Editing 2349: Rabbit Introduction
Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
The edit can be undone.
Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then save the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
Latest revision | Your text | ||
Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | + | {{incomplete|Created by a RABBIT RESEARCH GRANT COMMITTEE. More needed on the title text. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | |
− | + | [[Cueball]] is giving a presentation on the {{w|pygmy rabbit}} to a group of panelists, requesting a grant to introduce the species to the Eastern United States. The head of the panel, [[Blondie]], asks about typical reasons for introducing a species. If they were native to an area, but had been locally depopulated, re-introduction can help to restore the local ecosystem, but Cueball admits this is not the case. Another reason animal populations may be introduced is to control a local pest (though [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#Effects_on_Australia's_ecology the effects of this can be difficult to predict]). Cueball seems to have no idea what the impact on the local ecosystem would be. In fact, he makes quite clear that his reasoning is simply that the creatures are tiny and cute, and he wants to spread them. He also appears to be entirely perplexed that the panel doesn't feel the same way. | |
− | + | Blondie, very reasonably, immediately moves to deny the request. Not only would such a grant expend funds for no legitimate scientific or ecological purpose, but it would risk serious and unstudied impacts on the local ecosystem. However, at this point, the other three panelists [[White Hat]], [[Megan]] and [[Hairy]] have been swayed by Cueball's unconventional argument. All three of them are visibly entranced by the cuteness of the rabbits, and appear willing to fund the request, purely based on affection for the animals. | |
− | This comic continues an | + | The title text mentions the effort to reintroduce the {{w|Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit}} back into their native area of {{w|Columbia River drainage basin}}. [https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/columbia-basin-pygmy-rabbits-washington After Nearly Going Extinct, Washington’s Pygmy Rabbits Need Room to Grow]. It refers to an "Interstate Bun Gap", suggesting a competition between states over which has the most and/or cutest rabbits. The title text may also refer to the movie "Dr. Strangelove, or how I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb", in which the character General Turgidson suggests: "Mr. President, we cannot allow a mineshaft gap!", after a full-blown thermonuclear war seems unavoidable, and presidential advisor Dr. Strangelove suggest to move the political and scientific elite underground in mineshafts. |
+ | |||
+ | This comic continues an XCKD tradition of dealing with the subjective cuteness of rabbits as a scientific discipline ([[1682: Bun]]). Munroe seems fascinated with the cuteness of lagomorphs, it being [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/Category:Buns a recurring subject in the strip]. | ||
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
− | :[Cueball is standing in front of a screen and pointing at it with a stick. On the screen is a rabbit shown next to a smartphone, some keys on a key-chain, and two coins | + | :[Cueball is standing in front of a screen and pointing at it with a stick. On the screen is a rabbit shown next to a smartphone, some keys on a key-chain, and two coins The phone is lager than the rabbit.] |
− | :Cueball: The US's smallest rabbit species is the | + | :Cueball: The US's smallest rabbit species is the Pygmy Rabbit from Great Basin area. |
:Cueball: We're seeking a grant to introduce them into the east. | :Cueball: We're seeking a grant to introduce them into the east. | ||
− | :[Blondie, White Hat, Megan and Hairy | + | :[Blondie, White Hat, Megan and Hairy sits behind a long table. Blondie leans both her arms on the table. Hairy has one arm on the table. The other two have their arms down. Cueball replies to Blondie's question from off-panel.] |
:Blondie: Are they native here? | :Blondie: Are they native here? | ||
:Cueball (off-panel): No. | :Cueball (off-panel): No. | ||
Line 28: | Line 30: | ||
:Blondie: Then...Why would you do this? | :Blondie: Then...Why would you do this? | ||
− | :[In a | + | :[In a frame-less panel Cueball is seen in front of the screen, which is seen from the side. He points to something on the screen with the pointer, while looking over his shoulder.] |
:Cueball: I don't understand. | :Cueball: I don't understand. | ||
:Cueball: Did you '''''see''''' how small they are? | :Cueball: Did you '''''see''''' how small they are? | ||
:Cueball: They're so round! | :Cueball: They're so round! | ||
− | :Cueball: '' | + | :Cueball: Those ''tiny'' ears. |
− | :[Back to the four people behind the desk. Blondie and White Hat | + | :[Back to the four people behind the desk. Blondie and White Hat in the same positions but Megan has both her hands up into her hair, and Hairy has one arm on the table, and the other is held up high with a finger pointing up.] |
− | :Blondie: I see. I'm afraid we'll | + | :Blondie: I see. I'm afraid we'll by denying your grant. |
:White Hat: Hang on. He '''''is''''' right about their ears... | :White Hat: Hang on. He '''''is''''' right about their ears... | ||
:Megan: The little feet! | :Megan: The little feet! | ||
:Hairy: I vote we fund them! | :Hairy: I vote we fund them! | ||
− | |||
{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} |