Talk:3070: Orogeny

If only "plutonic" meant "made with real plutonium," sigh. 172.71.167.26 02:53, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

But what does this mean in this context here? --Kynde (talk) 11:10, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

In geology, "plutonic" means rock that solidified from magma that cooled beneath the Earth's surface, as opposed to "volcanic" which means rock that solidified from lava on the Earth's surface. In this case, Ponytail is indicating that the rocks that they are standing on were formed when magma solidified deep underground a billion years ago, but were uplifted and exposed by erosion much more recently (geologically speaking). 162.158.137.59 18:28, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

xkcd. When technical issues interfer with reality correct the technical issues. That's usually easier than changing reality. Sure, the techs will say it's impossible and may even think they are correct but ... 172.71.194.216 02:55, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

Hey this isn't an interactive april fools comic 162.158.174.225 04:06, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

No because this comic came out on March 31st. But it has been a while since Randall managed to let his April 1st comic come out on April 1st ;-) But this comic was the regular scheduled Monday March 31st release. We may still se an April Fools' comic come out later today or some time during April... However I have heard that due to the recent events in the world that all would have been funny if April Fool's then April Fool's Day has been canceled this year! --Kynde (talk) 11:10, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

I have (lengthily) justified, as inline commentary, why I think it's nonense to consider this a "no April Fools' year" just yet. The comic is normal Monday March 31st fare (insofar as any comic is 'normal') and can only be considered valid for a "March Impetuousness's day" comic, should that be a thing. As pointed out by a prior editor, Machine was late (had the opportunity to be released on Monday 1st April, but seemingly needed a bit more time; and probably could have done with longer, given it had minor post-release tweaks) and is considered a 1/Apr 'special'. Longer waits for season-/occasion-specific comics have heen had.

For people to assume this pre-April comic (by the usual measures) is sign that there's no such special release is... premature in at least three different ways. And there's no reason for anybody outside Randall and (as with the trend over recent years) any hypothetical collaborators involved to know if this year is going to be bountiful or barren at this early stage. There's almost ⅓ of a day before my April 1st is over (ignoring the "all japes need to be made/concluded before noon" stipulation, which remains difficult to enforce on a worldwide basis) longer still for Randall's, and that's if he's sticking to the usual "release day" schedule and not having to worry about more than just a single static comic that (give or take particular topicality) could be substituted for a backup 'casual' joke even if he's not entirely happy with its finished status yet.

Maybe it'll be (very early, Randall-time) on Wednesday, as compromise with the rest of the logistics. Maybe not. Give it a week before making too many assumptions. And, even then, if it's a good one that just needs more fiddling with, don't be surprised to find a 'special' release later on. (Whilst accepting that there may still not be one, of course.) To paraphrase Frank N. Furter, in the Rocky Horror (Picture) Show, perhaps you all should try to "shiver with Antici-

-pation".... 172.69.194.93 15:54, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

Gonna need a new category tag for Geology + Real Estate/Home Ownership comics at this point - this is the 4th I believe. 172.71.255.133 04:29, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

I think that's Category:Home Inspections -- Ken g6 (talk) 05:47, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

We might want to rebrand that category then: something more general for a combination of real estate and geology --Mushrooms (talk) 11:21, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

Maybe yes, but I think the two home inspection comics are so clearly a stand alone series! And have thus removed the category from this comic. And made a note of this comic on the home inspection category and made a link to it from this comic. If Randall continues there could be a new series where the inspection series would then become a sub category. But for that we need to have more comics like this one. Also in this comic it seems like they joke, where in the other it seems to be taken serious by the characters. At least at the moments the explanation also says that they are running along with the joke. Especially the punch line. Also it is only the third comic not the fourth as far as I can tell? Ah sorry there is also 3051: Hardwood. Yes maybe we should make some other category. But still think the two home inspection would still need to be seen as a special sereis where the home and the inspector needs to be part of any further comics to be added --Kynde (talk) 11:25, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

I'm minded to think that it's just dubious to attempt to classify a set of two as a 'theme'. Given a set of random points (say, stars in the sky), it would be pre-emptive to suggest that any two seemingly close together are "a group", in anticipation that as yet unseen/uncatalogued stars will trivially fit into any such pair-group when you get round to them. Three is better (such that any of them have more in common with the other two than they have with any neighbour), but even that's potentially a problem (loads of "triangles" up in, or even betwixt, the constellations!) and subject to reinterpretation.

I'm thinking that "home inspection" is just a fleeting subset within a more "geological home" (plucking that from mid-air, probably just as wrong) wider theme. Though whether even Randall has consciously grouped any/all of those as we have (and will continue to, as further comics further establish or redefine the extent of his imagination in these matters) is a question we probably couldn't get a good answer to. 141.101.99.104 12:15, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

Well, yes - it is wrong - you should have plucked it from the earth.172.70.160.218 08:20, 2 April 2025 (UTC)

Is it possible the next comic will be an April Fools'? Ozymandias (talk)

Yes, but see above reply --Kynde (talk) 11:10, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

I don't understand the part about ancient collision ... what is meant here? Did tectonic plates come from interstellar events? 172.68.54.68 09:34, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

Ancient collision refers to tectonic plates colliding millions of years ago.Ozymandias (talk)

And it may be an ongoing collision, as for instance Himalaya which are still rising from the collision of India with the rest of Asia --Kynde (talk) 11:10, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

Heated driveways and sidewalks aren't unheard of in areas that get snow/ice. I feel like Randall isn't using "Most" in quite as absurd a way as is typical. 172.70.38.199 18:03, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

Separately from that, but sort of related, I find that bit of the Explanation a bit too focused on only the outside being heated, when it's probably going to affect indoor floors just as much, give or taken the point at which 'indoors' (if not the entire structure of any house) becomes moot against the general and widespread environmental effects involved. 172.69.194.205 21:59, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

From the timing, Randall could only have used prescience in gaining inspiration from this particular occurance... but, within hours of the comic being published, there was an outbreak of "hot property" issues. Probably just coincidence, so not threading this into the Explanation narrative... 172.71.241.19 22:24, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

Anyone know how to comment? I’m newAprilfoolsupdate! (talk) 09:48, 2 April 2025 (UTC)