Editing 1212: Interstellar Memes

{{comic
| number    = 1212
| date      = May 15, 2013
| title     = Interstellar Memes
| image     = interstellar memes.png
| titletext = The strongest incentive we have to develop faster-than-light travel is that it would let us apologize in advance.
}}
A [http://xkcd.com/1212/large/ larger version] of this picture can be found by clicking the comic on xkcd.

==Explanation==
[[Randall]] highlights various memes from popular culture. A {{w|meme}} is a phenomenon, often in this scenario in the form of a movie quote, a musical reference, a catchphrase or other notable saying that spreads quickly by word-of-mouth. Memes become popular because people hear about them and repeat them to others. Randall points out that if the assumed intelligent life from other star systems were listening to the things we said, then they would just now be hearing and popularizing memes started years ago on earth. The delay is due to the time that it takes for expressions of the meme to travel (presumably via radio waves) to distant star systems.

Our solar system, from where the electromagnetic waves are emitted, is located just left of the center of the picture. The other star systems are arranged roughly according to their distance from the sun, while their size corresponds to the size of the star compared with that of the sun.

The meme for Sirius is a pun; it refers to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, in which Bellatrix Lestrange kills Sirius Black.

Radio waves travel at the {{w|speed of light}}. The title text jokes that these memes are so annoying that it would give us further incentive to develop the technology to travel {{w|faster than light}}, just simply to be able to outrun the radio waves, reach a distant star system, and apologize in advance to the "residents" about the memes, before the memes arrive.

===Table with memes===
The table below lists all the memes described, and the star at which the comics states those memes should be heard by the time when the comic was released in 2013. The year of the meme plus the number of light years to the star should end up close to 2013. 

Most end up within the range 2011-2013 which may indicate the meme became popular one or two years later (on Earth or at the distant star system.) Two memes reach the targets in 2014. Some of those errors may be caused by the inaccuracy of the distances.

