tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post5154693911731094691..comments2024-03-17T05:03:46.056-07:00Comments on xkcd sucks: 603: IdiotsCarlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01074589998141327538noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-66759368137041625202009-10-15T21:35:33.209-07:002009-10-15T21:35:33.209-07:00i don't know what the hell you are saying. wri...i don't know what the hell you are saying. write it in 100 words or less and I will respond more.Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01074589998141327538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-68733868680909751012009-10-15T14:26:25.326-07:002009-10-15T14:26:25.326-07:00um.um.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11192581573588205095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-68984814429367060102009-10-15T00:45:35.820-07:002009-10-15T00:45:35.820-07:00http://xkcdsucks.blogspot.com/2009/07/lets-all-tak...http://xkcdsucks.blogspot.com/2009/07/lets-all-take-break-for-two-seconds.html<br /><br />Aha. TNR. As I said, sacred cows.<br /><br />---<br />The comic isn't bad, but it highlights Randall's romantic side against his cynical side. And much more importantly, it attacks sacred cows. That's why it's harder for folks at xkcd sucks to deal with, and why it's rejected on emotional grounds.<br /><br />---<br />Panel 3! The Great Reveal! Mr. Line says "HA HA FUCK YOU" and that #1 is wrong! And then when #1 says "Huh?" as in, "why did you lie to me? What does this mean? why are you such a dick" Mr. Line treats him like a stupid little bitch as though he had said "huh? what does the word 'wrong' mean?" which is pretty clearly not what he meant. Seriously, read that panel again. Doesn't it come off as douchey to the max??<br />---<br />That's not analysis. Particularly the "treats him like a stupid little bitch". This says a lot more about the author of the review than it does about the comic.<br /><br />Perhaps, to bastardize a phrase... "your dad!"<br /><br />There are so many good criticisms of xkcd here, this one stood out as a terrible, emotionally based, unwarranted criticism.<br /><br />I'm reminded of punks calling other punks sellouts at this point. (Again, even if there are plenty of unfunny xkcds, or ones with bad or unnecessary math... and the reverse polish was still unfunny.)<br /><br />Oh well. Someone on the internet was wrong.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-89633605842811708382009-10-15T00:20:41.383-07:002009-10-15T00:20:41.383-07:00---
in Panel 5 we get the lovely claim that "...---<br />in Panel 5 we get the lovely claim that "More harm has been done by people panicked over societal decline than societal decline ever did." That's an interesting one. How on earth do you measure such a thing? If one is in favor, say, of affirmative action, because I think that current non-affirmative action university admissions are racist, does that make me "panicked over societal decline"? Does it do harm, by hurting white people, or does it help the world by stopping racism? Whether you think that person is "panicking over societal decline" or not depends on where you are on the issue and how much you agree with them. So the idea that you can just go about proving a statement like Mr. Line Through Head's is absurd.<br />---<br />Yes, more damage has been done by those fighting against supposed moral decay and societal decline.<br /><br />Attaching it to affirmative action is absurd. How does affirmative action fight societal or social decline? Or how does the absence of it preserve societal or moral rectitude (unless you're Robert Byrd)?<br /><br />If one is pro-aa, then it's supposed to swing the pendulum the other way to make up for historical injustices.<br /><br />If one is anti-aa, it not only gives unfair advantage based on skin color, but it also diminishes the accomplishments of those who succeed. It's assumed they've benefited from the new power structure, and therefore aren't as qualified.<br /><br />It's also criticized because it can't change the past, it can only favor those in the present and discriminate against those born with the wrong skin color based on their ancestors' perceived advantages. Rather than bury the past, it nurtures old wounds, allowing one party to claim greivance, while it actually can create new ones by causing injury (through quota admissions, etc.) or otherwise nursing negative perceptions and creating new grievances.<br /><br />Perhaps Carl's analysis works better than he intended, as his example illustrates EXACTLY the harm done by well-meaning people panicking or introducing their plans for an ideal world. It also indicates a lack of ability to see that history existed before the 1960s.<br /><br />This just happens to be attacking his own sacred cow of believing things are good because they are, despite the facts. His example is inadvertently an excellent one.<br /><br />If one were to look at history and the neverending schemes of people who know what's best and right - from phrenology to socialism - and the "people's revolutions" - xkcd is spot on. Those preaching moral decline are invariably those who step in with "the answer" - and often it involves killing off "the stupid" - sometimes quite literally killing retarded children as in Scandinavia from the 1930s-1970s, sometimes it simply involves displacing those perceived as "stupid lower classes", sometimes it's a lot worse.<br /><br />Regardless, this comic takes a strong swipe at elitist snotty know-it-alls, illustrates that Randall can hold tea and no tea (even if he used to be funnier), and illuminates a lot more closed-mindedness than one would expect from people who by their very associations and such claim to be smart.