Editing 635: Locke and Demosthenes
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | This comic | + | This comic re-imagines a scene from {{w|Ender's Game}}, by {{w|Orson Scott Card}}, this is shown in the first two panels depicting the siblings '''Locke and Demosthenes''', as [[Cueball]] and the girl. Their real names are Peter and Valentine Wiggin (and these first names are used in the [http://xkcd.com/635/info.0.json official transcript] on xkcd). In the book these two kids write their opinions on their worlds version of the internet to gain extreme political influence. Below is a synopsis: |
'''Spoiler alert!''' <br> | '''Spoiler alert!''' <br> | ||
− | In the book | + | In the book Ender is an above-average-intelligence boy who is selected to become a potential leader of Earth's "Defense" Forces in the event of another {{w|Formics|Bugger}} invasion (later re-titled the Formic invasions). Meanwhile, Ender's two older siblings, Peter and Valentine decide to save the world from itself. They do this by asserting themselves as wise demagogues who comment on political events on what are known as the "free nets" which are nets open to comment by anyone in the world. They choose pseudonyms to write under, as no one would take the words of children seriously, they choose Locke (Peter's pseudonym), and Demosthenes (Valentine's) and begin work. Eventually they gain enough respect to be invited to participate in moderated political debates in the higher class nets. By the end of the book, Peter has become the leader of the world, as Valentine runs away with Ender to a planet formerly inhabited by Buggers to live out their lives in peace. |
<br>'''End spoiler alert!''' | <br>'''End spoiler alert!''' | ||
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The joke hinges on the underwhelming reversal of Peter and Valentine's expectations. It forms both a parody of science fiction that has been rendered outdated by technology, and also a parody of the expectations well-intentioned people have going onto the internet to express their opinions. | The joke hinges on the underwhelming reversal of Peter and Valentine's expectations. It forms both a parody of science fiction that has been rendered outdated by technology, and also a parody of the expectations well-intentioned people have going onto the internet to express their opinions. | ||
− | + | In the bottom right corner there are links to other blogs. One is for Demosthenes, but the other is for {{w|FiveThirtyEight}} a real political blog that was founded by {{w|Nate Silver}} in 2008, more than a year before this comic was released. It was still owned by Nate in 2009 the year of this comics release but 2010 the blog became a licensed feature of The {{w|New York Times}} online and in July 2013, {{w|ESPN}} announced that it would become the owner. The blog takes its name from the number of electors in the United States electoral college: 538. It is a website that focuses on opinion poll analysis, politics, economics, and sports blogging. Nate Silver has been [[:Category:Comics featuring Nate Silver|referenced]], several times in xkcd, though mainly in the title text, before this comic for instance in [[500: Election]]. | |
− | + | The title text uses Locke's full name Peter Wiggin, and is formed as a short letter that informs him that he has become the president of the world, and that he should meet tomorrow 8:00 sharp at the {{w|united nations}} (UN) headquarters. This is a very child-like representation of how a presidential appointment might be announced, further riffing on the naivete of the plan in the first place. | |
− | + | Also note that the note is addressed to "Peter" rather than "Locke"; Peter's attempt to remain anonymous has failed miserably. The title text says that Peter got the presidential post because he received enough [https://www.reddit.com/wiki/voting up votes] on his {{w|reddit}} comments! | |
During their conversation, Peter is shown feeding a squirrel. In ''Ender's Game'' the character of Peter Wiggin is a sadistic sociopath - and there is a particular scene in the book where Valentine stumbles across a skinned squirrel still twitching in pain. | During their conversation, Peter is shown feeding a squirrel. In ''Ender's Game'' the character of Peter Wiggin is a sadistic sociopath - and there is a particular scene in the book where Valentine stumbles across a skinned squirrel still twitching in pain. | ||
− | + | References to both [[:Category:Ender's Game|Ender's Game]] and [[:Category:Squirrels|Squirrels]] are frequently recurring tropes in xkcd. | |
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
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:Valentine: Ender's up there saving the world, but down here it's falling apart politically. What can we do? | :Valentine: Ender's up there saving the world, but down here it's falling apart politically. What can we do? | ||
− | :[Peter turns towards and sits down, leaning back on one hand. Valentine sits up in a similar position. Her hair looks like a mix between Megan and | + | :[Peter turns towards and sits down, leaning back on one hand. Valentine sits up in a similar position. Her hair looks like a mix between Megan and Hair Bun Girls hair. The squirrel behind Peter is bending over the food Peter has thrown out for it.] |
:Peter: I know — we get on the nets and anonymously post political opinions. People reading our articles will see our intelligence, recognize how clear and logical our arguments are, and insist that we be put in charge, so we can fix everything! | :Peter: I know — we get on the nets and anonymously post political opinions. People reading our articles will see our intelligence, recognize how clear and logical our arguments are, and insist that we be put in charge, so we can fix everything! | ||
:Valentine: Brilliant! | :Valentine: Brilliant! | ||
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
− | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] <!-- Even though it is a named person, Peter/Locke it is still Cueball for the sake of explain xkcd. On the other hand Valentine/Demosthenes doesn't look like Megan or | + | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] <!-- Even though it is a named person, Peter/Locke it is still Cueball for the sake of explain xkcd. On the other hand Valentine/Demosthenes doesn't look like Megan or Hair Bun Girl, and they should thus not be included--> |
[[Category:Comics featuring Nate Silver]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Nate Silver]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Ender's Game]] | ||
[[Category:Squirrels]] | [[Category:Squirrels]] | ||
[[Category:Politics]] | [[Category:Politics]] | ||
[[Category:Internet]] | [[Category:Internet]] | ||
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