https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=103.22.201.120&feedformat=atomexplain xkcd - User contributions [en]2024-03-29T08:24:30ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.30.0https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1433:_Lightsaber&diff=77091Talk:1433: Lightsaber2014-10-13T11:57:02Z<p>103.22.201.120: Comment fail.</p>
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<div>I seem to remember seeing somewhere that lightsabers are actually not lasers but rather plasma held in that shape by some sort of force field. I think it should be in the explanation if it is true. [[User:Athang|Athang]] ([[User talk:Athang|talk]]) 06:11, 13 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
:I'd just like to know what "real laser"s have to do with lightsabers. (Other than little kids using the wrong name.) [[Special:Contributions/103.22.201.120|103.22.201.120]] 11:55, 13 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
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Most of "scientific" explanations of lightsaber (and blaster bolts) says about plasma contained in magnetic field. For example check this SE http://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/6478.<br />
Endless "laser sword" pun was also used in http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6704463/troopers-laser-sword, without Luke but with massive hull breach. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.231.214|108.162.231.214]] 06:38, 13 October 2014 (UTC)PTwr<br />
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One joking "explanation" of the light sabre conjured long ago on a newsgroup I was on had used the Fourier analysis. It proposed that the "handle" emits multiple beams of light with very well defined frequencies and amplitudes, corresponding to a Fourier series for a pulse wave with a low duty cycle - so the waveforms emitted cancel themselves after a short distance. The joke went on, saying that since the sum of the Fourier series is periodic, someone practicing the sabre on the Earth can accidentally chop off the head of someone walking on the Moon. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.254.29|108.162.254.29]] 07:26, 13 October 2014 (UTC)</div>103.22.201.120https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1433:_Lightsaber&diff=77090Talk:1433: Lightsaber2014-10-13T11:55:16Z<p>103.22.201.120: Explanation still needs a bit of improving.</p>
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<div>I seem to remember seeing somewhere that lightsabers are actually not lasers but rather plasma held in that shape by some sort of force field. I think it should be in the explanation if it is true. [[User:Athang|Athang]] ([[User talk:Athang|talk]]) 06:11, 13 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
| I'd just like to know what "real laser"s have to do with lightsabers. (Other than little kids using the wrong name.) [[Special:Contributions/103.22.201.120|103.22.201.120]] 11:55, 13 October 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Most of "scientific" explanations of lightsaber (and blaster bolts) says about plasma contained in magnetic field. For example check this SE http://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/6478.<br />
Endless "laser sword" pun was also used in http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6704463/troopers-laser-sword, without Luke but with massive hull breach. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.231.214|108.162.231.214]] 06:38, 13 October 2014 (UTC)PTwr<br />
<br />
One joking "explanation" of the light sabre conjured long ago on a newsgroup I was on had used the Fourier analysis. It proposed that the "handle" emits multiple beams of light with very well defined frequencies and amplitudes, corresponding to a Fourier series for a pulse wave with a low duty cycle - so the waveforms emitted cancel themselves after a short distance. The joke went on, saying that since the sum of the Fourier series is periodic, someone practicing the sabre on the Earth can accidentally chop off the head of someone walking on the Moon. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.254.29|108.162.254.29]] 07:26, 13 October 2014 (UTC)</div>103.22.201.120https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1430:_Proteins&diff=767571430: Proteins2014-10-06T09:57:05Z<p>103.22.201.120: Fixed typo.</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1430<br />
| date = October 6, 2014<br />
| title = Proteins<br />
| image = proteins.png<br />
| titletext = Check it out--when I tug the C-terminal tail, the binding tunnel squeezes!<br />
}}<br />
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==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|More info on protein folding, expansion on F@H, explanaiton of the joke and title text.}}<br />
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{{w|Protein folding}} is a mechanism exhibited by protein structures to assume a functional shape. If the folding sequence does not complete, or completes incorrectly, the resulting protein can be inactive or even toxic to the body. These misfolded proteins are responsible for certain allergies, and are believed to be the cause of several {{w|neurodegenerative}} and other diseases.<br />
