Y: -549668)/512 => (X, Y) = (1000.37, -[-1073,6]) => (1000, 1074) when the numbers are rounded down. <br />
The bottom left corner of the first tile, would thus be (1000, 1073), and the top left corner (1000, 1074) => (512000, -549888).<br />
<br />
The collision map is encoded in the darkness of the black. Using an image manipulation program, one can easily find the secret pathways even in the zoomed out maps provided below by enhancing the contrast of the dark areas. <br />
<br />
====Play Area used as example====<br />
*Using the Play Area as an example some of the features mentioned in this section will be explained.<br />
**The images used below can be seen together [[1608: Hoverboard/Screen-shots#All of Play Area|here]].<br />
*The hoverboard begins in in (X, Y) = [http://xkcd.com/1608/1000:-1074+s.png (1000, 1074)]. <br />
**But even while staying within the Play Area, defined as the area where you will not be told to [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/ae/Return_to_the_play_area.PNG Return to the Play Area], you can see all or part of 20 images. <br />
***You can move one image left and right of the starting point before reaching the walls, and one image up without getting too high. But from there you can see part of the images one step further left, right and up, and from the starting level you can see part of the black images below as well.<br />
***This makes it a 5 times 4 images rectangle.<br />
*This first example shows a full size image combined from these 20 images that make up the play area starting in the top left corner with image [http://xkcd.com/1608/998:-1076+s.png (998, 1076)] and finishing down the right corner with image [http://xkcd.com/1608/1002:-1073+s.png (1002, 1073)]. <br />
**Here is only the images themselves, nothing with the game parts, i.e. coins and hoverboard Cueball:<br />
***[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/eb/1680_Play_Area_Full_Size_Images_Only.png Play Area Full Size Images Only].<br />
*This next example shows both where the tiles are and what you see to begin with, i.e. the starting view when loading the comic to begin with. Still without any in game details.<br />
**Here the tiles are lines out with green and the view frame is in red. From this it can be seen that the view is somewhat larger than a single image.<br />
**More precisely the view is 1.43 times longer and 1.34 higher than a tile giving an area almost twice as big (1.93 times), but only going about 1/3 of a tile length in each direction:<br />
***[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/7/7b/1680_Play_Area_Full_Size_Tiles_and_View.png Play Area Full Size Tiles and View].<br />
*This third example shows the game version, with coins and hoverboard, but still the hole Play Area and hence also the read viewing square.<br />
**This is included to indicate which coins can be seen to begin with and also how the view is centered around Cueball and the hoverboard.<br />
**Cueballs center is also the center of the view. His center is defines as the line of his body in the X direction and just above his hands in the Y direction.<br />
**The view is 12 times as high and 30 times as wide as the Cueball on hoverboard (and compared to a tile these numbers are 9.4 and 20.8 times).<br />
***[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/8/8b/1680_Play_Area_Full_Size_Coins_Hoverboard_and_View.png Play Area Full Size Coins Hoverboard and View].<br />
*The last and fourth example is the same as above, but again with the green tiles.<br />
**This to indicate the size of a tile compared to Cueball<br />
**It also shows that although there are 12 coins in the starting view, the one at the top left is clearly in the image above, and the three other at the top are grazing the top edge of the image:<br />
***[http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a3/1680_Play_Area_Full_Size_Coins_Hoverboard_Tiles_and_View.png Play Area Full Size Coins Hoverboard Tiles and View].<br />
<br />
===Functionality===<br />
By observing page code while playing, the game grabs and displays images based on location, and subsequently clears all non-visible images. The game uses what seems to be a position syntax to retrieve the intended images live, and returns an error if such an image does not exist, such as a blank area. This technically means things could be added to the world and updated live. If the player is moving sufficiently fast or if the internet connection is slow, this means that the player can get stuck in a black area that does not load in time.<br />
<br />
This also means that the game does not have coded top or bottom limits, so any attempt to find the ''ceiling'' of the game will be futile unless the game is tweaked. The game does however have side limits, and it is not possible to go down further than image with Y coordinate 1073 (and it goes down to 1069 in the full image), so there is a bottom limit in the game. If using a [[#Cheats and Exploits|cheat mode]] this may be different.<br />
<br />
Opening the console will display the text: what? hoverboard not enough for you!? in the log. Activating goggles mode will cause the text 'B-)' to appear in the log.<br />
<br />
===Bugs and errors===<br />
*On a slow connection, it's possible to move into an 'open' area and then the black image loads in and (probably permanently, without tricks) traps you immobile.<br />
*Sometimes the timing of the game is completely off. This can make the Cueball move extremely slowly. Or on the other extreme make him go faster so the images jumps and makes the graphic look horrible.<br />
**This error was actually used to discover something about how you move when pressing the arrows - see under [[#Controls|Controls]].<br />
*If the focus switches from the game to the page, the Cueball can freeze in midair. The same thing can happen if the window border overlaps the play area.<br />
<br />
===Controls===<br />
The keyboard controls are as follows:<br />
<br />
*'''Go Left''' - Left arrow key, a or h<br />
*'''Go Right''' - Right arrow key, d or l<br />
*'''Go Up (jump or hover)''' - Up arrow key, w, or k<br />
*'''Go Down (if gravity disabled)''' - Down arrow key, s, or j<br />
<br />
This control scheme covers the three commonly used directional key sets: WASD a set of keys commonly used by modern games; HJKL a set of movement keys used by vi and applications which attempt to mimic vi key controls (vim); and the arrow keys, the most generic set of keys which is usually accepted by most applications which take movement as input, these were commonly used in older games.<br />
<br />
On devices which have a touch screen and tilt sensor (portable devices like mobile phones and tablets) the controls are as follows:<br />
*'''Go Left''' - Roll the device anticlockwise<br />
*'''Go Right''' - Roll the device clockwise<br />
*'''Go Up (jump or hover)''' - Tap the screen<br />
<br />
After inspecting the source code, there appears to be no way to move down on a portable device, this is only relevant if gravity is disabled (see [[#Cheats and Exploits|Cheats and Exploits]]).<br />
<br />
*If you keep down the left/right control you will keep moving along in that direction as long as no object blocks you.<br />
*A jump will only take you a certain height. <br />
**Then you drop down. <br />
**The jump is fast to begin with, then gravity stops you and revert the direction.<br />
**When descending again you accelerate to begin with but quickly reach a terminal velocity.<br />
*If you jump repeatedly while keeping a left/right control down you will jump in that direction.<br />
**But if you only jump one time, while keeping down the direction control, then you will stop moving forward after about 2.8s, from then on you will just keep falling straight down, or stop where you reached if on the ground. <br />
**This makes quite a difference when you jump into an opening from a high structure. If the background is completely white, you cannot see that you do not continue to move forward, and will thus not be aware that you are now falling straight down, instead of going left/right. <br />
**It can actually be quite difficult to notice as you will leave any structures that can indicate this issue very quickly.<br />
***Of course if you notice that you land much too close to some high structure from where you base jumped, you will begin to understand. For instance falling off the floating rock, and not moving away from under neath it during that long fall.<br />
***The timing was discovered because of one of the [[#Bugs and errors|bugs]] in the program that sometimes makes Cueball move extremely slow, so one jump takes more than 3s. <br />
**The solution: if you wish to keep moving to either side while descending, is that after the jump, you release and repress the left/right control. Then you will continue moving in that direction as long as you do not jump again. <br />
**As long as you continue to jump you will also keep moving laterally if you keep one of those buttons down. The is quite counter intuitive.<br />
***This also means that when you jump up over a long distance (or continue to jump hover over the landscape), you will not have this issue, since every jump reactivates the lateral movement.<br />
***But if you jump over a small obstacle and then just keep another arrow down, you will soon stop, which could fool you into believing that it was an obstacle on the ground that held you back.<br />
<br />
===Cheats and Exploits===<br />
Aside from the obvious ability to move out of bounds in the game, there are some more obscure hidden features which can't be enabled through normal gameplay, the ones found so far are as follows:<br />
<br />
'''Modes''' are activated by opening the Javascript Console (F12 [Or Command-Alt-I in most browsers under Mac OS X] to open Developer Tools, then Console tab) and writing corresponding commands.<br><br />
'''Click to expand:'''<br />
<br />
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed leftAlign" style="width:100%"><br />
<br />
*'''Gandalf Mode:''' ''i.am.gandalf = true'' - jumps and runs further. displays a white gandalf hat that works well in places where the avatar can't be seen.<br />
*'''Speedhack:''' ''explorer.opts.speed= *Value*'' - Speed hacking, with 1 = normal speed<br />
*'''Jump Hack:''' '' explorer.opts.jumpForce= -*Value*'' - Jump hacking, with -10 = normal jump (positive values cause the hoverboard guy to move down when jumping)<br />
*'''Mewtwo mode:''' ''mewtwo = true'' - disables gravity<br />
*'''Noclip mode:''' ''noclip = true'' - player is able to move around the map without collision. Combine with Gandalf and Mewtwo modes for free easy map traversal.<br />
*'''Goggles mode:''' ''ze.goggles()'' - displays a small window showing area around the player in a pixelated manner. The goggles indicate collision boundaries (where the player touches the world) in cyan lines. Black pixels that are passable (such as other characters or text) will be highlighted red (allowing secret passages to be discovered).<br />
*'''Position Tracking:''' ''explorer.pos'' - Returns the player location to the console. Can be used to track position and test to ensure you are still moving. Must be re-entered to compare positioning.<br />
*'''Position Setting:''' ''explorer.pos.x = *Value* or explorer.pos.y = *Value*'' - Can be used to manually set a position within the world. The start is at x: 512106, y: -549612. The left terrain bound is at x: 475210, y: -553711. The right terrain bound is at x: 567281, y: -549712. Mewtwo and Noclip modes are a must for exploring in this way.<br />
* '''All the above:''' ''explorer.opts'' - Contains all the game's parameters. You can directly mess with ''gravity'', collision (''disableCollision''), jump force (''jumpForce'') and speed (''maxSpeed''), among others. Run ''Object.keys(explorer.opts)'' to list all available parameters you can tweak.<br />
* '''List all coins:''' ''explorer.objects'' - Array containing the position of the 169 coins of the game.<br />
* '''Disable tilt input:''' ''getEventListeners(window)['deviceorientation'][0].remove()'' - on Macs with motion sensor, disables tilt input which causes problems controlling the avatar<br />
<br />
'''Getting All Coins: ''' To instantly get all coins, input the below into the console window. Does not use standard formatting of [i] to avoid conflicts with i.am.gandalf<br />
<br />
for (var T = 0; T < explorer.objects.length; T++) {<br />
explorer.objects[T].got = true;<br />
}<br />
<br />
To teleport to the next coin every time you press the left or right arrow:<br />
<br />
var T = 0;<br />
document.onkeydown = function(event){<br />
if (event.keyCode == 37) { T = T-1 }<br />
else if (event.keyCode == 39) { T = T+1 }<br />
else { return }<br />
T = T % explorer.objects.length;<br />
var coin = explorer.objects[T];<br />
explorer.pos.x = coin.x1; explorer.pos.y = coin.y1;<br />
}<br />
<br />
For a quick tour of all the coins:<br />
<br />
var delayInMilliseconds = 1000; // 1 second delay between each teleport. feel free to change this.<br />
var index = 0;<br />
explorer.objects.forEach(function(x){<br />
setTimeout(function(){<br />
explorer.pos.x = x.x1;<br />
explorer.pos.y = x.y1;<br />
x.got = true;<br />
explorer.frame(); // forces a redraw<br />
},<br />
(index + 1) * delayInMilliseconds);<br />
index++;<br />
});<br />
<br />
To see a list of coin coordinates you have not yet collected:<br />
<br />
var coinsfound = 0;<br />
for (var T = 0; T < explorer.objects.length; T++) {<br />
if (explorer.objects[T].got == true) {coinsfound++}<br />
}<br />
console.log(coinsfound);<br />
<br />
To display the distance and direction to the closest coin (with inverted colors once you have all the coins):<br />
<br />
function distance(x1, y1, x2, y2) {<br />
var dx = x2 - x1;<br />
var dy = y2 - y1;<br />
return Math.sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy);<br />
}<br />
<br />
function angle(x1, y1, x2, y2) {<br />
var dx = x2 - x1;<br />
var dy = y2 - y1;<br />
return Math.atan2(dy, dx) * 180 / Math.PI;<br />
}<br />
<br />
function renderRadar() {<br />
var mindist = 10000000000;<br />
var closest = {<br />
x1:512278.0, y1:-549613.0<br />
};<br />
var linecolor = "blue";<br />
for (var S = 0; S < explorer.objects.length; S++) {<br />
var I = explorer.objects[S];<br />
if (!I.got) {<br />
var dist = distance(explorer.pos.x, explorer.pos.y, I.x1, I.y1);<br />
if (dist < mindist) {<br />
mindist = dist;<br />
closest = I;<br />
}<br />
}<br />
}<br />
if (mindist == 10000000000) {<br />
mindist = distance(explorer.pos.x, explorer.pos.y, closest.x1, closest.y1);<br />
if (document.getElementById("radar").style.backgroundColor != "blue") {<br />
document.getElementById("radar").style.backgroundColor = "blue";<br />
}<br />
linecolor = "deepskyblue";<br />
} else {<br />
if (document.getElementById("radar").style.backgroundColor != "deepskyblue") {<br />
document.getElementById("radar").style.backgroundColor = "deepskyblue";<br />
}<br />
}<br />
var ang = angle(explorer.pos.x, explorer.pos.y, closest.x1, closest.y1);<br />
var indicator = "";<br />
if (ang > 112.5 || ang < -112.5) {<br />
indicator += "left";<br />
}<br />
if (ang < 67.5 && ang > -67.5) {<br />
indicator += "right";<br />
}<br />
if (ang > -157.5 && ang < -22.5) {<br />
indicator += " up";<br />
}<br />
if (ang > 22.5 && ang < 157.5) {<br />
indicator += " down";<br />
}<br />
document.getElementById("radar").innerHTML = "Distance: " + mindist.toFixed(1).toString() + "&lt;br/>";<br />
document.getElementById("radar").innerHTML += indicator + " (" + -ang.toFixed(1).toString() + "°)";<br />
document.getElementById("radar").innerHTML += "<div id='circle' style='border: 1px solid black; border-radius: 50px; width: 100px; height: 100px; position:absolute; top:50px; left:25px'/>";<br />
document.getElementById("radar").innerHTML += "<div id='line' style='width: 50px; height: 1px; background-color: " + linecolor + "; position:absolute; top:100px; left:75px; transform:rotate(" + ang + "deg); transform-origin:0% 0%'/>";<br />
}<br />
<br />
var d = document.createElement("div");<br />
d.id = "radar";<br />
d.style.position = "fixed";<br />
d.style.left = "0px";<br />
d.style.top = "0px";<br />
d.style.width = "150px";<br />
d.style.height = "160px";<br />
d.style.border = "1px solid blue";<br />
d.style.zIndex = "2";<br />
d.style.backgroundColor = "deepskyblue";<br />
d.style.color = "#8f8";<br />
document.body.appendChild(d);<br />
<br />
setInterval(renderRadar, 100);<br />
<br />
To see how many coins you've collected:<br />
<br />
var coinsfound = 0;<br />
for (var T = 0; T < explorer.objects.length; T++) {<br />
if (explorer.objects[T].got == true) {coinsfound++}<br />
}<br />
<br />
console.log(coinsfound);<br />
<br />
To display your current coordinates:<br />
<br />
function renderRadar2() {<br />
document.getElementById("radar2").innerHTML = "x: " + explorer.pos.x.toFixed(1).toString() + "&lt;br>y: " + explorer.pos.y.toFixed(1).toString()<br />
}<br />
<br />
var d = document.createElement("div")<br />
d.id = "radar2"<br />
d.style.position = "fixed"<br />
d.style.left = "150px"<br />
d.style.top = "0px"<br />
d.style.width = "150px"<br />
d.style.height = "35px"<br />
d.style.border = "1px solid red"<br />
d.style.zIndex = "2"<br />
d.style.backgroundColor = "green"<br />
d.style.color = "#8f8"<br />
document.body.appendChild(d)<br />
<br />
setInterval(renderRadar2, 1000)<br />
</div><br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:No title text]] <!-- See trivia --><br />
[[Category:Comics with color]]<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Comics with animation]] <!-- Different positions of hoverboard Cueball, Blinking text, appearing and disappearing text --><br />
[[Category:Dynamic comics]]<br />
[[Category:Interactive comics]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Black Hat]] <!-- Well hidden in the cave --><br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairbun]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Blondie]] <!-- Mom seeing a bug at lake before volcano --><br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Elon Musk]] <!-- Hidden in the volcanic lair on a chair --><br />
[[Category:Comics featuring real people]]<br />
