this post was submitted on 15 Jul 2025
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xkcd #3115: Unsolved Physics Problems

Title text:

'Tin pest' makes more sense to me. Tin just doesn't want to be locked down in a shape like that. I get it. But why would any metal want to grow hair??

Transcript:

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Source: https://xkcd.com/3115/

explainxkcd for #3115

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[–] Hamartiogonic@sopuli.xyz 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

In Nordic folklore, there’s a concept for a household spirit (nisse/tomte) that may do mischievous tricks if you don’t treat it appropriately. If mathematics can’t solve this puzzle, it has to be a computer tomte that isn’t happy with your taste in RGB or how infrequently you run software updates.

[–] dumples@midwest.social 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Or you haven't poured enough milk and porridge into your computer. Depends on the tomte

[–] Hamartiogonic@sopuli.xyz 2 points 3 days ago

If you see sparks and smoke coming from the computer, you can be pretty sure you’re doing something wrong.