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{{w|Folding@Home}} (F@H) is a distributed computing project which aims to simulate protein folding for research purposes. Rather than the traditional model of using a supercomputer for computation, the project uses idle processing power of a network of personal computers in order to achieve massive computing power. Individuals can join the project by installing the F@H software, and are then able to track their contribution to the project. Individual members may join together as a team, with leaderboards measuring team and individual contributions.<br />
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Please be aware that in old computers idle time was actually wasted. In modern computers, that is no longer true. If you donate computer time, you are actually donating money to the cause in the form of your electricty bill (which sounds more convenient than via credit card anyway)<br />
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In origami, purists [[http://www.barf.cc/jeremy/origami/BOOK/essays/origami_purism/origami_purism.htm]] considered it as cheating if you cut the paper or use more than one sheet of paper.<br />
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==Transcript==<br />
:[Cueball is talking with Megan]<br />
:Cueball: What do you do?<br />
:Megan: I make software that predicts how proteins will fold.<br />
:Cueball: Is that a hard problem?<br />
:Megan: Someone may someday find a harder one.<br />
:Cueball: Why is it so hard?<br />
:Megan: Have you ever made a folded paper crane?<br />
:Cueball: Yeah.<br />
:Megan: Imagine figuring out the folds to make an actual <em>living</em> crane.<br />
:Cueball: ...<em>just</em> folds? Can I make cuts?<br />
:Megan: If you can fold a protease enzyme.<br />
{{comic discussion}}</div>103.22.201.120https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1420:_Watches&diff=75807Talk:1420: Watches2014-09-14T03:05:23Z<p>103.22.201.120: </p>
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<div>Thinkpiece is a very Orwellian type of word, immediately reminded me of "doublethink" --[[User:Pudder|Pudder]] ([[User talk:Pudder|talk]]) 09:06, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
:I thought he was mocking the word '''timepieces'''. [[Special:Contributions/173.245.62.163|173.245.62.163]] 10:29, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
::Good catch, I didn't think of that! --[[User:Pudder|Pudder]] ([[User talk:Pudder|talk]]) 10:58, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
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So... this cartoon is a thinkpiece about how Randall doesn't like watches? Hasn't he drawn cartoons (on other topics) which pointedly ask "so what?" [[Special:Contributions/103.22.201.120|103.22.201.120]] 09:24, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
:I'm not sure that word applies here. The linked article states that "thinkpiece" is used to refer to articles about opinions as opposed to facts. The information provided in this comic is factual, showing social trends. The comic itself also doesn't state whether or not Randall likes watches. As for other comics, it has to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Simply adding your opinion to a presentation of facts isn't really enough to fit the usual definitions of "thinkpiece". [[Special:Contributions/108.162.237.161|108.162.237.161]] 07:38, 13 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
::You don't think the "glorious" gives it away? [[Special:Contributions/103.22.201.120|103.22.201.120]] 03:03, 14 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
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I love this one because it's something that's been on my mind. I now have to wear a watch sometimes for work and I quickly found myself feeling kind of naked without it! It's got me thinking about trends, especially phrases and ideas that flit across our collective global consciousness. BTW I googled "thinkpiece" and there are some awesome sarcastic, rude How-to" articles online [[Special:Contributions/108.162.249.214|108.162.249.214]] 09:58, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
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I think the bars for regualar watches and smartwatches resemble straps with the actual watch missing in the free space between them. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.93.220|141.101.93.220]] 10:37, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
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Perhaps 'thinkpiece' is a mockery of 'smartwatch'. (On another note I wonder why Randall did not include the time prior to invention of wristwatches on this graph.) [[Special:Contributions/108.162.246.210|108.162.246.210]] 21:19, 12 September 2014 (UTC)</div>103.22.201.120https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1420:_Watches&diff=75806Talk:1420: Watches2014-09-14T03:04:35Z<p>103.22.201.120: Huh!</p>
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<div>Thinkpiece is a very Orwellian type of word, immediately reminded me of "doublethink" --[[User:Pudder|Pudder]] ([[User talk:Pudder|talk]]) 09:06, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
So... this cartoon is a thinkpiece about how Randall doesn't like watches? Hasn't he drawn cartoons (on other topics) which pointedly ask "so what?" [[Special:Contributions/103.22.201.120|103.22.201.120]] 09:24, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
