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| date = January 10, 2022 | | date = January 10, 2022 | ||
| title = Countdown in header text | | title = Countdown in header text | ||
− | | image = | + | | image = Countdown_in_header_text.png |
− | | before = | ldomain = www | + | | before = The countdown will probably last 21 days. After February 1st 2022 it is likely to have disappeared. See this [https://web.archive.org/web/20220110183238/https://xkcd.com/ 2022-01-10] archive version. |
+ | | ldomain = www | ||
| lappend = | | lappend = | ||
| extra = yes | | extra = yes | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | *Go directly to the list of [[Countdown in header text/images|images]]. | ||
+ | **Or [[Countdown in header text/images#newestpicture|Jump to the newest picture]] | ||
+ | ***The images can also be found [https://munvoseli.github.io/xkcd-countdown/ here] on munvoseli's page where comparison of two images and an animation can be seen. | ||
{{TOC}} | {{TOC}} | ||
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | *On January 10th 2022, [[Randall]] added a countdown in the top right corner of the [[Header | + | *On January 10th 2022, [[Randall]] added a countdown in the top right corner of the [[xkcd Header text]] on {{xkcd}}. |
− | ** | + | **This happened while the comic [[2565: Latency]] was up. |
− | + | ***First the xkcd Header text was [[xkcd_Header_text#2022-01-08_-_Back_to_standard_text|changed back]] to the [[xkcd_Header_text#Header_text|standard text]] for the first time in almost three years: | |
− | + | ****xkcd updates every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. | |
− | + | ***But already while this Friday-comic was still up on the following Monday the [[xkcd_Header_text#2022-01-10_-_Standard_text_with_countdown|countdown]] was added. | |
− | + | ****This was thus up when the Monday comic [[2566: Decorative Constants]] was released, drawing more people to the xkcd page. | |
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− | **First the xkcd Header text was [[ | ||
− | ***xkcd updates every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. | ||
− | **But already while this Friday-comic was still up on the following Monday the [[ | ||
− | ***This was thus up when the Monday comic [[2566: Decorative Constants]] was released, drawing more people to the xkcd page. | ||
*The first [[#Archived Versions|archived version]] from [https://web.archive.org/web/20220110183238/https://xkcd.com/ 2022-01-10] read 20d 20h 27m. | *The first [[#Archived Versions|archived version]] from [https://web.archive.org/web/20220110183238/https://xkcd.com/ 2022-01-10] read 20d 20h 27m. | ||
**It looks like it started on [https://munvoseli.github.io/xkcd-countdown/ 01-10 17:00 UTC]. | **It looks like it started on [https://munvoseli.github.io/xkcd-countdown/ 01-10 17:00 UTC]. | ||
***At that time it would have read 20d 21h 59 min. Just two hours and 1 minute short of 3 weeks. | ***At that time it would have read 20d 21h 59 min. Just two hours and 1 minute short of 3 weeks. | ||
− | * | + | *This countdown will reach zero on Monday 2022-01-31 at 14:59 (2:59 PM) {{w|UTC}}, or 9:59 AM in Boston, Randall's home town. |
− | ** | + | **If seconds will be added towards the end, it seems likely that it may end exactly at 15:00 UTC (10:00 AM in Boston). |
− | *** | + | ***Further, the timer may be using [[1061:_EST|EST]], in which case it will count up for four hours on 2022-01-18, and will end on 2022-01-31 23:00 UTC. |
− | *The | + | ****Though either way, it would fall on Monday, and therefore the day comic 2575 should be released. |
+ | ****The full moon has since passed, and now we know that the timer isn't using EST, so it will indeed reach zero at or near 2022-01-31T15:00Z. | ||
+ | **The timer ends in January. Recall that the month is named for Janus, the Roman god of endings and beginnings. Two salient points: the clock hits zero at the end of the month and the plane is leaving. Look for a big ending and, we hope, something nice to replace it. | ||
+ | *The next day on [https://web.archive.org/web/20220111153818/https://xkcd.com/ 2022-01-11] a diagonal black bar appeared in the lower left-hand corner of the countdown box and started to move further into the image on following changes to the [[#Images|image]]. | ||
