explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

1158: Rubber Sheet

2013-01-09T07:12:50Z

222.167.75.20: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1158
| date = January 9, 2013
| title = Rubber Sheet
| image = rubber sheet.png
| titletext = It IS about physics. It ALL is.
}}

==Explanation==
This comic refers to a [http://en.allexperts.com/q/Astronomy-1360/question-black-holes-1.htm common analogy used to explain how mass distorts spacetime] - a bowling ball resting on a sheet of paper distorts the paper due to its weight. Mass acts like the same way - mass results in distortion in spacetime.

Supposedly, the next part of the analogy to demonstrate the black hole: the slope of the sheet becomes so deep that you can't climb out from the bottom anymore, similar to a black hole which even light can't escape from it. However, the comic subverts it, and becomes a trampoline instead.

==Transcript==
:[Beret guy is standing on a giant bowling ball on a rubber sheet. Megan is watching.]
:Beret Guy: Imagine a giant bowling ball on a rubber sheet.
:Beret Guy: The ball's weight makes a dent in the sheet.

:[A rope is pulling the ball down into the sheet.]
:Beret Guy: Now imagine a rope that pulls the ball down even further.
:Beret Guy: ...Annnnd...

:[Rope lets go. Ball is catapulted with Beret Guy on it.]
:'''BOOOIING'''
:Beret Guy: Wheee

:[Beret guy and ball are falling back down.]
:Megan: ...Oh. I thought this was about physics.
:Beret Guy: Imagining is ''fun!''

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Physics]]

1158: Rubber Sheet

2013-01-09T07:10:44Z

222.167.75.20: typo

{{comic
| number = 1158
| date = January 9, 2013
| title = Rubber Sheet
| image = rubber sheet.png
| titletext = It IS about physics. It ALL is.
}}

==Explanation==
This comic refers to a [http://en.allexperts.com/q/Astronomy-1360/question-black-holes-1.htm common analogy used to explain how mass distorts spacetime] - a bowling ball resting on a sheet of paper distorts the paper due to its weight. Mass acts like the same way - mass results in distortion in spacetime.

Supposedly, the next part of the analogy to demonstrate the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Event_horizon event horizon]: the slope of the sheet becomes so deep that you can't climb out anymore, hence it essentially becomes a black hole, which even light can't escape from it. However, the comic subverts it, and becomes a trampoline instead.

==Transcript==
:[Beret guy is standing on a giant bowling ball on a rubber sheet. Megan is watching.]
:Beret Guy: Imagine a giant bowling ball on a rubber sheet.
:Beret Guy: The ball's weight makes a dent in the sheet.

:[A rope is pulling the ball down into the sheet.]
:Beret Guy: Now imagine a rope that pulls the ball down even further.
:Beret Guy: ...Annnnd...

:[Rope lets go. Ball is catapulted with Beret Guy on it.]
:'''BOOOIING'''
:Beret Guy: Wheee

:[Beret guy and ball are falling back down.]
:Megan: ...Oh. I thought this was about physics.
:Beret Guy: Imagining is ''fun!''

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Physics]]

1158: Rubber Sheet

2013-01-09T07:10:21Z

222.167.75.20: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1158
| date = January 9, 2013
| title = Rubber Sheet
| image = rubber sheet.png
| titletext = It IS about physics. It ALL is.
}}

==Explanation==
This comic refers to a [http://en.allexperts.com/q/Astronomy-1360/question-black-holes-1.htm common analogy used to explain how mass distorts spacetime] - a bowling ball resting on a sheet of paper distorts the paper due to its weight. Mass acts like the same way - mass results in distortion in spacetime.

Supposedly, the next part of the analogy to demonstrate the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Event_horizon event horizon]: the slope of the sheet becomes so deep that you can't climb out anymore, hence it essentially becomes a black hole, which even light can't escape from it. However, the comic subverts it, and becomes a trampoline instead.

==Transcript==
:[Beret guy is standing on a giant bowling ball on a rubber sheet. Megan is watching.]
:Beret Guy: Imagine a giant bowling ball on a rubber sheet.
:Beret Guy: The ball's weight makes a dent in the sheet.

:[A rope is pulling the ball down into the sheet.]
:Beret Guy: Now imagine a rope that pulls the ball down even further.
:Beret Guy: ...Annnnd...

:[Rope lets go. Ball is catapulted with Beret Guy on it.]
:'''BOOOIING'''
:Beret Guy: Wheee

:[Beret guy and ball are falling back down.]
:Megan: ...Oh. I thought this was about physics.
:Beret Guy: Imagining is ''fun!''

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Physics]]

565: Security Question

2012-12-20T18:10:31Z

222.167.75.20: Newbie here, hope everything goes fine. Have no idea about categories, so someone else please help me fix it, thx!

{{comic
| number = 565
| date = April 3, 2009
| title = Security Question
| image = security_question.png
| titletext = "Let's invite him to a party and play 'I never'. Okay, I never hid any bodies SOUTH of Main Street. ... he's taking a drink!"
}}

==Explanation==
Security questions are sensitive questions that allow a user to retrieve/reset his password if he lost his password, or the password got stolen. Because of this powerful function, security questions are treated much more serious than passwords, that you have to choose from a list of questions like "What's your mother's last name?" or "What's your secondary school?" and put in your personal information, so that nobody else can answer.

In this comic, however, the security question is deployed in a strange way, as the question "Where are the bodies buries?" assumes that one had buried bodies, hence had killed someone. And it turns out the police was trying to use this to trick him into catching the bait, and telling where the bodies are.

[http://www.wikihow.com/Play-the-%22I%27ve-Never%22-Game "I never"] is a drinking game that somebody says "I never did something" to the others. If you never did it, you don't need to drink, otherwise, drink. Since he takes a drink for "I never hid any bodies south of Main Street", he has did it.

==Transcript==
A male stick figure sits at a computer.

Computer Screen: "-Email Account Setup- To verify your identity, we need to ask you a question nobody else could answer."

Computer Screen: "Q: Where are the bodies buried? A:"

A text field is shown with "Behind the" typed.

Three stick figures, two wearing police hats and one wearing headphones, watch another computer.

The same text field is shown with "Behind the ... nice try." typed.

Figure in Headphones: Damn.

{{comic discussion}}