Moria
by Jeff
Image text: Someone should really bring them a ladder and remind them to build the Endless Stair *first* next time.
This is a Lord of the Rings reference and the character with the beard and hat is Gandalf. The four shorter characters are the hobbits that were also members of the Fellowship of the Ring. The comic is making a joke on the fact that if the dwarves dug too deeply, then they just were unable to get out.
3×9
by Jeff
Image text: Handy exam trick: when you know the answer but not the correct derivation, derive blindly forward from the givens and backward from the answer, and join the chains once the equations start looking similar. Sometimes the graders don't notice the seam.
Alright, this math equation only works because 9 is the square of 3, but this is fun none the less.
3 x 9 = 3 x the square root of 81 (the square root of 81 is 9).
That also equals 81 divided by 3 and then he solves the division by hand to get 27.
This is obviously not the way you solve the problem, but he uses handy math tricks like turning a square root into a division symbol to attempt to trick the math grader as he mentions in the image text.
Raptor Fences
by Jeff
Image text: If at least one person has a nightmare about being swarmed by hundreds of mouse-sized dromaeosaurids, my work will have been done.
This is a reference to the movie Jurassic Park. In this scene, the power goes out and so do the electric fences that keep the raptors in their cages. This obviously puts the characters in extreme danger... unless of course like this comic, they are mini dinosaurs.
Toot
by Jeff
Image text: This is also one of only five identified situations in which a vuvuzela is actually appropriate.
For our international readers, "Toot my own horn" is an expression (possibly only used in America) that means to brag about ones self.
Vuvuzela is a noise maker that is native to South Africa and is featured heavily in any World Cup game. Many vuvuzelas blown (played?) at the same time make a noise similar to that of a thousand bees.
Public Opinion
by Jeff
Image text: News networks giving a greater voice to viewers because the social web is so popular are like a chef on the Titanic who, seeing the looming iceberg and fleeing customers, figures ice is the future and starts making snow cones.
I completely agree. Those "voices on the street" segments are probably the most awkward segments ever as well. Must. Change. Channel.
Interdisciplinary
by Jeff
Image text: Replace the pendulums with history students and you'll qualify for a grant!
This is another theme in xkcd. The ripping of psychology, history and english majors is very common in various comics.
Dependencies
by Jeff
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Image text: The prereqs for CPSC 357, the class on package management, are CPCS 432, CPSC 357, and glibc2.5 or later.
This is a computer science joke with a possible homage to Fight Club.
The meaning here is roughly "A dependency class depends on a dependency class" as a prerequisite.
The same thing follows in the image text as 357 is required for 357.
Southern Half
by Jeff
Image text: Also, if you read his speech at Rice, all his arguments for going to the moon work equally well as arguments for blowing up the moon, sending cloned dinosaurs into space, or constructing a towering penis-shaped obelisk on Mars.
Not much to explain here.
Here's the full text of the speech to Rice.
Here's the full text of the 1961 speech to Congress.
Phobia
by Jeff
Image text: Oh God, the tornado picked up snakes!
This is one of those xkcd's that's super emo. These are always a little awkward for me to read.
However, my interpretation of the second frame is that the black haired character is speaking in reference to relationships and dating and the like. She keeps turning away potential suitors with her phrase.
I don't think she keeps saying that every year to keep from becoming a storm chaser.
What's your interpretation of this Friday's emo xkcd? Who is emotional about what to whom?
Swimsuit Issue
by Jeff
Image text: Parents: talk to your kids about popup blockers. Also, at some point, sex. But crucial fundamentals first!
This one is pretty self-explanatory, but always practice safe browsing!