The Declining Quality of xkcd.

[SlappyMcGee]

Today's xkcd.

The problem with this webcomic is that it isn't very funny, and instead of being funny, it's mocking others that are in a similar situation. It almost seems like Randall Munroe is running out of ideas, and fast. This isn't too surprising, considering xkcd has been-there-done-that just about every geek observation it could possibly make. I'm beginning to think it might be time to call it quits. Every time I've laughed at xkcd in the last year or so it has been at the alt-text, which was very funny. Meanwhile, the blog is less updated then ever, which used to be quality anyway.


So, what do you guys think?

[Condog]

I totally agree, it's gone stale. I regularly check for updates, but lately the comics have been really disappointing. He should either hand it over to someone with fresh ideas, call it quits, or start a new webcomic on a different premise.

He should have made a fantastic goodbye-and-thanks strip for number 500. It would have been awesome.

[Kablizzy]

I actually wrote something about this very thing a few months back, and it's truer now than it was then. I still tune in and giggle every now and again, but really - It's just like Bob Barker, God rest his soul.

[乳头的早餐谷物]

The only thing more tired than xkcd is pointing that out. It's 2009, let's get on with our lives.

[blue_tetris]

I feel like this is a direct attack at Tanner. You know he loves that comic. Let's not question xkcd's quality.

xkcd is a webcomic and has been for quite some time. That's good enough for me.

[Tanner]

What sort of sucks is that Randall Munroe has surrounded himself with people who are terrifically funny and yet, for whatever reason, he seems entirely reluctant to use any of their material. It's as though this pseudo-fame has warped his otherwise brilliant mind. And let's not pretend that he doesn't occasionally come up with a brilliant little treatise or project because he does and we all enjoy them but we have to wonder if perhaps there would be someone better suited for his position. Someone fresh. Someone with new ideas. Perhaps someone who has been around for a while but never really been given a chance to prove himself. He would have to have certain credentials, of course, and a sly wit but not much else. Everything else would come. There would be dissenters. There would be people who miss the "good old days" but they would come around with time because things would be better. The new empire would have learned from the old ones mistakes and new challenges would seem less daunting. This could happen right now. All that's required is for the old guard to take a step back and make way for new, fresh troupes. Randall would most certainly be given a comfortable title in this new hierarchy. A cushy sofa where he could sit and ruminate and grow old and fat. He would be an important adviser but carry no real clout. How could he? He's been slipping since the beginning and his leash is far too long. He needs to be reigned in. The winds of change, they are a-blowin', Dave.

[blue_tetris]

What sort of sucks is that Randall Munroe has surrounded himself with people who are terrifically funny and yet, for whatever reason, he seems entirely reluctant to use any of their material. It's as though this pseudo-fame has warped his otherwise brilliant mind. And let's not pretend that he doesn't occasionally come up with a brilliant little treatise or project because he does and we all enjoy them but we have to wonder if perhaps there would be someone better suited for his position. Someone fresh. Someone with new ideas. Perhaps someone who has been around for a while but never really been given a chance to prove himself. He would have to have certain credentials, of course, and a sly wit but not much else. Everything else would come. There would be dissenters. There would be people who miss the "good old days" but they would come around with time because things would be better. The new empire would have learned from the old ones mistakes and new challenges would seem less daunting. This could happen right now. All that's required is for the old guard to take a step back and make way for new, fresh troupes. Randall would most certainly be given a comfortable title in this new hierarchy. A cushy sofa where he could sit and ruminate and grow old and fat. He would be an important adviser but carry no real clout. How could he? He's been slipping since the beginning and his leash is far too long. He needs to be reigned in. The winds of change, they are a-blowin', Dave.

Are you talking about Penny Arcade? Because Penny Arcade has been around longer than xkcd and they still seem to churn out better product.

