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| titletext = The strongest incentive we have to develop faster-than-light travel is that it would let us apologize in advance.
 
| titletext = The strongest incentive we have to develop faster-than-light travel is that it would let us apologize in advance.
 
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}}
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A [http://xkcd.com/1212/large/ larger version] of this picture can be found by clicking the comic on xkcd.
 
  
 
==Explanation==
 
==Explanation==
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[[Randall]] highlights various memes from popular culture. A {{w|meme}} is a phenomenon, often in this scenario in the form of a movie quote, a musical reference, a catchphrase or other notable saying that spreads quickly by word-of-mouth. Memes become popular because people hear about them and repeat them to others. Randall points out that if the assumed intelligent life from other star systems were listening to the things we said, then they would just now be hearing and popularizing memes started years ago on earth. The delay is due to the time that it takes for expressions of the meme to travel (presumably via radio waves) to distant star systems.
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{{incomplete|Some talk about the speed of light and the transcript would be good too.}}
  
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Our solar system, from where the electromagnetic waves are emitted, is located just left of the center of the picture. The other star systems are arranged roughly according to their distance from the sun, while their size corresponds to the size of the star compared with that of the sun.
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{| class="wikitable"
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The meme for Sirius is a pun; it refers to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, in which Bellatrix Lestrange kills Sirius Black.
 
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Radio waves travel at the {{w|speed of light}}. The title text jokes that these memes are so annoying that it would give us further incentive to develop the technology to travel {{w|faster than light}}, just simply to be able to outrun the radio waves, reach a distant star system, and apologize in advance to the "residents" about the memes, before the memes arrive.
 
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===Table with memes===
 
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The table below lists all the memes described, and the star at which the comics states those memes should be heard by the time when the comic was released in 2013. The year of the meme plus the number of light years to the star should end up close to 2013.
 
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Most end up within the range 2011-2013 which may indicate the meme became popular one or two years later (on Earth or at the distant star system.) Two memes reach the targets in 2014. Some of those errors may be caused by the inaccuracy of the distances.
 
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The ''The Spanish Inquisition'' from Monty Python would have reached its destination in 2006. Because they're still watching ''Monty Python's Flying Circus'' in 2013 it must be very popular or maybe it took seven years to decipher that {{w|British humour}}.
 
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{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
−
|-
 
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! Meme !! Star !! Origin !! Year !! Distance to star !! Sum year
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Yabba dabba doo! || {{w|Castor (star)|Castor}} || ''{{w|The Flintstones}}'' || 1960 || 51 ± 3 ly || 2011 ± 3
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! Meme !! Star !! Origin !! Year
 
|-
 
|-
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| You've got to ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?" || {{w|Lambda Aurigae}} || ''{{w|Dirty Harry}}'' || 1971 || 41.2 ± 0.1 ly || 2012
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| Yabba dabba doo! || {{w|Castor (star)}} || Flintstones || 1960
 
|-
 
|-
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| {{w|Where's the beef|Where's the beef?}} || {{w|HR 1614}} || Slogan for {{w|Wendy's}} || 1984 || 28 ly || 2012
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| You've got to ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?" || {{w|Lambda Aurigae}} || Dirty Harry || 1971
 
|-
 
|-
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| And now for something completely different. || {{w|Capella (star)|Capella}}|| ''{{w|Monty Python's Flying Circus}}'' || 1969 || 42 ly || 2011
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| Where's the beef? || {{w|HR 1614}} || Slogan for Wendy's ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| Here's lookin' at you, kid. || {{w|Kappa Reticuli}} || ''{{w|Casablanca (film)|Casablanca}}'' || 1942 || 70 ly || 2012
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| And now for something completely different. || {{w|Capella (star)}}|| Monty Python || 1969
 
|-
 
|-
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| My spoon is too big! || {{w|Kapteyn's Star}} || ''{{w|Rejected}}'' || 2000 || 12 ly || 2012
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| Here's lookin' at you, kid. || {{w|Kappa Reticuli}} || Casablanca || 1942
 
