https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=108.162.212.217&feedformat=atomexplain xkcd - User contributions [en]2024-03-19T09:02:01ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.30.0https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:550:_Density&diff=60789Talk:550: Density2014-02-22T10:06:10Z<p>108.162.212.217: Relevant links: {{w|Withdrawal method}} (or {{w|Coitus interruptus}}) and {{w|Emergency contraception}}</p>
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<div>I'm crying {{unsigned|Lemphek}}<br />
<br />
I don't think Megan will ever sleep with him again after this, and if I were Cueball, I'd consider this a greater loss than having to raise a babby. [[Special:Contributions/84.224.87.179|84.224.87.179]] 07:56, 29 April 2013 (UTC)<br />
<br />
;Title text<br />
<br />
I think the title text implies that while Cueball relies on 4chan for advice, he hadn't asked them on contraception and he now regrets this omission thinking that it would help him to prevent this situation. This is even funnier since it implies that advices from 4chan are in fact valuable. [[User:Sten|'''S<small>TEN</small>''']] <small>([[User talk:Sten|talk]])</small> 22:26, 21 February 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Relevant links: {{w|Withdrawal method}} (or {{w|Coitus interruptus}}) and {{w|Emergency contraception}}. Surprisingly, the withdrawal method may be quite effective with a failure rate as low as 4% (chance of pregnancy per year of use) if done correctly. In practice, though, it has a 15-28% failure rate. In comparison, condom use has a 2% failure rate when used correctly and a 10–18% actual failure rate. -- [[Special:Contributions/108.162.212.217|108.162.212.217]] 10:06, 22 February 2014 (UTC)</div>108.162.212.217https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:563:_Fermirotica&diff=58349Talk:563: Fermirotica2014-01-22T02:28:35Z<p>108.162.212.217: </p>
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<div>Explanation marked as incorrect. I would do some editing, but I do not have the time or explanation-writing skill to do so effectively.<br />
<br />
Issues:<br />
<br />
1. The explanation's listed April Fools' joke seems to have no proof; it has no mention in the comic.<br />
<br />
2. The title text seems to just be a complaint against Google's methods for statistics (i.e. "I love" is sarcasm). All it says is that Google just wildly guesses, based on unrelated, random events, and calls it statistics.<br />
[[User:Zweisteine|Zweisteine]] ([[User talk:Zweisteine|talk]]) 04:26, 12 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
I doubt that the title text was complaining or sarcastic at all. If I recall correctly, the ability to plug calculations with units into Google was pretty new in 2009, and especially useful, given as he switched his time units from minutes to years. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.231.234|108.162.231.234]] 17:04, 12 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
Except that it specifically states that Google guesses (stats are ballpark) and change based un unrelated occurrences (time of day and your mother's presence). That sounds like either sarcasm, or him actually loving how google doesn't (or didn't at the time) do a very good job with stats. [[User:Zweisteine|Zweisteine]] ([[User talk:Zweisteine|talk]]) 23:08, 17 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I agree with Zweisteine - it is obvious a sarcastic comment, because the results from Google is so random that it will change during the day - and of course there is the your mom joke. Is there a category for these comics? (Like with the velociraptor comics etc.) [[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 11:20, 21 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
The two sentences of the title text are unrelated. The first is not sarcasm, but is straightforward praise of Google's "dimensional analysis". Searching on "sqrt( 2 / (pi * (18600 / mile^2) * (80 / year) * 30 minutes) )" yields an answer of "139.379395 meters" with Google correctly doing all of the unit conversion for you. Wow, that really is cool! It should be noted when Google gained this capability, if we can find a source for that. The second sentence is a straightforward discussion of the limitations of the model, as the probability of having sex is not uniformly distributed throughout the day. The mom part is a joke because it applies to a specific individual, not simultaneously to the general population around you (unless it is "Moms Visit Campus Day"). There is no April Fool's joke here. Where does the 18,600 persons / square mile population density come from? Is it for a specific metropolitan area? Finally, what Randall is calling "dimensional analysis" is more commonly referred to as unit conversion. For physicists, at least, dimensional analysis refers to a more subtle and powerful tool where equations for phenomena can often be deduced (to within a scaling factor) purely by analyzing the units involved. Wikipedia's articles on "Dimensional analysis", "Units conversion by factor-label", "Drake equation", and "Fermi paradox" should all be linked. -- [[Special:Contributions/108.162.212.217|108.162.212.217]] 12:26, 21 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
