Editing 2096: Mattresses

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==Explanation==
 
==Explanation==
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{{incomplete|Created by a Podcast Host. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
  
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Cueball is talking to Ponytail about his mattress, in what appears to be a casual conversation. Cueball suddenly offers to take any questions from listeners, as though the conversation were part of a podcast, which confuses Ponytail. The subtitle explains that Randall has heard so many advertisements for certain products on podcasts that he can't discuss them without feeling as though he's in a podcast himself.
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Podcasts, typically audio-only programs which are available online either through RSS feeds or on specific websites, are often funded by ads. In 2018, many podcasts (or at least, many podcasts that Randall listens to) contained ads by {{w|Casper Sleep|Casper}} (a mattress brand), MeUndies (an underwear brand), and {{w|Stamps.com}} (an internet-based mailing/shipping service).
  
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{{w|Podcast}}s are, usually, audio-only programs available online, which frequently generate income through advertisements. Ads are often read by the podcast host. Hosts will often include segues or personal anecdotes to further reduce the "topical whiplash" caused by abruptly switching subjects from that of the podcast to an unrelated brand plug and back.
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In addition, to reduce the chances that their listeners will skip or fast-forward through ads, ads are often read out by the podcast hosts. They will often include segues and personal anecdotes to further reduce the "topical whiplash" caused by abruptly switching subjects from that of the podcast to an unrelated brand plug, and back.
  
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In 2018, many podcasts, or at least many podcasts that Randall listens to, contained ads by {{w|Casper Sleep|Casper}} or {{w|Helix Sleep|Helix Sleep}}, both of which are mattress brands, MeUndies or Tommy John, both underwear brands, and {{w|Stamps.com}}, an internet-based mailing/shipping service.
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The title text references [https://www.fastcompany.com/3065928/sleepopolis-casper-bloggers-lawsuits-underside-of-the-mattress-wars this article] on a mattress review site that makes money through affiliate sales, and its legal battle with a mattress company. It also references the way that podcast hosts will often note when they unintentionally endorse a product sponsor in an attempt to remain transparent about their financial supporters.
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The title text (here named the mouseover text) refers to [https://www.fastcompany.com/3065928/sleepopolis-casper-bloggers-lawsuits-underside-of-the-mattress-wars "The War To Sell You A Mattress Is An Internet Nightmare"], which is an article about the pressures companies put on reviewers, the legal battle between a mattress review site that makes money through affiliate sales, and a mattress company unhappy with a review. Since saying anything unfavorable about mattresses might open one to legal action, the title text author opted to avoid them entirely. However, it turns out this was a sponsored message by the "floor industry", and is meant to increase rates of sleeping on the floor. It also references the way that podcast hosts will often note when they intentionally or unintentionally endorse a product sponsor in an attempt to remain transparent about their financial supporters.
 
  
 
==Transcript==
 
==Transcript==
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==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
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The image was originally posted as an indexed image with only a 3-color map (white, black, and grey), leading to graphical artifacts in place of a smooth blur between black and white. Most of Randall's comic images are indexed images with over 200 different grayscale colors. The original image can be seen [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/archive/8/84/20190109163710%21mattresses.png here].
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The image was originally posted without a smooth blur between black and white, leading to graphical artifacts. The original image can be seen [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/archive/8/84/20190109163710%21mattresses.png here].
  
 
{{comic discussion}}
 
{{comic discussion}}

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