<br /><br />Someone on the internet is wrong.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-35782061670889460312009-10-15T00:18:34.754-07:002009-10-15T00:18:34.754-07:00Of the criticisms I've read on the xkcd blog, ...Of the criticisms I've read on the xkcd blog, this one seems to miss the mark.<br /><br />It's referring to the "everybody knows what's best for you" crowd that ends up ordering people how to live because they're the "smart ones".<br /><br />It's not so much Idiocracy as it is the response from individuals about it - because that last statement from hatless is often what the type of folks who really liked Idiocracy say.<br /><br />Regardless of the social satire of the film, it's used as a plank for elitist misanthropes to go on about how much humanity sucks, often with their own ideals about who should live and how.<br /><br />It's almost a given that xkcd (and xkcd sucks) readers are smarter than the average bear (sans satire here), but this seems only to have touched on those who exhibit knee-jerk reactions to their basic view on humanity.<br /><br />Randall's romantic look at humanity, love, life, and all that mushy side of life indicates a side that wishes for the best, but he's tempered by sarcasm and cynicism. Sarcasm in inherently negative and mocking humor that builds nothing.<br /><br />In this case, it looks more like xkcd has hit a sore nerve with people who share values with hatless than anything else.<br /><br />It's like "stuff white people like" making fun of white urban hipster trendy liberal's personal sacred cows.<br /><br />---Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-89286164135569681882009-07-03T06:08:10.887-07:002009-07-03T06:08:10.887-07:00Particularly good analysis this time, Carl. I usu...Particularly good analysis this time, Carl. I usually like XKCD, but I think you were on point on this one.Tedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14115897442715398390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-17400942767787580862009-07-03T02:13:06.322-07:002009-07-03T02:13:06.322-07:00I must admit I wasn't expecting a response. Le...I must admit I wasn't expecting a response. Let me explain and retract a little.<br /><br />Well, ok, you were honest, but it doesn't really cancel out the fact that your lack of familiarity with the movie and with attitudes like the hatless guy's really impairs your criticism of this strip.<br /><br />I was confused by your reference to affirmative action, because that has nothing to do with the type of social decline that idiocracy discusses (Yes, I get it now, it's all relative.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-50615235734228864652009-07-03T00:06:47.382-07:002009-07-03T00:06:47.382-07:00Maybe that's why I admitted it? To be honest w...Maybe that's why I admitted it? To be honest with people?<br /><br />I am sorry that you do not understand my reference. I will make it simpler: A statement like the one Mr. Line makes in Panel 5 is not only stupid and not based in fact, but it is so open to interpretation that it is not possible to even decide how one would prove or disprove it.Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01074589998141327538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-6623437439773073752009-07-02T23:40:14.363-07:002009-07-02T23:40:14.363-07:00Terrible. Carl, the fact that you haven't seen...Terrible. Carl, the fact that you haven't seen Idiocracy would be fairly obvious even if you hadn't admitted it. You obviously don't understand the strip; your counter-argument makes no sense. Affirmative Action? What the fuck?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-3244059740694105902009-07-01T18:33:50.161-07:002009-07-01T18:33:50.161-07:00I actually didn't think this one was that bad....I actually didn't think this one was that bad. I wonder if Randall realised that he was mentally punching himself in the face with it, though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-41871319686078126122009-07-01T15:49:50.369-07:002009-07-01T15:49:50.369-07:00it's probably supposed to be a white hat or so...it's probably supposed to be a white hat or some shitrshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15828938843801425383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-33527637329717779322009-07-01T14:00:14.099-07:002009-07-01T14:00:14.099-07:00I see it as a straw hat.I see it as a straw hat.Ann Apolishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08566528013026340201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-55501252932794781492009-07-01T13:26:18.495-07:002009-07-01T13:26:18.495-07:00I think Mr Line Through Head's hat looks more ...I think Mr Line Through Head's hat looks more like a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brodie_helmet" rel="nofollow">Brodie helmet</a>.<br /><br />Maybe he time-travelled from the First World War, or he's into First World War re-enactments, or maybe Randall is just shit.Johnnynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-19022849016127284542009-07-01T13:15:51.943-07:002009-07-01T13:15:51.943-07:00@Wilhem: I don't know a thing about physics, s...@Wilhem: I don't know a thing about physics, so it's your word against Randall's, and because Randall is a tool that means you win. I guess that's another reason to hate that comic, beside the "electric skateboard + science = LOVE!" message.