Oh, wait, no. Here it is: http://www.comet7.com/

[Tanner]

What sort of sucks is that Randall Munroe has surrounded himself with people who are terrifically funny and yet, for whatever reason, he seems entirely reluctant to use any of their material. It's as though this pseudo-fame has warped his otherwise brilliant mind. And let's not pretend that he doesn't occasionally come up with a brilliant little treatise or project because he does and we all enjoy them but we have to wonder if perhaps there would be someone better suited for his position. Someone fresh. Someone with new ideas. Perhaps someone who has been around for a while but never really been given a chance to prove himself. He would have to have certain credentials, of course, and a sly wit but not much else. Everything else would come. There would be dissenters. There would be people who miss the "good old days" but they would come around with time because things would be better. The new empire would have learned from the old ones mistakes and new challenges would seem less daunting. This could happen right now. All that's required is for the old guard to take a step back and make way for new, fresh troupes. Randall would most certainly be given a comfortable title in this new hierarchy. A cushy sofa where he could sit and ruminate and grow old and fat. He would be an important adviser but carry no real clout. How could he? He's been slipping since the beginning and his leash is far too long. He needs to be reigned in. The winds of change, they are a-blowin', Dave.

Are you talking about Penny Arcade? Because Penny Arcade has been around longer than xkcd and they still seem to churn out better product.

Oh, wait, no. Here it is: http://www.comet7.com/

What? No, I was talking about XKCD. Jesus...

[blue_tetris]

About the up-and-coming comic creators to replace xkcd, which you implied. Because I feel like the only comics out there which stand a chance of being better than xkcd are the ones which have been around longer. And even those comics haven't done much in recent years.

All of the other comic hopefuls seem to challenge xkcd and insult it whenever they feel like it'll be a lark, but despite the relentless whining, those other comic creators don't put out a product. I mean, really, if they want to replace Randall, they need to do more than just whine about him for five years. They actually need to get off their asses and start their own comics. Let's be honest: No one likes xkcd. But there are a bunch of authors who are caught complaining and insulting by the sidelines and it turns out that's all they're good at. They've been in the business of trying to do their own art and pretend like creative geniuses for years and they still fall back on the comfortable laurels of being do-nothing critics of the comic world at large.

I feel like they could learn a lesson about diligence in the face of adversity from xkcd. You may not like to admit it, but we all know you secretly like xkcd and would probably be willing to learn a thing or two from it, if you stopped fronting like you hate it so much to make SlappyMcGee happy.

[Tanner]

The reason you think that is that the only replacement for XKCD that you can imagine is a replica of XKCD but new and fresh when, in reality, the new XKCD probably isn't going to be much like that at all. Nobody isn't going to want to read XKCDv2 while XKCD is still putting out a comic, whether the comic is good or not. They're pledged their loyalty to XKCD over the years if not verbally then with their complicit behaviour. In reality, the new XKCD isn't going to look much like XKCD at all. It may list XKCD as one of its influences but it will have been so diluted by a host of other influences that it will be an entirely different beast. It may not even have the same personality as XKCD but it will have many of the same goals and ideals. I'm not saying that I can write this comic by myself because I don't think I can. But if me, SlappyMcGee and Yahoozy were to get together, hell, who knows what could happen? This comic is already being written, Dave, whether you like it or not. It's been percolating for while and because you've been looking for a "The New XKCD" comic, you've missed it. I wonder if you'll continue to miss it because you don't want to see it.

You're right on one point, though. I do still like XKCD. Even if it makes me a little sad to see what it's become. And I'm gonna keep on liking XKCD right until it's done for good.

[blue_tetris]

The reason you think that is that the only replacement for XKCD that you can imagine is a replica of XKCD but new and fresh when, in reality, the new XKCD probably isn't going to be much like that at all. Nobody isn't going to want to read XKCDv2 while XKCD is still putting out a comic, whether the comic is good or not. They're pledged their loyalty to XKCD over the years if not verbally then with their complicit behaviour. In reality, the new XKCD isn't going to look much like XKCD at all. It may list XKCD as one of its influences but it will have been so diluted by a host of other influences that it will be an entirely different beast. It may not even have the same personality as XKCD but it will have many of the same goals and ideals. I'm not saying that I can write this comic by myself because I don't think I can. But if me, SlappyMcGee and Yahoozy were to get together, hell, who knows what could happen? This comic is already being written, Dave, whether you like it or not. It's been percolating for while and because you've been looking for a "The New XKCD" comic, you've missed it. I wonder if you'll continue to miss it because you don't want to see it.

