What's the Connection Between XKCD and Scientific Communication?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers around the popular webcomic XKCD and its connection to scientific communication. Participants share their favorite XKCD comics, highlighting their humor and relevance to technical topics. Randall Munroe, the creator of XKCD, is acknowledged for his contributions to visualizing complex scientific concepts. The discussion also touches on the cultural impact of XKCD within the physics community, with references to various comics that resonate with the participants' experiences.

PREREQUISITES
  • Familiarity with webcomics, specifically XKCD
  • Understanding of scientific communication principles
  • Basic knowledge of humor in technical contexts
  • Awareness of the physics community and its culture
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the complete XKCD archive at xkcd.com
  • Research the impact of humor in scientific communication
  • Investigate the role of webcomics in education and outreach
  • Learn about Randall Munroe's other works and contributions to science
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for educators, science communicators, and anyone interested in the intersection of humor and science, particularly within the physics community.

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  • #32
tech_support_cheat_sheet.png
 
  • #33
This one has a bad word, but so true. I've added a few more to the graph. Mangoes would definitely belong in the upper left.
http://xkcd.com/388/
 
  • #34
Chi Meson said:
This one has a bad word, but so true. I've added a few more to the graph. Mangoes would definitely belong in the upper left.
http://xkcd.com/388/

Bananas should be just above the x-axis. They're nice and neutral and can be put on almost anything.

And what's he have against oranges. I like oranges. Especially those little ones called clementines. They even have a song about them that you sing while you eat them.

"Oh, my darling
Oh, my darling
Oh, my darling, clementine"
 
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  • #35
BobG said:
And what's he have against oranges. I like oranges. Especially those little ones called clementines. They even have a song about them that you sing while you eat them.


Clementines are not oranges. Clementines are tangerines. Tangerines (C. reticulata) are just as different from oranges (C. sinensis) as oranges are from lemons (C. limon).
 
  • #36
Chi Meson said:
This one has a bad word, but so true. I've added a few more to the graph. Mangoes would definitely belong in the upper left.
http://xkcd.com/388/

I like Grapefruits. :-(
 
  • #37
I probably have never had a "good" grapefruit, living in New England. The few times I've been to Florida, I have learned what a really good orange tastes like. I found no time to experiment with any other citrus.

If you read the mouse-over text, you will find the comment on coconuts.

And I also would not place cherries that far on the "easy" side. I have a $900 tooth, thanks to a freaking cherry.

Also, fresh figs go in the upper left corner. You can eat everything but the stem.

Starfruit goes in the lower right. Persimmons go somewhere between peaches and seedless grapes.
 
  • #38
I like these:
Python: http://xkcd.com/353/
Purity: http://xkcd.com/435/

And here is Randall Munroe giving a talk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zJOS0sV2a24&hl=de_DE&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zJOS0sV2a24&hl=de_DE&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
 
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  • #39
I just got my new xkcd shirt yesterday (Wearing it now):

shark_shirt_300.png


based on this comic (too long to post as an image I think):
http://xkcd.com/585/
 
  • #40
My favorite XKCD is this one:

http://www.xkcd.com/386/

duty_calls.png


Probably because it reminds me of my boyfriend. He's addicted to ars technica.
 
  • #41
engkatiemarie said:
My favorite XKCD is this one:

http://www.xkcd.com/386/

View attachment 22595

Probably because it reminds me of my boyfriend. He's addicted to ars technica.

That comic is the story of 90% of my PF participation. It also describes the motivation behind academic philosophy. Rarely does anyone say anything new. Every paper written just points out something that someone else was wrong about :-p.
 

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