:I'm not sure that word applies here. The linked article states that "thinkpiece" is used to refer to articles about opinions as opposed to facts. The information provided in this comic is factual, showing social trends. The comic itself also doesn't state whether or not Randall likes watches. As for other comics, it has to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Simply adding your opinion to a presentation of facts isn't really enough to fit the usual definitions of "thinkpiece". [[Special:Contributions/108.162.237.161|108.162.237.161]] 07:38, 13 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
::You don't think the "glorious" gives it away? [[Special:Contributions/103.22.201.120|103.22.201.120]] 03:03, 14 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
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I thought he was mocking the word '''timepieces'''. [[Special:Contributions/173.245.62.163|173.245.62.163]] 10:29, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
::Good catch, I didn't think of that! --[[User:Pudder|Pudder]] ([[User talk:Pudder|talk]]) 10:58, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I love this one because it's something that's been on my mind. I now have to wear a watch sometimes for work and I quickly found myself feeling kind of naked without it! It's got me thinking about trends, especially phrases and ideas that flit across our collective global consciousness. BTW I googled "thinkpiece" and there are some awesome sarcastic, rude How-to" articles online [[Special:Contributions/108.162.249.214|108.162.249.214]] 09:58, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I think the bars for regualar watches and smartwatches resemble straps with the actual watch missing in the free space between them. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.93.220|141.101.93.220]] 10:37, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Perhaps 'thinkpiece' is a mockery of 'smartwatch'. (On another note I wonder why Randall did not include the time prior to invention of wristwatches on this graph.) [[Special:Contributions/108.162.246.210|108.162.246.210]] 21:19, 12 September 2014 (UTC)</div>103.22.201.120https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1420:_Watches&diff=75805Talk:1420: Watches2014-09-14T03:03:33Z<p>103.22.201.120: Not convinced.</p>
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<div>Thinkpiece is a very Orwellian type of word, immediately reminded me of "doublethink" --[[User:Pudder|Pudder]] ([[User talk:Pudder|talk]]) 09:06, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I thought he was mocking the word '''timepieces'''. [[Special:Contributions/173.245.62.163|173.245.62.163]] 10:29, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
::Good catch, I didn't think of that! --[[User:Pudder|Pudder]] ([[User talk:Pudder|talk]]) 10:58, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
So... this cartoon is a thinkpiece about how Randall doesn't like watches? Hasn't he drawn cartoons (on other topics) which pointedly ask "so what?" [[Special:Contributions/103.22.201.120|103.22.201.120]] 09:24, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
:I'm not sure that word applies here. The linked article states that "thinkpiece" is used to refer to articles about opinions as opposed to facts. The information provided in this comic is factual, showing social trends. The comic itself also doesn't state whether or not Randall likes watches. As for other comics, it has to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Simply adding your opinion to a presentation of facts isn't really enough to fit the usual definitions of "thinkpiece". [[Special:Contributions/108.162.237.161|108.162.237.161]] 07:38, 13 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
::You don't think the "glorious" gives it away? [[Special:Contributions/103.22.201.120|103.22.201.120]] 03:03, 14 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I love this one because it's something that's been on my mind. I now have to wear a watch sometimes for work and I quickly found myself feeling kind of naked without it! It's got me thinking about trends, especially phrases and ideas that flit across our collective global consciousness. BTW I googled "thinkpiece" and there are some awesome sarcastic, rude How-to" articles online [[Special:Contributions/108.162.249.214|108.162.249.214]] 09:58, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I think the bars for regualar watches and smartwatches resemble straps with the actual watch missing in the free space between them. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.93.220|141.101.93.220]] 10:37, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Perhaps 'thinkpiece' is a mockery of 'smartwatch'. (On another note I wonder why Randall did not include the time prior to invention of wristwatches on this graph.) [[Special:Contributions/108.162.246.210|108.162.246.210]] 21:19, 12 September 2014 (UTC)</div>103.22.201.120https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1420:_Watches&diff=75727Talk:1420: Watches2014-09-12T09:24:37Z<p>103.22.201.120: Randall's getting old and grumpy.</p>
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<div>Thinkpiece is a very Orwellian type of word, immediately reminded me of "doublethink" --[[User:Pudder|Pudder]] ([[User talk:Pudder|talk]]) 09:06, 12 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