**This development called for the creation of this dedicated [[Countdown in header text]] page. | **This development called for the creation of this dedicated [[Countdown in header text]] page. | ||
**The line had already moved further into the image at this time, but the latest version will never be available in the web archive. | **The line had already moved further into the image at this time, but the latest version will never be available in the web archive. | ||
***This development is reminiscent of the huge comic [[1190: Time]]. | ***This development is reminiscent of the huge comic [[1190: Time]]. | ||
− | * | + | *As mentioned above, [https://munvoseli.github.io/ Munvoseli] is keeping [https://munvoseli.github.io/xkcd-countdown/ track of the changes] to the image on the countdown. |
− | + | **Although there are (at 2022-01-12 12:35 UTC) thirteen different frames we know of, the first three looks the same (because the diagonal bar was not in the frame yet) and the seventh and the eighth also seems to be the same, even though the bar had already begun moving across the frame from the fourth. This is either on purpose, a slipup or means that The Frame<sup>TM</sup> might not be zooming out of a larger image. | |
− | ** | + | ***However, the images that look the same all have individual addresses on the xkcd server. See more under [[#Images|Images]] below. |
− | + | ***Similarly, frames 91 and 92 seem to be exactly the same. Also frame 92 did not upload as part of the roughly four hour schedule, but between two frames that are part of the regular schedule. | |
− | * | ||
− | **However, | ||
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− | *** | ||
− | + | Randall has previously made a comic simply called [[1159: Countdown]]. However, in that the roles are reversed. There we know that the countdown is for (Super Volcano) but not if it will happen soon or very much later. Here we know when, and it is rather soon, but not what. | |
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==Images== | ==Images== | ||
− | * | + | *Images will be put on [[Countdown in header text/images|this separate page]]. |
− | **The images | + | **The images can also be found [https://munvoseli.github.io/xkcd-countdown/ here] on munvoseli's page. |
− | *** | + | ***It is possible to compare two images, chosen between those released, on that page! |
***From 2022-01-14 it has also been possible to see an animation. | ***From 2022-01-14 it has also been possible to see an animation. | ||
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**See more details at the top of the image page. | **See more details at the top of the image page. | ||
− | * | + | *After a few days the black lines forming the image came into conflict with the clock, which has a rounded white frame around it. This can be seen in one of the earliest examples here: |
− | * | + | [[File:Countdown in header text Clock Cover Black Lines.png]] |
− | * | + | *Later this could cause problems for those only looking at the xkcd page. From frame 97 a new item appeared in the top right corner. This turned out to be a black curve that could resemble a dinosaurs tail. At this moment, frame 121, it is still unclear what it is. But when looked at on xkcd, the clocks rounded white frame intersects with the "tail" making the end curve inwards. This makes it look like an elephants trunk. But this is of course not the case, but an effect of how the clock is overlaid on the image: |
− | + | [[File:Countdown in header text Clock Causes Trunk Appearance.png]] | |
− | + | *Also at this time a new development happened after the "plane tail" moved forward it stopped on 2022-01-18 and started moving up (or zooming in). See for instance these two comparison from munvoseli's page showing the difference from the 8 pictures before today, and then after three out today: | |
+ | [[File:Countdown in header text Compare 40 to 48.png]] [[File:Countdown in header text Compare 48 to 51.png]] | ||
+ | *Later a similar change happens, as it changes from zooming out to slowly moving towards the right, although the windows and the door appear to move more in relation to the frame than the rest of the aircraft: | ||
+ | [[File:Countdown in header text Compare 85 to 90.png]] [[File:Countdown in header text Compare 95 to 90.png]] | ||
− | = | + | ===Ongoing description=== |
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− | ==Ongoing | ||
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** Frames 1-12: A diagonal line. | ** Frames 1-12: A diagonal line. | ||
** Frame 13: A curve seems to begin at the top left of the line. | ** Frame 13: A curve seems to begin at the top left of the line. | ||
Line 93: | Line 74: | ||
