explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

Talk:2829: Iceberg Efficiency

2023-09-16T17:45:03Z

172.69.34.40:

BH clearly isn't Freudian. For the {{w|File:Structural-Iceberg.svg|Iceberg of the Mind}}, the most important part is the 90% of it that is ''hidden''. Which makes for a totally ''different'' (and potentially more implementable) solution whenever you happen to consider that the most important function of an iceberg is to sneak up on ships... ;) [[Special:Contributions/172.71.178.68|172.71.178.68]] 13:26, 15 September 2023 (UTC)

i added a transcript hopefully it isn't horrible [[User:Certified_nqh|Me]][[[285: Wikipedian Protester|''citation needed'']]][[Category:Pages using the "citation needed" template]] 13:47, 15 September 2023 (UTC)
:Tweaked (slightly, to personal descriptive tastes), but definitely not horrible. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.86.7|172.70.86.7]] 14:07, 15 September 2023 (UTC)

Does anyone have knowledge of aerogels being infused with helium? I'm assuming it wouldn't be too outlandish to do so, but honestly don't have a lot of experience with them. [[User:Fifteen12|Fifteen12]] ([[User talk:Fifteen12|talk]]) 14:39, 15 September 2023 (UTC)
:It'd be complex. Most are 'open cell', so need an external coating. Or "pockets of helium" could mean small helium-filled ballonettes embedded within aerogel; being uniformly externally supported by the aerogel, these pockets could be structurally less bulky than traditional bladders of lift-gas (still need to be impermeable, but without the inflate-stretching of rubber, can be a more 'delicate but efficient' material, perhaps [https://pubs.aip.org/physicstoday/online/27257/Graphene-displays-unexpected-permeability graphene]). You could (also?) coat the outside of the aerogel, but adding an arbitrarily large envelope of such a membrane around helium-infused aerogel and then adding more (normally aerated) aerogel onto the outside as additional buffer/structural precaution might be wise(r), as you go ship-hunting... [[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.61|141.101.98.61]] 15:22, 15 September 2023 (UTC)

It seems ChatGPT was use to write the description text? The contributor share in on XKCD's euphoria channel: https://chat.openai.com/share/02006f2e-cca5-4518-8fb4-f9176b39512e [[Special:Contributions/188.114.111.117|188.114.111.117]] 16:04, 15 September 2023 (UTC)

What aerogel would break down in water? From what I've seen, I thought most aerogel was made of silica? (There's actually no gel left in an aerogel; the gel is replaced by gases.) Is this an error produced by ChatGPT? Since my searches just now have turned up no mention of aerogel being made water soluble, I'm removing that statement for now; if someone has a citation supporting it, we could add it back in? [[User:ProphetZarquon|ProphetZarquon]] ([[User talk:ProphetZarquon|talk]]) 20:28, 15 September 2023 (UTC)
:Wikipedia has a section on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerogel#Waterproofing waterproofing aerogels] which talks about "hyrodoxyl groups...causing [the aerogel] to catastrophically dissolve in the water". However, the [https://www.vsl.cua.edu/cua_phy/images/c/cf/Aerogel_Aerlon_SilicaAerogels.pdf source it cites] clarifies that this is only for aerogels made with a certain process. Other aerogels can be easily made that invert the hydrodoxyl groups and prevent structural breakdown, resulting in hydrophobic aerogels. I presume Black Hat would be smart enough to get his chemistry right. I agree with removing that part.[[User:Fifteen12|Fifteen12]] ([[User talk:Fifteen12|talk]]) 01:20, 16 September 2023 (UTC)

Why not filling the aerogel with hydrogen? You might save for torpedoes then. -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 21:24, 15 September 2023 (UTC)

"God himself couldn't sink this ship." That's just giving Murphy a temptation far too great to resist. Naval architect Thomas Andrews, the leader of the Titanic's design team, knew exactly how much damage his ship could sustain and stay afloat, and he knew that the damage inflicted by the iceberg was too great to sustain. He [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Andrews#Death did not survive the sinking.] [[Special:Contributions/172.69.33.82|172.69.33.82]] 22:12, 15 September 2023 (UTC)

