explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

1521: Sword in the Stone

2015-05-06T06:36:44Z

173.245.48.134: /* link fix */

{{comic
| number = 1521
| date = May 6, 2015
| title = Sword in the Stone
| image = sword in the stone.png
| titletext = That seems like an awful lot of hassle when all I wanted was a cool sword.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|New page}}

This comic references the fables of {{w|King Arthur}} and the {{w|Knights of the Round Table}}. In Arthurian legend, whoever can remove the Sword in the Stone is the lawful king of {{w|England}}. Arthur is an orphan being raised in secret; he notices the sword, removes it, and is proclaimed king. The sword is sometimes identified as Excalibur, although in other versions Excalibur was acquired by King Arthur from the {{w|Lady of the Lake}}.

[[Megan]] pulls out [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excalibur#Excalibur_and_the_Sword_in_the_Stone The Sword in the Stone]. A flash of light comes down and music plays, and a heavenly voice tells her she is heir to the throne of England. Megan then pulls out her phone, which is very much unlike the Medieval King Arthur and searches on Wikipedia for England and begins to replace the sword into the rock, either not wanting to take on the responsibility of queen, or more likely, not wanting to deal with England.

The title text furthers this plot, having Megan comment on the hassle of being the queen of England when the only thing she was interested in was the sword.

It should be noted that in Arthurian Legend, it is stated that Arthur would return when England most needed him. It is possible that Megan is the reincarnation of Arthur.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript}}

{{comic discussion}}


[[Category:Wikipedia]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]

1521: Sword in the Stone

2015-05-06T06:36:03Z

173.245.48.134: /* Wrote the damn thing */

{{comic
| number = 1521
| date = May 6, 2015
| title = Sword in the Stone
| image = sword in the stone.png
| titletext = That seems like an awful lot of hassle when all I wanted was a cool sword.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|New page}}

This comic references the fables of {{w|King Arthur}} and the {{w|Knights of the Round Table}}. In Arthurian legend, whoever can remove the Sword in the Stone is the lawful king of {{w|England}}. Arthur is an orphan being raised in secret; he notices the sword, removes it, and is proclaimed king. The sword is sometimes identified as Excalibur, although in other versions Excalibur was acquired by King Arthur from the {{w|Lady of the Lake}}.

[Megan]] pulls out [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excalibur#Excalibur_and_the_Sword_in_the_Stone The Sword in the Stone]. A flash of light comes down and music plays, and a heavenly voice tells her she is heir to the throne of England. Megan then pulls out her phone, which is very much unlike the Medieval King Arthur and searches on Wikipedia for England and begins to replace the sword into the rock, either not wanting to take on the responsibility of queen, or more likely, not wanting to deal with England.

The title text furthers this plot, having Megan comment on the hassle of being the queen of England when the only thing she was interested in was the sword.

It should be noted that in Arthurian Legend, it is stated that Arthur would return when England most needed him. It is possible that Megan is the reincarnation of Arthur.
==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript}}

{{comic discussion}}


[[Category:Wikipedia]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]

1463: Altitude

2015-01-30T04:43:31Z

173.245.48.134: /* Transcript */

{{comic
| number = 1463
| date = December 22, 2014
| title = Altitude
| image = altitude.png
| titletext = "TURN OFF THE LASER GUIDE STAR" "WHY" "STAR CATS"
}}

==Explanation==
In this comic, Randall is making fun of how {{w|Altitude sickness|oxygen deprivation}} can lead to reduced mental acuity. In this case, the mental clarity of the researchers devolves as they approach the high altitude telescope, leading to juvenile and almost intoxicated behavior. Dizziness, lightheadedness, impaired judgment, and euphoria are symptoms of oxygen deprivation, or hypoxia. Those researchers would benefit from having a written list or plan developed while they were still functioning at peak mental acuity.

[http://exoplanets.astro.yale.edu/instrumentation/iodine_cells.php Iodine cells] are used for wavelength calibrations of high-resolution RV spectra between 501 and 610 nm.

Note that the phrase "low oxygen" refers to the lower partial pressure of oxygen at altitude. The proportion of oxygen at high elevations is still approximately 2/9ths of the atmosphere, the same as at sea level. The altitude sickness is caused by lowered atmospheric pressure which leads to smaller amount of oxygen actually delivered ("pushed") into bloodstream.

