explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

3206: Installation

2026-02-12T18:56:09Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3206
| date = February 11, 2026
| title = Installation
| image = installation_2x.png
| imagesize = 740x272px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Do YOU remember the skylight being this big?
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a house like carpet. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
[[Megan]] and [[Cueball]] are installing wall-to-wall carpeting (also known as {{w|fitted carpet}}), which usually runs from the inner edge of one wall to the inner edge of a facing wall. Somehow, they have managed to mistakenly start laying the carpet against the outer edge of the wall without noticing. Despite encountering unfinished and uneven surfaces, plants, rocks, and other obstructions, they have not been clued in to their error, and have simply continued laying it for an unknown distance. Presumably, they would continue doing so until they encountered the outer wall of another building. Alternatively, if they check whether the wall is actually the other end of their room, they may keep going even then. Provided they can overcome the various geographical obstacles they might encounter — including oceans — they could eventually reach the other wall of their building by {{w|Circumnavigation|circumnavigation}}. They may run into a more immediate problem that prevents either approach, though, as it appears their last roll of carpet is about to run out.

According to the title text they have failed to notice another rather large clue to their problem — that there is a big open sky above them. Instead, they have, rather improbably, interpreted this as an extremely large {{w|skylight}} — a window on the ceiling designed to add light to a space of a building.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

[Four side-by-side panels showing Megan and Cueball rolling carpet over rough, outdoors terrain]

[Panel one: Cueball is pushing a roll of carpet over rough terrain, including a small rock and plant. Megan is walking behind him, pulling a cart holding two more rolls of carpet.]

[Panel two: Now on a slight incline, Cueball and Megan continue rolling and pulling respectively. The roll of carpet is approximately half as big as before.]

[Panel three: Having gone over a medium-size rock, the carpet being pushed has run out, and Megan and Cueball are lifting a new roll off the cart. One remains.]

[Panel four: Megan and Cueball have stopped walking, and are now talking to each other.]

:Megan: You're ''sure'' we started installing the wall-to-wall carpet on the right side of the wall?
:Cueball: The other end of the room ''must'' be getting close by now.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>

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

3206: Installation

2026-02-12T18:55:47Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3206
| date = February 11, 2026
| title = Installation
| image = installation_2x.png
| imagesize = 740x272px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Do YOU remember the skylight being this big?
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a house like carpet. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
[[Megan]] and [[Cueball]] are installing wall-to-wall carpeting (also known as {{w|fitted carpet}}), which usually runs from the inner edge of one wall to the inner edge of a facing wall. Somehow, they have managed to mistakenly start laying the carpet against the outer edge of the wall without noticing. Despite encountering unfinished and uneven surfaces, plants, rocks, and other obstructions, they have not been clued in to their error, and have simply continued laying it for an unknown distance. Presumably, they would continue doing so until they encountered the outer wall of another building. Alternatively, if they check whether the wall is actually the other end of their room, they may keep going even then. Provided they can overcome the various geographical obstacles they might encounter -- including oceans -- they could eventually reach the other wall of their building by {{w|Circumnavigation|circumnavigation}}. They may run into a more immediate problem that prevents either approach, though, as it appears their last roll of carpet is about to run out.

According to the title text they have failed to notice another rather large clue to their problem — that there is a big open sky above them. Instead, they have, rather improbably, interpreted this as an extremely large {{w|skylight}} — a window on the ceiling designed to add light to a space of a building.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

[Four side-by-side panels showing Megan and Cueball rolling carpet over rough, outdoors terrain]

[Panel one: Cueball is pushing a roll of carpet over rough terrain, including a small rock and plant. Megan is walking behind him, pulling a cart holding two more rolls of carpet.]

[Panel two: Now on a slight incline, Cueball and Megan continue rolling and pulling respectively. The roll of carpet is approximately half as big as before.]

[Panel three: Having gone over a medium-size rock, the carpet being pushed has run out, and Megan and Cueball are lifting a new roll off the cart. One remains.]

[Panel four: Megan and Cueball have stopped walking, and are now talking to each other.]

:Megan: You're ''sure'' we started installing the wall-to-wall carpet on the right side of the wall?
:Cueball: The other end of the room ''must'' be getting close by now.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>

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

Talk:3196: Aurora Coolness

2026-01-20T16:25:39Z

N0lqu:

second - [[Special:Contributions/45.178.1.151|45.178.1.151]] 03:07, 20 January 2026 (UTC)
:minute [[Special:Contributions/82.13.184.33|82.13.184.33]] 09:31, 20 January 2026 (UTC)
::hour [[User:CalibansCreations|'''Caliban''']] ([[User talk:CalibansCreations|talk]]) 10:24, 20 January 2026 (UTC)
:::day [[Special:Contributions/93.36.184.86|93.36.184.86]] 14:06, 20 January 2026 (UTC)
:::: What [[Special:Contributions/2605:59C8:160:DB08:657A:CBF1:9BDA:C5C|2605:59C8:160:DB08:657A:CBF1:9BDA:C5C]] 14:57, 20 January 2026 (UTC)

I picture people going out on a cold, clear winter night to stare at a shimmering, aurora-filled sky, and then returning to their warm homes to sip hot cups of soup from the microwave, blissfully unaware of how closely related the two events are ... or would be were it not for that thin, thin, layer of mostly diatomic and triatomic gases that is desperately parrying the Sun's murderous assault on our behalf. Yes, yes, I know, I know ...[[Special:Contributions/2605:59C8:160:DB08:657A:CBF1:9BDA:C5C|2605:59C8:160:DB08:657A:CBF1:9BDA:C5C]] 04:07, 20 January 2026 (UTC)
:Makes you wonder why no-one's figured out how to reproduce that in a microwave, so we can enjoy an aurora every time we heat something. [[Special:Contributions/82.13.184.33|82.13.184.33]] 09:34, 20 January 2026 (UTC)
::"Aurora Borealis? At THIS time of year, at THIS time of day, in THIS part of the country, localized ENTIRELY within your kitchen?" [[Special:Contributions/168.8.230.51|168.8.230.51]] 13:57, 20 January 2026 (UTC)
:::In order: Yes, yes, yes, no despite Randall's best efforts. [[User:GreatWyrmGold|GreatWyrmGold]] ([[User talk:GreatWyrmGold|talk]]) 14:19, 20 January 2026 (UTC)

The graph in 2914 isn't a function of time, it's a function of how close one is to the path of totality. [[Special:Contributions/137.25.230.78|137.25.230.78]] 05:39, 20 January 2026 (UTC)
: Fixed. [[Special:Contributions/2605:59C8:160:DB08:657A:CBF1:9BDA:C5C|2605:59C8:160:DB08:657A:CBF1:9BDA:C5C]] 06:38, 20 January 2026 (UTC)

New England was getting heavy snow in the days leading up to this comic, so it was probably too cloudy for any auroras to be visible. [[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 05:42, 20 January 2026 (UTC)

: "''probably too cloudy''" Far north coast of Maine, all I could see was sky-glow from the Walmart 7 miles away. We actually have a Dark Sky movement in this area (lotta old hippies) but Walmart didnt get that memo. --[[User:PRR|PRR]] ([[User talk:PRR|talk]]) 06:02, 20 January 2026 (UTC)

::Indeed. I live about 50km from London in a town with many street lights (and I don't drive). I've never seen an aurora.--[[Special:Contributions/2A00:23CC:D248:8901:8DF8:31D:D8B:3B99|2A00:23CC:D248:8901:8DF8:31D:D8B:3B99]] 09:09, 20 January 2026 (UTC)

I wish all those many people who apparently get notified about aurora forecasts, go outside and then AFTERWARDS post about it instead posted about it BEFORE… I keep seeing such posts when it's too late. :( [[User:Fabian42|Fabian42]] ([[User talk:Fabian42|talk]]) 06:53, 20 January 2026 (UTC)

I'm not sure if this is a UK-specific phenomenon, so it may not be familiar to many of you, but those who ''do'' do this ("do do" – snigger), ''stop it''. I refer to banging on about how spectacular the aurora is but not mentioning that it couldn't be seen with the naked eye. If you can only see it by pointing your camera at it, that's not seeing it. That's not worthy of BBC journalists saying the aurora was visible, because it ''wasn't''. That's a cute trick that your phone can do to translate invisible parts of the spectrum into visible light. You don't post UV-detector shots of patterns that birds can see and say "Wow, conditions were perfect for making these patterns visible on this lizard!" If it's not visible, it's not visible. [[User:Yorkshire Pudding|Yorkshire Pudding]] ([[User talk:Yorkshire Pudding|talk]]) 10:55, 20 January 2026 (UTC)
:From my recollection of past info (that I won't repeat too specifically, as I kight be wrong and you probably don't want me saying it more exactly either way) you're also somewhere on the inner fringes of one of the main Yorkshire conurbations. Which means that your night-time views are blighted by 'cityshine' (as mine typically are, except it's more like a major regional town just over the hill) except upon the clearest of clear nights.
:I don't know what the urban equivalent is, but it's seemingly something like constant noctiluscent clouds (only illuminated by over-the-hill settlements, not the under-the-horizon Sun). Technically, I should get good aurora views, at this latitude, but have ''never'' seen (with my naked eye) anything that doesn't look like reflected light-pollution. Really clear skies and really good aurora seem to never have coincided, either it's the skies (lots of stars, or even shooting stars at the right times of year) or its an ambiguous glow that is probably anthropogenic. (Or, worse, it's so cloudy/etc, that I don't even get the neighbouring town's light.) [[Special:Contributions/82.132.239.241|82.132.239.241]] 16:25, 20 January 2026 (UTC)

3194: 16 Part Epoxy

2026-01-15T20:03:46Z

N0lqu: Better explanation of Rosin for this context

{{comic
| number = 3194
| date = January 14, 2026
| title = 16 Part Epoxy
| image = 16_part_epoxy_2x.png
| imagesize = 511x595px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Some surfaces may seem difficult to glue. But if you research the materials, find tables of what adhesives work on them, and prepare your surfaces carefully, you can fail to glue them in a fun NEW way that fills your house with dangerous vapors.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a gorilla glue gorilla. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

This comic refers to {{w|Epoxy|epoxy}} — substances used as adhesives, sealants, and coatings. Many types of epoxy are multi-part, usually two, where the components, such as resin and a hardener, are stored separately. For ease of use, this can be in parallel syringes (of equal volume, or proportionately different widths to maintain the correct mixing ratio) such that the user simultaneously squeezes out the separate chemicals by depressing both syringes at once, onto the initial surface. The combined epoxy quickly cures as the opposing surface is brought into contact; or, for sealant or coating purposes, distributed accordingly before setting. This comic presents a fictitious 16-part epoxy, with the same apparent logic of parallel deposition in mind, with many components that are implausible or make fun of common problems people have when using epoxy in real life.

The title text references how not all epoxies and glues work on every material, and that applying them on some can require special techniques or products. Some industrial or industrial-grade adhesives contain solvents (e.g. {{w|tetrachloroethylene}}, which is used in E6000 glue) that release harmful vapors as they cure. If used improperly, this can result in the release of chemical vapors in an enclosed space along other dangerous side-effects, while also not working as a glue as intended.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Type
!Real?
!Explanation
|-
|Resin
|{{Yes}}
|A liquid which turns into a polymer when mixed with a hardener.
|-
|Hardener
|{{Yes}}
|A thick liquid which is mixed with resin to create a durable polymer which is commonly used as a glue.
|-
|Filler
|{{Yes}}
|An optional addition to the hardener and resin which changes the properties of the polymer.

Some epoxies are sold as products known as 'fillers', used to repair and cover cracks, holes, and imperfections.
|-
|Softener
|{{Yes}}
|A substance which is added to polymer to soften the polymer and increase its impact resistance.
|-
|Rosin
|{{Yes}}
|While this looks like a joke entry, this is actually an alternative to resin which is extracted naturally rather than synthesized from other chemicals. Rosin is one of two parts that make up rosin-core solder, used in electronic circuits, where the rosin located in the center (the "core") of the solder and helps the solder to melt and bind better -- in this case the two parts are touching rather than kept completely separate, but require heat to mix and become active with each other. Rosin is also frequently applied to the bows of string instruments like violins or cellos to improve the sound, as immortalized in the famous song "The Devil Went Down to Georgia".
|-
|Stuff that bonds permanently to skin and nothing else
|{{No}}
|One key annoyance with sticky substances is the difficulty of removing them when they bond to skin. In this case, the polymer bonds solely to skin instead of anything else, making it mostly only really useful for a practical joke. Some epoxies are specifically designed for gluing skin, usually for medical purposes, but none are known to bond to skin exclusively.{{acn}} This may be a reference to {{w|cyanoacrylate|cyanoacrylate adhesives}} ("super glues"), which famously bond quite aggressively to skin while often failing to bond the target materials.
|-
|Stuff that will crack and turn white over a few days, for decorative appearance
|{{Maybe|Not effective as epoxy}}
|'Crackle effect' is a real thing for crafters, and can be created by mixing paint and glue, but is not recommended if you want two surfaces to adhere, since most paint is made to be non-adherent in order to be durable{{acn}}. Poor finish, where an intended smooth uniform surface cracks or discolors, can be a frustrating problem when applying epoxy mixtures to visible surfaces, especially when the problem only appears some time after you've congratulated yourself on a job well done.
|-
|Placebo
|{{Maybe|Not in the field of adhesives}}
|The {{w|placebo effect}} happens when somebody is told that something has a certain effect, when in reality there is no effect. This is commonly used in medical studies to determine whether a medication actually does something as opposed to simply having a {{w|psychosomatic effect}}. Using this term to describe a type of polymer suggests it would make someone believe it is gluing things together without actually doing anything, which is unlikely. Alternatively, this could refer to a component or filler that claims to serve a specific purpose while having no true benefit, causing the perception of benefit to the consumer (presumably causing better reviews).
|-
|Minced duct tape
|{{Maybe|Not intentionally}}
|{{w|Duct tape}} is widely used as a way to join and/cover things, sometimes in contexts where an epoxy might provide a more high-quality solution. [[Randall]] is pretending that having very small pieces of tape in the mix would add to the epoxy's ability to hold things together. In reality, cutting duct tape into small pieces would weaken it and make it ''less'' effective at sticking things together. In the UK, the word 'minced' can also mean 'made worthless', which would also not fare well for the adhesive.
|-
|Acetone fragrance
|{{No}}
|Acetone is a volatile solvent used in a number of glues and paints (incl. nail polish), but it weakens epoxy and can even be used to remove uncured epoxy. It has a strong, distinctive, very unpleasant smell, and is actually toxic, meaning that fragrance is an odd reason for adding it to any product. It ''would'' give the epoxy a familiar "chemical smell" that people associate with industrial compounds.
|-
|Powdered bar magnets
|{{Maybe|Yes, but not in resin}}
|This might still work if the pieces could somehow be aligned correctly, as each tiny piece of magnet would still be a magnet in its own right, capable of attracting the other tiny magnets, and thus resisting tension forces. However, it would be much worse than a normal bar magnet, since the magnetic force would be weaker than those that held the original bar together. The micro-magnets would tend to clump together, which might strengthen the glue, but wouldn't help it to bond to surfaces very much unless the surfaces themselves were strongly magnetic.
|-
|Polyethylvinylesteracetate
|{{Maybe|Not in epoxy}}
|This appears to be a reference to {{w|ethylene-vinyl acetate|Poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate)}}, some formulations of which can be used as the adhesive in hot-glue guns. Vinyl acetate is an ester, so the inclusion of that term is redundant. The cadence of the constructed word may also be a reference to the television episode {{w|Lucy Does a TV Commercial}} and its memorable product "Vitameatavegamin". It also resembles the kind of thing often seen in ingredients lists for common household products such as soaps and cleaners, which are fairly meaningless to the average person buying them.
|-
|2-Polyethylvinylesteracetate
|{{Maybe|Unclear}}
|This sounds almost exactly the same as the above item, but {{w|2-Polyprenyl-6-hydroxyphenol methylase|a name with a "2-" prefix}} generally indicates that the initial bit of the name is a {{w|functional group}} attached to the ''second'' position along a chemical chain (often being the carbon-carbon 'spine' of a molecule, in large-molecule organic chemistry), rather than attached to its end. Because the molecule name is (possibly deliberately) malformed, it's hard to tell what is supposed to be attached to the second carbon of what subunit.
|-
|Salt and pepper to taste
|{{Maybe|Not for taste, but salt can be useful}}
|Salt and pepper are two incredibly popular condiments which are used to enhance a dish's flavor, and "salt and pepper to taste" is a phrase found in many food recipes. But the taste of your epoxy should not be your concern. Do not eat epoxy. However, salt or sand or other fine grains are sometimes recommended to add a bit of grit to an adhesive. Generally glues or epoxies need the bonded materials to be firmly held together while the glue cures. But when first pressed together, any excess glue is squeezed out and can cause the surfaces to slip around and need to be re-aligned. Any extra friction in the epoxy can help alleviate that.
|-
|Blood sample from the Gorilla Glue gorillas
|{{No}}{{Citation Needed}}
|{{w|Gorilla Glue}} is a popular brand of superglue which uses {{w|gorillas}} as its mascot. In this case, the blood of the gorillas would be extracted and placed in the polymer, which would dilute and possibly weaken it. Insofar as Gorilla Glue gorillas exist, they are depicted as ordinary gorillas who just happen to carry glue everywhere. Extracting and consuming the blood of a creature or person in an attempt to inherit some of the qualities of the 'donor' is a kind of {{w|sympathetic magic}}, so this may be suggesting that including this will give the epoxy 'the strength of a gorilla', commonly considered a powerful animal.

Blood has been [https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/blood-glue historically used in glue], though not typically that of gorillas.
|-
|Stuff that bonds to every known material except yours
|{{No|Probably not}}
|Another common annoyance when using an adhesive is that each glue type only forms an adhesive bond with certain materials. In this case, the polymer would bond with every material except for the one you were using, causing great distress and leaving you in a fix. This is similar to "Stuff that bonds permanently to skin and nothing else" above.
|}

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

Standard 16-Part Epoxy

[An epoxy applicator with a single push bar and sixteen differently-colored chambers, each labeled]

Resin

Hardener

Filler

Softener

Rosin

Stuff that bonds permanently to skin and nothing else

Stuff that will turn white and crack over a few days, for decorative appearance

Placebo

Minced duct tape

Acetone Fragrance

Powdered bar magnets

Polyethylvinylesteracetate

2-Polyethylvinylesteracetate

Salt and pepper to taste

Blood sample from the Gorilla Glue gorillas

Stuff that bonds to every known material except yours

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>

[[Category:Comics with color]]

3194: 16 Part Epoxy

2026-01-15T19:54:38Z

N0lqu:

{{comic
| number = 3194
| date = January 14, 2026
| title = 16 Part Epoxy
| image = 16_part_epoxy_2x.png
| imagesize = 511x595px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Some surfaces may seem difficult to glue. But if you research the materials, find tables of what adhesives work on them, and prepare your surfaces carefully, you can fail to glue them in a fun NEW way that fills your house with dangerous vapors.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a gorilla glue gorilla. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

This comic refers to {{w|Epoxy|epoxy}} — substances used as adhesives, sealants, and coatings. Many types of epoxy are multi-part, usually two, where the components, such as resin and a hardener, are stored separately. For ease of use, this can be in parallel syringes (of equal volume, or proportionately different widths to maintain the correct mixing ratio) such that the user simultaneously squeezes out the separate chemicals by depressing both syringes at once, onto the initial surface. The combined epoxy quickly cures as the opposing surface is brought into contact; or, for sealant or coating purposes, distributed accordingly before setting. This comic presents a fictitious 16-part epoxy, with the same apparent logic of parallel deposition in mind, with many components that are implausible or make fun of common problems people have when using epoxy in real life.

The title text references how not all epoxies and glues work on every material, and that applying them on some can require special techniques or products. Some industrial or industrial-grade adhesives contain solvents (e.g. {{w|tetrachloroethylene}}, which is used in E6000 glue) that release harmful vapors as they cure. If used improperly, this can result in the release of chemical vapors in an enclosed space along other dangerous side-effects, while also not working as a glue as intended.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Type
!Real?
!Explanation
|-
|Resin
|{{Yes}}
|A liquid which turns into a polymer when mixed with a hardener.
|-
|Hardener
|{{Yes}}
|A thick liquid which is mixed with resin to create a durable polymer which is commonly used as a glue.
|-
|Filler
|{{Yes}}
|An optional addition to the hardener and resin which changes the properties of the polymer.

Some epoxies are sold as products known as 'fillers', used to repair and cover cracks, holes, and imperfections.
|-
|Softener
|{{Yes}}
|A substance which is added to polymer to soften the polymer and increase its impact resistance.
|-
|Rosin
|{{Yes}}
|While this looks like a joke entry, this is actually an alternative to resin which is extracted naturally rather than synthesized from other chemicals. Rosin is frequently applied to the bows of string instruments like violins or cellos to improve the sound, as immortalized in the famous song "The Devil Went Down to Georgia".
|-
|Stuff that bonds permanently to skin and nothing else
|{{No}}
|One key annoyance with sticky substances is the difficulty of removing them when they bond to skin. In this case, the polymer bonds solely to skin instead of anything else, making it mostly only really useful for a practical joke. Some epoxies are specifically designed for gluing skin, usually for medical purposes, but none are known to bond to skin exclusively.{{acn}} This may be a reference to {{w|cyanoacrylate|cyanoacrylate adhesives}} ("super glues"), which famously bond quite aggressively to skin while often failing to bond the target materials.
|-
|Stuff that will crack and turn white over a few days, for decorative appearance
|{{Maybe|Not effective as epoxy}}
|'Crackle effect' is a real thing for crafters, and can be created by mixing paint and glue, but is not recommended if you want two surfaces to adhere, since most paint is made to be non-adherent in order to be durable{{acn}}. Poor finish, where an intended smooth uniform surface cracks or discolors, can be a frustrating problem when applying epoxy mixtures to visible surfaces, especially when the problem only appears some time after you've congratulated yourself on a job well done.
|-
|Placebo
|{{Maybe|Not in the field of adhesives}}
|The {{w|placebo effect}} happens when somebody is told that something has a certain effect, when in reality there is no effect. This is commonly used in medical studies to determine whether a medication actually does something as opposed to simply having a {{w|psychosomatic effect}}. Using this term to describe a type of polymer suggests it would make someone believe it is gluing things together without actually doing anything, which is unlikely. Alternatively, this could refer to a component or filler that claims to serve a specific purpose while having no true benefit, causing the perception of benefit to the consumer (presumably causing better reviews).
|-
|Minced duct tape
|{{Maybe|Not intentionally}}
|{{w|Duct tape}} is widely used as a way to join and/cover things, sometimes in contexts where an epoxy might provide a more high-quality solution. [[Randall]] is pretending that having very small pieces of tape in the mix would add to the epoxy's ability to hold things together. In reality, cutting duct tape into small pieces would weaken it and make it ''less'' effective at sticking things together. In the UK, the word 'minced' can also mean 'made worthless', which would also not fare well for the adhesive.
|-
|Acetone fragrance
|{{No}}
|Acetone is a volatile solvent used in a number of glues and paints (incl. nail polish), but it weakens epoxy and can even be used to remove uncured epoxy. It has a strong, distinctive, very unpleasant smell, and is actually toxic, meaning that fragrance is an odd reason for adding it to any product. It ''would'' give the epoxy a familiar "chemical smell" that people associate with industrial compounds.
|-
|Powdered bar magnets
|{{Maybe|Yes, but not in resin}}
|This might still work if the pieces could somehow be aligned correctly, as each tiny piece of magnet would still be a magnet in its own right, capable of attracting the other tiny magnets, and thus resisting tension forces. However, it would be much worse than a normal bar magnet, since the magnetic force would be weaker than those that held the original bar together. The micro-magnets would tend to clump together, which might strengthen the glue, but wouldn't help it to bond to surfaces very much unless the surfaces themselves were strongly magnetic.
|-
|Polyethylvinylesteracetate
|{{Maybe|Not in epoxy}}
|This appears to be a reference to {{w|ethylene-vinyl acetate|Poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate)}}, some formulations of which can be used as the adhesive in hot-glue guns. Vinyl acetate is an ester, so the inclusion of that term is redundant. The cadence of the constructed word may also be a reference to the television episode {{w|Lucy Does a TV Commercial}} and its memorable product "Vitameatavegamin". It also resembles the kind of thing often seen in ingredients lists for common household products such as soaps and cleaners, which are fairly meaningless to the average person buying them.
|-
|2-Polyethylvinylesteracetate
|{{Maybe|Unclear}}
|This sounds almost exactly the same as the above item, but {{w|2-Polyprenyl-6-hydroxyphenol methylase|a name with a "2-" prefix}} generally indicates that the initial bit of the name is a {{w|functional group}} attached to the ''second'' position along a chemical chain (often being the carbon-carbon 'spine' of a molecule, in large-molecule organic chemistry), rather than attached to its end. Because the molecule name is (possibly deliberately) malformed, it's hard to tell what is supposed to be attached to the second carbon of what subunit.
|-
|Salt and pepper to taste
|{{Maybe|Not for taste, but salt can be useful}}
|Salt and pepper are two incredibly popular condiments which are used to enhance a dish's flavor, and "salt and pepper to taste" is a phrase found in many food recipes. But the taste of your epoxy should not be your concern. Do not eat epoxy. However, salt or sand or other fine grains are sometimes recommended to add a bit of grit to an adhesive. Generally glues or epoxies need the bonded materials to be firmly held together while the glue cures. But when first pressed together, any excess glue is squeezed out and can cause the surfaces to slip around and need to be re-aligned. Any extra friction in the epoxy can help alleviate that.
|-
|Blood sample from the Gorilla Glue gorillas
|{{No}}{{Citation Needed}}
|{{w|Gorilla Glue}} is a popular brand of superglue which uses {{w|gorillas}} as its mascot. In this case, the blood of the gorillas would be extracted and placed in the polymer, which would dilute and possibly weaken it. Insofar as Gorilla Glue gorillas exist, they are depicted as ordinary gorillas who just happen to carry glue everywhere. Extracting and consuming the blood of a creature or person in an attempt to inherit some of the qualities of the 'donor' is a kind of {{w|sympathetic magic}}, so this may be suggesting that including this will give the epoxy 'the strength of a gorilla', commonly considered a powerful animal.

