We got in touch with Randall! If you have some simple questions that we can't answer without his help, please post them here! There are still 62 explanations we need to complete. Please help up finish them! Also, help us explain Randall's What If? articles! We need to add the missing explanations and improve the existing ones. 909: Worst-Case Shopping Explain xkcd It's 'cause you're dumb. PrevComic #909 (June 8, 2011) Next Worst-Case Shopping Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Title text: Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Explanation For most people, under most circumstances, a flashlight's water-resistance is a completely moot point, as most flashlight use occurs on dry land. But, as Randall has shown before, there is a tendency for people to imagine elaborate scenarios in which an extra edge would be useful. In the dream sequence over the first 2 and a half frames, Cueball appears to be diving to find a key underwater, which he spots using his flashlight when he is at 8 meters. His flashlight goes out at 10 meters because he bought the "Hi-Brite" model. The dream sequence also references a "radio shed", which were only really used in the past for amateur radios or some other military style bases/compounds---which would align with his "warn the President" line. He thus suggests the more water-resistant flashlight. However, this is seen as ridiculous from his friend, since the more durable model costs over $25 more in return. He replies that "you never know" what situation you'll be in. The title text takes Cueball's thought process to the next level. If he is getting a flashlight that works to 40 meters (worst-case), he should probably be prepared for even deeper waters as well (even worse-case). This comic is similar to 761: DFS. Transcript [Cueball is diving in very deep, dark blue water. He shines a flashlight at the sea floor.] Cueball (thinks): Eight meters. There's the wreckage... Yes! I see the key! [As he swims further toward it, his flashlight starts to cut out.] Cueball (thinks): Gotta grab it, surface, get in to the radio shed, and warn the President! Just a few more... Flashlight: BZZT FIZZ [This panel has no border like the others, and is divided in half diagonally by a thought bubble.] [The left half of it is a dark blue thought bubble with the diver inside it. On the right hand side are packaged flashlights hanging on a shelf. The one called Hi-Brite is $24.95 and is labeled "water resistant to 10 meters." The one called "FenStar G6" is $49.95 and says "water resistant to 40 meters."] Cueball (thinks): Oh no. [Cueball and a friend stand in front of a flashlight display in a store. Cueball looks down at the packages with his hand on his chin in thought. The thought bubble from the previous panel leads from his head. The friend stands behind him.] Cueball: ...maybe I should spring for the deeper water resistance. Friend: Why on earth would you care about that? Cueball: Look, you never know. comment.png Add comment new topic.png Create topic (use sparingly) refresh discuss.png Refresh Discussion Pretty much the mentality of any multi-tool buyer. I probably only need a knife and file in most cases, but I'll *never* need anything else if I buy a leatherman! 01:41, 17 April 2013 (UTC) Of course the real reason to buy the higher water resistance is that the standatd "water resistant" figures are highly optimistic being based on static pressure only. -- plugwash 16:45, 18 March 2014 (UTC) Spot on -- The Cat Lady (talk) 12:37, 22 August 2021 (UTC) comment.png Add comment Categories: All 2011 Comics from JuneWednesday comicsComics featuring CueballComics with Multiple Cueballs Navigation menu Not logged accountLog in EditView historySearch Search explain xkcd Main page Latest comic Community portal xkcd xkcd.com Recent changes Random page All comics Browse comics RSS feed Help Tools What links here Related changes Special pages Printable version Permanent link Page information Follow @explain xkcd Ads This page was last edited on 14 November 2024. Privacy explain xkcd by MediaWikiCreative

We got in touch with Randall! If you have some simple questions that we can't answer without his help, please post them here! There are still 62 explanations we need to complete. Please help up finish them! Also, help us explain Randall's What If? articles! We need to add the missing explanations and improve the existing ones. 909: Worst-Case Shopping Explain xkcd It's 'cause you're dumb. PrevComic #909 (June 8, 2011) Next Worst-Case Shopping Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Title text: Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Explanation For most people, under most circumstances, a flashlight's water-resistance is a completely moot point, as most flashlight use occurs on dry land. But, as Randall has shown before, there is a tendency for people to imagine elaborate scenarios in which an extra edge would be useful. In the dream sequence over the first 2 and a half frames, Cueball appears to be diving to find a key underwater, which he spots using his flashlight when he is at 8 meters. His flashlight goes out at 10 meters because he bought the "Hi-Brite" model. The dream sequence also references a "radio shed", which were only really used in the past for amateur radios or some other military style bases/compounds---which would align with his "warn the President" line. He thus suggests the more water-resistant flashlight. However, this is seen as ridiculous from his friend, since the more durable model costs over $25 more in return. He replies that "you never know" what situation you'll be in. The title text takes Cueball's thought process to the next level. If he is getting a flashlight that works to 40 meters (worst-case), he should probably be prepared for even deeper waters as well (even worse-case). This comic is similar to 761: DFS. Transcript [Cueball is diving in very deep, dark blue water. He shines a flashlight at the sea floor.] Cueball (thinks): Eight meters. There's the wreckage... Yes! I see the key! [As he swims further toward it, his flashlight starts to cut out.] Cueball (thinks): Gotta grab it, surface, get in to the radio shed, and warn the President! Just a few more... Flashlight: BZZT FIZZ [This panel has no border like the others, and is divided in half diagonally by a thought bubble.] [The left half of it is a dark blue thought bubble with the diver inside it. On the right hand side are packaged flashlights hanging on a shelf. The one called Hi-Brite is $24.95 and is labeled "water resistant to 10 meters." The one called "FenStar G6" is $49.95 and says "water resistant to 40 meters."] Cueball (thinks): Oh no. [Cueball and a friend stand in front of a flashlight display in a store. Cueball looks down at the packages with his hand on his chin in thought. The thought bubble from the previous panel leads from his head. The friend stands behind him.] Cueball: ...maybe I should spring for the deeper water resistance. Friend: Why on earth would you care about that? Cueball: Look, you never know. comment.png Add comment new topic.png Create topic (use sparingly) refresh discuss.png Refresh Discussion Pretty much the mentality of any multi-tool buyer. I probably only need a knife and file in most cases, but I'll *never* need anything else if I buy a leatherman! 01:41, 17 April 2013 (UTC) Of course the real reason to buy the higher water resistance is that the standatd "water resistant" figures are highly optimistic being based on static pressure only. -- plugwash 16:45, 18 March 2014 (UTC) Spot on -- The Cat Lady (talk) 12:37, 22 August 2021 (UTC) comment.png Add comment Categories: All 2011 Comics from JuneWednesday comicsComics featuring CueballComics with Multiple Cueballs Navigation menu Not logged accountLog in EditView historySearch Search explain xkcd Main page Latest comic Community portal xkcd xkcd.com Recent changes Random page All comics Browse comics RSS feed Help Tools What links here Related changes Special pages Printable version Permanent link Page information Follow @explain xkcd Ads This page was last edited on 14 November 2024. Privacy explain xkcd by MediaWikiCreative

