Talk:1603: Flashlights

Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb.
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Is that it? I swear there must be more to the joke than this explanation implies. It just describes what's going on in the comic. Enchantedsleeper (talk) 10:29, 13 November 2015 (UTC)

-- Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Pete (talk) 11:19, 13 November 2015 (UTC)


but sometimes there is no spoon 108.162.221.62 06:03, 14 November 2015 (UTC)
Ceci n'est pas une pipe. Sobsz (talk) 08:27, 14 November 2015 (UTC)

"A typo", uh? Sure, sure, of course it was only a typo, Randall ;) 108.162.221.57 10:38, 13 November 2015 (UTC)

I also think the type was that he searched on flashlight instead and found the flashlight enthusiast page from that ;-) --Kynde (talk) 14:58, 13 November 2015 (UTC)

I think it's unfair to assume lack of detail in the explanation, the fact that research was obviously done on the meaning of fleshlight an it's association to the comic, is more than I would have original got from the comic by itself. However if you perceive additional meaning please share, the thing I love about 'This' website is for the ability for others to add their interpretations. --Igwarrender (talk) 10:52, 13 November 2015 (UTC)


Quote:

When Cueball refers to classic Flashlights(torches) as dim and finnicky, this gives reason to assume that the flashlight he is holding is going to be ridiculously overengineered.

I disagree. In the generation of Randall (and me), the flashlights most of us had as kids really did suck and were dim and finnicky. That's not an exaggeration which, as is implied in the explanation, is used to prepare the joke. It's more of an explanation on why he is interested in modern flashlights in the first place. --162.158.91.225 10:58, 13 November 2015 (UTC)

AND they almost always had at least half flat batteries. 198.41.239.32 11:41, 13 November 2015 (UTC)

Nope...nothing to do with fleshlights. There are in fact multiple flashlight enthusiast forums that have nothing to to with sex toys. Use your favorites search engine to search "flashlight enthusiasts: 173.245.54.48 10:50, 14 November 2015 (UTC)

It's funny how "the explanation" has a need to point out that there were no prior knowledge about fleshlights. (according to Wikipedia) 162.158.180.197 12:44, 13 November 2015 (UTC)

I never leave for work without my trusty Lumapower EDC-LM31 with its Cree XML(U2) LED and its 3.7 volt size 14500 Lithium Ion cell. But I'm not a flashlight geek! Besides, 420 lumens is no where near enough power to set trees on fire. (Personally, I think this comic is an example of Rule 34. Randall was originally thinking about Fleshlights, typo'd into flashlights, and discovered a sort of geeky torch porn sort of thing out there. Also, the flashlight I describe is real, but has nothing on the stuff you'll see in Candlepower Forums.) Co149 (talk) 12:52, 13 November 2015 (UTC)

The 100,000 lumen lamps (X-LED MRK72 or is that MKR72?) have to be water-cooled! That's plenty hot enough for me.162.158.34.147 14:07, 13 November 2015 (UTC)
There are videos of flashlights that set things on fire, without lensens etc. One of them is this video of an Magic Scorpion flashlight, a halogen variant. But I've also seen video's of (custom-built) LED flashlight that set things to smolder. 141.101.104.111 14:56, 13 November 2015 (UTC)
It's not lumen that sets things on fire, it's lux. All you need is a good focus. --198.41.235.101 17:11, 13 November 2015 (UTC)
Also note this flashlight, which is just a bunch of ultra-bright LEDs crammed into a case that resembles an oversized flashlight and on full power drains its battery in about 15 minutes...and lights up a city street like it's day. --NXTangl 108.162.216.42 21:33, 13 November 2015 (UTC)

It feels to me that "their highest-end models are ALSO capable of setting trees on fire." is some advertisement where the tree is a metaphore for one's organ. as such it is clear that "They're impossible to use without severe burns". which makes it really twisted that "some [people] swear it's worth it" 108.162.228.167 (talk) (please sign your comments with ~~~~)

I think the burning trees joke comes from this ["...even fry and egg"] thing. --Arturo Jain (talk) 14:26, 13 November 2015 (UTC)

Should the explanation contain something about the prevalence of internet forums dedicated to enthusiasts of various activities or hobbies? Smperron (talk) 17:33, 13 November 2015 (UTC)

Currently no (albeit indirect) link to https://what-if.xkcd.com/13/ or others like 119? Ok, so only going to be an incidental link, but... 141.101.106.161 17:37, 13 November 2015 (UTC)

it is missimg reference to another comic where randall makes a joke about flashlight and fleshlight. The comic had a star wars setting with death vader and luke skywalker. https://xkcd.com/1397/ --anonymous 162.158.153.41 15:08, 13 November 2015 (UTC)

"Let's" appears to be missing an apostrophe. 173.245.54.21 20:23, 13 November 2015 (UTC)

Now, see, this is why we Brits call them 'torches'. Less risky with finger trouble. (Hint - don't google 'finger trouble') Jdluk (talk) 21:52, 13 November 2015 (UTC)

could it be referencing http://www.wickedlasers.com/torch ?

173.245.54.38 17:54, 13 November 2015 (UTC)an internet flashlight enthusiast

Why are there personal opinions like "maybe they're trying to trick you!" in the main body? Weird. 162.158.142.140 02:26, 14 November 2015 (UTC)

"Of course, a flashlight that cannot safely be pointed at things is fairly useless for the traditional purpose of a flashlight". Really now? A flashlight that set targets on fire is pretty useful - you only need to flash something once, and it'll stay illuminated without having to keep the flashlight on!108.162.242.134 05:26, 14 November 2015 (UTC) 192.0.189.206 (talk) 12:34, 5 June 2012 (UTC) (please sign your comments with ~~~~)

Just gonna leave this here https://youtu.be/MGANrd7u4o0 108.162.228.41 11:31, 14 November 2015 (UTC)