Blood has been [https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/blood-glue historically used in glue], though not typically that of gorillas.
|-
|Stuff that bonds to every known material except yours
|{{No|Probably not}}
|Another common annoyance when using an adhesive is that each glue type only forms an adhesive bond with certain materials. In this case, the polymer would bond with every material except for the one you were using, causing great distress and leaving you in a fix. This is similar to "Stuff that bonds permanently to skin and nothing else" above.
|}

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

Standard 16-Part Epoxy

[An epoxy applicator with a single push bar and sixteen differently-colored chambers, each labeled]

Resin

Hardener

Filler

Softener

Rosin

Stuff that bonds permanently to skin and nothing else

Stuff that will turn white and crack over a few days, for decorative appearance

Placebo

Minced duct tape

Acetone Fragrance

Powdered bar magnets

Polyethylvinylesteracetate

2-Polyethylvinylesteracetate

Salt and pepper to taste

Blood sample from the Gorilla Glue gorillas

Stuff that bonds to every known material except yours

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>

[[Category:Comics with color]]

3191: Superstition

2026-01-08T17:47:59Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3191
| date = January 7, 2026
| title = Superstition
| image = superstition_2x.png
| imagesize = 275x393px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = It's important to teach yourself to feel responsible for random events, because with great responsibility comes great power. That's what my wise Uncle Ben told me right before he died; he might still be alive today if only I'd said rabbit rabbit that year!
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by people who will edit this wiki or else it is their fault. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
This comic references the {{W|superstition}}, which is known to have existed as far back as 1909, of saying "{{W|rabbit rabbit rabbit|rabbit rabbit}}" on the first day of a month in order to have good luck. There are many superstitions about actions that either cause bad luck (e.g. "step on a crack, break your mother's back", walking under a {{W|Ladder#Society_and_culture|ladder}}, breaking a {{W|List_of_bad_luck_signs|mirror}}, letting a {{W|Black_cat#Superstition,_folklore,_bringer_of_good_or_bad_luck|black cat}} cross your path) or protect against bad luck (e.g. carrying a {{W|rabbit's foot}}, {{W|Spilling_salt|throwing salt over your shoulder}} after spilling some, {{W|knocking on wood}} after saying something).

When asked to explain it, [[Cueball]] reveals that, rather than being subject to {{W|magical thinking}}, he is fully aware that the act has no real direct power, and thus in his case this isn't really a superstition, but merely a cultural artefact. However, he suggests that acts like these have a psychological effect by making people feel guilty over random unpleasant events over which they have no control by implying that there must have been some unrelated act which could have prevented them.

"{{W|Uncle Ben}}" is a reference to Spider-Man, whose uncle, Ben, told him that "with great power comes great responsibility". He was not actually aware of Peter Parker's developing super-powered abilities, his aphorism being about far more mundane abilities to improve people's lives, but this still became the central guiding tenet for the superhero's philosophy. The title text flips this and implies that by taking on a great responsibility one will gain the concomitant degree of extra power. The adherence to superstitions to control our fate implies that we all have great powers, however, and we must therefore use them responsibly.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

:[Blondie, Cueball and a child (Hairy) are walking from left to right. The child is turning towards Cueball.]

:Cueball: Oops, I forgot to say "rabbit rabbit" on January first!

:Hairy: Why do you do that?

:Cueball: Just a superstition.

:Hairy: What's a superstition?

:Cueball: It's a way to train yourself to feel like any bad thing that happens is your fault.

==Trivia==

* On January 7th, 2026, both the 1x and 2x version of this comic had no anti-aliasing applied (1-bit black and white). It was fixed later that day.
* Mentioning "rabbits" is also considered ''bad'' luck {{w|Isle of Portland#Rabbits|in some traditions}}.
{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Blondie]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
[[Category:Language]]
[[Category:Comics edited after their publication]]

3191: Superstition

2026-01-08T17:47:21Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3191
| date = January 7, 2026
| title = Superstition
| image = superstition_2x.png
| imagesize = 275x393px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = It's important to teach yourself to feel responsible for random events, because with great responsibility comes great power. That's what my wise Uncle Ben told me right before he died; he might still be alive today if only I'd said rabbit rabbit that year!
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by people who will edit this wiki or else it is their fault. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
This comic references the '{{W|superstition}}', which is known to have existed as far back as 1909, of saying "{{W|rabbit rabbit rabbit|rabbit rabbit}}" on the first day of a month in order to have good luck. There are many 'superstitions' about actions that either cause bad luck (e.g. "step on a crack, break your mother's back", walking under a {{W|Ladder#Society_and_culture|ladder}}, breaking a {{W|List_of_bad_luck_signs|mirror}}, letting a {{W|Black_cat#Superstition,_folklore,_bringer_of_good_or_bad_luck|black cat}} cross your path) or protect against bad luck (e.g. carrying a {{W|rabbit's foot}}, {{W|Spilling_salt|throwing salt over your shoulder}} after spilling some, {{W|knocking on wood}} after saying something).

When asked to explain it, [[Cueball]] reveals that, rather than being subject to {{W|magical thinking}}, he is fully aware that the act has no real direct power, and thus in his case this isn't really a superstition, but merely a cultural artefact. However, he suggests that acts like these have a psychological effect by making people feel guilty over random unpleasant events over which they have no control by implying that there must have been some unrelated act which could have prevented them.

"{{W|Uncle Ben}}" is a reference to Spider-Man, whose uncle, Ben, told him that "with great power comes great responsibility". He was not actually aware of Peter Parker's developing super-powered abilities, his aphorism being about far more mundane abilities to improve people's lives, but this still became the central guiding tenet for the superhero's philosophy. The title text flips this and implies that by taking on a great responsibility one will gain the concomitant degree of extra power. The adherence to superstitions to control our fate implies that we all have great powers, however, and we must therefore use them responsibly.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

:[Blondie, Cueball and a child (Hairy) are walking from left to right. The child is turning towards Cueball.]

:Cueball: Oops, I forgot to say "rabbit rabbit" on January first!

:Hairy: Why do you do that?

:Cueball: Just a superstition.

:Hairy: What's a superstition?

:Cueball: It's a way to train yourself to feel like any bad thing that happens is your fault.

==Trivia==

* On January 7th, 2026, both the 1x and 2x version of this comic had no anti-aliasing applied (1-bit black and white). It was fixed later that day.
* Mentioning "rabbits" is also considered ''bad'' luck {{w|Isle of Portland#Rabbits|in some traditions}}.
{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Blondie]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
[[Category:Language]]
[[Category:Comics edited after their publication]]

3191: Superstition

2026-01-08T17:46:53Z

N0lqu: Added some wikipedia links

{{comic
| number = 3191
| date = January 7, 2026
| title = Superstition
| image = superstition_2x.png
| imagesize = 275x393px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = It's important to teach yourself to feel responsible for random events, because with great responsibility comes great power. That's what my wise Uncle Ben told me right before he died; he might still be alive today if only I'd said rabbit rabbit that year!
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by people who will edit this wiki or else it is their fault. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
This comic references the 'superstition', which is known to have existed as far back as 1909, of saying "{{W|rabbit rabbit rabbit|rabbit rabbit}}" on the first day of a month in order to have good luck. There are many 'superstitions' about actions that either cause bad luck (e.g. "step on a crack, break your mother's back", walking under a {{W|Ladder#Society_and_culture|ladder}}, breaking a {{W|List_of_bad_luck_signs|mirror}}, letting a {{W|Black_cat#Superstition,_folklore,_bringer_of_good_or_bad_luck|black cat}} cross your path) or protect against bad luck (e.g. carrying a {{W|rabbit's foot}}, {{W|Spilling_salt|throwing salt over your shoulder}} after spilling some, {{W|knocking on wood}} after saying something).

When asked to explain it, [[Cueball]] reveals that, rather than being subject to {{W|magical thinking}}, he is fully aware that the act has no real direct power, and thus in his case this isn't really a superstition, but merely a cultural artefact. However, he suggests that acts like these have a psychological effect by making people feel guilty over random unpleasant events over which they have no control by implying that there must have been some unrelated act which could have prevented them.

"{{W|Uncle Ben}}" is a reference to Spider-Man, whose uncle, Ben, told him that "with great power comes great responsibility". He was not actually aware of Peter Parker's developing super-powered abilities, his aphorism being about far more mundane abilities to improve people's lives, but this still became the central guiding tenet for the superhero's philosophy. The title text flips this and implies that by taking on a great responsibility one will gain the concomitant degree of extra power. The adherence to superstitions to control our fate implies that we all have great powers, however, and we must therefore use them responsibly.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

:[Blondie, Cueball and a child (Hairy) are walking from left to right. The child is turning towards Cueball.]

:Cueball: Oops, I forgot to say "rabbit rabbit" on January first!

:Hairy: Why do you do that?

:Cueball: Just a superstition.

:Hairy: What's a superstition?

:Cueball: It's a way to train yourself to feel like any bad thing that happens is your fault.

==Trivia==

* On January 7th, 2026, both the 1x and 2x version of this comic had no anti-aliasing applied (1-bit black and white). It was fixed later that day.
* Mentioning "rabbits" is also considered ''bad'' luck {{w|Isle of Portland#Rabbits|in some traditions}}.
{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Blondie]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
[[Category:Language]]
[[Category:Comics edited after their publication]]

3191: Superstition

2026-01-08T17:42:50Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3191
| date = January 7, 2026
| title = Superstition
| image = superstition_2x.png
| imagesize = 275x393px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = It's important to teach yourself to feel responsible for random events, because with great responsibility comes great power. That's what my wise Uncle Ben told me right before he died; he might still be alive today if only I'd said rabbit rabbit that year!
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by people who will edit this wiki or else it is their fault. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
This comic references the 'superstition', which is known to have existed as far back as 1909, of saying "{{W|rabbit rabbit rabbit|rabbit rabbit}}" on the first day of a month in order to have good luck. There are many 'superstitions' about actions that either cause bad luck (e.g. "step on a crack, break your mother's back", walking under a ladder, breaking a mirror, letting a {{W|Black_cat#Superstition,_folklore,_bringer_of_good_or_bad_luck|black cat}} cross your path) or protect against bad luck (e.g. carrying a {{W|rabbit's foot}}, {{W|Spilling_salt|throwing salt over your shoulder}} after spilling some, {{W|knocking on wood}} after saying something).

When asked to explain it, [[Cueball]] reveals that, rather than being subject to {{W|magical thinking}}, he is fully aware that the act has no real direct power, and thus in his case this isn't really a superstition, but merely a cultural artefact. However, he suggests that acts like these have a psychological effect by making people feel guilty over random unpleasant events over which they have no control by implying that there must have been some unrelated act which could have prevented them.

"{{W|Uncle Ben}}" is a reference to Spider-Man, whose uncle, Ben, told him that "with great power comes great responsibility". He was not actually aware of Peter Parker's developing super-powered abilities, his aphorism being about far more mundane abilities to improve people's lives, but this still became the central guiding tenet for the superhero's philosophy. The title text flips this and implies that by taking on a great responsibility one will gain the concomitant degree of extra power. The adherence to superstitions to control our fate implies that we all have great powers, however, and we must therefore use them responsibly.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

:[Blondie, Cueball and a child (Hairy) are walking from left to right. The child is turning towards Cueball.]

:Cueball: Oops, I forgot to say "rabbit rabbit" on January first!

:Hairy: Why do you do that?

:Cueball: Just a superstition.

:Hairy: What's a superstition?

:Cueball: It's a way to train yourself to feel like any bad thing that happens is your fault.

==Trivia==

* On January 7th, 2026, both the 1x and 2x version of this comic had no anti-aliasing applied (1-bit black and white). It was fixed later that day.
* Mentioning "rabbits" is also considered ''bad'' luck {{w|Isle of Portland#Rabbits|in some traditions}}.
{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Blondie]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
[[Category:Language]]
[[Category:Comics edited after their publication]]

3191: Superstition

2026-01-08T17:29:36Z

N0lqu: a couple more superstitions

{{comic
| number = 3191
| date = January 7, 2026
| title = Superstition
| image = superstition_2x.png
| imagesize = 275x393px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = It's important to teach yourself to feel responsible for random events, because with great responsibility comes great power. That's what my wise Uncle Ben told me right before he died; he might still be alive today if only I'd said rabbit rabbit that year!
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by people who will edit this wiki or else it is their fault. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
This comic references the 'superstition', which is known to have existed as far back as 1909, of saying "{{W|rabbit rabbit rabbit|rabbit rabbit}}" on the first day of a month in order to have good luck. There are many 'superstitions' about actions that either cause bad luck (e.g. "step on a crack, break your mother's back", walking under a ladder, breaking a mirror, letting a black cat cross your path) or protect against bad luck (e.g. carrying a rabbit's foot, throwing salt over your shoulder after spilling some, knocking on wood).

When asked to explain it, [[Cueball]] reveals that, rather than being subject to {{W|magical thinking}}, he is fully aware that the act has no real direct power, and thus in his case this isn't really a superstition, but merely a cultural artefact. However, he suggests that acts like these have a psychological effect by making people feel guilty over random unpleasant events over which they have no control by implying that there must have been some unrelated act which could have prevented them.

"{{W|Uncle Ben}}" is a reference to Spider-Man, whose uncle, Ben, told him that "with great power comes great responsibility". He was not actually aware of Peter Parker's developing super-powered abilities, his aphorism being about far more mundane abilities to improve people's lives, but this still became the central guiding tenet for the superhero's philosophy. The title text flips this and implies that by taking on a great responsibility one will gain the concomitant degree of extra power. The adherence to superstitions to control our fate implies that we all have great powers, however, and we must therefore use them responsibly.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

:[Blondie, Cueball and a child (Hairy) are walking from left to right. The child is turning towards Cueball.]

:Cueball: Oops, I forgot to say "rabbit rabbit" on January first!

:Hairy: Why do you do that?

:Cueball: Just a superstition.

:Hairy: What's a superstition?

:Cueball: It's a way to train yourself to feel like any bad thing that happens is your fault.

==Trivia==

* On January 7th, 2026, both the 1x and 2x version of this comic had no anti-aliasing applied (1-bit black and white). It was fixed later that day.
* Mentioning "rabbits" is also considered ''bad'' luck {{w|Isle of Portland#Rabbits|in some traditions}}.
{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Blondie]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
[[Category:Language]]
[[Category:Comics edited after their publication]]

3181: Jumping Frog Radius

2025-12-16T15:11:10Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3181
| date = December 15, 2025
| title = Jumping Frog Radius
| image = jumping_frog_radius_2x.png
| imagesize = 339x243px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Earth's r_jf is approximately 1.5 light-days, leading to general relativity's successful prediction that all the frogs in the Solar System should be found collected on the surface of the Earth.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by an CHAMPION PLANET-JUMPING FROG. I have added a bit about the drawing. It is important I think that the planet with the frog has exactly the rjf radius. This means the frog cannot escape but just barely. Is there a physics relation behind the fact that the jumps height seems to be very close to the radius of the planet, i.e. rjf? Also Can someone calculate the size and mass of the largest object from which a champion frog can achieve escape velocity? Are there some named asteroids that are of sow low a mass that it would be possible for frog to jump of? (Of course there are some small enough... but do any of them have real names, like the one named after Randall)? Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
The {{w|Schwarzschild radius}} is essentially the size of a {{w|black hole}} -- the maximum distance from the center where gravity is so strong that light can't escape.

It is part of a solution to {{w|Einstein's field equations}}. It is usually calculated as the following:
:r = (2*G*M)/(c2),
where G is the {{w|gravitational constant}}, M is the mass of the object, and c is the {{w|speed of light}}.

If M is the mass of the {{w|Earth}} it would give the Schwarzschild radius for the Earth which is about 9 mm. (If all of Earth mass was pressed into a sphere of a bit less than 2 cm in diameter, it would become a black hole.)

The comic suggests a more useful radius. The ''Jumping Frog radius'', rjf, which is the size of a "planet" so that its gravity keeps a champion {{w|Frog jumping contest|jumping frog}} from being able to achieve {{w|escape velocity}}. Thus [[Randall]] has instead of c, the 299,792,458 m/s speed of light, used a much smaller value of 4.5 m/s, to represent the maximum speed of a jumping frog. It is possible that Randall got that value from [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5661154_Explosive_Jumping_Extreme_Morphological_and_Physiological_Specializations_of_Australian_Rocket_Frogs_Litoria_nasuta this paper], which on page 179 puts an upper limit on the maximum velocity of adult {{w|Striped_rocket_frog|Australian rocket frogs}} at 4.52 m/s.

The drawing to the right of the formula shows a planet with exactly the radius rjf. Thus the frog can jump really high compared to the planet's size (in this case about as high as the planet's radius), before it unavoidably falls back down, since the small planet is just large enough to prevent the frog escaping.

The title text points out that the rjf of the Earth is about 1.5 light days, which is about 7 times the distance to {{w|Pluto}} (compare to the 9 mm Schwarzschild radius). Since Earth's radius is much smaller than this{{cn}}, no frogs will be able to escape, so all frogs that stray into Earth's gravitational well would collect here on Earth. As far as we know, all the frogs in the Solar System are on Earth, so the data apparently matches the theory.

==Transcript==
:[The panel shows a large formula to the left and a small drawing to the right. The formula's right side is drawn above and below the division line:]
:rjf = 2GM/(4.5m/s)2

:[The drawing to the left shows a very small planet with the radius indicated with a labeled dotted arrow pointing from the center straight up. A frog is shown jumping on the surface. This is indicated with a parabolic dotted line going from a frog sitting on the surface near the top of the planet, up to the frog shown soaring through the air with its limbs stretched out about as high above the surface as the planet's radius. At this point the frog is making a sound. Then the dotted line goes down to about a quarter of the way around the planet where the frog lands making a noise.]
:Arrow label: rjf
:Frog: Ribbit
:Landing: Plop

:[Caption below the panel:]
:More practically useful than the Schwarzschild radius, the '''''Jumping Frog Radius''''' is the radius at which an object's gravitational pull is so strong that even a champion jumping frog can't escape.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category:Physics]]
[[Category:Astronomy]]
[[Category:Animals]]

3181: Jumping Frog Radius

2025-12-16T15:10:41Z

N0lqu: small didn't make sense, it is the planet being just barely large enough that the frog can't escape

{{comic
| number = 3181
| date = December 15, 2025
| title = Jumping Frog Radius
| image = jumping_frog_radius_2x.png
| imagesize = 339x243px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Earth's r_jf is approximately 1.5 light-days, leading to general relativity's successful prediction that all the frogs in the Solar System should be found collected on the surface of the Earth.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by an CHAMPION PLANET-JUMPING FROG. I have added a bit about the drawing. It is important I think that the planet with the frog has exactly the rjf radius. This means the frog cannot escape but just barely. Is there a physics relation behind the fact that the jumps height seems to be very close to the radius of the planet, i.e. rjf? Also Can someone calculate the size and mass of the largest object from which a champion frog can achieve escape velocity? Are there some named asteroids that are of sow low a mass that it would be possible for frog to jump of? (Of course there are some small enough... but do any of them have real names, like the one named after Randall)? Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
The {{w|Schwarzschild radius}} is essentially the size of a {{w|black hole}} -- the maximum distance from the center where gravity is so strong that light can't escape.

It is part of a solution to {{w|Einstein's field equations}}. It is usually calculated as the following:
:r = (2*G*M)/(c2),
where G is the {{w|gravitational constant}}, M is the mass of the object, and c is the {{w|speed of light}}.

If M is the mass of the {{w|Earth}} it would give the Schwarzschild radius for the Earth which is about 9 mm. (If all of Earth mass was pressed into a sphere of a bit less than 2 cm in diameter, it would become a black hole.)

The comic suggests a more useful radius. The ''Jumping Frog radius'', rjf, which is the size of a "planet" so that its gravity keeps a champion {{w|Frog jumping contest|jumping frog}} from being able to achieve {{w|escape velocity}}. Thus [[Randall]] has instead of c, the 299,792,458 m/s speed of light, used a much smaller value of 4.5 m/s, to represent the maximum speed of a jumping frog. It is possible that Randall got that value from [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5661154_Explosive_Jumping_Extreme_Morphological_and_Physiological_Specializations_of_Australian_Rocket_Frogs_Litoria_nasuta this paper], which on page 179 puts an upper limit on the maximum velocity of adult {{w|Striped_rocket_frog|Australian rocket frogs}} at 4.52 m/s.

The drawing to the right of the formula shows a planet with exactly the radius rjf. Thus the frog can jump really high compared to the planet's size (in this case about as high as the planet's radius), before it unavoidably falls back down, since the planet is just large enough to prevent the frog escaping.

The title text points out that the rjf of the Earth is about 1.5 light days, which is about 7 times the distance to {{w|Pluto}} (compare to the 9 mm Schwarzschild radius). Since Earth's radius is much smaller than this{{cn}}, no frogs will be able to escape, so all frogs that stray into Earth's gravitational well would collect here on Earth. As far as we know, all the frogs in the Solar System are on Earth, so the data apparently matches the theory.

==Transcript==
:[The panel shows a large formula to the left and a small drawing to the right. The formula's right side is drawn above and below the division line:]
:rjf = 2GM/(4.5m/s)2

:[The drawing to the left shows a very small planet with the radius indicated with a labeled dotted arrow pointing from the center straight up. A frog is shown jumping on the surface. This is indicated with a parabolic dotted line going from a frog sitting on the surface near the top of the planet, up to the frog shown soaring through the air with its limbs stretched out about as high above the surface as the planet's radius. At this point the frog is making a sound. Then the dotted line goes down to about a quarter of the way around the planet where the frog lands making a noise.]
:Arrow label: rjf
:Frog: Ribbit
:Landing: Plop

:[Caption below the panel:]
:More practically useful than the Schwarzschild radius, the '''''Jumping Frog Radius''''' is the radius at which an object's gravitational pull is so strong that even a champion jumping frog can't escape.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category:Physics]]
[[Category:Astronomy]]
[[Category:Animals]]

3176: Inverted Catenaries

2025-12-04T16:02:10Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3176
| date = December 3, 2025
| title = Inverted Catenaries
| image = inverted_catenaries_2x.png
| imagesize = 317x317px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Some tires are marketed as 'all-shape tires,' but if driven in a climate with both inverted catenary falls and triangle falls, they wear out really fast.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created BY A TRAPEZOIDAL WHEEL. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

During the winter, in snowy areas, people need to replace their typical, all-season tires with snow tires made specifically for the slick environment. In this comic, instead of snow, rounded shapes called inverted catenaries fall from the skies. On a plane covered in inverted catenaries all the same size, square wheels whose side length matches the arc length of the catenary are capable of rolling smoothly, contrary to how they would act on a normal road. Regular wheels would cause a significantly bumpier ride on this terrain, so Cueball plans to swap them out with {{w|Square wheel|square wheels}} to better suit the season.

Mathematicians have found [https://mathtourist.blogspot.com/2011/05/riding-on-square-wheels.html what types of roads would suit weird wheels the most], and inverted catenary is best suited shape for the square. People make made real tracks demonstrating this.

Note however, this assumes the catenaries are arranged periodically with no spacing between them, fully cover the surface, and are consistent in shape and orientation. The orientation also would restrict the direction of travel, effectively meaning your vehicle would be travelling on rails.

The title text mentions all-shape tires (as a play on {{w|Off-road tire#All-terrain|all-terrain tire}}), which is advertised to supposedly fit any shape road. However, different shapes would require very different wheels; for example, falling triangles would form a sawtooth road, for which one would optimally require wheels pasted together from pieces of an equiangular spiral. Any hypothetical all-shape wheel would wear out very quickly on most surfaces.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
:[Megan and Cueball are walking as inverted catenaries fall from the sky. A few have landed in a regular formation, all flat-side down and next to each other.]
:Cueball: Oh wow, the first inverted catenary fall of the year!
:Cueball: Time to swap out my all-season tires for square ones.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category:Weather]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]

3175: Website Task Flowchart

2025-12-04T15:57:19Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3175
| date = December 1, 2025
| title = Website Task Flowchart
| image = website_task_flowchart_2x.png
| imagesize = 333x683px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Tired of waiting on hold? Use our website to chat with one of our live agents, who are available to produce words at you 24/7!
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a live agent producing words at you. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
This is a flowchart comic. It ostensibly shows how to accomplish a task on a generic website. With the improvements to web infrastructure, {{w|accessibility}}, and {{w|user experience}} research over the decades, one might think that this would be simple. And sometimes, indeed, everything just works as expected. However, the flowchart indicates that this system often fails to handle error states gracefully and can {{wiktionary|a chain is only as strong as its weakest link|completely shut down}} when the smallest [[2347: Dependency|dependency]] breaks.

The first step is to try to access the website. This includes {{w|Loading (computing)|pulling it up}}, and possibly {{w|Login|signing into an account}}. Websites may have legitimate or [[792: Password Reuse|nefarious]] reasons to profile their users. Either way, it is often another step in the way of the user's goals.

The very start of the process can already fail if the website doesn't load, you enter an incorrect username or password, or the website's {{w|authentication}} service is having problems and rejecting legitimate credentials, for example. Issues at this stage are often out of the user's control, and can kneecap your productivity if you rely on that website, as was recently discussed in [[3170: Service Outage]]. The flowchart provides no specific {{w|troubleshooting}} guidance, as the exact steps will vary greatly depending on the specific problem, and readers may have their own troubleshooting process similar to [[627: Tech Support Cheat Sheet]]. It could involve visiting another website like "[https://www.isitdownrightnow.com Is It Down Right Now?]" to see if others are having the same issue, double-checking your login information, or looking up any specific error messages the site gives. You may simply have to wait until the broken service is restored.

If you can enter the website, the next part of the flowchart asks if you finished your task successfully. If you have managed to both log in and do your work (perhaps eventually), it simply congratulates you for finishing your task. Failure here could be because of other issues with the website, such as {{w|Software bug|bugs}}, or [[3170: Service Outage|service outages]] in the middle of your work, or simply because the site doesn't have the tools to accomplish your specific task. You may have to use tools that ''are'' available in alternative or creative ways to accomplish what you need to. This might not be an option if your data or workflow relies on a specific site, or if alternatives are sketchy or paywalled.

As the flowchart suggests, troubleshooting a website can be a major deviation from your goals, and can involve following many false leads for hours on end. There's a chance that the issue resolves, putting you back on track. But in the meantime, you're trying to find a solution on your own. According to the chart, talking to tech support is a last resort.

If your troubleshooting fails at either stage, the chart guides you to call the website's {{w|customer service}} line, which is framed as admitting defeat. The flowchart reckons that an {{w|Automated attendant|automated}} phone system will put you {{w|Hold (telephone)|on hold}} and a {{w|On hold messaging|prerecorded message}} will then suggest trying to use the website ''instead'' of calling directly. While this would be helpful for someone calling the support line ''before'' trying the website, it assumes that the site is working properly and that the task can actually be accomplished there. It's like kicking you when you're already down to hear that "advice" after spending hours trying to use a website that simply would not work like you need it to.

From there, the flowchart predicts that you will be so frustrated, you'll throw away both your computer and your phone into the sea before even listening to the rest of the on-hold message. This would be a drastic and non-trivial way of responding to the situation, as it would destroy those devices. (It would, at least, formally end your attempt to use the website.) The flowchart presents this as an inevitability as a form of {{w|hyperbole}}.

The title text is another part of the presumed hold message, perhaps for anyone who had not followed the flowchart as faithfully. It encourages the caller to visit the website's {{w|live chat}} function, a fairly recent development that combines the best and worst aspects of both online and phone-line support. It can be ambiguous whether the "live agent" is zero, one, or many people. You may reach a qualified staff member with all the answers to your questions. Or, the conversation may be passed around between various less-than-knowledgeable staff who are merely following a ''script'' with a flowchart process (hopefully more useful than this one) to let them give more expert advice than they might be capable of. Or, increasingly since 2024, you may connect to a {{w|chatbot}} that processes your queries, follows a similar script, and may be more difficult to reason with or escalate the issue. It may {{wiktionary|triage}} your initial responses before 'bothering' a real human who can help you with your request, if it is able to transfer you to a human at all.