Wouldn't helium be a better choice for the low-mass pursuit iceberg? Not only is hydrogen even lighter than helium, it can combust when exposed to heat and oxygen, making the limited kinetic energy of a collision less relevant. [[User:GreatWyrmGold|GreatWyrmGold]] ([[User talk:GreatWyrmGold|talk]]) 14:28, 16 September 2023 (UTC)
:Assume you meant "Wouldn't hydrogen be a better choice...", from context/rest of your argument. In which case, pperhaps a floating(-in-air!) iceberg that attacks just the ''one'' ship is considered less efficient than one which can (potentially) attack several..? [[Special:Contributions/172.70.85.205|172.70.85.205]] 15:31, 16 September 2023 (UTC)
:An hydrogen-filled "airberg" would also be easier to dispatch by firing at it remotely, igniting the hydrogen. An helium one wouldn't have that weakness. Black Hat would have anticipated this. [[User:Ralfoide|Ralfoide]] ([[User talk:Ralfoide|talk]]) 17:19, 16 September 2023 (UTC)

Since an _iceberg_ is made of ice, how would be called an helium-filled one? "hellberg"?
I posit that the generic term would be an "airberg". [[User:Ralfoide|Ralfoide]] ([[User talk:Ralfoide|talk]]) 17:19, 16 September 2023 (UTC)

I did some calculations, based on the data that, at 0 degrees C and sea level, a cubic meter of either hydrogen or helium will lift 1 kilogramme (close enough) of mass, and the average Iceberg Alley iceberg has a mass of 100,000 tonnes. I worked out that, to lift that "average iceberg", one would need a cube of lifting gas 500 m (five average USA city blocks) per side. If this is correct, the challenge of fitting that cube of gas inside the average iceberg is (ahem) nontrivial. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.34.40|172.69.34.40]] 17:45, 16 September 2023 (UTC)

2722: Etymonline

2023-01-10T00:07:33Z

172.69.34.40: /* Transcript */ lang

{{comic
| number = 2722
| date = January 9, 2023
| title = Etymonline
| image = etymonline_2x.png
| imagesize = 458x280px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = NOTE TO FUTURE ETYMONLINGUISTS: Our best guess is that 'blimp' is onomatopoeia. The 'B-Limp' thing is a folk etymology.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a BLIMP - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

This comic appears to be an entry from a dictionary posted in the far future (at least the year 2384 based on the textual reference). The entry defines the term "etymonline" in a way that makes it clear that it has simply supplanted the word "etymology" in the intervening centuries. This is a reference to the internet service known as [https://www.etymonline.com/ Etymonline] or the Online Etymology Dictionary, and implies that Etymonline as a source became synonymous with the concept of etymology. This may have been because Etymonline grew into such a comprehensive and reputable source that it truly deserved the all-encompassing identification with the concept of etymology; alternatively, humans' efficiency of language removed the original term in favor of the name for the tool they used when they needed to learn a word's origin. All we know is that the origin of the "modern" term is simply cited as a modification of a more archaic English form, without any mention of the digital resource. This is a mild failure on the part of the dictionary entry, since the suffix "online" should at least have been noted as the modifier resulting in the current form, even if a discussion of the specific internet service was not relevant in the entry.

The title text plays with this (replacing "etymologist" with the derived term "etymonlinguist"). It is a comment from some present-day scholar attempting to communicate with the author of the futuristic entry by clarifying what they know about the etymology of the word "blimp". The comment references two theories of the etymology (that it is simply onomatopoeia or that it was constructed from the phrase B-Limp) and rejects the latter as a folk etymology (consistent with the explanation on [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/blimp wiktionary]). It is interesting to note that the current [https://www.etymonline.com/word/blimp Etymonline entry] only lists the B-Limp origin and does not mention onomatopoeia, though it does at least acknowledge that the origin is "obscure".

