# ­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:** 270
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5383 "2026-01-04T01:08:59Z")
AIUI, your concern is the astronauts are on a one-way trip to deep space as they fly _past_ the conic base My concern is they get ketchuped by the G-forces as their ship makes the square corners necessary to have a closed orbit _along_ the conic base. Two very different reasons for astronaut recruiting to be difficult. But both equally difficult. Who’s to say which of us is right? Or perhaps there’s a third interpretation? ---
**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:** [January 4, 2026, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5384 "2026-01-04T03:28:19Z")
You are, of course. There is no ~~spoon~~ base. 🥄 ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5385 "2026-01-06T11:25:59Z")
> **[Tensegrity](https://xkcd.com/3190/)** [![](https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/tensegrity.png) ](https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/tensegrity.png) “Some people argue that the tension and compression in the human skeleton is technically tensegrity, but it’s missing the defining characteristic: making people say ‘wtf, how is that thing floating?’ when they see it.” Just to save everyone their googling: > **[Tensegrity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tensegrity)** > > Tensegrity, tensional integrity or floating compression is a structural principle based on a system of isolated components under compression inside a network of continuous tension, and arranged in such a way that the compressed members (usually bars or struts) do not touch each other while the prestressed tensioned members (usually cables or tendons) delineate the system spatially. > Tensegrity structures are found in both nature and human-made objects: in the human body, the bones are held in c... ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5386 "2026-01-06T12:47:51Z")
so, it’s like one of those floating table designs? Is that it? [![](https://i.etsystatic.com/24787140/r/il/787fb4/2567958197/il_794xN.2567958197_gn0h.jpg) ](https://i.etsystatic.com/24787140/r/il/787fb4/2567958197/il_794xN.2567958197_gn0h.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5387 "2026-01-06T14:50:34Z")
Exactly ---
**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:** [January 6, 2026, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5388 "2026-01-06T15:23:58Z")
Neat! I’ve never seen one of these before. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5389 "2026-01-06T16:18:29Z")
First time I saw one, I certainly said “WTF? How is that thing floating?” ---
**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:** [January 6, 2026, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5390 "2026-01-06T20:26:22Z")
It does look rather like one of these. [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1e/RogerHaywardUndecidable_Monument.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1e/RogerHaywardUndecidable_Monument.jpg) ---
**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:** [January 6, 2026, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5391 "2026-01-06T22:59:09Z")
It’s a little-appreciated fact that tensegrity is almost completely what supports our spines; the vertebrae do not simply load onto the ones below them in compression like a stack of blocks. Rather, the muscles, tendons and ligaments attached to the processes of the vertebrae convert the vertical load into tension; the discs between the vertebrae primarily are cushioning. A highly stylized view of how it works is shown here: [![](https://intensiondesigns.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_1286_tetra_mast.jpg) ](https://intensiondesigns.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_1286_tetra_mast.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5392 "2026-01-07T01:01:11Z")
That’s eye-opening. Largely for what it suggests about core body muscular strength and spinal health. Yowza! Get weak and get f\*\*ked. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5393 "2026-01-07T13:20:38Z")
Yes! Thank you. Now, I understand why my orthopedist recommended yoga, and why my back is doing much better. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5394 "2026-01-07T16:10:51Z")
That is remarkably more wholesome than where my mind was immediately drawn. Not long ago I stumbled across a medieval torture device I’d never heard of before: the Scavenger’s Daughter. It’s essentially the opposite of the rack; instead of stretching you apart, it folds you into a ball until you squish. Just glancing at that simplified graphic of the spine makes me wince, involuntarily thinking of both of those devices. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5395 "2026-01-07T22:48:04Z")
was it REALLY a medival torture device? As far as I understand, a lot of those (e.g. the Iron Maiden) were never used and what we see today are historic reproductions (sorry no quote, might have been debated on the SDMB) ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5396 "2026-01-08T00:22:18Z")
> **[Superstition](https://xkcd.com/3191/)** [![](https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/superstition.png) ](https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/superstition.png) “It’s important to teach yourself to feel responsible for random events, because with great responsibility comes great power. That’s what my wise Uncle Ben told me right before he died; he might still be alive today if only I’d said rabbit rabbit that year!” ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2026, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5397 "2026-01-11T04:58:37Z")
> **[Planetary Alignment](https://xkcd.com/3192/)** [![](https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/planetary_alignment.png) ](https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/planetary_alignment.png) “We’re going to need to modify the surface to mount it on the test stand. Which ocean basin do you like the least?” ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5398 "2026-01-13T13:09:30Z")
> **[Sailing Rigs](https://xkcd.com/3193/)** [![](https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/sailing_rigs.png) ](https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/sailing_rigs.png) “I wanted to make the world’s fastest yawl, so I made the aft sail bigger, but apparently that means it’s not a yawl anymore! It’s a real ketch-22.” ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5399 "2026-01-13T13:13:38Z")
Surely he wrote the alt-text first, and then drew a comic to lead into it. ---
**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:** [January 13, 2026, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5400 "2026-01-13T22:52:23Z")
I’m not sure precisely where he goes off the rails on that one, but kite rig is a real thing. Except not like that: It’s usually one really big kite. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5401 "2026-01-13T23:53:41Z")
And surprised rotating cylinder and fixed sails aren’t there as interesting forms. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2026, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/5402 "2026-01-14T00:05:19Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > And surprised rotating cylinder and fixed sails aren’t there as interesting forms. The Flettner rig is a rotating cylander > **[Flettner rotor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flettner_rotor)** > > A Flettner rotor is a right circular cylinder with disc end plates which is spun along its long axis. As air passes across it the Magnus effect causes an aerodynamic lift force to be generated in the direction perpendicular to both the long axis and the direction of airflow. The rotor sail is named after the German aviation engineer and inventor Anton Flettner, who started developing the rotor sail in the 1920s. > In a rotor ship, the rotors stand vertically and lift is generated at right angles... > [@Chronos](#): > > but kite rig is a real thing. Except not like that: It’s usually one really big kite. Yep, and is mentioned in explain XKCD (along with the “realness” of each one) > **[3193: Sailing Rigs - explain xkcd](https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/3193:_Sailing_Rigs)** > > explain xkcd is a wiki dedicated to explaining the webcomic xkcd. Go figure. Brian anti ninja? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574.md?page=269) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574.md?page=271)