3068: Rock Identification

Rock Identification

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Title text: 'Is it worth anything?' 'I dunno, is the answer to that question worth another $5?'

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Explanation

This is one of 52 incomplete explanations: Created by a GARNET IN A MICA SCHIST - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon. If you can fix this issue, edit the page!

He bribed her.

Transcript

[Cueball is holding a small spotted rock] Cueball: Can you identify this rock I found?

Ponytail: Not without knowing where you found. It's difficult to identify minerals by sight without the geological context.

[Cueball is holding $5 bill under the same small spotted rock]

Cueball: Can you identify this rock I found wrapped in a $5 bill?

Ponytail: Sure! Looks like garnets in a mica schist.

This is one of 27 incomplete transcripts: Do NOT delete this tag too soon. If you can fix this issue, edit the page!

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Discussion

I made a transcript New editor (talk) 21:03, 26 March 2025 (UTC)

It might also imply that the geologist doesn’t know but just wants the $5 so comes up with an answer 198.41.236.163 00:01, 27 March 2025 (UTC)

I doubt they're lying about what rock it is since both mica schists and garnets are visually obvious and even more obvious if a scratch test is performed.172.69.186.157 04:36, 27 March 2025 (UTC)

The funny part is it works the other way round: you first identify minerals by sight (also Mohs scale and polarizing microscope), then conclude what the geologic context is. 172.71.232.25 11:01, 27 March 2025 (UTC)

I think this random "it was wrapped in the bill, no idea where the money came from" also implies corruption and destroying the traces of the money, instead of just payment or tip. --Lupo (talk) 11:29, 27 March 2025 (UTC)

Unfortunate missed chance to call this comic a “Geologist Tip” 172.70.176.56 13:04, 27 March 2025 (UTC)

Surely the joke is that it only takes $5 to bribe a Geologist. 162.158.94.240 (talk) 15:45, 27 March 2025 (please sign your comments with ~~~~)

Hey, if you want to pay me $5 to pay attention to you for a minute, I would take the deal. That's a great hourly rate! Though I guess my perspective might be skewed, since I'm not a professional scientist but just a (somewhat broke) grad studentDextrous Fred (talk) 17:38, 27 March 2025 (UTC)

wonder if the comic is referring to the (somewhat popular) whatisthisrock subreddit --172.68.210.176 19:29, 27 March 2025 (UTC)

Whoever entered "If you're good at something, never do it for free" should be congratulated for doing quality voluntary work Kev (talk) 22:27, 27 March 2025 (UTC).

"the $5 bill would be covered with dirt and no longer be usable." - technically, as long as 50% or more of the bill is left, it's still legal tender. if it's less than 50% you can ask the US government to exchange it for intact money. --172.71.146.79 21:59, 28 March 2025 (UTC)

"Furthermore, if a rock was wrapped in paper and put in a hole in the ground, the $5 bill would be covered with dirt and no longer be usable." Citation needed. In addition to what the previous commenter said, dirt typically can be brushed off of things. NoriMori (talk) 01:50, 29 March 2025 (UTC)

Ha! I asked this exact (well, paraphrased) question to geologist Eugene Shoemaker during a class field trip to the Grand Canyon. “What kind of rock is this?” He identified it as a carnelian agate, and said I hadn’t found it there unless some tourist had dropped it. Test passed, Professor. I took it back and put it back in my rock collection I’d brought to college with me. 162.158.167.15 02:08, 29 March 2025 (UTC)
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