Editing 2067: Challengers
Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
The edit can be undone.
Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then save the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
Latest revision | Your text | ||
Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
| title = Challengers | | title = Challengers | ||
| image = challengers.png | | image = challengers.png | ||
− | | titletext = Use your mouse or fingers to pan + zoom. To edit the map, submit your ballot on November | + | | titletext = Use your mouse or fingers to pan + zoom. To edit the map, submit your ballot on November 6. |
}} | }} | ||
− | + | To see the full zoomable picture go to the [https://xkcd.com/2067/ original] comic page. | |
− | |||
==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | + | {{incomplete|Would be good to add how some of the subcomics tie to the election (St Louis), and add potential explanation on why they are put to the location they are in (Attack Ads, Carlymandering). Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | |
− | |||
− | [[ | + | [[File:challengers_loading_screen.png|thumb|200px|Loading screen]] |
− | + | This comic shows all challengers (people running in an election who are "challenging" the current office-holder, as well as those running in open seats where a change of party from the previous election would occur) to the {{w|United States elections, 2018|midterm elections}} hold on November 6, 2018. Many larger names provide a link to the homepage of the specific person, or an article about the election that candidate is participating in. | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | + | The landmarks shown in gray are essentially links to Wikipedia pages containing coordinates. If they contain more than one coordinate then the first one is used, for example the {{w|List of the major 3000-meter summits of the United States}} page is shown in Alaska, and the [[xkcd]] page is linked near Boston, Massachussets. | |
− | + | Since the map is large there's also a [https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/challengers.png loading screen] present that can be seen while the map is loading. | |
− | + | There are also a total of nine comics embedded into the map at various locations. They are all loaded when you zoom in enough into the map to the appropriate section. | |
− | |||
===Attack Ads=== | ===Attack Ads=== | ||
[[File:challengers_subcomic_abernathy_texas.png|thumb|200px|Attack Ads]] | [[File:challengers_subcomic_abernathy_texas.png|thumb|200px|Attack Ads]] | ||
− | Location: ''' | + | Location: '''Abernathy, Texas''' |
: [Black Hat and Cueball are talking.] | : [Black Hat and Cueball are talking.] | ||
: Black Hat: Starting on November 7th, we're going to blanket the airwaves with attack ads. | : Black Hat: Starting on November 7th, we're going to blanket the airwaves with attack ads. | ||
: Cueball: Isn't the election on November 6th? | : Cueball: Isn't the election on November 6th? | ||
: Black Hat: Yeah, the advertising rates go way down after that. | : Black Hat: Yeah, the advertising rates go way down after that. | ||
− | {{w|Attack ads}} are campaign advertising that usually attack the opponents' campaign instead of promoting one's own. The comic also refers to the fact that media outlets usually spike their advertising prices during the campaign, and it becomes cheaper afterwards. However | + | {{w|Attack ads}} are campaign advertising that usually attack the opponents' campaign instead of promoting one's own. The comic also refers to the fact that media outlets usually spike their advertising prices during the campaign, and it becomes cheaper afterwards. However there's usually no point in advertising afterwards for a campaign as the polling has already taken place. This may also be a callback to [[1130: Poll Watching]]. |
− | |||
− | |||
<br clear=all> | <br clear=all> | ||
===Ballot Measures=== | ===Ballot Measures=== | ||
− | [[File:challengers_subcomic_weed_california.png|thumb| | + | [[File:challengers_subcomic_weed_california.png|thumb|200px|Ballot Measures]] |
Location: '''Weed, California''' | Location: '''Weed, California''' | ||
Line 54: | Line 47: | ||
: Megan: I'm leaving these all blank and voting against whoever approves ballot measures. | : Megan: I'm leaving these all blank and voting against whoever approves ballot measures. | ||