*** a cape is unlikely as it would probably be drawn to flap in the wind. The other element does appear to be a wingtip | *** a cape is unlikely as it would probably be drawn to flap in the wind. The other element does appear to be a wingtip | ||
*** Could it be [[Cory Doctorow]] flying with the airplane, but much closer to the 'camera'? | *** Could it be [[Cory Doctorow]] flying with the airplane, but much closer to the 'camera'? | ||
− | ** Frame 115-121 makes it clear that the newest addition at the bottom right is the wing tip of the plane. The black curve above the plane still mostly looks like a tail as on a dinosaur or dragon. Could also be a tentacle. Either from an [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/b5/1608_1038x1094y_Giant_octopus_in_Destroyer.pngv octopus] or from and alien like in [[2572: Alien Observers]]. Of course it could also be a cape, but seems | + | ** Frame 115-121 makes it clear that the newest addition at the bottom right is the wing tip of the plane. The black curve above the plane still mostly looks like a tail as on a dinosaur or dragon. Could also be a tentacle. Either from an [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/b/b5/1608_1038x1094y_Giant_octopus_in_Destroyer.pngv octopus] or from and alien like in [[2572: Alien Observers]]. Of course it could also be a cape, but seems to thick at the end... |
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==Theories== | ==Theories== | ||
− | + | *Here are different theories for what the countdown is for and what the picture is going to reveal can be added. | |
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− | *Here | ||
===The picture=== | ===The picture=== | ||
*Theories about the picture: | *Theories about the picture: | ||
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**From 2022-01-21 it became certain that it was a plane! Passenger plane. Door and windows are visible. | **From 2022-01-21 it became certain that it was a plane! Passenger plane. Door and windows are visible. | ||
***From 2022-01-22 it became clear that it was the rear end, so it was a tailfin that came into the panel to begin with. Up til the day before it was still a bit uncertain if it could have been a wing. | ***From 2022-01-22 it became clear that it was the rear end, so it was a tailfin that came into the panel to begin with. Up til the day before it was still a bit uncertain if it could have been a wing. | ||
Line 131: | Line 99: | ||
****The plane appears to be a commercial jetliner, though, rather than the small prop planes used for parachute jumps. Unless, of course, Randall is revealing his real identity has been Wesley Snipes all along | ****The plane appears to be a commercial jetliner, though, rather than the small prop planes used for parachute jumps. Unless, of course, Randall is revealing his real identity has been Wesley Snipes all along | ||
****The plane appears to have its landing gear down, which rules out a parachute jump. | ****The plane appears to have its landing gear down, which rules out a parachute jump. | ||
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*** Perhaps the new item on top of the plane is the tail of a dinosaur? perhaps like the one on the cover of "what if..." book. perhaps it's a new book? | *** Perhaps the new item on top of the plane is the tail of a dinosaur? perhaps like the one on the cover of "what if..." book. perhaps it's a new book? | ||
*** There are two flights originating in Boston departing at 09:59 on 1/31/2022: Spirit NK433 to Orlando Florida and Delta DL5696 to Washington D.C. | *** There are two flights originating in Boston departing at 09:59 on 1/31/2022: Spirit NK433 to Orlando Florida and Delta DL5696 to Washington D.C. | ||
***Frame 101-106 seems to be some kind of radar on top of the plane, like the one on Boeing E-3 Sentry. Or alternatively this plane is hanging beneath another plane. Not looking at all like Spaceshiptwo, but something similar, which could make this plane a spaceplane? | ***Frame 101-106 seems to be some kind of radar on top of the plane, like the one on Boeing E-3 Sentry. Or alternatively this plane is hanging beneath another plane. Not looking at all like Spaceshiptwo, but something similar, which could make this plane a spaceplane? | ||
**** Predicting dinosaur | **** Predicting dinosaur | ||
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**** Revising my prior theory: It now looks very much like another aircraft (similar to theory below) but not part of the main aircraft, I think. I would guess it is either an improbable mid-air encounter (like a passenger jet and an ultra-lite) or an equally improbable "launch" of something from the jet (again like an ultra-lite or some other less common or even fictional craft.) | **** Revising my prior theory: It now looks very much like another aircraft (similar to theory below) but not part of the main aircraft, I think. I would guess it is either an improbable mid-air encounter (like a passenger jet and an ultra-lite) or an equally improbable "launch" of something from the jet (again like an ultra-lite or some other less common or even fictional craft.) | ||
