Editing 1248: Sphere
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | [[Megan]] has taken or visited an astronomy class and has become more conscious | + | [[Megan]] has taken or visited an astronomy class and has become more conscious about the vast size of the universe, and our own small place in it. She ponders that she can only observe and learn about the rest of the universe; she cannot explore it directly as she is trapped, presumably by the constraints of gravity, time and human technology. |
− | The {{w|sphere}} she mentions | + | The {{w|sphere}} she mentions her is a metaphor for the {{w|Earth}}, which is roughly spherical in shape. Note that the {{w|figure of the Earth}} is an irregular shape which can be better approximated as an oblate {{w|spheroid}} or more exactly as a {{w|geoid}} (that is, "earth-shaped"). |
− | Her disinclination to make "{{w|small talk}}" with [[Cueball]] is a reference to how astronomers and people of other 'big-science' specializations can be so focused on their topic that they become disconnected from the simple details of everyday life. This has also been touched upon in [[663: Sagan-Man]] and [[786: Exoplanets]]. | + | Her disinclination to make "{{w|small talk}}" with [[Cueball]] is a reference to how astronomers (and people of other 'big-science' specializations) can be so focused on their topic that they become disconnected from the simple details of everyday life. This has also been touched upon in [[663: Sagan-Man]] and [[786: Exoplanets]]. |
− | + | The title text is a continuation of this theme. The name "Society of Astronomers Trapped on the Surface of a Sphere" (or, "SATSS", if you will) follows a common naming practice for scientific communities, Society (or "Association" or "Union") of <Scientists> of <Country, Nationality, or What Have You>. | |
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− | The title text is a continuation of this theme. The name "Society of Astronomers Trapped on the Surface of a Sphere" or, "SATSS", follows a common naming practice for scientific communities, Society | ||
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
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:[A beat.] | :[A beat.] | ||
:Cueball: That astronomy class has made you suck at small talk. | :Cueball: That astronomy class has made you suck at small talk. | ||
− | :Megan: The universe is too | + | :Megan: The universe is too ''big'' for small talk. |
{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
+ | |||
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | ||
[[Category:Astronomy]] | [[Category:Astronomy]] |