|-
 
|-
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| May the force be with you. || {{w|Delta Trianguli}} || ''{{w|Star Wars}}''|| 1977 || 35 ly || 2012
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| My spoon is too big! || {{w|Kapteyn's Star}} || Rejected ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| Peanut butter jelly time! || {{w|Luyten's Star}} || [http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/peanut-butter-jelly-time an Internet meme] || 2002 || 12 ly || 2014
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| May the force be with you. || {{w|Delta Trianguli}} || Star Wars || 1977
 
|-
 
|-
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| Rosebud. || {{w|Alpha Hydri}} || ''{{w|Citizen Kane}}'' || 1941 || 71 ly || 2012
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| Peanut butter jelly time! || {{w|Luyten's Star}} || Peanut butter jelly time ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| Oh my god, {{w|They killed Kenny|they killed Kenny!}} – You bastards! || {{w|AD Leonis}} || ''{{w|South Park}}'' || 1997 || 15.9 ± 0.2 ly || 2013
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| Rosebud. || {{w|Alpha Hydri}} || Citizen Kane || 1941
 
|-
 
|-
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| ...God kills a kitten! – A what? || {{w|Procyon}} || {{w|Every time you masturbate... God kills a kitten|an Internet meme}} || 2002 || 11.5 ly || 2013
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| Oh my god, they killed Kenny! - You bastards! || {{w|AD Leonis}} || South Park ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| I ''still'' can't believe Bellatrix– – Dude, get over it. || {{w|Sirius}} || ''{{w|Harry Potter}}'' ({{w|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix|book 5}}) || 2003 || 8.6 ly || 2012
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| ...God kills a kitten! - A what? || {{w|Procyon}} || Internet Meme || 2002
 
|-
 
|-
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| Ninjas fight ''all the time!'' || {{w|Epsilon Eridani}} || {{w|The Official Ninja Webpage}} || 2002 || 10 ly || 2012
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| I ''still'' can't believe Bellatrix- - Dude, get over it. || {{w|Sirius}} || Harry Potter ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| {{w|D'oh!|D'oh!}} || {{w|HR 753}} || ''{{w|The Simpsons}}'' || 1989 || 23 ly || 2012
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| Ninjas fight ''all the time!'' || {{w|Epsilon Eridani}} || The Official Ninja Webpage ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| {{w|The Spanish Inquisition (Monty Python)|''Nobody'' expects the Spanish Inquisition!}} || {{w|Beta Virginis}} || ''{{w|Monty Python's Flying Circus}}'' || 1970 || 35,6 ly || 2006
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| D'oh! || {{w|HR 753}} || Simpsons ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| {{w|All your base are belong to us}}. || {{w|Tau Ceti}} || ''{{w|Zero Wing}}'' || 2001 || 11.9 ly || 2013
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| ''Nobody'' expects the Spanish Inquisition! || {{w|Beta Virginis}} || Monty Python || 1970
 
|-
 
|-
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| Take me to your leader! – No, Steve. || {{w|Beta Cassiopeiae|Caph}} || {{w|Take me to your leader (phrase)}} || 1957 || 55 ly || 2012
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| All your base are belong to us. || {{w|Tau Ceti}} || Zero Wing ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| Chuck Norris doesn't sleep. He ''waits.'' || {{w|Wolf 359}} || {{w|Chuck Norris facts}} || 2005 || 7.8 ly || 2013
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| Take me to your leader! - No, Steve. || {{w|Beta Cassiopeiae|Caph}} || ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| ♬ Numa numa ♪ || {{w|Lalande 21185}} || {{w|Dragostea Din Tei|Numa Numa song}} || 2004 || 8.3 ly || 2012
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| Chuck Norris doesn't sleep. He ''waits.'' || {{w|Wolf 359}} || Chuck Norris jokes ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| I can haz? || {{w|WISE 1049-5319|Luhman 16}} || {{w|Lolcats}} || 2006 || 6.6 ± 0.5 ly || 2013
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| Numa numa || {{w|Lalande 21185}} || Numa Numa song ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| ''Internets!'' || {{w|Luyten 726-8|Gliese 65}} || {{w|George W. Bush}} [http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/internets Internet meme] || 2004 || 8.7 || 2013
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| I can haz? || {{w|WISE 1049-5319|Luhman 16}} || Lolcats ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| Look at the tiny dancing Earth mammals! || {{w|Gliese 1}} || {{w|Hampsterdance}} and/or {{w|Dancing Baby}} || 1998 || 14 ly || 2012
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| Internets! || {{w|Luyten 726-8|Gliese 65}} || George W. Bush || 2000
 
