xkcd

by **lamaros** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 1:59 pm UTC

I read these forums because people make funny jokes in the comic threads. I posted a response once and had to register. Which means I also have to introduce myself, it seems.

I'm 25 and have not had to do maths for 7 years. I've never felt more alive.

by **aleflamedyud** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 4:06 pm UTC

VirtualVoid wrote:
aleflamedyud wrote:My name's Eli (hence the screen-name, for you language geeks),

Not to be confused with ayinlamedyud.

Very true. My name does not come at the end of the phrase "Atah chayav lamut ..." in a pop song. BTW, anyone know THIS PHRASE SELF-CENSORED TO AVOID MOD INTERFERENCE*?

petfish/Allison: apparently you're one of those people who isn't at all shy when she can't see the people to be shy to?

* Why should copyright laws apply internationally anyway? You can't get a legal copy of "Atah chayav lamut alai" anywhere in the Western Hemisphere!

by **Fantastic Idea** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 5:19 pm UTC

lamaros wrote:I read these forums because people make funny jokes in the comic threads. I posted a response once and had to register. Which means I also have to introduce myself, it seems.

I'm 25 and have not had to do maths for 7 years. I've never felt more alive.

I feel you on that. Maths are not my friends. But people here are. Welcome!

by **anon.amos** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 6:52 pm UTC

hi, i'm anon.amos, i live in jakarta and i like hawaiian pizza.

by **pirogo** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 7:09 pm UTC

OKayyyyyy, so...
I {guess||hope} I'm a fairly average visitor to this forum, as I am

\begin{itemize}
\item A math geek (PhD, actually (getting unemployed soon (*scared*) ) )
\item A former Mensa member, IQ 142 (left, coz they waz stupid

)
\item Yeah, language, romance, all that
\item especially romance, heartbroken, longtime -- lonely :-/
\item also lang - I did learn lojban before the comic (and esperanto, arabic, japanese etc - and did not really keep it :-/ )
\item Way too socially inept (euphemistic: very very very very shy) to even chat online
\item There is a specific pair of words, that if you google them, you will be led to my private home page (no, not talking 'bout my name (that disclaimer ruined the effect, somehow...))
\item whatever
\item however, raptors - wtf (but still, hey yeah, I can dig it!)
\end{itemize}

So, please love me!

by **pirogo** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 7:13 pm UTC

(BTW, my nick, pirogo, is related to my name not to megatokyo (altho, I damit being a fan 4 some time (I also admit (confession time!) to really like abb.s and inet slang, whenever 'artistically appropriate') (and to a LISP style manner of expressing yourself :-)

) ) )

by **Laogeodritt** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 8:59 pm UTC

Ha, I understood the LISP reference when you got to "confession time!". <.<

Well, welcome, Pirogo! Just for your information, you can edit your posts at any time using the "Edit" button; it's (usually) preferably to edit one's post rather than double post (although I'm not sure about this forum), unless you have to make sure that the new post is read. (I usually only do that in literary roleplays and in topics about a project, if I'm making a status update, &c.)

And welcome, everybody else.

by **riot** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 9:12 pm UTC

Yo, recently found the comic and I'm completely hooked.

One of my favs.

and another...

by **adamfurry** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 10:25 pm UTC

Sadly, I just discovered this comic strip, but I caught up to speed in a couple hours. Since there were only a couple jokes that were over my head, I figured the forums would be a good read. I enjoy the math, physics, linguistics, and programming jokes, so I should fit in nicely. I admit, I will mostly be a lurker, since it seems that most good points I would have to make, someone has already made.

by **Ian Ex Machina** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 10:38 pm UTC

Hey,
I'm Ian, and I'm an ~~alcoholic~~ student, and still a fully functioning human being.
I'm from the UK, have no real understanding of computer programming, but enjoy the sciencey parts of the comics.
I'm shy or depending on time or mood an idiot

I also can't write long introductions.

Edit: But oooh I just saw a confessional thread, it's always fun to share dark secrets.

by **petfish** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 2:29 am UTC

aleflamedyud wrote:petfish/Allison: apparently you're one of those people who isn't at all shy when she can't see the people to be shy to?

Ooh. I wasn't on stage except when we were testing the light setup. I just worked a few 20 hour days in a row as an assistant to one of the Penny Arcade employees. (It's still kind of mindbending to think of a webcomic that grew into having its own office, business and staff.) I was basically everywhere, making sure things were going right. I was too busy to be shy!

by **Vengeful Donut** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 2:35 am UTC

Hi.
In order to convince you that I'm not a spambot, I'm going to let you know that I did feel sad when littlefoot's mother died in land before time. I think I may have cried; I was pretty young when I first saw it.