− | + | In California during this election apart from the nationwide election there will be also be [https://ballotpedia.org/California_2018_ballot_propositions 12 extra propositions] for the voters to vote on. Sometimes propositions also include changing how voting should be done in subsequent elections. [https://www.vox.com/2016/6/23/11979522/brexit-ballot There are people] who believe proposals on US ballots are asked in a very convoluted way, and could be made simpler. | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | + | In this comic a lot of the proposals sound complex and self-referential as well, therefore Megan just says that she doesn't wish to vote to any of them, and would actually like to ban people creating ballot papers like this. Not voting might also refer to the scenario where people believe none of the choices during an election are good, and instead vote to no-one or deface their ballot papers in protest. | |
<br clear=all> | <br clear=all> | ||
===Carlymandering=== | ===Carlymandering=== | ||
− | [[File:challengers_subcomic_seattle_washington.png|thumb| | + | [[File:challengers_subcomic_seattle_washington.png|thumb|200px|Carlymandering]] |
Location: '''Bellingham, Washington''' | Location: '''Bellingham, Washington''' | ||
Line 69: | Line 60: | ||
: Hairbun: That seems fair. | : Hairbun: That seems fair. | ||
− | This refers to {{w| | + | This refers to {{w|Gerrymandering}}, a tactic used to re-shape voting district boundaries to make sure one candidate prevails over the other. The name is conflated with {{w|Carly Rae Jepsen}}, a Canadian singer, whose latest single released only a day before the comic was published is called "{{w|Party for One}}". Although the song is about partying (e.g. going out) alone, the joke is that it can also mean a one person political party, and she'll have a full Gerrymandered district where she is the only person. |
− | |||
− | |||
<br clear=all> | <br clear=all> | ||
===House=== | ===House=== | ||
− | [[File:challengers_subcomic_washington_dc.png|thumb| | + | [[File:challengers_subcomic_washington_dc.png|thumb|200px|House]] |
Location: '''Washington, DC''' | Location: '''Washington, DC''' | ||
: [Cueball is standing in the middle of Washington, DC] | : [Cueball is standing in the middle of Washington, DC] | ||
− | : Cueball: I can see my | + | : Cueball: I can see my house from here! |
− | Comic is probably referencing the {{w|White House}}, the residence of the President, | + | Comic is probably referencing the {{w|White House}}, the residence of the President, located in Washington, DC. |
<br clear=all> | <br clear=all> | ||
===Polls=== | ===Polls=== | ||
− | [[File:challengers_subcomic_primm_nevada.png|thumb| | + | [[File:challengers_subcomic_primm_nevada.png|thumb|200px|Polls]] |
Location: '''Primm, Nevada''' | Location: '''Primm, Nevada''' | ||
Line 91: | Line 80: | ||
: Blondie: Remember: The only poll that counts is the one on Election Day. And the ones that help campaigns allocate resources. And the ones that drive media coverage and the ones that inform us all about what our fellow members of the public believe. And the ones that... | : Blondie: Remember: The only poll that counts is the one on Election Day. And the ones that help campaigns allocate resources. And the ones that drive media coverage and the ones that inform us all about what our fellow members of the public believe. And the ones that... | ||
− | + | During campaign there are usually polling done by survey companies to determine each candidate's chances of winning. This comic refers to the fact that usually the candidate that is behind in the polls usually tells their electorate that these polls don't matter, as they are just surveys and not the actual final result. This is usually to encourage their voter base that it's still worth voting for them. The joke here is that Blondie doesn't finish here but tells the electorate that other polls are actually also important. | |
− | |||
− | During campaign there | ||
Nevada is one of the states where there is [https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign-polls/414083-poll-dems-hold-slim-leads-in-arizona-and-nevada-senate-races only a slim difference] between the candidates based on polls hence the need for each candidate to rally their supporters and make sure everyone is voting. | Nevada is one of the states where there is [https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign-polls/414083-poll-dems-hold-slim-leads-in-arizona-and-nevada-senate-races only a slim difference] between the candidates based on polls hence the need for each candidate to rally their supporters and make sure everyone is voting. | ||