The ''The Spanish Inquisition'' from Monty Python would have reached its destination in 2006. Because they're still watching ''Monty Python's Flying Circus'' in 2013 it must be very popular or maybe it took seven years to decipher that {{w|British humour}}.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Meme !! Star !! Origin !! Year !! Distance to star !! Sum year
|-
| Yabba dabba doo! || {{w|Castor (star)|Castor}} || ''{{w|The Flintstones}}'' || 1960 || 51 ± 3 ly || 2011 ± 3
|-
| You've got to ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?" || {{w|Lambda Aurigae}} || ''{{w|Dirty Harry}}'' || 1971 || 41.2 ± 0.1 ly || 2012
|-
| {{w|Where's the beef|Where's the beef?}} || {{w|HR 1614}} || Slogan for {{w|Wendy's}} || 1984 || 28 ly || 2012
|-
| And now for something completely different. || {{w|Capella (star)|Capella}}|| ''{{w|Monty Python's Flying Circus}}'' || 1969 || 42 ly || 2011
|-
| Here's lookin' at you, kid. || {{w|Kappa Reticuli}} || ''{{w|Casablanca (film)|Casablanca}}'' || 1942 || 70 ly || 2012
|-
| My spoon is too big! || {{w|Kapteyn's Star}} || ''{{w|Rejected}}'' || 2000 || 12 ly || 2012
|-
| May the force be with you. || {{w|Delta Trianguli}} || ''{{w|Star Wars}}''|| 1977 || 35 ly || 2012
|-
| Peanut butter jelly time! || {{w|Luyten's Star}} || [http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/peanut-butter-jelly-time an Internet meme] || 2002 || 12 ly || 2014
|-
| Rosebud. || {{w|Alpha Hydri}} || ''{{w|Citizen Kane}}'' || 1941 || 71 ly || 2012
|-
| Oh my god, {{w|They killed Kenny|they killed Kenny!}} – You bastards! || {{w|AD Leonis}} || ''{{w|South Park}}'' || 1997 || 15.9 ± 0.2 ly || 2013
|-
| ...God kills a kitten! – A what? || {{w|Procyon}} || {{w|Every time you masturbate... God kills a kitten|an Internet meme}} || 2002 || 11.5 ly || 2013
|-
| I ''still'' can't believe Bellatrix– – Dude, get over it. || {{w|Sirius}} || ''{{w|Harry Potter}}'' ({{w|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix|book 5}}) || 2003 || 8.6 ly || 2012
|-
| Ninjas fight ''all the time!'' || {{w|Epsilon Eridani}} || {{w|The Official Ninja Webpage}} || 2002 || 10 ly || 2012
|-
| {{w|D'oh!|D'oh!}} || {{w|HR 753}} || ''{{w|The Simpsons}}'' || 1989 || 23 ly || 2012
|-
| {{w|The Spanish Inquisition (Monty Python)|''Nobody'' expects the Spanish Inquisition!}} || {{w|Beta Virginis}} || ''{{w|Monty Python's Flying Circus}}'' || 1970 || 35,6 ly || 2006
|-
| {{w|All your base are belong to us}}. || {{w|Tau Ceti}} || ''{{w|Zero Wing}}'' || 2001 || 11.9 ly || 2013
|-
| Take me to your leader! – No, Steve. || {{w|Beta Cassiopeiae|Caph}} || {{w|Take me to your leader (phrase)}} || 1957 || 55 ly || 2012
|-
| Chuck Norris doesn't sleep. He ''waits.'' || {{w|Wolf 359}} || {{w|Chuck Norris facts}} || 2005 || 7.8 ly || 2013
|-
| ♬ Numa numa ♪ || {{w|Lalande 21185}} || {{w|Dragostea Din Tei|Numa Numa song}} || 2004 || 8.3 ly || 2012
|-
| I can haz? || {{w|WISE 1049-5319|Luhman 16}} || {{w|Lolcats}} || 2006 || 6.6 ± 0.5 ly || 2013
|-
| ''Internets!'' || {{w|Luyten 726-8|Gliese 65}} || {{w|George W. Bush}} [http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/internets Internet meme] || 2004 || 8.7 || 2013
|-
| Look at the tiny dancing Earth mammals! || {{w|Gliese 1}} || {{w|Hampsterdance}} and/or {{w|Dancing Baby}} || 1998 || 14 ly || 2012
|-
