3231: Lightning
| Lightning |
 Title text: Maybe you should wear one too? I guess I'm taller than you, so as long as I have one we're fine. |
Explanation
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This is one of 65 incomplete explanations: This page was created by a GROUNDED BOT. Don't remove this notice too soon. If you can fix this issue, edit the page! |
An anti-static wrist strap is a device worn by people working with sensitive electronic devices. The strap is connected to a "ground", so that if there's any static charge built up it will discharge there rather than being transmitted to the device, which may damage it.
Lightning is a release of static electricity that occurs when there's a large charge difference between a cloud and the earth or between two clouds. In the comic, Cueball has confused how anti-static devices work -- rather than protecting a device from static in the person, he thinks it will protect the person from static in the lightning.
Transcript
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This is one of 42 incomplete transcripts: Don't remove this notice too soon. If you can fix this issue, edit the page! |
[Lightning overhead. Cueball and Ponytail are standing on a hill.]
BOOOOM
[Cueball:]
Don't worry, I'm wearing an anti-static wrist strap
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I don't know if this is important, but at least right now there is no period. Might change later. Majordesmosnerd (talk) 20:52, 10 April 2026 (UTC)
im not sure how to insert it into the current state of the explanation, but by being a lightning rod nearby but higher up, he is providing protection to ponytail, right? - Vaedez (talk) 21:04, 10 April 2026 (UTC)
- That does seem to be the premise, but I doubt that a few inches are sufficient for this, especially if they're several feet apart. But I had the same idea and already put it into the explanation. Barmar (talk) 21:11, 10 April 2026 (UTC)
Ironically, wearing a (properly grounded) anti-static strap would actually _increase_ the odds of being struck by lightning, turning you into a human lightning rod. The whole point of an anti-static strap is to dissipate any intrinsic potential difference between you and the ground, thus making you a (marginally) shorter path for the extreme potential difference between the clouds and the ground state. 50.47.191.231 21:10, 10 April 2026 (UTC) - and of course someone said that in the explanation in the time it took me to write the comment. :-p. 50.47.191.231 21:12, 10 April 2026 (UTC)
Timing kinda sucks for this one: Colorado officials trying to identify woman struck by lightning. RandalSchwartz (talk) 22:54, 10 April 2026 (UTC) Add comment
