explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

1255: Columbus

2013-08-23T13:43:51Z

173.14.129.9: LOTR cat

{{comic
| number = 1255
| date = August 23, 2013
| title = Columbus
| image = columbus.png
| titletext = And thus was smallpox introduced into the previously Undying Lands.
}}

==Explanation==
[[White Hat]] tells two children that Christopher Columbus knew the world was round, but that others believed it to be flat. It is widely believed that Columbus had difficulty getting sponsorship because potential backers believed the world was flat. However, this is a false narrative known as the {{w|Myth of the Flat Earth}}. Educated people in Columbus's time knew the world was round. He had difficulty getting sponsorship for various other reasons, including disagreements about the distance to Asia. Columbus estimated a lower distance than his contemporaries. In fact, as noted at {{w|Christopher Columbus#Geographical_considerations}}, Columbus was wrong about this.

As White Hat begins his explanation, Megan objects, though not explaining why. White Hat continues, so Megan interrupts, saying that Columbus went in a straight line as the world curved away, ending up in {{w|Valinor}} and the {{w|Undying Lands}}. Megan's story is an allusion to the {{w|Silmarillion}}, by {{w|J. R. R. Tolkien}}, set in the same world as {{w|The Lord of the Rings}} trilogy and {{w|The Hobbit}}. Specifically, she references {{w|Eärendil|Eärendil the Mariner}}, the only mortal sailor to reach the Undying Lands, home of the Valar, and later gifted with one of the titular {{w|Silmaril}}s. With this silmaril on his brow he looks like an Indian Male wearing a [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maharaja_Sir_Sri_Krishnaraja_Wodiyar_1906_by_1906_K_Keshavayya.jpg turban].

The joke is that when White Hat tells her to stop making up the story, Megan pointedly replies "You first", indicating that she originally complained about White Hat's retelling of the Columbus story because his account didn't really happen, and so he was also "making things up". Megan's fantasy tale was then delivered to make a point.

The title text refers to the {{w|Smallpox#Human_history|transfer of small pox}} to North America by Europeans.

==Transcript==
:[White Hat talks to children.]
:White Hat: Everyone said the world was flat, but Columbus knew it was round.
:Megan: *Sigh* No, no, no.
:Megan: So he took his ships and sailed west -
:Megan: - in a line tangent to the surface. The sea fell away, and he landed in ''Valinor''.
:Megan: A silmaril on his brow, he wanders the heavens as the morning star, still believing he reached India.
:White Hat: Stop making stuff up.
:Megan: You first.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]
[[Category:LOTR]]

Talk:1253: Exoplanet Names

2013-08-20T14:56:49Z

173.14.129.9: comment

One of the planets is similar to the child in Exploits of a Mom (http://xkcd.com/327/)
Robert Drop Tables
[[Special:Contributions/90.200.204.77|90.200.204.77]] 12:12, 19 August 2013 (UTC)
:Yes, they've seemed to have learned to sanitize their data inputs or just stick to parameters. [[Special:Contributions/69.14.148.254|69.14.148.254]] 12:33, 19 August 2013 (UTC)
Hair covered planet might be a reference to the book The Carpet Makers{{unsigned ip|41.221.193.211}}

The Blogosphere and Blogodrome planets are cited as synonyms of "blog." I believe this is an error, in that blogosphere is synonymous with "the collection of all posted communication." I would change it myself, but I don't feel like I'm sufficiently expert to state with conviction.~Anthingy{{unsigned ip|76.105.133.220}}

I'm still missing the ''New Netherlands''... Lorenz [[Special:Contributions/142.244.63.246|142.244.63.246]] 15:34, 19 August 2013 (UTC)

Along with no ''New Netherlands'', I'm also disappointed to see ''Planet #14'' but no ''Planet 9 from Outer Space''. [[User:Ccurtis|Ccurtis]] ([[User talk:Ccurtis|talk]]) 16:04, 19 August 2013 (UTC)
:I'm sure my explain does cover this very well.--[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 23:04, 19 August 2013 (UTC)