We got in touch with Randall! If you have some simple questions that we can't answer without his help, please post them here! There are still 62 explanations we need to complete. Please help up finish them! Also, help us explain Randall's What If? articles! We need to add the missing explanations and improve the existing ones. 909: Worst-Case Shopping Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb. PrevComic #909 (June 8, 2011) Next Worst-Case Shopping Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Title text: Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Explanation For most people, under most circumstances, a flashlight's water-resistance is a completely moot point, as most flashlight use occurs on dry land. But, as Randall has shown before, there is a tendency for people to imagine elaborate scenarios in which an extra edge would be useful. In the dream sequence over the first 2 and a half frames, Cueball appears to be diving to find a key underwater, which he spots using his flashlight when he is at 8 meters. His flashlight goes out at 10 meters because he bought the "Hi-Brite" model. The dream sequence also references a "radio shed", which were only really used in the past for amateur radios or some other military style bases/compounds---which would align with his "warn the President" line. He thus suggests the more water-resistant flashlight. However, this is seen as ridiculous from his friend, since the more durable model costs over $25 more in return. He replies that "you never know" what situation you'll be in. The title text takes Cueball's thought process to the next level. If he is getting a flashlight that works to 40 meters (worst-case), he should probably be prepared for even deeper waters as well (even worse-case). This comic is similar to 761: DFS. Transcript [Cueball is diving in very deep, dark blue water. He shines a flashlight at the sea floor.] Cueball (thinks): Eight meters. There's the wreckage... Yes! I see the key! [As he swims further toward it, his flashlight starts to cut out.] Cueball (thinks): Gotta grab it, surface, get in to the radio shed, and warn the President! Just a few more... Flashlight: BZZT FIZZ [This panel has no border like the others, and is divided in half diagonally by a thought bubble.] [The left half of it is a dark blue thought bubble with the diver inside it. On the right hand side are packaged flashlights hanging on a shelf. The one called Hi-Brite is $24.95 and is labeled "water resistant to 10 meters." The one called "FenStar G6" is $49.95 and says "water resistant to 40 meters."] Cueball (thinks): Oh no. [Cueball and a friend stand in front of a flashlight display in a store. Cueball looks down at the packages with his hand on his chin in thought. The thought bubble from the previous panel leads from his head. The friend stands behind him.] Cueball: ...maybe I should spring for the deeper water resistance. Friend: Why on earth would you care about that? Cueball: Look, you never know. comment.png Add comment new topic.png Create topic (use sparingly) refresh discuss.png Refresh Discussion Pretty much the mentality of any multi-tool buyer. I probably only need a knife and file in most cases, but I'll *never* need anything else if I buy a leatherman! 01:41, 17 April 2013 (UTC) Of course the real reason to buy the higher water resistance is that the standatd "water resistant" figures are highly optimistic being based on static pressure only. -- plugwash 16:45, 18 March 2014 (UTC) Spot on -- The Cat Lady (talk) 12:37, 22 August 2021 (UTC) comment.png Add comment Categories: All 2011 Comics from JuneWednesday comicsComics featuring CueballComics with Multiple Cueballs Navigation menu Not logged accountLog in EditView historySearch Search explain xkcd Main page Latest comic Community portal xkcd xkcd.com Recent changes Random page All comics Browse comics RSS feed Help Tools What links here Related changes Special pages Printable version Permanent link Page information Follow @explain xkcd Ads This page was last edited on 14 November 2024. Privacy explain xkcd by MediaWikiCreative

We got in touch with Randall! If you have some simple questions that we can't answer without his help, please post them here! There are still 62 explanations we need to complete. Please help up finish them! Also, help us explain Randall's What If? articles! We need to add the missing explanations and improve the existing ones. 909: Worst-Case Shopping Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb. PrevComic #909 (June 8, 2011) Next Worst-Case Shopping Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Title text: Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Explanation For most people, under most circumstances, a flashlight's water-resistance is a completely moot point, as most flashlight use occurs on dry land. But, as Randall has shown before, there is a tendency for people to imagine elaborate scenarios in which an extra edge would be useful. In the dream sequence over the first 2 and a half frames, Cueball appears to be diving to find a key underwater, which he spots using his flashlight when he is at 8 meters. His flashlight goes out at 10 meters because he bought the "Hi-Brite" model. The dream sequence also references a "radio shed", which were only really used in the past for amateur radios or some other military style bases/compounds---which would align with his "warn the President" line. He thus suggests the more water-resistant flashlight. However, this is seen as ridiculous from his friend, since the more durable model costs over $25 more in return. He replies that "you never know" what situation you'll be in. The title text takes Cueball's thought process to the next level. If he is getting a flashlight that works to 40 meters (worst-case), he should probably be prepared for even deeper waters as well (even worse-case). This comic is similar to 761: DFS. Transcript [Cueball is diving in very deep, dark blue water. He shines a flashlight at the sea floor.] Cueball (thinks): Eight meters. There's the wreckage... Yes! I see the key! [As he swims further toward it, his flashlight starts to cut out.] Cueball (thinks): Gotta grab it, surface, get in to the radio shed, and warn the President! Just a few more... Flashlight: BZZT FIZZ [This panel has no border like the others, and is divided in half diagonally by a thought bubble.] [The left half of it is a dark blue thought bubble with the diver inside it. On the right hand side are packaged flashlights hanging on a shelf. The one called Hi-Brite is $24.95 and is labeled "water resistant to 10 meters." The one called "FenStar G6" is $49.95 and says "water resistant to 40 meters."] Cueball (thinks): Oh no. [Cueball and a friend stand in front of a flashlight display in a store. Cueball looks down at the packages with his hand on his chin in thought. The thought bubble from the previous panel leads from his head. The friend stands behind him.] Cueball: ...maybe I should spring for the deeper water resistance. Friend: Why on earth would you care about that? Cueball: Look, you never know. comment.png Add comment new topic.png Create topic (use sparingly) refresh discuss.png Refresh Discussion Pretty much the mentality of any multi-tool buyer. I probably only need a knife and file in most cases, but I'll *never* need anything else if I buy a leatherman! 01:41, 17 April 2013 (UTC) Of course the real reason to buy the higher water resistance is that the standatd "water resistant" figures are highly optimistic being based on static pressure only. -- plugwash 16:45, 18 March 2014 (UTC) Spot on -- The Cat Lady (talk) 12:37, 22 August 2021 (UTC) comment.png Add comment Categories: All comicsComics from 2011Comics from JuneWednesday comicsComics featuring CueballComics with Multiple Cueballs Navigation menu Not logged accountLog in EditView historySearch Search explain xkcd Main page Latest comic Community portal xkcd xkcd.com Recent changes Random page All comics Browse comics RSS feed Help Tools What links here Related changes Special pages Printable version Permanent link Page information Follow @explain xkcd Ads This page was last edited on 14 November 2024. Privacy explain xkcd by MediaWikiCreative