|-
 
|-
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| ''Wasssuup!?!'' || {{w|Van Maanen's star}} || {{w|Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)|Budweiser Beer}} advertising campaign || 1999 || 14 ly || 2013
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| Look at the tiny dancing Earth mammals! || {{w|Gliese 1}} || Hampsterdance? ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| Yippie-ki-yay, motherfucker. || {{w|Beta Hydri}} || ''{{w|Die Hard}}'' || 1988 || 24 ly || 2012
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| Wasssuup!?! || {{w|Van Maanen's star}} || Budweiser Beer Advertising Campaign ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| I pity the fool! || {{w|Groombridge 1830}} || ''{{w|Rocky III}}'' ({{w|Mr. T}}) || 1982 || 30 ly || 2012
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| Yippie-ki-yay, motherfucker. || {{w|Beta Hydri}} || Die Hard || 1988
 
|-
 
|-
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| The cake is a lie! || {{w|Alpha Centauri|Alpha Centauri A/B}} || ''{{w|Portal (video game)|Portal}}'' || 2007 || 4.3 ly || 2011
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| I pity the fool! || {{w|Groombridge 1830}} || Mr T ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| ♪ Never gonna give you up ♫ || {{w|Alpha Centauri|Alpha Centauri A/B}} || {{w|Rickrolling}} || 2007 || 4.3 ly || 2011
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| The cake is a lie! || {{w|Alpha Centauri|Alpha Centauri A/B}} || Portal || 2007
 
|-
 
|-
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| I'm on a boat! || {{w|Proxima Centauri}} || {{w|The Lonely Island}} || 2009 || 4.243 ± 0.002 ly || 2013
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| Never gonna give you up || {{w|Alpha Centauri|Alpha Centauri A/B}} || Never Gonna Give You Up (Rick Astley) / Rickroll || 1987 / 2007
 
|-
 
|-
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| ♫ Chocolate Raaaiiin ♫ || {{w|Barnard's Star}} || {{w|Tay Zonday}}: {{w|Chocolate Rain}} video || 2007 || 6 ly || 2013
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| I'm on a boat! || {{w|Proxima Centauri}} || The Lonely Island ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| Leave Britney alone! || {{w|Barnard's Star}} || {{w|Chris Crocker}}: [http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/leave-britney-alone LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!] || 2007 || 6 ly || 2013
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| Chocolate Raaaiiin || {{w|Barnard's Star}} || Chocolate Rain video (Tay Zonday) || 2007
 
|-
 
|-
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| You're the man now, dog! || {{w|Epsilon Indi}} || {{w|YTMND}} || 2001 || 11.8 || 2013
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| Leave Britney alone! || {{w|Barnard's Star}} || LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE! (Chris Crocker) || 2007
 
|-
 
|-
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| {{w|More cowbell|More cowbell!}} || {{w|Kruger 60}} || ''{{w|Saturday Night Live}}'' || 2000 || 13 ly || 2013
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| You're the man now, dog! || {{w|Epsilon Indi}} || Finding Forrester || 2000
 
|-
 
|-
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| Hasta la vista, baby. || {{w|Gliese 892}} || ''{{w|Terminator 2}}'' || 1991 || 21 ly || 2012
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| More cowbell! || {{w|Kruger 60}} || Saturday Night Live ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| Let's get ready to ruuumble! || {{w|Zeta Tucanae}} || {{w|Michael Buffer}} || 1984 || 28 ly || 2012
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| Hasta la vista, baby. || {{w|Gliese 892}} || Terminator || 1984
 