**** Maybe the torch of the Statue of Liberty? | **** Maybe the torch of the Statue of Liberty? | ||
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**** the white element overlapping the fuselage could be the start of the wing-tip these fold up at the ends of many modern aircraft, could mean aircraft is banking left. | **** the white element overlapping the fuselage could be the start of the wing-tip these fold up at the ends of many modern aircraft, could mean aircraft is banking left. | ||
***Frame 107-121 the right wing of the plane moves into view. It is still unclear if the black curve is a tail, a cape or a tentacle. But seems like it cannot be another aircraft. | ***Frame 107-121 the right wing of the plane moves into view. It is still unclear if the black curve is a tail, a cape or a tentacle. But seems like it cannot be another aircraft. | ||
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====Early theories==== | ====Early theories==== | ||
− | + | Many early theories were generated before the picture was decisively revealed to be a plane. | |
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*It seems after two days and 12 pictures like either something is moving into the frame or that it is a zoom out from a white area of a large picture. Maybe it is the arm of Cueball that will come into view. | *It seems after two days and 12 pictures like either something is moving into the frame or that it is a zoom out from a white area of a large picture. Maybe it is the arm of Cueball that will come into view. | ||
*The second line makes it look somewhat like the tail fin of an aircraft. | *The second line makes it look somewhat like the tail fin of an aircraft. | ||
Line 186: | Line 145: | ||
**A spider's web, in reference to comic 1688 | **A spider's web, in reference to comic 1688 | ||
***With the airplane revelation, this reference turned into a meme in the subreddit, where users tried to justify the presence of an airplane shape inside a bigger-scope spider picture | ***With the airplane revelation, this reference turned into a meme in the subreddit, where users tried to justify the presence of an airplane shape inside a bigger-scope spider picture | ||
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***Some joke theories included: | ***Some joke theories included: | ||
****A giant spider flinging airplanes from the sky, as a new potential "What If?" | ****A giant spider flinging airplanes from the sky, as a new potential "What If?" | ||
Line 193: | Line 150: | ||
****The airplane is a complex-looking spider leg, and 8 of them form a spider | ****The airplane is a complex-looking spider leg, and 8 of them form a spider | ||
***Another redditor made the airplane part of a dragon's head | ***Another redditor made the airplane part of a dragon's head | ||
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===Countdown=== | ===Countdown=== | ||
*Theories about the countdown: | *Theories about the countdown: | ||
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*Several have already been mentioned in the discussion: | *Several have already been mentioned in the discussion: | ||
**Maybe Randall is going on vacation? | **Maybe Randall is going on vacation? | ||
− | ** | + | **Notice that as of now - 22-Jan-2022 7am PST - (not sure exactly when it happened) the countdown has disappeared. Temporarily (perhaps to make the image cleaner?) or permanently? [[User:Pharmacovigilant|Pharmacovigilant]] ([[User talk:Pharmacovigilant|talk]]) 15:38, 24 January 2022 (UTC) The next time I looked (Sunday?), the countdown was back. No idea if it was a glitch or what. |
**Randall's next book, either the countdown is counting down to the start of promotion or it is released when the countdown ends. | **Randall's next book, either the countdown is counting down to the start of promotion or it is released when the countdown ends. | ||
***Usually Randall has made month long [[:Category:Book promotion|book promotions]] before release. So if it is the release day it is a new way to do it. But he will get a lot of attention. If it is just the start of promoting it, people might get disappointed… | ***Usually Randall has made month long [[:Category:Book promotion|book promotions]] before release. So if it is the release day it is a new way to do it. But he will get a lot of attention. If it is just the start of promoting it, people might get disappointed… | ||
− | ****For instance he began promoting his [[ | + | ****For instance he began promoting his [[xkcd_Header_text#2015-05-14_-_New_book_Thing_Explainer|new book Thing Explainer]] in the header text. That was in May 2015 and the book was first released [https://blog.xkcd.com/2015/05/13/new-book-thing-explainer/ late November 2015]. Most of this time the header text was promoting the book. |