[[Category:Multiple Cueballs]] <!-- There are many situations with more than one Cueball, so it is not just because he is in separate locations --><br />
[[Category:Philosophy]]<br />
[[Category:Video games]]<br />
[[Category:Star Wars]]<br />
[[Category:LOTR]]<br />
[[Category:Star Trek]]<br />
[[Category:The Lion King]] <!-- Cueball recites a line from the movie see here: http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/a/a0/1608_0986x1076y_Our_kingdom_from_a_cliff.png --><br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Spiders]] <!-- No spider shown, but Cueball sings about them in this image: http://xkcd.com/1608/1026:-1073+s.png --><br />
[[Category:Songs]] <!-- Cueball sings about spider in this image: http://xkcd.com/1608/1026:-1073+s.png --><br />
[[Category:Protip]] <!-- Ponytail gives one at the base of the pyramid to the right --><br />
[[Category:Hamster Ball]]<br />
[[Category:Playpen balls]]<br />
[[Category:Kites]]<br />
[[Category:Basketball]]<br />
[[Category:Sport]] <!-- Apart from basketball there are bowling and swimming, sleighing, biking --><br />
[[Category:Robots]] <!-- Small in both Space Ships to the left as well as quadcopters in the volcano--><br />
[[Category:Artificial Intelligence]] <!-- Quadcopters in the volcano --><br />
[[Category:Food]] <!-- Cueball drops his sandwich of the back of the Destroyer and he and Megan roast a Marshmallow at the back of the Runner --><br />
[[Category:Social networking]] <!--Trending and Twitter in the lava lair and "likes during reentry" for the space probe--><br />
[[Category:Clickbait]] <!--The mother who discovers a bug near the kite to the left--><br />
[[Category:Drones]] <!--The quadcopters over the lava lake--><br />
[[Category:Book promotion]]<br />
[[Category:Volcanoes]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2648:_Chemicals&diff=2899782648: Chemicals2022-07-22T18:12:33Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Explanation */ liquefied gases are almost always sold by volume but measured by weight, because I have no clue why</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2648<br />
| date = July 20, 2022<br />
| title = Chemicals<br />
| image = chemicals.png<br />
| titletext = It's hard to believe, but lots of kids these days ONLY know how to buy prepackaged molecules.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by BIG ISOMER - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon. This page has been subject to _extensive_ vandalism and misediting, and for a time editors were unable to contribute content, which has been lost. Anything you can do to review it and make it better is welcome.}}<br />
<br />
In this comic, [[Megan]] mentions to [[Cueball]] that their company spends a lot on chemicals for which you can find formulas online. She suggests assembling chemicals from atoms "bought in bulk," holding a sheet of paper with the {{w|empirical formula}} C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>NO<sub>2</sub>, which designates [https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/#query=C6H5NO2 hundreds of compounds] including {{w|nitrobenzene}}, {{w|niacin}}, {{w|isonicotinic acid}}, and {{w|picolinic acid}}, followed by their component elements listed with quantities and prices. The ambiguity of chemical formulae is one of the jokes in the comic.<br />
<br />
While many expensive chemicals are composed of inexpensive and easily available elements, "assembling" those elements into specific molecules is rarely as simple as Megan implies. That work is the primary purpose of the global chemical industry. In-house {{w|chemical synthesis}} is usually not cost effective, because end users have limited time and are generally unable to leverage the {{w|economies of scale}} inherent in bulk manufacturing by specialist industrial firms.[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2880393/] However, we don't know whether Megan and Cueball work in a laboratory, factory, or some other industrial setting. If they need chemicals in bulk, or only very small quantities, synthesizing them might be cost effective. In any case, producing chemicals from their constituent elements or {{w|Precursor (chemistry)|precursor compound}}s is difficult and time-consuming, usually requires expensive equipment, and is often fraught with peril. It's conceivable that this could change as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnology develop, but it is a far fetch given the relative ease of synthesizing chemicals from other chemicals.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QwW2owNWgc] {{w|Nitrobenzene}}, one of the C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>NO<sub>2</sub> compounds, is an excellent example because it is explosive and extremely toxic, and its synthesis is highly exothermic, making it one of the most dangerous syntheses in the chemical industry.[https://www.icheme.org/media/10339/xiii-paper-36.pdf] Such issues answer Cueball's question as to why more places don't manufacture their own compounds from atoms. Usually chemicals are derived from precursor chemicals instead of constituent elements. Megan seems to be imagining synthesis as a much simpler process without reactivity, energy release, or hazardous intermediate substances. The characters' naivety also gives rise to the humor of the comic.<br />
<br />
"Big Molecule" is an [[2130: Industry Nicknames|industry nickname like Big Oil or Big Pharma]], amusing in its own right, and conceivably implying that the chemical industry is conspiring to prevent end users from synthesizing their own compounds. Big Oil and Big Pharma are real industrial nicknames, referring to large industries run by a relatively small number of massive and hugely profitable companies. These companies are sufficiently wealthy and influential that they exert significant control over the marketplace, and even over government policy. Consequently, many consumers believing that their influence allows them to price products unfairly and prevent competition. "Big Molecule," on the other hand, is not a common term. It could be used to refer to the global chemical industry, but that industry is neither seen as being excessively powerful, nor does it impact consumers as visibly, and so doesn't merit a similar nickname.<br />
<br />
Megan is holding a note listing how many of the four types of atoms she needs to build one molecule of the compound she wants to assemble. The paper seems to list prices for buying 6 carbon, 5 hydrogen, 1 nitrogen and 2 oxygen atoms, although the units aren't specified and the very small prices are illegible. At the bottom is a sum showing she needs 14 total, again with an illegible price. She is suggesting buying atoms in bulk, which should be even cheaper than buying them individually. However, this is another layer of humor, as you can neither buy individual atoms or get a price for them, showing her lack of understanding of chemistry. An actual {{w|bill of materials}} for a chemical compound synthesis from constituent elements alone would list the elements converting their number of atoms to {{w|Mole (unit)|mole}}s, then [https://www.omnicalculator.com/chemistry/mole to mass] for solids and some fluids or to volume at the available pressure and temperature for other fluids, and then to the purchase price, which usually needs to be rounded up to match the next largest size available from suppliers. Plus, {{w|reagent}}s necessary for the synthesis such as {{w|catalyst}}s and {{w|enzyme}}s often cost more than the constituents, but are sometimes recoverable for reuse, which may require even more reagents.<br />
<br />
The title text refers to the fact that older people often complain that "kids these days" don't know how to do things that seemed fundamental to past generations. Randall may have expressed that he dislikes other statements like these in [[2165: Millennials|previous comics]]. It may also refer to the decline of home {{w|chemistry set}}s popular from the late 1700s through the early 1980s that encouraged kids to experiment with basic chemical reactions like generating esters or polymers, or the even older decline in home manufacture of gunpowder as was common in the 1800s. Chemical engineering was more widely practiced during the development of plastics, but far fewer people understand how they are made today. Similarly with automobiles, domesticated crops, and many other technologies that progressed through a period of popular attention but became siloed into industries, corporations, governments, or branches of academia. This is happening now with some software, circuitry, and other technologies, where fewer people know how to build and troubleshoot complex devices and systems. Technology users thus lose their ability to build and repair machines and modify their tools themselves, having to rely on paid services instead. Similar to the makerspace movement, community chemical labs have occasionally been cropping up, where people work together to perform citizen science, including occasional chemical synthesis, by sharing community resources; however, biohacking and structural manufacturing are far more common.{{citation needed}}<br />
<br />
This comic may have been prompted by recent news that [https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2022-07-15/for-the-first-time-in-history-we-can-modify-atomic-bonds-in-a-single-molecule.html scientists have found a way to assemble and change atoms in individual molecules] by modifying their bonds.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:[Megan and Cueball standing next to each other. Megan has her palms raised.]<br />
:Megan: You know how our company spends a lot on expensive chemicals?<br />
:Cueball: Yeah?<br />
<br />
:[Zoom in on Megan who is holding piece of paper up in one hand. The paper has a large chemical formula at the top. Below is a list of the atoms needed, with amount and a price tag in dollars but with unreadable amount. There is a sum total at the bottom beneath a line.]<br />
:Megan: Well, I just learned you can look up all of the formulas online!<br />
:Megan: We can just buy the atoms in bulk and assemble them here! <br />
:Paper:<br />
::<big>C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>NO<sub>2</sub></big><br />
::Carbon 6 $...<br />
::Hydrogen 5 $...<br />
::Nitrogen 1 $...<br />
::<u>Oxygen 2 $...</u><br />
::Total 14 $...<br />
<br />
:[Cueball is now on the left of Megan as she is walking past him to the right holding her arms outstretched with her palms up.]<br />
:Cueball: I wonder why more places don't do that.<br />
:Megan: People have no idea they're getting ripped off by Big Molecule!<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Chemistry]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2642:_Meta-Alternating_Current&diff=2898112642: Meta-Alternating Current2022-07-21T18:08:52Z<p>172.70.214.81: grammar</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2642<br />
| date = July 6, 2022<br />
| title = Meta-Alternating Current<br />
| image = meta_alternating_current.png<br />
| titletext = It's always bothered me that you can't cancel out an inverter by putting a second inverter after it.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a CHAIN OF INVERTERS - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
{{w|Direct current}} is a unidirectional flow of electrons from a power source to something being powered, through one or more conductors, before returning to the power source via one or more other conductors, thus completing the circuit. Batteries produce direct current. It is commonly used in electronics applications, including computers. {{w|Alternating current}}, on the other hand, frequently reverses the direction of electron flow, and is commonly used for longer-distance transmission (such as from the power plant to an outlet).<br />
<br />
This comic proposes a humorous ''Meta-Alternating Current'', which uses a series of adapters to "alternate" between DC and AC current along the length of a connector. This is absurd in part because typical {{w|power inverter}} efficiency is 90%, and maximum {{w|bridge rectifier}} efficiency is 81.2%, so an {{w|extension cord}} made of in this manner would lose about 27% power per such pair. The "extension cord" shown would yield about 11% of its input power.<br />
<br />
The title text bemoans that an inverter, which converts direct current to alternating current, does not work in the other direction, as a layman's interpretation of the word "inverter" might appear. Rather, a separate device, a {{w|rectifier}}, also pictured in the comic, must be used for this second conversion. (However, a similar circuit to an inverter may be used to rectify in a process called {{w|active rectification}}.)<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
:Cursed Connectors #120<br />
<br />
:[Drawing of a chain of rectifiers and inverters. There are seven pairs of rectifiers/inverters. The chain starts on the left with a mains plug (type B), followed by the first rectifier. It ends with the last inverter, and a female mains plug (type B socket).]<br />
<br />
:Meta-alternating current extension cord<br />
:(alternates between AC and DC)<br />
<br />
==Trivia==<br />
This comic replaced [[No One Was Hurt]] as comic 2642 after it was taken down from [[xkcd]]'s website.<br />
<br />
This comic does not have a high-resolution (2x) image for high-DPI displays, making it look more blurry than usual on such devices (such as smartphones). This is probably because it was uploaded hastily to replace No One Was Hurt quickly.<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Cursed Connectors]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2648:_Chemicals&diff=2896142648: Chemicals2022-07-21T04:31:32Z<p>172.70.214.81: Undo revision 289613 by 108.162.245.249 (talk)</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2648<br />
| date = July 20, 2022<br />
| title = Chemicals<br />
| image = chemicals.png<br />
| titletext = It's hard to believe, but lots of kids these days ONLY know how to buy prepackaged molecules.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by BIG ISOMER - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
In this comic, [[Megan]] mentions that her company spends a lot on chemicals for which you can find formulas online. She suggests assembling chemicals from atoms "bought in bulk," holding a sheet of paper with the {{w|empirical formula}} C<sub>5</sub>H<sub>6</sub>NO<sub>2</sub> which designates [https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/#query=C5H6NO2 more than a hundred compounds and ions], including {{w|nitrobenzene}}, {{w|niacin}}, {{w|isonicotinic acid}}, and {{w|picolinic acid}}, followed by their component elements listed with prices. The ambiguity of chemical formulae is one of the jokes in the comic.<br />
<br />
While in-house {{w|chemical synthesis}} is sometimes cost effective, usually it is not, because end users are often unable to leverage the {{w|economies of scale}} inherent in bulk manufacturing by specialist industrial firms.[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2880393/] However, we don't know whether Megan and [[Cueball]] work in a laboratory, factory, or some other industrial setting. In-house chemical syntheses in factories using large volumes often ''are'' cost-effective, as can be laboratory syntheses of very small quantities. <br />
<br />
In any case, producing chemicals from their constituent elements or {{w|Precursor (chemistry)|precursor compound}}s is difficult, time-consuming, requires expensive equipment, and is often fraught with peril.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QwW2owNWgc] Nitrobenzene, one of the C<sub>5</sub>H<sub>6</sub>NO<sub>2</sub> compounds, is an excellent example because it is explosive, extremely toxic, and its synthesis is highly exothermic, making it one of the most dangerous syntheses in the chemical industry.[https://www.icheme.org/media/10339/xiii-paper-36.pdf] Such issues answer Cueball's question as to why more places don't manufacture their own chemicals. The characters' naivety also gives rise to the humor of the comic. "Big Molecule" is an [[2130: Industry Nicknames|industry nickname like Big Oil or Big Pharma]], and amusing in its own right.<br />
<br />
This may be mocking DIY lifehacks where the cost savings only make sense if you ignore the massive time investment. <br />
<br />
The title text refers to the fact that many people believe that "kids these days" don't do enough work or are spoiled. Randall has expressed that he dislikes statements like these in [[2165: Millennials|previous comics]].<br />
<br />
This comic may have been prompted by recent news that [https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2022-07-15/for-the-first-time-in-history-we-can-modify-atomic-bonds-in-a-single-molecule.html scientists have found a way to assemble and change atoms in individual molecules] by modifying their bonds.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
:[Megan and Cueball standing next to each other. Megan has her palms raised.]<br />
:Megan: You know how our company spends a lot on expensive chemicals?<br />
:Cueball: Yeah?<br />
<br />
:[Megan holding up a piece of paper with a chemical formula on it, as well as some computation for the number of atoms needed]<br />
:Megan: Well, I just learned you can look up all of the formulas online!<br />
:Megan: We can just buy the atoms in bulk and assemble them here! <br />
:[The paper reads as follows. The illegible items appear to be prices.]<br />
:C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>NO<sub>2</sub><br />
:Carbon 6 $[illegible]<br />
:Hydrogen 5 $[illegible]<br />
:Nitrogen 1 $[illegible]<br />
:<u>Oxygen 2 $[illegible]</u><br />
:Total 14 $[illegible]<br />
<br />
:[Cueball still standing. Megan walking off-panel to the right]<br />
:Cueball: I wonder why more places don't do that.<br />
:Megan: People have no idea they're getting ripped off by Big Molecule!<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Chemistry]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2648:_Chemicals&diff=2896072648: Chemicals2022-07-21T03:48:14Z<p>172.70.214.81: One of four</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2648<br />
