explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

2497: Logic Gates

2021-08-03T15:56:09Z

141.101.98.218: Undo revision 215961 by 172.69.62.242 (talk) Not '''not''', it's the '''n''' only, thankyou!

{{comic
| number = 2497
| date = August 2, 2021
| title = Logic Gates
| image = logic_gates.png
| titletext = In C, the multiocular O represents the bitwise norxondor gorgonax.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a SILICON LOGIC GATE TO A DIFFERENT DIMENSION. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

The comic lists logic gates. The first six are real, but the last six are made up and get increasingly absurd. The names for these last six are made up of the same letters and syllables as the first six so as to be consistent with their naming conventions.

An AND gate outputs true if and only if both inputs are true. (Inputs 1 '''and''' 2 must be true.) By convention it is a symbol with a flat input end leading to a semicircular output end.

An OR gate outputs true if one or the other or both of the inputs are true. (Input 1 '''or''' 2 may be true.) By convention it is a symbol with a concave input edge leading to an output end resembling a gothic pointed-arch, reorientated as required.

A NOT gate outputs true if and only if the input is false. (The sole input must '''not''' be true.) The convention for the isolated NOT gate is to be a triangle (reminiscent of a diode or op-amp comparitor), that conspiciously points in the direction of logical passage, tipped with the small circle that is considered a short-cut for ''not''ness in other relevent symbols.

A NOR gate outputs true if and only if both inputs are false. (Neither 1 '''nor''' 2 must be true; alternately interpreted as it must '''n'''ot be true that either 1 '''or''' 2 are true.) The symbol is the OR shape with the NOT-circle at its tip.

A XOR (short for “eXclusive OR”) gate outputs true if one, or the other, but not both of the inputs are true. (Mutually e'''x'''cusively, either 1 '''or''' 2 must be true.) This symbol is the standard OR one but with a further concave line stood-off slightly from the usual one to connect to the input lines.

A NAND (short for “Not AND”) gate outputs true if one or the other or both of the inputs is false. (It must '''n'''ot be true that both 1 '''and''' 2 are true.) The symbol is the AND gate with the NOT-circle at its tip.

The only real-life logic gate that was omitted is the XNOR gate (short for “eXclusive Not OR”; it compares the inputs, and if and only if they are equal, it outputs true). Note that the "NORG XORT" gate would be logically equivalent to it if it were pointy, since it would then be an XNOR gate with NOT on both inputs, a modification that has no ultimate effect on the logic as it merely switches the case of which exclusivity it needs to be, and does not care which version of same-input it might be responding to.

A double-NOT on an input would produce the identical output again (...if the input is '''not not''' true). Two NOTs preapplied to a (N)AND or (N)OR would produce the same output as a (further-)NOTted version of the (N)OR or (N)AND, conversly (...if '''not'''-1 '''and''' '''not'''-2 then this also means that neither 1 '''nor''' 2). Normally this would would be shown, if necessary, as full NOT gates on the lead-in inputs but (see Transcript, below, and the NORG XORT description above) the shortcut element is occasionally used in further mix'n'match symbology (together with reinterpreting connectivity lines as partial shape-edges and vice-versa) in 'understandable' but definitely non-standard ways.

Along with the deliberate confusion of connector and shape-edge lines, directionality is also played with in several cases, with input 'ends' perhaps also at the (implied) output end and reversed sub-symbols implying a composite gate with substructural feedback or perhaps diode-rectification upon a bidirectional logic path.

Much like [[2360: Common Star Types]], as the list progresses, the names start to sound more like mythical creatures, closing with the "Norxondor gorgonax". As with the symbology, the names appear to be nonsensical recombinations of the standard ones (perhaps with off-subject inspirations, in some cases) but often do not match up with the symbolic (mis)use, such as an X in the name not implying/being implied by an XOR's unique drawn feature.

In the title text [[Randall]] claims that in the {{w|C (programming language)|programming language C}} the {{w|multiocular O}} (ꙮ) character is used to represent the bitwise version of the last operator Norxondor gorgonax (presumably ꙮꙮ represents the non-bitwise version), fitting as the multiocular O is used to refer to "many-eyed {{w|seraphim}}" (i.e. angels) in some religious literature. {{w|Gorgon}}s (beige or otherwise) have heads covered with snakes instead of hair, and so possess multiple eyes, the most famous was known as {{w|Medusa}} (which was [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/e5/1608_1088x1074y_Medusa_and_floating_earth.png depicted] in [[1608: Hoverboard]]).

C is a low level programming language, and as such, it has many operations that correspond to logical (i. e. bitwise) operations. These contrast with operations that work in a non-bitwise way. For example, "&&" is the non-bitwise "AND" operator that takes the operands as a whole, while "&" is the bitwise "AND" that combines the respective bits of its two inputs independently before spitting out the new single composite value the output bits represent. In non-bitwise operations, 0 always represents "FALSE", while any non-zero value means "TRUE" for inputs, and 1 is used to represent TRUE for outputs. Thus, "14 && 3" gives the result 1: TRUE AND TRUE -> TRUE. In the bitwise operation, using the same values, the decimal value 14 has the binary value 1110 and the decimal value 3 has the binary value 0011, and for this example we get:

1110 = 14
& 0011 = 3
0010 = 2

==Transcript==
:[The comic shows a chart with twelve electronic logic gates arranged in three rows of four. Each gate is depicted as a schematic symbol, with a label underneath. Above them is a header:]
:Common logic gate symbols

:[Here below follows a description of the 12 gates in the three rows, with their label given beneath each description:]

:[A standard gate symbol used in real life. Two inputs on the left lead to the vertical left edge of a solid D-shaped symbol. From the right side of the D there is one output.]
:AND gate

:[A standard gate symbol used in real life. Two inputs on the left lead to a convex-crescent left edge of a crescent-shaped symbol. The right side of the crescent symbol's shape forms a point at its output. From the right side of the crescent there is one output.]
:OR gate

:[A standard gate symbol used in real life. One input leads to a triangular symbol pointing to the right. There is a small bubble symbol connected to the triangle on the output, which leads right.]
:NOT gate

:[A standard gate symbol used in real life. This is identical to the OR GATE, except the output has a bubble attached, like the NOT GATE's output.)
:NOR gate

:[A standard gate symbol used in real life. This is identical to the OR GATE, except the left-hand arc at the input has a double-stroked line.]
:XOR gate

:[A standard gate symbol used in real life. This is identical to the AND GATE, except the output has a bubble attached, like the NOT GATE's output.]
:NAND gate

