Difference between revisions of "222: Small Talk"

Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb.
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(Adding Category: Social interactions)
(Explanation: ref to new interaction category)
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The title text shows that Cueball was more interested in accuracy than the ease of the conversation, simply out of respect for his friend.
 
The title text shows that Cueball was more interested in accuracy than the ease of the conversation, simply out of respect for his friend.
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 +
This was one of the earliest examples of problems with social interactions for Cueball (or [[Randall]]). Since this comic it has been a [[:Category:Social interactions|recurring theme]] on xkcd. It is especially similar to the much later [[1961: Interaction]].
  
 
==Transcript==
 
==Transcript==

Revision as of 16:33, 3 March 2018

Small Talk
But surely I owe you an accurate answer!
Title text: But surely I owe you an accurate answer!

Explanation

Cueball is approached by his friend who offers the standard greeting of, "What's Up? How've you been?" In standard "small talk," an appropriate answer would be only one or two words (e.g. "Fine", "Pretty good"). These are generally positive responses, with negative ones only offered in extreme circumstances. In this situation, Cueball forgets that this type of answer is what his friend is expecting. Instead, he contemplates thoroughly on his condition, wanting to provide accurate, detailed information to his friend. His response sheds light on the many layers of meaning a simple question such as "What's up?" can have. His friend, thrown off by the delayed response, snaps to regain Cueball's attention and reminds him that they are having a conversation, which is best facilitated by the standard short responses.

The title text shows that Cueball was more interested in accuracy than the ease of the conversation, simply out of respect for his friend.

This was one of the earliest examples of problems with social interactions for Cueball (or Randall). Since this comic it has been a recurring theme on xkcd. It is especially similar to the much later 1961: Interaction.

Transcript

Sometimes I forget how to do small talk.
Friend: Hey!
Cueball: Hey, man!
Friend: What's up? How've you been?
Cueball: Well...
[Three identical frames indicate time passes.]
Friend snaps fingers
Friend: Uh, you ok?
Cueball: Yeah! It's just an interesting question. I'm trying to decide what best sums up my--
Friend: Hey. Conversation.
Cueball: Oh, right. I'm fine. You?


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Discussion

You know, Dr. Manhattan had a response to the question "What's up?" 84.251.27.117 22:55, 27 September 2013 (UTC)

Apparently, this is common in German speaking countries. When asked "how are you?" many will give long, detailed, accurate answers. -- 173.245.50.144 (talk) (please sign your comments with ~~~~)

Wow, the earliest social interactions comic. Herobrine (talk) 08:18, 13 April 2018 (UTC)