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

[picture of what appears to be a dictionary definition, askew in the frame to imply that it is printed on physical paper rather than a digital resource. The text reads as follows]

'''etymonline''' [pronunciation guide]
The history and derivation of a word. Altered form of English ''etymology'', from Old French ''ethimologie'', from Latin ''etymologia''. Quotation: "Before it came to refer to Jupiter's sky-cities, the term 'blimp' was used for 20th century Earth airships, but its etymonline before that is unknown." –''Jovian Blimps: A History'' (2384)

[Caption below comic]
Ironically, the popularity of Etymonline eventually caused the loss of the word "etymology" from English

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Language]]

2379: Probability Comparisons

2020-10-31T08:41:46Z

172.69.34.40: /* Explanation */ more

{{comic
| number = 2379
| date = October 30, 2020
| title = Probability Comparisons
| image = probability comparisons new.png
| titletext = Call me, MAYBE.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by LEBRON JAMES THROWING BASKETBALLS AT A KEYBOARD. The table for the explanations of the chances isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

This is a list of probabilities for different events. There are a number of recurring themes, of which the most common are free throws (13 entries), birthdays (12), dice (12, split about evenly between d6 and d20 dies), M&M candies (11), playing cards (9), NBA basketball mid-game victory predictions (9), Scrabble tiles (7), coins (7), white Christmases (7), and the NBA players Stephen Curry and Lebron James (7 each).

Themes are variously repeated and combined, for humorous effect. For instance, there are entries for both the probability that St. Louis will have a white Christmas (21%) and that it will not (79%). Also given is the 40% probability that a random Scrabble tile will contain a letter from the name "Steph Curry".

There are 80 items in the list, the last two of which devolve into absurdity - perhaps from the stress of preparing the other 78 entries.

The probabilities are calculated from [https://xkcd.com/2379/sources/ these sources], as mentioned in the bottom left corner.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Odds
! Text
! Explanation
|-
| 0.01%
| You guess the last four digits of someone's {{w|Social Security Number}} on the first try
|(1/10)4 = 0.0001, or 0.01%
|-
| 0.1%
| Three randomly chosen people are all left-handed
| The chances of being left handed is about 10%, and 10%3 = 0.1%.
|-
| rowspan="2" | 0.2%
| You draw 2 random {{w|Scrabble}} tiles and get M and M
|
|-
| You draw 3 random {{w|M&Ms}} and they're all red
|
|-
| 0.3%
| You guess someone's birthday in one try.
| Matching birthdays is more likely than might be expected; see {{w|Birthday problem}} for details.
|-
| rowspan="2" | 0.5%
| An {{w|NBA}} team down by 30 at halftime wins
|
|-
| You get 4 M&Ms and they're all brown or yellow
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1%
| {{w|Steph Curry}} gets two free throws and misses both
|
|-
|{{w|LeBron James}} guesses your birthday, if each guess costs one free throw and he loses if he misses
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1.5%
| You get two M&Ms and they're both red
|
|-
| You share a birthday with a {{w|Backstreet Boys|Backstreet Boy}}
|
|-
| 2%
| You guess someone's card on the first try
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 3%
| You guess 5 coin tosses and get them all right
|
|-
| Steph Curry wins that birthday free throw game
|
|-
| rowspan="3"| 4%
| You sweep a 3-game {{w|rock paper scissors}} series
|
|-
| {{w|Portland, Oregon}} has a {{w|White Christmas (weather)|white Christmas}}
|
|-
| You share a birthday with two {{w|US Senator}}s
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 5%
| An NBA team down 20 at halftime wins
|
|-
| You roll a natural 20
|
|-
| 6%
| You correctly guess someone's card given 3 tries
|
|-
| 7%
| LeBron James gets two free throws and misses both
|
|-
| 8%
| You correctly guess someone's card given 4 tries
|
|-
| 9%
| Steph Curry misses a free throw
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|10%
| You draw 5 cards and get the Ace of Spades
|
|-
| There's a {{w|Moment magnitude scale|magnitude}} 8+ earthquake in the next month
|
|-
| 11%
| You sweep a 2-game rock paper scissors series
|
|-
| rowspan="3"|12%
| A randomly-chosen American lives in {{w|California}}
|
|-
| You correctly guess someone's card given 6 tries
|
|-
| You share a birthday with a {{w|US President}}
|
|-
| rowspan="3"|13%
| A {{w|Dice#Polyhedral_dice|d6}} beats a {{w|Dice#Polyhedral_dice|d20}}
|
|-
| An NBA team down 10 going into the 4th quarter wins
|
|-
| You pull one M&M from a bag and it's red
|
|}

The title text refers to the song {{w|Call Me Maybe}} by Carly Rae Jepsen (cited twice in the table). "MAYBE" is emphasized because the probability of getting her phone number correct, as in the last item in the list, is very low.

