Difference between revisions of "152: Hamster Ball"

Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb.
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*[[879: Lamp]]  
 
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In the two first manages to use the concept to make penis related jokes.
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In the two first Randall manages to use the concept to make penis related jokes.
 
In the third the issue of number of wishes is discussed, from the perspective of wanting more than three wishes. The issue of wishing for more wishes is also the subject of [[1086: Eyelash Wish Log]], so it is not always enough with one or even three wishes!
 
In the third the issue of number of wishes is discussed, from the perspective of wanting more than three wishes. The issue of wishing for more wishes is also the subject of [[1086: Eyelash Wish Log]], so it is not always enough with one or even three wishes!
  

Revision as of 23:16, 7 July 2014

Hamster Ball
Reportedly, double-walled inflatable balls like this exist somewhere. Now to find that place.
Title text: Reportedly, double-walled inflatable balls like this exist somewhere. Now to find that place.

Explanation

The comic starts with a genie, who, having been freed from a magical lamp, grants the owner three wishes. The idea of a genie that does this is a very [[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GenieInABottle common trope} in the fantasy genre. Alternative spellings are jinn and djinni.

Cueball asks for a human-sized hamster ball, and when he gets it, he starts to roll around in it, obviously entertained. The genie then asks what he would like for his other two wishes, to which, having being granted already his heart's desire, he states he wouldn't need the other wishes for anything.

The title text refers to the activity of Zorbing. And later Randall found out where to get one and went on a Hamster Ball Heist, and hamster balls has been a recurring theme on xkcd since this comic.

Genies (or magic lamps) are mentioned in at least three other comics:

In the two first Randall manages to use the concept to make penis related jokes. In the third the issue of number of wishes is discussed, from the perspective of wanting more than three wishes. The issue of wishing for more wishes is also the subject of 1086: Eyelash Wish Log, so it is not always enough with one or even three wishes!

Transcript

[Cueball stands by a genie, whose lower body becomes smoke and trails down to an old-fashioned lamp.]
Genie: You have awakened me from the lamp. You may have three wishes. What does your heart desire?
Cueball: I'd like a human-sized hamster ball.
[A hamster ball appears; Cueball is inside it.]
Cueball: Sweet!
[Cueball steps to left; the ball rolls that way.]
[He does the same thing to his right.]
[Cueball comes to rest in the centre of the panel.]
Genie: And your other wishes?
Cueball: Why would I need other wishes?


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Discussion

Why does this explanation assume the Genie/Djinn is Jeannie from "I Dream Of Jeannie"? I see nothing to support that claim. 192.208.44.88 19:53, 12 August 2013 (UTC)

This comic explain is still incomplete because of this inconsistencies. --Dgbrt (talk) 22:20, 12 August 2013 (UTC)

To me this is just a common Genie (as I've seen it in most US kids' stuff). Occasionally you see Djinn, Jinn, or Djinni. I think that's all there is to it. --Quicksilver (talk) 06:08, 24 August 2013 (UTC)

I edited the article to try to reflect the view that the Jeannie reference is unintended. Personally, I see no such reference, and suggest deleting the section. --Commarchinin (talk) 13:31, 30 August 2013 (UTC)

Hi

again, 162.158.2.216, please sign your comments. ocæon (talk) 20:34, 13 July 2020 (UTC)

in the third paragraph here, the wikipedia link to "Zorbing" shows the double walled inflatable balls being significantly different to the human sized hamster balls appearing in these comics. particularly, Wayne Coyne appears to use a single walled ball for crowdsurfing, both in the 211: Hamster Ball Heist and the events [~ Wayne Coyne crowdsurfs in giant ball]. so, unfortunately, i'm not seeing any evidence to support the title text being realised and feel the paragraph should be revised. ocæon (talk) 20:34, 13 July 2020 (UTC)