You're right on one point, though. I do still like XKCD. Even if it makes me a little sad to see what it's become. And I'm gonna keep on liking XKCD right until it's done for good.

Hmm? I don't think someone should make xkcd2. I think someone should actually innovate a project for once instead of being hopelessly derivative; and beg that he'll be able to find references in other people's comics that make him feel like he's not the only one who can't conjure new ideas. I'm patiently waiting a surprise that's not frivolous absurdity and has art, style, and writing to contend with rather than equal that of xkcd. It's just not happening.

As for Slaps, Tanner, and yahoozy?, I think those guys have talked about a new comic for a while. They're really good at talking about comics. I'm looking forward to the next talking that they do. They're really good at talking about doing comics, when they're not busy talking about something to talk about. I think they need direction. I may help them lead their project, otherwise there's no way it'll be anywhere near as good as xkcd.

When you guys wanna start your comic and stop talking about it, I'm totally onboard. I'll have Slappy review the papers with me once we're done making characters on the fully-released D&D Character Builder, now offering up to 30 levels of every class and exclusive new powers for the as-of-yet-unrealeased Bard and Druid. I really want to see you guys be able to succeed and it's gone pretty much nowhere without me. I don't want this comic of yours to become another "Cyberzone visualization studio".

[Tanner]

XKCD will never be satisfied with any other comics that spring up around it. I remember when this particularly young but enterprising member of the XKCD community started an interview feature for XKCD's weekly periodical. It was very well liked among the members of the community. And then that particular individual had to take a trip overseas and couldn't continue the interviews but they were taken over by a very nice, elder member of the community. Then, when the interviewer came back, the elder member of the community offered to interview the original interviewer. When Randall Munroe heard about this, he said to the elder member of the community, "You're going to interview him? Why?" Now, he did almost immediately recant in the name of tack but the thought was out there. The interview feature continued for a little while and then, due to the limited resource of interviewable people, spluttered and died. Nevertheless, it had a good run and I don't think anyone will disagree with that. I wouldn't expect Randall to remember this incident considering what an insignificant remark it was but I certainly do.

I wonder how you would've reacted in such a situation, Dave. Or if you would've thrown your weight behind such a venture. Or even mentioned any sort of approval had a member of the Metanet community started something like that. Don't even, man. Don't even.

[SlappyMcGee]

Hmm? I don't think someone should make xkcd2. I think someone should actually innovate a project for once instead of being hopelessly derivative; and beg that he'll be able to find references in other people's comics that make him feel like he's not the only one who can't conjure new ideas. I'm patiently waiting a surprise that's not frivolous absurdity and has art, style, and writing to contend with rather than equal that of xkcd. It's just not happening.

As for Slaps, Tanner, and yahoozy?, I think those guys have talked about a new comic for a while. They're really good at talking about comics. I'm looking forward to the next talking that they do. They're really good at talking about doing comics, when they're not busy talking about something to talk about. I think they need direction. I may help them lead their project, otherwise there's no way it'll be anywhere near as good as xkcd.

When you guys wanna start your comic and stop talking about it, I'm totally onboard. I'll have Slappy review the papers with me once we're done making characters on the fully-released D&D Character Builder, now offering up to 30 levels of every class and exclusive new powers for the as-of-yet-unrealeased Bard and Druid. I really want to see you guys be able to succeed and it's gone pretty much nowhere without me. I don't want this comic of yours to become another "Cyberzone visualization studio".

Yeah, I agree. I mean, has he seen a movie in the last decade? lols.

[blue_tetris]

I just got the go-ahead. I'm taking over the comic. Tell me when you guys want to start it, because I'm ready to make your comic for you when you are.