We got in touch with Randall! If you have some simple questions that we can't answer without his help, please post them here! There are still 62 explanations we need to complete. Please help up finish them! Also, help us explain Randall's What If? articles! We need to add the missing explanations and improve the existing ones. 909: Worst-Case Shopping Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb. PrevComic #909 (June 8, 2011) Next Worst-Case Shopping Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Title text: Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Explanation For most people, under most circumstances, a flashlight's water-resistance is a completely moot point, as most flashlight use occurs on dry land. But, as Randall has shown before, there is a tendency for people to imagine elaborate scenarios in which an extra edge would be useful. In the dream sequence over the first 2 and a half frames, Cueball appears to be diving to find a key underwater, which he spots using his flashlight when he is at 8 meters. His flashlight goes out at 10 meters because he bought the "Hi-Brite" model. The dream sequence also references a "radio shed", which were only really used in the past for amateur radios or some other military style bases/compounds---which would align with his "warn the President" line. He thus suggests the more water-resistant flashlight. However, this is seen as ridiculous from his friend, since the more durable model costs over $25 more in return. He replies that "you never know" what situation you'll be in. The title text takes Cueball's thought process to the next level. If he is getting a flashlight that works to 40 meters (worst-case), he should probably be prepared for even deeper waters as well (even worse-case). This comic is similar to 761: DFS. Transcript [Cueball is diving in very deep, dark blue water. He shines a flashlight at the sea floor.] Cueball (thinks): Eight meters. There's the wreckage... Yes! I see the key! [As he swims further toward it, his flashlight starts to cut out.] Cueball (thinks): Gotta grab it, surface, get in to the radio shed, and warn the President! Just a few more... Flashlight: BZZT FIZZ [This panel has no border like the others, and is divided in half diagonally by a thought bubble.] [The left half of it is a dark blue thought bubble with the diver inside it. On the right hand side are packaged flashlights hanging on a shelf. The one called Hi-Brite is $24.95 and is labeled "water resistant to 10 meters." The one called "FenStar G6" is $49.95 and says "water resistant to 40 meters."] Cueball (thinks): Oh no. [Cueball and a friend stand in front of a flashlight display in a store. Cueball looks down at the packages with his hand on his chin in thought. The thought bubble from the previous panel leads from his head. The friend stands behind him.] Cueball: ...maybe I should spring for the deeper water resistance. Friend: Why on earth would you care about that? Cueball: Look, you never know. comment.png Add comment new topic.png Create topic (use sparingly) refresh discuss.png Refresh Discussion Pretty much the mentality of any multi-tool buyer. I probably only need a knife and file in most cases, but I'll *never* need anything else if I buy a leatherman! 01:41, 17 April 2013 (UTC) Of course the real reason to buy the higher water resistance is that the standatd "water resistant" figures are highly optimistic being based on static pressure only. -- plugwash 16:45, 18 March 2014 (UTC) Spot on -- The Cat Lady (talk) 12:37, 22 August 2021 (UTC) comment.png Add comment Categories: All comicsComics from 2011Comics from JuneWednesday comicsComics featuring CueballComics with colorMultiple Cueballs Navigation menu Not logged accountLog in EditView historySearch Search explain xkcd Main page Latest comic Community portal xkcd xkcd.com Recent changes Random page All comics Browse comics RSS feed Help Tools What links here Related changes Special pages Printable version Permanent link Page information Follow @explain xkcd Ads This page was last edited on 14 November 2024. Privacy explain xkcd by MediaWikiCreative

We got in touch with Randall! If you have some simple questions that we can't answer without his help, please post them here! There are still 62 explanations we need to complete. Please help up finish them! Also, help us explain Randall's What If? articles! We need to add the missing explanations and improve the existing ones. 909: Worst-Case Shopping Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb. PrevComic #909 (June 8, 2011) Next Worst-Case Shopping Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Title text: Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Explanation For most people, under most circumstances, a flashlight's water-resistance is a completely moot point, as most flashlight use occurs on dry land. But, as Randall has shown before, there is a tendency for people to imagine elaborate scenarios in which an extra edge would be useful. In the dream sequence over the first 2 and a half frames, Cueball appears to be diving to find a key underwater, which he spots using his flashlight when he is at 8 meters. His flashlight goes out at 10 meters because he bought the "Hi-Brite" model. The dream sequence also references a "radio shed", which were only really used in the past for amateur radios or some other military style bases/compounds---which would align with his "warn the President" line. He thus suggests the more water-resistant flashlight. However, this is seen as ridiculous from his friend, since the more durable model costs over $25 more in return. He replies that "you never know" what situation you'll be in. The title text takes Cueball's thought process to the next level. If he is getting a flashlight that works to 40 meters (worst-case), he should probably be prepared for even deeper waters as well (even worse-case). This comic is similar to 761: DFS. Transcript [Cueball is diving in very deep, dark blue water. He shines a flashlight at the sea floor.] Cueball (thinks): Eight meters. There's the wreckage... Yes! I see the key! [As he swims further toward it, his flashlight starts to cut out.] Cueball (thinks): Gotta grab it, surface, get in to the radio shed, and warn the President! Just a few more... Flashlight: BZZT FIZZ [This panel has no border like the others, and is divided in half diagonally by a thought bubble.] [The left half of it is a dark blue thought bubble with the diver inside it. On the right hand side are packaged flashlights hanging on a shelf. The one called Hi-Brite is $24.95 and is labeled "water resistant to 10 meters." The one called "FenStar G6" is $49.95 and says "water resistant to 40 meters."] Cueball (thinks): Oh no. [Cueball and a friend stand in front of a flashlight display in a store. Cueball looks down at the packages with his hand on his chin in thought. The thought bubble from the previous panel leads from his head. The friend stands behind him.] Cueball: ...maybe I should spring for the deeper water resistance. Friend: Why on earth would you care about that? Cueball: Look, you never know. comment.png Add comment new topic.png Create topic (use sparingly) refresh discuss.png Refresh Discussion Pretty much the mentality of any multi-tool buyer. I probably only need a knife and file in most cases, but I'll *never* need anything else if I buy a leatherman! 