The claim that the agent can "produce words at you" (rather than "talk", "speak", or "communicate") implies that their responses won't convey any information, or perhaps even basic understanding of the problem. If the live chat is open 24/7, you may reach a human agent elsewhere in the world who {{w|English as a second or foreign language|doesn't speak English natively}} and struggles to understand you. This could also be a blatantly honest admission that you will converse with a potentially inexhaustible {{w|large language model}} AI, where the words you receive might demonstrate {{w|Markov chain|even less understanding}} of your problem, as merely being able to send even [[1068: Swiftkey|vaguely logical sequences of words]] might be worse than useless. Additionally, giving random vague sequences of words would add to the user's frustration, strengthening their urge to throw their laptop into the ocean.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
[Caption above the panel:]
Doing a task using a company or organization's website:

[Below this is a flowchart, starting with "Go to website, try to log in"]

[Box 1 (start):] Go to website, try to log in (go to to box 2)

[Box 2:] Did it work? (Yes/No)
*Yes: Go to box 3
*No: Go to box 6

[Box 3:] Try to do your task (go to box 4)

[Box 4:] Did it work? (Yes/No)
*Yes: Go to box 5
*No: Go to box 8

[Box 5 (end):] Nice! Done!

[Box 6:] Spend hours troubleshooting account/login (go to box 7)

[Box 7:] Did it work? (Yes/No)
*Yes: Go to box 3
*No: Go to box 10

[Box 8:] Spend hours troubleshooting website (go to box 9)

[Box 9:] Did it work? (Yes/No)
*Yes: Go to box 5
*No: Go to box 10

[Box 10:] Give up and call customer service (go to box 11)

[Box 11:] Hold message: "Did you know you could do all of this more quickly and easily on our website? Just go to W-W-W dot..." (go to box 12)

[Box 12 (end):] Throw phone and laptop into the sea
{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Flowcharts]]
[[Category:Internet]]

3175: Website Task Flowchart

2025-12-02T16:33:16Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3175
| date = December 1, 2025
| title = Website Task Flowchart
| image = website_task_flowchart_2x.png
| imagesize = 333x683px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Tired of waiting on hold? Use our website to chat with one of our live agents, who are available to produce words at you 24/7!
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a live agent producing words at you. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
This is a flowchart comic. It ostensibly shows how to accomplish a task on a generic website.

The first step as listed in the flowchart is to attempt to log into the website. In all cases this would include pulling up the website, which could fail if the website itself is having issues. Once the home page is visible, the next step (in some cases as not all websites require logging in) would be to sign in by entering your username and password, which could fail if you enter an incorrect username and/or password or if the website is having problems with their authentication coding such that even legitimate username/password combinations are being rejected. Troubleshooting could include visiting a website such as https://www.isitdownrightnow.com/ to see if the problem is widespread or if you're the only one having the issue, double-checking your username/password, googling the specific error message you're seeing, if applicable, or seeing if anyone else is having the same problem you're having, however the flowchart provides no guidance as to the actual troubleshooting involved, likely because the specific steps would vary greatly depending on the specific problem being encountered, and the personality of the individual this flowchart is likely aimed at being one who, like Randall, has a need to figure out why things aren't working and hates to resort to talking to someone unless absolutely necessary.

If you finally get it working and are able to get to the area you were trying to get to to do that task you were trying to do, the next part of the flowchart asks if the task was successful. Being unsuccessful could include unintentional website issues (i.e. bugs) or simply that the website doesn't have the tools to accomplish the specific task you are trying to accomplish. Troubleshooting could include steps like above as well as things like trying to use those tools that ARE available in alternate or creative ways to try to accomplish your intended task.

If you have managed to both log in and do your work (perhaps eventually, see below), its last stage is merely a congratulatory message. At this point, you have succeeded in the task that the flowchart was supposedly helping you to complete.

It is when you have problems that the flowchart gives you additional instructions. In both the case of being unable to log in ''and'' being unable to do the whatever-it-is that you're trying to do, the chart guides you to the perhaps just as unhelpful troubleshooting directive for the respective issue. In line with the generalist brevity of the other instructions, this merely consists of the instruction to troubleshoot the issue, without providing any actual guidance as to what specific approaches to take in that troubleshooting. The only concession given to the complexity that might be involved is that it explicitly states that you will have to spend several hours doing this (without any actual indication what it is that you'll be doing for several hours). Following which, each diversion queries whether any of whatever-you-did worked. The good news, if that all did work out in the end, is that you've now back on the the path that ultimately leads to the trite congratulations for being successful.

However, failing either troubleshooting dumps you into a "give up"-themed flow, sending you down the route of calling the Customer Service line. This proceeds to uphold exactly the same standards of helpfulness as the rest of the flowchart, by intoducing you to the inevitable '{{w|On hold messaging|hold message}}' which it fully expects (probably correctly) to contain an automated suggestion that you try to use the website ''instead'' of calling them directly. While that message probably is helpful for anyone who called the support line BEFORE trying the website, it assumes their website is working properly and that all tasks a person might want to do can be accomplished via the website so it is like kicking you when you're already down to hear that "advice" after spending hours trying to use a website that simply would not work for what you were trying to do.

As, by now, you have probably been wrestling with the website already for several hours, the flowchart does not actually present any proper 'advice', merely the prediction that the entire frustrating episode will then have you throwing both computer and the phone handset away, before even hearing the full message. Specifically, into the sea, which is a drastic and non-trivial action to take, as you would be wasting devices which may cost over $1,000 each. It should at least, however, formally end this attempt to accomplish your troublesome task upon the troublesome website.

The title text is yet another part of the typical automated support-line message, perhaps for anyone who had not followed the flowchart as faithfully. In this further recorded suggestion, you may be encouraged to visit the website's 'live chat' function, a fairly recent development that combines the best/worst[delete as inapplicable] aspects of both online and phone-line support. "Live agents" is an ambiguous term, ''possibly'' being true support-line staff with all the answers to your questions. However, as it often leverages the ambiguity of typed-text communications, it often remains ambiguous as to whether you have a single (and qualified) person assisting you, the conversation may well be passed around various rather less than knowledgeable staff who are merely following a 'script' that follows a flowchart process (hopefully more useful than this one) to let them give more expert advice than they might be capable of. Or, increasingly, an automated/AI text-processing backend that attempts to understand your queries and follows a similar script-based rabbit-hole towards whatever conclusion it is capable of (including {{wiktionary|triage|triaging}} your initial responses before even allowing 'a real human', with the necessary skills, to be bothered by your request).

The claim that they can "produce words at you" might be {{w|English as a second or foreign language|slightly mangled English}}, or a blatantly honest admission that any conversation you have will be with {{w|Large language model|a potentially inexaustible AI system}}, which websites have increasingly utilized in place of customer service representatives since 2024. At its worst, the words you receive might have {{w|Markov chain|even less understanding}} of your problem, as merely being able to send even [[1068: Swiftkey|vaguely logical sequences of words]] might be worse than useless. Additionally, giving random vague sequences of words would be very infuriating and cause the user to throw the laptop into the ocean.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
Doing a task using a company or organization's website:
{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Flowcharts]]
[[Category:Internet]]

3175: Website Task Flowchart

2025-12-02T16:32:32Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3175
| date = December 1, 2025
| title = Website Task Flowchart
| image = website_task_flowchart_2x.png
| imagesize = 333x683px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Tired of waiting on hold? Use our website to chat with one of our live agents, who are available to produce words at you 24/7!
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a live agent producing words at you. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
This is a flowchart comic. It ostensibly shows how to accomplish a task on a generic website.

The first step as listed in the flowchart is to attempt to log into the website. In all cases this would include pulling up the website, which could fail if the website itself is having issues. Once the home page is visible, the next step (in some cases as not all websites require logging in) would be to sign in by entering your username and password, which could fail if you enter an incorrect username and/or password or if the website is having problems with their authentication coding such that even legitimate username/password combinations are being rejected. Troubleshooting could include visiting a website such as https://www.isitdownrightnow.com/ to see if the problem is widespread or if you're the only one having the issue, double-checking your username/password, googling the specific error message you're seeing, if applicable, or seeing if anyone else is having the same problem you're having, however the flowchart provides no guidance as to the actual troubleshooting involved, likely because the specific steps would vary greatly depending on the specific problem being encountered, and the personality of the individual this flowchart is likely aimed at being one who, like Randall, has a need to figure out why things aren't working and hates to resort to talking to someone unless absolutely necessary.

If you finally get it working and are able to get to the area you were trying to get to to do that task you were trying to do, the next part of the flowchart asks if the task was successful. Being unsuccessful could include unintentional website issues (i.e. bugs) or simply that the website doesn't have the tools to accomplish the specific task you are trying to accomplish. Troubleshooting could include steps like above as well as things like trying to use the tools that are available in alternate ways to try to accomplish your intended task.

If you have managed to both log in and do your work (perhaps eventually, see below), its last stage is merely a congratulatory message. At this point, you have succeeded in the task that the flowchart was supposedly helping you to complete.

It is when you have problems that the flowchart gives you additional instructions. In both the case of being unable to log in ''and'' being unable to do the whatever-it-is that you're trying to do, the chart guides you to the perhaps just as unhelpful troubleshooting directive for the respective issue. In line with the generalist brevity of the other instructions, this merely consists of the instruction to troubleshoot the issue, without providing any actual guidance as to what specific approaches to take in that troubleshooting. The only concession given to the complexity that might be involved is that it explicitly states that you will have to spend several hours doing this (without any actual indication what it is that you'll be doing for several hours). Following which, each diversion queries whether any of whatever-you-did worked. The good news, if that all did work out in the end, is that you've now back on the the path that ultimately leads to the trite congratulations for being successful.

However, failing either troubleshooting dumps you into a "give up"-themed flow, sending you down the route of calling the Customer Service line. This proceeds to uphold exactly the same standards of helpfulness as the rest of the flowchart, by intoducing you to the inevitable '{{w|On hold messaging|hold message}}' which it fully expects (probably correctly) to contain an automated suggestion that you try to use the website ''instead'' of calling them directly. While that message probably is helpful for anyone who called the support line BEFORE trying the website, it assumes their website is working properly and that all tasks a person might want to do can be accomplished via the website so it is like kicking you when you're already down to hear that "advice" after spending hours trying to use a website that simply would not work for what you were trying to do.

As, by now, you have probably been wrestling with the website already for several hours, the flowchart does not actually present any proper 'advice', merely the prediction that the entire frustrating episode will then have you throwing both computer and the phone handset away, before even hearing the full message. Specifically, into the sea, which is a drastic and non-trivial action to take, as you would be wasting devices which may cost over $1,000 each. It should at least, however, formally end this attempt to accomplish your troublesome task upon the troublesome website.

The title text is yet another part of the typical automated support-line message, perhaps for anyone who had not followed the flowchart as faithfully. In this further recorded suggestion, you may be encouraged to visit the website's 'live chat' function, a fairly recent development that combines the best/worst[delete as inapplicable] aspects of both online and phone-line support. "Live agents" is an ambiguous term, ''possibly'' being true support-line staff with all the answers to your questions. However, as it often leverages the ambiguity of typed-text communications, it often remains ambiguous as to whether you have a single (and qualified) person assisting you, the conversation may well be passed around various rather less than knowledgeable staff who are merely following a 'script' that follows a flowchart process (hopefully more useful than this one) to let them give more expert advice than they might be capable of. Or, increasingly, an automated/AI text-processing backend that attempts to understand your queries and follows a similar script-based rabbit-hole towards whatever conclusion it is capable of (including {{wiktionary|triage|triaging}} your initial responses before even allowing 'a real human', with the necessary skills, to be bothered by your request).

The claim that they can "produce words at you" might be {{w|English as a second or foreign language|slightly mangled English}}, or a blatantly honest admission that any conversation you have will be with {{w|Large language model|a potentially inexaustible AI system}}, which websites have increasingly utilized in place of customer service representatives since 2024. At its worst, the words you receive might have {{w|Markov chain|even less understanding}} of your problem, as merely being able to send even [[1068: Swiftkey|vaguely logical sequences of words]] might be worse than useless. Additionally, giving random vague sequences of words would be very infuriating and cause the user to throw the laptop into the ocean.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
Doing a task using a company or organization's website:
{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Flowcharts]]
[[Category:Internet]]

3175: Website Task Flowchart

2025-12-02T16:31:57Z

N0lqu: Do your work when the website doesn't want you to

{{comic
| number = 3175
| date = December 1, 2025
| title = Website Task Flowchart
| image = website_task_flowchart_2x.png
| imagesize = 333x683px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Tired of waiting on hold? Use our website to chat with one of our live agents, who are available to produce words at you 24/7!
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a live agent producing words at you. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
This is a flowchart comic. It ostensibly shows how to accomplish a task on a generic website.

The first step as listed in the flowchart is to attempt to log into the website. In all cases this would include pulling up the website, which could fail if the website itself is having issues. Once the home page is visible, the next step (in some cases as not all websites require logging in) would be to sign in by entering your username and password, which could fail if you enter an incorrect username and/or password or if the website is having problems with their authentication coding such that even legitimate username/password combinations are being rejected. Troubleshooting could include visiting a website such as https://www.isitdownrightnow.com/ to see if the problem is widespread or if you're the only one having the issue, double-checking your username/password, googling the specific error message you're seeing, if applicable, or seeing if anyone else is having the same problem you're having, however the flowchart provides no guidance as to the actual troubleshooting involved, likely because the specific steps would vary greatly depending on the specific problem being encountered, and the personality of the individual this flowchart is likely aimed at being one who, like Randall, has a need to figure out why things aren't working and hates to resort to talking to someone unless absolutely necessary.

If you finally get it working and are able to get to the area you were trying to get to to do that task you were trying to do, the next part of the flowchart asks if the task was successful. Being unsuccessful could include unintentional website issues (i.e. bugs) or simply that the website doesn't have the tools to accomplish the specific task you are trying to accomplish. Troubleshooting include steps like above as well as things like trying to use the tools that are available in alternate ways to try to accomplish your intended task.

If you have managed to both log in and do your work (perhaps eventually, see below), its last stage is merely a congratulatory message. At this point, you have succeeded in the task that the flowchart was supposedly helping you to complete.

It is when you have problems that the flowchart gives you additional instructions. In both the case of being unable to log in ''and'' being unable to do the whatever-it-is that you're trying to do, the chart guides you to the perhaps just as unhelpful troubleshooting directive for the respective issue. In line with the generalist brevity of the other instructions, this merely consists of the instruction to troubleshoot the issue, without providing any actual guidance as to what specific approaches to take in that troubleshooting. The only concession given to the complexity that might be involved is that it explicitly states that you will have to spend several hours doing this (without any actual indication what it is that you'll be doing for several hours). Following which, each diversion queries whether any of whatever-you-did worked. The good news, if that all did work out in the end, is that you've now back on the the path that ultimately leads to the trite congratulations for being successful.

However, failing either troubleshooting dumps you into a "give up"-themed flow, sending you down the route of calling the Customer Service line. This proceeds to uphold exactly the same standards of helpfulness as the rest of the flowchart, by intoducing you to the inevitable '{{w|On hold messaging|hold message}}' which it fully expects (probably correctly) to contain an automated suggestion that you try to use the website ''instead'' of calling them directly. While that message probably is helpful for anyone who called the support line BEFORE trying the website, it assumes their website is working properly and that all tasks a person might want to do can be accomplished via the website so it is like kicking you when you're already down to hear that "advice" after spending hours trying to use a website that simply would not work for what you were trying to do.

As, by now, you have probably been wrestling with the website already for several hours, the flowchart does not actually present any proper 'advice', merely the prediction that the entire frustrating episode will then have you throwing both computer and the phone handset away, before even hearing the full message. Specifically, into the sea, which is a drastic and non-trivial action to take, as you would be wasting devices which may cost over $1,000 each. It should at least, however, formally end this attempt to accomplish your troublesome task upon the troublesome website.

The title text is yet another part of the typical automated support-line message, perhaps for anyone who had not followed the flowchart as faithfully. In this further recorded suggestion, you may be encouraged to visit the website's 'live chat' function, a fairly recent development that combines the best/worst[delete as inapplicable] aspects of both online and phone-line support. "Live agents" is an ambiguous term, ''possibly'' being true support-line staff with all the answers to your questions. However, as it often leverages the ambiguity of typed-text communications, it often remains ambiguous as to whether you have a single (and qualified) person assisting you, the conversation may well be passed around various rather less than knowledgeable staff who are merely following a 'script' that follows a flowchart process (hopefully more useful than this one) to let them give more expert advice than they might be capable of. Or, increasingly, an automated/AI text-processing backend that attempts to understand your queries and follows a similar script-based rabbit-hole towards whatever conclusion it is capable of (including {{wiktionary|triage|triaging}} your initial responses before even allowing 'a real human', with the necessary skills, to be bothered by your request).

The claim that they can "produce words at you" might be {{w|English as a second or foreign language|slightly mangled English}}, or a blatantly honest admission that any conversation you have will be with {{w|Large language model|a potentially inexaustible AI system}}, which websites have increasingly utilized in place of customer service representatives since 2024. At its worst, the words you receive might have {{w|Markov chain|even less understanding}} of your problem, as merely being able to send even [[1068: Swiftkey|vaguely logical sequences of words]] might be worse than useless. Additionally, giving random vague sequences of words would be very infuriating and cause the user to throw the laptop into the ocean.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
Doing a task using a company or organization's website:
{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Flowcharts]]
[[Category:Internet]]

3175: Website Task Flowchart

2025-12-02T16:24:45Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3175
| date = December 1, 2025
| title = Website Task Flowchart
| image = website_task_flowchart_2x.png
| imagesize = 333x683px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Tired of waiting on hold? Use our website to chat with one of our live agents, who are available to produce words at you 24/7!
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a live agent producing words at you. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
This is a flowchart comic. It pertains to show how to accomplish a task on a generic website.

The first step as listed in the flowchart is to attempt to log into the website. In all cases this would include pulling up the website, which could fail if the website itself is having issues. Once the home page is visible, the next step (in some cases as not all websites require logging in) would be to sign in by entering your username and password, which could fail if you enter an incorrect username and/or password or if the website is having problems with their authentication coding such that even legitimate username/password combinations are being rejected. Troubleshooting could include visiting a website such as https://www.isitdownrightnow.com/ to see if the problem is widespread or if you're the only one having the issue, double-checking your username/password, googling the specific error message you're seeing, if applicable, or seeing if anyone else is having the same problem you're having, however the flowchart provides no guidance as to the actual troubleshooting involved, likely because the specific steps would vary greatly depending on the specific problem being encountered, and the personality of the individual this flowchart is likely aimed at being one who, like Randall, has a need to figure out why things aren't working and hates to resort to talking to someone unless absolutely necessary.

If you finally get it working and are able to get to the area you were trying to get to to do that task you were trying to do, the next part of the flowchart asks if the task was successful. If you have managed to both log in and do your work (perhaps eventually, see below), its last stage is merely a congratulatory message. At this point, you have succeeded in the task that the flowchart was supposedly helping you to complete.

It is when you have problems that the flowchart gives you additional instructions. In both the case of being unable to log in ''and'' being unable to do the whatever-it-is that you're trying to do, the chart guides you to the perhaps just as unhelpful troubleshooting directive for the respective issue. In line with the generalist brevity of the other instructions, this merely consists of the instruction to troubleshoot the issue, without providing any actual guidance as to what specific approaches to take in that troubleshooting. The only concession given to the complexity that might be involved is that it explicitly states that you will have to spend several hours doing this (without any actual indication what it is that you'll be doing for several hours). Following which, each diversion queries whether any of whatever-you-did worked. The good news, if that all did work out in the end, is that you've now back on the the path that ultimately leads to the trite congratulations for being successful.

However, failing either troubleshooting dumps you into a "give up"-themed flow, sending you down the route of calling the Customer Service line. This proceeds to uphold exactly the same standards of helpfulness as the rest of the flowchart, by intoducing you to the inevitable '{{w|On hold messaging|hold message}}' which it fully expects (probably correctly) to contain an automated suggestion that you try to use the website ''instead'' of calling them directly. While that message probably is helpful for anyone who called the support line BEFORE trying the website, it assumes their website is working properly and that all tasks a person might want to do can be accomplished via the website so it is like kicking you when you're already down to hear that "advice" after spending hours trying to use a website that simply would not work for what you were trying to do.

As, by now, you have probably been wrestling with the website already for several hours, the flowchart does not actually present any proper 'advice', merely the prediction that the entire frustrating episode will then have you throwing both computer and the phone handset away, before even hearing the full message. Specifically, into the sea, which is a drastic and non-trivial action to take, as you would be wasting devices which may cost over $1,000 each. It should at least, however, formally end this attempt to accomplish your troublesome task upon the troublesome website.

The title text is yet another part of the typical automated support-line message, perhaps for anyone who had not followed the flowchart as faithfully. In this further recorded suggestion, you may be encouraged to visit the website's 'live chat' function, a fairly recent development that combines the best/worst[delete as inapplicable] aspects of both online and phone-line support. "Live agents" is an ambiguous term, ''possibly'' being true support-line staff with all the answers to your questions. However, as it often leverages the ambiguity of typed-text communications, it often remains ambiguous as to whether you have a single (and qualified) person assisting you, the conversation may well be passed around various rather less than knowledgeable staff who are merely following a 'script' that follows a flowchart process (hopefully more useful than this one) to let them give more expert advice than they might be capable of. Or, increasingly, an automated/AI text-processing backend that attempts to understand your queries and follows a similar script-based rabbit-hole towards whatever conclusion it is capable of (including {{wiktionary|triage|triaging}} your initial responses before even allowing 'a real human', with the necessary skills, to be bothered by your request).

The claim that they can "produce words at you" might be {{w|English as a second or foreign language|slightly mangled English}}, or a blatantly honest admission that any conversation you have will be with {{w|Large language model|a potentially inexaustible AI system}}, which websites have increasingly utilized in place of customer service representatives since 2024. At its worst, the words you receive might have {{w|Markov chain|even less understanding}} of your problem, as merely being able to send even [[1068: Swiftkey|vaguely logical sequences of words]] might be worse than useless. Additionally, giving random vague sequences of words would be very infuriating and cause the user to throw the laptop into the ocean.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
Doing a task using a company or organization's website:
{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Flowcharts]]
[[Category:Internet]]

3175: Website Task Flowchart

2025-12-02T16:22:52Z

N0lqu: The advice is an insult

{{comic
| number = 3175
| date = December 1, 2025
| title = Website Task Flowchart
| image = website_task_flowchart_2x.png
| imagesize = 333x683px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Tired of waiting on hold? Use our website to chat with one of our live agents, who are available to produce words at you 24/7!
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a live agent producing words at you. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
This is a flowchart comic. It pertains to show how to accomplish a task on a generic website.

The first step as listed in the flowchart is to attempt to log into the website. In all cases this would include pulling up the website, which could fail if the website itself is having issues. Once the home page is visible, the next step (in some cases as not all websites require logging in) would be to sign in by entering your username and password, which could fail if you enter an incorrect username and/or password or if the website is having problems with their authentication coding such that even legitimate username/password combinations are being rejected. Troubleshooting could include visiting a website such as https://www.isitdownrightnow.com/ to see if the problem is widespread or if you're the only one having the issue, double-checking your username/password, googling the specific error message you're seeing, if applicable, or seeing if anyone else is having the same problem you're having, however the flowchart provides no guidance as to the actual troubleshooting involved, likely because the specific steps would vary greatly depending on the specific problem being encountered, and the personality of the individual this flowchart is likely aimed at being one who, like Randall, has a need to figure out why things aren't working and hates to resort to talking to someone unless absolutely necessary.

If you finally get it working and are able to get to the area you were trying to get to to do that task you were trying to do, the next part of the flowchart asks if the task was successful. If you have managed to both log in and do your work (perhaps eventually, see below), its last stage is merely a congratulatory message. At this point, you have succeeded in the task that the flowchart was supposedly helping you to complete.

It is when you have problems that the flowchart gives you additional instructions. In both the case of being unable to log in ''and'' being unable to do the whatever-it-is that you're trying to do, the chart guides you to the perhaps just as unhelpful troubleshooting directive for the respective issue. In line with the generalist brevity of the other instructions, this merely consists of the instruction to troubleshoot the issue, without providing any actual guidance as to what specific approaches to take in that troubleshooting. The only concession given to the complexity that might be involved is that it explicitly states that you will have to spend several hours doing this (without any actual indication what it is that you'll be doing for several hours). Following which, each diversion queries whether any of whatever-you-did worked. The good news, if that all did work out in the end, is that you've now back on the the path that ultimately leads to the trite congratulations for being successful.

However, failing either troubleshooting dumps you into a "give up"-themed flow, sending you down the route of calling the Customer Service line. This proceeds to uphold exactly the same standards of helpfulness as the rest of the flowchart, by intoducing you to the inevitable '{{w|On hold messaging|hold message}}' which it fully expects (probably correctly) to contain an automated suggestion that you try to use the website ''instead'' of calling them directly. While that message probably is helpful for anyone who called the support line BEFORE trying the website, it is like kicking you when you're already down to hear that "advice" after spending hours trying to use a website that simply would not work for what you were trying to do.

As, by now, you have probably been wrestling with the website already for several hours, the flowchart does not actually present any proper 'advice', merely the prediction that the entire frustrating episode will then have you throwing both computer and the phone handset away, before even hearing the full message. Specifically, into the sea, which is a drastic and non-trivial action to take, as you would be wasting devices which may cost over $1,000 each. It should at least, however, formally end this attempt to accomplish your troublesome task upon the troublesome website.

The title text is yet another part of the typical automated support-line message, perhaps for anyone who had not followed the flowchart as faithfully. In this further recorded suggestion, you may be encouraged to visit the website's 'live chat' function, a fairly recent development that combines the best/worst[delete as inapplicable] aspects of both online and phone-line support. "Live agents" is an ambiguous term, ''possibly'' being true support-line staff with all the answers to your questions. However, as it often leverages the ambiguity of typed-text communications, it often remains ambiguous as to whether you have a single (and qualified) person assisting you, the conversation may well be passed around various rather less than knowledgeable staff who are merely following a 'script' that follows a flowchart process (hopefully more useful than this one) to let them give more expert advice than they might be capable of. Or, increasingly, an automated/AI text-processing backend that attempts to understand your queries and follows a similar script-based rabbit-hole towards whatever conclusion it is capable of (including {{wiktionary|triage|triaging}} your initial responses before even allowing 'a real human', with the necessary skills, to be bothered by your request).

The claim that they can "produce words at you" might be {{w|English as a second or foreign language|slightly mangled English}}, or a blatantly honest admission that any conversation you have will be with {{w|Large language model|a potentially inexaustible AI system}}, which websites have increasingly utilized in place of customer service representatives since 2024. At its worst, the words you receive might have {{w|Markov chain|even less understanding}} of your problem, as merely being able to send even [[1068: Swiftkey|vaguely logical sequences of words]] might be worse than useless. Additionally, giving random vague sequences of words would be very infuriating and cause the user to throw the laptop into the ocean.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
Doing a task using a company or organization's website:
{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Flowcharts]]
[[Category:Internet]]

3175: Website Task Flowchart

2025-12-02T16:16:50Z

N0lqu: Reworked the first main paragraph

{{comic
| number = 3175
| date = December 1, 2025
| title = Website Task Flowchart
| image = website_task_flowchart_2x.png
| imagesize = 333x683px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Tired of waiting on hold? Use our website to chat with one of our live agents, who are available to produce words at you 24/7!
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a live agent producing words at you. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
This is a flowchart comic. It pertains to show how to accomplish a task on a generic website.