| ''Wasssuup!?!'' || {{w|Van Maanen's star}} || {{w|Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)|Budweiser Beer}} advertising campaign || 1999 || 14 ly || 2013
|-
| Yippie-ki-yay, motherfucker. || {{w|Beta Hydri}} || ''{{w|Die Hard}}'' || 1988 || 24 ly || 2012
|-
| I pity the fool! || {{w|Groombridge 1830}} || ''{{w|Rocky III}}'' ({{w|Mr. T}}) || 1982 || 30 ly || 2012
|-
| The cake is a lie! || {{w|Alpha Centauri|Alpha Centauri A/B}} || ''{{w|Portal (video game)|Portal}}'' || 2007 || 4.3 ly || 2011
|-
| ♪ Never gonna give you up ♫ || {{w|Alpha Centauri|Alpha Centauri A/B}} || {{w|Rickrolling}} || 2007 || 4.3 ly || 2011
|-
| I'm on a boat! || {{w|Proxima Centauri}} || {{w|The Lonely Island}} || 2009 || 4.243 ± 0.002 ly || 2013
|-
| ♫ Chocolate Raaaiiin ♫ || {{w|Barnard's Star}} || {{w|Tay Zonday}}: {{w|Chocolate Rain}} video || 2007 || 6 ly || 2013
|-
| Leave Britney alone! || {{w|Barnard's Star}} || {{w|Chris Crocker}}: [http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/leave-britney-alone LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!] || 2007 || 6 ly || 2013
|-
| You're the man now, dog! || {{w|Epsilon Indi}} || {{w|YTMND}} || 2001 || 11.8 || 2013
|-
| {{w|More cowbell|More cowbell!}} || {{w|Kruger 60}} || ''{{w|Saturday Night Live}}'' || 2000 || 13 ly || 2013
|-
| Hasta la vista, baby. || {{w|Gliese 892}} || ''{{w|Terminator 2}}'' || 1991 || 21 ly || 2012
|-
| Let's get ready to ruuumble! || {{w|Zeta Tucanae}} || {{w|Michael Buffer}} || 1984 || 28 ly || 2012
|-
| You talkin' to ''me?'' || {{w|Arcturus}} || ''{{w|Taxi Driver}}'' || 1976 || 36.7 ± 0.3 ly || 2013
|-
| Did ''I'' do that? || {{w|Xi Boötis|Boötis}} || ''{{w|Family Matters}}'' ({{w|Steve Urkel}}) || 1989 || 21.89 ± 0.07 ly || 2011
|-
| Welcome to Good Burger, home of the good burger. – What's a burger? – I don't know. || {{w|70 Ophiuchi}} || {{w|Good Burger}} slogan || 1997 || 16.58 ± 0.07 ly || 2014
|-
| Badger badger badger badger || {{w|Ross 154}} || {{w|Badger Badger Badger}} || 2003 || 9.7 ly || 2013
|-
| {{w|Vulcan salute|Live long and prosper.}} – OK. || {{w|HD 211415}} || ''{{w|Star Trek}}'' || 1967 || 44 ly || 2011
|-
| Name's Bond. James Bond. || {{w|51 Pegasi}} || ''{{w|Dr. No (film)|Dr. No}}'' ({{w|James Bond}}) || 1962 || 50.9 ± 0.3 ly || 2013
|-
| Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn. || {{w|Alpha Serpentis}} || ''{{w|Gone with the Wind (film)|Gone with the Wind}}'' || 1939 || 74.0 ± 0.3 ly || 2013
|-
| Mr. T ate my balls! || {{w|Altair}} || [http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/ate-my-balls an Internet meme] || 1996 || 16.7 ly || 2013
|-
| I want the truth. – ''You can't handle the truth!'' || {{w|Delta Pavonis}} || ''{{w|A Few Good Men}}'' || 1992 || 20 ly || 2012
|-
| I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse. || {{w|Beta Trianguli Australis}} || ''{{w|The Godfather}}'' || 1972 || 40 ly || 2012
|-
| {{w|Resistance is futile|Resistance is futile.}} || {{w|Vega}} || ''{{w|Star Trek}}'' ({{w|Borg (Star Trek)|Borg}}) || 1988 || 25 ly || 2013
|-
| Oh... My... Gaawd || {{w|Sigma Draconis}} || ''{{w|Friends}}'' ({{w|Janice Goralnik}}) || 1994 || 18.8 ly || 2013
|-
| Ehh, what's up, Doc? || {{w|Epsilon Cygni|Gienah}} || {{w|Bugs Bunny}} || 1940 || 73 ly || 2013
|-
| ''EXTERMINATE!'' || {{w|Alpha Cephei|Alderamin}} || ''{{w|Doctor Who}}'' ({{w|Dalek|The Daleks}}) || 1963 || 49 ly || 2012
|}

