Editing 1501: Mysteries
Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
The edit can be undone.
Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then save the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
Latest revision | Your text | ||
Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
This comic shows a graph in which several "mysteries" are mentioned and placed on the graph according to how weird they are on the x-axis and the y-axis indicates whether [[Randall]] has an explanation or not for the mystery. Each item is listed in the [[#Table|table below]]. | This comic shows a graph in which several "mysteries" are mentioned and placed on the graph according to how weird they are on the x-axis and the y-axis indicates whether [[Randall]] has an explanation or not for the mystery. Each item is listed in the [[#Table|table below]]. | ||
− | Items near the top-right corner (such as the {{w|Malaysia Airlines Flight 370|MH 370}} disappearance) are both mysterious and strange. Items near the bottom-left corner (such as Randall's absent-mindedness regarding ice cream) have a clear explanation and are not really strange either. Items near the top-left corner (such as the meaning of ''{{w|You're So Vain}}'') are mysterious but not really strange. Items near the bottom-right corner (such as the {{w|Dyatlov Pass incident}}) have a clear explanation but are quite strange. | + | Items near the top-right corner (such as the {{w|Malaysia Airlines Flight 370|MH 370}} disappearance) are both mysterious and strange. Items near the bottom-left corner (such as Randall's absent-mindedness regarding ice cream) have a clear explanation and are not really strange either. Items near the top-left corner (such as the meaning of ''{{w|You're So Vain}}'') are mysterious but not really strange. Items near the bottom-right corner (such as the {{w|Dyatlov Pass incident}}) have a clear explanation but are quite strange. |
The title text refers to the mystery of Randall staying up late to read Wikipedia articles, when he was already supposed to be asleep an hour ago. This is apparently not very unusual for him (see for instance [[214: The Problem with Wikipedia]]). And this mystery actually has an obvious explanation: Following up on an idea that eventually led to today's cartoon. | The title text refers to the mystery of Randall staying up late to read Wikipedia articles, when he was already supposed to be asleep an hour ago. This is apparently not very unusual for him (see for instance [[214: The Problem with Wikipedia]]). And this mystery actually has an obvious explanation: Following up on an idea that eventually led to today's cartoon. | ||
Some of these mysteries have already been explored in xkcd. See [[950: Mystery Solved]] where Randall "solves" Amelia Earhart, Lost Roanoke Colony, Jimmy Hoffa; [[593: Voynich Manuscript]]; and [[1400: D.B. Cooper]]. | Some of these mysteries have already been explored in xkcd. See [[950: Mystery Solved]] where Randall "solves" Amelia Earhart, Lost Roanoke Colony, Jimmy Hoffa; [[593: Voynich Manuscript]]; and [[1400: D.B. Cooper]]. | ||
− | |||
− | |||
==Table== | ==Table== | ||
− | The X axis in the graph indicates weirdness. The table assumes that the item to the far left is 0% (not that weird) and the item to the far right is 100% (weird as hell). The Y axis indicates if Randall has an explanation. The table assumes that the item at the bottom is 100% (Randall has a clear explanation) and the item at the top is 0% (Randall has no explanation). | + | *The X axis in the graph indicates weirdness. |
+ | **The table assumes that the item to the far left is 0% (not that weird) and the item to the far right is 100% (weird as hell). | ||
+ | *The Y axis indicates if Randall has an explanation. | ||
+ | **The table assumes that the item at the bottom is 100% (Randall has a clear explanation) and the item at the top is 0% (Randall has no explanation). | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | {| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
!Entry | !Entry | ||
!Weirdness | !Weirdness | ||
− | ! | + | !Explainable |
− | !Further | + | !Further Details |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |Who Carly Simon is singing about in ''You're So Vain'' |
− | | | + | |9% |
− | | | + | |4% |
− | | | + | |The ironically self-referential lyrics of the 1972 song include "You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you." There has been {{w|You%27re_So_Vain#Subject_of_the_song|much speculation}} regarding the person or persons to whom Simon was referring. |
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Lindbergh Baby | ||
+ | |17% | ||
+ | |25% | ||
+ | |The {{w|Lindbergh kidnapping}} was the kidnapping and murder of 20-month old Charles Lindbergh Jr. in 1932. Various {{w|Lindbergh kidnapping#Controversy|conspiracy theories}} surround the event. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |UVB-76 |
− | | | + | |40% |
− | | | + | |23% |
− | | | + | |{{w|UVB-76}} is a mysterious shortwave radio station, apparently originating from Russia, that has broadcast a monotonous buzz tone since 1982 with occasional other content. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |Toynbee Tiles |