Oh, and I'm a 21 year old undergrad in math, although a bot would be able to lie about something like that.

by **J Dizzle** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 3:32 am UTC

Hello there!

I have liked XKCD for the last six months or so, and I figured that it would be cool to join the community.

We shall see in the comming weeks/months whether or not this was a good idea...

by **Janune** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 5:35 am UTC

I am 19, female, and I live somewhere along the east coat of the USA.

My pastimes include eating pomegranates and studying alchemy; I am a general spiritualist. I enjoy collecting shiny things and writing poetry, and swingsets, especially swingsets. I make doing nothing look awesome. I am omnisexual ; it sounds better than pansexual (ohhh, KITCHENWARE, harder, harder!) as well as bisexual, which makes people think you’re hypersexual or something. Holy god, hypersexual is a word by MSWord’s standards? Damn.

…

Okay, done wiki-ing what hypersexual actually is. Anyway, I own a Pomeranian that even I make fun of, and my walls are bat-infested. I’ve been wearing a robe all day. Uhm. Yeah.

HAI!

by **aleflamedyud** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 6:31 am UTC

petfish wrote:
aleflamedyud wrote:petfish/Allison: apparently you're one of those people who isn't at all shy when she can't see the people to be shy to?

Ooh. I wasn't on stage except when we were testing the light setup. I just worked a few 20 hour days in a row as an assistant to one of the Penny Arcade employees. (It's still kind of mindbending to think of a webcomic that grew into having its own office, business and staff.) I was basically everywhere, making sure things were going right. I was too busy to be shy!

I meant on this board. People type far more on boards than they would say in person because:

1) They can't see their audience. This supposedly removes much of the fear that goes with speaking to people.
2) If someone doesn't want to read what you have to say, they can scroll down, so it's not impolite to write long posts.

Oh, and I think that comic with the nihilists and the squirrels is a load of crap. To get to that kind of attitude, you don't just have to disregard religion or metaphysical philosophy, you have to basically disregard all thoughts about the future. You have to stop caring if the cops pull you out of the tree and throw you in jail or if everyone around you thinks you should grow up. You have to stop caring about getting bit by racoons or falling out of trees. Finally, you have to stop caring about what the hell you see in climbing random trees to look for squirrels in the first place when you could be skiing, mountain climbing, caving, or anything else really adventurous.

In short, even when you throw out all metaphysical considerations, you still have to consider your own desires and your own well-being. All of a sudden, the world turns lame again, full of fears to avoid and desires to seek.

by **lamaros** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 6:34 am UTC

Meaux_Pas wrote:
lamaros wrote:I read these forums because people make funny jokes in the comic threads. I posted a response once and had to register. Which means I also have to introduce myself, it seems.

I'm 25 and have not had to do maths for 7 years. I've never felt more alive.

I feel you on that. Maths are not my friends. But people here are. Welcome!

I'm actually pretty good at maths. I have a natural aptitude for logic. I just didn't enjoy it that much after a while and dropped it completely.

by **Sum Ergo Sum** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 7:02 am UTC

I'm Chris, an undergrad math/physics student from New York (the state, not the city.) Interests include math, physics, playing trombone, and mercilessly making fun of nontrombonists.

by **eternal luna** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:19 am UTC

Hi everyone, my name is Paula Abul, and before you have to read over that, no, not like the singer- note the lack of "d". I live in Australia, have an obsession with Latin and Rubik's cubes and found the site while looking for a possible tattoo design (people were deciding which comic they would get done- I would choose "Insomnia"). Have become addicted to the comics ever since, glad to be here

by **Jingles** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 11:30 am UTC

Ok so this is my second post - whoops, I don't understand forums...oh well :shock:

I am a student in Work Avoidance and Procrastination Studies. Which might explain why Im here.

I picked the name Jingles for online gaming coz I thought it would be kind of funny when people got railgunned by someone with a name like a fairy

I dont get some of the computer code jokes, but I do enjoy a good pun

END TRANSMISSION

Click link. Receive my face. · by **bbctol** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 2:17 pm UTC

Sum Ergo Sum wrote:I'm Chris, an undergrad math/physics student from New York (the state, not the city.) Interests include math, physics, playing trombone, and mercilessly making fun of nontrombonists.

We're up to... what? Four trombonists on the fora?

Power, brotha.

by **stet** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 6:30 pm UTC

Hi, I've been lurking a bit for a while now and decided I'd give it a go.