| date = July 20, 2022<br />
| title = Chemicals<br />
| image = chemicals.png<br />
| titletext = It's hard to believe, but lots of kids these days ONLY know how to buy prepackaged molecules.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by BIG ISOMER - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
In this comic, [[Megan]] mentions that her company spends a lot on chemicals for which you can find formulas online. She suggests assembling chemicals from atoms "bought in bulk," holding a sheet of paper with the {{w|empirical formula}} C<sub>5</sub>H<sub>6</sub>NO<sub>2</sub> which designates at least four very different chemicals, {{w|nitrobenzene}}, {{w|niacin}}, {{w|isonicotinic acid}}, and {{w|picolinic acid}}, followed by their component elements listed with prices. The ambiguity of chemical formulae is one of the jokes in the comic.<br />
<br />
While in-house {{w|chemical synthesis}} is sometimes cost effective, usually it is not, because end users are often unable to leverage the {{w|economies of scale}} inherent in bulk manufacturing by specialist industrial firms.[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2880393/] However, we don't know whether Megan and [[Cueball]] work in a laboratory, factory, or some other industrial setting. In-house chemical syntheses in factories using large volumes often ''are'' cost-effective, as can be laboratory syntheses of very small quantities. <br />
<br />
In any case, producing chemicals from their constituent elements or {{w|Precursor (chemistry)|precursor compound}}s is difficult, time-consuming, requires expensive equipment, and is often fraught with peril.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QwW2owNWgc] Nitrobenzene is an excellent example because it is explosive, extremely toxic, and its synthesis is highly exothermic, making it one of the most dangerous syntheses in the chemical industry.[https://www.icheme.org/media/10339/xiii-paper-36.pdf] Such issues answer Cueball's question as to why more places don't manufacture their own chemicals. The characters' naivety also gives rise to the humor of the comic. "Big Molecule" is an [[2130: Industry Nicknames|industry nickname like Big Oil or Big Pharma]], and amusing in its own right.<br />
<br />
The title text refers to the fact that many people believe that "kids these days" don't do enough work or are spoiled. Randall has expressed that he dislikes statements like these in [[2165: Millennials|previous comics]].<br />
<br />
This comic may have been prompted by recent news that [https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2022-07-15/for-the-first-time-in-history-we-can-modify-atomic-bonds-in-a-single-molecule.html scientists have found a way to assemble and change atoms in individual molecules] by modifying their bonds.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
:[Megan and Cueball standing next to each other. Megan has her palms raised.]<br />
:Megan: You know how our company spends a lot on expensive chemicals?<br />
:Cueball: Yeah?<br />
<br />
:[Megan holding up a piece of paper with a chemical formula on it, as well as some computation for the number of atoms needed]<br />
:Megan: Well, I just learned you can look up all of the formulas online!<br />
:Megan: We can just buy the atoms in bulk and assemble them here! <br />
:[The paper reads as follows. The illegible items appear to be prices.]<br />
:C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>NO<sub>2</sub><br />
:Carbon 6 $[illegible]<br />
:Hydrogen 5 $[illegible]<br />
:Nitrogen 1 $[illegible]<br />
:<u>Oxygen 2 $[illegible]</u><br />
:Total 14 $[illegible]<br />
<br />
:[Cueball still standing. Megan walking off-panel to the right]<br />
:Cueball: I wonder why more places don't do that.<br />
:Megan: People have no idea they're getting ripped off by Big Molecule!<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Chemistry]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2648:_Chemicals&diff=2895932648: Chemicals2022-07-21T00:22:26Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Explanation */ ambiguous empirical formula, per talk</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2648<br />
| date = July 20, 2022<br />
| title = Chemicals<br />
| image = chemicals.png<br />
| titletext = It's hard to believe, but lots of kids these days ONLY know how to buy prepackaged molecules.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by BIG MOLECULE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
In this comic, [[Megan]] mentions that her company spends a lot on chemicals for which you can find formulas online. She suggests assembling chemicals from atoms "bought in bulk," holding a sheet of paper with the chemical formula for both {{w|nitrobenzene}} and {{w|niacin}} followed by their component elements listed with prices. The ambiguity of {{w|empirical formula}}s is one of the two jokes in the comic.<br />
<br />
While in-house {{w|chemical synthesis}} is sometimes cost effective, usually it is not, because end users are unable to leverage the {{w|economies of scale}} inherent in bulk manufacturing by specialist industrial firms.[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2880393/] Producing chemicals from their constituent elements is difficult, time-consuming, requires expensive equipment, and is often fraught with peril.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QwW2owNWgc] Nitrobenzene is an excellent example because it is extremely toxic and its synthesis is highly exothermic, making it one of the most dangerous syntheses in the chemical industry.[https://www.icheme.org/media/10339/xiii-paper-36.pdf] Such issues answer [[Cueball]]'s question as to why more places don't manufacture their own chemicals. The characters' naivety also gives rise to the humor of the comic. Big Molecule is an [[2130: Industry Nicknames|industry nickname like Big Oil or Big Pharma]].<br />
<br />
The title text refers to the fact that many people believe that "kids these days" don't do enough work or are spoiled. Randall has expressed that he dislikes statements like these in [[2165: Millennials|previous comics]].<br />
<br />
This comic may have been prompted by recent news that [https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2022-07-15/for-the-first-time-in-history-we-can-modify-atomic-bonds-in-a-single-molecule.html scientists have found a way to assemble and change atoms in individual molecules] by modifying their bonds.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
:[Megan and Cueball standing next to each other. Megan has her palms raised.]<br />
:Megan: You know how our company spends a lot on expensive chemicals?<br />
:Cueball: Yeah?<br />
<br />
:[Megan holding up a piece of paper with a chemical formula on it, as well as some computation for the number of atoms needed]<br />
:Megan: Well, I just learned you can look up all of the formulas online!<br />
:Megan: We can just buy the atoms in bulk and assemble them here! <br />
:[The paper reads as follows. The illegible items appear to be prices.]<br />
:C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>NO<sub>2</sub><br />
:Carbon 6 $[illegible]<br />
:Hydrogen 5 $[illegible]<br />
:Nitrogen 1 $[illegible]<br />
:<u>Oxygen 2 $[illegible]</u><br />
:Total 14 $[illegible]<br />
<br />
:[Cueball still standing. Megan walking off-panel to the right]<br />
:Cueball: I wonder why more places don't do that.<br />
:Megan: People have no idea they're getting ripped off by Big Molecule!<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Chemistry]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2648:_Chemicals&diff=2895922648: Chemicals2022-07-21T00:18:51Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Explanation */ goes without saying</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2648<br />
| date = July 20, 2022<br />
| title = Chemicals<br />
| image = chemicals.png<br />
| titletext = It's hard to believe, but lots of kids these days ONLY know how to buy prepackaged molecules.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by BIG MOLECULE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
In this comic, [[Megan]] mentions that her company spends a lot on chemicals for which you can find formulas online. She suggests assembling chemicals from atoms "bought in bulk," holding a sheet of paper with the chemical formula for {{w|nitrobenzene}} and its component elements listed with their prices. <br />
<br />
While in-house {{w|chemical synthesis}} is sometimes cost effective, usually it is not, because end users are unable to leverage the {{w|economies of scale}} inherent in bulk manufacturing by specialist industrial firms.[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2880393/] Producing chemicals from their constituent elements is difficult, time-consuming, requires expensive equipment, and is often fraught with peril.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QwW2owNWgc] Nitrobenzene is an excellent example because it is extremely toxic and its synthesis is highly exothermic, making it one of the most dangerous syntheses in the chemical industry.[https://www.icheme.org/media/10339/xiii-paper-36.pdf] Such issues answer [[Cueball]]'s question as to why more places don't manufacture their own chemicals. The characters' naivety gives rise to the humor of the comic. Big Molecule is an [[2130: Industry Nicknames|industry nickname like Big Oil or Big Pharma]].<br />
<br />
The title text refers to the fact that many people believe that "kids these days" don't do enough work or are spoiled. Randall has expressed that he dislikes statements like these in [[2165: Millennials|previous comics]].<br />
<br />
This comic may have been prompted by recent news that [https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2022-07-15/for-the-first-time-in-history-we-can-modify-atomic-bonds-in-a-single-molecule.html scientists have found a way to assemble and change atoms in individual molecules] by modifying their bonds.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
:[Megan and Cueball standing next to each other. Megan has her palms raised.]<br />
:Megan: You know how our company spends a lot on expensive chemicals?<br />
:Cueball: Yeah?<br />
<br />
:[Megan holding up a piece of paper with a chemical formula on it, as well as some computation for the number of atoms needed]<br />
:Megan: Well, I just learned you can look up all of the formulas online!<br />
:Megan: We can just buy the atoms in bulk and assemble them here! <br />
:[The paper reads as follows. The illegible items appear to be prices.]<br />
:C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>NO<sub>2</sub><br />
:Carbon 6 $[illegible]<br />
:Hydrogen 5 $[illegible]<br />
:Nitrogen 1 $[illegible]<br />
:<u>Oxygen 2 $[illegible]</u><br />
:Total 14 $[illegible]<br />
<br />
:[Cueball still standing. Megan walking off-panel to the right]<br />
:Cueball: I wonder why more places don't do that.<br />
:Megan: People have no idea they're getting ripped off by Big Molecule!<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Chemistry]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:2647:_Capri_Suns&diff=289052Talk:2647: Capri Suns2022-07-19T09:14:08Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* IV sucrose solutions aren't that bad */ pasteurized</p>
<hr />
<div><!--Please sign your posts with ~~~~ and don't delete this text. New comments should be added at the bottom.--><br />
The title text could also be referring to a catheter. I'm not sure which is funnier, but one is certainly grosser. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.85.115|172.70.85.115]] 18:15, 18 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
That is defenitely a urine collection bag from the end of a catheter. The colour would make it doubly "mistakable" for a Capri-Sun with primary flavour/colour being orange. And urine (when collected and undiluted) is usually orange in colour. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.156.215|172.69.156.215]] 18:38, 18 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:Actually, Capri Sun drinks are generally completely colorless{{citation needed}}, since the pouches are opaque and the liquid is therefore never really seen, so there's no need for artificial coloring to be added (which is the only reason other similar drinks have a color to them). [[User:Dansiman|Dansiman]] ([[User talk:Dansiman|talk]]) 21:27, 18 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:: Depends on the flavor, because they have actual fruit juice. The drinks with cherry juice, for example, are red, and deeper than the drinks with orange juice are orange/yellow, because of the strength of pigment in the juices. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.206.213|172.70.206.213]] 01:41, 19 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I feel like these are more likely saline bags, given that 1) they've got a substantial amount of text on them, more consistent with saline bags' photos (https://www.google.com/search?q=saline+bag&tbm=isch) than with urine bags, which generally are blank. The tiny label text on the bag also seems to read saline -- would it be all right to change this to the preferred interpretation? [[User:Lorea|Lorea]] ([[User talk:Lorea|talk]]) 18:56, 18 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:In the larger version, the text clearly says "Saline" [[Special:Contributions/172.71.30.123|172.71.30.123]] 21:38, 18 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
::Zooming in on the larger version the text clearly says "saline". I've updated the transcript to reflect that. I've also cleaned up the explanation to incorporate that update.[[User:The Cat Lady|-- The Cat Lady]] ([[User talk:The Cat Lady|talk]]) 00:12, 19 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Yeah, it's definitely an IV bag, not a urine bag. I would say to change it back. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.185|172.70.214.185]] 19:01, 18 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
All I can say is "thank goodness for explainXKCD" otherwise I had no idea as Capri Sun isn't a thing in many countries [[Special:Contributions/172.69.62.49|172.69.62.49]] 23:19, 18 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
There was I thinking it was blood<br />
[[Special:Contributions/172.70.91.78|172.70.91.78]] 07:34, 19 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
== IV sucrose solutions aren't that bad ==<br />
<br />
Regarding whether IV Capri Sun is potentially dangerous, please see https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1998290/ which discusses IV injection of 100 ml of 50% sucrose solution as a theraputic, and https://journals.physiology.org/doi/epdf/10.1152/ajplegacy.1935.112.1.97 which states sucrose is quickly cleared by the kidneys. The other simple sugars aren't going to hurt. Citric acid is "a common ingredient used in [injected] pharmaceutical formulations."[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33888605/]. What's in Capri Sun which could cause IV toxicity? Its ingredients are, per [https://www.caprisun.com/product/capri-sun-juice-drink/capri-sun-tropical-punch-flavored-juice-drink-blend-10-ct-box-6-fl-oz-pouches-00087684001028#id_pdpNutritionContainer], "WATER; SUGAR; APPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE; CITRIC ACID; GRAPE, PINEAPPLE AND CHERRY JUICE CONCENTRATES; NATURAL FLAVOR; MUSHROOM EXTRACT." It's pasteurized. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.206.95|172.70.206.95]] 09:08, 19 July 2022 (UTC)</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2647:_Capri_Suns&diff=2890422647: Capri Suns2022-07-19T01:11:57Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Transcript */ food-ish</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2647<br />
| date = July 18, 2022<br />
| title = Capri Suns<br />
| image = capri_suns.png<br />
| titletext = [As security is dragging me away] "Come on, at least I didn't make the mistake in the other direction!"<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a DISGUSTED NURSE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
{{w|Capri Sun}}, a German juice concentrate drink, is a soft, flat, rectangular bag with a foil-sealed port you pierce with a straw and sip the juice. In hospitals, saline bags are also soft, flat, rectangular bags with the end of an IV drip connection tube sticking out. {{w|Saline (medicine)}} solutions are usually about 0.90% sodium chloride (table salt), so would taste fairly salty compared to a Capri Sun, which is mostly just sugar water. For comparison, assuming the fluid in a Capri Sun pouch weighs about 6.5625 oz, based on [https://www.aqua-calc.com/calculate/food-volume-to-weight/substance/capri-blank-sun-coma-and-blank-fruit-blank-juice-blank-drink this site] giving 8.75 oz for a cup, the typical Capri Sun is about 0.00008% salt by weight. <br />
<br />
The title text is pointing out that mistakenly drinking saline ''out'' of the bag like a Capri Sun is better than a Capri Sun being put ''into'' a patient's body, similar to a saline IV drip, as this would likely seriously endanger, if not kill, the recipient. The speaker appears to be using this as a justification for their actions, since their incompetence was, while inexcusable, at least not actually deadly to anyone. The security mentioned in the title text are likely not impressed by this, as hospitals are places where the act of pretending to be a doctor has the potential for many dangerous outcomes.<br />
<br />
The comic arguably functions as a continuation of [[451: Impostor]] and [[699: Trimester]].<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Created by SOMEONE W.H.O. IS NOT A DOCTOR - Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
:[Cueball, wearing a lab coat, is drinking out of a straw inserted into an IV drip bag that is labelled "saline". The figure is surrounded by doctors and hospital staff who appear to include Ponytail and Megan, all of whom are looking at Cueball.]<br />
:Cueball: You know, these Capri Suns are good, but they're ''really'' salty.<br />
<br />
:[Caption below panel:]<br />
:I think the hospital may be starting to realize that I'm not actually a doctor.<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Multiple Cueballs]]<br />
