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| image = syndication.jpg | | image = syndication.jpg | ||
| ldomain = imgs | | ldomain = imgs | ||
− | | lappend = comics/xkcd_ufs.jpg | + | | lappend = comics/xkcd_ufs.jpg |
| titletext = Complaints should be directed to the xkcd writing staff. | | titletext = Complaints should be directed to the xkcd writing staff. | ||
− | | before = | + | | before = Now that xkcd is carried by United Features Syndicate, there are going to be a few changes to the comic. Obviously, with the rights signed over, it will no longer be published under Creative Commons, and all previous strips will be retroactively un-CC'd and relicensed under UFS terms. All online content will be protected via proprietary DRM. I also recieved a letter outlining topics and content that would be off-limits in the new xkcd. Prohibited content includes: |
- Cultural references that would be lost on the average newspaper reader | - Cultural references that would be lost on the average newspaper reader | ||
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- Licking of nipples atop a moving train | - Licking of nipples atop a moving train | ||
− | The internet is the past. Newspapers are the future! See you in the funny papers. | + | The internet is the past. Newspapers are the future! See you in the funny papers. |
− | |||
}} | }} | ||
==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
+ | {{incomplete|Created by an EROTIC FLYWHEEL. Needs a list explaining all the changes required. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | ||
+ | |||
This is a non-numbered [[:Category:April fools' comics|April fools' comic]], and is the first April fools' joke performed on xkcd. This comic is formatted similarly to other posts such as [[Blue Eyes]]. The post describes xkcd becoming syndicated into a newspaper, changing from a webcomic. Newspapers are notorious for censorship of content, and [[Randall]] describes all the changes that would be required of the comic, the humor coming from their progressive absurdity. | This is a non-numbered [[:Category:April fools' comics|April fools' comic]], and is the first April fools' joke performed on xkcd. This comic is formatted similarly to other posts such as [[Blue Eyes]]. The post describes xkcd becoming syndicated into a newspaper, changing from a webcomic. Newspapers are notorious for censorship of content, and [[Randall]] describes all the changes that would be required of the comic, the humor coming from their progressive absurdity. | ||
− | Randall then offers a "free preview" of the new syndicated version of | + | Randall then offers a "free preview" of the new syndicated version of XKCD. This is a parody of newspaper comics such as ''Garfield'', which tend to use relatively weak jokes in order to appeal to a broad audience. Notably: |
− | *The joke being told, "Why did the computer cross the road?", is based on one of the most well-known jokes in existence. Those who know the joke have probably heard variations of it dozens of times, and will not find another one to be very humorous. | + | *The joke being told, "Why did the computer cross the road?", is based on one of the most well-known jokes in existence. Those who know the joke have probably heard variations of it dozens of times, and will not find another one to be very humorous. |
*The punchline of the "joke" is that computers are complicated. This relates to the general cultural stereotype (in the US) that [[1050: Forgot Algebra|math is hard]], and by extension anything related to math is hard. | *The punchline of the "joke" is that computers are complicated. This relates to the general cultural stereotype (in the US) that [[1050: Forgot Algebra|math is hard]], and by extension anything related to math is hard. | ||
*The punchline is followed by an extensive editor's note explaining the meaning of the acronym "{{w|LOL}}." Although that acronym could be considered the most niche terminology in the comic, it is still one of the most well-known texting abbreviations. | *The punchline is followed by an extensive editor's note explaining the meaning of the acronym "{{w|LOL}}." Although that acronym could be considered the most niche terminology in the comic, it is still one of the most well-known texting abbreviations. | ||
*Furthermore, the editor's note clarifies that LOL is meant to be an indicator to the audience that they should find something funny. The fact that humor has to be pointed out to the comic reader shows just how weak it is. | *Furthermore, the editor's note clarifies that LOL is meant to be an indicator to the audience that they should find something funny. The fact that humor has to be pointed out to the comic reader shows just how weak it is. | ||
− | *The layout of the comic is a clear reference to ''Garfield'', including the usage of three identically sized panels (in the same aspect ratio as ''Garfield''), the use of borders around the outer panels but not the one in the middle, the fact that the characters [https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1987/11/11 don't change poses] between panels, and the floor taking up about 15% of the bottom of each panel. See [ | + | *The layout of the comic is a clear reference to ''Garfield'', including the usage of three identically sized panels (in the same aspect ratio as ''Garfield''), the use of borders around the outer panels but not the one in the middle, the fact that the characters [https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1987/11/11 don't change poses] between panels, and the floor taking up about 15% of the bottom of each panel. See [https://d1ejxu6vysztl5.cloudfront.net/comics/garfield/2020/2020-04-30.gif here] for an example. |
In addition, the strip image is noticeably grainy, as if it were a photograph of a newspaper. | In addition, the strip image is noticeably grainy, as if it were a photograph of a newspaper. | ||
− | + | ==List of Changes supposedly imposed on Randall== | |
− | ; Cultural | + | ; Cultural References that would be lost on the average newspaper reader |
:xkcd is known for its niche cultural references, one of the main reasons this wiki exists. | :xkcd is known for its niche cultural references, one of the main reasons this wiki exists. | ||
; Mathematics above the high-school level | ; Mathematics above the high-school level | ||
− | :Another trademark of xkcd is its use of mathematics for humor. More complex mathematics tends to | + | :Another trademark of xkcd is its use of mathematics for humor. More complex mathematics tends to lend itself less well to comedy. |