==Trivia==
In the original comic, "outside" in the 88% probability section is spelled incorrectly as "outide".
==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Statistics]]
[[Category:Comics featuring real people]]

2379: Probability Comparisons

2020-10-31T08:35:11Z

172.69.34.40: /* Explanation */ more

{{comic
| number = 2379
| date = October 30, 2020
| title = Probability Comparisons
| image = probability comparisons new.png
| titletext = Call me, MAYBE.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by LEBRON JAMES THROWING BASKETBALLS AT A KEYBOARD. The table for the explanations of the chances isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

This is a list of probabilities for different events. There are a number of recurring themes, of which the most common are free throws (13 entries), birthdays (12), dice (12, split about evenly between d6 and d20 dies), M&M candies (11), playing cards (9), NBA basketball mid-game victory predictions (9), Scrabble tiles (7), coins (7), white Christmases (7), and the NBA players Stephen Curry and Lebron James (7 each).

Themes are variously repeated and combined, for humorous effect. For instance, there are entries for both the probability that St. Louis will have a white Christmas (21%) and that it will not (79%). Also given is the 40% probability that a random Scrabble tile will contain a letter from the name "Steph Curry".

There are 80 items in the list, the last two of which devolve into absurdity - perhaps from the stress of preparing the other 78 entries.

The probabilities are calculated from [https://xkcd.com/2379/sources/ these sources], as mentioned in the bottom left corner.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Odds
! Text
! Explanation
|-
| 0.01%
| You guess the last four digits of someone's {{w|Social Security Number}} on the first try
|(1/10)4 = 0.0001, or 0.01%
|-
| 0.1%
| Three randomly chosen people are all left-handed
| The chances of being left handed is about 10%, and 10%3 = 0.1%.
|-
| rowspan="2" | 0.2%
| You draw 2 random {{w|Scrabble}} tiles and get M and M
|
|-
| You draw 3 random {{w|M&Ms}} and they're all red
|
|-
| 0.3%
| You guess someone's birthday in one try.
| Matching birthdays is more likely than might be expected; see {{w|Birthday problem}} for details.
|-
| rowspan="2" | 0.5%
| An {{w|NBA}} team down by 30 at halftime wins
|
|-
| You get 4 M&Ms and they're all brown or yellow
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1%
| {{w|Steph Curry}} gets two free throws and misses both
|
|-
|{{w|LeBron James}} guesses your birthday, if each guess costs one free throw and he loses if he misses
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1.5%
| You get two M&Ms and they're both red
|
|-
| You share a birthday with a {{w|Backstreet Boys|Backstreet Boy}}
|
|-
| 2%
| You guess someone's card on the first try
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 3%
| You guess 5 coin tosses and get them all right
|
|-
| Steph Curry wins that birthday free throw game
|
|-
| rowspan="3"| 4%
| You sweep a 3-game {{w|rock paper scissors}} series
|
|-
| {{w|Portland, Oregon}} has a {{w|White Christmas (weather)|white Christmas}}
|
|-
| You share a birthday with two {{w|US Senator}}s
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 5%
| An NBA team down 20 at halftime wins
|
|-
| You roll a natural 20
|
|-
| 6%
| You correctly guess someone's card given 3 tries
|
|-
| 7%
| LeBron James gets two free throws and misses both
|
|-
| 8%
| You correct guess someone's card given 4 tries
|
|-
| 9%
| Steph Curry misses a free throw
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|10%
| You draw 5 cards and get the Ace of Spades
|
|-
| There's a {{w|Moment magnitude scale|magnitude}} 8+ earthquake in the next month
|
|}

The title text refers to the song {{w|Call Me Maybe}} by Carly Rae Jepsen (cited twice in the table). "MAYBE" is emphasized because the probability of getting her phone number correct, as in the last item in the list, is very low.