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Layout isn't standard. Furthermore Randall also provides this which should be used as a basis here.}}
[There is a drawing of stars. Each star has a speech bubble.]

Caption: If other star systems are listening in on our pop culture, given the speed-of-light delay, these are the jokes and catchphrases they just learned about and are currently repeating way too much:

Castor: Yabba dabba doo!

Lambda Aurigae: You've got to ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?

HR 1614: Where's the beef?

Capella: And now for something completely different.

Kappa Reticuli: Here's lookin' at you, kid.

Kapteyn's Star: My spoon is too big!

Delta Trainguli: May the Force be with you

Luyten's Star: Peanut butter jelly time!

Alpha Hydri: Rosebud.

AD Leonis: Oh my god, they killed Kenny! – You bastards!

Pyocyon: ...God kills a kitten! – A what?

Sirius: I still can't believe Bellatrix– – Dude, get over it.

Espilon Eridani: Ninjas fight all the time!

HR 753: D'oh!

Beta Virginis: Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Tau Ceti: All your base are belong to us

Caph: Take me to your leader! – No, Steve.

Wolf 359: Chuck Norris doesn't sleep. He waits.

Lalande 21185: ♬ Numa numa ♪

Luhman 16: I can haz?

Gliese 65: Internets!

Gliese 1: Look at the tiny dancing Earth mammals!

Van Maanen's Star: Wasssuup!?!

Beta Hydri: Yippie-ki-yay, motherfucker.

Groombridge 1830: I pity the fool!

Alpha Centauri A/B: The cake is a lie!

Alpha Centauri A/B: ♪ Never gonna give you up ♫

Proxima Centauri: I'm on a boat!

Barnard's Star: ♫ Chocolate Raaaiiin ♫

Barnard's Star: Leave Britney alone!

Espilon Indi: You're the man now, dog!

Kruger 60: More cowbell!!!

Gliese 892: Hasta la vista, baby.

Zeta Tucanae: Let's get ready to ruuumble!

Arcturus: You talkin' to me?

Boötis: Did I do that?

70 Ophiuchi: Welcome to Good Burger, home of the good burger. – What's a burger? – I don't know.

Ross 154: Badger badger badger badger

HD 211415: Live long and prosper. – OK.

51 Pegasi: Name's Bond. James Bond.

Alpha Serpentis: Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.

Altair: Mr. T ate my balls!

Delta Pavonis: I want the truth. – You can't handle the truth!

Beta Trianguli Australis: I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse

Vega: Resistance is futile.

Sigma Draconis: Oh... My... Gaawd

Gienah: Ehh, what's up, Doc?

Alderamin: EXTERMINATE!