The first step as listed in the flowchart is to attempt to log into the website. In all cases this would include pulling up the website, which could fail if the website itself is having issues. Once the home page is visible, the next step (in some cases as not all websites require logging in) would be to sign in by entering your username and password, which could fail if you enter an incorrect username and/or password or if the website is having problems with their authentication coding such that even legitimate username/password combinations are being rejected. Troubleshooting could include visiting a website such as https://www.isitdownrightnow.com/ to see if the problem is widespread or if you're the only one having the issue, double-checking your username/password, googling the specific error message you're seeing, if applicable, or seeing if anyone else is having the same problem you're having, however the flowchart provides no guidance as to the actual troubleshooting involved, likely because the specific steps would vary greatly depending on the specific problem being encountered, and the personality of the individual this flowchart is likely aimed at being one who, like Randall, has a need to figure out why things aren't working and hates to resort to talking to someone unless absolutely necessary.

If you finally get it working and are able to get to the area you were trying to get to to do that task you were trying to do, the next part of the flowchart asks if the task was successful. If you have managed to both log in and do your work (perhaps eventually, see below), its last stage is merely a congratulatory message. At this point, you have succeeded in the task that the flowchart was supposedly helping you to complete.

It is when you have problems that the flowchart gives you additional instructions. In both the case of being unable to log in ''and'' being unable to do the whatever-it-is that you're trying to do, the chart guides you to the perhaps just as unhelpful troubleshooting directive for the respective issue. In line with the generalist brevity of the other instructions, this merely consists of the instruction to troubleshoot the issue, without providing any actual guidance as to what specific approaches to take in that troubleshooting. The only concession given to the complexity that might be involved is that it explicitly states that you will have to spend several hours doing this (without any actual indication what it is that you'll be doing for several hours). Following which, each diversion queries whether any of whatever-you-did worked. The good news, if that all did work out in the end, is that you've now back on the the path that ultimately leads to the trite congratulations for being successful.

However, failing either troubleshooting dumps you into a "give up"-themed flow, sending you down the route of calling the Customer Service line. This proceeds to uphold exactly the same standards of helpfulness as the rest of the flowchart, by intoducing you to the inevitable '{{w|On hold messaging|hold message}}' which it fully expects (probably correctly) to contain an automated suggestion that you try to use the website ''instead'' of calling them directly.

As, by now, you have probably been wrestling with the website already for several hours, the flowchart does not actually present any proper 'advice', merely the prediction that the entire frustrating episode will then have you throwing both computer and the phone handset away, before even hearing the full message. Specifically, into the sea, which is a drastic and non-trivial action to take, as you would be wasting devices which may cost over $1,000 each. It should at least, however, formally end this attempt to accomplish your troublesome task upon the troublesome website.

The title text is yet another part of the typical automated support-line message, perhaps for anyone who had not followed the flowchart as faithfully. In this further recorded suggestion, you may be encouraged to visit the website's 'live chat' function, a fairly recent development that combines the best/worst[delete as inapplicable] aspects of both online and phone-line support. "Live agents" is an ambiguous term, ''possibly'' being true support-line staff with all the answers to your questions. However, as it often leverages the ambiguity of typed-text communications, it often remains ambiguous as to whether you have a single (and qualified) person assisting you, the conversation may well be passed around various rather less than knowledgeable staff who are merely following a 'script' that follows a flowchart process (hopefully more useful than this one) to let them give more expert advice than they might be capable of. Or, increasingly, an automated/AI text-processing backend that attempts to understand your queries and follows a similar script-based rabbit-hole towards whatever conclusion it is capable of (including {{wiktionary|triage|triaging}} your initial responses before even allowing 'a real human', with the necessary skills, to be bothered by your request).

The claim that they can "produce words at you" might be {{w|English as a second or foreign language|slightly mangled English}}, or a blatantly honest admission that any conversation you have will be with {{w|Large language model|a potentially inexaustible AI system}}, which websites have increasingly utilized in place of customer service representatives since 2024. At its worst, the words you receive might have {{w|Markov chain|even less understanding}} of your problem, as merely being able to send even [[1068: Swiftkey|vaguely logical sequences of words]] might be worse than useless. Additionally, giving random vague sequences of words would be very infuriating and cause the user to throw the laptop into the ocean.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
Doing a task using a company or organization's website:
{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Flowcharts]]
[[Category:Internet]]

3171: Geologic Core Sample

2025-11-24T14:54:55Z

N0lqu:

{{comic
| number = 3171
| date = November 21, 2025
| title = Geologic Core Sample
| image = geologic_core_sample_2x.png
| imagesize = 493x790px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = If you drill at the right angle and time things perfectly, your core sample can include a section of a rival team's coring equipment.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created BY A GEOLOGIC RIBBIT. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

This image presents a core sample taken by a slightly overenthusiastic team of geologists.

A {{w|core sample}} is a cylindrical piece of something, in this case the rock of Earth's crust, obtained with special drills, taken in order to study the layers within. In typical xkcd fashion, the core sample depicted here contains a mix of real rocks found in core samples, and many humorous or fictional additions. It's shown that, on the way down, the coring drills have hit many, many obstacles they really shouldn't have, culminating in the punchline that the geologists have drilled straight through the Earth to the opposite hemisphere and out the other side — far deeper than any core sample could be taken in reality.

;Topsoil :{{w|Topsoil}} is the uppermost layer of the typical {{w|pedosphere}}, which often needs to be dug through before reaching actual rock. Whether the soil section of the core would actually be retained and counted is up to the nature of the study being made, but it will become clear that this core sample wasn't obtained with much thought of finesse.
;Till :{{w|Till}} is unsorted glacial sediment, which might underlie the soil layer and form the transition to the foundation rock below.
;Granite bedrock :{{w|Bedrock}} is solid rock, and there may normally be nothing but more bedrock beneath it until the Earth's {{w|Mantle_(geology)|mantle}}. {{w|Granite}} is a very common igneous rock that could normally form such bedrock.
:There are suggestions, from what is seen beneath it, that this particular layer of bedrock (though being a natural material, at source) has been placed here as a construction base, infilled over with the above layers in this particular spot.
;Bottomsoil :A fictional counterpart of topsoil. Topsoil is so named because it is generally found on top of other layers, and not to distinguish it from a separate 'bottomsoil' layer. Here, however, there are apparently two layers of soil somehow sandwiching the bedrock layer. Theoretically, the intervening granite could have been laid (as a slab) upon the lowest layers of an excavated area, later to be sampled by this corer ''as if'' a natural layer.
;Roof/Floor of subway car :These two layers are indications that the drill has broken into a subway tunnel (possibly from amongst those shown in [[1196: Subways]]), and through a subway train which will have been travelling through such a tunnel dug deep into the rock, or perhaps {{w|Tunnel#Cut-and-cover|cut'n'covered}} into the ground (hence, perhaps, the anomalous granite being added above; though the further tunnel lining/ceiling is not given a label, that would hold up the initial infill of soil). The drill has essentially compressed the 'void' that is the interior of the car and the rest of the tunnel, which may seem to be good luck (given a later layer), but this still doesn't bode well for the subway train that may have been trying to move when the drill started to pierce it.
;More granite :Granite ''is'' a very common igneous rock.
;Municipal water main:A pipe has been partly sliced through (enough to one side to not force the collapse of its void). Most water pipes of this size would not normally be forced through rock, only the loose material above it, relying upon pressure to carry water upwards, where necessary.
:However, {{w|combined sewer|drainage systems}} (that rely upon gravity for most of the route) may need at times to be dug deeper to maximize the natural flow. Some {{w|Thames Tideway Tunnel|particularly large projects}} may be excavated deeply through rock, even below some subway lines, though they'll be tunnels/pipes with a far larger bore than seen here, for both construction and capacity reasons.
;Slightly different granite:There are {{w|QAPF diagram|''many'' subtypes}} of granite, as well as being a lot of it.
;Piece of screaming spelunker's arm:Cave systems exist underground in many places, though more usually within rock-types more likely to dissolve than granite layers are. The main exception might be from {{w|Lava tube|volcanic tunnels}} left in {{w|basalt}}, but that's technically ''still'' not granite, meaning that any cave system here would need explaining.
:{{w|Spelunkers}} (also known as cavers) explore caves, and one must have been in the wrong place when the corer passed through, being inflicted a clear injury (possibly greater than any that the unknown (but not ''directly'' impacted) subway users might have already suffered). If the spelunker was not already screaming ''before'' the drill came through (perhaps for help, if they were stuck — the size of the cave is unknown, with the open space closed up, as with the subway), losing a chunk of arm will have definitely prompted screams.
;Cool crystals with no resale value:There are many geological processes that can concentrate elements and compounds in a way that form crystalline minerals. Some are useful as ores, others as just the crystals themselves (for aesthetic reasons or otherwise).
:Whatever these crystals are, as a small seam within the granitic layer just below the spelunker's location, they look nice (or are otherwise interesting), but either have little further application or are just so common that there's no point trying to make use of this deposit (even if they could perhaps be more 'easily' reached by any spelunker not put off by the threat of drillbits).
;Mangled fragments of drillbit from previous attempt
:When coring rock, it's possible for the tip of the coring drill to encounter problems (like particularly dense and hard rock) that damage it, perhaps by bending its track too much and shearing off the head.
:This latest attempt, probably sent down slightly to the side of the prior one (unless it had managed to gouge out ''just'' the remains of the previous drillpipe, and retain the rock/subway/spelunker layers previously cored out) has encountered the tip of the prior attempt.
:If there's one thing guaranteed to be as tough as a drillbit, it's ''another'' drillbit, which must necessarily be hard enough to cut through the expected rock-types. So it's lucky that the first one was clearly damaged enough, by its prior encounter, that it didn't thwart this next attempt and (perhaps literally) grind it to a halt. Nor, apparently, was there a repeat of whatever issue left that first drill like this.
:Being in the middle of the core, it could be that these bits are meant to be from another attempt to drill the diameter of the Earth from a complete different location. Assuming absurd precision, all such drill holes would meet at the center of the Earth.
;Some boring intrusive rock that's basically granite but has a name like "diorite" or "andalite" that you always have to look up
:Diorite is a real type of igneous rock — an intermediate between actual granite and {{w|gabbro}} — but an [http://animorphs.fandom.com/wiki/Andalite Andalite] is an alien from the Animorphs book series, which Randall enjoys and has [[:Category:Animorphs|referenced before]]. Perhaps Randall is "misremembering" the name of {{w|andesite}}, another type of igneous rock, from his [[1223: Dwarf Fortress|knowledge of]] the complex set of reality-inspired rock types encountered in the game {{w|Dwarf Fortress}}. As the sample appears right before the Netherrack sample, it may also be referencing {{w|Minecraft}}, as granite, diorite, and andesite exist in-game as mineable stone types, but all three types are often infamous for clogging up inventories whilst mining, due to their exclusively decorative use.
;Netherrack:A dark red, and entirely fictional, stone appearing in Minecraft, with which Randall is [[861: Wisdom Teeth|also well acquainted]]. In Minecraft, Netherrack typically only appears naturally in The Nether, an alternate dimension resembling hell. In the overworld, where the core sample is presumably being taken, Netherrack only naturally forms in ruins of Nether Portals found on the surface, so for it to appear this deep in the sample, it would need to have been placed there by another person, likely while mining.
;Balrog wing:The balrog is a creature in {{w|Lord of the Rings}}, found deep beneath the world, awakened when the dwarves delved too deep and too greedily, and previously encountered in [[730: Circuit Diagram]]. The {{w|Balrog#Characteristics|balrog's wings}} are often discussed, in the context of whether it had them, and therefore whether they could or should have helped it escape the fall that was forced upon it in the books. At least one balrog, however, now appears to have at least one less wing than those it previously had, without us knowing if there was also any screaming involved.

;{a symbol indicating a portion the core sample has been removed/skipped over/not depicted}

;Granite:This label is applied to rock that appears to cover both ends of a 'height' of rock-core that is simplified by a diagrammatic cut. From the context of later layers, this would include a very long length of drilled-material that passes into the {{w|Earth's mantle}}, and [[3145: Piercing|perhaps]] at least some of its core, before coming back up through the granite to be found somewhere on the other side of the planet.

; Topsoil:Beyond the indeterminate length of granite, the sample transitions back into the loose upper layers, indicating that the exploratory core is now being taken from ascending layers, albeit in a location lacking subways, etc, or just managing to miss everything seen in the preceding section.
;Cement:On emerging from the other side of the Earth, the geologists have drilled through the foundations of a building.
;Floorboards / Carpet:These two layers are typical of a reasonably well-equipped residential building — probably the ground floor, without any basement level. The core is coming up inside a furnished room.
;Possessions of a confused and angry homeowner in the other hemisphere
:The core sample has tunneled up into somebody's house, probably while they are there, and has traveled through some of the furniture, fixtures and/or fittings, to their clear annoyance.

Apart from the less expected elements to the core that was cut and retrieved (and the sheer impossibility of drilling the necessary several thousand miles 'down' through the Earth, and then drawing that sample back out again), the comic heavily plays upon the fact that someone with the ability and equipment to take this sample is, nevertheless, not as sure about geology as they perhaps ought to be, with almost all rock just being considered 'granite', without any better (or more accurate) qualification.

The title text suggests that core sampling is a competitive pursuit, in which, with the correct drilling angle, dark arts can be employed to interfere with the coring experiment of a "rival team". This is, outside of cold war-type pettiness, not considered a constructive approach to science.{{Citation needed}}

Only about 15% of the Earth's land surface is directly antipodal to other land, which would make this sample less than "typical" if it was aimed directly down through the exact centre of the Earth and back up again (a distance of almost 8,000 miles, or more than 12,000 km). If one were to do this from a random spot of land, one would be much more likely to have the sample terminate in an ocean; the chances of ending up in a house would be even lower. However, considering that the title text mentions drilling at an angle, the 'other hemisphere' point might be not necessarily be at the antipodal point, and there also seems to be the capacity to aim at a more desirable target, in which case this is a "typical" core under ''deliberately'' chosen circumstances. The exact nature of reaching "the other hemisphere" is not expanded upon — it could be as simple as drilling (mostly sideways) a short distance across the {{w|equator}}, or {{w|prime meridian}}, or having to go at least a quarter of the way under the planet's surface (slightly over 1.4 times the Earth's radius, by the most direct route), in any direction, such that the two ends cannot be counted as being in any single arbitrary hemisphere.

This comic comes not long after [[3162: Heart Mountain]], which involved strange stratification, so may be part of the same thought process about the nature, and occasional oddities, of the geologic column.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
:[This shows a drill sample with various labels, in order from the top of the panel toward the bottom.]
:[Against a short section of core:] Topsoil
:[A more obviously granular shorter section with a diagonal transition:] Till
:[A light and lightly-marked phase:] Granite bedrock
:[Repeating the Topsoil appearance:] Bottomsoil
:[A short/squat and possibly squeezed 'lump':] Roof of subway car
:[A similar squeezed-out lump:] Floor of subway car
:[A longer length of the 'granite' texture, within which...:] More granite
:[Not quite half of a pipe-width, cut out as a gap perpendicular and not quite all the way across the core:] Municipal water main
:[Slightly more grainy version of the 'granite':] Slightly different granite
:[In a junction between 'granites', an squat, unidentifiable lump:] Piece of screaming spelunker's arm
:[Within a longer granite layer, a short stretch of spiky/crystalline features:] Cool crystals with no resale value
:[The same granite, an intrusion of mechanical-looking junk:] Mangled fragments of drillbit from previous attempt
:[As per granite, but slightly more grainy:] Some boring intrusive rock that's basically granite but has a name like "diorite" or "andalite" that you always have to look up
:[Dark, cobbly textured stone:] Netherrack
:[Within a stretch of granite, a short, dark but otherwise unidentifiable lump:] Balrog wing
:[At this point, there is a discontinuity indicating that an arbitrary length has been omitted. The sample then resumes:]
:[Still 'granite': Granite
:[Dark soil texture:] Topsoil
:[Light, fine and sparse 'grains':] Cement
:[Two very short cross-sections, each with contrasting wood-grain stripes:] Floorboards
:[Two very short sections with a textile-base plus piles appearance:] Carpet
:[A mish-mash of 'stuff', possibly including cloth, metal components, grainy wood and 'topped' at the lowst end by something equally puzzling at an angle:] Possesions of a confused and angry homeowner in the other hemisphere

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category:Geology]]
[[Category:Charts]]
[[Category:LOTR]]
[[Category:Animorphs]]
[[Category:Minecraft]]

3171: Geologic Core Sample

2025-11-24T14:54:22Z

N0lqu: portion of the core sample not depicted

{{comic
| number = 3171
| date = November 21, 2025
| title = Geologic Core Sample
| image = geologic_core_sample_2x.png
| imagesize = 493x790px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = If you drill at the right angle and time things perfectly, your core sample can include a section of a rival team's coring equipment.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created BY A GEOLOGIC RIBBIT. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

This image presents a core sample taken by a slightly overenthusiastic team of geologists.

A {{w|core sample}} is a cylindrical piece of something, in this case the rock of Earth's crust, obtained with special drills, taken in order to study the layers within. In typical xkcd fashion, the core sample depicted here contains a mix of real rocks found in core samples, and many humorous or fictional additions. It's shown that, on the way down, the coring drills have hit many, many obstacles they really shouldn't have, culminating in the punchline that the geologists have drilled straight through the Earth to the opposite hemisphere and out the other side — far deeper than any core sample could be taken in reality.

;Topsoil :{{w|Topsoil}} is the uppermost layer of the typical {{w|pedosphere}}, which often needs to be dug through before reaching actual rock. Whether the soil section of the core would actually be retained and counted is up to the nature of the study being made, but it will become clear that this core sample wasn't obtained with much thought of finesse.
;Till :{{w|Till}} is unsorted glacial sediment, which might underlie the soil layer and form the transition to the foundation rock below.
;Granite bedrock :{{w|Bedrock}} is solid rock, and there may normally be nothing but more bedrock beneath it until the Earth's {{w|Mantle_(geology)|mantle}}. {{w|Granite}} is a very common igneous rock that could normally form such bedrock.
:There are suggestions, from what is seen beneath it, that this particular layer of bedrock (though being a natural material, at source) has been placed here as a construction base, infilled over with the above layers in this particular spot.
;Bottomsoil :A fictional counterpart of topsoil. Topsoil is so named because it is generally found on top of other layers, and not to distinguish it from a separate 'bottomsoil' layer. Here, however, there are apparently two layers of soil somehow sandwiching the bedrock layer. Theoretically, the intervening granite could have been laid (as a slab) upon the lowest layers of an excavated area, later to be sampled by this corer ''as if'' a natural layer.
;Roof/Floor of subway car :These two layers are indications that the drill has broken into a subway tunnel (possibly from amongst those shown in [[1196: Subways]]), and through a subway train which will have been travelling through such a tunnel dug deep into the rock, or perhaps {{w|Tunnel#Cut-and-cover|cut'n'covered}} into the ground (hence, perhaps, the anomalous granite being added above; though the further tunnel lining/ceiling is not given a label, that would hold up the initial infill of soil). The drill has essentially compressed the 'void' that is the interior of the car and the rest of the tunnel, which may seem to be good luck (given a later layer), but this still doesn't bode well for the subway train that may have been trying to move when the drill started to pierce it.
;More granite :Granite ''is'' a very common igneous rock.
;Municipal water main:A pipe has been partly sliced through (enough to one side to not force the collapse of its void). Most water pipes of this size would not normally be forced through rock, only the loose material above it, relying upon pressure to carry water upwards, where necessary.
:However, {{w|combined sewer|drainage systems}} (that rely upon gravity for most of the route) may need at times to be dug deeper to maximize the natural flow. Some {{w|Thames Tideway Tunnel|particularly large projects}} may be excavated deeply through rock, even below some subway lines, though they'll be tunnels/pipes with a far larger bore than seen here, for both construction and capacity reasons.
;Slightly different granite:There are {{w|QAPF diagram|''many'' subtypes}} of granite, as well as being a lot of it.
;Piece of screaming spelunker's arm:Cave systems exist underground in many places, though more usually within rock-types more likely to dissolve than granite layers are. The main exception might be from {{w|Lava tube|volcanic tunnels}} left in {{w|basalt}}, but that's technically ''still'' not granite, meaning that any cave system here would need explaining.
:{{w|Spelunkers}} (also known as cavers) explore caves, and one must have been in the wrong place when the corer passed through, being inflicted a clear injury (possibly greater than any that the unknown (but not ''directly'' impacted) subway users might have already suffered). If the spelunker was not already screaming ''before'' the drill came through (perhaps for help, if they were stuck — the size of the cave is unknown, with the open space closed up, as with the subway), losing a chunk of arm will have definitely prompted screams.
;Cool crystals with no resale value:There are many geological processes that can concentrate elements and compounds in a way that form crystalline minerals. Some are useful as ores, others as just the crystals themselves (for aesthetic reasons or otherwise).
:Whatever these crystals are, as a small seam within the granitic layer just below the spelunker's location, they look nice (or are otherwise interesting), but either have little further application or are just so common that there's no point trying to make use of this deposit (even if they could perhaps be more 'easily' reached by any spelunker not put off by the threat of drillbits).
;Mangled fragments of drillbit from previous attempt
:When coring rock, it's possible for the tip of the coring drill to encounter problems (like particularly dense and hard rock) that damage it, perhaps by bending its track too much and shearing off the head.
:This latest attempt, probably sent down slightly to the side of the prior one (unless it had managed to gouge out ''just'' the remains of the previous drillpipe, and retain the rock/subway/spelunker layers previously cored out) has encountered the tip of the prior attempt.
:If there's one thing guaranteed to be as tough as a drillbit, it's ''another'' drillbit, which must necessarily be hard enough to cut through the expected rock-types. So it's lucky that the first one was clearly damaged enough, by its prior encounter, that it didn't thwart this next attempt and (perhaps literally) grind it to a halt. Nor, apparently, was there a repeat of whatever issue left that first drill like this.
:Being in the middle of the core, it could be that these bits are meant to be from another attempt to drill the diameter of the Earth from a complete different location. Assuming absurd precision, all such drill holes would meet at the center of the Earth.
;Some boring intrusive rock that's basically granite but has a name like "diorite" or "andalite" that you always have to look up
:Diorite is a real type of igneous rock — an intermediate between actual granite and {{w|gabbro}} — but an [http://animorphs.fandom.com/wiki/Andalite Andalite] is an alien from the Animorphs book series, which Randall enjoys and has [[:Category:Animorphs|referenced before]]. Perhaps Randall is "misremembering" the name of {{w|andesite}}, another type of igneous rock, from his [[1223: Dwarf Fortress|knowledge of]] the complex set of reality-inspired rock types encountered in the game {{w|Dwarf Fortress}}. As the sample appears right before the Netherrack sample, it may also be referencing {{w|Minecraft}}, as granite, diorite, and andesite exist in-game as mineable stone types, but all three types are often infamous for clogging up inventories whilst mining, due to their exclusively decorative use.
;Netherrack:A dark red, and entirely fictional, stone appearing in Minecraft, with which Randall is [[861: Wisdom Teeth|also well acquainted]]. In Minecraft, Netherrack typically only appears naturally in The Nether, an alternate dimension resembling hell. In the overworld, where the core sample is presumably being taken, Netherrack only naturally forms in ruins of Nether Portals found on the surface, so for it to appear this deep in the sample, it would need to have been placed there by another person, likely while mining.
;Balrog wing:The balrog is a creature in {{w|Lord of the Rings}}, found deep beneath the world, awakened when the dwarves delved too deep and too greedily, and previously encountered in [[730: Circuit Diagram]]. The {{w|Balrog#Characteristics|balrog's wings}} are often discussed, in the context of whether it had them, and therefore whether they could or should have helped it escape the fall that was forced upon it in the books. At least one balrog, however, now appears to have at least one less wing than those it previously had, without us knowing if there was also any screaming involved.

;{a symbol indicating a portion the core sample that has been removed/skipped over/not depicted}

;Granite:This label is applied to rock that appears to cover both ends of a 'height' of rock-core that is simplified by a diagrammatic cut. From the context of later layers, this would include a very long length of drilled-material that passes into the {{w|Earth's mantle}}, and [[3145: Piercing|perhaps]] at least some of its core, before coming back up through the granite to be found somewhere on the other side of the planet.

; Topsoil:Beyond the indeterminate length of granite, the sample transitions back into the loose upper layers, indicating that the exploratory core is now being taken from ascending layers, albeit in a location lacking subways, etc, or just managing to miss everything seen in the preceding section.
;Cement:On emerging from the other side of the Earth, the geologists have drilled through the foundations of a building.
;Floorboards / Carpet:These two layers are typical of a reasonably well-equipped residential building — probably the ground floor, without any basement level. The core is coming up inside a furnished room.
;Possessions of a confused and angry homeowner in the other hemisphere
:The core sample has tunneled up into somebody's house, probably while they are there, and has traveled through some of the furniture, fixtures and/or fittings, to their clear annoyance.

Apart from the less expected elements to the core that was cut and retrieved (and the sheer impossibility of drilling the necessary several thousand miles 'down' through the Earth, and then drawing that sample back out again), the comic heavily plays upon the fact that someone with the ability and equipment to take this sample is, nevertheless, not as sure about geology as they perhaps ought to be, with almost all rock just being considered 'granite', without any better (or more accurate) qualification.

The title text suggests that core sampling is a competitive pursuit, in which, with the correct drilling angle, dark arts can be employed to interfere with the coring experiment of a "rival team". This is, outside of cold war-type pettiness, not considered a constructive approach to science.{{Citation needed}}

Only about 15% of the Earth's land surface is directly antipodal to other land, which would make this sample less than "typical" if it was aimed directly down through the exact centre of the Earth and back up again (a distance of almost 8,000 miles, or more than 12,000 km). If one were to do this from a random spot of land, one would be much more likely to have the sample terminate in an ocean; the chances of ending up in a house would be even lower. However, considering that the title text mentions drilling at an angle, the 'other hemisphere' point might be not necessarily be at the antipodal point, and there also seems to be the capacity to aim at a more desirable target, in which case this is a "typical" core under ''deliberately'' chosen circumstances. The exact nature of reaching "the other hemisphere" is not expanded upon — it could be as simple as drilling (mostly sideways) a short distance across the {{w|equator}}, or {{w|prime meridian}}, or having to go at least a quarter of the way under the planet's surface (slightly over 1.4 times the Earth's radius, by the most direct route), in any direction, such that the two ends cannot be counted as being in any single arbitrary hemisphere.