==Trivia==
In the original comic, "outside" in the 88% probability section is spelled incorrectly as "outide".
==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Statistics]]
[[Category:Comics featuring real people]]

2379: Probability Comparisons

2020-10-31T08:26:45Z

172.69.34.40: more

{{comic
| number = 2379
| date = October 30, 2020
| title = Probability Comparisons
| image = probability_comparisons.png
| titletext = Call me, MAYBE.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by LEBRON JAMES THROWING BASKETBALLS AT A KEYBOARD. The table for the explanations of the chances isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

This is a list of probabilities for different events. There are a number of recurring themes, of which the most common are free throws (13 entries), birthdays (12), dice (12, split about evenly between d6 and d20 dies), M&M candies (11), playing cards (9), NBA basketball mid-game victory predictions (9), Scrabble tiles (7), coins (7), white Christmases (7), and the NBA players Stephen Curry and Lebron James (7 each).

Themes are variously repeated and combined, for humorous effect. For instance, there are entries for both the probability that St. Louis will have a white Christmas (21%) and that it will not (79%). Also given is the 40% probability that a random Scrabble tile will contain a letter from the name "Steph Curry".

There are 80 items in the list, the last two of which devolve into absurdity - perhaps from the stress of preparing the other 78 entries.

The probabilities are calculated from [https://xkcd.com/2379/sources/ these sources], as mentioned in the bottom left corner.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Odds
! Text
! Explanation
|-
| 0.01%
| You guess the last four digits of someone's {{w|Social Security Number}} on the first try
|(1/10)4 = 0.0001, or 0.01%
|-
| 0.1%
| Three randomly chosen people are all left-handed
| The chances of being left handed is about 10%, and 10%3 = 0.1%.
|-
| rowspan="2" | 0.2%
| You draw 2 random {{w|Scrabble}} tiles and get M and M
|
|-
| You draw 3 random {{w|M&Ms}} and they're all red
|
|-
| 0.3%
| You guess someone's birthday in one try.
| Matching birthdays is more likely than might be expected; see {{w|Birthday problem}} for details.
|-
| rowspan="2" | 0.5%
| An {{w|NBA}} team down by 30 at halftime wins
|
|-
| You get 4 M&Ms and they're all brown or yellow
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1%
| {{w|Steph Curry}} gets two free throws and misses both
|
|-
|{{w|LeBron James}} guesses your birthday, if each guess costs one free throw and he loses if he misses
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1.5%
| You get two M&Ms and they're both red
|
|-
| You share a birthday with a {{w|Backstreet Boys|Backstreet Boy}}
|
|-
| 2%
| You guess someone's card on the first try
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 3%
| You guess 5 coin tosses and get them all right
|
|-
| Steph Curry wins that birthday free throw game
|
|-
| rowspan="3"| 4%
| You sweep a 3-game {{w|rock paper scissors}} series
|
|-
| {{w|Portland, Oregon}} has a white Christmas
|
|-
| You share a birthday with two {{w|US Senator}}s
|
|}

The title text refers to the song [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_Me_Maybe Call Me Maybe] by Carly Rae Jepsen (cited twice in the table). "MAYBE" is emphasized because the probability of getting her phone number correct, as in the last item in the list, is very low.

==Trivia==
In the original comic, "outside" in the 88% probability section is spelled incorrectly as "outide".
==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Statistics]]
[[Category:Comics featuring real people]]

2376: Curbside

2020-10-24T00:16:03Z

172.69.34.40: /* Transcript */ ce

{{comic
| number = 2376
| date = October 24, 2020
| title = Curbside
| image = curbside.png
| titletext = The state has had so many contact tracers disappear into that shop that they've had to start a contact tracer tracing program.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by an ANGRY GHOST. Could use some elaboration; explain title text. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

[[Beret Guy]] is making contact with {{tvtropes|TheLittleShopThatWasntThereYesterday|a shop that sells cursed items, only to vanish when the customer tries to return the product}}; he has previously mentioned doing most of his shopping at such locations in [[1772: Startup Opportunity]].