[[Category:Doctor Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Medicine]]<br />
[[Category:Food]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2647:_Capri_Suns&diff=2890412647: Capri Suns2022-07-19T01:11:45Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Transcript */ cat</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2647<br />
| date = July 18, 2022<br />
| title = Capri Suns<br />
| image = capri_suns.png<br />
| titletext = [As security is dragging me away] "Come on, at least I didn't make the mistake in the other direction!"<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a DISGUSTED NURSE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
{{w|Capri Sun}}, a German juice concentrate drink, is a soft, flat, rectangular bag with a foil-sealed port you pierce with a straw and sip the juice. In hospitals, saline bags are also soft, flat, rectangular bags with the end of an IV drip connection tube sticking out. {{w|Saline (medicine)}} solutions are usually about 0.90% sodium chloride (table salt), so would taste fairly salty compared to a Capri Sun, which is mostly just sugar water. For comparison, assuming the fluid in a Capri Sun pouch weighs about 6.5625 oz, based on [https://www.aqua-calc.com/calculate/food-volume-to-weight/substance/capri-blank-sun-coma-and-blank-fruit-blank-juice-blank-drink this site] giving 8.75 oz for a cup, the typical Capri Sun is about 0.00008% salt by weight. <br />
<br />
The title text is pointing out that mistakenly drinking saline ''out'' of the bag like a Capri Sun is better than a Capri Sun being put ''into'' a patient's body, similar to a saline IV drip, as this would likely seriously endanger, if not kill, the recipient. The speaker appears to be using this as a justification for their actions, since their incompetence was, while inexcusable, at least not actually deadly to anyone. The security mentioned in the title text are likely not impressed by this, as hospitals are places where the act of pretending to be a doctor has the potential for many dangerous outcomes.<br />
<br />
The comic arguably functions as a continuation of [[451: Impostor]] and [[699: Trimester]].<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Created by SOMEONE W.H.O. IS NOT A DOCTOR - Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
:[Cueball, wearing a lab coat, is drinking out of a straw inserted into an IV drip bag that is labelled "saline". The figure is surrounded by doctors and hospital staff who appear to include Ponytail and Megan, all of whom are looking at Cueball.]<br />
:Cueball: You know, these Capri Suns are good, but they're ''really'' salty.<br />
<br />
:[Caption below panel:]<br />
:I think the hospital may be starting to realize that I'm not actually a doctor.<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Multiple Cueballs]]<br />
[[Category:Doctor Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Medicine]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:2639:_Periodic_Table_Changes&diff=288582Talk:2639: Periodic Table Changes2022-07-11T12:17:27Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Table galore */ clarify</p>
<hr />
<div><!--Please sign your posts with ~~~~ and don't delete this text. New comments should be added at the bottom.--><br />
<br />
The format of this comic appears most similar to https://xkcd.com/1902/. Is it worth noting that, in some representations of the periodic table (see https://ptable.com/#Electrons), Helium is indeed placed in the second column next to Hydrogen? [[User:Dextrous Fred|Dextrous Fred]] ([[User talk:Dextrous Fred|talk]]) 21:54, 29 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Nice. I'm doing the old "what elements have been obscured/overwritten" thing, after far too long since actually memorising the Periodic Table that was on my school's lab wall... But, hey! Where has Hahnium got to? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.162.77|172.70.162.77]] 22:25, 29 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I wonder why he kept the Latinate abbreviations for Antimony and Mercury. [[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 23:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
The changes by Asdf seem like they mostly belong in the Transcript, not Explanation.<br />
:I moved some of my lengthy descriptions from Explanation to Transcript, hopefully this helps. Sorry if I caused inconvenience. -[[User:Asdf|Asdf]] ([[User talk:Asdf|talk]]) 00:00, 30 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Laaaaame! Not revolutionary enough! Why not simply get rid of all these historical accidents and indicate any element by its nuclear charge? [[Special:Contributions/172.71.102.117|172.71.102.117]] 07:05, 30 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Anyone else find it ironic that the new kinds of carbon are indexed with Roman numerals on the same comic where it says "this isn't Ancient Rome"? [[Special:Contributions/162.158.38.27|162.158.38.27]] 07:18, 30 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
For the language nerds among us, "I" for iron wouldn't work at all well in Dutch. Although the element is typewritten "ijzer", the first two characters are treated as a single letter and are capitalised together (IJzer). It's pronounced EI and is listed in the Dutch alphabet alongside (or sometimes even instead of) Y.[[Special:Contributions/162.158.233.55|162.158.233.55]] 08:37, 30 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
:Clearly there isn't much consideration given to any other language than English. The "annoying W" is for Wolfram or something close in many languages, "Na" is Natrium, "K" is Kalium - frankly, Mr. Munroe just uses the wrong language. Then again, "Fe" really is annoying, of course it should be "Ei" for Eisen ... [[User:627235|627235]] ([[User talk:627235|talk]]) 11:32, 30 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
This feels more like a parallel to corporate reorganisations that are based on idealised concepts of how an organisation 'should' work than on the practicalities of what people actually do, than it does to economic plans. Particularly with the reference to training elements to adapt to their new positions. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.90.173|172.70.90.173]] 10:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
For the language bit he somehow missed Mercury (Hg: Hydrargyrum). [[User:Thaledison|Erin Anne]] ([[User talk:Thaledison|talk]]) 15:21, 30 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
He also missed Cu. Since copper is more familiar than cobalt, except for certain classes of scientist, it gets Co and cobalt gets Cb. Which will never get confused with niobium, will it? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.175.30|172.70.175.30]] 21:28, 30 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
The title may also mean "Periodic" tables changes, i.e. the table changes every few months. That's what I understood at first glance. [[User:Lamty101|Lamty101]] ([[User talk:Lamty101|talk]]) 15:01, 1 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
=== Table galore ===<br />
Can we please get back to a less table-ceneterd style? Tables are a neat tool to order various data. "Text" and "Explanation" are not in that category. That's what (section)headlines are for. Or do you write your articles/homework/thesis/whatever in Excel (or equivalent)? I know people who LOVE to use excel for text work, so that's not that unheared of, but there's a general rule: Use the right tool for the right job. Tables are not the right tool for "Text" and "Explanation". /edit: And such wide tables are generally bad to view/handle in mobile [[User:Elektrizikekswerk|Elektrizikekswerk]] ([[User talk:Elektrizikekswerk|talk]]) 08:22, 1 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
:I do not edit the Wiki frequently, though I noticed that the style of the comic matched that of https://xkcd.com/1902/ so I changed the style of the explanation to match that as well. I will note that in my personal opinion, I prefer a table for explanations which cover multiple individual parts of a comic, though someone who is much more experienced than me can feel free to revert the edit, I apologize if I missed a convention rule on the wiki page. A side note: While you may be correct that a table is the wrong way to contain data, the purpose of the wiki in my opinion is not to organize and collect information, it is to present it to readers. I believe that the table accurately breaks down the comic into each comment from Randall. However, I have edited very few wikis, and I could be 100% wrong. I just thought I would explain the reasoning behind adding a table, such that any other user could understand its purpose. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.246.32|108.162.246.32]] 17:19, 1 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:: Don't worry, it's fine - there is no written or unwritten rule (that I am aware of) that you might have broken. I just think that tables are the wrong tool for that specific task (i.e. as you said it: Present information to readers) in this specific case, which by the way would in my opinion also apply to 1902. There are cases where a table is absolutely fine and desirable. This is just not such a case :) [[User:Elektrizikekswerk|Elektrizikekswerk]] ([[User talk:Elektrizikekswerk|talk]]) 09:41, 4 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:::I see where you're coming from, but many of the annotations here are just far too much text for a section header, or even a dictionary list. The table is the only way to go here, even if I might prefer a dictionary list (line prefixes ';' and ':' in wikitext) for [[1902]]. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.81|172.70.214.81]] 12:15, 11 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
As long as we can all agree on the spellings. I propose that we all use the spelling "aluminum" but as a compromise adopt "platinium" [[Special:Contributions/108.162.237.75|108.162.237.75]] 14:34, 1 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
For "Ty, Dh and Jk", I wonder if it's no coincidence that the first and last are common online abbreviations ("Thank you" and "Joke", the former last used by Randall in the result of the Turtle Instructions, from memory)... Not sure about Dh (I'm not a cool hip cat that's down with all the rad kids, daddyo, etc, etc...) but if someone else knows that's something then might be worth an official mention? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.91.62|172.70.91.62]] 12:12, 5 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Abortion spam'''<br />
<br />
Is there any way to stop the abortion spam? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.178.47|172.70.178.47]] 18:03, 1 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:I had a look, and see nothing (in the last few hours) that is this... But the answer is that a lot of spam is being prevented from happening (see the User Creation Log for all the accounts created that then don't do anything) and those that do happen get quickly reverted by us, the editors. There's not much more that can be done (and still have a workable wiki), But I know the current admins aren't idle, either, so maybe of there's a tweak or two that could be done, it may yet be. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.34.71|162.158.34.71]] 19:35, 1 July 2022 (UTC)</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:2639:_Periodic_Table_Changes&diff=288581Talk:2639: Periodic Table Changes2022-07-11T12:15:24Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Table galore */ reply</p>
<hr />
<div><!--Please sign your posts with ~~~~ and don't delete this text. New comments should be added at the bottom.--><br />
<br />
The format of this comic appears most similar to https://xkcd.com/1902/. Is it worth noting that, in some representations of the periodic table (see https://ptable.com/#Electrons), Helium is indeed placed in the second column next to Hydrogen? [[User:Dextrous Fred|Dextrous Fred]] ([[User talk:Dextrous Fred|talk]]) 21:54, 29 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Nice. I'm doing the old "what elements have been obscured/overwritten" thing, after far too long since actually memorising the Periodic Table that was on my school's lab wall... But, hey! Where has Hahnium got to? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.162.77|172.70.162.77]] 22:25, 29 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I wonder why he kept the Latinate abbreviations for Antimony and Mercury. [[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 23:17, 29 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
The changes by Asdf seem like they mostly belong in the Transcript, not Explanation.<br />
:I moved some of my lengthy descriptions from Explanation to Transcript, hopefully this helps. Sorry if I caused inconvenience. -[[User:Asdf|Asdf]] ([[User talk:Asdf|talk]]) 00:00, 30 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Laaaaame! Not revolutionary enough! Why not simply get rid of all these historical accidents and indicate any element by its nuclear charge? [[Special:Contributions/172.71.102.117|172.71.102.117]] 07:05, 30 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Anyone else find it ironic that the new kinds of carbon are indexed with Roman numerals on the same comic where it says "this isn't Ancient Rome"? [[Special:Contributions/162.158.38.27|162.158.38.27]] 07:18, 30 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
For the language nerds among us, "I" for iron wouldn't work at all well in Dutch. Although the element is typewritten "ijzer", the first two characters are treated as a single letter and are capitalised together (IJzer). It's pronounced EI and is listed in the Dutch alphabet alongside (or sometimes even instead of) Y.[[Special:Contributions/162.158.233.55|162.158.233.55]] 08:37, 30 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
:Clearly there isn't much consideration given to any other language than English. The "annoying W" is for Wolfram or something close in many languages, "Na" is Natrium, "K" is Kalium - frankly, Mr. Munroe just uses the wrong language. Then again, "Fe" really is annoying, of course it should be "Ei" for Eisen ... [[User:627235|627235]] ([[User talk:627235|talk]]) 11:32, 30 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
This feels more like a parallel to corporate reorganisations that are based on idealised concepts of how an organisation 'should' work than on the practicalities of what people actually do, than it does to economic plans. Particularly with the reference to training elements to adapt to their new positions. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.90.173|172.70.90.173]] 10:47, 30 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
For the language bit he somehow missed Mercury (Hg: Hydrargyrum). [[User:Thaledison|Erin Anne]] ([[User talk:Thaledison|talk]]) 15:21, 30 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
He also missed Cu. Since copper is more familiar than cobalt, except for certain classes of scientist, it gets Co and cobalt gets Cb. Which will never get confused with niobium, will it? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.175.30|172.70.175.30]] 21:28, 30 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
The title may also mean "Periodic" tables changes, i.e. the table changes every few months. That's what I understood at first glance. [[User:Lamty101|Lamty101]] ([[User talk:Lamty101|talk]]) 15:01, 1 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
=== Table galore ===<br />
Can we please get back to a less table-ceneterd style? Tables are a neat tool to order various data. "Text" and "Explanation" are not in that category. That's what (section)headlines are for. Or do you write your articles/homework/thesis/whatever in Excel (or equivalent)? I know people who LOVE to use excel for text work, so that's not that unheared of, but there's a general rule: Use the right tool for the right job. Tables are not the right tool for "Text" and "Explanation". /edit: And such wide tables are generally bad to view/handle in mobile [[User:Elektrizikekswerk|Elektrizikekswerk]] ([[User talk:Elektrizikekswerk|talk]]) 08:22, 1 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
:I do not edit the Wiki frequently, though I noticed that the style of the comic matched that of https://xkcd.com/1902/ so I changed the style of the explanation to match that as well. I will note that in my personal opinion, I prefer a table for explanations which cover multiple individual parts of a comic, though someone who is much more experienced than me can feel free to revert the edit, I apologize if I missed a convention rule on the wiki page. A side note: While you may be correct that a table is the wrong way to contain data, the purpose of the wiki in my opinion is not to organize and collect information, it is to present it to readers. I believe that the table accurately breaks down the comic into each comment from Randall. However, I have edited very few wikis, and I could be 100% wrong. I just thought I would explain the reasoning behind adding a table, such that any other user could understand its purpose. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.246.32|108.162.246.32]] 17:19, 1 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:: Don't worry, it's fine - there is no written or unwritten rule (that I am aware of) that you might have broken. I just think that tables are the wrong tool for that specific task (i.e. as you said it: Present information to readers) in this specific case, which by the way would in my opinion also apply to 1902. There are cases where a table is absolutely fine and desirable. This is just not such a case :) [[User:Elektrizikekswerk|Elektrizikekswerk]] ([[User talk:Elektrizikekswerk|talk]]) 09:41, 4 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:::I see where you're coming from, but many of the annotations here are just far too much for a section header, or even a dictionary list. The table is the only way to go here, even if I might prefer a dictionary list (line prefixes ';' and ':' in wikitext) for 1902. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.81|172.70.214.81]] 12:15, 11 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