I'm a 20 year old student. I like talking to people. I go out partying a lot but I much prefer a quiet chat with my friends. I sing really loudly in Portuguese sometimes, even though I don't speak it.

by **Taedeor** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:09 pm UTC

Hi! I found the comic this summer and fell completely in love with it. I've decided to join the fora because, well, I'm a serious procrastinator. I have homework and college apps I should be finishing, as well as practicing viola.

by **Larson** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 11:19 pm UTC

Hi,
I went to high school with davean and xkcd. I've been into computers of all shapes, sizes, and ages since I was a wee lad, which has developed an unhealthy obsession. I've seen the comic here and there and it's always been hilarious, so here I am.

Click link. Receive my face. · by **bbctol** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 11:22 pm UTC

Larson wrote:Hi,
I have been in the presence of the divine. I've been into computers of all shapes, sizes, and ages since I was a wee lad, which has developed an unhealthy obsession. I've seen the comic here and there and it's always been hilarious, so here I am.

Dost thou remember any of their youthful wisdom, that thou might'st impart it unto us?

by **Larson** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 11:38 pm UTC

bbctol wrote:Dost thou remember any of their youthful wisdom, that thou might'st impart it unto us?

Youthful wisdom? We were born as twenty-somethings and hit our heads on computers during the process. Not much else to say. :lol:

Our fathers were salty sailors and our mothers 486's.

I kid, I'm just going to keep my mouth shut.

by **Methylparaban** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 12:14 am UTC

Hey, I'm Matt. I got my username off the ingredients of a Lander Advanced Skin Care lotion bottle. I like to do crap outdoors and play paintball. And sit on my ass inside looking at webcomics.

Exciting life, I might say.

by **typicalspoon** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:10 am UTC

hi, i'm max. i've made a lot of mistakes. i already made a post somewhere before now, for instance.

23, PDX, art school dropout twice over. cartoonist, freelance whatever-er (it varies), music teacher/performer.

xkcd is new-ish to me, pointed this way by a guy who programs. i get all my internet from a 24-hour cafe.

um, that'll have to do. hello.

by **petfish** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:21 am UTC

aleflamedyud wrote:I meant on this board. People type far more on boards than they would say in person because:

1) They can't see their audience. This supposedly removes much of the fear that goes with speaking to people.
2) If someone doesn't want to read what you have to say, they can scroll down, so it's not impolite to write long posts.

Given I've been dorking around on the internets for over a decade, I guess it didn't really occur to me that you meant the fora. It's like . . . of course the internet is different.

by **jaydoubleyou** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 2:26 am UTC

hello. Let me introduce my self: ..... crap, already hit a block. do i use my name, or my user name? we'll go with the user name. jaydoubleyou. my older sister made it up for me about 10 years ago, and i've stuck with it. (guess what my initials are? hint: i was psuedo named after John Wayne). the only other name that I can think of (besides my birth name) is 4A6F65, which nobody really knows about anyways, 'cause i dont tell it to people: kind of a graffiti tag, self-naming, kind of thing. so ... yeah, don't tell the cops.

other than that I am:

a 22 year old comp sci major with a focus in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics;
// I would much rather be a philosophy major, but there is no money in that.
a line cook;
not sure I want to spend the rest of my life in front of a computer;
//my eyes are already getting really bad... and that worries me.
an avid reader;
//my favorite philosopher is Thoreau. I will more than likely end up living alone in the woods for an extended period of time.
//I am also not a big fan of government. not because of any specific thing (war in iraq, anyone?), but because
//life would be much better in a 'state of nature'. for further reading, I suggest "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn. or "civil //disobedience" by thoreau.

I dropped out of college about 2 years ago in order to find myself. It took me about a year, but i finally came to the conclusion that finishing school is probably for the best (even though i've self taught myself pretty much all the programming languages i know; really most things that I have learned in the last 5 or so years). The one major thing that rubbed off on me during this time is that it seems that happiness and money are mutually exclusive. As much as I enjoy working with computers, I actually enjoy being a line cook more. this worries me.

by **aleflamedyud** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 2:39 am UTC

Wait, wait, how are happiness and money mutually exclusive? You get the money needed to live how you want by being really good at what you love. Then you do what you love.

I mean, sure, I'm just some naive college kid, but so are you!

by **jaydoubleyou** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 2:51 am UTC

I suppose I should have been more clear: happiness and money are mutually exclusive in the fact that what gets one money is not what makes one the most happy... for my specific life. If I could cook and earn the same amount of buying power as i (hopefully) will as a code monkey, than I would cook. however, this simply is not going to happen.

so although i thoroughly enjoy both activites (cooking and coding), I enjoy one exponentially more than the other. Sadly, it is not the one that gets me the cash money. therefore, happiness and money are mutually exclusive for me.

by **Angelene** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 2:53 am UTC

aleflamedyud wrote:Wait, wait, how are happiness and money mutually exclusive? You get the money needed to live how you want by being really good at what you love. Then you do what you love.

