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| − | __NOTOC__ | + | __NOTOC__{{DISPLAYTITLE:explain xkcd}} |
| + | <center> | ||
| + | <font size=5px>''Welcome to the '''explain [[xkcd]]''' wiki!''</font><br> | ||
| + | <span style="font size:210%;">We have an explanation for all [[List of all comics (full)|'''{{#expr:{{PAGESINCAT:All comics|R}}}}''' xkcd comics]], and only {{PAGESINCAT:Incomplete explanations|R}} ({{#expr: {{PAGESINCAT:Incomplete explanations|R}} / {{LATESTCOMIC}} * 100 round 1}}%) are incomplete. [[:Category:Incomplete explanations|Help us finish them!]]</span><!-- Note: the -1 in the calculation above has been removed (it was there to discount "comic" 404, but we've categorized it to be a comic and so has Randall.) --> | ||
| + | </center> | ||
| + | <!-- Go to this explanation button --><span style="position: absolute; right:0; padding-top:1.4em; font-size: 100%;"><span class="no-link-underline">[[{{LATESTCOMIC}}| </span>'''Go to this explanation''']]</span> | ||
| − | < | + | =Latest comic= |
| − | + | <div style="border:1px solid grey; background:#f6f6f6; padding:1.5em;"> | |
| − | + | {{:{{LATESTCOMIC}}}} | |
| − | </ | + | ---- |
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| + | <span style="position: absolute; left:0; padding-top:1.35em; font-size: 105%;"><span class="no-link-underline"> [[File:new topic.png|21x21px|link={{LATESTCOMIC}}#Discussion]][[{{LATESTCOMIC}}#Discussion| </span>'''View comic discussion''']]</span><br><br></div> | ||
| − | == | + | == New here? == |
| + | <div style="float:right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em">{{Special:ContributionScores/10/7/nosort,notools}}<div style="font-size:0.85em; width:28em; font-style:italic">[[Special:ContributionScores|Lots of people]] contribute to make this wiki a success. Many of the recent contributors above have [{{fullurl:Special:Contributions|contribs=newbie}} just joined]. You can do it too! Create your account [[Special:UserLogin/signup|here]].</div></div> | ||
| − | + | You can read a brief introduction about this wiki at [[explain xkcd]]. Feel free to [[Special:UserLogin/signup|create an account]] and contribute to the wiki! We need explanations for xkcd [[:Category:Incomplete explanations|comics]], [[:Category:Characters|characters]], [[What If? chapters|''What If?'' articles]], and [[:Category:xkcd|everything in between]]. If it is referenced in an [[xkcd]] comic, it should be here. | |
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| − | + | * If you're new to wiki editing, see the [[explain xkcd:Editor FAQ]] for a specific guidance to this wiki and the more general help on [[mw:Help:Editing pages|how to edit wiki pages]]. There's also a handy {{w|Help:Cheatsheet|wikicode cheatsheet}}. | |
| − | |||
| − | * | + | * Discussion about the wiki itself happens at the [[explain xkcd:Community portal|Community portal]]. |
| − | * | + | * You can browse the comics from the [[List of all comics (full)|list of all comics]] or by navigating the category tree at [[:Category:Comics]]. |
| − | * [[ | + | * The incomplete explanations are listed [[:Category:Incomplete explanations|here]]. Feel free to help out by expanding them! |
== Rules == | == Rules == | ||
| − | |||
| − | + | Don't be a jerk! | |
| − | + | There are a lot of comics that don't have set-in-stone explanations; feel free to put multiple interpretations in the wiki page for each comic. | |
| − | If you | + | If you want to talk about a specific comic, use its discussion page. |
| − | + | Please only submit material directly related to xkcd and, of course, only submit material that can legally be posted and freely edited. Off-topic or other inappropriate content is subject to removal or modification at admin discretion, and users who repeatedly post such content will be blocked. | |
| − | + | If you need assistance from an [[explain xkcd:Administrators|admin]], post a message to the [[explain xkcd:Community portal/Admin requests|Admin requests]] board. | |
[[Category:Root category]] | [[Category:Root category]] | ||
Latest revision as of 19:52, 31 July 2025
Welcome to the explain xkcd wiki!
We have an explanation for all 3206 xkcd comics, and only 62 (1.9%) are incomplete. Help us finish them!
Latest comic
| Cost Savings |
 Title text: Unfortunately, my scheme to trick NASA has now taken over a decade longer than planned and has run way over budget. |
Explanation
This comic depicts a ridiculous scheme, concocted by Cueball, to dupe various representatives at NASA into doing a menial task for him; specifically, he wants them to build an ordinary shed in his yard. NASA, being the National Aeronautic and Space Administration, is not associated with hobbyist carpentry and certainly cannot be conventionally ordered to build a shed on a needy citizen's property[citation needed]. Thus, Cueball takes a sly approach, trying to mask his true intentions in a long-winded cost-cutting presentation about a proposed satellite launch. Initially, it appears he is suggesting various ways to improve the cost/hassle of launching a satellite into orbit, but soon the suggestions become less about making the satellite's construction and launch more efficient and more about constructing a random structure on the ground, each one getting closer and closer to "Ditch the satellite idea and build a shed in my yard."
The title text is a humorous reference to the many, many project delays and unforeseen expenses that arise during the process of sending a rocket into space. It implies that Cueball has been attempting this scheme for long enough that it mirrors the setbacks a team would experience if they were actually sending a satellite into orbit. The James Webb Telescope is one such satellite which was very delayed, as already mentioned in prior comics, notably xkcd 2014.
Transcript
- [Cueball is standing in front of a framed graph on a wall, pointing at it with a short stick. The graph is a bar graph with steadily decreasing bar heights. Hairy and Megan, seated, are looking on from behind a desk.]
- Cueball: By lowering the planned satellite orbit, we can reduce the size of the launch vehicle required.
- Cueball: We can reduce costs further by eliminating the satellite entirely in favor of an aerial platform.
- Cueball: Some equipment could be moved to a ground-based facility, reducing required aircraft time.
- Cueball: Additional savings could be...
- [Caption below the panel:]
- I'm trying to get NASA to build a shed in my backyard.
View comic discussionNew here?
Last 7 days (Top 10) |
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You can read a brief introduction about this wiki at explain xkcd. Feel free to create an account and contribute to the wiki! We need explanations for xkcd comics, characters, What If? articles, and everything in between. If it is referenced in an xkcd comic, it should be here.
- If you're new to wiki editing, see the explain xkcd:Editor FAQ for a specific guidance to this wiki and the more general help on how to edit wiki pages. There's also a handy wikicode cheatsheet.
- Discussion about the wiki itself happens at the Community portal.
- You can browse the comics from the list of all comics or by navigating the category tree at Category:Comics.
- The incomplete explanations are listed here. Feel free to help out by expanding them!
Rules
Don't be a jerk!
There are a lot of comics that don't have set-in-stone explanations; feel free to put multiple interpretations in the wiki page for each comic.
If you want to talk about a specific comic, use its discussion page.
Please only submit material directly related to xkcd and, of course, only submit material that can legally be posted and freely edited. Off-topic or other inappropriate content is subject to removal or modification at admin discretion, and users who repeatedly post such content will be blocked.
If you need assistance from an admin, post a message to the Admin requests board.