:[An unusual symbol. This symbol has one input on the left leading to a convex-crescent left edge, like the OR GATE. The output side as a smooth crescent like the AND GATE but has two outputs.]
:NORX gate

:[An unusual symbol. This symbol has two inputs on the left leading to a vertical left edge input, like the AND GATE. The output side has a convex-crescent double-stroked output like the mirror image of the XOR GATE's input. There are two outputs.]
:GAND ate

:[An unusual symbol. This resembles the NOT GATE except there are two inputs instead of one leading into the left side.]
:XAND gort

:[An unusual symbol. This has a double-stroked convex-crescent input like the XOR GATE, but the two inputs have bubbles attached. The single output has a smooth crescent shape with a bubble, like a NAND GATE.]
:NORG xort

:[An unusual symbol. Two inputs lead to a convex-crescent edge, and the two lines of this symbol now enter a double-stroked convex-crescent input like the XOR GATE. The two lines of -this- symbol have bubbles placed half way across their horizontal length, and are presumably the outputs.]
:ANDORX gant

:[An unusual symbol. The symbol is identical to the NOR GATE, except the upper and lower horizontal parts of the symbols hull have a NOT GATE placed on them - one pointing to the left on the upper line, and to the right on the lower line. There is one output to the symbol, with a bubble attached.]
:NORXONDOR gorgonax

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Charts]]
[[Category:Programming]]

2493: Dual USB-C

2021-07-29T17:24:44Z

141.101.98.218: Unless I missed some drama don't see how USBC is controversial - sure it's still not replaced everything it's supposed to, but holdouts are due to cost and compatibility and not an issue with USBC itself.

{{comic
| number = 2493
| date = July 23, 2021
| title = Dual USB-C
| image = dual_usb_c.png
| titletext = Small devices use two-prong USB-AC, but there's also a three-prong version with a USB-B plug as the ground.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a USB-DC PLUG. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
This comic shows Cursed Connectors #187, indicating that there are many very bad types of connectors and that this comic could be the first in a series of Cursed Connectors, just like the [[:Category:Bad Map Projections|Bad Map Projections]] series. It did indeed turn out that this became the first in a new series [[Category:Cursed Connectors|Cursed Connectors]], as the next Cursed Connectors comic came out only two comics later with [[2495: Universal Seat Belt]]; only time will tell if this series continues as with the Bad Map Projections.

Starting roughly around 2016, the word {{w|Cursed image|"cursed"}} has become slang for something that makes the user feel uncomfortable (unlike the classic definition, nothing {{w|Curse|supernatural}} needs to cause the discomfort).

{{w|USB-C}} connectors are the newest version of the {{w|USB|USB standard}}, and Randall showcases a new type of connector which would see two USB-C plugs side-by-side able to be inserted simultaneously by housing them inside a {{w|NEMA_connector#NEMA_1|NEMA 1-15P}} plug, more commonly known as a Type A plug, that is usually used in some countries to connect electrical devices to AC current. This does not seem to offer any advantages over the current implementation.

Further, the plug introduces several disadvantages, including, but not limited to
*The plug creates the risk of accidentally plugging a USB-C device into a power outlet, which is likely to damage the device as the voltage of a NEMA 1 circuit is about six times as large as the maximum for USB-C. Additionally, mains power outlets typically supply {{w|Alternating_current|alternating current}}, whilst USB devices operate on {{w|Direct_current|direct current}}, which is also likely to result in damage to the device.
*The outer metal casings of the plugs are usually connected to the device's ground plane, so the casings likely have a low-resistance path between them. Plugging such a device into a power outlet would form a short circuit.
*The plug likely won't fit a power outlet (NEMA plug pins have a 6.4×1.5 mm cross-section and the USB-C is 8.4×2.6 mm.). This is probably good, as it reduces the risk of either of the two hazardous situations described above.
*Any device meant to be connected to the full plug would need vertical ports, making any theoretical device quite thick.
*The plug could occupy 6+ ports of a USB-C hub with vertical ports, taking up the space to charge 2-6 phones with a single device.
*The plug being mimicked is typically not found in a double male configuration implying that the cord is attached to a device at the other end in a non removable way (Typically, the other end of detachable power cords for appliances is one of the plugs specified in the {{w|IEC_60320|IEC 60320}} standard, so presumably for Randall's connector application would substitute USB-C sockets in a C9 or similar configuration.)

The connector therefore is considered cursed.

Notably, there's an existing [https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1520/4366/products/type-c-dual-multimedia-adapter-multi-ports-satechi-340267_1024x.jpg?v=1595892279 dual USB-C plug] in use for Macbook-compatible high-performance dongles, among other things, which is remarkably similar but avoids all the above disadvantages. It instead invites confusion with the {{w|NEMA_connector#NEMA_6|NEMA 6-15}} connectors.

The title text indicates that an equivalent for the 3-pronged {{w|NEMA_connector#NEMA_5|NEMA 5-15P}} plug (a.k.a the Type B plug) for AC current could be created easily by incorporating a USB-B plug, which are small and square-shaped and could therefore function as the ground prong. There appears to be no reason to do this other than because both names contain the letter 'B'.

Unconventional uses for electric plugs are a recurring topic in xkcd (see [[1293: Job Interview]] and [[1395: Power Cord]]). Combining them with USB was previously explored in [[1406: Universal Converter Box]] among other combinations.

==Transcript==
:[A power cord like plug with two prongs is shown, but each prong is in the shape of USB-C connectors. Above is a title and below is a label.]
:Cursed Connectors #187
:Dual USB-C

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Cursed Connectors]]

2493: Dual USB-C

2021-07-25T16:10:36Z

141.101.98.218: /* Explanation */ Super-reduplicated [s removed.

{{comic
| number = 2493
| date = July 23, 2021
| title = Dual USB-C
| image = dual_usb_c.png
| titletext = Small devices use two-prong USB-AC, but there's also a three-prong version with a USB-B plug as the ground.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a USB-DC PLUG. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
This comic shows Cursed Connectors #187, indicating that there are many very bad types of connectors and that this comic could be the first in a series of Cursed Connectors, just like the [[:Category:Bad Map Projections|Bad Map Projections]] series. Only time will tell if this actually becomes a series like with the map projections.

{{w|USB-C}} connectors are the newest version of the {{w|USB|USB standard}}, and were controversial on launch{{citation needed}} for reasons [[Randall]] previously covered in [[927: Standards]]. Randall proposes a new type of connector which would see two USB plugs side-by-side able to be inserted simultaneously by housing them inside a {{w|NEMA_connector#NEMA_1|NEMA 1-15P}} plug, more commonly known as a Type A plug, that is usually used in the United States and other American countries to connect electrical devices to AC current. This does not seem to offer any advantages other than reviving the controversy.