If memory serves, Stampy is the name of Bart Simpson's elephant. [[Special:Contributions/99.108.140.97|99.108.140.97]] 17:59, 19 August 2013 (UTC)

A* ("a star") is also a pathfinding algorithm taught in introductory Artificial Intelligence classes. I don't see the connection to the planet yet. [[User:Lastorset|Lastorset]] ([[User talk:Lastorset|talk]]) 22:19, 19 August 2013 (UTC)
:For the first, I did remove the corrupt wiki link. --[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 23:23, 19 August 2013 (UTC)

I just wonder where New Jerseys II through V are .... [[User:JamesCurran|JamesCurran]] ([[User talk:JamesCurran|talk]]) 03:24, 20 August 2013 (UTC)

'''Skydot''' could as easily be equivalent to the "Pale blue dot" that is Earth, from afar. '''New Jersey VI''' reminds me of the "New (New New New New .. New) New York" as visited in Doctor Who. '''help@gmail.com''' is either another bad input (as in "How Do I Join the IAU") or something more insidious. '''Moon Holder''' also reminds me of "Moon Watcher" from the (book of, at least) 2001: a Space Odyssey. '''Blainsley''' sounds to me like one of those portmanteau-names applied to a couple ("Blair-and-Ainsley"?). '''Unicorn Thresher''' could either be a random word string (I'd not have been surprisedto have seen "Correct Horse battery Staple" in the list) or ''perhaps'' something to do with the Invisible Pink Unicorn. '''Liz''' sounds like someone trying to get a planet named after their girlfriend or daughter or perhaps mother. [[Special:Contributions/178.104.103.140|178.104.103.140]] 11:39, 20 August 2013 (UTC)

:Anyone want an exoplanet named xkcd?

195: Map of the Internet

2013-08-07T19:51:54Z

173.14.129.9: /* Explanation */ clarify

{{comic
| number = 195
| date = December 11, 2006
| title = Map of the Internet
| image = map of the internet.jpg
| titletext = For the IPv6 map just imagine the XP default desktop picture.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete}}
On the map, all allocated {{w|IPv4}} address blocks (as of 2006) are shown using a fractal mapping. (The {{w|Hilbert curve}} is used: the pattern is demonstrated at the bottom of the image.) In February 2011, the final remaining IPv4 blocks were allocated to the {{w|Regional Internet registry|Regional Internet registries}}, and so today there would no longer be any green spaces.

In the early 1990's corporations and governments could register an entire {{w|Classful network|class A}} segment (one 256th of the total space) but later it was divided into smaller parts because lack of space.

This does lead to the title text which mentions {{w|IPv6}} with so much space for addresses, only a [[865|swarm of nanobots]] could exhaust them. The [http://www.guidebookgallery.org/pics/gui/desktop/empty/winxppro.png default background] referenced is a grassy hillside.