The title text refers to a {{w|laser guide star}} a device for focusing telescopes by making artificial reference points in the sky. The reference points are created by shooting a powerful laser into the sky. The concern of the astronomer in the comic is that an imagined "star cat" may be attracted to the laser in the same way that [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcjB2qN0TxM cats playfully chase laser beams] projected on surfaces. Cats' reactions to laser pointers was previously explored in [[729: Laser Pointer]].

==Transcript==
:Because of low oxygen, astronomers working at high altitude telescopes may need to write down their plans ahead of time while at sea level.

:[Some astronomers are inside a sea-level research facility.]
:Astronomer #1: Ok, let's head up to the observatory.

:[The astronomers drive uphill.]
:Astronomer #1: When we reach the summit, we'll check the iodine cell and do a general calibration.
:Astronomer #2: Sounds good.

:[The astronomers have reached the high-altitude observatory.]
:Astronomer #1: My head feels funny.
:Astronomer #2: Look at those telescope domes. I hope they don't roll away.
:Astronomer #1: Maybe we should tape them down.

:[The astronomers are inside one of the domes.]
:Astronomer #1: Haha, look at this mirror! My face is huge!
:Astronomer #2: I see your face in the telescope! I discovered you!
:Astronomer #1: Let's make out!

{{comic discussion}}

Talk:1451: Background Screens

2014-11-24T15:19:44Z

173.245.48.134:

"contain irrelevant or irreverent jokes" [[Special:Contributions/108.162.249.231|108.162.249.231]] 06:30, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

This sounds like it could be a reference to ''Independence Day'' specifically, but I'm not sure if a map is shown with Greenland specifically in that film. Anyone feel like skimming through it? [[Special:Contributions/108.162.215.169|108.162.215.169]] 09:10, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

Probably worth pointing out that this relies on being at home where you can pause the film to study the image, which doesn't often happen in a cinema. --[[Special:Contributions/141.101.99.50|141.101.99.50]] 11:02, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

It sometimes happens in a cinema, though! :p - fixed the "irrelevent or irrelevent" line. This does seem like common practice, though: I too pay attention to what is shown on screens in the background of movies, just to catch odd things. I'm sure plenty of people do this?? [[User:Maplestrip|Maplestrip]] ([[User talk:Maplestrip|talk]]) 12:12, 24 November 2014 (UTC)

lol I look at the screens and try to actually read the texts. Mostly won't success but it's really fun to do [[Special:Contributions/173.245.48.134|173.245.48.134]]

Talk:1403: Thesis Defense

2014-08-04T06:22:11Z

173.245.48.134:

Sorry, but if your best defense is frightening counter attack a good offense will destroy you. The best defense is a good offense because a weakened or destroyed opponent can mount no offense.[[Special:Contributions/173.245.48.132|173.245.48.132]] 05:58, 4 August 2014 (UTC)BluDgeons

May or may not also be inspired by Studio C: Thesis Defense
http://youtu.be/Lrlro3YJ15o
Teagan N

Talk:284: Tape Measure

2014-07-07T10:39:04Z

173.245.48.134: Added my stuff

I think it should be mentioned that Randall uses the unit Foot instead of Meter.--[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 10:28, 8 July 2013 (UTC)

: All of the tape measures of the given type that I've used are in feet because I, like Randall, am in the US! (I've seen metric ones, but not used them). It seems entirely natural, although if you really feel it's relevant... --[[User:Quicksilver|Quicksilver]] ([[User talk:Quicksilver|talk]]) 18:41, 22 August 2013 (UTC)

:I wonder why they don't make the tapes with metric on one edge, and imperial on the other. Some rulers and most vernier calipers do that. [[User:BK201|BK201]] ([[User talk:BK201|talk]]) 17:35, 12 December 2013 (UTC)BK201

:They do in some countries. I can confirm that it's a standard in New Zealand, at the very least. Apparently that's just not the case in America. [[User:Daniel|Daniel]] 02:16, 20 February 2014 (UTC)
:Or in Denmark - here we only have the metric tape measures.[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 11:33, 7 March 2014 (UTC)

:In china we use meteric units and traditional units like Chi(1/3 m from the last century till now) and Zhang(10 Chi's as far as I know). I think only some clothes-making rulers use traditional units because people are used to them. [[Special:Contributions/173.245.48.134|173.245.48.134]] 10:39, 7 July 2014 (UTC) Not registered