This comic comes not long after [[3162: Heart Mountain]], which involved strange stratification, so may be part of the same thought process about the nature, and occasional oddities, of the geologic column.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
:[This shows a drill sample with various labels, in order from the top of the panel toward the bottom.]
:[Against a short section of core:] Topsoil
:[A more obviously granular shorter section with a diagonal transition:] Till
:[A light and lightly-marked phase:] Granite bedrock
:[Repeating the Topsoil appearance:] Bottomsoil
:[A short/squat and possibly squeezed 'lump':] Roof of subway car
:[A similar squeezed-out lump:] Floor of subway car
:[A longer length of the 'granite' texture, within which...:] More granite
:[Not quite half of a pipe-width, cut out as a gap perpendicular and not quite all the way across the core:] Municipal water main
:[Slightly more grainy version of the 'granite':] Slightly different granite
:[In a junction between 'granites', an squat, unidentifiable lump:] Piece of screaming spelunker's arm
:[Within a longer granite layer, a short stretch of spiky/crystalline features:] Cool crystals with no resale value
:[The same granite, an intrusion of mechanical-looking junk:] Mangled fragments of drillbit from previous attempt
:[As per granite, but slightly more grainy:] Some boring intrusive rock that's basically granite but has a name like "diorite" or "andalite" that you always have to look up
:[Dark, cobbly textured stone:] Netherrack
:[Within a stretch of granite, a short, dark but otherwise unidentifiable lump:] Balrog wing
:[At this point, there is a discontinuity indicating that an arbitrary length has been omitted. The sample then resumes:]
:[Still 'granite': Granite
:[Dark soil texture:] Topsoil
:[Light, fine and sparse 'grains':] Cement
:[Two very short cross-sections, each with contrasting wood-grain stripes:] Floorboards
:[Two very short sections with a textile-base plus piles appearance:] Carpet
:[A mish-mash of 'stuff', possibly including cloth, metal components, grainy wood and 'topped' at the lowst end by something equally puzzling at an angle:] Possesions of a confused and angry homeowner in the other hemisphere

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category:Geology]]
[[Category:Charts]]
[[Category:LOTR]]
[[Category:Animorphs]]
[[Category:Minecraft]]

Talk:3168: Beam Dump

2025-11-18T15:16:25Z

N0lqu:

Started with an explanation. Wikilinks would be very useful. Get this done quickly; this will be confusing, even for xkcd readers. --'''''[[User:DollarStoreBa'al|DollarStoreBa'al]][[User Talk:DollarStoreBa'al|Converse]] 22:16, 14 November 2025 (UTC)

I don't see why a large block of graphite wouldn't absorb the momentum effectively. If it's not working effectively enough, it's simply not large enough. Easy. --[[Special:Contributions/2A10:D586:3E93:0:1DF3:4522:835D:33DD|2A10:D586:3E93:0:1DF3:4522:835D:33DD]] 23:19, 14 November 2025 (UTC)
:Well, for one thing, the collision is too elastic, and you'll get reflection. And graphite is brittle. [[Special:Contributions/163.116.145.79|163.116.145.79]] 15:32, 17 November 2025 (UTC)

I feel like there might be an implied reference to the Schlitterbahn Kansas City incident with their Verrückt ride. Obviously not the main, geek-oriented point, but maybe worth calling out? Kind of dark, in any case. [[Special:Contributions/2605:A601:AC81:5C00:89A3:3829:B7F:41E6|2605:A601:AC81:5C00:89A3:3829:B7F:41E6]] 01:48, 15 November 2025 (UTC)

Why would quantum mechanics be ''mostly'' unable to describe what happens on the macroscopic scale if one were able to fully calculate the equations of state for each elemental particle (i. e., quarks, gluons, electrons) from the (mass- and, in some way, age-dependent) 200–900 [[2946|ronnaparticles]] (or possibly up to 1–2 quettaparticles if we don't simplify baryons to 3 quarks and gluons)? [[Special:Contributions/2001:4C4E:1C02:B400:A0AA:7176:EDF2:27AE|2001:4C4E:1C02:B400:A0AA:7176:EDF2:27AE]] 21:58, 15 November 2025 (UTC)

Who else thought of the Monty Python Architect's Sketch? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architects_Sketch [[User:N0lqu|-boB]] ([[User talk:N0lqu|talk]]) 15:16, 18 November 2025 (UTC)

3168: Beam Dump

2025-11-17T16:13:57Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3168
| date = November 14, 2025
| title = Beam Dump
| image = beam_dump_2x.png
| imagesize = 309x346px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = We're adding some industrial flypaper to minimize reflection or scattering of customers who might complain.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a SAFELY DECELERATING BOT. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
Experimental {{w|particle physics}} and {{w|amusement park}}s both involve moving objects at speed, and both require provisions to be made to safely handle those objects if something goes wrong. However, the considerations in each situation are quite different, largely due to the fact that in one case the objects are people which we would not want to damage, and a solution from one field is therefore unlikely to be suitable in the other.

In the comic, [[Cueball]], [[Megan]], and [[White Hat]] have apparently hired an accelerator physicist, portrayed as [[Ponytail]], to design a water park. Ponytail has decided that, in the event that an emergency stop is activated on a large {{w|waterslide}}, the riders would be diverted to a "{{w|beam dump}}", a large block of graphite which Ponytail believes would safely slow the momentum of the riders. However, unlike in Ponytail's former field of work, the subsequent fate of the visitors should be a major concern, and collisions into heavy solid blocks is a physical health risk.

In the context of a {{w|particle accelerator}}, beam dumps are indeed formed of large blocks of graphite, which safely slow the unwanted particles without having them release large amounts of energy in a more uncontrolled manner. It could be argued that since this measure is intended for the safety of the operators, and not the particles (customers) it would technically be effective at the original purpose if the blocks are sufficiently large, protecting the operators from high velocity customers — if not from the lawsuits of any survivors/next-of-kin.

Reflection and scattering, mentioned in the title text, are effects that occur as a result of particle collisions in a particle accelerator. In the context of this amusement park, though, it could mean customers worrying about the "beam dump" solution and heading off to find someone to complain to about it. Alternatively, it could mean the messy after-effects of them striking the graphite. Either way, Ponytail proposes to use {{w|flypaper}} to prevent it by trapping the patrons.

The word "industrial", applied to a product, can have a number of meanings. It can imply "more powerful than the versions usually used at home": "industrial-strength" chemicals are more concentrated than their home versions; "industrial-strength" tools tolerate more and heavier use than those used occasionally by amateurs before breaking or wearing out. Such products are usually considerably more expensive than the usual versions, because of higher costs of manufacturing and lower demand. Alternatively, it can mean things produced, often at lower unit cost, in larger quantities or sizes than would be practical for domestic consumption. Both would be useful in this case, since it would need to be large enough, with strong enough glue, to trap humans — even wet humans. "Industrial flypaper" isn't a real thing{{acn}}, as of the date of publication of this comic.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
:[Ponytail is standing in front of a diagram on the wall, pointing at it with a pointer. The diagram has a picture of a waterslide and some untelligible text. The waterslide has two paths at the bottom; one returns to the base of the entrance tower, the other goes to a large black block. On the right stand Cueball, Megan, and White Hat facing her.]
:Ponytail: If the emergency stop is activated, any riders on the waterslide will be diverted into the beam dump, a large graphite block which will safely absorb their momentum.

:[Caption below panel:]
:We regretted hiring an accelerator phsycist to design our water park.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category:Physics]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]

3166: Big and Little Spoons

2025-11-11T17:40:32Z

N0lqu: Taking himself out of the problem, with a bad (in multiple ways) pun

{{comic
| number = 3166
| date = November 10, 2025
| title = Big and Little Spoons
| image = big_and_little_spoons_2x.png
| imagesize = 662x259px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Are you the annoying spoon or the sleepy spoon?
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a SAME-SIZED SPOON. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

{{w|Spooning}} is the intimate (and sometimes, but not always, sexual) act of laying down so that one's fore is directly up against the back of another person. A common colloquial term for people in this position is to refer to the two participants as "big spoon" (the one behind) and "little spoon" (the one in front). Cueball points out that the colloquialism does not have any basis in reality due to how spoons nest; commonly, spoons of the the same size will form a relatively uniform stack, which may be handy with a full complement of {{w|cutlery}} that is stored together in functional groups, while the spoons of differing sizes would rest awkwardly due to the different curvature in their handles and bowls, and the neck between. There are some exceptions, such as a {{w|File:Swedish Measuring Spoon Set.jpeg|measuring spoon ''set''}}, or one-person camping set (perhaps small spoon, large spoon, plus knife and fork; or involving [[419: Forks and Spoons|hybrid]] {{w|Combination eating utensils|flatware}}), where one of each type is deliberately designed to be nested/packed against the others in a particular order.

The last panel reveals that he is {{tvtropes|ExiledToTheCouch|sleeping on the couch}}, presumably because of his nitpickery regarding the colloquialism. From another room, someone else — presumably Megan — realizes that he is addressing anyone who is listening about this, and expresses annoyance that he hasn't let the matter go, which well may have caused the banishment from a shared bed. Cueball merely insists that he's ''right'', indicating [[386: Duty Calls|his refusal]] to let the matter slide. His insistence on being right in this case is causing him to not be in any two-spoon big spoon vs small spoon situation, instead he's alone on the couch and forked.

The title text asks whether you are annoying spoon or sleepy spoon, which, in this context, most likely means to ask whether you are like Cueball (who is being considered annoying) or like his sleepy partner.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript}}
:[Close up shot of Cueball's head and neck. Cueball is facing the left and has his arm raised.]
:Cueball: Some people like to be the big spoon.

:[Cueball's face and neck are still the only elements visible. Cueball is facing the right now and has lowered his hand.]
:Cueball: Some people like to be the little spoon.

:[A big spoon sitting atop a little spoon and a little spoon sitting atop a big spoon are depicted.]
:And some brave truth-tellers point out that the metaphor makes no sense because different-sized spoons don't nest right ''either'' way. You nest ''same''-sized spoons.

:[Cueball is lying alone on a couch.]
:...and apparently ''we'' sleep on the couch.
:[Voice from outside the panel:]
:Voice: Why are you ''still'' going on about the spoon thing?
:Cueball: Because I'm ''right!''

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Romance]]
[[Category:Sex]]

3160: Document Forgery

2025-10-28T16:46:34Z

N0lqu:

{{comic
| number = 3160
| date = October 27, 2025
| title = Document Forgery
| image = document_forgery_2x.png
| imagesize = 345x323px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = It comes with a certificate of authenticity, which comes with a certificate of authenticity, which comes with a...
}}

==Explanation==

{{incomplete|This page was created by copying another one and changing the details. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
This comic depicts a {{w|diploma}} for a {{w|Doctor of Philosophy|PhD}} in {{w|forgery|Document Forgery}}. While the diploma looks official at a glance, a closer inspection reveals that the diploma is offered from an exceedingly generic "East State University". Normally, colleges or universities with the word 'state' in them are named after the state or region they're in, although this is not always the case. Either way, East State University does not exist anywhere in the world, with the closest being {{w|East Tennessee State University}}.

Upon completion of many awards and educational programs, a physical certificate is presented to the awardee to symbolize their achievement. Creating such a document is generally significantly easier than the underlying accomplishment, and in some cases people will simply buy or create a replica of an official one and take the credit fraudulently. However, the caption claims that if one were able to forge the document shown to a high enough quality that it could be hung in an office without attracting attention, one would have earned it: that is, the creation of such a credible-looking document without drawing any suspicion would show PhD-worthy skills in forgery and thus be deserving of a real diploma. Paradoxically, if someone were able to do this, it would lend some credence to the authenticity of the document.

The title text mentions that the diploma comes with a {{w|certificate of authenticity}}. However, since the entire reason for questioning the authenticity of the diploma is because of the subject matter being ''forgery'', the certificate's own authenticity is also somewhat questionable. To remedy this, the certificate comes with its own certificate of authenticity, which also comes with a certificate of authenticity, and so on, {{w|ad infinitum}}. Of course, all of the certificates would be equally likely be forged, and they really only show that the forger has {{w|Zeno's paradoxes#Zeno behaviour|a lot of time on their hands}}. Many important and legally binding documents lack any certificate of authenticity, but instead have something stronger, like the backing of a recognized and independent witnessing organization or registry which can confirm the truth when the authenticity of the document is in doubt.

[[Randall]] may have intended a pun on two meanings of the word 'doctor': firstly, as a title accorded to those who have earned a PhD, and secondly as meaning to [https://www.dictionary.com/browse/doctor change or falsify details on a document (verb #4)].

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
:[A panel depicts a diploma that has decorations on the corners and sides, but the corners have more. There is a lot of illegible text above, amid, and below the big text.]

:[Two lines of illegible text]
:East State University

:[Two lines of illegible text, a box with illegible text, and another line of illegible text]
:Doctor of Philosophy
:in
:Document Forgery

:[A line of illegible text, with a logo/official seal below it in the center. To the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right of the seal are what appear to be signatures, with a line of bold illegible text and a line of small illegible text beneath each signature line.]

:[Caption beneath the panel:]
:If you put one of these up in your office, and no one notices, you've earned it.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category:Self-reference]]

3143: Question Mark

2025-09-22T14:27:05Z

N0lqu: text-to-speech for text messages

{{comic
| number = 3143
| date = September 17, 2025
| title = Question Mark
| image = question_mark_2x.png
| imagesize = 380x463px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Although now people will realize three-per-em space that all this time I've been using weird medium mathematical space whitespace characters in my hair space hair space hair space speech dot dot dot...
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a BOT TIRONIAN ET ⹒ MULTIPLE HUMANS PERIOD. Don apostrophe 't remove this notice too soon period.}}

In colloquial English, the phrase "{{wiktionary|question_mark#Particle|question mark}}" is sometimes added to the end of a statement to give an exaggerated or emphasized impression of its uncertainty, as if the question mark in a written representation of the utterance should be spoken aloud instead of remaining implicit in the {{w|Intonation (linguistics)#English|rising intonation}}. This may be to reinforce true questions in dialects that exhibit a {{w|high rising terminal}} even for normal statements, to signal that a sentence is meant to be interrogative despite not following the typical structure of a question, or even just for effect. Here, the phrase “[it is] maybe even the greatest movie of all time” is structured like a standard declaration of fact, and so verbalizing the question mark helps clarify that the statement is made in order to request a (hoped for) confirmation, or at least acquiescence.

This appears to be a relatively new phenomenon, at least in terms of gaining meaningful adoption, and such linguistic novelties can often cause irritation or discomfort among those outside of their usage groups. When [[Hairy]] does this, [[Cueball]] feels compelled to respond by doing the same with other punctuation marks, and even other matters of formatting, such as typographical emphasis and whitespace. Whether he does this to try to fit in, or as a form of 'revenge' for a perceived linguistic abuse is unclear.

Generally, speaking punctuation and formatting out loud is considered strange, though there are some that are accepted, and it is possible that the same will become true of "question mark" over time. Sometimes the word "period" (US English) or "full-stop" (British, Irish and Commonwealth English) is spoken at the end of a sentence, before a period, to declare that there can be not dispute nor further discussion about what is being stated. An example might be: "That's the end of the matter, we're leaving Friday, period." Other examples would be "asterisk", indicating the statement is not absolute and has caveats, such as "You should buy a ticket and see that movie - asterisk [it's kind of expensive though]", while a feeling of incompleteness or foreboding is sometimes evoked by speaking the phrase "dot dot dot" at the end of a sentence, reflecting the use of an ellipsis to indicate an unwritten continuation...

Cueball mentions the film ''{{w|Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle}},'' illustrating the common use of italics to indicate titles of films (as well as other works, e.g. books, albums and series, depending on the stylebook used) and colons to separate subtitles from titles. From the context, Hairy and Cueball had differently polarised opinions about the merits of this film.

The title text reads: "Although now people will realize three-per-em space that all this time I've been using weird medium mathematical space whitespace characters in my hair space hair space hair space speech dot dot dot..." Randall uses, and {{tvtropes|ReadingTheStageDirectionsOutLoud|vocalises}}, three different whitespace characters in this statement. Specifically, the three-per-em space (U+2004), the medium mathematical space (U+205F) and the hair space (U+200A). Normally they'd be used for typesetting mathematical formulae and in {{w|microtypography}}, without any expected audible distinction or meaning beyond text-placement and alignment in printed media.

Translated, it looks like:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Characters in title text
| "Although now people will realize that all this time I’ve been using weird whitespace characters in my   speech..."
|-
! Ordinary whitespace
| "Although now people will realize that all this time I’ve been using weird whitespace characters in my speech..."
|}

Pronouncing punctuation used to be a staple of {{w|Dictation (exercise)|dictation}}, especially in the 20th century, when secretaries taking dictation to type letters were more commonplace. The expression "…, {{wiktionary|period#Interjection|period}}" or "…, {{wiktionary|full stop#Interjection|full stop}}", taken to mean "…and that's final", originates from this usage.{{acn}} Since Cueball is pronouncing all other punctuation marks as well, his final "period" denotes only the mark and not the common expression, especially since the latter would usually require mention of the comma before and then an ''additional'' spoken "period" after. Dictated punctuation is still used today in some software that supports {{w|speech recognition}} for text entry, e.g. [https://cloud.google.com/speech-to-text/docs/spoken-punctuation Google Docs] and many smartphone keyboard's text-to-speech functions, so a person can send a text message with the precise punctuation the speaker intends.

The Kooblen, in Phil Foglio's Buck Godot setting, [https://web.archive.org/web/20150428205448/http://www.airshipentertainment.com/buckcomic.php?date=20070125 speak in this way] to express punctuation.

See (and hear) also Victor Borge's [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIf3IfHCoiE "Phonetic Punctuation"] sketch in its various forms, in which a variety of vocal sounds are used to make punctuation explicit.

==Transcript==

:[Hairy and Cueball are both walking to the right.]
:Hairy: That movie was so good. Maybe even the greatest movie of all time question mark?
:Cueball: Yeah comma, but you said that about italics ''Charlie's Angels Colon: Full Throttle'' period. Paragraph break.
:Cueball: I question your judgment period.
:[Caption below the panel:]
:When people say "question mark" out loud as a rhetorical device, it always makes me want to say my other punctuation and formatting too.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Language]]
[[Category:Movies]]

3133: Dual Roomba

2025-08-26T13:36:50Z

N0lqu: fanatics vs appliance fans

{{comic
| number = 3133
| date = August 25, 2025
| title = Dual Roomba
| image = dual_roomba_2x.png
| imagesize = 679x272px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = I tried uploading it to a household appliance porn site I found, but apparently their content is limited to only fans.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a CHILD OF TWO ROOMBAS. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

A {{w|Roomba}} is a small household robot that was designed to clean floors. To do so, its underside is equipped with brushes and vacuums to clean the floors. When the Roombas themselves get dirty, Cueball has the Roombas clean each other (as opposed to the simpler solution of cleaning the Roombas by hand).

When Cueball demonstrates his Roombas cleaning each other to White Hat, White Hat remarks that the cleaning Roombas look like they are having sex, as they are going back and forth across each other's surfaces and change positions in the middle of it. When one Rooba is cleaning the top of the other, it looks like {{w|doggy style}}; when it's cleaning the bottom, it looks like {{w|missionary position}} or {{w|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/69_(sex_position)|69}}, depending on the orientation of the front and back.

Cueball says that the {{w|YouTube}} video that he posted about this trick was demonetized, or taken off a list of videos approved to generate ad revenue for creators. This is probably because of the unintentional NSFW appearance of it. Note that in order to be monetized by YouTube, you must have at least 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 public watch hours in the past 12 months or 10 million public {{w|Youtube Shorts}} views in the last 90 days.

The title text says that Cueball tried to upload the video to a porn site dedicated to "household appliance"s, but was unable to because its content was oriented towards content involving {{w|Fan (machine)|fans}}. This is a play on words, as one popular monetized porn site is called {{w|OnlyFans}}, where "fans" is short for "fanatics" as opposed to fans as appliances. Such a site would fall under [[Rule 34]].

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
:[Cueball and White Hat are facing each other. A Roomba is to the right side of Cueball, who has his arm up.]
:Cueball: The Roomba keeps my floor clean.
:Cueball: But what do I do when the '''''Roomba''''' gets dirty?

:[Cueball and White now face 2 Roombas, with Cueball gesturing towards the Roombas. One Roomba is climbing up a ramp in front of the second Roomba.]
:Cueball: Simple:
:Cueball: I got a second Roomba and a ramp, so they can clean each other.

:[Cueball kneels down to flip the first Roomba over.]
:Cueball: After the tops are clean, I flip one of the over so they can clean each others’ undersides.

:[Cueball and White Hat are now watching the Roombas clean each other.]
:White Hat: There’s nothing NSFW about this, and yet it’s the most NSFW thing I’ve every seen.
:Cueball: Yeah, my YouTube DIY video about this got demonetized.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]
[[Category:Robots]]
[[Category:Sex]]

3123: Canon

2025-08-04T15:07:52Z

N0lqu:

{{comic
| number = 3123
| date = August 1, 2025
| title = Canon
| image = canon_2x.png
| imagesize = 299x408px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Achilles was a mighty warrior, but his Achilles’ heel was his heel.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a potato cannon doing the Can Can on a Can. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

The term ''{{W|Biblical canon|canon}}'' was historically used to refer to the books of the Bible which are generally accepted as being actually part of the Bible, as opposed to {{w|apocrypha}} (Christian works which, while perhaps edifying and ancient, aren't considered part of the Bible). It was subsequently applied by analogy to the {{w|Sherlock Holmes}} stories which were written by {{w|Arthur Conan Doyle}}, as opposed to the adaptations into other formats (stage plays, films, etc.) and non-Doyle stories. An early example of this connection was in a 1910 satirical essay by the Catholic scholar Ronald A. Knox, ''Studies in the Literature of Sherlock Holmes''.

From there, it took on its modern, even broader meaning for fiction in general: the material widely accepted as created by the recognized author(s). For instance, ''{{w|Star Wars}}'' canon comprises the films and some TV shows made by {{w|Lucasfilm}} (and {{w|Disney}} after its buyout of Lucasfilm), but that canon is supplemented by a large amount of non-canonical {{w|Star Wars in other media|''Star Wars'' content in other media}} such as books, video games, comic books, fan fiction, etc. In addition, what is canon can be changed, as occurred when a large portion of formerly canon Star Wars content was [https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Star_Wars_Legends decanonised] in 2014 to make narrative space for the upcoming Star Wars trilogy sequel movies.

Determining what is canon and what is not in a narrative framework has a tendency to excite huge passions amongst fans where they decide what is, and what is not, binding to the fandom, drawing comparison to the huge factionalism of religions.

Here, Cueball is using the modern meaning to describe a theological dispute from the 18th century when ''canon'' had only its original, Biblical meaning. There are many examples of fierce theological disputes that were recorded in pamphlets and books throughout the 16th to 19th century, for example just regarding the correct mode of baptism: {{w|File:The Summe of a conference at Terling in Essex, Januarie 11, 1643 - held between 3 ministers ... opponents pleading for infants baptisme, and 2 catabaptists ... respondents denying .. (IA summeofconferenc00stal).pdf|1644 (683 pages)}}, {{w|File:A defence of infant-baptism in answer to two treatises, and an Appendix to them concerning it, lately published by Mr. Jo. Tombes - wherein that controversie is fully discussed ... (IA defenceofinfantb00mars).pdf|1646 (342 pages)}}, {{w|File:A discourse proving the divine institution of water-baptism - wherein the Quaker-arguments against it are collected and confuted with as much as is needful concerning the Lord's supper (IA discourseproving00lesl).pdf|1697 (150 pages)}}, {{w|File:An essay on infant baptism (microform) - in which the right of infants to the sacrament of baptism, is proved from Scripture, vindicated from the usual objections (IA cihm 89861).pdf|1768 (219 pages)}}, {{w|File:Modern immersion not Scripture baptism (IA modernimmersionn00thorrich).pdf|1831 (400 pages)}}, {{w|File:The heavenly father's teaching (microform) - a pedo-Baptist's reply to immersionists shewing that Baptism is not immersion, and that immersion is not Baptism, for they are direct opposites (IA cihm 08315).pdf|1874 (107 pages)}} - examples selected from hundreds of similar books.

Similarly, the word "fandom" comes from the word "fan", which is the shorter form of "fanatic", and '-dom', as in a class of people. Fanatic's etymology, in turn, points to the latin word "fanaticus" meaning 'of a temple, inspired by a god'. (The latin word "fanum" means 'temple'.)

An ''Achilles’ heel'' is the weak point of something or someone who is otherwise very strong. It derives from the legend of the great Greek warrior {{w|Achilles}}, who as a baby was dipped into the river {{w|Styx}} by {{w|Thetis|his mother}} to make him invulnerable everywhere on his body that the water touched. However, during the dipping, his mother held him by the heel, which was thus vulnerable because it didn't enter the river, and in fact Achilles later died after he was shot in that heel with an arrow. The joke again is the self-reference.

==Transcript==
:[Cueball is holding a book up in front of him with both hands while talking to White Hat.]
:Cueball: It's so weird reading these 18th century scholars argue about minor biblical details.
:Cueball: It's like they're an online fandom or something - they've developed this whole elaborate canon.

:[Caption below the panel:]
:It's fun when a word's usage goes full circle and, by analogy, lands back on its original meaning.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]
[[Category:Language]]
[[Category:Religion]]

3116: Echo Chamber

2025-07-17T14:54:21Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3116
| date = July 16, 2025
| title = Echo Chamber
| image = echo_chamber_2x.png
| imagesize = 383x296px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = This is almost as bad as the time I signed up for a purely partisan fishing expedition.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by an echoing cat video. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

An {{w|echo chamber}} is a structure designed to maximise acoustic reverberation, and therefore echoes. In cultural terms, and particularly with social media, a ''metaphorical'' {{w|Echo chamber (media)|echo chamber}} reverberates the opinions of a group of individuals so that those individuals perceive those opinions as being the social norm. This has resulted in situations such as {{w|Pizzagate conspiracy theory|Pizzagate}} and the {{w|The dress|war over the gold dress}}.

[[Cueball]] appears to have confused the two and built a physical chamber designed to echo back the sound of videos he is watching on social media. Unsurprisingly to the reader, but apparently not to Cueball, this turns out to be very annoying. Specifically, he appears to be watching cat videos, which are stereotypical social media content, but not usually the kind that produces accusations of 'echo chambers. The "Mittens" mentioned in the audio is often associated with a cat name. The reference to it happening "for the third time today" may suggest that the chamber is not just echoing the sound, but is somehow also causing the events themselves to happen repeatedly, which is not normally an effect of real life echo chambers.

The title text references a "partisan fishing expedition". A metaphorical "fishing expedition" is an investigation begun on flimsy or no evidence to try to find unsavory or incriminating behavior. When such an investigation is motivated by political considerations in favor of one particular political party, it may be referred to as a "partisan fishing expedition". The joke here is similar to the joke about the "echo chamber": he ended up on an actual "purely partisan fishing expedition" - a trip to catch actual fish where all the people on the fishing trip were either {{w|partisan (politics)|committed members of just one political party}}, or {{w|partisan (military)|members of domestic irregular military forces}}. Quite possibly, it could also refer to fishing poles fashioned out of {{w|partisan (weapon)|polearms}}. Like the joke about the echo chamber, this is the literal realization of something that is usually a mere figure of speech.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
[Cueball is sitting on a chair with his hands covering his ears. He is in a circular room with a phone on a stand. All words coming out of the phone are repeated everywhere, getting larger and less opaque]

Cueball: Here's Mittens falling into the laundry hamper for the third time today!

