Editing 1682: Bun

In this comic, [[Ponytail]] is teaching a class about an animal referred to as a "bun". The word "bun" is short for {{w|bunny}}, an informal term used for {{w|rabbit}} or {{w|hare}}, two animals that are often mistaken for another. The comic lampoons the many misconceptions that  exist about these animals.

Ponytail tells that buns have a {{w|hierarchy}} in which the smaller the bun, the higher its ranking is. This parodies the general tendency of people to consider kitten rabbits cuter than the adults, and therefore superior. (Cuteness is a fitness signal that encourages parental nurturing, and can, as in this case, sometimes be perceived across species boundaries). All in this sentence is utter nonsense as rabbits live in large groups with no formal hierarchy, unlike {{w|wolves}} who have very definite leaders and social structure.

In the next panel, Ponytail states that "at this time of year, a lucky few may catch a glimpse of a king bun" - referring to rabbit kittens (the smallest and thus, in the comic, the highest-ranking, hence the term "king buns") being born in Spring (when the comic was released).  

[[Megan]], who attends this biology class, expected to learn about rabbits and hares which are both {{w|Lagomorpha|lagomorphs}}, a mammalian {{w|Order (biology)|order}} that also includes the {{w|pika}}s. Megan thus clearly have the correct understanding of what a "bun" is. Ponytail then claims that the word ''bun'' is the scientific term, and states that rabbit, hare and lagomorph is the informal way to describe these animals, again being completely wrong as in reality ''bun'' is the most contracted and informal name for a rabbit.

The title text is presumably referring to photographing a rabbit and, for example, posting it on social media - something which would typically be done today if someone sees a rabbit in the wild. If the poster had failed to photograph the rabbit before it ran away, they may typically post a message saying something like "I saw a really cute bunny today!" with an {{w|emoji}} depiction of a rabbit (probably 🐇 or 🐰). This is especially common in the area where the author lives, as the urban rabbit population in the Cambridge/Somerville area has exploded, putting a large human population with relatively little previous experience with rabbit-sightings suddenly in the position of encountering them very frequently.

A teacher teaching complete nonsense is depicted in [[1519: Venus]], but there it is clearly on purpose, which is not so clear here. There is also some similarities with [[1644: Stargazing]], but there the facts are true. Recently there was also another comic about spreading misinformation about the use of language in [[1677: Contrails]].

{{w|Bun}} literally means a bakery product.  It also a popular slang for {{w|buttocks}} which, during this time of year (spring, summer), are more exposed as women start to wear bathing suits.

 

It is common (especially among teens and young adults) to make a big deal about seeing a person with an attractive quality (such as a "king bun") and photographing the person (or the person's buttocks) and sending the picture to friends. Some type of ranking system is often involved.

 

While rabbits do not have rankings or hierarchy, humans are quite clearly ranked (subconsciously, casually, or even in formal contests) by physical appearance and being fat is typically perceived as being less attractive (in the U.S. and other western cultures). Thus a person with a smaller buttocks would be ranked higher in the general case. (There is a subculture that prefers a larger buttocks on an otherwise fit person, but it would appear Ponytail does not hold this view).

 

The comment "Shh! Show respect! We look upon the image of a king!" could either mean the slide of the small rabbit or that the speaker finds Ponytail's buttocks to be especially attractive.

:[Two rabbits are shown, one slightly smaller, and a greater than symbol is pointed at the smaller one. Ponytail is talking off panel to the left. Note that hierarchy may be misspelled intentionally.]

:[Two normal sized rabbits are sitting left and right of a very small rabbit. The smaller rabbit appears to give off a radiant light indicated with gray and white alternating rays going through the image. It is indicated that is shines on the larger rabbits as they are gray on the side turned away from the smaller rabbit and white on the front turned towards it. Ponytail narrates above the frame of this half sized panel:]

:Megan: Ok, hang on.

:Student #2 (off-panel) : I'll check online.

:Student #3 (off-panel): ''Shh!'' Show respect! We look upon the image of a king!

*In the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/archive/2/2c/20160518175345!bun.png original version] the word ''hierarchy'' in the 2nd panel was misspelled as ''h'''ei'''rarchy''.

:::The word "hierarchy" is misspelled in the comic as "heirarchy", which is most likely intentional to evoke the pronunciation "hare-rarchy", as in "a hierarchy of hares". It might also be a portmanteau of "heir" and "hierarchy", reflecting the highest status being accorded to the youngest rabbits.

:*This was obviously not the case but a good example of how much comics are over analyzed here on explain xkcd...

*In [[1663: Garden]], the rabbit image had the filename "[http://xkcd.com/1663/art/2x-important-bun.png important-bun.png]":  

**[[File:Garden Important bun.png]]