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics with color]]
[[Category:Astronomy]]
[[Category:Charts]]
[[Category:Puns]]
[[Category:Songs]]
[[Category:Rickrolling]]
[[Category:Fiction]]
[[Category:Doctor Who]]
[[Category:Star Wars]]
[[Category:Star Trek]]
[[Category:Harry Potter]]
[[Category:Terminator]]
@@ Line 126: / Line 126: @@
 ==Transcript==
-:[On a black background yellow circles and white bubbles are shown. Caption above the picture:]
+{{incomplete transcript|Layout isn't standard. Furthermore Randall also provides this which should be used as a basis here.}}
-:If other star systems are listening in on our pop culture, given the speed-of-light delay, these are the jokes and catchphrases they just learned about and are currently repeating way too much:
+[There is a drawing of stars. Each star has a speech bubble.]
-:[On a black background a map of star systems in relation to the Sun, which is roughly in the center, sending out radio waves is shown. Each star is a yellow circle of differing sizes, with a speech bubble (or more). The list is ordered from closest to furthest.]
+Caption: If other star systems are listening in on our pop culture, given the speed-of-light delay, these are the jokes and catchphrases they just learned about and are currently repeating way too much:
-:Proxima Centauri: I'm on a boat!
-:Alpha Centauri A B: The cake is a lie! – ♪ Never gonna give you up ♫
+Castor: Yabba dabba doo!
-:Luhman 16: I can haz?
-:Barnard's star: Leave Britney alone! – ♫ Chocolate Raaaiiin ♫
+Lambda Aurigae: You've got to ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?
-:Wolf 359: Chuck Norris doesn't sleep. He waits.
-:Lalande 21185: ♬ Numa numa ♪
+HR 1614: Where's the beef?
-:Sirius: I still can't believe Bellatrix– – Dude, get over it.
-:Gliese 65:  INTERNETS!
+Capella: And now for something completely different.
-:Epsilon Eridani: Ninjas fight all the time!
-:Procyon: ...God kills a kitten! – A what?
+Kappa Reticuli: Here's lookin' at you, kid.
-:Epsilon Indi: You're the man now, dog!
-:Tau Ceti: All your base are belong to us.
+Kapteyn's Star: My spoon is too big!
-:Luyten's Star: Peanut Butter Jelly Time!
-:Kapteyn's star: My spoon is too big!
+Delta Trainguli: May the Force be with you
-:Kruger 60: MORE COWBELL!
-:Gliese 1: Look at the tiny dancing Earth mammals!
+Luyten's Star: Peanut butter jelly time!
-:Van Maanen's star: WASSSUUP!?!
-:Ad Leonis: Oh my God, they killed Kenny! – You bastards!
+Alpha Hydri: Rosebud.
-:70 Ophiuchi: Welcome to Good Burger, home of the Good Burger. – What's a burger? – I don't know.
-:Altair: Mr. T ate my balls!
+AD Leonis: Oh my god, they killed Kenny! – You bastards!
-:Sigma Draconis: Oh ... my ... gaawd.
-:Delta Pavonis: I want the truth. – You can't handle the truth!
+Pyocyon: ...God kills a kitten! – A what?
-:Gliese 892: Hasta la vista, baby.
-:Xi Boötis: Did I do that?
+Sirius: I still can't believe Bellatrix– – Dude, get over it.
-:HR 753: D'oh!
-:Beta Hydri: Yippie-ki-yay, motherfucker.
+Espilon Eridani: Ninjas fight all the time!
-:Vega: Resistance is futile.
-:Zeta Tucanae: Let's get ready to ruuumble!
+HR 753: D'oh!
-:HR 1614: Where's the beef?
-:Groombridge 1830: I pity the fool!
+Beta Virginis: Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!
-:Delta Trianguli: May the Force be with you.
-:Beta Virginis: Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!
+Tau Ceti: All your base are belong to us
-:Arcturus: You talkin' to me ?
-:Beta Trianguli Australis: I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse.
+Caph: Take me to your leader! – No, Steve.
-:Lamda Aurigae: You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?'
-:Capella: And now for something completely different.
+Wolf 359: Chuck Norris doesn't sleep. He waits.
-:HD 211415: Live long and prosper. – Ok.
-:Alderamin: EXTERMINATE!
+Lalande 21185: ♬ Numa numa ♪
-:51 Pegasi: Name's bond. James Bond.
-:Caph: Take me to your leader! – No, Steve.
+Luhman 16: I can haz?
-:Kappa Reticuli: Here's lookin' at you, kid.
-:Alpha Hydri: Rosebud.
+Gliese 65: Internets!
-:Gienah: Ehh, what's up doc?
-:Alpha Serpentis: Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.
+Gliese 1: Look at the tiny dancing Earth mammals!
+Van Maanen's Star: Wasssuup!?!
+Beta Hydri: Yippie-ki-yay, motherfucker.
+Groombridge 1830: I pity the fool!
+Alpha Centauri A/B: The cake is a lie!
+Alpha Centauri A/B: ♪ Never gonna give you up ♫
+Proxima Centauri: I'm on a boat!
+Barnard's Star: ♫ Chocolate Raaaiiin ♫
+Barnard's Star: Leave Britney alone!
+Espilon Indi: You're the man now, dog!
+Kruger 60: More cowbell!!!
+Gliese 892: Hasta la vista, baby.
+Zeta Tucanae: Let's get ready to ruuumble!
+Arcturus: You talkin' to me?
+Boötis: Did I do that?
+Ophiuchi: Welcome to Good Burger, home of the good burger. – What's a burger? – I don't know.
+Ross 154: Badger badger badger badger
+HD 211415: Live long and prosper. – OK.
+Pegasi: Name's Bond. James Bond.
+Alpha Serpentis: Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.
+Altair: Mr. T ate my balls!
+Delta Pavonis: I want the truth. – You can't handle the truth!
+Beta Trianguli Australis: I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse
+Vega: Resistance is futile.
+Sigma Draconis: Oh... My... Gaawd
+Gienah: Ehh, what's up, Doc?
+Alderamin: EXTERMINATE!
 {{comic discussion}}