:Ah! I agree that the ''... and (b) whether "your mom" was in town (she is exceptionally slutty)'' "your mom" joke is a better interpretation than my earlier thought that people have sex less often when their out-of-town mom is visiting them. Good job! - [[Special:Contributions/108.162.212.217|108.162.212.217]] 02:28, 22 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
April's fool seems to refer to the date of the comic being April 1st 2009. {{unsigned|Eric957}}<br />
<br />
:Understood, but there is no meta-"joke within a joke" or joke on the reader which would serve as a kind of April Fool's joke. This is just a regular comic which happened to be published on 1 April. -- [[Special:Contributions/108.162.212.217|108.162.212.217]] 18:38, 21 January 2014 (UTC)</div>108.162.212.217https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:563:_Fermirotica&diff=58286Talk:563: Fermirotica2014-01-21T18:38:02Z<p>108.162.212.217: </p>
<hr />
<div>Explanation marked as incorrect. I would do some editing, but I do not have the time or explanation-writing skill to do so effectively.<br />
<br />
Issues:<br />
<br />
1. The explanation's listed April Fools' joke seems to have no proof; it has no mention in the comic.<br />
<br />
2. The title text seems to just be a complaint against Google's methods for statistics (i.e. "I love" is sarcasm). All it says is that Google just wildly guesses, based on unrelated, random events, and calls it statistics.<br />
[[User:Zweisteine|Zweisteine]] ([[User talk:Zweisteine|talk]]) 04:26, 12 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
I doubt that the title text was complaining or sarcastic at all. If I recall correctly, the ability to plug calculations with units into Google was pretty new in 2009, and especially useful, given as he switched his time units from minutes to years. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.231.234|108.162.231.234]] 17:04, 12 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
Except that it specifically states that Google guesses (stats are ballpark) and change based un unrelated occurrences (time of day and your mother's presence). That sounds like either sarcasm, or him actually loving how google doesn't (or didn't at the time) do a very good job with stats. [[User:Zweisteine|Zweisteine]] ([[User talk:Zweisteine|talk]]) 23:08, 17 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I agree with Zweisteine - it is obvious a sarcastic comment, because the results from Google is so random that it will change during the day - and of course there is the your mom joke. Is there a category for these comics? (Like with the velociraptor comics etc.) [[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 11:20, 21 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
The two sentences of the title text are unrelated. The first is not sarcasm, but is straightforward praise of Google's "dimensional analysis". Searching on "sqrt( 2 / (pi * (18600 / mile^2) * (80 / year) * 30 minutes) )" yields an answer of "139.379395 meters" with Google correctly doing all of the unit conversion for you. Wow, that really is cool! It should be noted when Google gained this capability, if we can find a source for that. The second sentence is a straightforward discussion of the limitations of the model, as the probability of having sex is not uniformly distributed throughout the day. The mom part is a joke because it applies to a specific individual, not simultaneously to the general population around you (unless it is "Moms Visit Campus Day"). There is no April Fool's joke here. Where does the 18,600 persons / square mile population density come from? Is it for a specific metropolitan area? Finally, what Randall is calling "dimensional analysis" is more commonly referred to as unit conversion. For physicists, at least, dimensional analysis refers to a more subtle and powerful tool where equations for phenomena can often be deduced (to within a scaling factor) purely by analyzing the units involved. Wikipedia's articles on "Dimensional analysis", "Units conversion by factor-label", "Drake equation", and "Fermi paradox" should all be linked. -- [[Special:Contributions/108.162.212.217|108.162.212.217]] 12:26, 21 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