01:41, 17 April 2013 (UTC) Of course the real reason to buy the higher water resistance is that the standatd "water resistant" figures are highly optimistic being based on static pressure only. -- plugwash 141 16:45, 18 March 2014 (UTC) Spot on -- The Cat Lady (talk) 12:37, 22 August 2021 (UTC) comment.png Add comment Categories: All comicsComics from 2011Comics from JuneWednesday comicsComics featuring CueballComics with colorMultiple Cueballs Navigation menu Not logged accountLog in EditView historySearch Search explain xkcd Main page Latest comic Community portal xkcd xkcd.com Recent changes Random page All comics Browse comics RSS feed Help Tools What links here Related changes Special pages Printable version Permanent link Page information Follow @explain xkcd Ads This page was last edited on 14 November 2024. Privacy explain xkcd by MediaWikiCreative

We got in touch with Randall! If you have some simple questions that we can't answer without his help, please post them here! There are still 62 explanations we need to complete. Please help up finish them! Also, help us explain Randall's What If? articles! We need to add the missing explanations and improve the existing ones. 909: Worst-Case Shopping Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb. PrevComic #909 (June 8, 2011) Next Worst-Case Shopping Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Title text: Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Explanation For most people, under most circumstances, a flashlight's water-resistance is a completely moot point, as most flashlight use occurs on dry land. But, as Randall has shown before, there is a tendency for people to imagine elaborate scenarios in which an extra edge would be useful. In the dream sequence over the first 2 and a half frames, Cueball appears to be diving to find a key underwater, which he spots using his flashlight when he is at 8 meters. His flashlight goes out at 10 meters because he bought the "Hi-Brite" model. The dream sequence also references a "radio shed", which were only really used in the past for amateur radios or some other military style bases/compounds---which would align with his "warn the President" line. He thus suggests the more water-resistant flashlight. However, this is seen as ridiculous from his friend, since the more durable model costs over $25 more in return. He replies that "you never know" what situation you'll be in. The title text takes Cueball's thought process to the next level. If he is getting a flashlight that works to 40 meters (worst-case), he should probably be prepared for even deeper waters as well (even worse-case). This comic is similar to 761: DFS. Transcript [Cueball is diving in very deep, dark blue water. He shines a flashlight at the sea floor.] Cueball (thinks): Eight meters. There's the wreckage... Yes! I see the key! [As he swims further toward it, his flashlight starts to cut out.] Cueball (thinks): Gotta grab it, surface, get in to the radio shed, and warn the President! Just a few more... Flashlight: BZZT FIZZ [This panel has no border like the others, and is divided in half diagonally by a thought bubble.] [The left half of it is a dark blue thought bubble with the diver inside it. On the right hand side are packaged flashlights hanging on a shelf. The one called Hi-Brite is $24.95 and is labeled "water resistant to 10 meters." The one called "FenStar G6" is $49.95 and says "water resistant to 40 meters."] Cueball (thinks): Oh no. [Cueball and a friend stand in front of a flashlight display in a store. Cueball looks down at the packages with his hand on his chin in thought. The thought bubble from the previous panel leads from his head. The friend stands behind him.] Cueball: ...maybe I should spring for the deeper water resistance. Friend: Why on earth would you care about that? Cueball: Look, you never know. comment.png Add comment new topic.png Create topic (use sparingly) refresh discuss.png Refresh Discussion Pretty much the mentality of any multi-tool buyer. I probably only need a knife and file in most cases, but I'll *never* need anything else if I buy a leatherman! 01:41, 17 April 2013 (UTC) Of course the real reason to buy the higher water resistance is that the standatd "water resistant" figures are highly optimistic being based on static pressure only. -- plugwash 141.101 16:45, 18 March 2014 (UTC) Spot on -- The Cat Lady (talk) 12:37, 22 August 2021 (UTC) comment.png Add comment Categories: All comicsComics from 2011Comics from JuneWednesday comicsComics featuring CueballComics with colorMultiple Cueballs Navigation menu Not logged accountLog in EditView historySearch Search explain xkcd Main page Latest comic Community portal xkcd xkcd.com Recent changes Random page All comics Browse comics RSS feed Help Tools What links here Related changes Special pages Printable version Permanent link Page information Follow @explain xkcd Ads This page was last edited on 14 November 2024. Privacy explain xkcd by MediaWikiCreative

We got in touch with Randall! If you have some simple questions that we can't answer without his help, please post them here! There are still 62 explanations we need to complete. Please help up finish them! Also, help us explain Randall's What If? articles! We need to add the missing explanations and improve the existing ones. 909: Worst-Case Shopping Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb. PrevComic #909 (June 8, 2011) Next Worst-Case Shopping Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Title text: Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Explanation For most people, under most circumstances, a flashlight's water-resistance is a completely moot point, as most flashlight use occurs on dry land. But, as Randall has shown before, there is a tendency for people to imagine elaborate scenarios in which an extra edge would be useful. In the dream sequence over the first 2 and a half frames, Cueball appears to be diving to find a key underwater, which he spots using his flashlight when he is at 8 meters. His flashlight goes out at 10 meters because he bought the "Hi-Brite" model. The dream sequence also references a "radio shed", which were only really used in the past for amateur radios or some other military style bases/compounds---which would align with his "warn the President" line. He thus suggests the more water-resistant flashlight. However, this is seen as ridiculous from his friend, since the more durable model costs over $25 more in return. He replies that "you never know" what situation you'll be in. The title text takes Cueball's thought process to the next level. If he is getting a flashlight that works to 40 meters (worst-case), he should probably be prepared for even deeper waters as well (even worse-case). This comic is similar to 761: DFS. Transcript [Cueball is diving in very deep, dark blue water. He shines a flashlight at the sea floor.] Cueball (thinks): Eight meters. There's the wreckage... Yes! I see the key! [As he swims further toward it, his flashlight starts to cut out.] Cueball (thinks): Gotta grab it, surface, get in to the radio shed, and warn the President! Just a few more... Flashlight: BZZT FIZZ [This panel has no border like the others, and is divided in half diagonally by a thought bubble.] [The left half of it is a dark blue thought bubble with the diver inside it. On the right hand side are packaged flashlights hanging on a shelf. The one called Hi-Brite is $24.95 and is labeled "water resistant to 10 meters." The one called "FenStar G6" is $49.95 and says "water resistant to 40 meters."] Cueball (thinks): Oh no. [Cueball and a friend stand in front of a flashlight display in a store. Cueball looks down at the packages with his hand on his chin in thought. The thought bubble from the previous panel leads from his head. The friend stands behind him.] Cueball: ...maybe I should spring for the deeper water resistance. Friend: Why on earth would you care about that? Cueball: Look, you never know. comment.png Add comment new topic.png Create topic (use sparingly) refresh discuss.png Refresh Discussion Pretty much the mentality of any multi-tool buyer. I probably only need a knife and file in most cases, but I'll *never* need anything else if I buy a leatherman! 