− | | | + | |25% |
− | | | + | |34% |
− | | | + | |{{w|Toynbee tiles}} are colorful ceramic tiles with cryptic messages that have been found embedded in asphalt in the streets of various midwestern-to-eastern cities in the United States and four South American cities. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |Jimmy Hoffa |
− | | | + | |10% |
− | | | + | |42% |
− | | | + | |{{w|Jimmy Hoffa}} was an American labor union leader who disappeared in 1975. He is widely believed to have been murdered. (See title text of [[950: Mystery Solved]]) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |The WOW | + | |The WOW Signal |
|55% | |55% | ||
− | |20% | + | |20% |
− | |The {{w|Wow! signal}} was a strong and clean radio transmission near 1420 | + | |The {{w|Wow! signal}} was a strong and clean radio transmission near 1420 MHz received by the Big Ear Radio Observatory at Ohio State University in 1977 that appears to have originated from interstellar space [http://www.universetoday.com/93754/35-years-later-the-wow-signal-still-tantalizes/]. This is the strongest evidence to date of radio signals transmitted by extraterrestrial intelligent beings. |
|- | |- | ||
|Mary Celeste | |Mary Celeste | ||
|70% | |70% | ||
− | |43% | + | |43% |
− | |The ''{{w|Mary Celeste}}'' was a sailing ship found adrift | + | |The ''{{w|Mary Celeste}}'' was a sailing ship found adrift, mysteriously abandoned yet otherwise undisturbed, in 1872. No explanation for these events has ever been determined. Its name has become a watchword for mysteriously abandoned ships. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |DB Cooper |
− | | | + | |76% |
− | | | + | |20% |
− | |{{w| | + | |{{w|D. B. Cooper}} was an airplane hijacker who jumped from a plane after successfully extorting a large ransom in 1971. No trace of him was ever found. Previously referenced in [[1400: D.B. Cooper]]. Note that this "Mysteries" comic was published shortly after [http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2zdzik/tommy_wiseau_creator_of_the_room_and_the_new_tv/ Tommy Wiseau did a Reddit AMA]. |
+ | |- | ||
+ | |Salish Sea Feet | ||
+ | |96% | ||
+ | |31% | ||
+ | |Over a dozen dismembered human feet {{w|Salish Sea human foot discoveries|were found}} between 2007 and 2014 on the coasts of the Salish Sea in British Columbia (Canada) and Washington (United States). | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |Lead Masks Case |
− | | | + | |99% |
− | | | + | |12% |
− | | | + | |In 1966 two Brazilian electricians were found dead on a hill top. No injuries. {{w|Lead Masks Case|Both were wearing lead masks}}. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |MH370 |
− | | | + | |100% |
− | | | + | |0% |
− | | | + | |On 8 March 2014, {{w|Malaysia Airlines Flight 370}} cut off radio contact and diverted from its flight path with 227 passengers aboard, eventually heading over open ocean towards Antarctica. No trace has been found. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |Voynich Manuscript |
− | | | + | |35% |
− | | | + | |68% |
− | | | + | |The {{w|Voynich manuscript}} is an illustrated codex hand-written in an unknown writing system. It came to public attention in the early 20th century and probably was written in Italy in the early 15th century. See also [[593: Voynich Manuscript]]. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |Why I keep putting ice cream back in the fridge instead of the freezer |
− | | | + | |0% |
− | | | + | |96% |
− | | | + | |Apparently, Randall absent-mindedly puts his ice cream container into the refrigerator rather than into the freezer. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |JFK |
− | | | + | |38% |
− | | | + | |86% |
− | |The {{w| | + | |The 1963 {{w|Assassination of John F. Kennedy|assassination of President John F. Kennedy}} has inspired many conspiracy theories, beginning almost immediately after the event. The subsequent murder of assassin Lee Harvey Oswald added fuel to the fire by encouraging speculation that he was silenced to cover up the true story. It seems Randall think this has been explained pretty well... |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |Oak Island Money Pit |
− | | | + | |32% |
− | | | + | |98% |
− | | | + | |An indentation in the ground on {{w|Oak Island}} (off the east coast of Nova Scotia, Canada), led to over 200 years of treasure hunting, with the excavations repeatedly hampered by flooding pit collapses. A few flagstones, and periodic layers of logs are all that have been found. Rumours abound as to what it conceals: Marie Antoinnette's jewels, pirate treasure and Shakespeare's manuscripts have all been suggested. It is called The Money Pit, because of all the money that has been wasted in trying to solve the mystery. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |Zodiac Letters |
− | | | + | |62% |
− | | | + | |62% |
− | |{{w| | + | |A set of letters were written by the so-called {{w|Zodiac Killer}}, a serial killer who was active in California in the 1960s and 1970s. The letters are available at [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Zodiac_Killer_letters Wikisource]. Some of the letters are encoded, only some of which have been deciphered. The killings remain unsolved. |