[Caption below panel:] Now that I've built one, I finally get why people complain about social media echo chambers.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]

3113: Fix This Sign

2025-07-10T14:27:50Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3113
| date = July 9, 2025
| title = Fix This Sign
| image = fix_this_sign_2x.png
| imagesize = 448x405px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = We're building on our earlier success getting web developers to pay to change the backslashes in our displayed payment URL to forward slashes.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a MISALI NED CO LUM. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

[[Randall Munroe|Randall]] has created a sign with a number of issues, such as bad kerning and alignment, that {{w|graphic designer}}s might be disturbed by. Fortunately these graphic designers can donate money to have the sign's issues fixed, which is probably an improvement upon the situation invoked in the case of [[2598: Graphic Designers]].

Given the costs of printing a sign of this size, Randall may have severely underpriced his fixes and set up his business to fail, if he intends to honour the pledges. He may be relying on there being a ''lot'' of passing graphic designers, generating multiple 'doanations' for each issue, and will only fix them if a certain total amount of money is raised. {{w|Kickstarter}}, for example, lets people donate different levels and multiple people can donate at the same level, however only if a certain total amount of money is raised will the project be undertaken, and if that total is not raised nobody gets charged and the project is cancelled. One would presume the QR code would lead to a page detailing whether that's the case, what the total amount raised would need to be to be worth undertaking the fixes, or otherwise explaining how the <s>scam</s> project works.

The following paid solutions to deliberate issues are advertised:
;Fix kerning ($10) :{{w|Kerning}} refers to the spacing between letters in a {{w|typeface}}, previously addressed in [[1015: Kerning]]. Kerning issues can result in letters text appearing too far apart, as if there were a space in between, or too close as if the letters were merged. In some instances combinations of letters can appear like other letters. A well known example of this is the r and n in kerning merging into "keming", which is depicted in that comic with the R and N close together (although in uppercase this merging doesn't happen).
:In this instance, the N and I in this word are very close together in this actual item, as a self-demonstrating issue. In the sign's title, the I and S (in "THIS") are too far apart and the S and the I (in "SIGN") are too close to each other. 

;Align columns ($20) :Here the dollar amount and the text itself are not {{w|typographic alignment|aligned}} the same as with the rest of the entries.

;Fix text size ($20) :The {{w|Point_(typography)|size}} of this entry is smaller than the rest of the other entries. As with the misaligned columns, such variances could be displeasing to the eye or distracting.

;Fix typo ($50) :The title of the sign says "'''Doanate''' to fix this sign!" Someone who is easily annoyed by random typos could be compelled to donate just to get the typo fixed.

;Fix centering ($50) :The content of the sign is off-center, leaving larger gaps to the left than to the right.

;Fix rotation ($100): The content of the sign slopes slightly down from left to right. For example, in the title "doanate" is higher than "sign", and the {{w|QR code}} 'graphic' is noticeably off-square.

The relative values assigned to each 'fix' are presumably proportional to at least one observer's perceived degree of issue with each 'mistake'.

The title text refers to another common annoyance seen in signs: the use of {{w|backslash}}es in {{w|URL}}s. URLs are defined to use forward slashes (/) rather than backslashes (\), which are used in Windows {{w|Path_(computing)|pathnames}}. Due to the widespread usage of both URLs and Windows pathnames, it is not uncommon for someone to instinctively use backslashes in URLs, which isn't always supported. (Forward slashes in Windows paths, however, ''are'' supported via Win32-to-NT path conversion.) This annoyance was also discussed in [[727: Trade Expert]].

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
A single panel containing a large, elevated sign with Ponytail in front of it.

The sign has a large title reading "Doanate to fix this sign!". Below that on the left is a faux QR code with a link https://[illegible].com, and on the right a list of donation requests: 
::$10 fix kerning 
:$20 align columns [this entry is mis-aligned] 
::$20 fix text size [this entry is in a smaller font than the others] 
::$50 fix typo 
::$50 fix centering 
::$100 fix rotation

Ponytail, looking at her phone, is saying "Grrr..." and possibly going to the sign's website to donate.

Text below panel: "My new company's business model is based on extorting graphic designers."

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]

3113: Fix This Sign

2025-07-10T14:25:08Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3113
| date = July 9, 2025
| title = Fix This Sign
| image = fix_this_sign_2x.png
| imagesize = 448x405px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = We're building on our earlier success getting web developers to pay to change the backslashes in our displayed payment URL to forward slashes.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a MISALI NED CO LUM. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

[[Randall Munroe|Randall]] has created a sign with a number of issues, such as bad kerning and alignment, that {{w|graphic designer}}s might be disturbed by. Fortunately these graphic designers can donate money to have the sign's issues fixed, which is probably an improvement upon the situation invoked in the case of [[2598: Graphic Designers]].

Given the costs of printing a sign of this size, Randall may have severely underpriced his fixes and set up his business to fail, if he intends to honour the pledges. He may be relying on there being a ''lot'' of passing graphic designers, generating multiple 'doanations' for each issue, and will only fix them if a certain total amount of money is raised. {{w|Kickstarter}}, for example, lets people donate different levels and multiple people can donate at the same level, however only if a certain total amount of money is raised will the project be undertaken, and if that total is not raised nobody gets charged and the project is cancelled. One would presume the QR code would lead to a page detailing whether that's the case, what the total amount raised would need to be to be worth undertaking the fixes, or otherwise explaining how the project works.

The following paid solutions to deliberate issues are advertised:
;Fix kerning ($10) :{{w|Kerning}} refers to the spacing between letters in a {{w|typeface}}, previously addressed in [[1015: Kerning]]. Kerning issues can result in letters text appearing too far apart, as if there were a space in between, or too close as if the letters were merged. In some instances combinations of letters can appear like other letters. A well known example of this is the r and n in kerning merging into "keming", which is depicted in that comic with the R and N close together (although in uppercase this merging doesn't happen).
:In this instance, the N and I in this word are very close together in this actual item, as a self-demonstrating issue. In the sign's title, the I and S (in "THIS") are too far apart and the S and the I (in "SIGN") are too close to each other. 

;Align columns ($20) :Here the dollar amount and the text itself are not {{w|typographic alignment|aligned}} the same as with the rest of the entries.

;Fix text size ($20) :The {{w|Point_(typography)|size}} of this entry is smaller than the rest of the other entries. As with the misaligned columns, such variances could be displeasing to the eye or distracting.

;Fix typo ($50) :The title of the sign says "'''Doanate''' to fix this sign!" Someone who is easily annoyed by random typos could be compelled to donate just to get the typo fixed.

;Fix centering ($50) :The content of the sign is off-center, leaving larger gaps to the left than to the right.

;Fix rotation ($100): The content of the sign slopes slightly down from left to right. For example, in the title "doanate" is higher than "sign", and the {{w|QR code}} 'graphic' is noticeably off-square.

The relative values assigned to each 'fix' are presumably proportional to at least one observer's perceived degree of issue with each 'mistake'.

The title text refers to another common annoyance seen in signs: the use of {{w|backslash}}es in {{w|URL}}s. URLs are defined to use forward slashes (/) rather than backslashes (\), which are used in Windows {{w|Path_(computing)|pathnames}}. Due to the widespread usage of both URLs and Windows pathnames, it is not uncommon for someone to instinctively use backslashes in URLs, which isn't always supported. (Forward slashes in Windows paths, however, ''are'' supported via Win32-to-NT path conversion.) This annoyance was also discussed in [[727: Trade Expert]].

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
A single panel containing a large, elevated sign with Ponytail in front of it.

The sign has a large title reading "Doanate to fix this sign!". Below that on the left is a faux QR code with a link https://[illegible].com, and on the right a list of donation requests: 
::$10 fix kerning 
:$20 align columns [this entry is mis-aligned] 
::$20 fix text size [this entry is in a smaller font than the others] 
::$50 fix typo 
::$50 fix centering 
::$100 fix rotation

Ponytail, looking at her phone, is saying "Grrr..." and possibly going to the sign's website to donate.

Text below panel: "My new company's business model is based on extorting graphic designers."

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]

3113: Fix This Sign

2025-07-10T14:24:29Z

N0lqu: more Kickstarter

{{comic
| number = 3113
| date = July 9, 2025
| title = Fix This Sign
| image = fix_this_sign_2x.png
| imagesize = 448x405px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = We're building on our earlier success getting web developers to pay to change the backslashes in our displayed payment URL to forward slashes.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a MISALI NED CO LUM. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

[[Randall Munroe|Randall]] has created a sign with a number of issues, such as bad kerning and alignment, that {{w|graphic designer}}s might be disturbed by. Fortunately these graphic designers can donate money to have the sign's issues fixed, which is probably an improvement upon the situation invoked in the case of [[2598: Graphic Designers]].

Given the costs of printing a sign of this size, Randall may have severely underpriced his fixes and set up his business to fail, if he intends to honour the pledges. He may be relying on there being a ''lot'' of passing graphic designers, generating multiple 'doanations' for each issue, and will only fix them if a certain total amount of money is raised. {{w|Kickstarter}}, for example, lets people donate different levels and multiple people can donate at the same level, however only if a certain total amount of money is raised will the project be undertaken, and if that total is not raised, nobody gets charged and the project is cancelled. One would presume the QR code would lead to a page detailing whether that's the case, what the total amount raised would need to be to be worth undertaking the fixes, or otherwise explaining how the project works.

The following paid solutions to deliberate issues are advertised:
;Fix kerning ($10) :{{w|Kerning}} refers to the spacing between letters in a {{w|typeface}}, previously addressed in [[1015: Kerning]]. Kerning issues can result in letters text appearing too far apart, as if there were a space in between, or too close as if the letters were merged. In some instances combinations of letters can appear like other letters. A well known example of this is the r and n in kerning merging into "keming", which is depicted in that comic with the R and N close together (although in uppercase this merging doesn't happen).
:In this instance, the N and I in this word are very close together in this actual item, as a self-demonstrating issue. In the sign's title, the I and S (in "THIS") are too far apart and the S and the I (in "SIGN") are too close to each other. 

;Align columns ($20) :Here the dollar amount and the text itself are not {{w|typographic alignment|aligned}} the same as with the rest of the entries.

;Fix text size ($20) :The {{w|Point_(typography)|size}} of this entry is smaller than the rest of the other entries. As with the misaligned columns, such variances could be displeasing to the eye or distracting.

;Fix typo ($50) :The title of the sign says "'''Doanate''' to fix this sign!" Someone who is easily annoyed by random typos could be compelled to donate just to get the typo fixed.

;Fix centering ($50) :The content of the sign is off-center, leaving larger gaps to the left than to the right.

;Fix rotation ($100): The content of the sign slopes slightly down from left to right. For example, in the title "doanate" is higher than "sign", and the {{w|QR code}} 'graphic' is noticeably off-square.

The relative values assigned to each 'fix' are presumably proportional to at least one observer's perceived degree of issue with each 'mistake'.

The title text refers to another common annoyance seen in signs: the use of {{w|backslash}}es in {{w|URL}}s. URLs are defined to use forward slashes (/) rather than backslashes (\), which are used in Windows {{w|Path_(computing)|pathnames}}. Due to the widespread usage of both URLs and Windows pathnames, it is not uncommon for someone to instinctively use backslashes in URLs, which isn't always supported. (Forward slashes in Windows paths, however, ''are'' supported via Win32-to-NT path conversion.) This annoyance was also discussed in [[727: Trade Expert]].

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
A single panel containing a large, elevated sign with Ponytail in front of it.

The sign has a large title reading "Doanate to fix this sign!". Below that on the left is a faux QR code with a link https://[illegible].com, and on the right a list of donation requests: 
::$10 fix kerning 
:$20 align columns [this entry is mis-aligned] 
::$20 fix text size [this entry is in a smaller font than the others] 
::$50 fix typo 
::$50 fix centering 
::$100 fix rotation

Ponytail, looking at her phone, is saying "Grrr..." and possibly going to the sign's website to donate.

Text below panel: "My new company's business model is based on extorting graphic designers."

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]

3113: Fix This Sign

2025-07-10T14:22:51Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3113
| date = July 9, 2025
| title = Fix This Sign
| image = fix_this_sign_2x.png
| imagesize = 448x405px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = We're building on our earlier success getting web developers to pay to change the backslashes in our displayed payment URL to forward slashes.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a MISALI NED CO LUM. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

[[Randall Munroe|Randall]] has created a sign with a number of issues, such as bad kerning and alignment, that {{w|graphic designer}}s might be disturbed by. Fortunately these graphic designers can donate money to have the sign's issues fixed, which is probably an improvement upon the situation invoked in the case of [[2598: Graphic Designers]].

Given the costs of printing a sign of this size, Randall may have severely underpriced his fixes and set up his business to fail, if he intends to honour the pledges. He may be relying on there being a ''lot'' of passing graphic designers, generating multiple 'doanations' for each issue, and will only fix them if a certain total amount of money is raised. {{w|Kickstarter}}, for example, lets people donate different levels, however only if a certain total amount of money is raised will the project be undertaken, and if that total is not raised, nobody gets charged and the project is cancelled. One would presume the QR code would lead to a page detailing whether that's the case, what the total amount raised would need to be to be worth undertaking the fixes, or otherwise explaining how the project works.

The following paid solutions to deliberate issues are advertised:
;Fix kerning ($10) :{{w|Kerning}} refers to the spacing between letters in a {{w|typeface}}, previously addressed in [[1015: Kerning]]. Kerning issues can result in letters text appearing too far apart, as if there were a space in between, or too close as if the letters were merged. In some instances combinations of letters can appear like other letters. A well known example of this is the r and n in kerning merging into "keming", which is depicted in that comic with the R and N close together (although in uppercase this merging doesn't happen).
:In this instance, the N and I in this word are very close together in this actual item, as a self-demonstrating issue. In the sign's title, the I and S (in "THIS") are too far apart and the S and the I (in "SIGN") are too close to each other. 

;Align columns ($20) :Here the dollar amount and the text itself are not {{w|typographic alignment|aligned}} the same as with the rest of the entries.

;Fix text size ($20) :The {{w|Point_(typography)|size}} of this entry is smaller than the rest of the other entries. As with the misaligned columns, such variances could be displeasing to the eye or distracting.

;Fix typo ($50) :The title of the sign says "'''Doanate''' to fix this sign!" Someone who is easily annoyed by random typos could be compelled to donate just to get the typo fixed.

;Fix centering ($50) :The content of the sign is off-center, leaving larger gaps to the left than to the right.

;Fix rotation ($100): The content of the sign slopes slightly down from left to right. For example, in the title "doanate" is higher than "sign", and the {{w|QR code}} 'graphic' is noticeably off-square.

The relative values assigned to each 'fix' are presumably proportional to at least one observer's perceived degree of issue with each 'mistake'.

The title text refers to another common annoyance seen in signs: the use of {{w|backslash}}es in {{w|URL}}s. URLs are defined to use forward slashes (/) rather than backslashes (\), which are used in Windows {{w|Path_(computing)|pathnames}}. Due to the widespread usage of both URLs and Windows pathnames, it is not uncommon for someone to instinctively use backslashes in URLs, which isn't always supported. (Forward slashes in Windows paths, however, ''are'' supported via Win32-to-NT path conversion.) This annoyance was also discussed in [[727: Trade Expert]].

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
A single panel containing a large, elevated sign with Ponytail in front of it.

The sign has a large title reading "Doanate to fix this sign!". Below that on the left is a faux QR code with a link https://[illegible].com, and on the right a list of donation requests: 
::$10 fix kerning 
:$20 align columns [this entry is mis-aligned] 
::$20 fix text size [this entry is in a smaller font than the others] 
::$50 fix typo 
::$50 fix centering 
::$100 fix rotation

Ponytail, looking at her phone, is saying "Grrr..." and possibly going to the sign's website to donate.

Text below panel: "My new company's business model is based on extorting graphic designers."

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]

3113: Fix This Sign

2025-07-10T14:19:08Z

N0lqu: Possible Kickstarter model

{{comic
| number = 3113
| date = July 9, 2025
| title = Fix This Sign
| image = fix_this_sign_2x.png
| imagesize = 448x405px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = We're building on our earlier success getting web developers to pay to change the backslashes in our displayed payment URL to forward slashes.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a MISALI NED CO LUM. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

[[Randall Munroe|Randall]] has created a sign with a number of issues, such as bad kerning and alignment, that {{w|graphic designer}}s might be disturbed by. Fortunately these graphic designers can donate money to have the sign's issues fixed, which is probably an improvement upon the situation invoked in the case of [[2598: Graphic Designers]].

Given the costs of printing a sign of this size, Randall may have severely underpriced his fixes and set up his business to fail, if he intends to honour the pledges. He may be relying on there being a ''lot'' of passing graphic designers, generating multiple 'doanations' for each issue, and will only fix them if a certain total amount of money is raised. Kickstarter, for example, lets people donate different levels, however only if a certain total amount of money is raised will the project be undertaken, and if that total is not raised, nobody gets charged and the project is cancelled. One would presume the QR code would lead to a page detailing whether that's the case, what the total amount raised would need to be to be worth undertaking the fixes, or otherwise explaining how the project works.

The following paid solutions to deliberate issues are advertised:
;Fix kerning ($10) :{{w|Kerning}} refers to the spacing between letters in a {{w|typeface}}, previously addressed in [[1015: Kerning]]. Kerning issues can result in letters text appearing too far apart, as if there were a space in between, or too close as if the letters were merged. In some instances combinations of letters can appear like other letters. A well known example of this is the r and n in kerning merging into "keming", which is depicted in that comic with the R and N close together (although in uppercase this merging doesn't happen).
:In this instance, the N and I in this word are very close together in this actual item, as a self-demonstrating issue. In the sign's title, the I and S (in "THIS") are too far apart and the S and the I (in "SIGN") are too close to each other. 

;Align columns ($20) :Here the dollar amount and the text itself are not {{w|typographic alignment|aligned}} the same as with the rest of the entries.

;Fix text size ($20) :The {{w|Point_(typography)|size}} of this entry is smaller than the rest of the other entries. As with the misaligned columns, such variances could be displeasing to the eye or distracting.

;Fix typo ($50) :The title of the sign says "'''Doanate''' to fix this sign!" Someone who is easily annoyed by random typos could be compelled to donate just to get the typo fixed.

;Fix centering ($50) :The content of the sign is off-center, leaving larger gaps to the left than to the right.

;Fix rotation ($100): The content of the sign slopes slightly down from left to right. For example, in the title "doanate" is higher than "sign", and the {{w|QR code}} 'graphic' is noticeably off-square.

The relative values assigned to each 'fix' are presumably proportional to at least one observer's perceived degree of issue with each 'mistake'.

The title text refers to another common annoyance seen in signs: the use of {{w|backslash}}es in {{w|URL}}s. URLs are defined to use forward slashes (/) rather than backslashes (\), which are used in Windows {{w|Path_(computing)|pathnames}}. Due to the widespread usage of both URLs and Windows pathnames, it is not uncommon for someone to instinctively use backslashes in URLs, which isn't always supported. (Forward slashes in Windows paths, however, ''are'' supported via Win32-to-NT path conversion.) This annoyance was also discussed in [[727: Trade Expert]].

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
A single panel containing a large, elevated sign with Ponytail in front of it.

The sign has a large title reading "Doanate to fix this sign!". Below that on the left is a faux QR code with a link https://[illegible].com, and on the right a list of donation requests: 
::$10 fix kerning 
:$20 align columns [this entry is mis-aligned] 
::$20 fix text size [this entry is in a smaller font than the others] 
::$50 fix typo 
::$50 fix centering 
::$100 fix rotation

Ponytail, looking at her phone, is saying "Grrr..." and possibly going to the sign's website to donate.

Text below panel: "My new company's business model is based on extorting graphic designers."

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]

3105: Interoperability

2025-06-24T14:19:43Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3105
| date = June 20, 2025
| title = Interoperability
| image = interoperability_2x.png
| imagesize = 740x269px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = We're getting a lot of complaints from commuters who were routed onto a coaster, but the theme park patrons who spent hours stuck on an intercity line are also not happy.
}}

==Explanation==
[[Black Hat]] gives a presentation to [[Cueball]] and [[Hairbun]] in which he emphasizes the importance of {{w|interoperability}} and compatibility. These terms refer to designing systems in such a way that they can work together and share assets or components without modification or an additional interface. The terms are most commonly used in {{w|information technology}} to refer to different systems using the same formatting standards and communication protocols to allow the systems to interface and files to be exchanged easily. They also apply to hardware systems, where different pieces of equipment might use standardized parts and dimensions to allow them to be integrated easily. Railroads are a common example of this principle — if different railway systems are built to different gauges (the distance between the tracks), then rolling stock from one railway can't travel on another without major modifications. Building railroads to common specifications means that they can connect to one another, and can share, exchange and purchase equipment without compatibility issues.

Black Hat points out that US rail systems predominantly use the standard gauge of 143.5cm (or the virtually identical 4 ft 8½ in, in the US), and associated {{w|Rapid transit|subway systems}} and their cars are built to match this standard. This is a good example of interoperable systems. However, he also points out that roller coasters typically use a different gauge, presenting this as a problem, then goes on to state that his company has been retrofitting roller coasters to match railway gauge, and speaks ominously about "Phase 2". This suggests that he plans to either run railroad stock on roller coasters or use roller coaster cars on train tracks or, as the title text suggests, both.

There are many reasons why this would be a bad idea. Even with identical gauges, roller coasters would not be able to run on train tracks, or vice versa. The tracks, wheels and how they interface would still be completely different. Trains and subways use {{w|Train Wheel|sets of flanged steel wheels on top of the track}}, while coasters use {{w|Roller coaster wheel assembly|polyurethane rollers above, below, and to the sides of the track}}. Roller coasters are generally not powered, being initially lifted by a chain and then running on gravity and inertia. Roller coasters aren't built for the kind of weight or size typical to train cars. Any attempt to connect the two systems would almost certainly not work, and if attempted, would cause all kinds of damage and danger, while offering no obvious benefits. Given Black Hat's nature, it's unlikely that this gives him any pause.

The audience responds that "maybe interoperability is actually bad". In fact, while interoperability can have major benefits in the right circumstances, there are many cases in which different systems should not be interfaced, and designing them to make such interfaces impossible is a good design principle. For example, electric systems that operate at different voltages might have differently designed plugs, to prevent accidentally plugging one into the other. In this case, even if it were possible to interface trains and roller coasters, it would be a terrible idea.

The title text suggests that Black Hat's company has 'successfully' interfaced the two systems, allowing cars from each to travel onto the other (presumably meaning that they've solved the many, many engineering problems involved). Predictably, this has resulted in no benefits and major problems. Commuters on trains find themselves unexpectedly on roller coasters, which would be jarring, frightening, and dangerous (even if the track holds up to the much heavier train and the train doesn't derail, lack of safety restraints would send people flying around the train cars). This is in addition to the simple fact that people trying to get to a destination largely wouldn't want to be routed onto an amusement park ride instead. By contrast, roller coaster patrons, expecting an exciting ride, would instead find themselves routed to ordinary transit lines, presumably going to destinations that they hadn't planned. Hence, even in the best case scenario, this connection would mess with everyone's plans, which is presumably Black Hat's central intention.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
: [A close-up shot of Black Hat from the shoulders up]
: Black Hat: Compatibility and interoperability are so important.

: [A zoom out reveals that Black Hat is standing in front of and pointing at a diagram showing a commuter subway car and a roller coaster car, and the tracks they both run on. Standing next to him are Cueball and Hairbun]
: Black Hat: For example, most subway rails are 143.5 cm apart. But many roller coasters use a narrower 110 cm gauge.

: [This panel shows only Black Hat]
: Black Hat: For the last few years, our company has been quietly retrofitting roller coasters to use 143.5 cm tracks.

: [Black Hat now has his fists raised]
: Black Hat: Soon, we can begin phase 2.
: Voice from off-panel: Maybe interoperability is actually bad.
: Black Hat: If you listen to the destination announcement while boarding, you'll be fine.

==Trivia==
Comic 3106 is late and hasn't come out yet.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category: Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category: Comics featuring Black Hat]]
[[Category: Comics featuring Hairbun]]

3105: Interoperability

2025-06-24T14:17:01Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3105
| date = June 20, 2025
| title = Interoperability
| image = interoperability_2x.png
| imagesize = 740x269px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = We're getting a lot of complaints from commuters who were routed onto a coaster, but the theme park patrons who spent hours stuck on an intercity line are also not happy.
}}

==Explanation==
[[Black Hat]] gives a presentation to [[Cueball]] and [[Hairbun]] in which he emphasizes the importance of {{w|interoperability}} and compatibility. These terms refer to designing systems in such a way that they can work together and share assets or components without modification or an additional interface. The terms are most commonly used in {{w|information technology}} to refer to different systems using the same formatting standards and communication protocols to allow the systems to interface and files to be exchanged easily. They also apply to hardware systems, where different pieces of equipment might use standardized parts and dimensions to allow them to be integrated easily. Railroads are a common example of this principle — if different railway systems are built to different gauges (the distance between the tracks), then rolling stock from one railway can't travel on another without major modifications. Building railroads to common specifications means that they can connect to one another, and can share, exchange and purchase equipment without compatibility issues.

Black Hat points out that US rail systems predominantly use the standard gauge of 143.5cm (or the virtually identical 4 ft 8½ in, in the US), and associated {{w|Rapid transit|subway systems}} and their cars are built to match this standard. This is a good example of interoperable systems. However, he also points out that roller coasters typically use a different gauge, presenting this as a problem, then goes on to state that his company has been retrofitting roller coasters to match railway gauge, and speaks ominously about "Phase 2". This suggests that he plans to either run railroad stock on roller coasters or use roller coaster cars on train tracks or, as the title text suggests, both.

There are many reasons why this would be a bad idea. Even with identical gauges, roller coasters would not be able to run on train tracks, or vice versa. The tracks, wheels and how they interface would still be completely different. Trains and subways use {{w|Train Wheel|sets of flanged steel wheels on top of the track}}, while coasters use {{w|Roller coaster wheel assembly|polyurethane rollers above, below, and to the sides of the track}}. Roller coasters are generally not powered, being initially lifted by a chain and then running on gravity and inertia. Roller coasters aren't built for the kind of weight or size typical to train cars. Any attempt to connect the two systems would almost certainly not work, and if attempted, would cause all kinds of damage and danger, while offering no obvious benefits. Given Black Hat's nature, it's unlikely that this gives him any pause.

The audience responds that "maybe interoperability is actually bad". In fact, while interoperability can have major benefits in the right circumstances, there are many cases in which different systems should not be interfaced, and designing them to make such interfaces impossible is a good design principle. For example, electric systems that operate at different voltages might have differently designed plugs, to prevent accidentally plugging one into the other. In this case, even if it were possible to interface trains and roller coasters, it would be a terrible idea.