01:41, 17 April 2013 (UTC) Of course the real reason to buy the higher water resistance is that the standatd "water resistant" figures are highly optimistic being based on static pressure only. -- plugwash 141.101.98 16:45, 18 March 2014 (UTC) Spot on -- The Cat Lady (talk) 12:37, 22 August 2021 (UTC) comment.png Add comment Categories: All comicsComics from 2011Comics from JuneWednesday comicsComics featuring CueballComics with colorMultiple Cueballs Navigation menu Not logged accountLog in EditView historySearch Search explain xkcd Main page Latest comic Community portal xkcd xkcd.com Recent changes Random page All comics Browse comics RSS feed Help Tools What links here Related changes Special pages Printable version Permanent link Page information Follow @explain xkcd Ads This page was last edited on 14 November 2024. Privacy explain xkcd by MediaWikiCreative

We got in touch with Randall! If you have some simple questions that we can't answer without his help, please post them here! There are still 62 explanations we need to complete. Please help up finish them! Also, help us explain Randall's What If? articles! We need to add the missing explanations and improve the existing ones. 909: Worst-Case Shopping Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb. PrevComic #909 (June 8, 2011) Next Worst-Case Shopping Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Title text: Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Explanation For most people, under most circumstances, a flashlight's water-resistance is a completely moot point, as most flashlight use occurs on dry land. But, as Randall has shown before, there is a tendency for people to imagine elaborate scenarios in which an extra edge would be useful. In the dream sequence over the first 2 and a half frames, Cueball appears to be diving to find a key underwater, which he spots using his flashlight when he is at 8 meters. His flashlight goes out at 10 meters because he bought the "Hi-Brite" model. The dream sequence also references a "radio shed", which were only really used in the past for amateur radios or some other military style bases/compounds---which would align with his "warn the President" line. He thus suggests the more water-resistant flashlight. However, this is seen as ridiculous from his friend, since the more durable model costs over $25 more in return. He replies that "you never know" what situation you'll be in. The title text takes Cueball's thought process to the next level. If he is getting a flashlight that works to 40 meters (worst-case), he should probably be prepared for even deeper waters as well (even worse-case). This comic is similar to 761: DFS. Transcript [Cueball is diving in very deep, dark blue water. He shines a flashlight at the sea floor.] Cueball (thinks): Eight meters. There's the wreckage... Yes! I see the key! [As he swims further toward it, his flashlight starts to cut out.] Cueball (thinks): Gotta grab it, surface, get in to the radio shed, and warn the President! Just a few more... Flashlight: BZZT FIZZ [This panel has no border like the others, and is divided in half diagonally by a thought bubble.] [The left half of it is a dark blue thought bubble with the diver inside it. On the right hand side are packaged flashlights hanging on a shelf. The one called Hi-Brite is $24.95 and is labeled "water resistant to 10 meters." The one called "FenStar G6" is $49.95 and says "water resistant to 40 meters."] Cueball (thinks): Oh no. [Cueball and a friend stand in front of a flashlight display in a store. Cueball looks down at the packages with his hand on his chin in thought. The thought bubble from the previous panel leads from his head. The friend stands behind him.] Cueball: ...maybe I should spring for the deeper water resistance. Friend: Why on earth would you care about that? Cueball: Look, you never know. comment.png Add comment new topic.png Create topic (use sparingly) refresh discuss.png Refresh Discussion Pretty much the mentality of any multi-tool buyer. I probably only need a knife and file in most cases, but I'll *never* need anything else if I buy a leatherman! 01:41, 17 April 2013 (UTC) Of course the real reason to buy the higher water resistance is that the standatd "water resistant" figures are highly optimistic being based on static pressure only. -- plugwash 141.101.98.51 16:45, 18 March 2014 (UTC) Spot on -- The Cat Lady (talk) 12:37, 22 August 2021 (UTC) comment.png Add comment Categories: All comicsComics from 2011Comics from JuneWednesday comicsComics featuring CueballComics with colorMultiple Cueballs Navigation menu Not logged accountLog in EditView historySearch Search explain xkcd Main page Latest comic Community portal xkcd xkcd.com Recent changes Random page All comics Browse comics RSS feed Help Tools What links here Related changes Special pages Printable version Permanent link Page information Follow @explain xkcd Ads This page was last edited on 14 November 2024. Privacy explain xkcd by MediaWikiCreative

We got in touch with Randall! If you have some simple questions that we can't answer without his help, please post them here! There are still 62 explanations we need to complete. Please help up finish them! Also, help us explain Randall's What If? articles! We need to add the missing explanations and improve the existing ones. 909: Worst-Case Shopping Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb. PrevComic #909 (June 8, 2011) Next Worst-Case Shopping Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Title text: Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Explanation For most people, under most circumstances, a flashlight's water-resistance is a completely moot point, as most flashlight use occurs on dry land. But, as Randall has shown before, there is a tendency for people to imagine elaborate scenarios in which an extra edge would be useful. In the dream sequence over the first 2 and a half frames, Cueball appears to be diving to find a key underwater, which he spots using his flashlight when he is at 8 meters. His flashlight goes out at 10 meters because he bought the "Hi-Brite" model. The dream sequence also references a "radio shed", which were only really used in the past for amateur radios or some other military style bases/compounds---which would align with his "warn the President" line. He thus suggests the more water-resistant flashlight. However, this is seen as ridiculous from his friend, since the more durable model costs over $25 more in return. He replies that "you never know" what situation you'll be in. The title text takes Cueball's thought process to the next level. If he is getting a flashlight that works to 40 meters (worst-case), he should probably be prepared for even deeper waters as well (even worse-case). This comic is similar to 761: DFS. Transcript [Cueball is diving in very deep, dark blue water. He shines a flashlight at