As long as we can all agree on the spellings. I propose that we all use the spelling "aluminum" but as a compromise adopt "platinium" [[Special:Contributions/108.162.237.75|108.162.237.75]] 14:34, 1 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
For "Ty, Dh and Jk", I wonder if it's no coincidence that the first and last are common online abbreviations ("Thank you" and "Joke", the former last used by Randall in the result of the Turtle Instructions, from memory)... Not sure about Dh (I'm not a cool hip cat that's down with all the rad kids, daddyo, etc, etc...) but if someone else knows that's something then might be worth an official mention? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.91.62|172.70.91.62]] 12:12, 5 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Abortion spam'''<br />
<br />
Is there any way to stop the abortion spam? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.178.47|172.70.178.47]] 18:03, 1 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:I had a look, and see nothing (in the last few hours) that is this... But the answer is that a lot of spam is being prevented from happening (see the User Creation Log for all the accounts created that then don't do anything) and those that do happen get quickly reverted by us, the editors. There's not much more that can be done (and still have a workable wiki), But I know the current admins aren't idle, either, so maybe of there's a tweak or two that could be done, it may yet be. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.34.71|162.158.34.71]] 19:35, 1 July 2022 (UTC)</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2641:_Mouse_Turbines&diff=2885142641: Mouse Turbines2022-07-09T03:00:09Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Efficacy */ subheading</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2641<br />
| date = July 4, 2022<br />
| title = Mouse Turbines<br />
| image = mouse_turbines.png<br />
| titletext = It's sad seeing those videos of turbine blade being torn apart in high winds, but it's the only way they can disperse their seeds.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a RENEWABLE ENERGY RODENT - Elaborate on the title text. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
[[Beret Guy]] and [[Megan]] are walking during the summer, where Beret Guy expresses his appreciation for typical features of a summer day. Though, considering the rest of the comic, Beret Guy could mean there are {{w|Cloud computing|large (or popular) server farms}} [[908: The Cloud|somewhere]] and that the bugs are {{w|Zoom (software)|video chatting}}. He also mentions "wind turbines" put up by field mice, which Megan initially assumes to be referring to {{w|Taraxacum|dandelions}} (similar to the wordplay that Beret Guy utilized in [[1322: Winter]].) However, Beret Guy turns out to be speaking literally, as he picks up what is in fact a tiny {{w|wind turbine}}, says to [https://www.dandelionpress.com/dandelion-blog/2015/4/6/how-to-wish-on-a-dandelion make a wish,] and blows into it. This causes the blades of the turbine to spin rapidly, generating a lot of power for the structure it is connected to, thus causing a field mouse to cheer in excitement.<br />
<br />
The comic was published on the 40th anniversary of the film release of {{w|The Secret of NIMH}},[https://twitter.com/DonBluth/status/1543282578173489153] a story featuring field mice and rats who escaped from a lab experiment which left them with a similar intelligence to human beings. The story takes place as the rats strive to achieve self-sufficiency, so that they no longer need to steal power from human-built electrical lines. (The novel this film was based on, {{w|Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH}}, describes the experiments and the rats' struggles in more detail.)<br />
<br />
The title text builds on the similarities between small wind turbines and dandelions by claiming that turbines reproduce by dispersing their blades, in the manner of dandelion {{w|seed dispersal}}. Randall's suggestion of turbine seeds conflicts with Beret Guy's assertion that the turbines were built by field mice.<br />
<br />
=== Efficacy ===<br />
<br />
Sadly, the power output per size of wind turbines increases with their size,[https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/wind-turbines-bigger-better] a limitation not shared by other forms of renewable energy such as {{w|solar panel}}s and {{w|pico hydro}}. According to [https://www.omnicalculator.com/ecology/wind-turbine this calculator], a 10 centimeter radius wind turbine powered by a 5.7 meter/second breath[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215098616300830] would produce one watt at just 26% efficiency.<br />
<br />
Further frustrating mouse use of wind power, {{w|Wind gradient|windspeed increases logarithmically with height}} above ground. Windspeed is reported as its value 10 meters above ground, where it is 1.5 times faster than at ground level.[https://www.nooutage.com/wind.htm] In the U.S., where Randall lives, average year-round windspeed is about 15 km/h,[https://sciencing.com/average-daily-wind-speed-24011.html] or about 2.8 m/s at ground level, yielding only 0.11 watts from such turbines. However, a typical adult mouse weighs 25 grams,[https://web.jhu.edu/animalcare/procedures/mouse.html] compared to about 81 kilograms for humans in the U.S.,[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3408371/] so we could estimate that mouse electricity needs would be about 0.03% of people's.{{Dubious}} The average U.S. residential customer uses 1,242 watts of electricity,[https://www.electricchoice.com/blog/electricity-on-average-do-homes/] 0.03% of which is 0.37 watts. Therefore, the three turbines visible in this comic could serve about 89% of a mouse's needs. While this figure does not account for necessary {{w|home energy storage}} efficiency (92.5% for the {{w|Tesla Powerwall}}) overhead, mice usually live much less extravagantly than typical Americans,{{citation needed}} so three turbines per mouse should be sufficient.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
:[Megan and Beret Guy are walking on grass.]<br />
:Beret Guy: Ahh, summer!<br />
:Beret Guy: The clouds are big, the bugs are zooming,<br />
<br />
:[Beret Guy stops walking. There are three small trefoil structures and a tiny building on the grass in front of him.]<br />
:Beret Guy: and the field mice have put up their little wind turbines.<br />
<br />
:[Beret Guy picks up one of the turbines. Under the turbine there is a wire attached to the ground.]<br />
:Megan (off-panel): You mean dandelions?<br />
:Beret Guy: No.<br />
<br />
:[Beret Guy holds the turbine in front of him.]<br />
:Beret Guy: Make a wish!<br />
<br />
:[Beret Guy blows into the turbine blades and makes them spin. The wire transfers electricity towards the ground.]<br />
:''Puff''<br />
:⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡<br />
:Voice at ground level: Yaaay!<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=No_One_Was_Hurt&diff=288513No One Was Hurt2022-07-09T02:59:15Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Explanation */ move sentence, change heading</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| date = July 6, 2022<br />
| title = No One Was Hurt<br />
| image = no_one_was_hurt.png<br />
| titletext = See how the smoke obscures things so you don't see the approaching tornado until the firework streamers start to swirl right before the lightning hits the launcher. Thank God Cousin Ed was filming in slow motion. And, uh, that no one was hurt.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a FIREWORK TORNADO - Please put citations into context better. Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
This comic was originally uploaded normally on the [[xkcd]] website as number [[2642]], before being taken down and replaced by [[2642: Meta-Alternating Current]]. This was most likely done in response to the wave of shootings across the country during the celebrations, including {{w|Highland_Park_parade_shooting|a deadly mass shooting at the parade in Highland Park, Illinois}} which was recorded on video where people were injured and killed. So, a comic about 4th of July celebrations where someone could have been hurt can be seen as in bad taste.<br />
<br />
[[Ponytail]] is about to show [[Cueball]] and [[Megan]] a video of a dramatic accident from a {{w|4th of July}} celebration with {{w|fireworks}}, in which nobody ended up harmed. Randall suggests that being told nobody got hurt implies such a video will be particularly interesting or exciting. This is because if the disclaimer is needed, then there would otherwise be reason for the watcher to be concered. And if the watcher could be concerned, then it was likely interesting. Here is [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5QBiZIxWbA&ab_channel=BYUUniverse an example video] in which probably no one was hurt.<br />
<br />
The title text describes a particularly dramatic fireworks show interrupted by a tornado and thunderstorm, the joke being that the speaker seems more appreciative that it was recorded in slow-motion video than that nobody was harmed.<br />
<br />
=== Citations ===<br />
<br />
The Wikipedia article {{w|Mass shootings in the United States|"Mass shootings in the United States"|m|}} lists mass shootings in the USA, {{w|List_of_mass_shootings_in_the_United_States_in_2022|"List of mass shootings in the United States in 2022"}} more thoroughly lists those that happened in 2022, {{w|Highland Park parade shooting|"Highland Park parade shooting"}} details the specific shooting in Illinois, and {{w|Mass shootings in the United States|"Mass shootings in the United States"}} discusses US mass shootings instead of just listing them. The [https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/reports/mass-shooting Gun Violence Archive] website tracks mass shootings in the USA.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
:[Ponytail is showing her phone to Cueball and Megan.]<br />
<br />
:Ponytail: Okay, first of all, no one was hurt...<br />
<br />
:Caption: How you know you're about to see a really good 4th of July video<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Deleted comics]]<br />
[[Category:Extra comics]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=No_One_Was_Hurt&diff=288512No One Was Hurt2022-07-09T02:56:12Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Explanation */ copyedit</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| date = July 6, 2022<br />
| title = No One Was Hurt<br />
| image = no_one_was_hurt.png<br />
| titletext = See how the smoke obscures things so you don't see the approaching tornado until the firework streamers start to swirl right before the lightning hits the launcher. Thank God Cousin Ed was filming in slow motion. And, uh, that no one was hurt.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a FIREWORK TORNADO - Please put citations into context better. Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
This comic was originally uploaded normally on the [[xkcd]] website as number [[2642]], before being taken down and replaced by [[2642: Meta-Alternating Current]]. This was most likely done in response to the wave of shootings across the country during the celebrations, including {{w|Highland_Park_parade_shooting|a deadly mass shooting at the parade in Highland Park, Illinois}} which was recorded on video where people were injured and killed. So, a comic about 4th of July celebrations where someone could have been hurt can be seen as in bad taste.<br />
<br />
[[Ponytail]] is about to show [[Cueball]] and [[Megan]] a video of a dramatic accident from a {{w|4th of July}} celebration with {{w|fireworks}}, in which nobody ended up harmed. Randall suggests that being told nobody got hurt implies such a video will be particularly interesting or exciting. This is because if the disclaimer is needed, then there would otherwise be reason for the watcher to be concered. And if the watcher could be concerned, then it was likely interesting.<br />
<br />
The title text describes a particularly dramatic fireworks show interrupted by a tornado and thunderstorm, the joke being that the speaker seems more appreciative that it was recorded in slow-motion video than that nobody was harmed.<br />
<br />
An example [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5QBiZIxWbA&ab_channel=BYUUniverse video] in which no one was (probably) hurt.<br />
<br />
Citations:<br />
<br />
The Wikipedia article {{w|Mass shootings in the United States|"Mass shootings in the United States"|m|}} lists mass shootings in the USA, {{w|List_of_mass_shootings_in_the_United_States_in_2022|"List of mass shootings in the United States in 2022"}} more thoroughly lists those that happened in 2022, {{w|Highland Park parade shooting|"Highland Park parade shooting"}} details the specific shooting in Illinois, and {{w|Mass shootings in the United States|"Mass shootings in the United States"}} discusses US mass shootings instead of just listing them. The [https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/reports/mass-shooting Gun Violence Archive] website tracks mass shootings in the USA.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
:[Ponytail is showing her phone to Cueball and Megan.]<br />
<br />
:Ponytail: Okay, first of all, no one was hurt...<br />
<br />
:Caption: How you know you're about to see a really good 4th of July video<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Deleted comics]]<br />
[[Category:Extra comics]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=No_One_Was_Hurt&diff=288357No One Was Hurt2022-07-07T03:08:50Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Explanation */ copyedit</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2642<br />
| date = July 6, 2022<br />
| title = No One Was Hurt<br />
| image = no_one_was_hurt.png<br />
| titletext = See how the smoke obscures things so you don't see the approaching tornado until the firework streamers start to swirl right before the lightning hits the launcher. Thank God Cousin Ed was filming in slow motion. And, uh, that no one was hurt.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a BOX OF FIREWORKS UNDER THE CAR - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
[[Ponytail]] is about to show [[Cueball]] and [[Megan]] a video of a dramatic accident from a {{w|4th of July}} celebration with {{w|fireworks}}, in which nobody ended up harmed. Randall suggests that being told nobody got hurt implies such a video will be particularly interesting or exciting.<br />
<br />
The title text describes a particularly dramatic fireworks show interrupted by a tornado and thunderstorm, the joke being that the speaker seems more appreciative that it was recorded in slow-motion video than that nobody was harmed.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
[Ponytail is showing her phone to Cueball and Megan.]<br />
<br />
Ponytail: Okay, first of all, no one was hurt...<br />
<br />
Caption: How you know you're about to see a really good 4th of July video<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=No_One_Was_Hurt&diff=288356No One Was Hurt2022-07-07T03:06:04Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Explanation */ copyedit</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2642<br />
| date = July 6, 2022<br />
| title = No One Was Hurt<br />
| image = no_one_was_hurt.png<br />
| titletext = See how the smoke obscures things so you don't see the approaching tornado until the firework streamers start to swirl right before the lightning hits the launcher. Thank God Cousin Ed was filming in slow motion. And, uh, that no one was hurt.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a BOX OF FIREWORKS UNDER THE CAR - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
[[Ponytail]] is about to show [[Cueball]] and [[Megan]] a video of a dramatic accident from a {{w|4th of July}} celebration with {{w|fireworks}}, in which nobody ended up harmed. Randall suggests that being told nobody got hurt implies such a video will be particularly interesting or exciting.<br />
<br />
The title text describes a particularly dramatic fireworks show interrupted by a tornado and thunderstorm, the joke being that the speaker seems more appreciative that it was recorded in slow-motion video recording than that nobody was harmed.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
[Ponytail is showing her phone to Cueball and Megan.]<br />
<br />
Ponytail: Okay, first of all, no one was hurt...<br />
<br />
Caption: How you know you're about to see a really good 4th of July video<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:No_One_Was_Hurt&diff=288355Talk:No One Was Hurt2022-07-07T03:04:52Z<p>172.70.214.81: Nomination</p>
<hr />
<div><!--Please sign your posts with ~~~~ and don't delete this text. New comments should be added at the bottom.--><br />
<br />
I suppose we should look through e.g. [https://www.reddit.com/r/Fireworksgonewrong r/Fireworksgonewrong] for a few big ones that claim nobody was hurt. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndVhgq1yHdA] is okay, but I think that one where the launcher tipped over and fired directly into the crowd only resulted in minor burns.... [[Special:Contributions/172.70.207.8|172.70.207.8]] 02:34, 7 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:If you mean Simi Valley 2013, that had 28 injuries including broken bones(!) Here's one sort of like it without any injuries from Monday, but the video isn't too impressive: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDhj-dfJ6TE]. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.210.125|172.70.210.125]] 02:45, 7 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
