Difference between revisions of "551: Etch-a-Sketch"

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(Transcript)
(Explanation)
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==Explanation==
 
==Explanation==
Cueball notices that if you draw enough on an {{w|Etch_A_Sketch|Etch-a-Sketch}}, the aluminum powder in it gets removed from the screen, allowing one to see the interior of the device (as seen [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/EtchASketch_Inside_Shown.jpg here]).
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[[Cueball]] notices that if you draw a lot on an {{w|Etch_A_Sketch|Etch-a-Sketch}}, the aluminum powder in it can be cleared from enough of the screen to allow a view of the interior (as seen [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/EtchASketch_Inside_Shown.jpg here]).
  
Cueball then proceeds to clear a window into the interior of the device, which shows him that there's a little girl inside the device, whose job is being the stylus for the Etch-a-Sketch. She suggest that they be friends, and little hearts pop up.
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Cueball then proceeds to clear a window into the device, which shows him that there's a girl inside there whose job is to act as the stylus for the Etch-a-Sketch. She suggest that they be friends, and little hearts pop up.
  
We then proceed to see that this was just a fantasy, and that in fact, the drawings get drawn by a stylus moving on two rods inside the Etch-a-Sketch. Sighing, Cueball proceeds to shake the Etch-a-Sketch, to draw something else.
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It then becomes clear that this is just a fantasy, and the reality is that the lines get drawn by a stylus moving on a simple arrangement of rods. Sighing, Cueball clears the Etch-a-Sketch by shaking it, and proceeds to draw something else.
  
 
The title text notes that the mysteries surrounding us are much more boring than we dream they are.
 
The title text notes that the mysteries surrounding us are much more boring than we dream they are.

Revision as of 22:13, 10 January 2014

Etch-a-Sketch
Surrounded by boring mysteries.
Title text: Surrounded by boring mysteries.

Explanation

Cueball notices that if you draw a lot on an Etch-a-Sketch, the aluminum powder in it can be cleared from enough of the screen to allow a view of the interior (as seen here).

Cueball then proceeds to clear a window into the device, which shows him that there's a girl inside there whose job is to act as the stylus for the Etch-a-Sketch. She suggest that they be friends, and little hearts pop up.

It then becomes clear that this is just a fantasy, and the reality is that the lines get drawn by a stylus moving on a simple arrangement of rods. Sighing, Cueball clears the Etch-a-Sketch by shaking it, and proceeds to draw something else.

The title text notes that the mysteries surrounding us are much more boring than we dream they are.

Transcript

[Cueball is playing with an Etch-a-Sketch.]
Cueball: Hey. If I draw enough lines, I can see what's behind the screen.
[Close up on the Etch-a-Sketch's screen.]
Cueball: Oh man, almost...
Etch-a-Sketch: Hi!
[Head of Megan appears behind the Etch-a-Sketch screen.]
Megan: You're cute!
Cueball: Wha—
Megan: I'm the one who draws when you turn the knobs. It's lonely in here.
Cueball: It's lonely out here too.
Megan: I'm glad you found me, then!
[Panels start to break away into thought bubbles.]
Megan: Let's be friends, and never be lonely again.
[Three hearts are shown, one of which looks like it was drawn with an Etch-a-Sketch.]
Cueball: *sigh*
[Etch-a-sketch shows what is behind the glass; it is just the mechanics of the machine.]
[Cueball shakes etch-a-sketch.]


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Discussion

I always thought he was shaking the Etch-a-Sketch in anger at finding out what was actually inside as opposed to what he thought was inside. Zowayix (talk) 02:21, 23 December 2013 (UTC)

I just thought the same actually; and "proceeds to draw something else" is just plain wrong, because the story ends before that. 141.101.99.73 12:27, 12 December 2014 (UTC)

Did someone else notice Megan looks like being in 3D? 162.158.90.212 13:40, 7 October 2015 (UTC)

Randall is always clear about showing when a character is angry or frustrated, with either smoke coming off the head, or an aggressive pose, or clenched fists, etc. None are present in this comic, so read the "*Sigh*" in the panel two panels before the erasing and you can see he's just disappointed and now hiding the letdown. 173.245.54.55 (talk) (please sign your comments with ~~~~)

before reading i thought it was just a barred window like 'you cant go there' 05:22, 19 March 2021 (UTC)05:22, 19 March 2021 (UTC)~

Megan having hands is just creepy. Beanie (talk) 13:50, 31 March 2021 (UTC)

(Or indeed generally any character in xkcd.) Beanie (talk) 13:51, 31 March 2021 (UTC)

Sometimes it is better to leave the mystery unsolved. -- The Cat Lady (talk) 22:01, 16 August 2021 (UTC)


The device isn't really "pink", it's red like a new, fresh brick. In fact, #FF0000 is closer to real life pinks than the color featured in this comic is. 172.70.250.17 07:09, 11 October 2022 (UTC)

Why does he fantasize about having sex with an Etch-a-Sketch? Well if you look at comic #230 "Hamiltonian", you will realize that he wishes to jot down his ideas while participating in sexual intercourse. User:Earless Mimikyu (talk) 05:17, 18 March 2023 (UTC)