So... this cartoon is a thinkpiece about how Randall doesn't like watches? Hasn't he drawn cartoons (on other topics) which pointedly ask "so what?" [[Special:Contributions/103.22.201.120|103.22.201.120]] 09:24, 12 September 2014 (UTC)</div>103.22.201.120https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1416:_Pixels&diff=74856Talk:1416: Pixels2014-09-03T09:15:49Z<p>103.22.201.120: Directions, directions...</p>
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<div>Firefox users with HTTPS Everywhere may have trouble seeing the comic, and Chrome users may experience lag (for lack of a better word) when zooming in. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.99.168|141.101.99.168]] 06:11, 3 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
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The combination of "turtle" and "pixel" reminded me of how to code graphics in the older days with for instance turbo pascal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle_graphics) - Stian<br />
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Would it be possible to have a "gallery" of all the zoom-in images? [[Special:Contributions/199.27.128.209|199.27.128.209]] 06:29, 3 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
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Since the Zoom-in images have at lest one story line in them (I read one about a book launch, the book was launched to space in a rocket), I think a gallery or some such is needed for them. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.250.218|108.162.250.218]] 06:50, 3 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
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I got to a white panel and there was nothing. Everything was white and zooming in or out didn't change it. Not sure if it was a bug or intended. -- [[User:Irino|Irino]] ([[User talk:Irino|talk]]) 07:15, 3 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
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Yet another comic that doesn't work well on mobile. I'll probably compile a list of comics that are broken in some way for mobile... Er. Soon-ish. -RTR [[Special:Contributions/108.162.246.232|108.162.246.232]] 07:45, 3 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
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I have acquired a list of images with what they zoom into, and am working on turning that into something presentable. There's a lot of images though, so it may take a day. As for the white panel, yes, there does seem to be one broken link (out of nearly 500). I'm not sure how I would go about reporting it to get it fixed. [[User:Tahg|Tahg]] ([[User talk:Tahg|talk]]) 07:57, 3 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
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There are 79 different images. I have them isolated and am uploading them now. [[User:Omixorp|Omixorp]] ([[User talk:Omixorp|talk]]) 08:16, 3 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
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Doesn't work at all (blank) on my Firefox and IE11. I just installed Opera and it works but it's VERY laggy. Also, I have to scroll UP to zoom in, not down. --[[Special:Contributions/141.101.97.206|141.101.97.206]] 08:25, 3 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
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Also just isolated the images. I described the procedure on my blog: http://azttm.wordpress.com/2014/09/03/xkcd-com-1416-pixels/ [[User:Azt|Azt]] ([[User talk:Azt|Azt]]) 09:58, 3 September 2014 (UTC)<br />
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I zoom in when I scroll up. I also like turtles. [[Special:Contributions/103.22.201.120|103.22.201.120]] 09:15, 3 September 2014 (UTC)</div>103.22.201.120https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1412:_Teenage_Mutant_Ninja_Turtles&diff=74236Talk:1412: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles2014-08-25T11:41:06Z<p>103.22.201.120: An oversight?</p>
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<div>Looks like they renamed the Wikipedia article mentioned as "Maple Syrup Urine '''Syndrome'''" to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple_syrup_urine_disease Maple Syrup Urine '''Disease'''].[[User:Keavon|Keavon]] ([[User talk:Keavon|talk]]) 05:03, 25 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
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This rythmic sounding has to do with metrical <strike>foots</strike> feet, I think. Maybe someone more into it than I can explain...<br />
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_%28prosody%29 [[Special:Contributions/108.162.229.164|108.162.229.164]] 05:21, 25 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
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: It's just a 4-foot trochaic ("trochaic octameter"?) meter. ^- ^- ^- ^-. Also, I'm curious now, is "foots" the proper plural when discussing meter, or is that just a typo/misunderstandinh? [[Special:Contributions/199.27.128.150|199.27.128.150]] 06:37, 25 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
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:: Oh, right, the plural must be "feet". I just had a brain fart. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.229.164|108.162.229.164]] 10:23, 25 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
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: This one is definitely related: http://xkcd.com/856/ --[[Special:Contributions/141.101.104.68|141.101.104.68]] 08:08, 25 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
