Difference between revisions of "324: Tapping"

Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb.
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(Explanation: incomplete. Not because it's short, some parts belonging to Cueball are missing, and language (to relate to))
(Transcript)
 
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==Explanation==
 
==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Not because it's short, some parts belonging to Cueball are missing, and language (to relate to)}}
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In the first panel, [[Cueball]] makes the chance observation that tapping different points on a desk's surface results in different pitches being produced, a consequence of the desk's different {{w|Acoustic_resonance|resonant frequencies}} at these points. He soon learns that by using the pitches produced, he can replicate the [https://youtube.com/watch?v=-NqaupGcCpw well-known theme music] to the film {{w|Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park}}. The third panel depicts that, given a lack of other entertaining stimuli, Cueball soon becomes engrossed in his newly discovered musical instrument, and his music grows in complexity.
This is something to relate to, and a fun observation about part of human nature. Sadly, Cueball doesn't feel like telling Megan what he did, and just gives her an empty answer.
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This is a fun observation about part of human nature, to which many people can relate. Sadly, Cueball doesn't feel like telling Megan what he did, and instead, he just gives her an empty answer. Cueball perhaps feels, as [[Randall Munroe|Randall]] suggests in the title text, that he could not explain why the tapping activity was fun in its own right and not just a consequence of boredom, so he avoids having to explain in the first instance.
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Other comics have shown the idea of feeling embarrassed by what one likes, to the point of refusing to admit that one likes it.  Examples are [[245: Floor Tiles]] and the title text of [[1103: Nine]].
  
 
==Transcript==
 
==Transcript==
 
:[Cueball is sitting at a desk, tapping various parts of it.]
 
:[Cueball is sitting at a desk, tapping various parts of it.]
:Cueball: Hey, I can get different pitches by tapping on different parts of the desk.
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:Cueball [thinking]: Hey, I can get different pitches by tapping on different parts of the desk.
 +
:''Tap Tap''
 +
:''Tap Tap''
 +
 
 
:[Cueball starts tapping faster, with both hands.]
 
:[Cueball starts tapping faster, with both hands.]
:Cueball: Sweet, I can do the Jurassic park theme!
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:Cueball [thinking]: Sweet, I can do the Jurassic Park theme!
:[Cueball taps very rapidly.]
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:''Tap Tap''
 +
:''Tap Tap''
 +
:''Tap Tap Tap''
 +
 
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:[Cueball taps the desk very rapidly, legs crossed.]
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:''Tap Tap Tap''
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:''Tap Tap Tap''
 +
:''Tap Tap''
 +
:''Tap Tap''
 +
:''Tap Tap''
 +
:''Tap Tap''
 +
 
 
:[Later, elsewhere.]
 
:[Later, elsewhere.]
 
:Megan: So, what did you do all afternoon?
 
:Megan: So, what did you do all afternoon?

Latest revision as of 02:34, 15 November 2022

Tapping
Sometimes the best fun looks like boredom.
Title text: Sometimes the best fun looks like boredom.

Explanation[edit]

In the first panel, Cueball makes the chance observation that tapping different points on a desk's surface results in different pitches being produced, a consequence of the desk's different resonant frequencies at these points. He soon learns that by using the pitches produced, he can replicate the well-known theme music to the film Jurassic Park. The third panel depicts that, given a lack of other entertaining stimuli, Cueball soon becomes engrossed in his newly discovered musical instrument, and his music grows in complexity.

This is a fun observation about part of human nature, to which many people can relate. Sadly, Cueball doesn't feel like telling Megan what he did, and instead, he just gives her an empty answer. Cueball perhaps feels, as Randall suggests in the title text, that he could not explain why the tapping activity was fun in its own right and not just a consequence of boredom, so he avoids having to explain in the first instance.

Other comics have shown the idea of feeling embarrassed by what one likes, to the point of refusing to admit that one likes it. Examples are 245: Floor Tiles and the title text of 1103: Nine.

Transcript[edit]

[Cueball is sitting at a desk, tapping various parts of it.]
Cueball [thinking]: Hey, I can get different pitches by tapping on different parts of the desk.
Tap Tap
Tap Tap
[Cueball starts tapping faster, with both hands.]
Cueball [thinking]: Sweet, I can do the Jurassic Park theme!
Tap Tap
Tap Tap
Tap Tap Tap
[Cueball taps the desk very rapidly, legs crossed.]
Tap Tap Tap
Tap Tap Tap
Tap Tap
Tap Tap
Tap Tap
Tap Tap
[Later, elsewhere.]
Megan: So, what did you do all afternoon?
Cueball: Hung out.


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Discussion

- What can we learn from this? - I've learned that even when we are bored, we can still find lessons all around us. Such as a lesson in variable density of any surface (in this case, wood) and a new method of entertainment (thank you Mr. XKCD). - E-inspired (talk) 16:40, 28 February 2013 (UTC)

I expected a veloceraptor. Just saying.--173.245.56.162 11:33, 8 May 2015 (UTC)


where can I get a desk like this? 172.68.141.64 21:47, 6 April 2017 (UTC)