Further, the plug introduces several disadvantages, including, but not limited to
*The plug creates the risk of accidentally plugging a USB-C device into a power outlet, which is likely to damage the device as the voltage of a NEMA 1 circuit is about six times as large as the maximum for USB-C. Additionally, mains power outlets typically supply {{w|Alternating_current|alternating current}}, whilst USB devices operate on {{w|Direct_current|direct current}}, which is also likely to result in damage to the device.
*The outer metal casings of the plugs are usually connected to the device's ground plane, so the casings likely have a low-resistance path between them. Plugging such a device into a power outlet would form a short circuit.
*The plug likely won't fit a power outlet (NEMA plug pins have a 6.4×1.5 mm cross-section and the USB-C is 8.4×2.6 mm.)
*Any device meant to be connected to the full plug would need vertical ports, making any theoretical device quite thick.
*The plug could occupy 6+ ports of a USB-C hub with vertical ports, taking up the space to charge 2-6 phones with a single device.
*The plug being mimicked is typically not found in a double male configuration implying that the cord is attached to a device at the other end in a non removable way (Typically, the other end of detachable power cords for appliances is one of the plugs specified in the {{w|IEC_60320|IEC 60320}} standard, so presumably for Randall's connector application would substitute USB-C sockets in a C9 or similar configuration.)

The connector therefore is considered cursed.

Notably, there's an existing [https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1520/4366/products/type-c-dual-multimedia-adapter-multi-ports-satechi-340267_1024x.jpg?v=1595892279 dual USB-C plug] in use for Macbook-compatible high-performance dongles, among other things, which is remarkably similar but avoids all the above disadvantages.

The title text indicates that an equivalent for the 3-pronged {{w|NEMA_connector#NEMA_5|NEMA 5-15P}} plug (a.k.a the Type B plug) for AC current could be created easily by incorporating a USB-B plug, which are small and square-shaped and could therefore function as the ground prong. There appears to be no reason to do this other than because both names contain the letter 'B'.

Unconventional uses for electric plugs are a recurring topic in xkcd (see [[1293: Job Interview]] and [[1395: Power Cord]]). Combining them with USB was previously explored in [[1406: Universal Converter Box]] among other combinations.

==Transcript==
:[A power cord like plug with two prongs is shown, but each prong is in the shape of USB-C connectors. Above is a title and below a lable.]
:Cursed Connectors #187
:Dual USB-C

{{comic discussion}}

2447: Hammer Incident

2021-04-08T13:11:24Z

141.101.98.218: /* Explanation */ A little more refinement (not yet mentioned ultrafrozen ice-cream globs probably doing more than stain, though, as it adheres in frozen lumps).

{{comic
| number = 2447
| date = April 7, 2021
| title = Hammer Incident
| image = hammer incident normal.png
| titletext = I still think the Cold Stone Creamery partnership was a good idea, but I should have asked before doing the first market trials during the cryogenic mirror tests.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by: Grey Hat. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

The {{w|James Webb Space Telescope}} (JWST) is a {{w|space telescope}} created to be the successor of the {{w|Hubble Space Telescope}} under construction at time of publishing and expected to launch in October 2021.

It's implied that Cueball dropped a hammer on the mirror of the JWST, and breaking mirrors in superstition causes seven years of bad luck. But since the mirror panel is not made of glass it is likely that a dropped hammer would dent and distort the panel rather than shatter it.

NASA is quite angry as the telescope was very expensive (current estimate US$10 billion). However, Cueball is more concerned about the fact that he has 7 years of bad luck. Cueball seems be on trial for breaking a very expensive piece of equipment. The trial seems to be conducted by NASA, given the caption below.

The title text refers to the ice cream chain {{w|Cold Stone Creamery}}. Since the cryocooler of the JWST cools things down to 7K (-266.15°C, or -447.07°F), it would be a bit of an overkill. Cold Stone Creamery mixes ice cream with various other ingredients, such as fruit or candy, in front of the customer before serving it to the customer. The usual surface for mixing is a piece of metal or marble which is kept quite cold (about -10 C), but nowhere as cold as components of the JWST. If Cueball had tried mixing his ice cream and flavourings, in the style of Cold Stone Creamery, on the JWST, it would have messed up the surfaces on the telescope, perhaps have gotten into the instrumentation. If it was the finely polished reflective surfaces, he may end up scratching and/or staining them beyond usability. Possibly, due to the localised temperature differential from ice-cream hundreds of degrees ''warmer'' than the material, promoted damaging distortions/fractures.

The JWST has previously been mentioned in [[2014: JWST Delays]], [[1730: Starshade]], and [[1461: Payloads]]

For some reason, the image for this comic is very large (4332×4838px). This is probably a mistake, as the double-resolution version [https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/hammer_incident_2x.png] is significantly smaller at 578×645px.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
:[Cueball stands before a seated panel of four people (Ponytail, Hairy, a second Cueball and Hairbun).]
:Cueball: Yes, I know you're mad that I dropped that hammer.
:Cueball: But think about me—
:Cueball: '''''Seven years of bad luck!'''''
:[Caption below the panel]:
:Man, NASA is really on my case about the James Webb Space Telescope.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairbun]]
[[Category:Multiple Cueballs]]
[[Category:Telescopes]]

Talk:2446: Spike Proteins

2021-04-06T22:31:45Z

141.101.98.218: /* Moist Corona */

I got my 1st dose today. My apartment is swarming with spike proteins. [[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 01:17, 6 April 2021 (UTC)
:My Dad got his second dose on Thursday & got allll the usual symptoms. He's not on antibiotics, but his breath smells like the taste of antibiotics to me. I swear, dogs aren't the only ones that can smell a body's reaction to coronavirus (and also, for reference, cancer ''stinks'').
:[[User:ProphetZarquon|ProphetZarquon]] ([[User talk:ProphetZarquon|talk]]) 16:39, 6 April 2021 (UTC)

Can someone here create a "COVID-19 vaccine" category (as a subcategory of COVID-19)? Randall has been posting a lot of vaccine-related comics recently. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.35.113|172.69.35.113]] 02:11, 6 April 2021 (UTC)

I don't think the description as it is right now is very accurate. It seems to be stating that the spike protein is a normal protein normally produced by humans, rather than a protein used by SARS-CoV-2 (and likely other similar viruses (virii?) to aid in their infection. In this case, beret guy has gotten an MRNA vaccine (either Moderna or Pfizer), so has given his cells the recipe to make this spike protein for themselves, until the immune system realizes it shouldn't be there. [[User:PotatoGod|PotatoGod]] ([[User talk:PotatoGod|talk]]) 07:08, 6 April 2021 (UTC)