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Unless "Gloucester" is two syllables, Randall made a mistake/wanted to see if we're awake.--[[Special:Contributions/108.162.246.224|108.162.246.224]] 06:33, 25 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
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: Actually it is. Silly British accents. It's pronounced roughly "Gloss-ter". [[Special:Contributions/199.27.128.150|199.27.128.150]] 06:37, 25 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
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::In that case, I retract my previous statement and apologize.--[[Special:Contributions/108.162.246.224|108.162.246.224]] 07:20, 25 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
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With regards to the roll-over text, mention could be made of the long-running BBC radio show "I'm sorry I haven't a clue" ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27m_Sorry_I_Haven%27t_A_Clue ). It is comedy panel game, and one of the regular rounds is 'One Song to the Tune of Another'. It may be coincidence, but one panellist of the show is Barry Cryer ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Cryer ) who happened to have recorded Purple People Eater... [[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.184|141.101.98.184]] 08:26, 25 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
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Why isn't Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the list? [[Special:Contributions/103.22.201.120|103.22.201.120]] 11:41, 25 August 2014 (UTC)</div>103.22.201.120https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1405:_Meteor&diff=73195Talk:1405: Meteor2014-08-08T08:12:26Z<p>103.22.201.120: Short answer.</p>
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<div>If meteors fall, then what is a meteoric rise? [[User:Rfvtg|Rfvtg]] ([[User talk:Rfvtg|talk]]) 04:54, 8 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
:Fast. [[Special:Contributions/103.22.201.120|103.22.201.120]] 08:12, 8 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
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The legend of this comic might refer to pedology, the study of soil. [[Special:Contributions/173.245.53.87|173.245.53.87]] 06:56, 8 August 2014 (UTC)</div>103.22.201.120https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1405:_Meteor&diff=731941405: Meteor2014-08-08T08:07:35Z<p>103.22.201.120: There's only one Earth, and its name is a proper noun.</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1405<br />
| date = August 8, 2014<br />
| title = Meteor<br />
| image = meteor.png<br />
| titletext = No, only LAVA is called 'magma' while underground. Any other object underground is called 'lava'.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Due to its earliness, it probably has a lot of errors.}}<br />
<br />
The word {{w|pedant|pedantic}} means gratuitously exacting in ones speech. It is usually a pejorative term used to refer to someone who is overly fussy. For example, if one were to say "The sky is blue" and someone were to correct you telling you it is actually every color but blue because of {{w|Diffuse sky radiation|light scattering}} and its apparent blueness is a mere illusion, while true, that would be pedantic. However, in science, pedantry is important so things may be classified and we have a unified definition of when things are very similar.<br />
<br />
In cosmology, there are different classifications of bodies: {{w|asteroid}}s, {{w|comet}}s, {{w|meteor}}s, {{w|meteorite}}s, {{w|meteoroid}}s, and so forth. Each of these has a very specific definition to distinguish between them. However, the distinction is also a common source of pedantry. A meteor is a body that enters Earth's orbit. Many which enter the earths atmosphere do not survive entry. It is only a meteorite if it is found intact on the ground. <br />
<br />
Cueball attempts to correct (another Cueball?) by telling him it is not a meteor he found. We expect him to say it is a meteorite, but the joke comes when he calls it {{w|magma}}, which is completely different. {{w|Lava}} is liquid rock which has been ejected from a volcano. Magma on the other hand is still under earth's crust and has yet to be ejected. This distinction is yet another common source of pedantry. Cueball not only misappropriates the cosmological terms, but assigns the wrong pedantic term to the geological correction he attempts to give. <br />
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The title text is a very muddled pedantic statement. Lava is magma while underground, but it's ridiculous to suggest that other things could be lava when underground. That would be like saying chickens are technically chicks when they're young, but all other young animals are technically known as chickens.<br />
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Another aspect of the joke is that the first Cueball is actually correct - what he has (meteorite) ''is'' a part of a meteor.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript}}<br />
First Cueball: Check it out -- I got a piece of a meteor!<br />
<br />
Second Cueball: ''Actually'', it's only called that while falling. Once it lands, it's called ''Magma''<br />
<br />
My hobby: Mixing Pedantic Terms<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:My Hobby]]</div>103.22.201.120