|-
 
|-
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| You talkin' to ''me?'' || {{w|Arcturus}} || ''{{w|Taxi Driver}}'' || 1976 || 36.7 ± 0.3 ly || 2013
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| Let's get ready to ruuumble! || {{w|Zeta Tucanae}} || Michael Buffer (Wrestling & Boxing Ring Announcer) ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| Did ''I'' do that? || {{w|Xi Boötis|Boötis}} || ''{{w|Family Matters}}'' ({{w|Steve Urkel}}) || 1989 || 21.89 ± 0.07 ly || 2011
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| You talkin' to ''me?'' || {{w|Arcturus}} || Taxi Driver || 1976
 
|-
 
|-
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| Welcome to Good Burger, home of the good burger. – What's a burger? – I don't know. || {{w|70 Ophiuchi}} || {{w|Good Burger}} slogan || 1997 || 16.58 ± 0.07 ly || 2014
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| Welcome to Good Burger, home of the good burger. - What's a burger? - I don't know. || {{w|70 Ophiuchi}} || Good Burger || 1997
 
|-
 
|-
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| Badger badger badger badger || {{w|Ross 154}} || {{w|Badger Badger Badger}} || 2003 || 9.7 ly || 2013
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| Badger badger badger badger || {{w|Ross 154}} || Badger Badger Badger (The Badger Song) ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| {{w|Vulcan salute|Live long and prosper.}} – OK. || {{w|HD 211415}} || ''{{w|Star Trek}}'' || 1967 || 44 ly || 2011
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| Live long and prosper. || {{w|HD 211415}} || Star Trek (Vulcan Salute) ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| Name's Bond. James Bond. || {{w|51 Pegasi}} || ''{{w|Dr. No (film)|Dr. No}}'' ({{w|James Bond}}) || 1962 || 50.9 ± 0.3 ly || 2013
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| Name's Bond. James Bond. || {{w|51 Pegasi}} || James Bond (Dr No) || 1962
 
|-
 
|-
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| Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn. || {{w|Alpha Serpentis}} || ''{{w|Gone with the Wind (film)|Gone with the Wind}}'' || 1939 || 74.0 ± 0.3 ly || 2013
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| Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn. || {{w|Alpha Serpentis}} || Gone with the Wind || 1939
 
|-
 
|-
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| Mr. T ate my balls! || {{w|Altair}} || [http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/ate-my-balls an Internet meme] || 1996 || 16.7 ly || 2013
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| Mr. T ate my balls! || {{w|Altair}} || Ate My Balls || 1996 <!-- see http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/ate-my-balls -->
 
|-
 
|-
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| I want the truth. – ''You can't handle the truth!'' || {{w|Delta Pavonis}} || ''{{w|A Few Good Men}}'' || 1992 || 20 ly || 2012
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| I want the truth. - You can't handle the truth! || {{w|Delta Pavonis}} || A Few Good Men || 1992
 
|-
 
|-
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| I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse. || {{w|Beta Trianguli Australis}} || ''{{w|The Godfather}}'' || 1972 || 40 ly || 2012
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| I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse. || {{w|Beta Trianguli Australis}} || The Godfather || 1972
 
|-
 
|-
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| {{w|Resistance is futile|Resistance is futile.}} || {{w|Vega}} || ''{{w|Star Trek}}'' ({{w|Borg (Star Trek)|Borg}}) || 1988 || 25 ly || 2013
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| Resistance is futile. || {{w|Vega}} || Star Trek (The Borg) || 1988
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Oh... My... Gaawd || {{w|Sigma Draconis}} || ''{{w|Friends}}'' ({{w|Janice Goralnik}}) || 1994 || 18.8 ly || 2013
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| Oh... My... Gaawd || {{w|Sigma Draconis}} || Friends (Janice Goralnik) || 1994
 
|-
 
|-
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| Ehh, what's up, Doc? || {{w|Epsilon Cygni|Gienah}} || {{w|Bugs Bunny}} || 1940 || 73 ly || 2013
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| Ehh, what's up, Doc? || {{w|Epsilon Cygni|Gienah}} || Bugs Bunny || 1940
 
|-
 
|-
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| ''EXTERMINATE!'' || {{w|Alpha Cephei|Alderamin}} || ''{{w|Doctor Who}}'' ({{w|Dalek|The Daleks}}) || 1963 || 49 ly || 2012
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| ''EXTERMINATE!'' || {{w|Alpha Cephei|Alderamin}} || Doctor Who (The Daleks) || 1963
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
==Transcript==
 