April's fool seems to refer to the date of the comic being April 1st 2009.<br />
<br />
:Understood, but there is no meta-"joke within a joke" or joke on the reader which would serve as a kind of April Fool's joke. This is just a regular comic which happened to be published on 1 April. -- [[Special:Contributions/108.162.212.217|108.162.212.217]] 18:38, 21 January 2014 (UTC)</div>108.162.212.217https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:563:_Fermirotica&diff=58268Talk:563: Fermirotica2014-01-21T12:28:42Z<p>108.162.212.217: </p>
<hr />
<div>Explanation marked as incorrect. I would do some editing, but I do not have the time or explanation-writing skill to do so effectively.<br />
<br />
Issues:<br />
<br />
1. The explanation's listed April Fools' joke seems to have no proof; it has no mention in the comic.<br />
<br />
2. The title text seems to just be a complaint against Google's methods for statistics (i.e. "I love" is sarcasm). All it says is that Google just wildly guesses, based on unrelated, random events, and calls it statistics.<br />
[[User:Zweisteine|Zweisteine]] ([[User talk:Zweisteine|talk]]) 04:26, 12 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
I doubt that the title text was complaining or sarcastic at all. If I recall correctly, the ability to plug calculations with units into Google was pretty new in 2009, and especially useful, given as he switched his time units from minutes to years. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.231.234|108.162.231.234]] 17:04, 12 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
Except that it specifically states that Google guesses (stats are ballpark) and change based un unrelated occurrences (time of day and your mother's presence). That sounds like either sarcasm, or him actually loving how google doesn't (or didn't at the time) do a very good job with stats. [[User:Zweisteine|Zweisteine]] ([[User talk:Zweisteine|talk]]) 23:08, 17 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I agree with Zweisteine - it is obvious a sarcastic comment, because the results from Google is so random that it will change during the day - and of course there is the your mom joke. Is there a category for these comics? (Like with the velociraptor comics etc.) [[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 11:20, 21 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
The two sentences of the title text are unrelated. The first is not sarcasm, but is straightforward praise of Google's "dimensional analysis". Searching on "sqrt( 2 / (pi * (18600 / mile^2) * (80 / year) * 30 minutes) )" yields an answer of "139.379395 meters" with Google correctly doing all of the unit conversion for you. Wow, that really is cool! It should be noted when Google gained this capability, if we can find a source for that. The second sentence is a straightforward discussion of the limitations of the model, as the probability of having sex is not uniformly distributed throughout the day. The mom part is a joke because it applies to a specific individual, not simultaneously to the general population around you (unless it is "Moms Visit Campus Day"). There is no April Fool's joke here. Where does the 18,600 persons / square mile population density come from? Is it for a specific metropolitan area? Finally, what Randall is calling "dimensional analysis" is more commonly referred to as unit conversion. For physicists, at least, dimensional analysis refers to a more subtle and powerful tool where equations for phenomena can often be deduced (to within a scaling factor) purely by analyzing the units involved. Wikipedia's articles on "Dimensional analysis", "Units conversion by factor-label", "Drake equation", and "Fermi paradox" should all be linked. -- [[Special:Contributions/108.162.212.217|108.162.212.217]] 12:26, 21 January 2014 (UTC)</div>108.162.212.217https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:563:_Fermirotica&diff=58267Talk:563: Fermirotica2014-01-21T12:26:14Z<p>108.162.212.217: </p>
<hr />
<div>Explanation marked as incorrect. I would do some editing, but I do not have the time or explanation-writing skill to do so effectively.<br />
<br />
Issues:<br />
<br />
1. The explanation's listed April Fools' joke seems to have no proof; it has no mention in the comic.<br />
<br />