the sea floor.] Cueball (thinks): Eight meters. There's the wreckage... Yes! I see the key! [As he swims further toward it, his flashlight starts to cut out.] Cueball (thinks): Gotta grab it, surface, get in to the radio shed, and warn the President! Just a few more... Flashlight: BZZT FIZZ [This panel has no border like the others, and is divided in half diagonally by a thought bubble.] [The left half of it is a dark blue thought bubble with the diver inside it. On the right hand side are packaged flashlights hanging on a shelf. The one called Hi-Brite is $24.95 and is labeled "water resistant to 10 meters." The one called "FenStar G6" is $49.95 and says "water resistant to 40 meters."] Cueball (thinks): Oh no. [Cueball and a friend stand in front of a flashlight display in a store. Cueball looks down at the packages with his hand on his chin in thought. The thought bubble from the previous panel leads from his head. The friend stands behind him.] Cueball: ...maybe I should spring for the deeper water resistance. Friend: Why on earth would you care about that? Cueball: Look, you never know. comment.png Add comment new topic.png Create topic (use sparingly) refresh discuss.png Refresh Discussion Pretty much the mentality of any multi-tool buyer. I probably only need a knife and file in most cases, but I'll *never* need anything else if I buy a leatherman! 01:41, 17 April 2013 (UTC) Of course the real reason to buy the higher water resistance is that the standatd "water resistant" figures are highly optimistic being based on static pressure only. -- plugwash 141.101.98.51 16:45, 18 March 2014 (UTC) Spot on -- The Cat Lady (talk) 12:37, 22 August 2021 (UTC) comment.png Add comment Categories: All comicsComics from 2011Comics from JuneWednesday comicsComics featuring CueballComics with colorMultiple Cueballs Navigation menu Not logged accountLog in PageDiscussionReadEditView historySearch Search explain xkcd Main page Latest comic Community portal xkcd xkcd.com Recent changes Random page All comics Browse comics RSS feed Help Tools What links here Related changes Special pages Printable version Permanent link Page information Follow @explain xkcd Ads This page was last edited on 14 November 2024. Privacy explain xkcd by MediaWikiCreative

We got in touch with Randall! If you have some simple questions that we can't answer without his help, please post them here! There are still 62 explanations we need to complete. Please help up finish them! Also, help us explain Randall's What If? articles! We need to add the missing explanations and improve the existing ones. 909: Worst-Case Shopping Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb. PrevComic #909 (June 8, 2011) Next Worst-Case Shopping Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Title text: Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Explanation For most people, under most circumstances, a flashlight's water-resistance is a completely moot point, as most flashlight use occurs on dry land. But, as Randall has shown before, there is a tendency for people to imagine elaborate scenarios in which an extra edge would be useful. In the dream sequence over the first 2 and a half frames, Cueball appears to be diving to find a key underwater, which he spots using his flashlight when he is at 8 meters. His flashlight goes out at 10 meters because he bought the "Hi-Brite" model. The dream sequence also references a "radio shed", which were only really used in the past for amateur radios or some other military style bases/compounds---which would align with his "warn the President" line. He thus suggests the more water-resistant flashlight. However, this is seen as ridiculous from his friend, since the more durable model costs over $25 more in return. He replies that "you never know" what situation you'll be in. The title text takes Cueball's thought process to the next level. If he is getting a flashlight that works to 40 meters (worst-case), he should probably be prepared for even deeper waters as well (even worse-case). This comic is similar to 761: DFS. Transcript [Cueball is diving in very deep, dark blue water. He shines a flashlight at the sea floor.] Cueball (thinks): Eight meters. There's the wreckage... Yes! I see the key! [As he swims further toward it, his flashlight starts to cut out.] Cueball (thinks): Gotta grab it, surface, get in to the radio shed, and warn the President! Just a few more... Flashlight: BZZT FIZZ [This panel has no border like the others, and is divided in half diagonally by a thought bubble.] [The left half of it is a dark blue thought bubble with the diver inside it. On the right hand side are packaged flashlights hanging on a shelf. The one called Hi-Brite is $24.95 and is labeled "water resistant to 10 meters." The one called "FenStar G6" is $49.95 and says "water resistant to 40 meters."] Cueball (thinks): Oh no. [Cueball and a friend stand in front of a flashlight display in a store. Cueball looks down at the packages with his hand on his chin in thought. The thought bubble from the previous panel leads from his head. The friend stands behind him.] Cueball: ...maybe I should spring for the deeper water resistance. Friend: Why on earth would you care about that? Cueball: Look, you never know. comment.png Add comment new topic.png Create topic (use sparingly) refresh discuss.png Refresh Discussion Pretty much the mentality of any multi-tool buyer. I probably only need a knife and file in most cases, but I'll *never* need anything else if I buy a leatherman! 01:41, 17 April 2013 (UTC) Of course the real reason to buy the higher water resistance is that the standatd "water resistant" figures are highly optimistic being based on static pressure only. -- plugwash 141.101.98.51 16:45, 18 March 2014 (UTC) Spot on -- The Cat Lady (talk) 12:37, 22 August 2021 (UTC) comment.png Add comment Categories: All comicsComics from 2011Comics from JuneWednesday comicsComics featuring CueballComics with colorMultiple Cueballs Navigation menu Not logged inTalkContributionsCreate accountLog in PageDiscussionReadEditView historySearch Search explain xkcd Main page Latest comic Community portal xkcd xkcd.com Recent changes Random page All comics Browse comics RSS feed Help Tools What links here Related changes Special pages Printable version Permanent link Page information Follow @explain xkcd Ads This page was last edited on 14 November 2024. Privacy explain xkcd by MediaWikiCreative

We got in touch with Randall! If you have some simple questions that we can't answer without his help, please post them here! There are still 62 explanations we need to complete. Please help up finish them! Also, help us explain Randall's What If? articles! We need to add the missing explanations and improve the existing ones. 909: Worst-Case Shopping Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb. PrevComic #909 (June 8, 2011) Next Worst-Case Shopping Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Title text: Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Explanation For most people, under most circumstances, a flashlight's water-resistance is a completely moot point, as most flashlight use occurs on dry land. But, as Randall has shown before, there is a tendency for people to imagine elaborate scenarios in which an extra edge would be useful. In the dream sequence over the first 2 and a half frames, Cueball appears to be diving to find a key underwater, which he spots using his flashlight when he is at 8 meters. His flashlight goes out at 10 meters because he bought the "Hi-Brite" model. The dream sequence also references a "radio shed", which were only really used in the past for amateur radios or some other military style bases/compounds—which would align with his "warn the President" line. He thus suggests