Among the movies I've not seen: Saw II, Batman Begins, Shrek 2, Saw III, Scary Movie 4, Final Destination 3, Transporter 3, The Simpsons Movie, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.

The only ones I saw were the new Indiana Jones and Life Aquatic. Whatever.

[Tanner]

How you gonna pretend shit didn't just get real? Holla'tch!

[blue_tetris]

How you gonna pretend shit didn't just get real? Holla'tch!

I really came in to defend xkcd and you and you railed on your boy Randall. S'all I know.



To address what you said: if Randall really did discourage other people from helping him on xkcd, that's pretty low. I'd never do anything like that. I think you and I should both adopt a straight up hatred for xkcd, given that its creator is absolutely nothing like Dave and instead openly discourages projects from starting.

Now, if Randall ironically said something offhand when told about some random interview thing conducted by some random one of his fans instead of what you're implying, I think he's still an alright guy. In fact, I'd say the xkcd community member that led this interview should probably not rest so heavily on every word uttered by his hero, Randall Monroe. The guy, like all others, is human and needs to joke around ironically and not have his words misconstrued. I feel really bad for the fan that lets this kind of thing bother him for three whole years and then slowly slips out of the community and into an ascerbic, lonely, and nonproductive hole.

[Turiski]

b_t, you're sort of being hypocritical here.
Surely you have some discretion as to who mods which forum, right?

Then why is SlappyMcGee, about who you said

...[Along with Tanner and Yahoozy, a]re really good at talking about comics. I'm looking forward to the next talking that they do.

moderator of the comic forum?

EDIT: on topic, meh. xkcd is what it is. He's enjoyed success, and is occasionally funny.

[blue_tetris]

b_t, you're sort of being hypocritical here.
Surely you have some discretion as to who mods which forum, right?

Then why is SlappyMcGee, about who you said

...[Along with Tanner and Yahoozy, a]re really good at talking about comics. I'm looking forward to the next talking that they do.

moderator of the comic forum?

EDIT: on topic, meh. xkcd is what it is. He's enjoyed success, and is occasionally funny.

I set SlappyMcGee as the moderator of Webcomics, personally, without any consultation. Nothing I've said implies that's a bad decision.

Also, I was being ironic: I like SlappyMcGee's comics as much as I like and appreciate his ability to discuss comics and comic theory.

This whole thread was about Tanner's athletic supporter, made of increasingly convoluted irony, which defends his fragile balls.

[Kablizzy]

I'm with Turiski on this one. Hippocrits.

[SlappyMcGee]

I'm with Turiski on this one. Hippocrits.

I'm reducing your post count by 200.

[Exüberance]

It's average quality may be decreasing, but he somehow still manages to always come up with a hilarious comic fairly frequently, and as far as I know, he's never missed an update. I haven't dated my favourite comics I downloaded, but I believe they are fairly spread out. Some times were funnier than others, but xkcd is still better (in my opinion) than any other comic I read.

[Lenny]

Hmm. XKCD comics aren't necessarily funny. My favourite is number 505 (A Bunch Of Rocks), which was very well drawn as well as very deep.

I think it's a certain type of humour, most of the time, and perhaps less and less people are falling into that category.

[乳头的早餐谷物]

Hmm. XKCD comics aren't necessarily funny. My favourite is number 505 (A Bunch Of Rocks), which was very well drawn as well as very deep.

I think it's a certain type of humour, most of the time, and perhaps less and less people are falling into that category.

If you're saying that it's not xkcd that's changing, it's the readers, I have to disagree. The early classics remain great comics.

[Exüberance]

The early classics remain great comics.

I originally agreed with the idea that xkcd did have a lot of great comics at the beginning (though I'm NOT saying it still isn't good), but then I started going through them, and actually found it getting better the more forward I went. I think it was at its best in the 200s and 300s with comics like these. Yet still, there's always a comic every few weeks that just hits me right and I can't help laughing out loud.