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05717170141815160544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-85952474665975209622009-07-01T10:31:54.824-07:002009-07-01T10:31:54.824-07:00604: MORE SEX! MORE CUNNILINGUS! HA-HA-HA, Randall...604: MORE SEX! MORE CUNNILINGUS! HA-HA-HA, Randall, you are one funny bastard!Philipnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-66412191961070772752009-07-01T10:30:22.802-07:002009-07-01T10:30:22.802-07:00oh damn. okay all right I am less bothered I gues...oh damn. okay all right I am less bothered I guessAmandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11192581573588205095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-2197395589300313532009-07-01T10:28:26.257-07:002009-07-01T10:28:26.257-07:00Amanda: He explicitely mentions Men in Hats in one...Amanda: He explicitely mentions Men in Hats in one of the earliest strips with Black hat guyDylannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-68991711810301770472009-07-01T10:19:12.106-07:002009-07-01T10:19:12.106-07:00@Fred
Facepalming so hard at his skateboard comic....@Fred<br />Facepalming so hard at his skateboard comic. You cannot pull a horse anywhere with 80% of a horsepower. That's not what horsepower means.<br /><br />1 hp = 550 ft*lb per second<br /><br />You cannot pull a 1000-1500 lbs animal with a force that weak, that's just common sense. Apparently Randy got his degree from a diploma mil.Wilhelmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-5162081579673070382009-07-01T09:10:56.724-07:002009-07-01T09:10:56.724-07:00Fred: I'm not talking about parodies, though.....Fred: I'm not talking about parodies, though... I'm talking straight-up references. Clearly if he parodies another comic he is talking about another comic, but I don't think he's ever actually named another comic within a non-parody.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11192581573588205095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-19328075948100760372009-07-01T08:18:25.622-07:002009-07-01T08:18:25.622-07:00@Fred:
That's what xkcd should be. Randall...@Fred:<br /><br />That's what xkcd should be. Randall's illustrated picto-blog. All this forced humor gets us contrived sex joke after sex joke.Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-80108054278832098682009-07-01T08:10:03.731-07:002009-07-01T08:10:03.731-07:00OMG I accidentally clicked a link in Randy's b...OMG I accidentally clicked a link in Randy's blog and found this god-awful comic: http://blag.xkcd.com/2008/03/Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05717170141815160544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-23742708725213609002009-07-01T07:50:08.678-07:002009-07-01T07:50:08.678-07:00lifehacker apparently likes 603:
http://lifehacke...lifehacker apparently likes 603:<br /><br />http://lifehacker.com/5305295/aviarycom-creates-edit+ready-web-screenshotsrshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15828938843801425383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-13053391538324466992009-07-01T07:43:36.465-07:002009-07-01T07:43:36.465-07:00Randall sure had patience for that sentiment in hi...Randall sure had patience for that sentiment in his other comics, though.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05717170141815160544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-76965755472003628452009-07-01T07:40:28.326-07:002009-07-01T07:40:28.326-07:00You made me love this comic, Carl. Condescending a...You made me love this comic, Carl. Condescending and insulting -- isn't that what YOUR blog is?<br /><br />Notice that I'm not criticising you and Randall for that -- I actually we need MORE of that in art. Enough with the polictically correct bullshit; people are afraid to find honesty and directness in the things they see and the only consequence of that is MORE fear of honesty and directness. Keep on shoving shit on their faces, and if they complain, shove MORE shit. It's Randall's comic, he does what he wants with it. It's your blog, you do what you want with it. Condescend. Insult. You're not doing a goddamn self-help book (or whatever you call it there).<br /><br />Besides, the comic is not merely "condescending and insulting"; it's condescending and insulting towards people WHO ARE EXACTLY THAT towards about 90% of the world. Unfortunately you can find WAY too many people who claim THEY are aware and smart, and are along in a world of stupidity. Just look at the xkcd forum! People like that should go take a walk. I have no patience for that, and I'm glad Randall hasn't either.Fernie Cantohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01753446688169468457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714810984552499396.post-41680182309036333332009-07-01T07:39:02.820-07:002009-07-01T07:39:02.820-07:00luckykaa:
If you've looked at my last few pos...luckykaa:<br /><br />If you've looked at my last few posts, I agree to this.<br /><br />But I think your post touches on one of my personal major issues with XKCD and any number of popular unfunny shit. Notice you say "xkcd makes cultural references." <i>References.</i> In no way does references have anything to do with humor. What Randy does is reference something we all know about (GOOMHR) and make a crappy sex joke. Verifying your existence on the internet is no excuse for ignoring bad humor.< /soapbox><br /><br />Sorry about the rant but I was hoping I wouldn't have to turn on my computer but since I did I figured I'd make the most of it.<br /><br />By the way, you can't copy-paste if you're anonymous or just posting your name but you can if you're logged on to Blogger or Google.Tomicalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05242578250991447381noreply@blogger.com