Line 99: | Line 86: | ||
===Punish=== | ===Punish=== | ||
− | [[File:challengers_subcomic_chadron_nebraska.png|thumb| | + | [[File:challengers_subcomic_chadron_nebraska.png|thumb|200px|Punish]] |
Location: '''Chadron, Nebraska''' | Location: '''Chadron, Nebraska''' | ||
Line 105: | Line 92: | ||
: Megan: If elected, I vow to find and punish the voters responsible. | : Megan: If elected, I vow to find and punish the voters responsible. | ||
− | Often candidates make promises of things they will do when they are elected. Vowing to find and punishing people responsible for a certain action, oftentimes criminals, is also common. However, | + | Often candidates make promises of things they will do when they are elected. Vowing to find and punishing people responsible for a certain action, oftentimes criminals, is also common. However, these two things are conflated here to ludicrous effect. |
− | Putting this comic into Nebraska might refer to the fact that in [https://ballotpedia.org/Nebraska_Death_Penalty_Repeal,_Referendum_426_(2016) 2016 Nebraska voted to repeal the death penalty ban], allowing the reinstatement of the death penalty | + | Putting this comic into Nebraska might refer to the fact that in [https://ballotpedia.org/Nebraska_Death_Penalty_Repeal,_Referendum_426_(2016) 2016 Nebraska voted to repeal the death penalty ban], allowing the reinstatement of the death penalty in the state. |
<br clear=all> | <br clear=all> | ||
===Scholten=== | ===Scholten=== | ||
− | [[File:challengers_subcomic_storm_lake_iowa.png|thumb| | + | [[File:challengers_subcomic_storm_lake_iowa.png|thumb|200px|Scholten]] |
Location: '''Storm Lake, Iowa''' | Location: '''Storm Lake, Iowa''' | ||
Line 121: | Line 108: | ||
: Cueball: Yikes. | : Cueball: Yikes. | ||
− | + | J.D. Scholten is a Democratic candidate for Iowa's 4th Congressional District. {{w|Steve King}} is a Republican representative who has stirred controversy due his endorsement of candidates, in other countries, who were members of parties with white supremacist ties. | |
− | <br clear=all> | + | <br clear=all> |
===Spanberger=== | ===Spanberger=== | ||
− | [[File:challengers_subcomic_richmond_virginia.png|thumb| | + | [[File:challengers_subcomic_richmond_virginia.png|thumb|200px|Spanberger]] |
Location: '''Richmond, Virginia''' | Location: '''Richmond, Virginia''' | ||
: [Cueball is holding a sign that says: Abigail Spanberger for Congress] | : [Cueball is holding a sign that says: Abigail Spanberger for Congress] | ||
− | Abigail Spanberger | + | Abigail Spanberger is a candidate running for Congress in Virginia's 7th district, which includes Richmond. Based on polls she has a chance to beat her opponent, and could be the first Democrat in her district after 50 years of Republican control. Cueball probably tries to encourage people to vote for her on election day. |
<br clear=all> | <br clear=all> | ||
===St Louis=== | ===St Louis=== | ||
− | [[File:challengers_subcomic_saint_louis_missouri.png|thumb| | + | [[File:challengers_subcomic_saint_louis_missouri.png|thumb|200px|St Louis]] |
Location: '''Saint Louis, Missouri''' | Location: '''Saint Louis, Missouri''' | ||
Line 140: | Line 127: | ||
: Cueball: Ah, Saint Louis. Home of America's largest... Whatever that thing is. | : Cueball: Ah, Saint Louis. Home of America's largest... Whatever that thing is. | ||
− | Saint Louis, Missouri is the location of the {{w|Gateway Arch}}, the largest arch in the United States. (It's also one of the most recognizable arches in Saint Louis, according to [[1368: One Of The]].) Since in this comic they are next to the side of the arch, it is possible its sheer size stops them from determining what it is, although they should probably know. | + | Saint Louis, Missouri is the location of the {{w|Gateway Arch}}, the largest arch in the United States. (It's also one of the most recognizable arches in Saint Louis, according to [[1368: One Of The]].) Since in this comic they are next to the side of the arch, it is possible its sheer size stops them from determining what it is, although they should probably know. |
+ | <br clear=all> | ||
− | The | + | ===Title text=== |
− | + | The title text shows the hint that the reader can zoom in and move over all US-States revealing many details can't be seen at the overall view. Furthermore [[Randall]] does a call to vote: he requests people to take an active part in the elections to change that picture. | |
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
