explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

3006: Demons

2024-11-01T17:52:23Z

172.71.99.30: /* Explanation */ Hallowe'en Comic

{{comic
| number = 3006
| date = November 1, 2024
| title = Demons
| image = demons_2x.png
| imagesize = 285x458px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Though they do appreciate how much he improved the heating system for the flame pit.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a DOOR THAT GOES LESS WAYS THAN MOST, WHICH WAS IN TURN MADE BY A DEMON - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

{{w|Maxwell's demon}} is a thought experiment devised by {{w|James Clerk Maxwell}} that appears to refute the {{w|second law of thermodynamics}}, which roughly says that heat always flows from hotter regions to colder. In the thought experiment, two chambers, both containing a gas at the same temperature, have a door between them. A being (later called a demon by {{w|Lord Kelvin}}) lets only fast-moving gas molecules move from the first chamber to the second, and only slow-moving ones move from the second chamber to the first. The second chamber's gas gradually warms as the average speed of its molecules increases, and the first chamber's gas likewise cools. This demon behaves very differently from mythological {{w|demons}}, which exist in {{w|hell}} and punish evil humans after death by causing them great suffering, as for example boiling them in oil or casting them into flame pits.

In this comic, Randall jokes that, if such a demon were to encounter the mythological ones, he would inevitably propose treating humans like the particles of the thought experiment. While a few humans might "get it" and feel offended; for most, the extent of the suffering would be reduced to the anxiety of knowing that, once they cross the door, they are not allowed to return, so (unlike particles which move by simple virue of having energy) they must ''choose'' when to cross it. This kind of torture is considered tame when compared to being boiled in oil or cast into flame pits.

The title text continues the joke by suggesting that Maxwell's "technique" could be used to heat the flame pits better.

This comic was published on 01 November, 2024, the day after Hallowe'en, when many comic strips have demonic, supernatural, or other spooky themes.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
[Three demons standing in hell, surrounded by fire. The leftmost demon is holding a pitchfork.]
:Leftmost demon: What's our plan for the souls today? Boil them in oil?
:Middle demon: We could cast them into the flame pit.
:Rightmost demon: What if we set up two rooms with a door in between, but– get this– we only let them go through it one way!

:Caption: Maxwell's Demon had trouble fitting in with the others.
{{comic discussion}}

Talk:2940: Modes of Transportation

2024-06-01T01:56:29Z

172.71.99.30:

I'd say a bicycle is way less dangerous than a car [[Special:Contributions/172.68.192.196|172.68.192.196]] 21:36, 31 May 2024 (UTC) (para 1/4)
:Considering only the two vehicles themselves, I would probably agree with you but this comic is about convenience and danger of various means of transport. Wouldn't you agree that using a bicycle for transport in crowded city traffic is rather more dangerous to the cyclist than using a car is to the driver? {{unsigned ip|172.69.60.138|21:46, 31 May 2024}}
:It depends on whether you're comparing worst case injuries versus injury rate. Since airliners are considered one of the safest, I think it's injury rate. [[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 22:07, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

Most deaths are either due to involved cars or people doing races or stunts. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.192.196|172.68.192.196]] 21:36, 31 May 2024 (UTC) (para 2/4)

I would not count "died because plane crashed onto road" into car dangers, as I would not count F1 driver death into the same bucket as car commuters. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.192.196|172.68.192.196]] 21:36, 31 May 2024 (UTC) (para 3/4)

So I would do the same for bikes. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.192.196|172.68.192.196]] 21:36, 31 May 2024 (UTC) (para 4/4)

It's not actually true that a hot air balloon has only one possible direction of travel. It seemed relevant so I added a couple of sentences to the explanation. I suspect Randall is aware of this of course, being a weather nerd. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.74.69|162.158.74.69]] 00:28, 1 June 2024 (UTC)

So which modes of transports belong in the white band between the "Zone of specialty and recreational vehicles" and the Hot air balloons? I would suggest the Autogyro (see [[1972:_Autogyros|#1972]]) between the skis and the hot air balloon. Any other suggestions? [[User:Frog23|Frog23]] ([[User talk:Frog23|talk]]) 22:44, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

I came here to find out what a sign-error is, but the description assumes I already know. {{unsigned ip|162.158.74.69|22:58, 31 May 2024}}

Are American hot air balloonists commonly fond of taking sniper rifles up with them? [[User:Kev|Kev]] ([[User talk:Kev|talk]]) 23:11, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

Dangerous to whom is relevant. Yes, cars are less dangerous to the driver than bicycles and pedestrians, but that is because the main threat to bicyclists and pedestrians is cars. If you count victim deaths in addition to perpetrator deaths, then cars are the least safe vehicle. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.99.30|172.71.99.30]] 01:56, 1 June 2024 (UTC)Regret