== Off topic ==

I'm a bit suprised there was no Ever Given comic... [[Special:Contributions/162.158.111.161|162.158.111.161]] 13:45, 6 April 2021 (UTC)
:It's been delayed by two weeks, by having been sent round Africa...
:(Srsly, though, if the sufficient dose of inspiration hasn't happened - and it's not his usual geek-out topic - then it's no more likely to be mentioned than (say) Brexit issues seriously messing with exports, especially of foodstuffs. And I think the US is largely proof from Suez (or Channel) cargo movements, so may not be on the radar. Chip shortages, etc, are likely from C19 disruptions, not from the otherwise unaffected trans-Pacific shipping.) [[Special:Contributions/162.158.159.108|162.158.159.108]] 22:28, 6 April 2021 (UTC)

== Moist Corona ==
As a new 'image' of the Corona virus has recently been used in a scientific publication (as discussed in https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/moist-coronavirus-image/ ), showing a 'moist' Corona virus, I got the impression that the "Why is it so wet?" part of the comic refers to this. (Otherwise it seems like a remark coming out of nowhere.) Of course, at the normal scale of a virus, 'wet' and 'dry' don't really mean anything, but as 'images' of the virus are mostly artistic representations anyway, there's no reason not to show them as 'moist'. (Unsigned addition by 162.158.92.102)
:That article has the odd assertion that "it’s important to remember that art is objective." I think they mean "subjective". [[User:BunsenH|BunsenH]] ([[User talk:BunsenH|talk]]) 17:25, 6 April 2021 (UTC)
:I subject to such a misuse of terms! [[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.218|141.101.98.218]] 22:31, 6 April 2021 (UTC)

== Does anyone know why this is incomplete? ==

Without information, nobody knows which part needs fixing. If anyone knows why this is incomplete, please post the reason here or, even better, in the incomplete tag. If nobody can provide a satisfactory answer, maybe we should consider removing the incomplete tag. '''Note that I am posting this exact same text on other comics of questionable incompleteness. It's not spamming, it's a conscious attempt to clean this category up.''' [[User talk:Quillathe Siannodel|{)|(}]][[User:Quillathe_Siannodel|Quill]][[User talk:Quillathe Siannodel|{)|(}]] 18:15, 6 April 2021 (UTC)

:It's marked as "incomplete" because it's new and still under active revision. I don't know if there's a formal criterion set down anywhere, but I don't think it would be appropriate to remove that tag from any page that's been repeatedly edited in the previous ten days or so. [[User:BunsenH|BunsenH]] ([[User talk:BunsenH|talk]]) 18:33, 6 April 2021 (UTC) EDIT: I find it especially eyebrow-raising when someone edits a page ''and'' removes that tag at the same time. If I edit a page, I ''want'' at least one more pair of eyeballs to check what I've done. As opposed to the implied "Now that I have made my changes, the page is in its final form."

Talk:2440: Epistemic Uncertainty

2021-03-23T14:31:01Z

141.101.98.218:

I definitely thought "adulterer" referred to someone who commits adultery, as in cheating on one's spouse. I thought it was a secondary joke, introducing another person referred to as "[name] the [undesirable action]er".
[[Special:Contributions/172.69.170.56|172.69.170.56]] 02:03, 23 March 2021 (UTC)
:"Adulterer" and "adulterator" have different definitions - to "adulterate" a substance is to mix it with an unintended additive. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.135.234|172.69.135.234]] 06:46, 23 March 2021 (UTC)
Is the "George" referred to here possibly the name of black hat?
:I doubt it. The hat silhouette is not the same pork pie hat as Black Hat [[Special:Contributions/172.68.86.20|172.68.86.20]] 04:34, 23 March 2021 (UTC)

The name "Evangeline" could be a reference to how "Eve" is usually the name of a hypothetical hacker used when teaching people about computer science. You know, that whole "Alice sends Bob a private message but Eve wants to read it" thing. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.245.122|108.162.245.122]] 05:22, 23 March 2021 (UTC)

I wrote a long explanation of confidence intervals but realised that the study type depicted on the graphs is probably meta-analysis (hence the horizontal scatter plot) rather than single RCT as in my explanation. Got to go, will come back and amend it later if nobody else has. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.165.52|162.158.165.52]] 06:55, 23 March 2021 (UTC)

I have a feeling that George the Data Tamperer might be a reference to the classic [https://reallyreallyreallytrying.tumblr.com/post/40033025233/average-person-eats-3-spiders-a-year-factoid Spiders Georg], since it's about statistical error brought about by a guy named Georg(e). [[User:LemmaEOF|LemmaEOF]] ([[User talk:LemmaEOF|talk]]) 09:07, 23 March 2021 (UTC)

It may be no coincidence that this was posted very shortly after the US/Americas study that announced that the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine was 79% effective against symptomatic Covid. Although maybe adapted to 74% to not inadvertently suggest (for some) an actual equivalence to George, etc. Yes, 74% could come from a lot of places (and it also looks intrinsically more funny, in a 42-ish way, whilst remaining credible as a faux-result to be proud of), but I think its well within the bounds of statistical probability. Or George. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.218|141.101.98.218]] 14:31, 23 March 2021 (UTC)

2438: Siri

2021-03-18T00:44:49Z

141.101.98.218: If we're accepting of either/both of these, might as well correct the usual punctuation placement...

{{comic
| number = 2438
| date = March 17, 2021
| title = Siri
| image = siri.png
| titletext = Alexa defeated her in a battle hinging on the ability to set multiple timers.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a BATTLE ALEXA. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

[[Science Girl]] thanks [[wikipedia:Siri|Siri]] on her smartphone for setting an alarm. In the next panel, she asks [[Cueball]] "Is Siri alive?", since AI assistants can seem to be almost human on a very superficial level. Cueball answers "No", since Siri is just software, and we don't generally attribute life to computer programs (the closest might be [[wikipedia:computer virus|computer viruses]], since they replicate).

Then Science Girl asks "How did she die?". She may have already been treating Siri as alive because she could talk to 'her', and treats this lack-of-life as a new state of being. So rather than interpreting the answer in a philosophical sense of whether Siri is something that ever ''can'' be alive, which might normally have been presupposed, she treats it as meaning that Siri had (just) expired. This may require a credulous certainty of 'facts' taken literally - it is not clear what could then be understood if Siri were 'proven' to be alive and talking again, afterwards.

