Meteorite Identification (xkcd, funny)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a humorous xkcd comic related to meteorite identification, specifically focusing on a flowchart that suggests criteria for determining whether a rock is a meteorite. Participants explore the implications of the flowchart's design and its humorous elements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant highlights that the flowchart indicates that if someone saw a meteorite fall, it is classified as "Not a meteorite," which they find amusing.
  • Another participant points out that there is no "no" answer option for the question "Did someone see it fall?" suggesting a potential oversight in the flowchart's logic.
  • A subsequent comment reiterates the absence of a "no" answer, seeking clarification on the flowchart's structure.
  • A link to an external resource related to bolides is shared, though its relevance to the discussion is not elaborated upon.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express confusion regarding the flowchart's design, particularly the lack of a "no" answer. There is no consensus on the implications of this design choice, and the discussion remains somewhat unresolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not delve into the technical aspects of meteorite identification beyond the humorous context of the flowchart. Participants focus on the flowchart's presentation rather than its scientific accuracy.

collinsmark
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Today's xkcd:

Meteorite[/PLAIN] Identification
meteorite_identification.png
[Source: http://www.xkcd.com/1723/]

Clicking on the image gives you a link to an actual flowchart:

Self-Test Check-List
{image does not support hot-linking, so I removed direct link to flowchart. Click on source to get there.}
[Source: http://meteorites.wustl.edu/check-list.htm]

Note that the node, "Did someone see it fall," "Yes" points to "Not a meteorite." This is not a mistake. Ha! o0) :biggrin:

[Edit: the actual flowchart image might not display correctly in this thread, but if you click on the xkcd image or the provided source link, you can get to it that way.]
 
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collinsmark said:
Note that the node, "Did someone see it fall," "Yes" points to "Not a meteorite."
And there is no "no" answer.
 
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mfb said:
And there is no "no" answer.

o_O Where at? I don't see an optional 'no' arrow for that question.
 
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Fervent Freyja said:
o_O Where at? I don't see an optional 'no' arrow for that question.
That's what I meant. From "Did someone see it fall?", there is just an outgoing "yes" answer.
 
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