the more water-resistant flashlight. However, this is seen as ridiculous from his friend, since the more durable model costs over $25 more in return. He replies that "you never know" what situation you'll be in. The title text takes Cueball's thought process to the next level. If he is getting a flashlight that works to 40 meters (worst-case), he should probably be prepared for even deeper waters as well (even worse-case). This comic is similar to 761: DFS. Transcript [Cueball is diving in very deep, dark blue water. He shines a flashlight at the sea floor.] Cueball (thinks): Eight meters. There's the wreckage... Yes! I see the key! [As he swims further toward it, his flashlight starts to cut out.] Cueball (thinks): Gotta grab it, surface, get in to the radio shed, and warn the President! Just a few more... Flashlight: BZZT FIZZ [This panel has no border like the others, and is divided in half diagonally by a thought bubble.] [The left half of it is a dark blue thought bubble with the diver inside it. On the right hand side are packaged flashlights hanging on a shelf. The one called Hi-Brite is $24.95 and is labeled "water resistant to 10 meters." The one called "FenStar G6" is $49.95 and says "water resistant to 40 meters."] Cueball (thinks): Oh no. [Cueball and a friend stand in front of a flashlight display in a store. Cueball looks down at the packages with his hand on his chin in thought. The thought bubble from the previous panel leads from his head. The friend stands behind him.] Cueball: ...maybe I should spring for the deeper water resistance. Friend: Why on earth would you care about that? Cueball: Look, you never know. comment.png Add comment new topic.png Create topic (use sparingly) refresh discuss.png Refresh Discussion Pretty much the mentality of any multi-tool buyer. I probably only need a knife and file in most cases, but I'll *never* need anything else if I buy a leatherman! 01:41, 17 April 2013 (UTC) Of course the real reason to buy the higher water resistance is that the standatd "water resistant" figures are highly optimistic being based on static pressure only. -- plugwash 141.101.98.51 16:45, 18 March 2014 (UTC) Spot on -- The Cat Lady (talk) 12:37, 22 August 2021 (UTC) comment.png Add comment Categories: All comicsComics from 2011Comics from JuneWednesday comicsComics featuring CueballComics with colorMultiple Cueballs Navigation menu Not logged inTalkContributionsCreate accountLog in PageDiscussionReadEditView historySearch Search explain xkcd Main page Latest comic Community portal xkcd xkcd.com Recent changes Random page All comics Browse comics RSS feed Help Tools What links here Related changes Special pages Printable version Permanent link Page information Follow @explain xkcd Ads This page was last edited on 14 November 2024. Privacy explain xkcd by MediaWikiCreative

We got in touch with Randall! If you have some simple questions that we can't answer without his help, please post them here! There are still 62 explanations we need to complete. Please help up finish them! Also, help us explain Randall's What If? articles! We need to add the missing explanations and improve the existing ones. 909: Worst-Case Shopping Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb. PrevComic #909 (June 8, 2011) Next Worst-Case Shopping Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Title text: Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Explanation For most people, under most circumstances, a flashlight's water-resistance is a completely moot point, as most flashlight use occurs on dry land. But, as Randall has shown before, there is a tendency for people to imagine elaborate scenarios in which an extra edge would be useful. In the dream sequence over the first 2 and a half frames, Cueball appears to be diving to find a key underwater, which he spots using his flashlight when he is at 8 meters. His flashlight goes out at 10 meters because he bought the "Hi-Brite" model. The dream sequence also references a "radio shed", which were only really used in the past for amateur radios or some other military style bases/compounds—which would align with his "warn the President" line. He thus suggests the more water-resistant flashlight. However, this is seen as ridiculous from his friend, since the more durable model costs over $25 more in return. He replies that "you never know" what situation you'll be in. The title text takes Cueball's thought process to the next level. If he is getting a flashlight that works to 40 meters (worst-case), he should probably be prepared for even deeper waters as well (even worse-case). This comic is similar to 761: DFS. Transcript [Cueball is diving in very deep, dark blue water. He shines a flashlight at the sea floor.] Cueball (thinks): Eight meters. There's the wreckage... Yes! I see the key! [As he swims further toward it, his flashlight starts to cut out.] Cueball (thinks): Gotta grab it, surface, get in to the radio shed, and warn the President! Just a few more... Flashlight: BZZT FIZZ [This panel has no border like the others, and is divided in half diagonally by a thought bubble.] [The left half of it is a dark blue thought bubble with the diver inside it. On the right hand side are packaged flashlights hanging on a shelf. The one called Hi-Brite is $24.95 and is labeled "water resistant to 10 meters." The one called "FenStar G6" is $49.95 and says "water resistant to 40 meters."] Cueball (thinks): Oh no. [Cueball and a friend stand in front of a flashlight display in a store. Cueball looks down at the packages with his hand on his chin in thought. The thought bubble from the previous panel leads from his head. The friend stands behind him.] Cueball: ...maybe I should spring for the deeper water resistance. Friend: Why on earth would you care about that? Cueball: Look, you never know. comment.png Add comment new topic.png Create topic (use sparingly) refresh discuss.png Refresh Discussion Pretty much the mentality of any multi-tool buyer. I probably only need a knife and file in most cases, but I'll *never* need anything else if I buy a leatherman! 01:41, 17 April 2013 (UTC) Of course the real reason to buy the higher water resistance is that the standatd "water resistant" figures are highly optimistic being based on static pressure only. -- plugwash 141.101.98.51 16:45, 18 March 2014 (UTC) Spot on -- The Cat Lady (talk) 12:37, 22 August 2021 (UTC) comment.png Add comment Categories: All comicsComics from 2011Comics from JuneWednesday comicsComics featuring CueballComics with colorMultiple Cueballs Navigation menu Not logged inTalkContributionsCreate accountLog in PageDiscussionReadEditView historySearch Search explain xkcd Main page Latest comic Community portal xkcd xkcd.com Recent changes Random page All comics Browse comics RSS feed Help Tools What links here Related changes Special pages Printable version Permanent link Page information Follow @explain xkcd Ads This page was last edited on 14 November 2024. Privacy policyAbout explain xkcd by MediaWikiCreative