; Obscure scientific subjects | ; Obscure scientific subjects | ||
:Again, this is a common feature of xkcd comics, which turns off many would-be readers for its exclusivity, making xkcd difficult to syndicate. | :Again, this is a common feature of xkcd comics, which turns off many would-be readers for its exclusivity, making xkcd difficult to syndicate. | ||
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:xkcd's abstract art style means that it can get away with sexual content without seeming profane, and takes advantage of this often. | :xkcd's abstract art style means that it can get away with sexual content without seeming profane, and takes advantage of this often. | ||
; Objectionable words such as {{w|fuck}}, {{w|shit}}, {{w|cunt}}, {{w|ass}}, {{w|tits}}, {{w|cock}}, {{w|scrotum}}, {{w|bitch}}, {{w|Belgium}}, {{w|pussy}}, or {{w|twat}} | ; Objectionable words such as {{w|fuck}}, {{w|shit}}, {{w|cunt}}, {{w|ass}}, {{w|tits}}, {{w|cock}}, {{w|scrotum}}, {{w|bitch}}, {{w|Belgium}}, {{w|pussy}}, or {{w|twat}} | ||
− | :Newspaper comics tend to have very "clean" humor, which xkcd's usual writing style is ill suited for. Belgium is the rudest word in the universe according to | + | :Newspaper comics tend to have very "clean" humor, which xkcd's usual writing style is ill suited for. Belgium is the rudest word in the universe according to {{w|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy}}. |
; {{w|Same Sex relationships}} | ; {{w|Same Sex relationships}} | ||
:Newspapers are more often read by older people, so same-sex relationships are often absent to avoid conservative backlash. | :Newspapers are more often read by older people, so same-sex relationships are often absent to avoid conservative backlash. | ||
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:At this point, the list items begin to become more absurd, tipping more credulous readers off to the joke. | :At this point, the list items begin to become more absurd, tipping more credulous readers off to the joke. | ||
; {{w|Bacon}} Based Currencies | ; {{w|Bacon}} Based Currencies | ||
− | : | + | : |
; Erotic use of {{w|Flywheels}} | ; Erotic use of {{w|Flywheels}} | ||
:While it is hard to see how one could use Flywheels erotically, {{w|Rule 34 (Internet meme)|there have been attempts}}. | :While it is hard to see how one could use Flywheels erotically, {{w|Rule 34 (Internet meme)|there have been attempts}}. | ||
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:Here Randall seems to imply that certain (fictional) comic strip characters are involved in scandals, of which he knows the details. | :Here Randall seems to imply that certain (fictional) comic strip characters are involved in scandals, of which he knows the details. | ||
; Exposés regarding the personal lives of {{w|United Features Syndicate}} executives, specifically including CEO {{w|Kenneth Lowe}} | ; Exposés regarding the personal lives of {{w|United Features Syndicate}} executives, specifically including CEO {{w|Kenneth Lowe}} | ||
− | : | + | :overly specific stipulations like this one often suggest scandals or wrongdoing of the named parties. |
; {{w|Teledildonics}} | ; {{w|Teledildonics}} | ||
:A form of technology used to have sex remotely, obviously unsuitable for the funnies. | :A form of technology used to have sex remotely, obviously unsuitable for the funnies. | ||
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:Amway is a {{w|Multi-level marketing}} company; a link to Johnny Cash is not apparent. | :Amway is a {{w|Multi-level marketing}} company; a link to Johnny Cash is not apparent. | ||
; Any story that ends with "and that's how my penis got the nickname 'grappling hook'. | ; Any story that ends with "and that's how my penis got the nickname 'grappling hook'. | ||
− | : | + | : |
; Computer-computer {{w|Cybersex}} | ; Computer-computer {{w|Cybersex}} | ||
:Two chatbots cybering with one another is a plausibly real thing, and an easy target for xkcd. | :Two chatbots cybering with one another is a plausibly real thing, and an easy target for xkcd. | ||
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:A "queercore" gay punk band, never mentioned elsewhere in xkcd. | :A "queercore" gay punk band, never mentioned elsewhere in xkcd. | ||
; {{w|Sexualization}} of {{w|Mount Rushmore}} | ; {{w|Sexualization}} of {{w|Mount Rushmore}} | ||
− | :Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a sculpture carved into Mount Rushmore features the 60-foot (18 m) heads of Presidents George Washington (1732–1799), Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919), and Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), as for the sexualization of the mountain, See | + | :Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a sculpture carved into Mount Rushmore features the 60-foot (18 m) heads of Presidents George Washington (1732–1799), Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919), and Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), as for the sexualization of the mountain, See |
+ | Number 11 | ||
; Staplers as {{w|Melee weapon|mélée weapons}} | ; Staplers as {{w|Melee weapon|mélée weapons}} | ||
− | :By folding a stapler open and compressing its upper half, a stapler can be used as a very ineffective{{Citation needed}} imitation of a hand gun. Hand guns are ranged weapons, and therefore not mélée weapons | + | :By folding a stapler open and compressing its upper half, a stapler can be used as a very ineffective{{Citation needed}} imitation of a hand gun. Hand guns are ranged weapons, and therefore not mélée weapons. |
; Road trip buddy comedies starring {{w|Tank Girl}} and {{w|William Howard Taft}} | ; Road trip buddy comedies starring {{w|Tank Girl}} and {{w|William Howard Taft}} | ||
− | : | + | : |
; {{w|Eric S. Raymond}} performing in {{w|Cirque du Soleil}} | ; {{w|Eric S. Raymond}} performing in {{w|Cirque du Soleil}} | ||
− | : | + | : |
; Hats with buckles | ; Hats with buckles | ||
− | : | + | : |
; Licking of nipples atop a moving train | ; Licking of nipples atop a moving train | ||
− | : | + | : |
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
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:Friend: I don't know. | :Friend: I don't know. | ||
− | |||
:Cueball: I don't know either! Computers are so complicated! | :Cueball: I don't know either! Computers are so complicated! | ||
:Friend: LOL! | :Friend: LOL! |