:[https://www.reddit.com/r/Wellthatsucks/comments/vrmega/my_neighbor_had_a_little_firework_mishap/if0qr7g/?context=3] is decent, but the video starts too early and ends too soon. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.81|172.70.214.81]] 03:04, 7 July 2022 (UTC)</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2638:_Extended_NFPA_Hazard_Diamond&diff=2880882638: Extended NFPA Hazard Diamond2022-07-02T21:30:09Z<p>172.70.214.81: Extremely unlikely: all other squares have descriptions, parenthesis wouldn't be used for a symbol, and "Special Hazard" is the square description synonym used in the non-Wikipedia reference link at the top of the table</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2638<br />
| date = June 27, 2022<br />
| title = Extended NFPA Hazard Diamond<br />
| image = extended_nfpa_hazard_diamond.png<br />
| titletext = With most labs, the hushed horror stories are about something like dimethylmercury or prions, but occasionally you'll get a weird lab where it's about the soda machine or the drop ceiling.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a SUBSTANCE WORTH $500 IN STREET VALUE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
This comic depicts an extension of the National Fire Protection Association's {{w|NFPA 704|NFPA 704 Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response}} "fire diamond" emblematic insignia used to warn about the properties of hazardous substances inside a building, vehicle, room, cabinet, or container that are important during an emergency or accident, such as a fire, earthquake, spill or leak, bringing the diamond from 2x2 squares to 3x3 by adding five variously useful and humorous squares along the bottom edges.<br />
<br />
The numbers in a normal NFPA 704 diamond do not specify values of substances' properties, but rather broad categories designating characteristics of the substances of greatest interest to {{w|first responders}} and hazardous materials cleanup crews. Randall's expanded diamond breaks with this convention, with several squares (Lilac, Orange, and Black) denoting absolute values, and one square (Green) denoting an economic value. This could very easily lead to documentation update headaches if these values were ever to change, doubly so since the Lilac square is linked to political outcomes.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
|+ Squares and explanations<br />
|-<br />
! Square !! Color !! Comic text !! Explanation<br />
|-<br />
!colspan=5| Real NFPA 704 diamond [http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/nfpa.html square and number meanings]<br />
|-<br />
| Top || Red || Flammability (0) || Denotes flammability. 0 indicates "materials that will not burn."<br />
|-<br />
| Top Left || Blue || Health Hazard (4) || Denotes the danger that the substance(s) pose to living beings in ways other than flammability and reactivity. 4 indicates that "Very short exposure could cause death or serious residual injury even though prompt medical attention was given."<br />
|-<br />
| Top Right || Yellow || Instability (2) || Denotes how stable the substance(s) are when exposed to water, heat, shock, air, or other substances. 2 indicates that "Normally unstable and will readily undergo violent decomposition but does not detonate. Also: may react violently with water or may form potentially explosive mixtures with water."<br />
|-<br />
| Center || White || (Special Hazard) || The standard's "Special Notice" field may contain a symbol denoting additional information about the substance(s), e.g., '''OX''' for {{w|oxidizer}}s, '''SA''' for simple {{w|asphyxiant}} gases such as nitrogen and helium, and <s>'''W'''</s> for substances which react dangerously with water.<br />
|-<br />
!colspan=5| After this point, all squares are made up by Randall.<br />
|-<br />
| Center Left || Green || Number of digits in the street value ($/gram) (2) || Describes the order of magnitude of the price (in USD) of one gram of the substance when sold illegally and informally. This is done on a logarithmic scale, with a '1' selling for $9/gram or less, a '2' selling for $99/gram, and so on. As such this is the first of several squares where the number may presumably go to 5 or above (which is not allowed on the original Blue/Red/Yellow squares, as they do not denote strict numerical values). That said it's not immediately clear how substances which command <$1/gram would be handled.<br />
<br />
Randall's example substance apparently sells for tens of dollars per gram (which would be similar to most common illicit drugs).<br />
|-<br />
| Center Right || Dark Purple || How much of a hassle it is to dispose of (4) || While many things can be thrown in the trash with no additional procedures, substances that merit an NFPA 704 square often require additional procedures to avoid significant danger, damage to the environment, or hefty dumping fines. Biohazards that may carry diseases are often disposed of in special containers, and nuclear materials are notoriously difficult to safely dispose of. This square would be at least theoretically useful, though not as much as the actual disposal guidelines.<br />
<br />
If the numbering here follows the scheme of the real categories, Randall's example substance is about as hard to dispose of as it gets. This matches the substance's rating of 4 for Blue and 2 for Yellow. Presumably it requires highly specialized handling or processing, and may also very bulky or awkward to store.<br />
|-<br />
| Bottom Left || Lilac || Number of federal agencies who want to know if you have any (3) || In many countries, including Randall's home country, the USA, the government has agencies dedicated to controlling or limiting the use of regulated substances, due to their use as drugs, weapons, harm to the environment, etc. While any given substance might be of interest to one agency, something that is both an environmental hazard and a chemical weapon component could interest, for example, the {{w|EPA}}, {{w|Chemical Safety Board}} and the FBI Counter-terrorism Division.<br />
|-<br />
| Bottom Right || Orange || How many times you have to scrub your hands after touching it before they stop smelling weird (1) || While the real NFPA 704 chart describes properties ranging from unsafe to potentially deadly, this square describes a minor but very real inconvenience. Some things are harder to wash off your hands than others, and, given that most people don't often work with dangerous substances {{Citation Needed}}, this would be a more common, but less relevant, concern for many people.<br />
<br />
In this case, the substance, or its residue, seems to be fairly easy to wash off. This is seemingly incongruous with its ratings in the Blue and Black squares (see below), though it's possible that this substance simply doesn't have a strong odor.<br />
|-<br />
| Bottom || Black || Number of times it's caused one of those terrifying lab accidents that chemists tell scary stories about late at night (2) || This square might show how concerned and careful someone should be in handling the substance in question, especially if the number is more than one. However, it would be dependent not just on how inherently dangerous the substance is, but also on how commonly it occurs in labs. It's also vague as to what kind of accidents it has been involved in and what precautions therefore need to be taken. It could, for example, have caused some terrifying reaction, destroying things around it, or it could be very large and unwieldy and liable to crush people if handled improperly.<br />
<br />
In this case, it seems the substance has caused two such accidents, presumably on account of its high health risk of 4 in the Blue square, and may also be linked to its hazardous disposal score of 4 in the Purple square.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
The title text (which references "scary stories" of the Black square) refers to {{w|dimethylmercury}} and {{w|prions}}. Dimethylmercury, C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>Hg, is an organic form of mercury with an NFPA score of 4-4-3 (contact can be fatal, will burn below 73° F (22 °C), will combust if put under pressure). In 1997, an American chemist, {{w|Karen Wetterhahn}}, died 298 days after a few drops of C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>Hg on her latex gloves were absorbed into her hand through the gloves, causing fatal mercury poisoning. Despite her having followed all safety protocols of the time, it was not then understood that the chemical was so toxic, nor that latex was so permeable to it. Prions are misfolded proteins that are responsible for a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including {{w|mad cow disease}} and {{w|chronic wasting disease}} in non-human animals and {{w|Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease}} in humans. These would indeed be the kind of substances that would scare those working with them in their labs; if an accident occurred, the results could be calamitous. See for example the case of [https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/07/second-lab-worker-with-deadly-prion-disease-prompts-research-pause-in-france/ Émilie Jaumain], a lab technician who died after accidentally coming into contact with prions in mouse tissue.<br />
<br />
But a few labs have apparently had accidents involving a soda machine or {{w|dropped ceiling}}. The latter may be a reference to {{w|1978 smallpox outbreak in the United Kingdom|the death of Janet Parker}}: One inquiry found that she was infected with {{w|smallpox}} when a sample traveled upward from a lab on the floor below hers; however, other investigations have challenged that finding. There are occasional instances of vending machines causing injury or death, usually caused by people trying to shake or tilt the machines to get product out and having the machine tip and fall on them. On average, [https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/1996/CPSC-Soda-Vending-Machine-Industry-Labeling-Campaign-Warns-Of-Deaths-And-Injuries a couple of Americans per year] are killed in this way. Reagents obtained in this way tend to have more impurities than those usually used in labs, but are relatively safe to shake.<br />
<br />
The only easily identifiable substance which could likely meet the specific insignia numbers shown in the comic is {{w|thionyl chloride}} (SOCl<sub>2</sub>), a chlorinating reagent and solvent regulated as a chemical weapons precursor and sometimes used in the production of methamphetamine, which would also be represented with the '''<s>W</s>''' symbol inside the white square, indicating reactivity with water. <br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
:Know your extended NFPA hazard diamond:<br />
<br />
:[The diamond is divided into 3x3 squares.]<br />
:Flammability: 0 (top, red)<br />
:Health hazard: 4 (top-left, blue)<br />
:Instability/reactivity: 2 (top-right, yellow)<br />
:Number of digits in the street value ($/gram): 2 (left, green)<br />
:(Special hazard) (center, white)<br />
:How much of a hassle it is to dispose of: 4 (right, purple)<br />
:Number of federal agencies who want to know if you have any: 3 (bottom-left, pink)<br />
:How many times you have to scrub your hands after touching it before they stop smelling weird: 1 (bottom-right, orange)<br />
:Number of times it's caused one of those terrifying lab accidents that chemists tell scary stories about late at night: 2 (bottom, black)<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Science]]<br />
[[Category:Chemistry]]<br />
[[Category:Comics with color]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2640:_The_Universe_by_Scientific_Field&diff=2880282640: The Universe by Scientific Field2022-07-02T02:28:12Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Explanation */ scans better to me as a subordinate clause</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2640<br />
| date = July 1, 2022<br />
| title = The Universe by Scientific Field<br />
| image = the_universe_by_scientific_field.png<br />
| titletext = The math and philosophy people also claim everything, but the astronomers argue that the stuff they study really only comprises a small number of paper surfaces.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by the UNIVERSE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
{{w|Astronomy}} is the study of outer space and celestial phenomena. This comic makes a joke that most of the "universe" falls under the study of astronomy, which makes sense because it is so vast and large and is not studied directly by other fields of science.<br />
<br />
The volume of the observable universe is 3.566×10<sup>80</sup> cubic meters. The volume of Earth is 1.08321×10<sup>21</sup> cubic meters.<br />
<br />
1.08321×10<sup>21</sup> m<sup>3</sup> &divide; 3.566×10<sup>80</sup> m<sup>3</sup> × 100% ≈ 3×10<sup>-58</sup>%, which is scientific notation for the second of the two percentages, the first being its difference from 100%.<br />
<br />
The title text says that mathematicians and philosophers claim that what they study also represents everything. But astronomers counter this by saying that they just study things that are written down, and this comprises just tiny amounts of "paper" on the Earth. This claim by mathematicians also appears in [[435: Purity]]. <br />
<br />
The information provided by astronomical observations of light, subatomic particles, and gravity's effects represents only a tiny fraction of the scientific properties of the extraterrestrial substances in the volume of space that astronomers study. Moreover, the adjacent fields of optics, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and geometry underpin almost all aspects of astronomy other than nomenclature, so the comic may be seen as biased by proponents of those disciplines. Other objections could conceivably include the fact that almost everyone's subjective life experiences are overwhelmingly more involved with matters best described by fields other than astronomy, even in the case of professional astronomers (who often complain about how little time they can allocate to making actual astronomical observations) although this is to be expected as all but typically a handful of people are terrestrial.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
:The Universe by Scientific Field<br />
<br />
:[A pie chart is shown.]<br />
:Astronomy<br />
:99.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999997%<br />
:Other<br />
:0.0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000003%<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Pie charts]]<br />
[[Category:Science]]<br />
[[Category:Astronomy]]<br />
[[Category:Math]]<br />
[[Category:Philosophy]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2640:_The_Universe_by_Scientific_Field&diff=2880272640: The Universe by Scientific Field2022-07-02T02:27:22Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Explanation */ reword</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2640<br />
| date = July 1, 2022<br />
| title = The Universe by Scientific Field<br />
| image = the_universe_by_scientific_field.png<br />
| titletext = The math and philosophy people also claim everything, but the astronomers argue that the stuff they study really only comprises a small number of paper surfaces.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by the UNIVERSE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
{{w|Astronomy}} is the study of outer space and celestial phenomena. This comic makes a joke that most of the "universe" falls under the study of astronomy. Which makes sense because it is so vast and large and is not studied directly by other fields of science.<br />
<br />
The volume of the observable universe is 3.566×10<sup>80</sup> cubic meters. The volume of Earth is 1.08321×10<sup>21</sup> cubic meters.<br />
<br />
1.08321×10<sup>21</sup> m<sup>3</sup> &divide; 3.566×10<sup>80</sup> m<sup>3</sup> × 100% ≈ 3×10<sup>-58</sup>%, which is scientific notation for the second of the two percentages, the first being its difference from 100%.<br />
<br />
The title text says that mathematicians and philosophers claim that what they study also represents everything. But astronomers counter this by saying that they just study things that are written down, and this comprises just tiny amounts of "paper" on the Earth. This claim by mathematicians also appears in [[435: Purity]]. <br />
<br />
The information provided by astronomical observations of light, subatomic particles, and gravity's effects represents only a tiny fraction of the scientific properties of the extraterrestrial substances in the volume of space that astronomers study. Moreover, the adjacent fields of optics, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and geometry underpin almost all aspects of astronomy other than nomenclature, so the comic may be seen as biased by proponents of those disciplines. Other objections could conceivably include the fact that almost everyone's subjective life experiences are overwhelmingly more involved with matters best described by fields other than astronomy, even in the case of professional astronomers (who often complain about how little time they can allocate to making actual astronomical observations) although this is to be expected as all but typically a handful of people are terrestrial.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
:The Universe by Scientific Field<br />
<br />
:[A pie chart is shown.]<br />
:Astronomy<br />
:99.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999997%<br />
:Other<br />
:0.0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000003%<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Pie charts]]<br />
[[Category:Science]]<br />
[[Category:Astronomy]]<br />
[[Category:Math]]<br />
[[Category:Philosophy]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2640:_The_Universe_by_Scientific_Field&diff=2880212640: The Universe by Scientific Field2022-07-02T01:35:00Z<p>172.70.214.81: Rvv, reword</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2640<br />
| date = July 1, 2022<br />
| title = The Universe by Scientific Field<br />
| image = the_universe_by_scientific_field.png<br />
| titletext = The math and philosophy people also claim everything, but the astronomers argue that the stuff they study really only comprises a small number of paper surfaces.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by the UNIVERSE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