After confirming that he has the right number, Beret Guy simply asks if they do curbside pickup, as he intends to place an order but does not wish to go inside during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Many grocery stores have started offering such services, allowing a customer to place an order over the phone or online, then receive it outside the store, thus minimizing the interaction with store staff or other customers.

The store's contact replies that no, they do not offer curbside pickup, but tries to assure Beret Guy that all employees at the location wear masks. (They might be wearing [[2367: Masks|haunted Halloween masks]].) When Beret Guy expresses disappointment at the revelation, complaining about the stuffy air of the shop, the contact advises him to consider the virus as part of the curses that come with their products. An angered Beret Guy promptly proclaims that he will ''not'' be doing business with the location if they are going to showcase such an attitude towards the pandemic. He had previously attempted to stop the pandemic by destroying a [[2332: Cursed Chair|Cursed Chair]], but evidently, he has either failed to destroy the chair or found that the chair had nothing to do with the coronavirus.

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

:[Beret Guy talking on a cell phone. The response from the person on the phone is in a jagged bubble.]
:Beret Guy: Hi, is this the shop that sells cursed items but when you try to return them the shop is gone?
:Phone: Yes, how can I help you?

:[A frameless panel. Beret Guy still talking on the phone]
:Beret Guy: Do you do curbside pickup? I wanted to buy a cursed amulet that angers ghosts, and some groceries.
:Phone: No, but it's okay, we wear masks.

:[Zoomed in on Cueball's face]
:Beret Guy: So you can't bring stuff out?
:Phone: I'm afraid not.
:Beret Guy: But it's so stuffy in there!

:[The callee's response is on the top of the panel. Beret Guy is now holding his phone in front of him, ready to end the call.]
:Phone: Why not think of the virus as part of the amulet's curse?
:Beret Guy: '''''Excuse me!?''''' I'm trying to buy some bread and do battle with ghosts, not endanger my family and friends in a pandemic!
:Beret Guy: I will take my business '''''elsewhere.'''''

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]
[[Category:COVID-19]]

2376: Curbside

2020-10-24T00:15:50Z

172.69.34.40: /* Transcript */ ce

{{comic
| number = 2376
| date = October 24, 2020
| title = Curbside
| image = curbside.png
| titletext = The state has had so many contact tracers disappear into that shop that they've had to start a contact tracer tracing program.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by an ANGRY GHOST. Could use some elaboration; explain title text. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

[[Beret Guy]] is making contact with {{tvtropes|TheLittleShopThatWasntThereYesterday|a shop that sells cursed items, only to vanish when the customer tries to return the product}}; he has previously mentioned doing most of his shopping at such locations in [[1772: Startup Opportunity]].

After confirming that he has the right number, Beret Guy simply asks if they do curbside pickup, as he intends to place an order but does not wish to go inside during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Many grocery stores have started offering such services, allowing a customer to place an order over the phone or online, then receive it outside the store, thus minimizing the interaction with store staff or other customers.

The store's contact replies that no, they do not offer curbside pickup, but tries to assure Beret Guy that all employees at the location wear masks. (They might be wearing [[2367: Masks|haunted Halloween masks]].) When Beret Guy expresses disappointment at the revelation, complaining about the stuffy air of the shop, the contact advises him to consider the virus as part of the curses that come with their products. An angered Beret Guy promptly proclaims that he will ''not'' be doing business with the location if they are going to showcase such an attitude towards the pandemic. He had previously attempted to stop the pandemic by destroying a [[2332: Cursed Chair|Cursed Chair]], but evidently, he has either failed to destroy the chair or found that the chair had nothing to do with the coronavirus.

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

:[Beret Guy talking on a cell phone. The response from the person on the phone is in a jagged bubble.]
:Beret Guy: Hi, is this the shop that sells cursed items but when you try to return them the shop is gone?
:Phone: Yes, how can I help you?

:[A frameless panel. Beret Guy still talking on the phone]]
:Beret Guy: Do you do curbside pickup? I wanted to buy a cursed amulet that angers ghosts, and some groceries.
:Phone: No, but it's okay, we wear masks.