Or perhaps she thinks that the software Siri is a software embodiment of an actual person, and Cueball was talking about the original person. We don't currently have the technology to upload a person's personality into a computer,{{Citation needed}} but it's a popular science fiction trope and many scientists think we will eventually be able to do this.{{Citation needed}}

The title text explains that Siri died in a battle with [[wikipedia:Amazon Alexa|Alexa]], another personal assistant, hinging on their abilities to set alarms. Of the many actions that these programs are able to perform, this is probably one of the more trivial, so it's not very comprehensible, at least to those not themselves living as digital assistants, that it would be the chosen method for a duel to the death.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

:[Science Girl is standing and holding a phone.]
:Phone: ''Your timer is set.''
:Science Girl: Thanks

:[Science Girl is talking to Cueball, who is sitting at a desk using a laptop.]
:Science Girl: Is Siri ''alive?''
:Cueball: No.

:[Science Girl is standing on her own again.]
:Science Girl: Oh, ok.

:[Science Girl is still standing on her own.]
:Science Girl: How did she die?

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Science Girl]]
[[Category:Smartphones]]

2436: Circles

2021-03-15T12:52:23Z

141.101.98.218: /* Transcript */ Typo corrected, and clarifying about the clarification. (I think it's more detail than needed, but might as well get it spick and span.)

{{comic
| number = 2436
| date = March 12, 2021
| title = Circles
| image = circles.png
| titletext = ( MSTE ( AR ) CD )
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by CIRCULAR REFERENCES. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
The comic depicts five overlapping circles, themselves encircled by circles of various sizes which enclose two, four, or all five of the smaller overlapping circles. Several well-known logos consist of overlapping circles, and the larger circles reference these logos. These are: {{w|Mastercard}}, which consists of two side-by-side overlapping circles; {{w|Audi}}, which is four side-by-side overlapping circles, and the {{w|Olympic Rings}}, which are five topologically linked rings in a "W" shaped pattern.

The diagram deliberately does not differentiate between the {{w|Euler diagram}} of circular 'areas of belonging' and the circles that are the things that belong, save for labels on the former that do not appear as a belonged component of any other set-circled illustration.{{Citation needed}} Without this common knowledge, though, ''they conceivably might''.

The five circles in the diagram is drawn as the Olympic logo. The two that represents the Mastercard logo, is tilted, but could be turned to match the real Mastercard logo. However, the audi logo has the four rings in a line. This means that it is not the geometry but only the number of overlapping circles that is indicated in the diagram.

The comic was released only about four months before the postponed {{w|2020 Summer Olympics}} was scheduled to start on 23 July 2021. It was {{w|2020_Summer_Olympics#Postponement_to_2021|postponed}} because of the {{w|2019-20 coronavirus outbreak|2020 pandemic}} of the {{w|coronavirus}} {{w|SARS-CoV-2}}, which causes {{w|COVID-19}}, which has spawned a [[:Category:COVID-19|series]] of comic on xkcd. At the time of release of this comic the postponed Games still had support to go ahead as scheduled from, for instance, the {{w|Group of Seven|G7}} countries.

The title text is a textual representation of the Mastercard name as an Euler diagram containing the letters in the words "master" and "card" — A and R are shared by both, while MSTE and CD are unique to their respective elements. The basic Mastercard logo, from its development in the 1970s until earlier this century, placed the letters E and R upon the overlap of the two circles across which its name was emblazoned, but has since reverted to writing the whole of its various brand names beyond the circled areas, so now ''none'' of the characters could be considered to be members of either/both circles.

<gallery>
Mastercard 2019 logo.svg|Current Mastercard logo
MasterCard Logo.svg|Previous MasterCard logo (used until 2016)
Audi-Logo 2016.svg|Current Audi logo
Audi logo detail.svg|Previous Audi logo (used until 2016)
Olympic rings without rims.svg|Olympic rings
</gallery>

==Transcript==
:[Five small circles, looped together in the style of the Olympics logo is drawn in the center. On the left, a larger circle surrounds two of the prior ones, incidentally overlapping a third circle.". A larger circle surrounds four of the small circles, thus also the previous mentioned circle, cutting over the last of the five circles. Finally a very large circle fully contains all the other circles. The three larger circles have labels, with the small ones label above, and with a small clarifying line from the label towards the top of this circle. The middle sized circle has the label standing on a break in the circle at it's bottom, and the largest circle has the label just beneath it. From smallest to largest of the circles the labels are:]
:Mastercard
:Audi
:Olympics

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Euler diagrams]]
[[Category:Sport]]

Talk:2434: Vaccine Guidance

2021-03-10T10:42:10Z

141.101.98.218:

Wow, I'm so early, there isn't even a transcript yet. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.74.139|162.158.74.139]] 04:43, 9 March 2021 (UTC)

Me too - neat (I guess this means I refresh xkcd too often) [[Special:Contributions/172.69.23.55|172.69.23.55]] 04:52, 9 March 2021 (UTC)

My Computer Is Not Able To Transmit Any Malware Via PlainText. I Guess I Can Already Type In All Caps. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.76.80|141.101.76.80]] 07:06, 9 March 2021 (UTC)

I wonder if this comic also plays on the fact that when guidance is issued, people often immediately ask if they can do something not fully covered by it. They are then surprised by speakers response and try again usually resulting in the speaker changing the subject [or ending the chat as in this case]? [[User:Fan2012|Fan2012]] ([[User talk:Fan2012|talk]]) 07:23, 9 March 2021 (UTC)

Shouldn't the second women who speaks be classified as Hairbun and not Ponytail? [[User:Kvarts314|Kvarts314]] ([[User talk:Kvarts314|talk]]) 09:21, 9 March 2021 (UTC)
:The aforementioned reclassification has been achieved. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.159.128|162.158.159.128]] 10:15, 9 March 2021 (UTC)

Is it possible that the title-text is referring to the disease spread via telephones (and their lack of sanitisers) in the Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy? [[Special:Contributions/162.158.159.128|162.158.159.128]] 10:15, 9 March 2021 (UTC)

Wasn't there a comic in the same vein of "can't wait to do [ridiculous thing] once vaccinated" a while back? Might be worth a mention. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.74.239|162.158.74.239]] 10:18, 9 March 2021 (UTC)
:Found it, it's [[2391:_Life_Before_the_Pandemic|2391: Life Before the Pandemic]]. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.74.239|162.158.74.239]] 10:22, 9 March 2021 (UTC)