I mean, sure, I'm just some naive college kid, but so are you!

True that.

It's only the lucky few that get to make a living out of what they love, when you enter the real world your hopes and dreams will be dashed by this realisation. Stay in school forever!

by **Taedeor** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 3:05 am UTC

jaydoubleyou wrote:for further reading, I suggest "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn. or "civil //disobedience" by thoreau.

Ishmael's awesome!!! It was required summer reading for my AP Environmental Science class. It was surprising when a summer-assigned book was actually really meeaningful and worthwhile.

by **jaydoubleyou** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 3:20 am UTC

CaraInFrames wrote:
aleflamedyud wrote:Wait, wait, how are happiness and money mutually exclusive? You get the money needed to live how you want by being really good at what you love. Then you do what you love.

I mean, sure, I'm just some naive college kid, but so are you!

True that.

It's only the lucky few that get to make a living out of what they love, when you enter the real world your hopes and dreams will be dashed by this realisation. Stay in school forever!

theres the rub: I want to be one of those lucky few. why should my dreams be dashed? or, to look at it another way, whats wrong with my dreams that they can not exist in the world? or, what is wrong with our perception of the world that it will not allow my dreams to flourish? I don't know. So I have decided to go with what I think that I do know.

but I don't think staying in school forever is a desirable or feasible option. school is merely a training ground. real knowledge comes from within, not from professors and exams. I would even be willing to say that most professors actually hold you back from any real wisdom.

Professors, you make us grow old
-Graffiti seen in France, 1968

by **Angelene** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 3:23 am UTC

jaydoubleyou wrote:
theres the rub: I want to be one of those lucky few. why should my dreams be dashed? or, to look at it another way, whats wrong with my dreams that they can not exist in the world? or, what is wrong with our perception of the world that it will not allow my dreams to flourish? I don't know. So I have decided to go with what I think that I do know.

but I don't think staying in school forever is a desirable or feasible option. school is merely a training ground. real knowledge comes from within, not from professors and exams. I would even be willing to say that most professors actually hold you back from any real wisdom.

Ah, I wasn't being entirely serious in my proposition, merely alluding to the comfort that can be found in avoiding the reality of the working world. After spending six years in university and being faced with the prospect of employment while being both entirely clueless as to what I want to do and entirely resigned to having to do something I won't enjoy I'm feeling a tad disillusioned.

But, this is all entirely off-topic, WELCOME, etc etc.

by **jaydoubleyou** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 3:38 am UTC

thanks, glad to be here. also, sorry for getting all 42 on you so fast. it happens sometimes.

by **AdmiralJustin** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 3:41 am UTC

Since, yanno, I actually checked the documentation (rules) against my own better judgement, I'd thought I'd follow them (also against my own better judgement)

I've been reading the comic for ages, and lurking on the forums quite a while.

I am, however, questioning the superiority of my own judgement. Can I have one of yours for comparison?

by **Angelene** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 3:47 am UTC

jaydoubleyou wrote:thanks, glad to be here. also, sorry for getting all 42 on you so fast. it happens sometimes.

Hmm, what?

On a semi related side-note, it feels nice to reach out and greet newcomers actually, even if I'm hardly an old-timer myself, I've gotten quite comfy here already...I retract my previous sentiments.

by **jaydoubleyou** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:06 am UTC

CaraInFrames wrote:On a semi related side-note, it feels nice to reach out and greet newcomers actually, even if I'm hardly an old-timer myself, I've gotten quite comfy here already...I retract my previous sentiments.

glad to help your day be better!

oh, and 42 is life, the universe, and everything. its from the hitch hiker's guide to the galaxy. i'm not sure if its really possible to "get all 42 on you", but it kinda means to get into a deep discussion... maybe?

by **Angelene** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:09 am UTC

jaydoubleyou wrote:
oh, and 42 is life, the universe, and everything. its from the hitch hiker's guide to the galaxy. i'm not sure if its really possible to "get all 42 on you", but it kinda means to get into a deep discussion... maybe?

Ah yes, bien sur, what's the meaning of life? 42. Yes. I did know that. Totally failed to make the connection there, but I'd guess that maybe someone who keeps Adams at the forefront of their mind would've had an instant dawning realisation as to what it was you were referring.

<edit> "instant...dawning"? That can't be right, surely it's one or the other. Shame on me. </edit>

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