We got in touch with Randall! If you have some simple questions that we can't answer without his help, please post them here! There are still 62 explanations we need to complete. Please help up finish them! Also, help us explain Randall's What If? articles! We need to add the missing explanations and improve the existing ones. 909: Worst-Case Shopping Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb. PrevComic #909 (June 8, 2011)Next Worst-Case Shopping Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Title text: Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Explanation For most people, under most circumstances, a flashlight's water-resistance is a completely moot point, as most flashlight use occurs on dry land. But, as Randall has shown before, there is a tendency for people to imagine elaborate scenarios in which an extra edge would be useful. In the dream sequence over the first 2 and a half frames, Cueball appears to be diving to find a key underwater, which he spots using his flashlight when he is at 8 meters. His flashlight goes out at 10 meters because he bought the "Hi-Brite" model. The dream sequence also references a "radio shed", which were only really used in the past for amateur radios or some other military style bases/compounds—which would align with his "warn the President" line. He thus suggests the more water-resistant flashlight. However, this is seen as ridiculous from his friend, since the more durable model costs over $25 more in return. He replies that "you never know" what situation you'll be in. The title text takes Cueball's thought process to the next level. If he is getting a flashlight that works to 40 meters (worst-case), he should probably be prepared for even deeper waters as well (even worse-case). This comic is similar to 761: DFS. Transcript [Cueball is diving in very deep, dark blue water. He shines a flashlight at the sea floor.] Cueball (thinks): Eight meters. There's the wreckage... Yes! I see the key! [As he swims further toward it, his flashlight starts to cut out.] Cueball (thinks): Gotta grab it, surface, get in to the radio shed, and warn the President! Just a few more... Flashlight: BZZT FIZZ [This panel has no border like the others, and is divided in half diagonally by a thought bubble.] [The left half of it is a dark blue thought bubble with the diver inside it. On the right hand side are packaged flashlights hanging on a shelf. The one called Hi-Brite is $24.95 and is labeled "water resistant to 10 meters." The one called "FenStar G6" is $49.95 and says "water resistant to 40 meters."] Cueball (thinks): Oh no. [Cueball and a friend stand in front of a flashlight display in a store. Cueball looks down at the packages with his hand on his chin in thought. The thought bubble from the previous panel leads from his head. The friend stands behind him.] Cueball: ...maybe I should spring for the deeper water resistance. Friend: Why on earth would you care about that? Cueball: Look, you never know. comment.png Add comment new topic.png Create topic (use sparingly) refresh discuss.png Refresh Discussion Pretty much the mentality of any multi-tool buyer. I probably only need a knife and file in most cases, but I'll *never* need anything else if I buy a leatherman! 01:41, 17 April 2013 (UTC) Of course the real reason to buy the higher water resistance is that the standatd "water resistant" figures are highly optimistic being based on static pressure only. -- plugwash 141.101.98.51 16:45, 18 March 2014 (UTC) Spot on -- The Cat Lady (talk) 12:37, 22 August 2021 (UTC) comment.png Add comment Categories: All comicsComics from 2011Comics from JuneWednesday comicsComics featuring CueballComics with colorMultiple Cueballs Navigation menu Not logged inTalkContributionsCreate accountLog in PageDiscussionReadEditView historySearch Search explain xkcd Main page Latest comic Community portal xkcd xkcd.com Recent changes Random page All comics Browse comics RSS feed Help Tools What links here Related changes Special pages Printable version Permanent link Page information Follow @explain xkcd Ads This page was last edited on 14 November 2024. Privacy policyAbout explain xkcd by MediaWikiCreative

We got in touch with Randall! If you have some simple questions that we can't answer without his help, please post them here! There are still 62 explanations we need to complete. Please help up finish them! Also, help us explain Randall's What If? articles! We need to add the missing explanations and improve the existing ones. 909: Worst-Case Shopping Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb. << PrevComic #909 (June 8, 2011)Next >> Worst-Case Shopping Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Title text: Wait a minute. If I'm escaping from a submarine at 50 meters, then I'll *definitely* need a flashlight to find air pockets for gradual decompression on the way up. Time to start shopping professional dive lights. Explanation For most people, under most circumstances, a flashlight's water-resistance is a completely moot point, as most flashlight use occurs on dry land. But, as Randall has shown before, there is a tendency for people to imagine elaborate scenarios in which an extra edge would be useful. In the dream sequence over the first 2 and a half frames, Cueball appears to be diving to find a key underwater, which he spots using his flashlight when he is at 8 meters. His flashlight goes out at 10 meters because he bought the "Hi-Brite" model. The dream sequence also references a "radio shed", which were only really used in the past for amateur radios or some other military style bases/compounds—which would align with his "warn the President" line. He thus suggests the more water-resistant flashlight. However, this is seen as ridiculous from his friend, since the more durable model costs over $25 more in return. He replies that "you never know" what situation you'll be in. The title text takes Cueball's thought process to the next level. If he is getting a flashlight that works to 40 meters (worst-case), he should probably be prepared for even deeper waters as well (even worse-case). This comic is similar to 761: DFS. Transcript [Cueball is diving in very deep, dark blue water. He shines a flashlight at the sea floor.] Cueball (thinks): Eight meters. There's the wreckage... Yes! I see the key! [As he swims further toward it, his flashlight starts to cut out.] Cueball (thinks): Gotta grab it, surface, get in to the radio shed, and warn the President! Just a few more... Flashlight: BZZT FIZZ [This panel has no border like the others, and is divided in half diagonally by a thought bubble.] [The left half of it is a dark blue thought bubble with the diver inside it. On the right hand side are packaged flashlights hanging on a shelf. The one called Hi-Brite is $24.95 and is labeled "water resistant to 10 meters." The one called "FenStar G6" is $49.95 and says "water resistant to 40 meters."] Cueball (thinks): Oh no. [Cueball and a friend stand in front of a flashlight display in a store. Cueball looks down at the packages with his hand on his chin in thought. The thought bubble from the previous panel leads from his head. The friend stands behind him.] Cueball: ...maybe I should spring for the deeper water resistance. Friend: Why on earth would you care about that? Cueball: Look, you never know. comment.png Add comment new topic.png Create topic (use sparingly) refresh discuss.png Refresh Discussion Pretty much the mentality of any multi-tool buyer. I probably only need a knife and file in most cases, but I'll *never* need anything else if I buy a leatherman! 01:41, 17 April 2013 (UTC) Of course the real reason to buy the higher water resistance is that the standatd "water resistant" figures are highly optimistic being based on static pressure only. -- plugwash 141.101.98.51 16:45, 18 March 2014 (UTC) Spot on -- The Cat Lady (talk) 12:37, 22 August 2021 (UTC) comment.png Add comment Categories: All comicsComics from 2011Comics from JuneWednesday comicsComics featuring CueballComics with colorMultiple Cueballs Navigation menu Not logged inTalkContributionsCreate accountLog in PageDiscussionReadEditView historySearch Search explain xkcd Main page Latest comic Community portal xkcd xkcd.com Recent changes Random page All comics Browse comics RSS feed Help Tools What links here Related changes Special pages Printable version Permanent link Page information Follow @explain xkcd Ads This page was last edited on 14 November 2024. Privacy policyAbout explain xkcd by MediaWikiCreative