==Transcript==
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:[On a black background yellow circles and white bubbles are shown. Caption above the picture:]
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:If other star systems are listening in on our pop culture, these are the jokes and catchphrases they just learned about and are currently repeating way too much:
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:If other star systems are listening in on our pop culture, given the speed-of-light delay, these are the jokes and catchphrases they just learned about and are currently repeating way too much:
 
  
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:[On a black background a map of star systems in relation to the Sun, which is roughly in the center, sending out radio waves is shown. Each star is a yellow circle of differing sizes, with a speech bubble (or more). The list is ordered from closest to furthest.]
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*List of stars and catchphrases, see above*
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:Proxima Centauri: I'm on a boat!
 
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:Alpha Centauri A B: The cake is a lie! – ♪ Never gonna give you up ♫
 
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:Luhman 16: I can haz?
 
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:Barnard's star: Leave Britney alone! – ♫ Chocolate Raaaiiin ♫
 
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:Wolf 359: Chuck Norris doesn't sleep. He waits.
 
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:Lalande 21185: ♬ Numa numa ♪
 
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:Sirius: I still can't believe Bellatrix– – Dude, get over it.
 
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:Gliese 65:  INTERNETS!
 
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:Epsilon Eridani: Ninjas fight all the time!
 
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:Procyon: ...God kills a kitten! – A what?
 
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:Epsilon Indi: You're the man now, dog!
 
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:Tau Ceti: All your base are belong to us.
 
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:Luyten's Star: Peanut Butter Jelly Time!
 
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:Kapteyn's star: My spoon is too big!
 
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:Kruger 60: MORE COWBELL!
 
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:Gliese 1: Look at the tiny dancing Earth mammals!
 
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:Van Maanen's star: WASSSUUP!?!
 
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:Ad Leonis: Oh my God, they killed Kenny! – You bastards!
 
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:70 Ophiuchi: Welcome to Good Burger, home of the Good Burger. – What's a burger? – I don't know.
 
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:Altair: Mr. T ate my balls!
 
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:Sigma Draconis: Oh ... my ... gaawd.
 
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:Delta Pavonis: I want the truth. – You can't handle the truth!
 
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:Gliese 892: Hasta la vista, baby.
 
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:Xi Boötis: Did I do that?
 
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:HR 753: D'oh!
 
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:Beta Hydri: Yippie-ki-yay, motherfucker.
 
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:Vega: Resistance is futile.
 
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:Zeta Tucanae: Let's get ready to ruuumble!
 
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:HR 1614: Where's the beef?
 
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:Groombridge 1830: I pity the fool!
 
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:Delta Trianguli: May the Force be with you.
 
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:Beta Virginis: Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!
 
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:Arcturus: You talkin' to me ?
 
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:Beta Trianguli Australis: I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse.
 
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:Lamda Aurigae: You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?'
 
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:Capella: And now for something completely different.
 
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:HD 211415: Live long and prosper. – Ok.
 
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:Alderamin: EXTERMINATE!
 
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:51 Pegasi: Name's bond. James Bond.
 
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:Caph: Take me to your leader! – No, Steve.
 
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:Kappa Reticuli: Here's lookin' at you, kid.
 
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:Alpha Hydri: Rosebud.
 
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:Gienah: Ehh, what's up doc?
 
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:Alpha Serpentis: Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.
 
  
 
{{comic discussion}}
 
{{comic discussion}}
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[[Category:Physics]]
 +
[[Category:Language]]
 
[[Category:Comics with color]]
 
[[Category:Comics with color]]
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[[Category:Astronomy]]
 
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[[Category:Charts]]
 
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[[Category:Puns]]
 
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[[Category:Songs]]
 
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[[Category:Rickrolling]]
 
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[[Category:Fiction]]
 
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[[Category:Doctor Who]]
 
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[[Category:Star Wars]]
 
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[[Category:Star Trek]]
 
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[[Category:Harry Potter]]
 
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[[Category:Terminator]]
 

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