explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

Talk:2261: Worst Thing That Could Happen

2024-01-12T10:01:35Z

162.158.33.148:

What? No one mentioned Earth being hit by asteroid or one of close stars going supernova? -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 19:43, 29 January 2020 (UTC)
:No, this is just dealing with the worst scenarios. [[User:N0lqu|-boB]] ([[User talk:N0lqu|talk]]) 21:05, 29 January 2020 (UTC)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Birds_(film) , isn't it? Wouldn't it be more destructive than just ramming and pecking? [[Special:Contributions/141.101.105.216|141.101.105.216]] 21:56, 29 January 2020 (UTC)

I very recently saw a meme I had to think of (and want to share the funny part), where a badass-person was described. The last point was "the morals of a seagull." --[[User:Lupo|Lupo]] ([[User talk:Lupo|talk]]) 07:10, 30 January 2020 (UTC) Edit: Just googled it. It was a reddit post about seals, and the conclusion was, they are like "if a cat weighed 300 kilos and had the intelligence of a toddler & the morals of a seagull". --[[User:Lupo|Lupo]] ([[User talk:Lupo|talk]]) 07:25, 30 January 2020 (UTC)

“Much of the computer networking technology used today has its roots in research into hardening nuclear command and control systems against an incoming first strike...”. This is false, at least as far as the early internet goes. https://www.internetsociety.org/internet/history-internet/brief-history-internet/#f5 — “5 It was from the RAND study that the false rumor started claiming that the ARPANET was somehow related to building a network resistant to nuclear war. This was never true of the ARPANET, only the unrelated RAND study on secure voice considered nuclear war. However, the later work on Internetting did emphasize robustness and survivability, including the capability to withstand losses of large portions of the underlying networks.” Since the authors include Vint Cerf, I’m inclined to give it a lot of credibility. {{unsigned ip|162.158.2.214}}

How does ''Ninja Warrior'' subject contestants to pain/humiliation on failure? The only humiliation factor is from failing in the first place, and the water is there to ''minimize'' pain (well, to minimize ''injuries'' anyway). There are plenty of ''much'' better examples of game shows that "punish" failure. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.70.34|172.68.70.34]] 16:12, 30 January 2020 (UTC)
: Ninja Warrior is the 'painful' contest that I happen to have seen most recently, but on reflection I suppose MXC/Takeshi's Castle is a little more straightforward on the "humiliation" factor. --[[User:NotaBene|NotaBene]] ([[User talk:NotaBene|talk]]) 02:34, 31 January 2020 (UTC)

CTRL-f for searching... I always imagined Randal as an Emacs user (Emacs standard binding for incremental search is ctrl-s) but I guess no one is perfect. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.70.70|172.68.70.70]] 05:14, 31 January 2020 (UTC)
: Ctrl-F works on almost anything nowadays, such as web browsers, which he probably uses more frequently than Emacs. Of course, Ctrl-F notably does NOT work in Microsoft Outlook. Thanks, Bill. [[User:N0lqu|-boB]] ([[User talk:N0lqu|talk]]) 16:34, 31 January 2020 (UTC)
::It says he's searching release notes, which would be located where the upgrade came from, which means the website it was downloaded from (so, reading in a web browser) or some App Store or another (I would think the notes are in the Store app itself or a plain text file). Since I've never used eMacs, it seems an unlikely format for something meant to be widely seen like release notes. :) [[User:NiceGuy1|NiceGuy1]] ([[User talk:NiceGuy1|talk]]) 05:05, 1 February 2020 (UTC)
:::in this comic Cueball et al. are representing programmers not users, they would not be installing the latest release of an app from an App Store but rather applying a patch to, and then recompiling, source code. The release notes would be in a text file, most likely with a .txt extension, and would be readable with any software tool that would be used for displaying or editing .txt files. But setting that aside, to think that because you personally haven’t used of a particular tool has any bearing on its popularity is hubris of the highest order.[[Special:Contributions/172.68.70.34|172.68.70.34]] 10:11, 2 February 2020 (UTC)
:You're right about Randal being an Emacs user though, see title text of [[561]]. [[User:Bischoff|Bischoff]] ([[User talk:Bischoff|talk]]) 08:13, 3 February 2020 (UTC)

Just added two new categories for this comic: [[:Category:Volcanoes]] and [[:Category:Nuclear weapons]]. They were long overdue with 22 and 25 comics respectively after I searched through for relevant words. This is the fourth with Supervolcanoes mentioned. --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 10:58, 31 January 2020 (UTC)

There are presumably many more people than wells (citation needed). If everybody fell down a well, the people in any particular well would be piled on top of each other, and the ones at the top should be able to climb out. Then they can help the people below them. [[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 19:22, 31 January 2020 (UTC)