The title text suggests that Black Hat's company has 'successfully' interfaced the two systems, allowing cars from each to travel onto the other (presumably meaning that they've solved the many, many engineering problems involved). Predictably, this has resulted in no benefits and major problems. Commuters on trains find themselves unexpectedly on roller coasters, which would be jarring, frightening, and dangerous (even if the track holds up and the train doesn't derail, lack of safety restraints would send people flying around the train cars). This is in addition to the simple fact that people trying to get to a destination largely wouldn't want to be routed onto an amusement park ride instead. By contrast, roller coaster patrons, expecting an exciting ride, would instead find themselves routed to ordinary transit lines, presumably going to destinations that they hadn't planned. Hence, even in the best case scenario, this connection would mess with everyone's plans, which is presumably Black Hat's central intention.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
: [A close-up shot of Black Hat from the shoulders up]
: Black Hat: Compatibility and interoperability are so important.

: [A zoom out reveals that Black Hat is standing in front of and pointing at a diagram showing a commuter subway car and a roller coaster car, and the tracks they both run on. Standing next to him are Cueball and Hairbun]
: Black Hat: For example, most subway rails are 143.5 cm apart. But many roller coasters use a narrower 110 cm gauge.

: [This panel shows only Black Hat]
: Black Hat: For the last few years, our company has been quietly retrofitting roller coasters to use 143.5 cm tracks.

: [Black Hat now has his fists raised]
: Black Hat: Soon, we can begin phase 2.
: Voice from off-panel: Maybe interoperability is actually bad.
: Black Hat: If you listen to the destination announcement while boarding, you'll be fine.

==Trivia==
Comic 3106 is late and hasn't come out yet.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category: Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category: Comics featuring Black Hat]]
[[Category: Comics featuring Hairbun]]

3105: Interoperability

2025-06-24T14:14:42Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3105
| date = June 20, 2025
| title = Interoperability
| image = interoperability_2x.png
| imagesize = 740x269px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = We're getting a lot of complaints from commuters who were routed onto a coaster, but the theme park patrons who spent hours stuck on an intercity line are also not happy.
}}

==Explanation==
[[Black Hat]] gives a presentation to [[Cueball]] and [[Hairbun]] in which he emphasizes the importance of {{w|interoperability}} and compatibility. These terms refer to designing systems in such a way that they can work together and share assets or components without modification or an additional interface. The terms are most commonly used in {{w|information technology}} to refer to different systems using the same formatting standards and communication protocols to allow the systems to interface and files to be exchanged easily. They also apply to hardware systems, where different pieces of equipment might use standardized parts and dimensions to allow them to be integrated easily. Railroads are a common example of this principle — if different railway systems are built to different gauges (the distance between the tracks), then rolling stock from one railway can't travel on another without major modifications. Building railroads to common specifications means that they can connect to one another, and can share, exchange and purchase equipment without compatibility issues.

Black Hat points out that US rail systems predominantly use the standard gauge of 143.5cm (or the virtually identical 4 ft 8½ in, in the US), and associated {{w|Rapid transit|subway systems}} and their cars are built to match this standard. This is a good example of interoperable systems. However, he also points out that roller coasters typically use a different gauge, presenting this as a problem, then goes on to state that his company has been retrofitting roller coasters to match railway gauge, and speaks ominously about "Phase 2". This suggests that he plans to either run railroad stock on roller coasters or use roller coaster cars on train tracks.

There are many reasons why this would be a bad idea. Even with identical gauges, roller coasters would not be able to run on train tracks, or vice versa. The tracks, wheels and how they interface would still be completely different. Trains and subways use {{w|Train Wheel|sets of flanged steel wheels on top of the track}}, while coasters use {{w|Roller coaster wheel assembly|polyurethane rollers above, below, and to the sides of the track}}. Roller coasters are generally not powered, being initially lifted by a chain and then running on gravity and inertia. Roller coasters aren't built for the kind of weight or size typical to train cars. Any attempt to connect the two systems would almost certainly not work, and if attempted, would cause all kinds of damage and danger, while offering no obvious benefits. Given Black Hat's nature, it's unlikely that this gives him any pause.

The audience responds that "maybe interoperability is actually bad". In fact, while interoperability can have major benefits in the right circumstances, there are many cases in which different systems should not be interfaced, and designing them to make such interfaces impossible is a good design principle. For example, electric systems that operate at different voltages might have differently designed plugs, to prevent accidentally plugging one into the other. In this case, even if it were possible to interface trains and roller coasters, it would be a terrible idea.

The title text suggests that Black Hat's company has 'successfully' interfaced the two systems, allowing cars from each to travel onto the other (presumably meaning that they've solved the many, many engineering problems involved). Predictably, this has resulted in no benefits and major problems. Commuters on trains find themselves unexpectedly on roller coasters, which would be jarring, frightening, and dangerous (even if the track holds up and the train doesn't derail, lack of safety restraints would send people flying around the train cars). This is in addition to the simple fact that people trying to get to a destination largely wouldn't want to be routed onto an amusement park ride instead. By contrast, roller coaster patrons, expecting an exciting ride, would instead find themselves routed to ordinary transit lines, presumably going to destinations that they hadn't planned. Hence, even in the best case scenario, this connection would mess with everyone's plans, which is presumably Black Hat's central intention.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
: [A close-up shot of Black Hat from the shoulders up]
: Black Hat: Compatibility and interoperability are so important.

: [A zoom out reveals that Black Hat is standing in front of and pointing at a diagram showing a commuter subway car and a roller coaster car, and the tracks they both run on. Standing next to him are Cueball and Hairbun]
: Black Hat: For example, most subway rails are 143.5 cm apart. But many roller coasters use a narrower 110 cm gauge.

: [This panel shows only Black Hat]
: Black Hat: For the last few years, our company has been quietly retrofitting roller coasters to use 143.5 cm tracks.

: [Black Hat now has his fists raised]
: Black Hat: Soon, we can begin phase 2.
: Voice from off-panel: Maybe interoperability is actually bad.
: Black Hat: If you listen to the destination announcement while boarding, you'll be fine.

==Trivia==
Comic 3106 is late and hasn't come out yet.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category: Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category: Comics featuring Black Hat]]
[[Category: Comics featuring Hairbun]]

3098: Trojan Horse

2025-06-05T14:44:27Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3098
| date = June 4, 2025
| title = Trojan Horse
| image = trojan_horse_2x.png
| imagesize = 740x196px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Ultimately, history would imperfectly record the story of the Foal of Troy.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a BABY BOT INSIDE A BOT. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
This comic presents a brief retelling of the {{w|Trojan_Horse|Trojan horse}} story, the climactic event of the legendary {{w|Trojan_War|Trojan war}}, one of the best-known epics of ancient Greece and Rome.

The joke, spelled out in the title text, is that the Trojan Horse story's origin is mundane. The gift to the Trojans by the (supposedly) departing Greek army, we are told, was a normal-sized, living, pregnant mare, which promptly dropped a foal. "History" expanded the tale until the live, normal-sized, pregnant mare became a colossal wooden statue that "dropped" a commando unit of some 40 Greek soldiers, who opened the gates of Troy to the main Greek force (who had sailed back under the cover of darkness), with disastrous consequences for Troy. The name of the event became transmuted (for the purposes of a pun) from the "Foal of Troy" to the "Fall of Troy". Fall (πτώση) and Foal (πουλάρι) begin with the same letter in Greek and are spelled even more similarly, as well as being near {{w|homophone}}s, in English.

The debate in the comic, about the mission of the "Foal of Troy" and its impact on the city, reflects the debate in the Trojan Horse legend about the purpose of the horse statue and whether it was safe to accept it. The consequence of accepting the "Foal of Troy", a minor assault on the city's oat store, is accepted with indignation in the comic. In the legend, the potential consequences of accepting the horse statue were rejected or ignored until after it was too late. This is the etymology that caused the story to lend its name to the act of trying to smuggle something unwanted past people's notice by hiding it within something larger and more innocuous, particularly {{w|Trojan horse (computing)|computer malware}}.

One possible context for the comic is the real life phenomena of surprise (also called BOGO (Buy One Get One)) foals where a mare is purchased with a hitherto unknown pregnancy. This pregnancy might even escape detection, typically excused as mundane weight gain, up until the point where a foal is discovered with its mother in the morning. Horses with rounder builds, like some pony breeds, are known for maintaining undetected pregnancies. The reason surprise foals might be salient for Randal, beyond the "Foal of Troy" pun, is the non-trivial costs of horse ownership, which can amount to hundreds or thousands of dollars per month.

It is possible that a friend or family member of Randal's was "blessed" by a surprise foal. After all, the foal represents a potential increase in future value, as well as stock, albeit with a period of time when the mother might not be able to fulfil the purpose they'd actually bought her for (from pack-handling to breeding with a stallion of ''known'' pedigree). But the unexpected birth leads to having to deal with associated unanticipated boarding and healthcare costs, and at least some extra in-house training, before they might start to break even against the original plan. It is not made clear whether the seller/gifter of the horse (in comic, or in this possible current case) knew of/suspected the pregnancy, nor whether they'd have even chosen to hand it over under different circumstances.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
:[A horse is facing Cueball and Ponytail, who are standing in front of an entrance below a tower.]
:[In an inset panel, Cueball is talking to Megan and Hairy.]
:Cueball: When the Greeks departed, they left behind a horse as a gift.

:[Hairbun is standing behind a horse, with Cueball standing in front.]
:We took it as a gesture of peace, but it carried a secret payload.

:[A smaller horse is standing behind the horse from previous panel, which is looking behind at it.]
:One night, from within the horse, '''''another, smaller horse emerged!'''''

:[Close-up on Cueball.]
:Cueball: Our guards have been unable to determine the inner horse's objective, but it has begun to show an interest in our oats.
:Off-panel voice 1: An attack on Troy's food supply!
:Off-panel voice 2: How ''dare'' they!?

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairbun]]
[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Food]]

3082: Chess Position

2025-04-29T20:25:28Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3082
| date = April 28, 2025
| title = Chess Position
| image = chess_position_2x.png
| imagesize = 740x598px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = It's important to learn the moves that take you into the vortex, but it's best not to study vortex itself too closely. Even grandmasters who have built up a tolerance lose the ability to play for a few hours after studying it.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|The various paragraphs are not organised and information about the same joke is spread across the explanation. Make the explanation more cohesive. Also, might need to reduce the focus on describing the scene and focus more on explaining the jokes.}}

[[Cueball]], a newer chess player, talks to [[Ponytail]], presumably a more experienced player, about a chess game he had last week against [[Knit Cap]]. After Cueball made a {{w|blunder (chess)|blunder}}, a critically bad mistake which frequently changes the course of the game, both of them quickly made inaccurate moves, probably rated as a "{{w|Blunder (chess)|blunder}}", "mistake", or "miss", leading to an odd configuration of the chess pieces. Blunders that are not taken advantage of can lead to this effect for less experienced players.

The rest of this comic becomes absurd, as Cueball then describes himself and Knit Cap descending into a fantasy world "on a deep branch of the game tree." Chess strategy is commonly described in terms of following a {{w|decision tree}} or {{w|game tree}}, as one usually needs to calculate multiple moves ahead when planning out what move to play. As a chess game progresses, the {{w|phase space}} of possible positions increases wildly, though this will include many more configurations than are typically seen or anticipated by players. Rarely, an expert player may 'discover' a truly clever {{w|Glossary of chess#theoretical novelty|novel opening}}, but centuries of recorded gameplay has explored many of the possible moves, both good and not so good, that are often recognized by experienced students of the game as common stepping-stones on the way to possible victory (or frequent traps that send the unwary down the road to defeat). Both precise game-board states and more general variations may be easily recognized by an experienced player, and even be {{w|Checkmate pattern|given a name}} by the player community as a whole.

However, it seems that Cueball and Knit Cap each made a sequence of seemingly obvious 'blunders' that neither opponent then took advantage of, reaching a board configuration that Cueball had never even anticipated happening. In some apparently mystical (or at least psychological) manner, by travelling such an unlikely and unfamiliar branch of the player/board game-space, the precise positioning of pieces combined with the state of mind that Cueball had developed created the impression of literally entering a mythical garden, with time even stopping. In chess, you want pieces to be in a position to attack other pieces while at the same time being protected by other pieces, and typically you'd have some pieces on the offense and some playing defense and some doing both. It seems that in this board configuration, somehow all the pieces ended up both in offensive attack positions able to attack every other piece on the board while at the same time each one was being protected by against attack by their other pieces. This was the case for both players. It was this perfect balance of position and protection that led to the time distortion and the magical garden.

Ponytail reacts nonchalantly to this story, as she says this is a common scenario for new players, and that there even is a defined name for it: the Kasparov Vortex Gambit. {{w|Garry Kasparov}} and {{w|Anatoly Karpov}} are both Russian chess grandmasters and former world champions. Russian grandmaster {{w|Garry Kasparov}} was the number-one rated chess player from 1984 to 2005, and is considered one of the greatest chess players of all past time, if not ''the'' greatest. A {{w|gambit (chess)|gambit}} refers to a chess opening in which a player sacrifices material with the aim of achieving a subsequent positional advantage. This name seems to indicate that Kasparov himself either discovered/’invented’ or made popular this "gambit" to suck new players into a "vortex" and trap them from getting out. This is not the case, but, within the xkcd universe, he has performed an equally absurd gambit (also named after himself) in [[2936: Exponential Growth]].

Ponytail's advice to Cueball after he "recovers" from the disillusionment of the "vortex" is that she can teach him how to defend against the attack, by using the "f pawn". The f-pawn is the pawn that begins on the "f-file" (the 6th vertical column of the chessboard from white's perspective). The pawn would start either on f2 (sixth column, second row) for the white player or f7 (sixth column, seventh row) for black. The fact that an apparent distortion in the fabric of space can be countered with ''a single pawn'' just adds to the absurdity of the situation. Equally absurd is the fact that moving the f rank pawn in early game, due to its starting position relative to the starting position of the king, is itself usually a blunder that exposes the king to a diagonal attack.

In the title text, Ponytail continues with her advice, telling Cueball that he needs to understand how the vortex can be entered, but not to study the actual vortex. It appears that if you spend too much time in the vortex focusing on it, you will [[356: Nerd Sniping|lose your ability]] to play chess. Even experienced players such as grandmasters who have build up some kind of tolerance against the effect of the vortex, lose their chess abilities for a few hours after studying the vortex. Thus being able to get your opponent into the vortex, without getting caught in it yourself, should win you the game, since they would lose their ability to play chess.

==Transcript==
:[In the first panel, Cueball is walking in from the left, while talking to Ponytail.]
:Cueball: Something odd happened to me last week in a game at the chess club.

:[Cueball is playing a game of chess against Knit Cap.]
:[Caption above frame:]
:I moved, then instantly realized I'd blundered. But my opponent didn't notice and made a weird move.
:I got rattled and moved almost randomly, then I think we both panicked and made a couple of nonsensical moves, rapid-fire.

:[Zoomed in on Cueball, with three question marks above his head]
:I don't know how it happened, but suddenly I realized I was staring at an indescribably strange board position.

:[Cueball is talking to Ponytail.]
:Cueball: I've never seen anything like it. It seemed like every move attacked every piece, yet every piece was also protected. Pieces refracted through crystalline pawn structures.
:Cueball: The game clock slowed and then stopped.

:[Cueball and Knit Cap are floating in a complex five-fold symmetrical plant-like pattern of "game tree branches".]
:[Caption above the frame]
:It didn't even feel like we were playing chess. We had stumbled into a magical garden tucked away on a deep branch of the game tree.

:[Cueball is talking to Ponytail.]
:Cueball: I don't remember how the game ended, if it did.
:Cueball: I don't remember how I got home.
:Cueball: It's all a blur.

:[Close-up of Cueball's head.]
:Cueball: I've spent all week trying to reconstruct the position and can't.
:Cueball: It's consuming me.
:Cueball: I don't want to play chess. I just want to return to that garden.
:Cueball: Does... any of this make sense to you?

:[Cueball is standing with hands on face surprised as Ponytail talks with him.]
:Ponytail: Yeah, that's the Kasparov Vortex Gambit. Common trap for new players.
:Cueball: ''What?!''
:Ponytail: Once you recover I'll show you how to block it with the f pawn.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Knit Cap]]
[[Category:Chess]]

3082: Chess Position

2025-04-29T20:24:27Z

N0lqu: Explained the "every move attacked every piece, yet every piece was also protected"

{{comic
| number = 3082
| date = April 28, 2025
| title = Chess Position
| image = chess_position_2x.png
| imagesize = 740x598px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = It's important to learn the moves that take you into the vortex, but it's best not to study vortex itself too closely. Even grandmasters who have built up a tolerance lose the ability to play for a few hours after studying it.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|The various paragraphs are not organised and information about the same joke is spread across the explanation. Make the explanation more cohesive. Also, might need to reduce the focus on describing the scene and focus more on explaining the jokes.}}

[[Cueball]], a newer chess player, talks to [[Ponytail]], presumably a more experienced player, about a chess game he had last week against [[Knit Cap]]. After Cueball made a {{w|blunder (chess)|blunder}}, a critically bad mistake which frequently changes the course of the game, both of them quickly made inaccurate moves, probably rated as a "{{w|Blunder (chess)|blunder}}", "mistake", or "miss", leading to an odd configuration of the chess pieces. Blunders that are not taken advantage of can lead to this effect for less experienced players.

The rest of this comic becomes absurd, as Cueball then describes himself and Knit Cap descending into a fantasy world "on a deep branch of the game tree." Chess strategy is commonly described in terms of following a {{w|decision tree}} or {{w|game tree}}, as one usually needs to calculate multiple moves ahead when planning out what move to play. As a chess game progresses, the {{w|phase space}} of possible positions increases wildly, though this will include many more configurations than are typically seen or anticipated by players. Rarely, an expert player may 'discover' a truly clever {{w|Glossary of chess#theoretical novelty|novel opening}}, but centuries of recorded gameplay has explored many of the possible moves, both good and not so good, that are often recognized by experienced students of the game as common stepping-stones on the way to possible victory (or frequent traps that send the unwary down the road to defeat). Both precise game-board states and more general variations may be easily recognized by an experienced player, and even be {{w|Checkmate pattern|given a name}} by the player community as a whole.

However, it seems that Cueball and Knit Cap each made a sequence of seemingly obvious 'blunders' that neither opponent then took advantage of, reaching a board configuration that Cueball had never even anticipated happening. In some apparently mystical (or at least psychological) manner, by travelling such an unlikely and unfamiliar branch of the player/board game-space, the precise positioning of pieces combined with the state of mind that Cueball had developed created the impression of literally entering a mythical garden, with time even stopping. In chess, you want pieces to be in a position to attack other pieces while at the same time being protected by other pieces, and typically you'd have some pieces on the offense and some playing defense and some doing both. It seems that in this board configuration, somehow all the pieces ended up both in offensive attack positions able to attack every other piece on the board while at the same time each one was being protected by against attack by their other pieces. It was this perfect balance of position and protection that led to the time distortion and the magical garden.

Ponytail reacts nonchalantly to this story, as she says this is a common scenario for new players, and that there even is a defined name for it: the Kasparov Vortex Gambit. {{w|Garry Kasparov}} and {{w|Anatoly Karpov}} are both Russian chess grandmasters and former world champions. Russian grandmaster {{w|Garry Kasparov}} was the number-one rated chess player from 1984 to 2005, and is considered one of the greatest chess players of all past time, if not ''the'' greatest. A {{w|gambit (chess)|gambit}} refers to a chess opening in which a player sacrifices material with the aim of achieving a subsequent positional advantage. This name seems to indicate that Kasparov himself either discovered/’invented’ or made popular this "gambit" to suck new players into a "vortex" and trap them from getting out. This is not the case, but, within the xkcd universe, he has performed an equally absurd gambit (also named after himself) in [[2936: Exponential Growth]].

Ponytail's advice to Cueball after he "recovers" from the disillusionment of the "vortex" is that she can teach him how to defend against the attack, by using the "f pawn". The f-pawn is the pawn that begins on the "f-file" (the 6th vertical column of the chessboard from white's perspective). The pawn would start either on f2 (sixth column, second row) for the white player or f7 (sixth column, seventh row) for black. The fact that an apparent distortion in the fabric of space can be countered with ''a single pawn'' just adds to the absurdity of the situation. Equally absurd is the fact that moving the f rank pawn in early game, due to its starting position relative to the starting position of the king, is itself usually a blunder that exposes the king to a diagonal attack.

In the title text, Ponytail continues with her advice, telling Cueball that he needs to understand how the vortex can be entered, but not to study the actual vortex. It appears that if you spend too much time in the vortex focusing on it, you will [[356: Nerd Sniping|lose your ability]] to play chess. Even experienced players such as grandmasters who have build up some kind of tolerance against the effect of the vortex, lose their chess abilities for a few hours after studying the vortex. Thus being able to get your opponent into the vortex, without getting caught in it yourself, should win you the game, since they would lose their ability to play chess.

==Transcript==
:[In the first panel, Cueball is walking in from the left, while talking to Ponytail.]
:Cueball: Something odd happened to me last week in a game at the chess club.

:[Cueball is playing a game of chess against Knit Cap.]
:[Caption above frame:]
:I moved, then instantly realized I'd blundered. But my opponent didn't notice and made a weird move.
:I got rattled and moved almost randomly, then I think we both panicked and made a couple of nonsensical moves, rapid-fire.

:[Zoomed in on Cueball, with three question marks above his head]
:I don't know how it happened, but suddenly I realized I was staring at an indescribably strange board position.

:[Cueball is talking to Ponytail.]
:Cueball: I've never seen anything like it. It seemed like every move attacked every piece, yet every piece was also protected. Pieces refracted through crystalline pawn structures.
:Cueball: The game clock slowed and then stopped.

:[Cueball and Knit Cap are floating in a complex five-fold symmetrical plant-like pattern of "game tree branches".]
:[Caption above the frame]
:It didn't even feel like we were playing chess. We had stumbled into a magical garden tucked away on a deep branch of the game tree.

:[Cueball is talking to Ponytail.]
:Cueball: I don't remember how the game ended, if it did.
:Cueball: I don't remember how I got home.
:Cueball: It's all a blur.

:[Close-up of Cueball's head.]
:Cueball: I've spent all week trying to reconstruct the position and can't.
:Cueball: It's consuming me.
:Cueball: I don't want to play chess. I just want to return to that garden.
:Cueball: Does... any of this make sense to you?

:[Cueball is standing with hands on face surprised as Ponytail talks with him.]
:Ponytail: Yeah, that's the Kasparov Vortex Gambit. Common trap for new players.
:Cueball: ''What?!''
:Ponytail: Once you recover I'll show you how to block it with the f pawn.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Knit Cap]]
[[Category:Chess]]

3076: The Roads Both Taken

2025-04-17T13:55:58Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3076
| date = April 14, 2025
| title = The Roads Both Taken
| image = the_roads_both_taken_2x.png
| imagesize = 361x362px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = When you worry that you're missing out on something by not making both choices simultaneously by quantum superposition, that's called phomo.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Simultaneously created by and not created by SCHRÖDINGER'S LYRICIST - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

This comic is a parody of the first and fourth stanzas of {{w|Robert Frost}}'s 1915 poem "{{w|The Road Not Taken}}". The joke is that while the human narrator of Frost's poem (presumably Frost himself), confronted with two paths, could take only one of them and is left to [[584: Unsatisfied|contemplate the consequences of his choice]], the {{w|Photon|photonic}} narrator of the parody, thanks to {{w|Quantum superposition|quantum physics}}, is not compelled to choose one path over the other but can instead take both simultaneously, resulting in probabilistic {{w|quantum superposition}}, and is left to contemplate the consequences of ''that'' choice. {{w|Wave interference#Quantum interference|Quantum interference}}, referenced in the final line, is an effect of quantum superposition in which particles (including photons) interact with and influence themselves and other particles while in a superposition state.

The title text humorously makes a portmanteau out of 'photon' and {{w|Fear of missing out|'FOMO' (Fear Of Missing Out)}}, the concern over lost opportunities from choosing one path over another or choosing neither.

This comic was posted on April 14, [https://www.quantum.gov/happy-world-quantum-day-2025 World Quantum Day].

{| class="wikitable"
!Original stanza 1
!Parody
|-
|Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And ''sorry I could not travel'' both ''And'' be one traveler, ''long I stood'' ''And looked down one'' as far as I could ''To where it bent'' in the undergrowth;
|Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And ''so of course I traveled'' both ''Though'' be one traveler, ''still I could'' ''Explore down both'' as far as I could ''Beyond the bends'' in the undergrowth;
|}

In the original, the human narrator, operating at the scale of classical mechanics, contemplates the necessary choice between two mutually exclusive paths. In the parody, the photon, operating at the scale of quantum mechanics, readily explores both paths. At quantum scale, the "roads" and "yellow woods" are metaphorical.{{Citation needed}}

The original contains two additional stanzas about choosing which road to take and sticking with that choice, which did not make it into the parody version.

{| class="wikitable"
!Original stanza 4
!Parody
|-
|I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took ''the one less travelled by,'' And that has made ''all the difference.''
|I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took ''them both and recombined,'' And that has made ''interference.''
|}

In the original, the human narrator reflects subjectively on the (anticipated?) impact of the choice of road - whether for good or ill is not explicitly stated. In the parody, the photon states objectively the result ({{w|Wave interference#Quantum interference|quantum interference}}) of taking both paths at once.

The parody maintains the same rhyme scheme as the original, ABAAB. In the fourth line of the last stanza, "recombined" doesn't {{w|Perfect_and_imperfect_rhymes|perfectly}} rhyme with "sigh" and "I", but it shares the vowel in the last syllable, a form of {{w|assonance}}, and can be considered an {{w|Perfect_and_imperfect_rhymes#Imperfect_rhyme|imperfect rhyme}}. The third and fourth lines of the first stanza also don't perfectly rhyme since the rhyming words are the same (this is instead called an identical rhyme).

==Transcript==

:[A photon recites a poem.]
:Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
:And so of course I traveled both
:Though be one traveler, still I could
:Explore down both as far as I could
:Beyond the bends in the undergrowth...

:...I shall be telling this with a sigh
:Somewhere ages and ages hence:
:Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
:I took them both and recombined,
:And that has made interference.

:[Caption below the panel:]
:Photon poetry

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Physics]]

3076: The Roads Both Taken

2025-04-16T14:01:49Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3076
| date = April 14, 2025
| title = The Roads Both Taken
| image = the_roads_both_taken_2x.png
| imagesize = 361x362px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = When you worry that you're missing out on something by not making both choices simultaneously by quantum superposition, that's called phomo.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Simultaneously created by and not created by SCHRÖDINGER'S LYRICIST - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

This comic is a parody of the first and fourth stanzas of {{w|Robert Frost}}'s 1915 poem "{{w|The Road Not Taken}}". The joke is that, while the human narrator of Frost's poem (presumably Frost himself), confronted with two paths, could only take one of them, and is left to [[584: Unsatisfied|contemplate the consequences of his choice]], the photonic narrator of the parody, thanks to {{w|Quantum superposition|quantum physics}}, is not compelled to choose one path over the other, and is left to contemplate the {{w|Wave interference#Quantum interference|consequences of that choice}}.

