1166: Argument - Revision history

206.193.5.5: /* Explanation */ Replaced Rational Wiki link with similar but better sourced Wikipedia link

2026-03-27T21:10:44Z

‎Explanation: Replaced Rational Wiki link with similar but better sourced Wikipedia link

Lp0 on fire: removed Category:Science; added Category:Robots using HotCat

2025-11-28T15:00:22Z

removed Category:Science; added Category:Robots using HotCat

206.193.5.5: /* Explanation */

2025-07-30T17:14:24Z

‎Explanation

206.193.5.5: Switched link to wikipedia

2025-07-30T17:13:32Z

Switched link to wikipedia

CalibansCreations: /* Explanation */

2025-04-17T08:58:57Z

‎Explanation

141.101.99.126: /* Explanation */

2025-03-29T05:56:49Z

‎Explanation

StapleFreeBatteries at 05:48, 22 March 2025

2025-03-22T05:48:42Z

CalibansCreations: /* Explanation */

2024-10-08T10:55:57Z

‎Explanation

1234231587678 at 23:13, 4 April 2024

2024-04-04T23:13:32Z

Theusaf: Reverted edits by Donald Trump (talk) to last revision by CRLF

2022-05-26T20:02:15Z

Reverted edits by Donald Trump (talk) to last revision by CRLF

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@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 The {{w|second law of thermodynamics}} states that the {{w|entropy}} of an ''isolated'' system never decreases. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2knWCuzcdJo See this video about entropy]. Thus, even if you could build a perpetual motion machine, you wouldn't be able to use it to produce energy that could be consumed by another device.
-The three supposed comments show humorous forms of {{rw|pseudoscience|scientific ignorance}}:
+The three supposed comments show humorous forms of {{w|pseudoscience|scientific ignorance}}:
 #The first comment is simply wrong; neither pole of a {{w|magnet}} reverses {{w|entropy}}. Nor would it help, if it did, as (without {{w|Magnetic monopole|another unlikely thing}}) it would still be exactly counteracted by the entropy-reinforcing pole.

@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 {{comic discussion}}
 [[Category:Physics]]
-[[Category:Science]]
+[[Category:Robots]]

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 A {{w|perpetual motion machine}} is a hypothetical device that is supposed to move infinitely with no external forces helping it, thus providing an unlimited source of energy. The existence of such an object would contradict the laws of thermodynamics, so perpetual motion machines are known to be impossible.
-A conspiracy theory called {{w|free energy suppression conspiracy theory}} asserts that it really is possible to get infinite energy and special interest groups have worked to hide it. In the comic, Randall says that he posted to a forum dedicated to the idea back in 2004, and the thread is still active — it kept on going forever, like the perpetual motion machine they desire (in contrast with real attempts to build such a machine, which all stop quite soon). Of course, the reason the thread continues is that its advocates continue to add energy to it, in the form of comments. "Hot air", if you will.
+The {{w|free energy suppression conspiracy theory}} asserts that it really is possible to get infinite energy and special interest groups have worked to hide it. In the comic, Randall says that he posted to a forum dedicated to the idea back in 2004, and the thread is still active — it kept on going forever, like the perpetual motion machine they desire (in contrast with real attempts to build such a machine, which all stop quite soon). Of course, the reason the thread continues is that its advocates continue to add energy to it, in the form of comments. "Hot air", if you will.
 The {{w|second law of thermodynamics}} states that the {{w|entropy}} of an ''isolated'' system never decreases. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2knWCuzcdJo See this video about entropy]. Thus, even if you could build a perpetual motion machine, you wouldn't be able to use it to produce energy that could be consumed by another device.

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 A {{w|perpetual motion machine}} is a hypothetical device that is supposed to move infinitely with no external forces helping it, thus providing an unlimited source of energy. The existence of such an object would contradict the laws of thermodynamics, so perpetual motion machines are known to be impossible.
-A conspiracy theory called {{rw|free_energy_suppression|free energy suppression}} asserts that it really is possible to get infinite energy and special interest groups have worked to hide it. In the comic, Randall says that he posted to a forum dedicated to the idea back in 2004, and the thread is still active — it kept on going forever, like the perpetual motion machine they desire (in contrast with real attempts to build such a machine, which all stop quite soon). Of course, the reason the thread continues is that its advocates continue to add energy to it, in the form of comments. "Hot air", if you will.
+A conspiracy theory called {{w|free energy suppression conspiracy theory}} asserts that it really is possible to get infinite energy and special interest groups have worked to hide it. In the comic, Randall says that he posted to a forum dedicated to the idea back in 2004, and the thread is still active — it kept on going forever, like the perpetual motion machine they desire (in contrast with real attempts to build such a machine, which all stop quite soon). Of course, the reason the thread continues is that its advocates continue to add energy to it, in the form of comments. "Hot air", if you will.
 The {{w|second law of thermodynamics}} states that the {{w|entropy}} of an ''isolated'' system never decreases. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2knWCuzcdJo See this video about entropy]. Thus, even if you could build a perpetual motion machine, you wouldn't be able to use it to produce energy that could be consumed by another device.

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 #The first comment is simply wrong; neither pole of a {{w|magnet}} reverses {{w|entropy}}. Nor would it help, if it did, as (without {{w|Magnetic monopole|another unlikely thing}}) it would still be exactly counteracted by the entropy-reinforcing pole.
-#The second comment conflates the {{w|first law of thermodynamics}} (conservation of energy) with {{w|Isaac Asimov}}'s {{w|Three Laws of Robotics|First Law of robotics}} (robots may not injure humans). This is referenced again in [https://what-if.xkcd.com/145/ What If #145].
+#The second comment conflates the {{w|first law of thermodynamics}} (conservation of energy) with {{w|Isaac Asimov}}'s {{w|Three Laws of Robotics|First Law of robotics}} (robots may not injure humans). [[Cueball]] would go on to conflate the second laws of both in ''{{what if|145|Fire From Moonlight}}''.
 #The third comment invalidly conflates the notions of {{w|physical law}} and {{w|Law of the United States|US law}}, hoping for {{rw|pseudolaw|legal loopholes}} to make a {{w|flywheel}} spin forever. Perhaps Congress would repeal the law of gravity on one side.