:[Zoomed in on Cueball's face]
:Beret Guy: So you can't bring stuff out?
:Phone: I'm afraid not.
:Beret Guy: But it's so stuffy in there!

:[The callee's response is on the top of the panel. Beret Guy is now holding his phone in front of him, ready to end the call.]
:Phone: Why not think of the virus as part of the amulet's curse?
:Beret Guy: '''''Excuse me!?''''' I'm trying to buy some bread and do battle with ghosts, not endanger my family and friends in a pandemic!
:Beret Guy: I will take my business '''''elsewhere.'''''

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]
[[Category:COVID-19]]

2376: Curbside

2020-10-24T00:15:31Z

172.69.34.40: /* Transcript */ ce transcript

{{comic
| number = 2376
| date = October 24, 2020
| title = Curbside
| image = curbside.png
| titletext = The state has had so many contact tracers disappear into that shop that they've had to start a contact tracer tracing program.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by an ANGRY GHOST. Could use some elaboration; explain title text. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

[[Beret Guy]] is making contact with {{tvtropes|TheLittleShopThatWasntThereYesterday|a shop that sells cursed items, only to vanish when the customer tries to return the product}}; he has previously mentioned doing most of his shopping at such locations in [[1772: Startup Opportunity]].

After confirming that he has the right number, Beret Guy simply asks if they do curbside pickup, as he intends to place an order but does not wish to go inside during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Many grocery stores have started offering such services, allowing a customer to place an order over the phone or online, then receive it outside the store, thus minimizing the interaction with store staff or other customers.

The store's contact replies that no, they do not offer curbside pickup, but tries to assure Beret Guy that all employees at the location wear masks. (They might be wearing [[2367: Masks|haunted Halloween masks]].) When Beret Guy expresses disappointment at the revelation, complaining about the stuffy air of the shop, the contact advises him to consider the virus as part of the curses that come with their products. An angered Beret Guy promptly proclaims that he will ''not'' be doing business with the location if they are going to showcase such an attitude towards the pandemic. He had previously attempted to stop the pandemic by destroying a [[2332: Cursed Chair|Cursed Chair]], but evidently, he has either failed to destroy the chair or found that the chair had nothing to do with the coronavirus.

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

:[Beret Guy talking on a cell phone. The response from the person on the phone is in a jagged bubble.]]
:Beret Guy: Hi, is this the shop that sells cursed items but when you try to return them the shop is gone?
:Phone: Yes, how can I help you?

:[A frameless panel. Beret Guy still talking on the phone]]
:Beret Guy: Do you do curbside pickup? I wanted to buy a cursed amulet that angers ghosts, and some groceries.
:Phone: No, but it's okay, we wear masks.

:[Zoomed in on Cueball's face]
:Beret Guy: So you can't bring stuff out?
:Phone: I'm afraid not.
:Beret Guy: But it's so stuffy in there!

:[The callee's response is on the top of the panel. Beret Guy is now holding his phone in front of him, ready to end the call.]
:Phone: Why not think of the virus as part of the amulet's curse?
:Beret Guy: '''''Excuse me!?''''' I'm trying to buy some bread and do battle with ghosts, not endanger my family and friends in a pandemic!
:Beret Guy: I will take my business '''''elsewhere.'''''

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]
[[Category:COVID-19]]

2376: Curbside

2020-10-24T00:11:22Z

172.69.34.40: /* Explanation */ ce

{{comic
| number = 2376
| date = October 24, 2020
| title = Curbside
| image = curbside.png
| titletext = The state has had so many contact tracers disappear into that shop that they've had to start a contact tracer tracing program.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by an ANGRY GHOST. Could use some elaboration; explain title text. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

[[Beret Guy]] is making contact with {{tvtropes|TheLittleShopThatWasntThereYesterday|a shop that sells cursed items, only to vanish when the customer tries to return the product}}; he has previously mentioned doing most of his shopping at such locations in [[1772: Startup Opportunity]].

After confirming that he has the right number, Beret Guy simply asks if they do curbside pickup, as he intends to place an order but does not wish to go inside during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Many grocery stores have started offering such services, allowing a customer to place an order over the phone or online, then receive it outside the store, thus minimizing the interaction with store staff or other customers.