Line 157: | Line 145: | ||
:[In a frame a zoomable map shows all US-States (Alaska and Hawaii are shown in the left lower corner.) The candidates are shown colored mainly in red and blue at different sizes. Each state has many landmarks shown in gray. There are also many comics embedded into the picture.] | :[In a frame a zoomable map shows all US-States (Alaska and Hawaii are shown in the left lower corner.) The candidates are shown colored mainly in red and blue at different sizes. Each state has many landmarks shown in gray. There are also many comics embedded into the picture.] | ||
− | :By Randall | + | :By Randall Monroe, Kelsey Harris, and Max Goodman |
:Landmarks from Wikipedia. Success odds estimated from district voting history, special election | :Landmarks from Wikipedia. Success odds estimated from district voting history, special election | ||
− | :results, and seat ratings. Thank you to Dailykos Elections for their spreadsheets, | + | :results, and seat ratings. Thank you to Dailykos Elections for their spreadsheets, shaplefiles election |
:ratings, and advice, and to @davidshor, @charlotteeffect, and @thedlcc for additional candidate data. | :ratings, and advice, and to @davidshor, @charlotteeffect, and @thedlcc for additional candidate data. | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
− | * | + | *The comic [[Design_of_xkcd.com#Header|header]] had changed to: |
+ | :''Find out where to vote: [https://www.vote.org/ Vote.org]'' | ||
+ | :''See what's on your ballot: [https://www.ballotready.org/ BallotReady.org]'' | ||
+ | :This happened on the day this comic came out, as it up till [http://web.archive.org/web/20181101081612/https://xkcd.com/ the day before], had been a different reminder of the election only with the vote.org link. | ||
*The interactive picture did not work in many browsers when using the link ''[https://www.xkcd.com www.xkcd.com]'', only the short ''[https://xkcd.com xkcd.com]'' worked properly because the page used an absolute link to a file ''[https://xkcd.com/2067/asset/map-data.json map-data.json]'' at the domain ''<nowiki>xkcd.com</nowiki>'' which is not allowed from ''<nowiki>www.xkcd.com</nowiki>'' according to {{w|Cross-origin resource sharing}}. This was later fixed by using a relative link only working inside the called domain. | *The interactive picture did not work in many browsers when using the link ''[https://www.xkcd.com www.xkcd.com]'', only the short ''[https://xkcd.com xkcd.com]'' worked properly because the page used an absolute link to a file ''[https://xkcd.com/2067/asset/map-data.json map-data.json]'' at the domain ''<nowiki>xkcd.com</nowiki>'' which is not allowed from ''<nowiki>www.xkcd.com</nowiki>'' according to {{w|Cross-origin resource sharing}}. This was later fixed by using a relative link only working inside the called domain. | ||
* The internal comics have a kind of "comic" inside the [https://xkcd.com/2067/asset/map-data.json map-data.json] file that contains all of the details shown on the map. All other locations, including politicians and landmarks inside the map-data.json have a kind of "label" | * The internal comics have a kind of "comic" inside the [https://xkcd.com/2067/asset/map-data.json map-data.json] file that contains all of the details shown on the map. All other locations, including politicians and landmarks inside the map-data.json have a kind of "label" | ||
Line 185: | Line 176: | ||
* There's a landmark label called "xkcd" near Boston, Massachusetts | * There's a landmark label called "xkcd" near Boston, Massachusetts | ||
* Randall seems to have collected the Wikipedia links from an older copy of Wikipedia, as some links are to old article titles. For example, in Cupertino, California, "Apple Campus 2" is shown instead of "Apple Park", even though that article was moved to its current title in February 2017. | * Randall seems to have collected the Wikipedia links from an older copy of Wikipedia, as some links are to old article titles. For example, in Cupertino, California, "Apple Campus 2" is shown instead of "Apple Park", even though that article was moved to its current title in February 2017. | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
Line 218: | Line 190: | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Blondie]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Blondie]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Politics]] | ||
[[Category:Elections]] | [[Category:Elections]] | ||
− | |||
− |