Talk:3274: Arthurian Connector

Coincidentally, today's SMBC Comics also has a connection to Excalibur. I think Zach did a better job than Randall. Barmar (talk) 20:11, 20 July 2026 (UTC)

Randall's feels more topical as to modern British politics (Andy Burnham became PM on Monday). JohnHawkinson (talk) 06:16, 21 July 2026 (UTC)

I let the basic introductory "Sword In The Stone" stuff stand (already complicated enough with the mythical confusion over swords-in-objects vs. "Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords", as the primary basis for a system of government), although clearly this comic (probably via Disney's simplified take, that might have helped that gain more traction in 'popular folklore') seems more inspired by the equally legendary "Sword In An Anvil (Stood Upon A Stone)" variation of the legend. So I added something about that being a common variation of the Stone version. Also added a link to a Pratchett quote about how the ability to embed the sword-in-the-<whatever> is perhaps yet more impressive, and indeed is a subtle blink-and-you-miss-it plot point later in the very same book.

Plus, as an additional Pratchett-themed note, though not really qualified enough to be worthy of being embedded in the Explanation (irrevocably or not!), he also wrote a short story "Once And Future" in which 'Mervin' the time-traveller finds himself fulfilling the role of Merlin in attempting (with an interesting twist, and not only in how he does this) to identify a suitable 'Arthur'. I don't know if there's an online-readable version of this, but a visit to a book shop might find you lucky, if you're that bothered. 92.23.5.92 21:24, 20 July 2026 (UTC)

Estimating the number of coffee shops in the world seems like a classic Randall whatif problem, though judging by this page, it also seems clear that it would quickly devolve into typical pedantic disputation, since that page includes Dunkin' Donuts, very clearly a donut shop that happens to serve coffee, which is totally different from a coffee shop that, as many do, happens to serve donuts. 24.53.143.204 22:05, 20 July 2026 (UTC)

The problem is that it's a very dynamic situation. 92.23.5.92 22:09, 20 July 2026 (UTC)

I wonder if a Jacobite descendant would be able to get the job done. If nothing else, it would go a ways towards easing the coffee shop situation. 71.120.6.104 22:52, 20 July 2026 (UTC)

The sword in the stone being referenced in 2164 is a stretch I think. 110.145.224.178 00:19, 21 July 2026 (UTC)

It's literally in the alt text. DL Draco Rex (talk) 01:13, 21 July 2026 (UTC)