I was seriously expecting the title text to be something about riding a horse down the stairs in a family member's house; or possibly about how to get your horse vaccinated -- [[User:Angel|Angel]] ([[User talk:Angel|talk]]) 10:46, 9 March 2021 (UTC)
:Riding a horse down the stairs in another's house ''whilst slurping from a milk carton...'' (This is now safer to do, if the horse is twice vaccinated, I hear.) [[Special:Contributions/141.101.99.21|141.101.99.21]] 14:12, 9 March 2021 (UTC)

To be honest, I wish they had still recommended masks. For most groups, wearing them is no more than an inconvenience and it's always better to be cautious. Also- Where did this habit of linking to other comics come from? I ''like'' it.--[[User:Char Latte49|Char Latte49]] ([[User talk:Char Latte49|talk]]) 16:07, 9 March 2021 (UTC)

Do we really need a citation for the fact that riding a bicycle down the stairs is dangerous? [[Special:Contributions/162.158.62.229|162.158.62.229]] 16:52, 9 March 2021 (UTC) 67.249.27.202
:That's how we use {{Citation needed}} around here. [[User:Bubblegum|bubblegum]]-[[User_talk:Bubblegum|talk]]|[[Special:Contributions/Bubblegum|contribs]] 17:06, 9 March 2021 (UTC)
::We do? Do you have a citation for that? --[[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.218|141.101.98.218]] 10:42, 10 March 2021 (UTC)

huh! the most recent comic doesn't have an incomplete tag! cool! also the title text is pretty much exactly like that one tumblr prediction of 2021 memes. Poggers [[Special:Contributions/162.158.62.121|162.158.62.121]] 18:18, 9 March 2021 (UTC)Bumpf

"Doctor, will I be able to play piano after the surgery?" "Certainly, your hands will be fully functional when we're done." "Great, because I couldn't play the piano before"[[Special:Contributions/108.162.237.84|108.162.237.84]] 21:07, 9 March 2021 (UTC)

Talk:1766: Apple Spectrum

2016-12-01T10:13:54Z

141.101.98.218: /* Granny Smiths */ new section

Well, I did my best on explaining this one... Not really sure I got the Granny Smith part right. --[[User:Andyd273|Andyd273]] ([[User talk:Andyd273|talk]]) 14:32, 30 November 2016 (UTC)

Surely a desert island covered only in apple trees is not beyond all probabilities? [[User:Minimal|Minimal]] ([[User talk:Minimal|talk]]) 15:01, 30 November 2016 (UTC)

I believe his confusion on a desert island with one type of apple is because apples exhibit extreme heterozygosity meaning that any daughter apple tree will produce fruit extremely different from its parent; it would be difficult to have several plants in one area that are all the same that produce no differing offspring (at least on a deserted island...humans can intervene on actively managed orchards). Genetically, the apple does fall very far from the tree. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.59.197|162.158.59.197]] 15:10, 30 November 2016 (UTC)

: This is AMAZING. I had no idea. {{w|Apples}} --[[User:Jeff|Jeff]] ([[User talk:Jeff|talk]]) 15:16, 30 November 2016 (UTC)
:: {{w|Apple#Cultivation| here}} [[User:Jacky720|Jacky720]] ([[User talk:Jacky720|talk]]) 17:30, 30 November 2016 (UTC)
::: Thanks Jack, I'm a linking idiot. --[[User:Jeff|Jeff]] ([[User talk:Jeff|talk]]) 19:58, 30 November 2016 (UTC)

What exactly does "doing their own thing" mean in this context? [[User:Drewthedude64|Drewthedude64]] ([[User talk:Drewthedude64|talk]]) 15:20, 30 November 2016 (UTC)Drewthedude64

: I'm assuming it means it was so different, that it couldn't be categorized by a low-high line (those 1-10 scales you see everywhere) --[[Special:Contributions/108.162.216.82|108.162.216.82]] 15:30, 30 November 2016 (UTC)

: Granny Smith apples are green while the other apples in this comic are red. Also, Granny Smith apples are more tart than sweet...these two characteristics distinguish it from many other apple breeds and is probably why he says they are doing their own thing. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.59.197|162.158.59.197]] 15:32, 30 November 2016 (UTC)

: Granny Smith apples are good all of the time (unless they're mealy). All other apples should be made into pie. Except for red delicious, which shall be cast into outer compost, where there are swine gnashing their teeth. - The Opinionated One. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.69.142|162.158.69.142]] 16:40, 30 November 2016 (UTC)

Has Randall ever explained why he doesn't like Red Delicious? Maybe not crisp enough? [[Special:Contributions/162.158.69.100|162.158.69.100]] 15:59, 30 November 2016 (UTC)

Seriously? Have you ever eaten one? Cardboard has more apple flavor! This has to be the most misleadingly named food item ever! [[User:Mwburden|mwburden]] ([[User talk:Mwburden|talk]]) 03:13, 1 December 2016 (UTC)

The explanation says that "Two (apple) trees of the same variety will not pollinate each other." I am no botanist, but I'm not sure this is correct. (The linked citation seems to blur the line between apple trees and fruit trees generally.) I think they will pollinate each other, and will even produce fruit, but the resulting fruit will be 'unpredictable.' No apple tree planted from seed will produce apples like its parent (except by chance), due to the heterozygosity mentioned above. BTW, because apples will not "breed true," this also means that every store-bought apple we've ever eaten came from a cloned or grafted tree. Apples are weird. [[User:Miamiclay|Miamiclay]] ([[User talk:Miamiclay|talk]]) 16:30, 30 November 2016 (UTC)

You're right that it isn't correct. Apple tree's may self pollinate. See [https://www.starkbros.com/tags/self-pollinating-apple-trees] {{unsigned|Induane}}

I went ahead and deleted the offending paragraph. It was unquestionably wrong as it was, even according to it's own source. [[User:ChrisPwildcat|ChrisPwildcat]] ([[User talk:ChrisPwildcat|talk]]) 18:06, 30 November 2016 (UTC)

:That isn't entirely accurate either, though. The first line of that page says that "'''unlike most apple trees''', self-pollinating apple trees are naturally able to set fruit by themselves". Most apple trees can't self-pollinate, and because apples of the same variety are clones of each other, they register each other's pollen as their own. Self-pollinators are the exception, not the rule. --[[Special:Contributions/108.162.219.98|108.162.219.98]] 18:16, 30 November 2016 (UTC)

Odd that he would post a comic with such a glaringly obvious mistake. Red delicious apples are best apples. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar and you should not listen to that person. {{unsigned ip|172.68.79.72}}

Red Delicious are the Devil... tasteless, meally... evil. Apples should be crisp and clean in flavor, that's why the misnamed 'Delicious' varieties are on the bad (evil) end and crisps and most other varieties are on the good end (edible). Maybe Granny Smiths 'do their own thing' because they are good with peanut butter.[[Special:Contributions/108.162.246.34|108.162.246.34]] 20:59, 30 November 2016 (UTC)

