Editing 1629: Tools

{{comic
| number    = 1629
| date      = January 13, 2016
| title     = Tools
| image     = tools.png
| titletext = I make tools for managing job-hunting sites for people who make tools for managing job-hunting sites for people who make tools for...
}}

==Explanation==
[[Cueball]] asks [[Megan]] what she does, and she begins by answering "I make tools that make tools." So far, this is a common expression of the way a sophisticated technology is built on simple building blocks, with one set of tools used to build a more powerful set of tools, and so on (see for instance this article: ''[http://democratizingscience.org/?p=250 Tools to make Tools that make Tools]'').

However, the iterations are carried to comical lengths, with Megan spending twenty minutes reeling off various steps including development of software code, and software code debugging/development tools. And she is not even finished when Cueball breaks into her endless list after she once again says ''tools for'' by asking ''what is it for?'' (See also: [[1579: Tech Loops]]).

Megan readily admits that she doesn't even know the goal of these tasks, and guesses that it is probably for porn, referencing the not-entirely-unfounded stereotype that {{tvtropes|TheInternetIsForPorn|the majority of internet traffic is pornographic websites}}. Knowing that many information technologies, from printing to computers, are quickly adopted by porn producers and distributors, this is not a bad guess on Megan's part. Further, many internet related advances have had their way paved by a porn industry that needed secure and secret payments options, and better bandwidth for downloading films, as well as making it more accessible, etc. 

In the title text there is a recursion as someone (maybe Cueball) tells what they do. And in this case they make tools for managing job-hunting sites for people who make tools for managing job-hunting sites for people who make tools for ... (ad infinitum). See also other [[:Category:Recursion|comics about Recursion]]. 

Regarding porn in xkcd see also [[305: Rule 34]].

==Transcript==
:[Cueball talks to Megan.]
:Cueball: What do you do?
:Megan: I make tools that make tools

:[Megan continues talking to Cueball in this frameless image.]
:Megan: ...That monitor code that deploys tools that build tools for deploying monitors...

:[Cueball finally stops Megan from talking. At the top there is a small frame with a caption overlaid on the top frame:]
:20 minutes later...
:Megan: ...For monitoring deployment of tools for-
:Cueball: But what's it all '''''for?'''''
:Megan: Honestly, no idea. Porn, probably.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Recursion]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Computers]]
[[Category:Programming]]
[[Category:Sex]]