==Transcript==
:Map of the Internet The IPv4 Space, 2006 This chart shows the IP address space on a plane using a fractal mapping which preserves grouping--any consecutive string of IPs will translate to a single, compact, contiguous region on the map. Each of the 256 numbered blocks represents one 8 subnet (containing all IPs that start with that number). The upper left section shows the blocks sold directly to corporations and coverments in the 1990's before the RIRs took over allocation.
:Diagram showing IP ownership:
:0: Local
:1-2: Unallocated
:3: General Electric
:4: BB&N INC
:5: Unallocated
:6: Army AISC
:7: Unallocated
:8: BB&N INC
:9: IBM
:10: VPNs
:11: DoD Intel
:12: Bell Labs
:13: Xerox
:14: Public data nets
:15: HP
:16: DEC
:17: Apple
:18: MIT
:19: Ford
:20: CSC
:21: DDN-RYN
:22: DISA
:23: Unallocated
:24: Cable TV
:25: UK MoD
:26: DISA
:27: Unallocated
:28: DSI
:29-30: DISA
:31: Unallocated
:32: NORSK
:33: DLA
:34: Halliburton
:35: Merit
:36-37: Unallocated
:38: PSI
:39: Unallocated
:40: Eli Lily
:41: ARINIC
:42: Unallocated
:43: Japan INET
:44: HAM Radio
:45: INTEROP
:46: BB&N INC
:47: Bell North
:48: Prudential
:49-50: Unallocated
:51: UK Social Security
:52: duPont
:55: Boeing
:56: USPS
:57: SITA
:58-61: Asia-Pacific
:62: Europe
:63-76: USA & Canada (contains: UUNET, Google, Digg, Slashdot, Ebay, Craigslist, XKCD, Flickr)
:77-79: Europe (unused)
:80-91: Europe
:92-95: Unallocated
:96-99: North America
:100-120: Unallocated
:121-125: Asia-Pacific
:126: Japan
:127: Loopback
:128-132: Various Registrars
:133: Japan
:134-172: Various Registrars
:173-189: Unallocated
:188: Various
:189-190: Latin America & Caribbean
:191-192: Various (contains Private (RFC 1918)
:193-195: Europe
:196: Africa
:197: Unallocated
:198: US & Various
:199: North America
:200-201: Latin America & Carribbean
:202-203: Asia-Pacific
:204-209: North America (contains Suicide Girls, BoingBoing)
:210-211: Asia-Pacific
:212-213: Europe
:214-215: U.S. Department of Defense
:216: North America (Contains Myspace, SomethingAwful)
:217: Europe
:218-222: Asia-Pacific
:223: Unallocated
:224-239: Multicast
:240-255: Unallocated

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Internet]]
[[Category:Charts]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]

1248: Sphere

2013-08-07T13:29:33Z

173.14.129.9: merge explanations and add refs to similar comics

{{comic
| number = 1248
| date = August 07, 2013
| title = Sphere
| image = sphere.png
| titletext = This message brought to you by the Society of Astronomers Trapped on the Surface of a Sphere.
}}

==Explanation==
[[Megan]] has taken or visited an astronomy class and learned much about the vast distances of the universe. She is still so impressed that she doesn't like to do ''small talk'' with [[Cueball]]. This pokes fun of astronomers being so focused on their topic they lose sight of the mundane. This premise has also been explored in [[663]], [[786]], and [[1246]].

The title text refers to either the virtual {{w|Celestial sphere|celestial sphere}} or the surface of the earth, both of which astronomers are trapped on. They never can travel to the objects they observe.

==Transcript==
:Cueball: How are you?
:Megan: Trapped on the surface of a sphere.
:[Cueball looks at Megan, she looks into the sky.]
:Cueball: That astronomy class has made you suck at small talk.
:Megan: The universe is too ''big'' for small talk.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]

Talk:1234: Douglas Engelbart (1925-2013)

2013-07-05T13:28:50Z

173.14.129.9: commenty

The song he claims to have written is, of course, Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". But why? /[[User:Skagedal|Skagedal]] ([[User talk:Skagedal|talk]]) 08:22, 5 July 2013 (UTC)
: I guess for the same reason he claims to have thought up YOLO and cat picture memes - he's claiming credit for many many future developments - that's the joke. Either that or the comic's claiming Douglas was a time traveller and was single handedly responsible for every invention ever! Let's face it though, much of our modern day tech wouldn't have happened without his work. I can't believe I never heard of this guy before. [[User:Hippyjim|Hippyjim]] ([[User talk:Hippyjim|talk]]) 09:00, 5 July 2013 (UTC)
::As has since been added, it's a reference to the obscure-but-not-secret chord keyboard. Someone should really go through each clause and either give a link to that part of the demo, or the real history.