{{w|Astronomy}} is the study of outer space and celestial phenomena. This comic makes a joke that most of the "universe" falls under the study of astronomy. Which makes sense because the "universe" is so vast and large and is not studied by other fields of science.<br />
<br />
The volume of the observable universe is 3.566×10<sup>80</sup> cubic meters. The volume of Earth is 1.08321×10<sup>21</sup> cubic meters.<br />
<br />
1.08321×10<sup>21</sup> m<sup>3</sup> &divide; 3.566×10<sup>80</sup> m<sup>3</sup> × 100% ≈ 3×10<sup>-58</sup>%, which is scientific notation for the second of the two percentages, the first being its difference from 100%.<br />
<br />
The title text says that mathematicians and philosophers claim that what they study also represents everything. But astronomers counter this by saying that they just study things that are written down, and this comprises just tiny amounts of "paper" on the Earth. This claim by mathematicians also appears in [[435: Purity]]. <br />
<br />
The adjacent fields of optics, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and geometry underpin almost all aspects of astronomy other than nomenclature, so the comic may be seen as biased by proponents of those disciplines. Other objections may include the fact that almost all individual people's subjective life experiences are overwhelmingly more involved with matters best described by fields other than astronomy, even in the case of professional astronomers (who often complain about how little time they can allocate to making actual astronomical observations.) Furthermore, the information provided by astronomical observations of light, subatomic particles, and gravity's effects represents only a tiny fraction of the scientific properties of the extraterrestrial substances in the volume of space that astronomers study.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
:The Universe by Scientific Field<br />
<br />
:[A pie chart is shown.]<br />
:Astronomy<br />
:99.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999997%<br />
:Other<br />
:0.0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000003%<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Pie charts]]<br />
[[Category:Science]]<br />
[[Category:Astronomy]]<br />
[[Category:Math]]<br />
[[Category:Philosophy]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:2640:_The_Universe_by_Scientific_Field&diff=287987Talk:2640: The Universe by Scientific Field2022-07-01T23:18:36Z<p>172.70.214.81: Counterpoint?</p>
<hr />
<div><!--Please sign your posts with ~~~~ and don't delete this text. New comments should be added at the bottom.--><br />
<br />
I have a feeling reproductions of this particular XKCD will be popular on the doors of many offices in astronomy departments around the world. A bit like Gary Larson's Far Side cartoons are found everywhere in biology departments.<br />
<br />
I just discovered Safari's "Live Text" feature. It allowed me to copy the numbers with all the digits, so I don't have to count them to create the transcript. But then someone else beat me to creating it. [[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 22:44, 1 July 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I wonder if we should mention the area of telescope apertures compared to, say, the surface area of all laboratory glassware or something like that. Too much of a stretch? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.81|172.70.214.81]] 23:18, 1 July 2022 (UTC)</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2638:_Extended_NFPA_Hazard_Diamond&diff=2879832638: Extended NFPA Hazard Diamond2022-07-01T22:59:46Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Explanation */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2638<br />
| date = June 27, 2022<br />
| title = Extended NFPA Hazard Diamond<br />
| image = extended_nfpa_hazard_diamond.png<br />
| titletext = With most labs, the hushed horror stories are about something like dimethylmercury or prions, but occasionally you'll get a weird lab where it's about the soda machine or the drop ceiling.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a SUBSTANCE WORTH $500 IN STREET VALUE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
<br />
This comic depicts an extension of the {{w|NFPA 704}} "fire diamond" emblematic insignia used to warn about the properties of hazardous substances inside a building, vehicle, room, cabinet, or container that are important during an emergency or accident, such as a fire, earthquake, spill or leak, bringing the diamond from 2x2 squares to 3x3 by adding five variously useful and humorous squares along the bottom edges.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
|+ Squares and explanations<br />
|-<br />
! Square !! Color !! Comic text !! Explanation<br />
|-<br />
!colspan=5| Real NFPA 704 diamond [http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/nfpa.html square and number meanings]<br />
|-<br />
| Top || Red || Flammability (0) || Denotes flammability. 0 indicates "materials that will not burn."<br />
|-<br />
| Top Left || Blue || Health Hazard (4) || Denotes the danger that the substance poses to living beings in ways other than flammability and reactivity. 4 indicates that "Very short exposure could cause death or serious residual injury even though prompt medical attention was given."<br />
|-<br />
| Top Right || Yellow || Instability/Reactivity (2) || Denotes how easily the substance reacts with other substances. 2 indicates that "Normally unstable and readily undergo violent decomposition but do not detonate. Also: may react violently with water or may form potentially explosive mixtures with water."<br />
|-<br />
| Center || White || (Special Hazard) || Contains a symbol with additional information about the substance(s).<br />
|-<br />
!colspan=5| After this point, all squares are made up by Randall.<br />
|-<br />
| Center Left || Green || Number of digits in the street value ($/gram) (2) || Describes the order of magnitude of the price (in USD) of one gram of the substance when sold illegally and informally. This is done on a logarithmic scale, with a '1' selling for $9/gram or less, a '2' selling for $99/gram, and so on. As such this is the first of several squares where the number may presumably go to 5 or above (which is not allowed on the original Blue/Red/Yellow squares, as they do not denote strict numerical values).<br />
<br />
Randall's example substance apparently sells for tens of dollars per gram (which would be similar to most common illicit drugs).<br />
|-<br />
| Center Right || Dark Purple || How much of a hassle it is to dispose of (4) || While many things can be thrown in the trash with no additional procedures, substances that merit an NFPA 704 square often require additional procedures to avoid significant danger, damage to the environment, or hefty dumping fines. Biohazards that may carry diseases are often disposed of in special containers, and nuclear materials are notoriously difficult to safely dispose of. This square would be at least theoretically useful, though not as much as the actual disposal guidelines.<br />
<br />
If the numbering here follows the scheme of the real categories, Randall's example substance is about as hard to dispose of as it gets. This matches the substance's rating of 4 for Blue and 2 for Yellow. Presumably it requires highly specialized handling or processing, and may also very bulky or awkward to store.<br />
|-<br />
| Bottom Left || Lilac || Number of federal agencies who want to know if you have any (3) || In many countries, including Randall's home country, the USA, the government has agencies dedicated to controlling or limiting the use of regulated substances, due to their use as drugs, weapons, harm to the environment, etc. While any given substance might be of interest to one agency, something that is both an environmental hazard and a chemical weapon component could interest, for example, the {{w|EPA}}, {{w|Chemical Safety Board}} and the FBI Counter-terrorism Division.<br />
|-<br />
| Bottom Right || Orange || How many times you have to scrub your hands after touching it before they stop smelling weird (1) || While the real NFPA 704 chart describes properties ranging from unsafe to potentially deadly, this square describes a minor but very real inconvenience. Some things are harder to wash off your hands than others, and, given that most people don't often work with dangerous substances {{Citation Needed}}, this would be a more common, but less relevant, concern for many people.<br />
<br />
In this case, the substance, or its residue, seems to be fairly easy to wash off. This is seemingly incongruous with its ratings in the blue and black square (see below).<br />
|-<br />
| Bottom || Black || Number of times it's caused one of those terrifying lab accidents that chemists tell scary stories about late at night (2) || This square might show how concerned and careful someone should be in handling the substance in question, especially if the number is more than one. However, it would be dependent not just on how inherently dangerous the substance is, but also on how commonly it occurs in labs. It's also vague as to what kind of accidents it has been involved in and what precautions therefore need to be taken. It could, for example, have caused some terrifying reaction, destroying things around it, or it could be very large and unwieldy and liable to crush people if handled improperly.<br />
<br />
In this case, it seems the substance has caused two such accidents, presumably on account of its high health risk in the Blue square, and may also be linked to its score of 4 in the Purple square.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
The title text (which references "scary stories" of the Black square) refers to {{w|dimethylmercury}} and {{w|prions}}. Dimethylmercury, C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>Hg, is an organic form of mercury with an NFPA score of 4-4-3 (contact can be fatal, will burn below 73° F (22 °C), will combust if put under pressure). In 1997, an American chemist, {{w|Karen Wetterhahn}}, died 298 days after a few drops of C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>Hg on her latex gloves were absorbed into her hand through the gloves, causing fatal mercury poisoning. Despite her having followed all safety protocols of the time, it was not then understood that the chemical was so toxic, nor that latex was so permeable to it. Prions are misfolded proteins that are responsible for a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including {{w|mad cow disease}} and {{w|chronic wasting disease}} in non-human animals and {{w|Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease}} in humans. These would indeed be the kind of substances that would scare those working with them in their labs; if an accident occurred, the results could be calamitous. See for example the case of [https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/07/second-lab-worker-with-deadly-prion-disease-prompts-research-pause-in-france/ Émilie Jaumain], a lab technician who died after accidentally coming into contact with prions in mouse tissue.<br />
<br />
But a few labs have apparently had accidents involving a soda machine or {{w|dropped ceiling}}. The latter may be a reference to {{w|1978 smallpox outbreak in the United Kingdom|the death of Janet Parker}}: One inquiry found that she was infected with {{w|smallpox}} when a sample traveled upward from a lab on the floor below hers; however, other investigations have challenged that finding. There are occasional instances of vending machines causing injury or death, usually caused by people trying to shake or tilt the machines to get product out and having the machine tip and fall on them. On average, [https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/1996/CPSC-Soda-Vending-Machine-Industry-Labeling-Campaign-Warns-Of-Deaths-And-Injuries a couple of Americans per year] are killed in this way. Reagents obtained in this way tend to have more impurities than those usually used in labs, but are relatively safe to shake.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
:Know your extended NFPA hazard diamond:<br />
<br />
:[The diamond is divided into 3x3 squares.]<br />
:Flammability: 0 (top, red)<br />
:Health hazard: 4 (top-left, blue)<br />
:Instability/reactivity: 2 (top-right, yellow)<br />
:Number of digits in the street value ($/gram): 2 (left, green)<br />
:(Special hazard) (center, white)<br />
:How much of a hassle it is to dispose of: 4 (right, purple)<br />
:Number of federal agencies who want to know if you have any: 3 (bottom-left, pink)<br />
:How many times you have to scrub your hands after touching it before they stop smelling weird: 1 (bottom-right, orange)<br />
:Number of times it's caused one of those terrifying lab accidents that chemists tell scary stories about late at night: 2 (bottom, black)<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Science]]<br />
[[Category:Chemistry]]<br />
[[Category:Comics with color]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:2638:_Extended_NFPA_Hazard_Diamond&diff=287811Talk:2638: Extended NFPA Hazard Diamond2022-06-29T01:04:08Z<p>172.70.214.81: </p>
<hr />
<div><!--Please sign your posts with ~~~~ and don't delete this text. New comments should be added at the bottom.--><br />
<br />
Are we going to try identifying what material this is? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.82.179|172.70.82.179]] 01:50, 28 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
:first one off the top of my head, aqua regia? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.38.69|172.70.38.69]] 02:46, 28 June 2022 (UTC)Bumpf<br />
::Doesn't aqua regia score a 0 in reactivity? [[User:N-eh|N-eh]] ([[User talk:N-eh|talk]]) 03:23, 28 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
::Or maybe Aqua Velva? That would explain the orange square, although maybe it would be a number larger than 1. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.34.171|172.70.34.171]] 22:49, 28 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
:My guess would be something radioactive, like uranium or plutonium. [[User:Clam|Clam]] ([[User talk:Clam|talk]]) 03:29, 28 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
::There are very, very few Health 4 / Fire 0 / Instability 2 compounds. The NIH database lists 4: nitrous oxide, phosphorus oxychloride, phosphorous trichloride, and thionyl chloride (although it's important to note these values aren't always standardized; some authorities consider phosphorus oxychloride to be Health 3, for example). Based on the street value and the number of US agencies who would be concerned about it, my guess is thionyl chloride, a useful industrial chemical which is also used in at least one meth lab synthesis pathway... AND highly regulated as a chemical weapon precursor (to both sulfur mustard and G-series nerve agents). Oh, and it is absolutely a Disposal Pain 4 candidate, too. [[User:Qalyar|Qalyar]] ([[User talk:Qalyar|talk]]) 04:52, 28 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
:::Not sure what source you consulted for this? Nitrous oxide is 2/0/0/OX and phosphorus oxychloride is 3/0/2/W. The last two you mentioned are 4/0/2 but also carry the W (reacts with water) which is missing in Randall's sign. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.214.81|172.70.214.81]] 01:04, 29 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
: It could be the drop ceiling - if it's even moderately unstable that would certainly make it a hazard; it would be a pain in the arse to dispose of; there are probably a few agencies with an interest building regs, etc. that would want to know about it. I'm not sure what kind of street price it would command, though. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.85.211|172.70.85.211]] 16:20, 28 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
:It could be something that wouldn't normally be classified as a material, like a velociraptor. I'd think more government agencies would want to know about their existence in reality, but it's possible in this universe their existence is less atypical. [[User:Edda|Edda]] ([[User talk:Edda|talk]]) 00:03 29 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
The center square is a free space, but if you win without it you get a special bonus prize. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.42.129|172.70.42.129]] 04:18, 28 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Given Randall's fixation with velociraptors, is anyone else thinking the "dropped ceiling" may be a reference to the labs in Jurassic Park?<br />
:Possible. The first thing I had to think of was HalfLife (ie Black Mesa). [[User:Elektrizikekswerk|Elektrizikekswerk]] ([[User talk:Elektrizikekswerk|talk]]) 07:34, 28 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
:Since as a German I never heard of a dropped ceiling before, I automatically assumed it's a ceiling that drops on you. Ouch. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.102.117|172.71.102.117]] 19:28, 28 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Does Randall watch Warsaw local news? Yesterday [https://tvn24.pl/tvnwarszawa/mokotow/warszawa-wilanow-ul-branickiego-straz-miejska-interweniowala-w-sprawie-walacego-sie-budynku-5766504 there was an article about an accident with dropped ceiling]. Accident with dropped ceiling next day on xkcd gave me uncanny feeling. [[User:Tkopec|Tkopec]] ([[User talk:Tkopec|talk]]) 09:31, 28 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
:I was wondering whether the whole thing was inspired by the {{w|2022 Aqaba toxic gas leak}}, that it was published well within a day of. Probably not (because 'too soon', especially with deciding what humour to add, assuming he started from scratch) but he might well have heard of it even as he was already mid-way through the drawing/publishing process and felt it ok to press ahead (perhaps modified to make it ''less'' likely to be directly associated in some way).<br />
