Oh, The Places You'll Go!

February 11, 2010
xkcdexplained: I knew I was in for a real treat when I saw the title of this comic strip, “Science Valentine.” With gritted teeth and heavy breaths, I actually managed to read the entire thing. Now, poor reader, I will attempt to explain it. The Author is not a scientist. He wishes that he was, but he is not and will never be one. It’s this desperate yearning that drives him to doodle fake graphs and charts that lack any data or substance behind them. He is a one-man cargo cult, playing out his ritual on the internet for hundreds of thousands to see. This comic is a metaphor for the Author’s failed relationship with science. In it, the stick figure man is the Author and the receiver of the valentine is science. He begins the narrative by doing what he does best: sitting down and miming the work of a scientist. He draws some squiggly lines and writes down some numbers. But, the more he does this, the sadder he becomes. As hard has he tries, he can’t actually do any science. He couldn’t “defend the hypothesis” that he had an aptitude for science. With this discovery, the Author officially ends his troubled relationship with science. It leaves one wondering, what is next for him? Will he still aimlessly draw “cute and funny” charts or graphs, or will they just remind him of this bitter break up? Will there be more observational humor about his perceived notion of the scientific method? Physics puns? Without a girlfriend or science to keep him company at night, what will? Maybe some feelings don’t need to be rationalized. They’re different spheres of thinking.

xkcdexplained:

I knew I was in for a real treat when I saw the title of this comic strip, “Science Valentine.” With gritted teeth and heavy breaths, I actually managed to read the entire thing. Now, poor reader, I will attempt to explain it.

The Author is not a scientist. He wishes that he was, but he is not and will never be one. It’s this desperate yearning that drives him to doodle fake graphs and charts that lack any data or substance behind them. He is a one-man cargo cult, playing out his ritual on the internet for hundreds of thousands to see.

This comic is a metaphor for the Author’s failed relationship with science. In it, the stick figure man is the Author and the receiver of the valentine is science. He begins the narrative by doing what he does best: sitting down and miming the work of a scientist. He draws some squiggly lines and writes down some numbers. But, the more he does this, the sadder he becomes. As hard has he tries, he can’t actually do any science. He couldn’t “defend the hypothesis” that he had an aptitude for science.

With this discovery, the Author officially ends his troubled relationship with science. It leaves one wondering, what is next for him? Will he still aimlessly draw “cute and funny” charts or graphs, or will they just remind him of this bitter break up? Will there be more observational humor about his perceived notion of the scientific method? Physics puns?

Without a girlfriend or science to keep him company at night, what will?

Maybe some feelings don’t need to be rationalized.
They’re different spheres of thinking.

   ♥ 34 notes  /  Link to this post Reblogged via xkcdexplained

Notes

  1. xkcdexplainedexplained reblogged this from xkcdexplained
  2. dksmfks answered: His lovingly oblivious fans.
  3. aerostatic answered: I agree, snark is not appreciated. I’d like explained what I don’t understand, not opinions. I agree with Max; I often conclude differently.
  4. wearaboot answered: This blog should be my valentine.
  5. integers answered: I ALWAYS GET THE FEELING THAT THE PERSON WRITING THESE IS THE PERSON MAKING THE COMMENTS. cheer up, cherub!
  6. kirindave answered: I wish I had never read this comic. I almost couldn’t get past the first panel. I should have listened to my instincts.
  7. oh-theplacesyoullgo reblogged this from xkcdexplained and added:
    feelings don’t need to...rationalized. They’re different spheres
  8. jayrobinson answered: It’s kinda funnier when they simply explain as if I’m from Mars, yet without being a dick about it.
  9. jaggedfragments answered: More explanation. Less snarky douchebaggery. kthx.
  10. myhope-myjoy answered: :( math.
  11. chase108 answered: I wish there was a blog that explained xkcd without hating on it at the same time.
  12. xkcdexplained posted this