1234: Douglas Engelbart (1925-2013)

2013-07-05T13:26:27Z

173.14.129.9: not all of this was at the demo, and that's the point

{{comic
| number = 1234
| date = July 5, 2013
| title = Douglas Engelbart (1925-2013)
| image = douglas engelbart 1925 2013.png
| titletext = Actual quote from The Demo: '... an advantage of being online is that it keeps track of who you are and what you’re doing all the time...'
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete}}

The comic describes and references {{w|The Mother of All Demos}} in honor of {{w|Douglas Engelbart}}, who died July 2nd. The demo is renowned for the numerous technologies Engelbart's team introduced, which the comic references before sliding into apocryphal claims. At the first panel he presents various inventions, including the {{w|Computer Mouse}}. The second panel contains the opening lyrics of Leonard Cohen's song {{w|Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen song)|Hallelujah}}. The "Secret Chord" is a reference to his "Chord Key Set" he also presented at this demo. This relatively obscure device, essentially a piano with five keys, was meant as an alternative to the well-known keyboard. The third is a reference to contemporary internet memes, specifically [http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/subcultures/cats cat pictures] and [http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/yolo YOLO].

The title text is a reference to recent revelations about spying by the United States {{w|National Security Agency}}.

==Transcript==
:

==Trivia==
*The full original video of the demo from December 9, 1968 is available at the [http://sloan.stanford.edu/MouseSite/1968Demo.html Stanford] website. The "Chord Key Set" can be found at Clip 13.

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

1218: Doors of Durin

2013-05-29T14:16:22Z

173.14.129.9: The doors react about as well as Cutie in 919.

{{comic
| number = 1218
| date = May 29, 2013
| title = Doors of Durin
| image = doors of durin.png
| titletext = If we get the doors open and plug up the dam on the Sirannon so the water rises a little, the pool will start draining into Moria. How do you think the Watcher would fare against a drenched Balrog?
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|1218: Doors of Durin}}
Based on the Lord of the Rings: An incident in 'The Fellowship of the Ring' where the titular fellowship is trapped outside the door to the Mines of Moria. There's a spoken password to open the doors, an elvish inscription on them provides a clue: "Speak friend, and enter". The party leader (Gandalf), initially interprets this to mean that a friend could speak the password and enter. Only after much unsuccessful effort he finally realizes it's actually a very simple riddle: The password is the Elvish word for 'friend' ('mellon'), and the inscription should in fact be interpreted as "Say ''friend'', and enter". (See {{w|Use–mention distinction}}.)

In this comic, Cueball, White Hat, and Megan reenact the scene, with Cueball taking the role of 'Gandalf'. The doors apparently open off-panel when the password is spoken. White Hat then wonders aloud what the elvish word for 'frenemy' is, and Cueball postulates 'Mellogoth'. (A portmanteau of 'mellon' and 'Morgoth'; much like how 'frenemy' is a portmanteau of 'friend' and 'enemy'. Morgoth being essentially the Middle-Earth version of Satan, taken from the Silmarillion: Morgoth is often referred to as 'The Enemy' rather than by name. Sauron, known as 'The Enemy' later on, was Morgoth's second in command before Morgoth was banished from the world.) The doors apparently immediately slam shut the moment Cueball says 'Mellogoth', suggesting he may be correct. Or that the doors take offense to the word, which xkcd has previously made fun of in [[919: Tween Bromance]].

The title text ponders what would occur if the Sirannon, a stream running adjacent to the path leading to the doors, were to be completely blocked with the doors left open. The already partially blocked Sirannon had formed a pool before the doors; which contained some sort of monstrous horror from the depths of the Earth, referred to as 'the watcher in the water' for lack of a proper name (it 'watches' the doors). Randall seems to think that the pond draining into the mines would anger another horror within: the Balrog (a high-level servant of Morgoth) living within the depths of the mines. Balrogs being primarily creatures of fire and shadow, having a bunch of water dumped on it is unlikely to please it but may weaken it. He then goes on to wonder how long the Watcher could last in a battle with the angry (but wet) Balrog.

==Transcript==
:Megan: I've got it!
:Megan: What's the elvish word for friend?
:Cueball: ''Mellon.''

:''RUMBLE''

:White Hat: So what's the elvish word for "frenemy"?
:Cueball: ''...Mellogoth?''
:'''SLAM!!'''

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:LOTR]]