|- | |- | ||
|Amelia Earhart | |Amelia Earhart | ||
|56% | |56% | ||
− | |74% | + | |74% |
|{{w|Amelia Earhart}} and her navigator tried to circumnavigate the earth along the equator in a small airplane in 1937, but {{w|Amelia Earhart#Speculation on disappearance|disappeared}} over the Pacific Ocean without any trace. See also [[950: Mystery Solved]]. | |{{w|Amelia Earhart}} and her navigator tried to circumnavigate the earth along the equator in a small airplane in 1937, but {{w|Amelia Earhart#Speculation on disappearance|disappeared}} over the Pacific Ocean without any trace. See also [[950: Mystery Solved]]. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |Lost Colony |
− | | | + | |74% |
− | | | + | |83% |
− | |{{w| | + | |The {{w|Roanoke Colony}} was the first English attempt to establish a permanent settlement in the New World. The colony of over a hundred settlers disappeared some time in the late 1580s, with no signs of violence and no definitive evidence as to what happened. However, given the hardships faced by the colonists when they were left and that the buildings in the colony were dismantled, indicating departure was not hurried, it is likely they moved and/or integrated with the local tribes. Which probably accounts for Randall's high "explainable" rating. (See title text of [[950: Mystery Solved]]) |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Bigfoot | |Bigfoot | ||
|60% | |60% | ||
− | |98% | + | |98% |
− | |{{w|Bigfoot}} is a supposed animal or hominid that reputedly inhabits the Pacific Northwest region of North America | + | |{{w|Bigfoot}} is a supposed animal or hominid that reputedly inhabits the Pacific Northwest region of North America. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |Loch Ness Monster |
− | | | + | |64% |
− | | | + | |100% |
− | |The | + | |The {{w|Loch Ness Monster}} is a supposed animal that reputedly inhabits Loch Ness, a lake in Scotland. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |Kentucky Meat Shower |
− | | | + | |85% |
− | | | + | |93% |
− | | | + | |In 1876, a number of chunks of meat {{w|Kentucky meat shower|fell from the sky}} in Kentucky; this was possibly projectile vomit from vultures [http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/running-ponies/2014/12/01/the-great-kentucky-meat-shower-mystery-unwound-by-projectile-vulture-vomit/]. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |Dyatlov Pass Incident |
− | | | + | |93% |
− | |96% | + | |96% |
− | | | + | |On 2 February 1959, nine skiers in the northern Ural Mountains apparently {{w|Dyatlov Pass Incident|fled their tents without taking time to put on winter clothing}}. They were found dead, some with physical injuries. There are in fact a number of theories regarding this event, and it is not clear which one Randall regards as being obviously correct. |
|} | |} | ||
Line 146: | Line 147: | ||
:X-axis right: Weird as Hell | :X-axis right: Weird as Hell | ||
:Y-axis top: I have no explanation | :Y-axis top: I have no explanation | ||
− | :Y-axis bottom: Explanation seems pretty clear | + | :Y-axis bottom: Explanation seems pretty clear |
:[In the chart there are 22 bullets. Each bullet is labeled. Below the labels are given from top to bottom in each of the four quadrants of the chart:] | :[In the chart there are 22 bullets. Each bullet is labeled. Below the labels are given from top to bottom in each of the four quadrants of the chart:] | ||
:[Top left quadrant:] | :[Top left quadrant:] | ||
− | :Who Carly Simon is singing about in | + | :Who Carly Simon is singing about in You're So Vain |
− | :UVB-76 | + | :UVB-76 |
− | :Lindbergh baby | + | :Lindbergh baby |
− | :Toynbee tiles | + | :Toynbee tiles |
− | :Jimmy Hoffa | + | :Jimmy Hoffa |
:[Top right quadrant:] | :[Top right quadrant:] | ||
− | :MH370 | + | :MH370 |
− | :Lead Masks Case | + | :Lead Masks Case |
− | :DB Cooper | + | :DB Cooper |
− | :The Wow signal | + | :The Wow signal |
− | :Salish Sea feet | + | :Salish Sea feet |
− | :Mary Celeste | + | :Mary Celeste |
:[Bottom left quadrant:] | :[Bottom left quadrant:] | ||
− | :Voynich manuscript | + | :Voynich manuscript |
− | :JFK | + | :JFK |
− | :Why I keep putting ice cream back in the fridge instead of the freezer | + | :Why I keep putting ice cream back in the fridge instead of the freezer |
− | :Oak Island Money Pit | + | :Oak Island Money Pit |
:[Bottom right quadrant:] | :[Bottom right quadrant:] | ||
− | :Zodiac letters | + | :Zodiac letters |
− | :Amelia Earhart | + | :Amelia Earhart |
− | :Lost Colony | + | :Lost Colony |
− | :Kentucky meat shower | + | :Kentucky meat shower |
− | :Bigfoot | + | :Bigfoot |
− | :Loch Ness Monster | + | :Loch Ness Monster |
:Dyatlov Pass incident | :Dyatlov Pass incident | ||
{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
− | + | [[Category:Charts]] | |
− | [[Category: | ||
− | |||
[[Category:Wikipedia]] | [[Category:Wikipedia]] | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− |