"Since Randall is just reading but not changing the patch notes, a web browser, PDF viewer, or word processing program such as Adobe Reader or Microsoft Word might have been used."... Uhhhh, just because he's not changing the release notes doesn't mean he isn't using something like Notepad, which to me seems the most likely unless it's an App Store, about just as likely that it's a web browser on the upgrade's website. Also, not to be pedantic (okay, to be pedantic, LOL!), Adobe ACROBAT Reader wouldn't be a "word processing program". I could see calling the writer program Adobe Acrobat that, but the more widespread READER is exactly that, just a reader, no processing. :) [[User:NiceGuy1|NiceGuy1]] ([[User talk:NiceGuy1|talk]]) 05:05, 1 February 2020 (UTC)

Am I the only one that thinks the link to Lassie is extremely tenuous? It seems far more likely to be referencing the general trope of falling down a well, such as this [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ThrownDownAWell example from TVTropes] or even some previous comics, such as [[568]]. [[User:PotatoGod|PotatoGod]] ([[User talk:PotatoGod|talk]]) 03:55, 3 February 2020 (UTC) EDIT: fixed the broken link to tvtropes [[User:PotatoGod|PotatoGod]] ([[User talk:PotatoGod|talk]]) 17:50, 3 February 2020 (UTC)
:I'd say the Lassie connection is valid, partly because it's the first thing I thought of as well. The tvtropes article you referenced doesn't seem to exist and [[568]] has nothing to do with falling into wells. Mike probably got in voluntarily. [[User:Bischoff|Bischoff]] ([[User talk:Bischoff|talk]]) 08:09, 3 February 2020 (UTC)

COVID 19. COVID 19 could happen. [[User:Cwallenpoole|Cwallenpoole]] ([[User talk:Cwallenpoole|talk]]) 14:56, 20 July 2021 (UTC)
:If you think the pandemic of the last two years is the worst possible pandemic, then I guess your imagination isn't as good as mine at thinking up "worst thing(s) that could happen." [[User:Mathmannix|Mathmannix]] ([[User talk:Mathmannix|talk]]) 18:04, 17 August 2021 (UTC)
:: Oh, no. I'm not saying it's the worst thing that could happen. I'm saying it did happen and because the upgrade happened before the pandemic, the pandemic must be caused by the upgrade. [[User:Cwallenpoole|Cwallenpoole]] ([[User talk:Cwallenpoole|talk]]) 18:13, 17 August 2021 (UTC)
:::But they ''didn't do'' the upgrade! [[User:Nitpicking|Nitpicking]] ([[User talk:Nitpicking|talk]]) 01:49, 18 September 2023 (UTC)

Care to [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2261:_Worst_Thing_That_Could_Happen&diff=prev&oldid=294401 explain why the (re)deletion], other-IP? SFAICT, that contribution was relevent, but you're removing it. (Are you the same IP who has been editing a lot of other things out, recently? I bet you are.) And in leiu of re-reverting it myself, which is as bad form as it is for you to repeat removing things in the first place, with no justification given, I shall leave this link and comment as a whole as a note for posterity. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.91.78|172.70.91.78]] 19:44, 7 September 2022 (UTC)

just like in voltron--[[Special:Contributions/162.158.33.148|162.158.33.148]] 10:01, 12 January 2024 (UTC)

2878: Supernova

2024-01-08T13:24:47Z

162.158.33.148: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 2878
| date = January 8, 2024
| title = Supernova
| image = supernova_2x.png
| imagesize = 348x227px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = They're a little cagey about exactly where the crossover point lies relative to the likelihood of devastating effects on the planet.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a SUPERNOVA AT THE CENTER OF THE EARTH - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
Supernovae are catastrophic events in which a star explodes when its expansion can no longer be constrained by its gravity. These are very interesting events to astronomers, who can use it to glean information about the universe. If they are too far away, we cannot see them in enough detail, so this graph, with unlabeled axes, seems to show that when they are very far away, astronomers might wish for them to be closer, and then when they are at a specific distance (eg. astronomers easily able to study them) scientists are very happy. However, when supernovae are ''too'' close, the effects could destroy Earth, so astronomers may be less than pleased at the result.

The title text expands upon the latter point of nearness, in that it is not certain that the point at which it is close enough to destroy (or be devastating) to Earth, and the astronomers themselves, is the point at which an astronomer would actually trip into the 'unhappy' part of the graph (presumably below the x-axis). The chance to witness even a {{what if|73|lethally-close}} supernova might still be an attractive proposition for some inquisitive minds.

