explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

1020: Orion Nebula

2012-09-23T14:48:58Z

2.204.90.192: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1020
| date = February 22, 2012
| title = Orion Nebula
| image = orion_nebula.png
| imagesize =
| titletext = Also on the agenda: what's with his hips?
}}

==Explanation==
The {{w|Orion nebula}} is a diffuse nebula situated south of the three stars that compose {{w|Orion's Belt}} in the {{w|Orion constellation}}. In terms of the comic, it is the middle "star" in the sword/dong of Orion. Dong is an American slang word for penis. The star appears fuzzy to sharp-eyed observers, and the nebulosity is obvious through binoculars or a small telescope.

When the speaker says "We are no strangers to controversy" he is probably referring to {{w|Pluto}}'s {{w|IAU definition of planet#Criticism|demotion}} from {{w|planet}} to a {{w|dwarf planet}}, or {{w|Plutoid}}, or whatever it's called these days.

The title text is a quip about how small the hips are in Orion the constellation compared to the rest of its body.

{{comic discussion}}

1028: Communication

2012-09-23T14:40:19Z

2.204.90.192: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1028
| date = March 12, 2012
| title = Communication
| image = communication.png
| imagesize =
| titletext = Anyone who says that they're great at communicating but 'people are bad at listening' is confused about how communication works.
}}

==Explanation==
In this comic, [[White Hat]] tries to communicate to [[Harry]] that there is a hole in his path. Harry does not understand the warning, he only sees an exasperated White Hat ranting about something. Unsuccessful at understanding the warning, Harry continues on (towards the hole White Hat tried to warn him about). White Hat continues on and encounters [[Megan]], who attempts to tell White Hat the same thing about the hole ahead in his path. Again, both fail to communicate the danger that lies ahead in the other's path. Both continue in their different directions, not knowing that there is a hole in the ground ahead of them because it was not properly communicated to them. They only knew that there was a hole behind them because that is what they observed personally. Megan meets up with Harry, and they are able to communicate that White Hat was all concerned about something and both continue on towards the hole. The holes are, hilariously, only about one person deep and it is not clear why they don't see them when they came upon them. However, either way, Harry and Megan fall into one hole (together) and White Hat falls into another (alone), despite being warned that the hole was there.

In the last row, [[Beret Guy]] sees a hole in his path. He runs off and encounters [[Cueball]] and proceeds to try to warn him of the danger ahead. Once he realizes that he is not successfully "communicating" the danger ahead to Cueball, he just takes him by the hand to show him the hole. Once that happens, Cueball understands the warning, i.e. "communication" has been successful.

If you are not familiar with it, the symbol of the triangle with the exclamation mark in it is a widely used symbol that means "{{w|Warning sign|warning}}".

The title text references the requirement that "communication" is a two-sided process and just telling someone something does not mean that you "communicated" the information to them.

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

1028: Communication

2012-09-23T14:39:00Z

2.204.90.192: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1028
| date = March 12, 2012
| title = Communication
| image = communication.png
| imagesize =
| titletext = Anyone who says that they're great at communicating but 'people are bad at listening' is confused about how communication works.
}}

==Explanation==
In this comic, [[White Hat]] tries to communicate to [[Harry]] that there is a hole in his path. Harry does not understand the warning, he only sees an exasperated White Hat ranting about something. Unsuccessful at understanding the warning, Harry continues on (towards the hole White Hat tried to warn him about). White Hat continues on and encounters [[Megan]], who attempts to tell White Hat the same thing about the hole ahead in his path. Again, both fail to communicate the danger that lies ahead in the other's path. Both continue in their different directions, not knowing that there is a hole in the ground ahead of them because it was not properly communicated to them. They only knew that there was a hole behind them because that is what they observed personally. Megan meets up with Harry, and they are able to communicate that White Hat was all concerned about something and both continue on towards the hole. The holes are, hilariously, only about one person deep and it is not clear why they don't see them when they came upon them. However, either way, Harry and Megan fall into one hole (together) and White Hat falls into another(alone), despite being warned that the hole was there.

In the last row, [[Beret Guy]] sees a hole in his path. He runs off and encounters [[Cueball]] and proceeds to try to warn him of the danger ahead. Once he realizes that he is not successfully "communicating" the danger ahead to Cueball, he just takes him by the hand to show him the hole. Once that happens, Cueball understands the warning, i.e. "communication" has been successful.

If you are not familiar with it, the symbol of the triangle with the exclamation mark in it is a widely used symbol that means "{{w|Warning sign|warning}}".

The title text references the requirement that "communication" is a two-sided process and just telling someone something does not mean that you "communicated" the information to them.

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