The title text humorously conflates FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) with PHOMO (presumably PHOton Missing Out), the concern over lost opportunities from choosing one path only, instead of both. FOMO is concern over lost opportunities from choosing one path over another (or choosing neither).

This comic was posted on April 14, [https://www.quantum.gov/happy-world-quantum-day-2025 World Quantum Day].

{| class="wikitable"
!Original stanza 1
!Parody
|-
|Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And ''sorry I could not travel'' both ''And'' be one traveler, ''long I stood'' ''And looked down one'' as far as I could ''To where it bent'' in the undergrowth;
|Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And ''so of course I traveled'' both ''Though'' be one traveler, ''still I could'' ''Explore down both'' as far as I could ''Beyond the bends'' in the undergrowth;
|}

In the original, the human narrator, operating at the scale of classical mechanics, contemplates the necessary choice between two mutually exclusive paths. In the parody, the photon, operating at the scale of quantum mechanics, readily explores both paths. At quantum scale, the "roads" and "yellow woods" are metaphorical.{{Citation needed}}

The original contains two additional stanzas here, about choosing which road to take and sticking with that choice, which did not make it into the parody version.

{| class="wikitable"
!Original stanza 4
!Parody
|-
|I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took ''the one less travelled by,'' And that has made ''all the difference.''
|I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took ''them both and recombined,'' And that has made ''interference.''
|}

In the original, the human narrator reflects subjectively on the (anticipated?) impact of the choice of road - whether for good or ill is not explicitly stated. In the parody, the photon states objectively the result ({{w|Wave interference#Quantum interference|quantum interference}}) of taking both paths at once.

The parody maintains the same rhyme scheme as the original, ABAAB. In the fourth line of the last stanza. "recombined" doesn't {{w|Perfect_and_imperfect_rhymes|perfectly}} rhyme with "sigh" and "I", but it shares the vowel in the last syllable, a form of {{w|assonance}}, and can be considered an {{w|Perfect_and_imperfect_rhymes#Imperfect_rhyme|imperfect rhyme}}.

==Transcript==

:[A photon recites a poem.]
:Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
:And so of course I traveled both
:Though be one traveler, still I could
:Explore down both as far as I could
:Beyond the bends in the undergrowth...

:...I shall be telling this with a sigh
:Somewhere ages and ages hence:
:Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
:I took them both and recombined,
:And that has made interference.

:[Caption below the panel:]
:Photon poetry

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Physics]]

3076: The Roads Both Taken

2025-04-16T14:01:12Z

N0lqu: Mention of the non-covered stanzas

{{comic
| number = 3076
| date = April 14, 2025
| title = The Roads Both Taken
| image = the_roads_both_taken_2x.png
| imagesize = 361x362px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = When you worry that you're missing out on something by not making both choices simultaneously by quantum superposition, that's called phomo.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Simultaneously created by and not created by SCHRÖDINGER'S LYRICIST - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

This comic is a parody of the first and fourth stanzas of {{w|Robert Frost}}'s 1915 poem "{{w|The Road Not Taken}}". The joke is that, while the human narrator of Frost's poem (presumably Frost himself), confronted with two paths, could only take one of them, and is left to [[584: Unsatisfied|contemplate the consequences of his choice]], the photonic narrator of the parody, thanks to {{w|Quantum superposition|quantum physics}}, is not compelled to choose one path over the other, and is left to contemplate the {{w|Wave interference#Quantum interference|consequences of that choice}}.

The title text humorously conflates FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) with PHOMO (presumably PHOton Missing Out), the concern over lost opportunities from choosing one path only, instead of both. FOMO is concern over lost opportunities from choosing one path over another (or choosing neither).

This comic was posted on April 14, [https://www.quantum.gov/happy-world-quantum-day-2025 World Quantum Day].

{| class="wikitable"
!Original stanza
!Parody
|-
|Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And ''sorry I could not travel'' both ''And'' be one traveler, ''long I stood'' ''And looked down one'' as far as I could ''To where it bent'' in the undergrowth;
|Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And ''so of course I traveled'' both ''Though'' be one traveler, ''still I could'' ''Explore down both'' as far as I could ''Beyond the bends'' in the undergrowth;
|}

In the original, the human narrator, operating at the scale of classical mechanics, contemplates the necessary choice between two mutually exclusive paths. In the parody, the photon, operating at the scale of quantum mechanics, readily explores both paths. At quantum scale, the "roads" and "yellow woods" are metaphorical.{{Citation needed}}

The original contains two additional stanzas here, about choosing which road to take and sticking with that choice, which did not make it into the parody version.

{| class="wikitable"
!Original stanza
!Parody
|-
|I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took ''the one less travelled by,'' And that has made ''all the difference.''
|I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took ''them both and recombined,'' And that has made ''interference.''
|}

In the original, the human narrator reflects subjectively on the (anticipated?) impact of the choice of road - whether for good or ill is not explicitly stated. In the parody, the photon states objectively the result ({{w|Wave interference#Quantum interference|quantum interference}}) of taking both paths at once.

The parody maintains the same rhyme scheme as the original, ABAAB. In the fourth line of the last stanza. "recombined" doesn't {{w|Perfect_and_imperfect_rhymes|perfectly}} rhyme with "sigh" and "I", but it shares the vowel in the last syllable, a form of {{w|assonance}}, and can be considered an {{w|Perfect_and_imperfect_rhymes#Imperfect_rhyme|imperfect rhyme}}.

==Transcript==

:[A photon recites a poem.]
:Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
:And so of course I traveled both
:Though be one traveler, still I could
:Explore down both as far as I could
:Beyond the bends in the undergrowth...

:...I shall be telling this with a sigh
:Somewhere ages and ages hence:
:Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
:I took them both and recombined,
:And that has made interference.

:[Caption below the panel:]
:Photon poetry

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Physics]]

3073: Tariffs

2025-04-08T14:06:06Z

N0lqu: He'd announced some tariffs before, but not on so many countries.

{{comic
| number = 3073
| date = April 7, 2025
| title = Tariffs
| image = tariffs_2x.png
| imagesize = 681x809px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = [later] I don't get why our pizza slices have such terrible reviews; the geotextile-infused sauce gives the toppings incredible slope stability!
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a SPOILER FOR AVATAR 2 (Neteyam dies) - Please change this comment when editing this page. Explanation of the consequences of stopping imports (the last panel) is needed. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

This comic is a parody of the global tariffs that {{w|Donald Trump}} {{w|tariffs in the second Trump administration|imposed in 2025}}, which were announced shortly before the comic's release. [[Cueball]] describes the tariffs and, specifically, why the plan has garnered widespread disapproval for several seemingly illogical decisions, to [[Ponytail]] using a pizza store analogy.

Similar to [[2396: Wonder Woman 1984]], Ponytail blocked news sites to avoid {{w|spoiler (media)|spoiler}}s about ''Avatar 2'' (officially titled ''{{w|Avatar: The Way of Water}}'') in early 2021, but did not re-enable notifications until just now. ''Avatar 2'' was released on December 16, 2022, but this means that she has missed all news since 2021, including the re-election of Trump in 2024. She is surprised by the fact that Donald Trump is still the president in early 2025. She may be under the impression that Trump refused to step down when [[Joe Biden]]'s presidency officially began on Jan. 20, 2021. Trump has made repeated, extremely dubious claims that {{w|2020_United_States_presidential_election#False_claims_of_fraud| the election was "stolen"}} shortly after the 2020 elections, indicating his reluctance to accept the results. On one hand, a U.S. president serving nonconsecutive terms has only happened once before in U.S. history with Grover Cleveland serving from 1885 to 1889 and again from 1893 to 1897. On the other hand, only {{w|Franklin D. Roosevelt}} ever had more than two four-year terms, and that was before the {{w|Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution|22nd Amendment}} made it even less of a possibility that one could have started a third ([[2875: 2024|without getting false teeth, that is]]).

Ponytail has further missed Trump's wide-ranging tariffs, and the attending news coverage that has served to introduce many people to what tariffs are and how they work. Cueball attempts to explain by comparing the U.S. with the Geotechnical Survey company that Ponytail works for, as they are both producers of high value, technologically advanced goods, and comparing the countries the U.S. imports from to a pizza place, since the U.S. primarily imports lower value consumer goods and materials used to make the goods that the U.S. then exports, similar to how pizzas feed the workers in Ponytail's company.

A trade deficit occurs when party A buys more from party B than they sell to party B. Donald Trump, the president of the United States at the time the comic released, claimed that if the U.S. has a trade deficit with another country, then the U.S. is getting ripped off and the other country must be punished. In the comic, Cueball mockingly echoes Trump's belief to better explain his policies. As Ponytail explains, there is nothing wrong with having a trade deficit if you think you are getting your money's worth for what you are buying.{{Citation needed}} The U.S. can benefit from a trade deficit in some cases: the flow of foreign capital (like factory machinery) into the country can allow for more development, and some kinds of production are dangerous or polluting relative to the value of the goods produced. In addition, the U.S. treasury commands the world's reserve currency as well as the currency used for most world trade, making outflow of foreign currency not really a problem.{{Actual citation needed}}

A tariff is a tax on imports from another country. Most politicians try to balance tariffs carefully in order to keep domestic products competitive with imported goods. In contrast, Donald Trump introduced tariffs unilaterally and aggressively with the aim to "punish" countries with which the United States had a trade deficit. Trump's opponents and even many of his supporters worry excessive tariffs will backfire and cause countries to target the American consumer with even higher prices (especially prices of goods which the United States cannot produce domestically at all) resulting in a "trade war."

In the comic, Cueball proposes that Ponytail impose a tax or "tariff" on the pizza store until they start buying from Ponytail, using the {{w|Venmo}} transactions platform. Notably, the tariff is applied on the people who deliver the products to Ponytail's company, just like in real life. Ponytail notes that such a tariff might encourage the pizza store to stop selling to her, which Cueball considers (in his position as devil's advocate for the whole concept) a victory. In reality, nations have very little control of where the products go after being produced inside their own borders. Instead, it is left up to the companies (the delivery companies, in this case) to decide where to produce (or procure) the goods. What tariff proponents often omit, is that companies will simply pass on the costs associated with tariffs to the consumers, making the pizza more expensive for the consumer but with no benefit to the supplier. In practical terms, the pizza company may even just stop taking orders from this company, having other customers that are easier to deliver to. Even if there's a saturated pizza industry, with several pizza outlets all vying for the local business, it may still be less problematic to compete for the slightly smaller 'rest of the town' market, perhaps even to offer deliveries to places previously outside their area, than to work with whatever requirements the survey company is imposing.

In contrast to real world countries like China or Canada which, as of 2025, procure a substantial amount of goods from the U.S., Ponytail notes that the pizza company has little use for land survey equipment, unless they are constructing their own stores from the ground up without outside contractors. Ponytail suggests surveying pizzas using their equipment, which would serve little purpose.

The U.S. used to be a dominant producer of consumer goods up until the 1970s, after which companies started offshoring production that utilized low-skilled labor to third-world countries. In contrast, Ponytail's company has likely never been a producer of food. {{w|LIDAR}} is a technique using lasers to measure distances. Ponytail's company is using the technology to do surveying. In the final panel and title text, Cueball suggests that they use their LIDAR components to make their own pizzas, which would be inedible and potentially toxic.{{Citation needed}} Cueball may be referencing the annoyance Italians have at unconventional pizza toppings.

The title text references slope stability, or the ability of an inclined slope to withstand movement. Toppings often slide off poorly-made pizzas when it is being eaten, leading to dissatisfaction. {{w|Geotextile}}s are permeable fabrics used for support and various other functions. The narrator claims that geotextiles prevent toppings from sliding off the pizza. However, very few geotextiles are edible.{{Citation needed}}

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.I don’t like reCAPTCHAS}}
:[Ponytail walks over to Cueball while looking at a phone in her hand. Cueball turns away from the laptop on his desk to look at her.]
:Ponytail: You know how I blocked all news sites at the start of 2021 to avoid spoilers for Avatar 2, and then forgot to start checking them again?
:Cueball: Yeah, we've been meaning to talk to you about that...

:[Ponytail stops in front of Cueball and is facing him.]
:Ponytail: Well, I just checked the news for the first time, and why is the economy tanking?
:Cueball: Uh, the president is mad at other countries and imposed lots of tariffs.

:[Closeup on Ponytail's head.]
:Ponytail: Wait, who's the president now?
:Cueball (off-panel): Donald Trump.
:Ponytail: ...Still??
:Cueball (off-panel): No, again.

:[Pan out. Ponytail is no longer holding the phone.]
:Ponytail: OK, fine, what's a tariff? Why is he doing this?
:Cueball: You know that pizzeria your company orders from? They don't buy anything from ''you'', right?
:Ponytail: Why would they? We do geotechnical landscape surveys.

:[Closeup on Cueball, arms spread.]
:Cueball: Right, so they're ripping you off! ''You're'' paying ''them'' tons of money, and what are ''you'' getting for it?
:Ponytail (off-panel): I mean... pizza?
:Cueball: See? They're not helping ''your'' business at all!
:Cueball: What a ripoff!

:[Pan out. Ponytail has her hand under her chin.]
:Ponytail: What would they even buy from us? I guess we could survey a pizza...
:Cueball: Yes, perfect! You refuse to let the delivery driver past your security desk unless they Venmo you for an equivalent value of LIDAR scans.

:[Closeup on Ponytail's head.]
:Ponytail: Wouldn't they just stop taking our orders?
:Cueball (off-panel): Perfect, balance restored!

:[Pan out.]
:Ponytail: OK, but I still want pizza.
:Cueball: Can you just make one? You have all that gear.
:Ponytail: I don't think pizza made with LIDAR diodes would be very good.
:Cueball: Ugh, why is everyone so picky about toppings?

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Politics]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Donald Trump]]
[[Category:Food]]
[[Category:Geology]]

3069: Terror Bird

2025-03-31T15:38:24Z

N0lqu: Fossil is a big bird

{{comic
| number = 3069
| date = March 28, 2025
| title = Terror Bird
| image = terror_bird_2x.png
| imagesize = 342x274px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = There has long been debate about Big Bird's species, with some experts claiming he was a canary, but recent genetic analysis places him firmly in Cariamiformes.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|The exaplanation is not a transcript, need to actually explain the comic.}}

This comic is a scene of two people, [[Jill]] and [[Hairy]], at a museum looking at a fossil of a large prehistoric {{w|Phorusrhacidae|terror bird}}, i.e. the skeleton of a "big bird". [[Hairy]] thinks out loud that {{w|Big Bird}}, a Muppet character from {{w|Sesame Street}}, must be a terror bird, and wonders whether he will be updated to be more scientifically accurate, i.e. more scary. Big Bird, however, being from a show for little kids, would almost certainly never be made to look scary, and also, he was never intended to be a terror bird. That it is Big Bird that he is thinking of becomes clear in the title text.

The title text claims that there is ongoing scientific debate about Big Bird's species; initially, he was thought to be a {{w|Yellow canary|canary}}, likely due to his color, but scientists have placed him in the order {{w|Cariamiformes}}, which the terror birds belong to. This text is likely intended to mirror what somebody might say about the {{w|Seriema|seriemas}}, which are modern-day birds believed to have evolved from the terror bird, as if Big Bird were the descendant of these birds, in addition to or instead of seriemas. [https://www.pechakucha.com/presentations/what-if-anything-is-big-bird Actual scientific analysis] seems to suggest that Big Bird is in fact related to the {{w|whooping crane}}.

==Transcript==
:[Jill and Hairy are standing together, looking up at the skeleton of a very large bird. The skeleton, that towers more than two times the height of Hairy, is being displayed on a low podium. There is an information stand in front of the podium, for the benefit of visitors.]
:Hairy: Wow.
:Hairy: Now that we know how scary they were, do you think Sesame Street will update him?

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Jill]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
[[Category:Animals]]

3053: KM3NeT

2025-02-21T15:40:05Z

N0lqu: Reiterating c definition for the purpose of the pun explanation

{{comic
| number = 3053
| date = February 19, 2025
| title = KM3NeT
| image = km3net_2x.png
| imagesize = 313x436px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Unfortunately, KM3NeT led to the discovery of the Pauli anglerfish, which emits Cherenkov radiation to prey on neutrino researchers.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a PAULI ANGLERFISH WITH C-SICKNESS - Please continue to expand the explanation, and explain the title text. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
{{w|KM3NeT}} is a telescope under the {{w|Mediterranean Sea}}. As [[Ponytail]] explains, its goal is to detect {{w|neutrino}} interactions with the seawater. Neutrinos mostly originate from the sun and cosmic radiation. Neutrinos interact with solid matter only very rarely, so a telescope looking for them needs a lot of matter, in this case seawater, to spot collisions in. When such a collision happens, it can release a spray of other particles moving at close to the {{w|speed of light}} in a vacuum (''c''). In seawater, however, the speed of light is slower, and particles moving faster than it cause the emission of a type of light called {{w|Cherenkov radiation}}, which the telescope detects as a blue flash.

When [[Cueball]] questions the rationale by pointing out the existence of {{w|Bioluminescence|bioluminescent}} fish, which might also produce blue light, Ponytail responds with a pun. Cherenkov radiation is produced only by particles exceeding the speed of light in the local medium. Since fish, a type of undersea life, move much slower than this, they are also "under-c" life, "c" being the letter typically used to denote the speed of light, as well as being "undersea" life (though technically they are in the sea, rather than under it).

The title text claims that the KM3NeT telescope discovered a type of fish that emits Cherenkov-like radiation: The 'Pauli anglerfish'. {{w|Anglerfish}} have specialized organs that emit flashes of light to attract or startle their prey. This is described as unfortunate, because the Pauli anglerfish uses its radiation emissions to prey on neutrino researchers. Thus the first to discover the fish was likely attacked, if not eaten, by it. The known types of anglerfish are much smaller than humans and they do not prey on researchers.{{cn}} The mythical 'Pauli anglerfish' of the comic is presumably named after the theoretical physicist {{w|Wolfgang Pauli}}, who first {{w|Neutrino#Pauli's proposal|proposed a neutrino-like particle}}, in part to preserve ''angular'' momentum during nuclear decay.

==Transcript==
:[Ponytail is pointing behind her towards a drop down screen as she adresses Cueball and Megan in front of her. On the screen is a panel showing a side view of a deep-water telescope. It shows four series of circles stringed together attached to the rough bedrock, so the circles are floating above the bedrock, but far beneath the surface. Waves are drawn just beneath the top of the panel on the screen, indicating the surface of the ocean.]
:Ponytail: The KM3NeT deep-water telescope detects the flashes of Cherenkov light from neutrino interactions.
:Cueball: How do you know you aren't just seeing bioluminescent fish?
:Ponytail: Cherenkov radiation is only emitted when things exceed the local speed of light, so it can't be produced by under-c life.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Telescopes]]
[[Category:Physics]]
[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Puns]]

3052: Archive Request

2025-02-18T15:10:01Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3052
| date = February 17, 2025
| title = Archive Request
| image = archive_request_2x.png
| imagesize = 346x481px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = They just want researchers in the enclosure to feel enriched and stimulated. ('The Enclosure' is what archivists call the shadowy world outside their archives in which so many people are trapped.)
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Archived by a CONFUSED RESEARCHER - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
Research sometimes involves looking up old data in an archive, and old data is often not stored in a modern standard of file format. It may either be an older standard, largely forgotten and no longer catered for, or a choice of original archival format that made sense only within the organisation itself; either way, being a proprietorial internal or licensed third-party format that lost (or never gained) wider support in the world at large. Unless the archive's contents are periodically re-examined, and up-converted into more contemporary standards in a timely manner, they might not be able to provide the data the researcher needs in a convenient way. The comic shows [[Cueball]] facing several issues that can happen with archived data:
* The data is stored as paper records, which will have to be scanned into a digital format.
* The data is being sent as a CD-ROM instead of being emailed or shared online, so it will take time to arrive. Also, most computers sold today do not come with a CD or DVD drive so the researcher might need to use another computer, or buy an external CD drive, to read it.
* It will take 10 business days (about 2 weeks) to process the request, plus shipping time.
* The data is not being sent in a common format for scanned documents, such as PDF, but a proprietary format that needs special software to decode.
* The decoder software only runs on Windows 98 or XP, versions of Windows which are no longer supported by Microsoft, and cannot even be installed on most modern computers, requiring a very old computer or the installation of a virtual machine. This often happens when old software is no longer supported by the manufacturer, so it cannot be updated to work on newer versions of Windows. This will add to the difficulty for the researcher to decode the data when they get it.

Normally, the reason for data coming in deprecated formats would be that it is held within a legacy system that was built around those formats. However, since these records are having to be scanned from paper in the first place, the rest seems to simply be inserting extra complication unnecessarily. The records could simply be scanned and shared using current systems and formats. This is borne out by the caption and the title text.

In zoos, captive animals need {{w|behavioral enrichment}} to promote physiological and psychological well-being - to keep them active and reduce behaviors such as pacing back and forth in a cage. Zookeepers provide this by putting toys in their enclosure or putting food in hard-to-open containers so that the animals have to work for it. The comic humorously suggests that archivists are doing the same thing as zookeepers - providing intellectual stimulation for the researcher by forcing them to jump through hoops in order to get their data. The title text suggests that archivists live in their world of archives and see the rest of the universe outside it as a cage that's trapping the rest of us.

In libraries and archives, catalog enrichment means adding useful data to the catalog, including scans of the table of contents or the whole book.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

:[A side view of Cueball, sitting on a wheeled office chair, at a desk with a laptop on it and his hands on the laptop. A jagged line comes from the laptop screen presumably representing text on the computer screen.]
:Computer: To request data from the archives, fill out this form. The pages will be scanned, encoded to CD-ROM, and mailed to you within 10 business days.
:Computer: Download the decoder for our proprietary format here (Requires Windows 98® or XP®)
:Cueball: ''Ugh, fine...''

:[Caption below the panel:]
:Archivists actually have everything in digital repos now, but they still do this to provide enrichment for researchers, the way zoos hide food for animals in hard-to-open boxes.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Computers]]
[[Category:Animals]]

3052: Archive Request

2025-02-18T15:08:54Z

N0lqu: Minor rewording of a couple items

{{comic
| number = 3052
| date = February 17, 2025
| title = Archive Request
| image = archive_request_2x.png
| imagesize = 346x481px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = They just want researchers in the enclosure to feel enriched and stimulated. ('The Enclosure' is what archivists call the shadowy world outside their archives in which so many people are trapped.)
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Archived by a CONFUSED RESEARCHER - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
Research sometimes involves looking up old data in an archive, and old data is often not stored in a modern standard of file format. It may either be an older standard, largely forgotten and no longer catered for, or a choice of original archival format that made sense only within the organisation itself; either way, being a proprietorial internal or licensed third-party format that lost (or never gained) wider support in the world at large. Unless the archive's contents are periodically re-examined, and up-converted into more contemporary standards in a timely manner, they might not be able to provide the data the researcher needs in a convenient way. The comic shows [[Cueball]] facing several issues that can happen with archived data:
* The data is stored as paper records, which will have to be scanned into a digital format.
* The data is being sent as a CD-ROM instead of being emailed or shared online, so it will take time to arrive. Also, most computers sold today do not come with a CD or DVD drive so the researcher might need to use another computer, or buy an external CD drive, to read it.
* It will take 10 business days (about 2 weeks including shipping time) to process the request.
* The data is not being sent in a common format for scanned documents, such as PDF, but a proprietary format that needs special software to decode.
* The decoder software only runs on Windows 98 or XP, versions of Windows which are no longer supported by Microsoft, and cannot even be installed on most modern computers, requiring a very old computer or the installation of a virtual machine. This often happens when old software is no longer supported by the manufacturer, so it cannot be updated to work on newer versions of Windows. This will add to the difficulty for the researcher to decode the data when they get it.

Normally, the reason for data coming in deprecated formats would be that it is held within a legacy system that was built around those formats. However, since these records are having to be scanned from paper in the first place, the rest seems to simply be inserting extra complication unnecessarily. The records could simply be scanned and shared using current systems and formats. This is borne out by the caption and the title text.

In zoos, captive animals need {{w|behavioral enrichment}} to promote physiological and psychological well-being - to keep them active and reduce behaviors such as pacing back and forth in a cage. Zookeepers provide this by putting toys in their enclosure or putting food in hard-to-open containers so that the animals have to work for it. The comic humorously suggests that archivists are doing the same thing as zookeepers - providing intellectual stimulation for the researcher by forcing them to jump through hoops in order to get their data. The title text suggests that archivists live in their world of archives and see the rest of the universe outside it as a cage that's trapping the rest of us.

In libraries and archives, catalog enrichment means adding useful data to the catalog, including scans of the table of contents or the whole book.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

:[A side view of Cueball, sitting on a wheeled office chair, at a desk with a laptop on it and his hands on the laptop. A jagged line comes from the laptop screen presumably representing text on the computer screen.]
:Computer: To request data from the archives, fill out this form. The pages will be scanned, encoded to CD-ROM, and mailed to you within 10 business days.
:Computer: Download the decoder for our proprietary format here (Requires Windows 98® or XP®)
:Cueball: ''Ugh, fine...''

:[Caption below the panel:]
:Archivists actually have everything in digital repos now, but they still do this to provide enrichment for researchers, the way zoos hide food for animals in hard-to-open boxes.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Computers]]
[[Category:Animals]]

3042: T. Rex Evolution

2025-01-24T15:51:43Z

N0lqu: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3042
| date = January 24, 2025
| title = T. Rex Evolution
| image = t_rex_evolution_2x.png
| imagesize = 418x378px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Unfortunately, body size and bite force continue to increase.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a CREATURE WITH NEGATIVE LIMBS - fact-check the graph's "early" claim and flesh things out a bit. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

The small and seemingly useless forelimbs of ''tyrannosaurus rex'' have often been used as a source of humour in works of fiction that feature dinosaurs. Randall claims that the ancestors of ''tyrannosaurus'' had (relatively) longer and therefore more useful forelimbs, and hypothesizes that - had non-avian dinosaurs not suffered an extinction event - this trend of "reduced limbs" would continue until present-day descendants of ''tyrannosaurus'' were limbless creatures not unlike a giant snake.

The title text claims that ''tyrannosaurus'' was also larger than its ancestors, and that the same trend in growth would continue so that the hypothetical limbless present-day descendant would be even larger than the famously elephant-sized ''tyrannosaurus''.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

:[A graph of limbs over time, with 3 animals represented]
:[The vertical axis is labelled Limbs, from 0 to 4]
:[The horizontal axis is not labelled but represents time, in ticks of 10 million years, from 180 million years ago to 0.]
:["Extinction" points to 65 million years ago, and "Now" points to 0.]

:[The first animal, a regular dinosaur, is in the top left: 4 limbs, 150 million years ago.]
: 4 normal limbs

:[An arrow goes from it to the second animal, a T.Rex, in the middle, just left of "extinction".]
: Barely more than 2

:[An dashed arrow with a question mark goes from it to the last animal: a leg-less dinosaur with a big mouth.]
: ???

:[Caption bellow the panel:]
:If T.Rex hadn't gone extinct
:(linear extrapolation)

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Extrapolation]]
[[Category:Charts]]
[[Category:Timelines]]
[[Category:Dinosaurs]]