Editing 1566: Board Game
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | In this comic, [[Cueball]] is shown explaining the rules of a {{w|board game}} to three other players | + | In this comic, [[Cueball]] is shown explaining the rules of a {{w|board game}} to three other players of a local board game club - a hobbyist group that gets together to play board games. However, the board game Cueball is explaining is actually his own creation which is designed to trick the club into preparing his {{w|income tax}} return. The caption indicates that Cueball does this every year, which makes this comic reminiscent of the [[My Hobby]] series. |
− | An income tax return is an annual document which most adults | + | An income tax return is an annual document which most adults in many countries must prepare and submit to the government agency responsible for tax collection. The document sets out that person's income for the year, along with offsets including deductions and credits, and calculates the amount of income tax the person is required to pay to the government. |
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+ | The return requires understanding of a number of forms which may seem complicated to those not familiar with them. It is an annual task that is stereotypically met with confusion and disdain. Many people hire professionals to prepare their taxes. More recently, software-based solutions that walk the user through a series of more understandable text-based questions are available to aid taxpayers in completing their returns; however these are not always ideal for those with complicated returns. | ||
In this comic, Cueball has developed his alternative method of tax preparation which utilizes the collective intelligence of several board-game-club players, and also capitalizes on the fact that members of such a club are likely very competitive and eager to succeed at board games. As a result (as the title text suggests), Cueball thinks the board game players are more thorough than the tax preparation professionals he has previously used. Such professionals would prepare perhaps hundreds of returns per year and as a result, might indeed be less thorough with each individual return which may all be viewed as fairly simple and repetitive by the professional. | In this comic, Cueball has developed his alternative method of tax preparation which utilizes the collective intelligence of several board-game-club players, and also capitalizes on the fact that members of such a club are likely very competitive and eager to succeed at board games. As a result (as the title text suggests), Cueball thinks the board game players are more thorough than the tax preparation professionals he has previously used. Such professionals would prepare perhaps hundreds of returns per year and as a result, might indeed be less thorough with each individual return which may all be viewed as fairly simple and repetitive by the professional. | ||
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In gaming, tokens are small playing pieces which may represent various things, depending on the game. In many board games (e.g. | In gaming, tokens are small playing pieces which may represent various things, depending on the game. In many board games (e.g. | ||
− | ''{{w|Monopoly (game)|Monopoly}}''), tokens represent the players themselves. In other games, such as ''{{w|Magic: The Gathering}} | + | ''{{w|Monopoly (game)|Monopoly}}''), tokens represent the players themselves. In other games, such as ''{{w|Magic: The Gathering}}, tokens can represent creatures or other items in a player's inventory. Cueball references "dependent tokens" which appear to be game tokens representing Cueball's dependents. Dependents are people who the taxpayer is required to support financially (most commonly minor children), and as a result, are entitled to certain deductions and credits for expenses incurred to care for the dependents. |
− | Note that while Cueball states he "tricks" his board game club into doing his taxes, in fact his use of clear tax terms ("allowable deductions | + | Note that while Cueball states he "tricks" his board game club into doing his taxes, in fact his use of clear tax terms ("allowable deductions, "dependent") for naming different tokens and elements of the game would suggest that the players knew what he was doing but going along with it because they just enjoy playing board games, such that even doing a tax return -- often considered a boring mind-numbing chore -- within the format of a board game would be something they would enjoy doing. |
− | This is one of several xkcd comics that suggest going to comically extreme lengths to avoid doing something (in this case, his taxes) that might have been simpler to do normally than the way Randall proposes. In this case, Cueball suggests that his motives may actually be to get the most thorough preparation possible, rather than to simply find a way to get the task done | + | This is one of several xkcd comics that suggest going to comically extreme lengths to avoid doing something (in this case, his taxes) that might have been simpler to do normally than the way [[Randall]] proposes. In this case, Cueball suggests that his motives may actually be to get the most thorough preparation possible, rather than to simply find a way to get the task done. |
− | + | ==Transcript== | |
+ | Four people are sitting around a table. From left to right, [[Hairy]], [[Cueball]], [[Ponytail]] (reading something), and [[Hair Bun Girl]] (holding some cards). Other small objects are on the table. | ||
− | + | Cueball: "...Now, this pile is 'allowable deduction' cards. You match them with cards in your hand to preserve their full point value. | |
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− | + | Over here are 'dependent' tokens..." | |
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− | : | + | Under picture: "Every year, I trick a local board game club into doing my taxes." |
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
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[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]] | ||
− | [[Category:Comics featuring | + | [[Category:Comics featuring Hair Bun Girl]] |
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | ||
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