:Not worth an in-explanation (or Trivia) mention, but saying it here as a dismissable aside. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.162.5|172.70.162.5]] 13:58, 28 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
<br />
The "''Number of times it's caused one of those terrifying lab accidents that chemists tell scary stories about late at night -> 2''" reminds me of the [https://www.science.org/topic/blog-category/things-i-wont-work-with Things I Won't Work With] category on Derek's Lowe blog, including famous [https://www.science.org/content/blog-post/sand-won-t-save-you-time Sand Won't Save You This Time] article about dangers of chlorine trifluoride, with a few ''scary stories'' included. --[[User:JakubNarebski|JakubNarebski]] ([[User talk:JakubNarebski|talk]]) 11:04, 28 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
:The "smelling weird" one made me remember the one about [https://www.science.org/content/blog-post/things-i-won-t-work-thioacetone thioacetone]--[[Special:Contributions/172.71.114.63|172.71.114.63]] 12:53, 28 June 2022 (UTC)</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2638:_Extended_NFPA_Hazard_Diamond&diff=2878072638: Extended NFPA Hazard Diamond2022-06-28T21:49:57Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Transcript */ more general</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2638<br />
| date = June 27, 2022<br />
| title = Extended NFPA Hazard Diamond<br />
| image = extended_nfpa_hazard_diamond.png<br />
| titletext = With most labs, the hushed horror stories are about something like dimethylmercury or prions, but occasionally you'll get a weird lab where it's about the soda machine or the drop ceiling.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a SUBSTANCE WORTH $500 IN STREET VALUE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
This comic depicts an extension of [[wikipedia:NFPA 704|NFPA 704]], bringing it from 2x2 to 3x3 by adding 5 variously useful and humorous squares.<br />
<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
|+ Squares and explanations<br />
|-<br />
! Square !! Color !! Comic text !! Explanation<br />
|-<br />
| Top || Red || Flammability (0) || [[http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/nfpa.html Real NFPA 704 square]]. Denotes flammability. 0 indicates "materials that will not burn."<br />
|-<br />
| Top Left || Blue || Health Hazard (4) || Real NFPA 704 square. Denotes the danger that the substance poses to living beings in ways other than flammability and reactivity. 4 indicates that "Very short exposure could cause death or serious residual injury even though prompt medical attention was given."<br />
|-<br />
| Top Right || Yellow || Instability/Reactivity (2) || Real NFPA 704 square. Denotes how easily the substance reacts with other substances. 2 indicates that "Normally unstable and readily undergo violent decomposition but do not detonate. Also: may react violently with water or may form potentially explosive mixtures with water."<br />
|-<br />
| Center || White || (Special Hazard) || Real NFPA 704 square. Contains a symbol with additional notes on the substance. After this point, all squares are made up by Randall. {{citation needed}}<br />
|-<br />
| Center Left || Green || Number of digits in the street value ($/gram) (2) || Describes the order of magnitude of the price (in USD) of one gram of the substance when sold illegally and informally. Most common illicit drugs would score 2 in this square.<br />
|-<br />
| Center Right || Dark Purple || How much of a hassle it is to dispose of (4) || While many things can be thrown in the trash with no additional procedures, substances that merit an NFPA 704 square often require additional procedures to avoid significant danger, damage to the environment, or hefty dumping fines. Biohazards that may carry diseases are often disposed of in special containers, and nuclear materials are notoriously difficult to safely dispose of. This square would be at least theoretically useful, though not as much as the actual disposal guidelines.<br />
|-<br />
| Bottom Left || Lilac || Number of federal agencies who want to know if you have any (3) || In many countries, including Randall's home country, the USA, the government has agencies dedicated to controlling or limiting the use of regulated substances, due to their use as drugs, weapons, etc. While any given substance might be of interest to one agency, something that is both an environmental hazard and a chemical weapon component could interest, for example, both the Chemical Safety Board and the FBI Counterterrorism Division.<br />
|-<br />
| Bottom Right || Orange || How many times you have to scrub your hands after touching it before they stop smelling weird (1) || While the real NFPA 704 chart describes properties ranging from unsafe to potentially deadly, this square describes a minor but very real inconvenience. Some things are harder to wash off your hands than others, and, given that most people don't often work with dangerous substances {{Citation Needed}}, this would be a more common, but less relevant, concern for many people.<br />
|-<br />
| Bottom || Black || Number of times it's caused one of those terrifying lab accidents that chemists tell scary stories about late at night (2) || The result of this square, although dependent on how much the substance is researched in labs, can show how scared someone should be in handling the substance in question, especially if the number is more than one. Though the description is vague, this number could show how easy it is to cause ''some'' kind of reaction of a terrifying magnitude with this substance.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
The title text (which references "scary stories" of the Black square) refers to {{w|dimethylmercury}} and {{w|prions}}. Dimethylmercury, C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>Hg, is an organic form of mercury with an NFPA score of 4-4-3 (contact can be fatal, will burn below 73° F (22 °C), will combust if put under pressure). In 1997, an American chemist, {{w|Karen Wetterhahn}}, died 298 days after a few drops of C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>Hg on her latex gloves were absorbed into her hand through the gloves, causing fatal mercury poisoning. Despite her having followed all safety protocols of the time, it was not then understood that the chemical was so toxic, nor that latex was so permeable to it. Prions are misfolded proteins that are responsible for a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including {{w|mad cow disease}} and {{w|chronic wasting disease}} in non-human animals and {{w|Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease}} in humans. These would indeed be the kind of substances that would scare those working with them in their labs; if an accident occurred, the results could be calamitous.<br />
<br />
But a few labs have apparently had accidents involving a soda machine or {{w|dropped ceiling}}. The latter may be a reference to {{w|1978 smallpox outbreak in the United Kingdom|the death of Janet Parker}}: One inquiry found that she was infected with {{w|smallpox}} when a sample traveled upward from a lab on the floor below hers; however, other investigations have challenged that finding. There are occasional instances of vending machines causing injury or death, usually caused by people trying to shake or tilt the machines to get product out and having the machine tip and fall on them. On average, [https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/1996/CPSC-Soda-Vending-Machine-Industry-Labeling-Campaign-Warns-Of-Deaths-And-Injuries a couple of Americans per year] are killed in this way. Reagents obtained in this way tend to have more impurities than those usually used in labs, but are relatively safe to shake.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
:Know your extended NFPA hazard diamond:<br />
<br />
:[The diamond is divided into 3x3 squares.]<br />
:Flammability: 0 (top, red)<br />
:Health hazard: 4 (top-left, blue)<br />
:Instability/reactivity: 2 (top-right, yellow)<br />
:Number of digits in the street value ($/gram): 2 (left, green)<br />
:(Special hazard) (center, white)<br />
:How much of a hassle it is to dispose of: 4 (right, purple)<br />
:Number of federal agencies who want to know if you have any: 3 (bottom-left, pink)<br />
:How many times you have to scrub your hands after touching it before they stop smelling weird: 1 (bottom-right, orange)<br />
:Number of times it's caused one of those terrifying lab accidents that chemists tell scary stories about late at night: 2 (bottom, black)<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Science]]<br />
[[Category:Chemistry]]<br />
[[Category:Comics with color]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2638:_Extended_NFPA_Hazard_Diamond&diff=2878062638: Extended NFPA Hazard Diamond2022-06-28T21:47:46Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* Explanation */ note</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2638<br />
| date = June 27, 2022<br />
| title = Extended NFPA Hazard Diamond<br />
| image = extended_nfpa_hazard_diamond.png<br />
| titletext = With most labs, the hushed horror stories are about something like dimethylmercury or prions, but occasionally you'll get a weird lab where it's about the soda machine or the drop ceiling.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a SUBSTANCE WORTH $500 IN STREET VALUE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
This comic depicts an extension of [[wikipedia:NFPA 704|NFPA 704]], bringing it from 2x2 to 3x3 by adding 5 variously useful and humorous squares.<br />
<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
|+ Squares and explanations<br />
|-<br />
! Square !! Color !! Comic text !! Explanation<br />
|-<br />
| Top || Red || Flammability (0) || [[http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/nfpa.html Real NFPA 704 square]]. Denotes flammability. 0 indicates "materials that will not burn."<br />
|-<br />
| Top Left || Blue || Health Hazard (4) || Real NFPA 704 square. Denotes the danger that the substance poses to living beings in ways other than flammability and reactivity. 4 indicates that "Very short exposure could cause death or serious residual injury even though prompt medical attention was given."<br />
|-<br />
| Top Right || Yellow || Instability/Reactivity (2) || Real NFPA 704 square. Denotes how easily the substance reacts with other substances. 2 indicates that "Normally unstable and readily undergo violent decomposition but do not detonate. Also: may react violently with water or may form potentially explosive mixtures with water."<br />
|-<br />
| Center || White || (Special Hazard) || Real NFPA 704 square. Contains a symbol with additional notes on the substance. After this point, all squares are made up by Randall. {{citation needed}}<br />
|-<br />
| Center Left || Green || Number of digits in the street value ($/gram) (2) || Describes the order of magnitude of the price (in USD) of one gram of the substance when sold illegally and informally. Most common illicit drugs would score 2 in this square.<br />
|-<br />
| Center Right || Dark Purple || How much of a hassle it is to dispose of (4) || While many things can be thrown in the trash with no additional procedures, substances that merit an NFPA 704 square often require additional procedures to avoid significant danger, damage to the environment, or hefty dumping fines. Biohazards that may carry diseases are often disposed of in special containers, and nuclear materials are notoriously difficult to safely dispose of. This square would be at least theoretically useful, though not as much as the actual disposal guidelines.<br />
|-<br />
| Bottom Left || Lilac || Number of federal agencies who want to know if you have any (3) || In many countries, including Randall's home country, the USA, the government has agencies dedicated to controlling or limiting the use of regulated substances, due to their use as drugs, weapons, etc. While any given substance might be of interest to one agency, something that is both an environmental hazard and a chemical weapon component could interest, for example, both the Chemical Safety Board and the FBI Counterterrorism Division.<br />
|-<br />
| Bottom Right || Orange || How many times you have to scrub your hands after touching it before they stop smelling weird (1) || While the real NFPA 704 chart describes properties ranging from unsafe to potentially deadly, this square describes a minor but very real inconvenience. Some things are harder to wash off your hands than others, and, given that most people don't often work with dangerous substances {{Citation Needed}}, this would be a more common, but less relevant, concern for many people.<br />
|-<br />
| Bottom || Black || Number of times it's caused one of those terrifying lab accidents that chemists tell scary stories about late at night (2) || The result of this square, although dependent on how much the substance is researched in labs, can show how scared someone should be in handling the substance in question, especially if the number is more than one. Though the description is vague, this number could show how easy it is to cause ''some'' kind of reaction of a terrifying magnitude with this substance.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
The title text (which references "scary stories" of the Black square) refers to {{w|dimethylmercury}} and {{w|prions}}. Dimethylmercury, C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>Hg, is an organic form of mercury with an NFPA score of 4-4-3 (contact can be fatal, will burn below 73° F (22 °C), will combust if put under pressure). In 1997, an American chemist, {{w|Karen Wetterhahn}}, died 298 days after a few drops of C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>Hg on her latex gloves were absorbed into her hand through the gloves, causing fatal mercury poisoning. Despite her having followed all safety protocols of the time, it was not then understood that the chemical was so toxic, nor that latex was so permeable to it. Prions are misfolded proteins that are responsible for a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including {{w|mad cow disease}} and {{w|chronic wasting disease}} in non-human animals and {{w|Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease}} in humans. These would indeed be the kind of substances that would scare those working with them in their labs; if an accident occurred, the results could be calamitous.<br />
<br />
But a few labs have apparently had accidents involving a soda machine or {{w|dropped ceiling}}. The latter may be a reference to {{w|1978 smallpox outbreak in the United Kingdom|the death of Janet Parker}}: One inquiry found that she was infected with {{w|smallpox}} when a sample traveled upward from a lab on the floor below hers; however, other investigations have challenged that finding. There are occasional instances of vending machines causing injury or death, usually caused by people trying to shake or tilt the machines to get product out and having the machine tip and fall on them. On average, [https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/1996/CPSC-Soda-Vending-Machine-Industry-Labeling-Campaign-Warns-Of-Deaths-And-Injuries a couple of Americans per year] are killed in this way. Reagents obtained in this way tend to have more impurities than those usually used in labs, but are relatively safe to shake.<br />
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==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
:Know your extended NFPA hazard diamond:<br />
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:[The diamond is divided into 3x3 squares.]<br />
<br />
:Flammability: 0 (top, red)<br />
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:Health hazard: 4 (top-left, blue)<br />
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:Instability/reactivity: 2 (top-right, yellow)<br />
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:Number of digits in the street value ($/gram): 2 (left, green)<br />
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:(Special hazard) (center, white)<br />
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:How much of a hassle it is to dispose of: 4 (right, purple)<br />
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:Number of federal agencies who want to know if you have any: 3 (bottom-left, pink)<br />
<br />
:How many times you have to scrub your hands after touching it before they stop smelling weird: 1 (bottom-right, orange)<br />
<br />
:Number of times it's caused one of those terrifying lab accidents that chemists tell scary stories about late at night: 2 (bottom, black)<br />
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{{comic discussion}}<br />
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[[Category:Chemistry]]<br />
[[Category:Comics with color]]</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:2638:_Extended_NFPA_Hazard_Diamond&diff=287750Talk:2638: Extended NFPA Hazard Diamond2022-06-28T03:56:12Z<p>172.70.214.81: /* My cock */ new section</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 />
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Are we going to try identifying what material this is? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.82.179|172.70.82.179]] 01:50, 28 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
:first one off the top of my head, aqua regia? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.38.69|172.70.38.69]] 02:46, 28 June 2022 (UTC)Bumpf<br />
::Doesn't aqua regia score a 0 in reactivity? [[User:N-eh|N-eh]] ([[User talk:N-eh|talk]]) 03:23, 28 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
:My guess would be something radioactive, like uranium or plutonium. [[User:Clam|Clam]] ([[User talk:Clam|talk]]) 03:29, 28 June 2022 (UTC)<br />
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== My cock ==<br />
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My cock</div>172.70.214.81https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2638:_Extended_NFPA_Hazard_Diamond&diff=2877492638: Extended NFPA Hazard Diamond2022-06-28T03:55:39Z<p>172.70.214.81: cocka</p>
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<div>my cock</div>172.70.214.81