xkcd #3105: Interoperability

Title text:

We’re getting a lot of complaints from commuters who were routed onto a coaster, but the theme park patrons who spent hours stuck on an intercity line are also not happy.

Transcript:

[A close-up shot of Black Hat from the shoulders up]
Black Hat: Compatibility and interoperability are so important.

[A zoom out reveals that Black Hat is standing in front of and pointing at a diagram showing a commuter subway car and a roller coaster car, and the tracks they both run on. Standing next to him are Cueball and Hairbun]
Black Hat: For example, most subway rails are 143.5 cm apart. But many roller coasters use a narrower 110 cm gauge.

[This panel shows only Black Hat]
Black Hat: For the last few years, our company has been quietly retrofitting roller coasters to use 143.5 cm tracks.

[Black Hat now has his fists raised]
Black Hat: Soon, we can begin phase 2.
Voice from off-panel: Maybe interoperability is actually bad.
Black Hat: If you listen to the destination announcement while boarding, you’ll be fine.

Source: https://xkcd.com/3105/

explainxkcd for #3105

  • schnurrito@discuss.tchncs.de
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    10 days ago

    I am not sure I have seen track gauges given in centimeters ever before. Usually I see that standard gauge is 1435 millimeters.

  • palordrolap@fedia.io
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    10 days ago

    At the risk of incurring the wrath of Black Hat Guy, this seems like one of his more tame endeavours.

    unless

    He’s built the Euthanasia Coaster and it’s one of the destinations.

    • balsoft@lemmy.ml
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      10 days ago

      Eh, this is sure to result in a lot of deaths and destruction, since subway trains don’t have any way to strap you in, and are unlikely to handle the accelerations required to stay on rollercoaster tracks. Also remember that one of his first appearances is https://xkcd.com/72 which seems like child’s play in comparison - he’s sure grown over the years

    • gex@lemmy.world
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      10 days ago

      It depends on how many people are aboard the car, how hard you can hold on to a pole and whether it’s an open car (like a trolley)