# ­xkcd thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** comic-strips\ **Created:** [May 28, 2020, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574 "2020-05-28T00:57:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 155
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2024, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3083 "2024-05-30T01:33:29Z")
Wait, ICQ didn’t shut down 20 years ago? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2024, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3084 "2024-05-30T01:37:40Z")
Nope. But it _is_ shutting down June 26 (of this year). Try logging in at [icq.com](http://icq.com); I did and see all my old contacts, although none of the messages. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3085 "2024-06-01T01:42:04Z")
> **[Modes of Transportation](https://xkcd.com/2940/)** > > My bold criticism might anger the hot air balloon people, which would be a real concern if any of them lived along a very narrow line directly upwind of me. I’d like to add “space capsules” and “bathyscaphes” to the area between helicopters and hot-air balloons. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3086 "2024-06-01T02:17:28Z")
Gotta watch out for those balloon incidents: > **[Black Box Records Last 90 Minutes Of Hot-Air Balloon Crash](https://www.theonion.com/black-box-records-last-90-minutes-of-hot-air-balloon-cr-1819568253)** > > FAYETTEVILLE, AR—A black box recovered from the scene of Sunday afternoon's crash of a hot-air balloon gave investigators a chilling glimpse into the craft's final, somewhat terrifying 90 minutes in the air. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3087 "2024-06-01T14:12:45Z")
He must have a different definition of “convenient” than I do. A go-kart is more convenient in getting from place to place than a skateboard is? Maybe he means “better for long distance travel”, but in that case how is a scooter better than an airplane? ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3088 "2024-06-01T19:25:06Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > A go-kart is more convenient in getting from place to place than a skateboard is? A go-kart allows sitting, conveyance of groceries, and multiple people - more convenient than a skateboard, which would make any of those tricky ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3089 "2024-06-01T19:40:39Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > A go-kart allows sitting, conveyance of groceries, and multiple people - more convenient than a skateboard, which would make any of those tricky I can attest to that. After I had two bikes stolen when I was 12 years old (for failing to properly lock them up), my parents refused to get me another one. So I used a skateboard to get around, which frequently included skateboarding home with two bags of groceries in my arms. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3090 "2024-06-01T22:24:05Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > Gotta watch out for those balloon incidents: Back in the '80s when cell phones were just getting started some marketing genius hit upon the idea of having a hot air balloon race with in-basket reporters giving updates as the race progressed. There were probably several stations involved but I was listening on KGO. It was timed for the morning drive and the idea was for the balloons to take off from Crissy Field and touch down somewhere around Berkeley in East Bay. At first everything went swimmingly with Jenny, the on-scene reporter calling in every ten minutes. Then the wind shifted. Taking a more northerly course, the KGO balloon – at least – headed right for Angel Island. The last call you, could hear the burner firing for long seconds with only momentary pauses while Jenny, more calmly than I would have, was saying, “We’re headed right for the cliff and I don’t think we’re going to clear----” Cue the in-studio hosts screaming, “Jenny!! Jenny!?” before a quick cut to commercial. It took about twenty minutes to find out the rest. The basket had struck about 20 feet below the top of the cliff and slid down to the beach with no injuries to anyone. The balloon was wrecked, though. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3091 "2024-06-01T23:04:21Z")
As God is my witness, I thought Jenny could fly. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2024, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3092 "2024-06-02T01:09:42Z")
Dear lord, that was funny. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3093 "2024-06-03T21:15:01Z")
> **[Cell Organelles](https://xkcd.com/2941/)** > > It's believed that Golgi was originally an independent organism who was eventually absorbed into our cells, where he began work on his Apparatus. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3094 "2024-06-03T21:33:08Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > He must have a different definition of “convenient” than I do. I would also dispute the unicycle placement. Every college campus has a handful of oddballs that tool around on unicycles. Assuming you’ve learned to ride one, they appear to be as practical as a bicycle, if not more so (they can more easily be carried inside, for example). Sleds are almost entirely useless, and skis only marginally more so. And even better if “unicycle” includes the self-balancing motorized ones. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3095 "2024-06-03T21:34:22Z")
If you live somewhere with a lot of snow, skis (cross country) are very practical. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3096 "2024-06-03T21:39:30Z")
Snowy area, _and_ winter, _and_ a rural area where you actually have trails available, _and_ relatively flat ground, etc. Snowshoes may be slower and less efficient, but they’re far more practical since they can handle any terrain. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3097 "2024-06-03T22:12:54Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > If you live somewhere with a lot of snow, skis (cross country) are very practical. And if you live on a go-kart track, a go-kart is very practical. But for the rest of us… ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3098 "2024-06-03T22:38:35Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Snowy area, _and_ winter, _and_ a rural area where you actually have trails available, _and_ relatively flat ground, etc. Snowshoes may be slower and less efficient, but they’re far more practical since they can handle any terrain. You don’t need a rural area or “trails”. I’ve seen people ski on roads and sidewalks when those hadn’t been plowed, yet, and I’ve skied on “hiking paths” in the winter. And across lawns. The terrain doesn’t need to be all that flat, either. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3099 "2024-06-03T22:43:20Z")
There are no “hiking paths” in the kind of urban or suburban areas I’m used to. Certainly none that go anywhere useful. There are bike trails that would be unpleasant to ski on due to elevation changes. I guess skiing alongside a road is a possibility, but that sounds even more suicidal than biking alongside roads without a dedicated bike lane. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3100 "2024-06-03T22:55:32Z")
I’ve actually used skis to get around the Chestnut Hill area of Philadelphia. I was visiting a girlfriend, the traffic bogged down to a standstill from a snow storm (stupid drivers losing momentum). Put on my boots and took the downhill skis off the rack and went the two miles to her house on streets and sidewalks. This was back in the 70s. /end weird anecdote ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3101 "2024-06-03T23:06:16Z")
I don’t understand what kind of slope would be okay on a bike and not on cross country skis, honestly. And i live in a suburb, and have seen people skiing on the sidewalks. No, you probably can’t ski in a city. But a lot of people live in the burbs, where skiing can be practical. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3102 "2024-06-03T23:18:05Z")
The biggest bike trail around me has lots of ups and downs, often just to go under a road. On a bike it’s fine because you recover almost all the kinetic energy you picked up going through a low point, but skis aren’t nearly as efficient that way. The hills aren’t steep enough to pose a real obstacle to either bicycles or skis, but it’s a lot more work on skis. Especially since on a bike you can constantly pedal to keep your speed up, as compared to skis where the work is concentrated on the tough spots. Anyway, I’m sure there are plenty of places where skis work, but we’re already talking about only certain parts of the country, only certain times of the year, only certain population densities, etc. It’s a pretty narrow slice when you’re done with all that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574.md?page=154) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574.md?page=156)