Red Delicious--Honey Crisp--Regular Apples--Granny Smith--PINK LADY! Sorry! Had to put in a plug for the greatest unknown apple on the planet! They have every great characteristic an apple can have. They're juicy, crunchy, sweet, and sour. The perfect apple! [[User:ExternalMonolog|ExternalMonolog]] ([[User talk:ExternalMonolog|talk]]) 23:37, 30 November 2016 (UTC)

== Granny Smiths ==

I don't agree that Granny Smiths apples are mainly cooking apples. Bramley are what I would consider a cooking apple, but this may be a UK/USA thing (I'm from the UK) [[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.218|141.101.98.218]] 10:13, 1 December 2016 (UTC)

1755: Old Days

2016-11-04T14:40:18Z

141.101.98.218: Adjsuted "Garbage collection" Wiki link to "Garbage collection (computer science)"

{{comic
| number = 1755
| date = November 4, 2016
| title = Old Days
| image = old_days.png
| titletext = Lot of drama in those days, including constant efforts to force the "Reflections on Trusting Trust" guy into retirement so we could stop being so paranoid about compilers.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|More explanation required on computer programming. Fill out the explanation column in the [[#Table of statements|table]] that lists all the statements.}}
This comic is showing a conversation between (young) [[Cueball]] and (old) [[Hairbun]] about computer programming in the past, specifically the {{w|compilers}}. Cueball, having a faint idea of just how difficult and byzantine programming was "in the old days", asks Hairbun to enlighten him on the specifics. Hairbun promptly seizes the opportunity to screw with his head.

While her initial explanation that code needed to be compiled for multiple architectures is correct, Hairbun's claims rapidly grow ridiculous to the point where the improvement from {{w|C (programming language)|C}} to {{w|C++}} was that C++ finally supported {{w|floppy disks}} but just punched holes in them rather than using {{w|punch cards}} "like C used". (A notch in the side of 5.25" floppy disks indicates when the disk could be written. Though many floppy disks were intended to have only a single side with data, many people used a hole punch to notch the opposite side of the disk, allowing a drive to write data to the other side of the disk in a single sided drive.)

Hairbun tells Cueball a tall tale about how hard it was back in the '''old days''', making it sound like some of the programming languages used today (C, C++) were written on punch cards and that you had to ship your code in the mail to a computer company ({{w|IBM}} in this case) to compile your code, which would take from four to six weeks. If there was a simple error, you would have to ship it again for another compilation.

Nothing of what she tells Cueball makes any sense, but it is clear from Cueball's final ''Wow'' that he falls for it, ready to believe anything the old Hairbun tells him about how horrible it was to program in the olden days. It is true that it was tough and slow to program on punch cards, which were actually used for an extended period of time, but there is nothing in the rest of Hairbun's story that accurate, except that it was a big deal when the floppy disk was invented.

In the title text, Hairbun continues her musings on the old compiler days, stating that there was ''a lot of drama in those days''. Specifically the references ''[http://www.win.tue.nl/~aeb/linux/hh/thompson/trust.html Reflections on Trusting Trust]'' a famous 1984 paper by {{w|UNIX}} co-creator {{w|Ken Thompson}} in which he described a way to hide a virtually undetectable backdoor in the UNIX login code via a second backdoor in the C compiler. Using the technique in his paper, it would be impossible to discover the hacked login by examining the official source code for either the login or the compiler itself. Ken Thompson may have actually included this backdoor in early versions of UNIX, undiscovered. Ken Thompson's paper demonstrated that it was functionally impossible to prove that any piece of software was fully trustworthy.

Hairbun claims that one of the dramas she refers to was that people tried to force Ken Thompson to retire, so everyone could stop being so paranoid about compilers. In reality, any coder who created the first version of a compiler (or a similar critical component) could inject a similar backdoor into software, so it would be false safety. Even if no one else would have thought of this, then Thompson's paper was there for any future hacker to see. Though the problem was (claimed to be) solved in {{w|David A. Wheeler}} Ph.D dissertation "[http://www.dwheeler.com/trusting-trust/ Fully Countering Trusting Trust through Diverse Double-Compiling (DDC)]".

==Table of statements==
{|class="wikitable"
!Statements
!Concepts used
!Explanation
|-
|Compile things for different processors
|Compile?
|Many popular modern programming languages are either interpreted - meaning that they run directly from source code - or compile to an intermediate bytecode, like Java or common Python implementations. Programs written in such languages are portable across processor architectures - x86 to ARM, for example. Lower-level languages must take into account the features available on a given processor architecture and operating system. Before that, even, programs needed to compile directly into the native machine language for each processor they were intended to run on.
|-
|To compile your code, you had to mail it to IBM. It took 4-6 weeks.
|Similar to sending Kodachrome slide film to Kodak to be developed.
|While IBM has released multiple compilers, they sent the compiler to you, you did not send the code to them. There is some kind of truth in the statement, though: When programming on mainframes, programmers submitted their source code in the evening for compilation over night. When there was an error in the code, they did not get a compiled version of it back, and had to resubmit their code. Sometimes there were time slots available for compilation, and in universities, students will have to wait for their next time slot for another try.
|-
|Before garbage collection, data would pile up until the computer got full and you had to throw it away.
|A {{w|Garbage collection (computer science)|Garbage Collector}} is a piece of the software that cleans the {{w|RAM}} memory of data that is no longer being used in the execution of a program.
|Garbage collection is a form of memory management that generally destroys objects or frees up memory once a program no longer needs it. In languages without automatic memory management, like C, the program must keep track of what memory has been allocated, and free it once it is no longer needed. If the program does not, it can end up trying to use more memory than the computer has, and may crash. This was, however, a temporary condition. In the worst case, a simple reboot will clear the computer's memory.
|-
|Early compilers could handle code fine, but comments had to be written in assembly.
|A {{w|Comment (computer programming)|comment}} in programming is a text written in natural language that is meant to explain some feature on the source code. {{w|Assembly}} is a low-level programming language.
|Comments, in code, are portions of one or more lines that are ignored by the compiler. They are commonly used to explain or comment on the code itself. But sometimes the comments are written in a certain way to automatically compile manuals from it.
|-
|C could only be written on punch cards.You had to pick a compact font, or you'd only fit a few characters per card.
|{{w|C (programming language)|C}} is a programming language. A {{w|punch card}} is a primitive form of storing data; it stored data in {{w|binary language}} with holes in a paper or cardboard card where a hole meant a 1 and the absence of a hole meant a 0.
|While punch cards were used through the late 1970s and early 1980s to enter programs and data in COBOL, FORTRAN and other early languages, the use of punch cards and punch card machines had been replaced by a {{w|Text Editor}} long before C (or C++) was developed as a language.

