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We have an explanation for all 3309 xkcd comics, the 21 extra comics, and everything xkcd-related.Only 51 explanations (1.5%) are incomplete. Help us finish them!
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| Dogcatcher |
 Title text: People out here catching strays out here catching strays |
Explanation
The phrase "couldn't be elected dogcatcher" is used to refer to an incredibly unpopular subject. A dogcatcher's job (that is, an animal control officer's job) includes trapping and impounding stray dogs. “Catching strays” refers to someone receiving insults or criticism when they weren’t the subject of the conversation. wikihow It is a metaphor for being hit by stray bullets.
A dogcatcher's job (that is, an animal control officer's job) includes trapping and impounding stray dogs. But Cueball believes that the use of the metaphor is offensive to animal control officers, even though the topic is not about animal control. In the USA, many city officials are elected, not appointed. Even though dog catchers are not elected, the notion that "dog catcher" could be the lowest prestige city office continues. In recent times, the only elected dog catcher was Zeb Towne, who was elected dog catcher in Duxbury, Vermont between about 2003 and 2018. The slang term dates from the late 19th century. Wiktionary Megan then makes a pun on "strays" as in stray dogs and "strays" as in stray bullets.
The title text seems like a tautology at first glance, but is actually using the same phrase first literally and then metaphorically. It could be paraphrased as "People out here trapping feral animals, out here being randomly insulted."
Transcript
- [Ponytail, Cueball and Megan are seated at a table.]
- Ponytail: Once we break this story, he won't be able to get elected dogcatcher.
- Cueball: Why do we always use "dogcatcher" as the example of a worthless office? Animal control officers are valuable professionals.
- Cueball: It just seems unnecessarily insulting.
- Megan: Well, their job is catching strays.
This Week's Explanation for Improvement
As part of the Explanation Improvement Project, each week the community selects one older, stagnant, or otherwise neglected explanation to expand and polish together. This week's pick is comic 186: Console Lines, you can help us by editing its explanation!
To get involved with the project, you can also nominate an explanation that you think should be improved, or vote on current nominations!
| Console Lines |
 Title text: If I get a Wii, it will be the first game console I've owned. |
Explanation
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Welcome to This Week's Explanation for Improvement! Anyone is encouraged to help explain comic 186: Console Lines; click here to get started! If you are new to wiki editing, you can read our editing FAQ for guidance. Here are some suggestions for improving this explanation: .svg){kind=icon} Why are the Nintendo people more kind than the Sony/Microsoft people?
.svg){kind=icon} Why does Randall say that a Wii will be the first game console he will ever own? Are there other comics posted after this one where he says he owns a different console?
.svg){kind=icon} Improve the explanation of the double meaning of "console" in the comic.
.svg){kind=icon} Better explain the necessary historical context. How is the world different now compared to November 2006?
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This comic relates to video game consoles. At the time this comic was published, there were three major competing products: the PlayStation 3 by Sony, the Xbox 360 by Microsoft, and the Wii by Nintendo. The Wii was released on November 19, 2006, the day before this comic was published. It was Nintendo's 5th generation home console, succeeding the GameCube.
When a game console gets released, fans are often seen queueing outside the stores or camping on the pavement in order to be among the first to get their hands on a console. The comic shows such a console camp and suggests that there are differences between the fan communities. While the fans waiting in line for a Sony or Microsoft product are very rude, the Nintendo fans are apologetic and try to comfort (that is to say, console) those who arrived too late to obtain a package. There is a cliché that Nintendo fans are nicer and more polite than fans of other consoles. This may be attributed to the fact that the Wii is targeted at children and families with children, while the PS3 and the Xbox are targeted at the more "serious gamer" crowd.
Nintendo's demographic seems to have changed more recently, with newer Nintendo consoles (Switch & Switch 2) being targeted at all audiences, not just the younger age groups. Despite the changes Nintendo has implemented, elitism among Playstation, Xbox, and PC remains rampant, with players of 'superior' platforms often harassing players on Nintendo's platforms.[actual citation needed]
The comic may also contain a subtle pun on the fact that 'console' has two meanings. A game console (noun) is a device that allows you to play video games, taking control input from one or more users and displaying the progress of the game as video output. However, to console (verb) means to make someone feel better when they are upset, as those in the Wii queue are attempting to do for the latecomers.
The title text primarily expresses Randall's distance from the console wars (he has never owned a game console before), but also indicates an inclination towards the Wii, which was known for its (at the time) innovative motion controls. The fact that he indicated that alongside this comic suggests that he may have been influenced by how he perceives the Nintendo fan community. Then again, maybe Randall is just unable to get a PS3 or Xbox because of the line situation illustrated here.
Transcript
- Fans turning away latecomers to all-night game console campouts:
- [Two lines, presumably leading to video game stores, are shown, where the same two people just arrived, behind other people]
- [In the line labeled Sony/Microsoft:]
- [Cueball, Megan, and another Cueball are in line, while Cueball and Hairy are just outside of the line]
- Cueball: The line is full, asshole! Fuck off!
- [In the line labeled Nintendo:]
- [Cueball, a chair, another Cueball, a third Cueball, and Ponytail are in line, while Cueball and Hairy are just outside of the line]
- Cueball: I'm so sorry, all the consoles are spoken for.
- Cueball: Do ... do you want a hug?
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