Editing 1994: Repairs

This graph depicts the sentiment created by the act of repairing something, depending on the time it took (x-axis) and ensuing result (y-axis). The degree of triumph and exultation (expressed in sentences in quotes inside the graph)  is strongly enhanced by the time the operation takes, and is also positively correlated with the result (if any). Actions during the repair process are described in sentences without quotes.  

The conclusions are rather optimistic; the most negative feeling expressed (after the maximum time of repair with minimum degree of success) is a threat against other objects that might have plans to break.

The graph shows a main path most of his fixes apparently usually take (solid line) along with some variations they sometimes take (dotted lines).  Projects usually start out with items that mostly work, but have minor problems.  Occasionally they just need a cleaning (first dotted line).  If that doesn't work, he takes them partly apart, and then there are times he's able to put them back together and get them to either work completely (one branch of a dotted line) or get it back to the condition it started out in (other branch of a dotted line), at which point he doesn't tempt fate by continuing, knowing what's likely to happen if he continues messing with it.  When it's still not working, he takes it apart more completely, starts doing less reversible things like cutting wires, and finally starts watching {{w|YouTube}} videos hopefully showing the right way to fix it, or at least how others fixed it.  This takes it to a state just one step above "Will never work again", after which there can be several results:  One dotted line shows it's restored to being fully fixed and he feels victorious and proud that all the hard work paid off, and he thinks he deserves a {{w|Nobel Prize}} for his efforts. The next dotted line is when he gets it partially working again, and gives up, satisfied to at least not have completely destroyed it even though it's a little worse than before.  The third, main path result is total failure, which he could take as a personal failure but to which he instead responds with humor by admonishing the rest of his possessions not to develop minor problems otherwise the same total destruction might happen to them.  This path ends up a partial step below "Will never work again" so it's unclear what that state is... maybe that's the "throw it away" state.

The title text shows another excuse for failure. Nobody would spend five hours being a trash compactor. One could however claim to be separating the different parts for sorting into recycling bins, or separating the parts that aren't themselves damaged by the process from those that will no longer be of use to anyone. This still doesn't have any tangible benefits for the one doing the sorting (although it might earn them points with the recipient).

A similar sentiment was expressed in [[349: Success]]. However, in [[349: Success]] the computer would keep developing new problems and putting Cueball in worse and worse situations while in this comic it is just that Randall has increasing trouble fixing the issue as time wears on.