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==Explanation==
 
==Explanation==
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Randall uses an {{w|Euler diagram}} (technically not a {{w|Venn diagram}}) to make fun of clueless computer users. The circles in the diagram don't overlap, meaning problems that people suspect are caused by viruses are never really caused by viruses, and problems that are actually caused by viruses are never suspected by people to be caused by a virus.
 
  
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When computers don't function as expected, a common response from ordinary users is "Maybe it has a {{w|Computer virus|virus}}?".  However, most of these situations can be explained by faulty hardware (freezing, blue screen, etc.) or software (crashes, errors, apparent lack of response to input, etc.), a general lack of maintenance (too slow to start up, too much clutter on screen, etc.), or user error.  A virus can potentially cause those symptoms, but it's much more common for them either to cause immediate and massive damage (rendering the computer completely unusable, wipe the disk, display obvious propaganda, etc.), or to remain stealthy with no obvious symptoms (logging keystrokes, exfiltrating sensitive information, receiving commands in the background, etc.).  Of course there is no clear separation and there is always some overlap between the two scenarios, so the diagram is not meant to be taken literally.
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In this comic, Randall is poking fun at people who respond to computer problems by saying "Maybe it has a virus" by using a Venn Diagram to show that none of these problems actually are caused by a virus. A Venn diagram is a diagram consisting of at least two circles, usually overlapping, to show how sets of objects relate, by including objects where the overlapping circles meet to show that they can be considered part of both diagrams. But here, the circles do not overlap, showing the lack of relation between the two things. Venn Diagrams were created by John Vein in the 19th century.
  
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The title text refers to the {{w|technological singularity}}, a hypothetical point in the future when {{w|superintelligence}} emerges in computers, so that they can build new computers with ever increasing intelligence. It is seen as impossible to predict what would happen beyond this point; hence the term "singularity". [[1084: Server Problem]] makes a joke on this.
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<!-- Once Google changed their home page and made the text on the buttons bigger. I found a post in a support thread where someone thought it was a virus. ~.~ -->
  
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"Defragging" is short for {{w|disk defragmentation}}, an easy, user-friendly action that PC users can undertake to supposedly make their computers run faster. It is therefore a common all-round recommendation to do this, regardless of the problem. [[Randall]] suggests the same clueless users would encounter the singularity and attempt defragging. It probably won't help much.{{Citation needed}}
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The title text refers to the Singularity, which is the {{w|technological singularity}}, a point in the future when super-intelligence emerges in computers so that computers are able to build themselves with increasing intelligence. This is typically regarded as the absolute pinnacle of computer science. "Defragging" is short for {{w|disk defragmentation}}, and is an easy, user-friendly action that PC users can undertake to supposedly make their computers run faster. As such, it is a common suggestion for people with limited practical computing experience to "defrag" your computer, the suggestion being that the same people who comment "Maybe it has a virus?" would encounter the Singularity and, having limited to no experience in computing, attempt to "defrag" it. Which would not be likely to achieve a lot.
  
 
==Transcript==
 
==Transcript==
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:[Euler diagram with two circles that don't intersect. One circle is green, while the other is slight dark blue.]
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:[Venn diagram with two circles that don't intersect.]
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:Green circle: Computer problems that make people say "Maybe it has a virus?"
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:Green circle: Computer problems that make people say, "Maybe it has a virus?"
 
:Blue circle: Computer problems caused by viruses
 
:Blue circle: Computer problems caused by viruses
  
 
{{comic discussion}}
 
{{comic discussion}}
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[[Category:Charts]]
 
[[Category:Comics with color]]
 
[[Category:Comics with color]]
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[[Category:Euler diagrams]]
 
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[[Category:Venn diagrams]] <!--Mentioned so should be included -->
 
 
[[Category:Computers]]
 
[[Category:Computers]]
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[[Category:Singularity]]
 

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