==Transcript==
:[A graph is shown where the axis are labeled and arrow are pointing up above the Y axis label and to the right above the X axis label. There is a single line on the graph which peaks close to the Y axis, where it reaches close to the top of the drawn part of the Y axis. Then the lines approaches the X axis asymptotically towards the far right. But closer to the Y axis than the peak line goes almost vertically down, and continues far below the "bottom of the chart", that was only supposed to be above the X axis.]
:Y axis: How happy astronomers are
:X axis: How far away the new supernova is

{{comic discussion}}

Category:Line graphs
[[Category:Astronomy]]

Talk:190: IPoD

2023-12-19T10:01:36Z

162.158.33.148:

The joke "IPoD -- IP over Demographics" is referring to the media player from Apple.--[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 18:49, 25 June 2013 (UTC)

: Perhaps, but I doubt it. [[Special:Contributions/184.66.160.91|184.66.160.91]] 02:35, 27 August 2013 (UTC)
: Of course it is, but as just a secondary joke. It doesn't relate to the main point of the comic. But it should be mentioned anyway. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.219.223|108.162.219.223]] 19:07, 6 January 2014 (UTC)
::I find it boggling how many people are so weak-minded as to feel certain about something based on evidence instead of proof. It is absolutely impossible to rationally state "of course it is" if you lack proof. You are going by the circumstantial evidence of the letters coinciding, and nothing more. It cannot be better than "probably is". Not only is this a logical problem a-la {{w|Karl Popper}}, but this failing also seems to involve a weakly developed theory of mind. The belief that one can know with certainty the thoughts of another in a case like this shows that while they may understand the basic premise of "that person can't always see what I'm seeing", they don't fully grok "I don't necessarily know his thoughts, based on my external observations and speculation". —[[User:Kazvorpal|Kazvorpal]] ([[User talk:Kazvorpal|talk]]) 16:02, 7 October 2019 (UTC)
:::Harsh, but true. [[User:Beanie|Beanie]] [[User talk:Beanie|talk]] 13:45, 9 July 2021 (UTC)
The description describes altering the birthrate channel as 'encouraging or discouraging women from having children'. I always interpreted it as either conceiving children himself, or causing abortions or miscarriages, respectively. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.90.246|172.70.90.246]] 18:09, 18 August 2023 (UTC)
: You're welcome. --[[Special:Contributions/162.158.33.148|162.158.33.148]] 10:01, 19 December 2023 (UTC)

190: IPoD

2023-12-19T10:01:06Z

162.158.33.148: /* Explanation */ there u go buddy

{{comic
| number = 190
| date = November 29, 2006
| title = IPoD
| image = ipod.png
| titletext = For smaller numbers he has to SAVE lives. The birthrate channel is even more of a mixed bag.
}}

==Explanation==
{{w|Internet Protocol|IP}} is one of the main protocols of the Internet. It is used to route data packets from one computer to another, using other computers or even complete networks in between if needed. It is designed to use the fastest (not necessarily the shortest) route to the target, automatically using another route if a connection or a transmitting host fails.

Every participant of the network has to have a so-called {{w|IP address}}. The data is divided into ''packets'', each consisting of a header and the payload. The header tells the transmitting parties where the packet comes from and where it should go (together with some other details). The payload is the data to be transmitted.

IP packets can be carried by a variety of transport networks. Such methods are often referred to as "IP over X" (or "IPoX" for short). Examples include {{w|IP over DVB}}, [http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/ATM-Linux-HOWTO/ip-over-atm.html IP over ATM], and the humorous [http://www.faqs.org/rfcs/rfc2549.html IP over Avian Carriers].

[[Black Hat]] (and other statisticians) is using demographics as IP packets to send data. In order to adjust the death rate to encode the header, Black Hat plans to travel to New Jersey and go on a killing spree with a crossbow, instead of merely hacking the census bureau's computers. Such antics could only be used to ''increase'' the death rate; decreasing it would require saving lives instead, as mentioned in the title text. Also as mentioned, birth rates would be trickier to manipulate, as doing so would require encouraging or discouraging women to have children (or as one user pointed out, either conceiving children himself, or causing abortions or miscarriages, respectively) and would require an approximately nine-month delay, which is a great deal more difficult than taking a crossbow to a heavily populated area.{{Citation needed}}

Crossbows were also mentioned in [[564: Crossbows]]. Black Hat is also seen using his crossbow in [[929: Speculation]].

==Transcript==
:[Black Hat sits at a computer. Cueball stands behind him.]
:Black Hat: You see, statisticians communicate using IPoD -- IP over Demographics. For example, the header of the next packet I send will be encoded into the New Jersey death rate.
:Cueball: So you're going to hack the census bureau and change the number of reported deaths?
:Black Hat: Guess again.
:Black Hat: Hey, have you seen my crossbow?

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Black Hat]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Crossbows]]