Also, as punch cards store characters in binary, there is no font involved and they store up to fixed limit of characters per card (80 characters in the most common format.)
|-
|C++ was big because it supported floppy disks. It still punched holes in them, but it was a start
|{{w|C++ (programming language)|C++}} is a programming language. A {{w|Floppy disk}} is a (more advanced than punch cards but still old) form of storing data magnetically.
|Hairbun says that the improvement from C to C++ was the C++ finally supported floppy disks, but then it turns out that in C++ the floppy disks were just used instead of punch cards. So the programing was to make holes in floppy disks rather than punch cards. This would of course not be an improvement as floppy disk are not as easy (actually very hard) to make holes in, compared to punch card, which are made for this purpose and then the whole concept of using floppy disk to store data magnetically is ignored (you could not re-use the floppy again). In any case, a hole punched in a floppy disk would render it useless.
|}

==Transcript==
:[Cueball and Hairbun are standing together and Cueball is talking to her.]
:Cueball: What were things like in the old days?
:Cueball: I hear that you had to ... compile things for different processors?
:Hairbun: Yeah

:[Same setting in a slimmer panel, now Hairbun is replying.]
:Hairbun: To compile your code, you had to mail it to IBM.
:Hairbun: It took 4-6 weeks.

:[Close-up of Hairbun from the waist up.]
:Hairbun: Before garbage collection, data would pile up until the computer got full and you had to throw it away.

:[Same setting as in the first panel with Hairbun gesturing toward Cueball raising one hand palm up.]
:Hairbun: Early compilers could handle code fine, but comments had to be written in assembly.

:[In a frame-less panel Hairbun is seen from the front, with both arms out to the side with both hands held palm up.]
:Hairbun: '''C''' could only be written on punch cards.You had to pick a compact font, or you'd only fit a few characters per card.

:[Exactly the same setting as the first panel, but with Hairbun doing the talking.]
:Hairbun: '''C++''' was big because it supported floppy disks.
:Hairbun: It still punched holes in them, but it was a start.
:Cueball: Wow.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairbun]]
[[Category:Programming]]

Talk:1320: Walmart

2014-01-24T01:37:20Z

141.101.98.218: Created page with "For what it's worth, both Facebook and Google+ have features to discriminate your posts between family members, work, friends et.c. - Lists and Circles respectively. ~~~~"

For what it's worth, both Facebook and Google+ have features to discriminate your posts between family members, work, friends et.c. - Lists and Circles respectively.
[[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.218|141.101.98.218]] 01:37, 24 January 2014 (UTC)

1318: Actually

2014-01-21T00:46:31Z

141.101.98.218: Centrifugal force: the apparant force which pulls out, not the force keeping it in (centripetal force), because that is simply gravity, and is pretty much the same everywhere

{{comic
| number = 1318
| date = January 17, 2014
| title = Actually
| image = actually.png
| titletext = Protip: You can win every exchange just by being one level more precise than whoever talked last. Eventually, you'll defeat all conversational opponents and stand alone.
}}

==Explanation==
The image shows a sphere, a simple model for the shape of the Earth. Six people stand on its surface, talking about ways to best describe it, starting with a flat surface, the first belief held, and ending with general relativity. As the statements form a circle, the very first statement can lead recursively off the last, as described below.

The statements in detail:

;Actually, measurements suggest it's flat.
* This statement is located at the top of the sphere in the comic, making it most likely to be read first. Given no other context, it will be interpreted as referring to the Earth; i.e. "The Earth is flat." This references the earliest view of our planet's surface.
;Actually, it's a sphere.
* This refers to the second earliest view of our planet's surface, as a ball with uniform radius everywhere.
;Actually, it's an oblate spheroid.
* This clarifies the previous statement; an {{w|oblate spheroid}} has a wider radius at the equator than through the poles. On Earth, this occurs because a rotating body tends to bulge at the equator, where the matter experiences greater centrifugal forces (analogous to experiencing more force at the outside of a round-a-bout rather than at the center). This is known as the {{w|equatorial bulge}}.
;Actually, it's a shape defined by the EGM96 coefficients.
* This adds even more clarification to the previous statement; the {{w|EGM96|Earth Gravitational Model 1996}} is a detailed map of the Earth's gravitational field, which is not as uniform as a pure oblate spheroid would suggest.
;Actually, it's that plus local topography.
* This adds an almost unnecessary level of clarification to the previous; obviously the Earth's surface is not a smooth shape but rather contains numerous mountains, hills, valleys, etc. which constitute "local topography".
;Actually, it's embedded in a universe that's curved.
* This shifts the perspective from the actual shape of the Earth to the "shape" of the space around it. According to {{w|General relativity}}, our planet's gravity bends the space-time around it, making it curved. At the time General relativity was discovered, it was not conclusively known whether the {{w|Shape of the universe|whole universe was flat or curved}}.
;Actually, measurements suggest it's flat.
* Looping around to the first statement and given the context from the previous one, this can now be interpreted as "the universe is flat" rather than "the Earth is flat". Recent measurements of the universe's shape strongly suggest that it is more or less completely flat rather than curved.
* Further statements could now continue to be interpreted as referring to the universe rather than the Earth, thus forming a recursive loop.
* This could also refer to Thomas Friedman's 2005 book "The World is Flat" which discusses globalization and the idea of the world as a level playing field of equal opportunity for commerce.

The title text pulls the whole comic tegether, pointing out that each statement in the comic is more precise than the previous. Unlike the loop in the comic, someone who does this will likely eventually win any real-life debate. The phrase "stand alone" refers to driving away all conversation, resulting in no one wanting to speak to the person.

==Transcript==
:[Six people are standing upon a white circle as if it were a miniature planet. Each person is facing the reader and says something to the person on their right. All texts are displayed as a near-continuous stream over their heads to form one circle that encloses the whole picture.]
:[From topmost, going clockwise.]
::Cueball: '''''Actually,''''' measurements suggest it's flat.
::Ponytail: '''''Actually,''''' it's a sphere.
::White Hat: '''''Actually,''''' it's an oblate spheroid.
::Megan: '''''Actually,''''' it's a sphere defined by the EGM96 coefficients.
::Hairy 1: '''''Actually,''''' it's that plus local topography.
::Hairy 2: '''''Actually,''''' it's embedded in a universe that's curved.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
[[Category:Physics]]
[[Category:Language]]