The store's contact replies that no, they do not offer curbside pickup, but tries to assure Beret Guy that all employees at the location wear masks. (They might be wearing [[2367: Masks|haunted Halloween masks]].) When Beret Guy expresses disappointment at the revelation, complaining about the stuffy air of the shop, the contact advises him to consider the virus as part of the curses that come with their products. An angered Beret Guy promptly proclaims that he will ''not'' be doing business with the location if they are going to showcase such an attitude towards the pandemic. He had previously attempted to stop the pandemic by destroying a [[2332: Cursed Chair|Cursed Chair]], but evidently, he has either failed to destroy the chair or found that the chair had nothing to do with the coronavirus.

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

Beret Guy: Hi, is this the shop that sells cursed items but when you try to return them the shop is gone?

Phone: Yes, how can I help you?

Beret Guy: Do you do curbside pickup? I wanted to buy a cursed amulet that angers ghosts and some groceries.

Phone: No, but it's ok, we wear masks.

Beret Guy: So you can't bring stuff out?

Phone: I'm afraid not

Beret Guy: But it's so stuffy in there!

Phone: Why not think of the virus as part of the amulet's curse?

Beret Guy: Excuse me!? I'm trying to buy some bread and do battle with ghosts, not endanger my family and friends in a pandemic! I will take my business elsewhere.

{{comic discussion}}

2373: Chemist Eggs

2020-10-17T03:29:59Z

172.69.34.40: Date

{{comic
| number = 2373
| date = October 16, 2020
| title = Chemist Eggs
| image = chemist_eggs.png
| titletext = Chemists actually find it simpler to define a general odor of rotten eggs as a baseline, and the LACK of rotten eggs as a distinct smell.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a HOUSE FULL OF EGGS. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Please do <s>not</s> delete this tag too soon.}}
This comic details how some people attribute smells to certain things that aren't always common to smell.

This seems like it could be [[Randall]]'s reaction to people taking new opinions or anecdotes as the only opinion that a certain subset of people know or have experienced. The title text then extends this as it's posed (presumably by Cueball) that chemists actually use the rotten-egg smell as a baseline for measurement (because they're so inundated by the smell) as opposed to a simple small fact that helps one understand whether or not a reaction worked.

Alternatively, this could be a reaction to people who take opinions on the Internet and blow them out of proportion to troll others (in which case, [[Cueball]] has most definitely succeeded, based on Ponytail's reaction)

One way this might be interpreted is Randall snidely commenting on how people on the Internet often generalize small anecdotes into entire stereotypes, which then get propagated through the internet because of their spreadability.

At first, it appears that Ponytail is trying to help Cueball with a science experiment. Then, however, the conversation takes a turn as Cueball starts fixating on a comment that Ponytail made. Cueball's excessive reactions appear to have made [[Ponytail]] so disgusted that she is clenching her fists in anger as she leaves the conversation, presumably to avoid further irritation.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Please delete this tag too soon.}}

[Cueball and Ponytail face a table with something like a lab stirrer or heater on it, supporting a flat-bottomed and -topped container from which bubbles are rising.]
:Cueball: How will I know if the reaction fails?
:Ponytail: You'll smell the sulfides.
:Cueball: What do those smell like?
:Ponytail: Sulfurous. Rotten eggs.

[A new panel, the table is gone. Cueball is now facing Ponytail.]
:Cueball: Chemists always compare sulfur to rotten eggs.
:But why would I know that smell?
:Ponytail: I dunno, It's a common thing!

[Ponytail puts her hand out.]
:Cueball: Is it? My kitchen is messy, but there aren't eggs lying around rotting.
:Ponytail: You must have smelled one at ''some'' point.

[Ponytail is now walking right off-panel, away from Cueball. She is clenching her hands and is evidently annoyed]
:Cueball: Are all chemists' houses full of random raw eggs? Do you toss them over your shoulder for good luck?
:Ponytail: '''''My house is not full of eggs!'''''
:Cueball: What do you consider a normal amount of eggs in a house?
:Cueball: If kids egg your house this Halloween, how will you know?

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Chemistry]]