2. The title text seems to just be a complaint against Google's methods for statistics (i.e. "I love" is sarcasm). All it says is that Google just wildly guesses, based on unrelated, random events, and calls it statistics.<br />
[[User:Zweisteine|Zweisteine]] ([[User talk:Zweisteine|talk]]) 04:26, 12 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
I doubt that the title text was complaining or sarcastic at all. If I recall correctly, the ability to plug calculations with units into Google was pretty new in 2009, and especially useful, given as he switched his time units from minutes to years. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.231.234|108.162.231.234]] 17:04, 12 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
Except that it specifically states that Google guesses (stats are ballpark) and change based un unrelated occurrences (time of day and your mother's presence). That sounds like either sarcasm, or him actually loving how google doesn't (or didn't at the time) do a very good job with stats. [[User:Zweisteine|Zweisteine]] ([[User talk:Zweisteine|talk]]) 23:08, 17 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I agree with Zweisteine - it is obvious a sarcastic comment, because the results from Google is so random that it will change during the day - and of course there is the your mom joke. Is there a category for these comics? (Like with the velociraptor comics etc.) [[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 11:20, 21 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
The two sentences of the title text are unrelated. The first is not sarcasm, but is straightforward praise of Google's "dimensional analysis". Searching on "sqrt( 2 / (pi * (18600 / mile^2) * (80 / year) * 30 minutes) )" yields an answer of "139.379395 meters" with Google correctly doing all of the unit conversion for you. Wow, that really is cool! It should be noted when Google gained this capability, if we can find a source for that. The second sentence is a straightforward discussion of the limitations of the model, as the probability of having sex is not uniformly distributed throughout the day. The mom part is a joke because it applies to a specific individual, not simultaneously the general population around you (unless it is "Moms Visit Campus Day"). There is no April Fool's joke here. Where does the 18,600 persons / square mile population density come from? Is it for a specific metropolitan area? Finally, what Randall is calling "dimensional analysis" is more commonly referred to as unit conversion. For physicists, at least, dimensional analysis refers to a more subtle and powerful tool where equations for phenomena can often be deduced (to within a scaling factor) purely by analyzing the units involved. Wikipedia's articles on "Dimensional analysis", "Units conversion by factor-label", "Drake equation", and "Fermi paradox" should all be linked. -- [[Special:Contributions/108.162.212.217|108.162.212.217]] 12:26, 21 January 2014 (UTC)</div>108.162.212.217https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1316:_Inexplicable&diff=57586Talk:1316: Inexplicable2014-01-13T15:24:51Z<p>108.162.212.217: Explanation for my removal of the sentence "While it might [be] a reasonable conclusion for a human, demons can't possess a computer."</p>
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<div>[http://xkcd.com/725/ Literally] haunted? [[Special:Contributions/173.245.53.152|173.245.53.152]] 08:22, 13 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
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I would say he trying to say that some errors that computers have are impossible to fathom. I've baffled our IT people on many an occasion and the solution is usual 'rebuild' which is the computer equivalent of an exorcism.[[Special:Contributions/108.162.231.228|108.162.231.228]] 10:18, 13 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
:Definitely this. It is also much harder to figure out what the problem is with a computer when you weren't the one who has spent all their time using the computer. It is why I can't understand how IT people do their jobs. [[User:Daleb|Daleb]] ([[User talk:Daleb|talk]]) 13:14, 13 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
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Surprised nobody mentioned [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_in_the_machine Ghost in the machine] yet... --[[User:Koveras|Koveras]] ([[User talk:Koveras|talk]]) 10:28, 13 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I find the current explanation entertaining but... raises questions.<br />
<br />
Is "This comic is inexplicable and represents a self-referencing joke about explainxkcd.com." serious?<br />