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**{{w|James Webb Space Telescope}} (JWST) going into orbit about L2 {{w|Lagrange point}}. | **{{w|James Webb Space Telescope}} (JWST) going into orbit about L2 {{w|Lagrange point}}. | ||
***Randall has already made several comics about the telescope. The latest [[2564: Sunshield]] was released just five days prior to the countdown was started. | ***Randall has already made several comics about the telescope. The latest [[2564: Sunshield]] was released just five days prior to the countdown was started. | ||
Line 228: | Line 178: | ||
**{{w|Black History Month}}. The {{w|Greensboro sit-ins}} started on Feb 1 1960. Black History Month also begins on February 1st, also in 2022. | **{{w|Black History Month}}. The {{w|Greensboro sit-ins}} started on Feb 1 1960. Black History Month also begins on February 1st, also in 2022. | ||
***But this countdown stops early on January 31st so seems unlikely. | ***But this countdown stops early on January 31st so seems unlikely. | ||
− | ***However, before changing the Header recently it was about [[ | + | ***However, before changing the Header recently it was about [[xkcd_Header_text#2020-06-03_-_Black_Lives_Matter|Black Lives Matter]] for more than 1.5 years, first ending on December 20th 2021, less than a month before the countdown began. In between that there was a short Christmas sale reminder until a week into 2022. So it could just be another way of reminding of us the issues faced by black people in the US. |
****If this was true, I feel like it would be simpler to just change back to the Black Lives Matter text at the top of the screen. Also, it seems increasingly likely as of Jan. 20th that the image is some kind of plane, which doesn't really have much to do with Black History Month (that I know of?) | ****If this was true, I feel like it would be simpler to just change back to the Black Lives Matter text at the top of the screen. Also, it seems increasingly likely as of Jan. 20th that the image is some kind of plane, which doesn't really have much to do with Black History Month (that I know of?) | ||
**The accompanying header says specifically "xkcd updates Monday, Wednesday, and Friday"--maybe the countdown is to the reveal of a new update schedule? | **The accompanying header says specifically "xkcd updates Monday, Wednesday, and Friday"--maybe the countdown is to the reveal of a new update schedule? | ||
Line 260: | Line 210: | ||
** DB Cooper's jump from an airliner was 50 years ago, but not until november | ** DB Cooper's jump from an airliner was 50 years ago, but not until november | ||
*** Maybe Randall admits that he was DB Cooper all along? | *** Maybe Randall admits that he was DB Cooper all along? | ||
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===count-wimRikmef=== | ===count-wimRikmef=== | ||
Line 269: | Line 217: | ||
** R = Randall? | ** R = Randall? | ||
** Randall is travelling to Germany? "Wo ist mein Reisepass? Ich komme mit einem Flug" | ** Randall is travelling to Germany? "Wo ist mein Reisepass? Ich komme mit einem Flug" | ||
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* The "img" tag has a misspelled "heigth" attribute. Probably just a typo? | * The "img" tag has a misspelled "heigth" attribute. Probably just a typo? | ||
Line 305: | Line 249: | ||
#[https://web.archive.org/web/20220126002713/https://xkcd.com/ 2022-01-26] 5d 14h 32m | #[https://web.archive.org/web/20220126002713/https://xkcd.com/ 2022-01-26] 5d 14h 32m | ||
#[https://web.archive.org/web/20220126175842/https://xkcd.com/ 2022-01-26] 4d 21h 1m | #[https://web.archive.org/web/20220126175842/https://xkcd.com/ 2022-01-26] 4d 21h 1m | ||
− | #[https://web.archive.org/web/20220127173721/https://xkcd.com/ 2022-01-27] 3d 21h 22m | + | #[https://web.archive.org/web/20220127173721/https://xkcd.com/ 2022-01-27] 3d 21h 22m (Seems to not work?) |
#[https://web.archive.org/web/20220128225119/https://xkcd.com/ 2022-01-28] 2d 16h 8m | #[https://web.archive.org/web/20220128225119/https://xkcd.com/ 2022-01-28] 2d 16h 8m | ||
#[https://web.archive.org/web/20220129024550/https://xkcd.com/ 2022-01-29] 2d 12h 14m | #[https://web.archive.org/web/20220129024550/https://xkcd.com/ 2022-01-29] 2d 12h 14m | ||
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
[[Category:Meta]] | [[Category:Meta]] | ||
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