:I think it's not and I deleted the sentence. [[Special:Contributions/173.245.50.84|173.245.50.84]] 14:39, 13 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
"While it might [be] a reasonable conclusion [i.e. that it is 'haunted'] for a human, demons can't possess a computer." - this reads like "demons exist, but are incapable of possessing computer equipment", rather than "demons cannot possess a computer, because they don't even exist", which would be my ''preference'' (under the standard rules of not being able to ''prove'' the non-existence of the supernatral... and, believe me, I've had my fair share of totally baffling computer problems, in my time, and often anthropomorphise equipment, somewhat, ''at least'' to explain it to non-tech users... but then end up adopting the same attitude myself, of course).<br />
<br />
"The title text suggests that Megan insists that Cueball resume possession of his laptop, as she is unsettled by the ghost; Cueball simply refuses, seeing an opportunity to make his problem hers." - I see that as more akin to the "cursed gem" type of story. One simply cannot palm the gem off on somebody else, but it must have a legitimately willing recipient (including a thief stealing it, often) in order for the curse itself to transfer itself. Now that the 'status' of the laptop is known he's not going to accept it back and take the 'curse of errors' back upon himself. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.99.223|141.101.99.223]] 14:08, 13 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
:I just removed the sentence "While it might [be] a reasonable conclusion for a human, demons can't possess a computer." In the real world ghosts (the comic does not mention demons) don't exist and can't possess either humans or computers; in a fictional world, they might be able to do either or both (a la King's "Trucks"). -- [[Special:Contributions/108.162.212.217|108.162.212.217]] 15:24, 13 January 2014 (UTC)</div>108.162.212.217https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1316:_Inexplicable&diff=575851316: Inexplicable2014-01-13T15:21:35Z<p>108.162.212.217: /* Explanation */ Removed useless sentence. In the real world ghosts (the comic does not mention demons) don't exist and can't possess either humans or computers; in a fictional world, they might be able to do either or both (a la King's "Trucks")</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1316<br />
| date = January 13, 2014<br />
| title = Inexplicable<br />
| image = inexplicable.png<br />
| titletext = 'It has a ghost in it. Take it back.' 'No.'<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Incomplete, and explanation was written by someone who doesn't have English as their native language, so it probably has inaccuracies.}}<br />
<br />
In this comic, Cueball's laptop has a problem. After just a few types and clicks, Megan concludes that the laptop is haunted. Similar problem can be seen in [[1084: Server Problem]], where Megan recommends Cueball to wait for the Singularity. The title text suggests that Megan insists that Cueball resume possession of his laptop, as she is unsettled by the ghost; Cueball simply refuses, seeing an opportunity to make his problem hers. (Or possibly Cueball is trying to return the laptop to the store where he bought it.)<br />
<br />
Another possible explanation could be that the comic is a play on how non technical users see computers and technology in general. Often a non-technical person will anthropomorphise a gadget and give it a personality with quirks. In this case a Ghost. When they have problems they usually give the device to a slightly more technical person to deal with who may not be able to deal with said problem. This may end up confirming (in their mind) the personality of the device.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:[Cueball is frustrated at a laptop.]<br />
:Cueball: ''ARGH!''<br />
:Megan (off-screen): What?<br />
:Cueball: Why do I always have these inexplicable, impossible-to-diagnose computer problems?<br />
<br />
:[Megan walks towards Cueball.]<br />
:Cueball: After six hours of this, I've concluded nothing works or makes sense. I give up on logic.<br />
:Megan: *sigh* Gimme. I'll figure it out.<br />
:Cueball: You won't.<br />
<br />
:[The laptop is now off the desk, and Megan is offscreen again.]<br />
:''type type''<br />
:''click''<br />
:?<br />
:''type type''<br />
:''type''<br />
:???<br />
<br />
:[Megan has returned, a closed laptop in hand.]<br />
:Cueball: How'd it go?<br />
:Megan: Your computer is literally haunted.<br />
:Cueball: ''Told'' you.<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Computers]]</div>108.162.212.217