What If? is the spin-off where xkcd's Randall Munroe answers the kind of questions people ask at 2 a.m.: what would happen if you built a cannon in space, or something equally outlandish? He takes each one seriously, does the math, and explains the outcome with stick-figure diagrams and a steady stream of jokes. When you arrive, you see a list of questions and answers, each one a self-contained little essay. The charm is the tone, which treats a silly premise with real physics and then happily follows the numbers to a ridiculous or alarming conclusion. It is a good rabbit hole for curious people because every answer teaches a handful of true things about the world, almost by accident. Pick whichever title makes you laugh first, read it to the end, and then notice that the archive is far longer than you planned for. It pairs naturally with xkcd, and it is a safe bet for anyone who likes science with a sense of humor.
Tips for getting the most out of it
- Start with the title that makes you laugh, not the oldest post.
- Read to the end; the final lines often land the joke.
- Pair it with the main xkcd comic for a longer session.
Questions about What If?
What is xkcd What If?
What If? is a section of xkcd where Randall Munroe answers outlandish hypothetical questions using math and science, with his trademark stick-figure drawings and humor. Each answer works as a short essay, so you can read one in a few minutes or lose an afternoon in the archive. In short: Absurd hypothetical questions, answered with real science.
Is What If? real science?
The answers are built on real calculations and physics, explained for a general audience, but the questions are deliberately absurd. Treat it as entertaining science communication rather than a textbook, and check the figures if you plan to cite them. For reference, What If? is listed as working on mobile, takes a deep rabbit hole to enjoy, and we check its link daily.
Sites like What If?
PhET Interactive Simulations
Free physics, chemistry and math simulations you can poke at.
- Rabbit hole
- Works on phones
- Alive · checked 15 days ago
xkcd
Randall Munroe's webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math and language.
- 5 minutes
- Alive · checked 15 days ago
Futility Closet
An idler's miscellany of odd facts, puzzles and curiosities.
- Rabbit hole
- Works on phones
- Alive · checked 15 days ago
Damn Interesting
Long-form true stories that are obscure, odd and gripping.
- Rabbit hole
- Works on phones
- Alive · checked 15 days ago
The Deep Sea
Scroll down through the ocean and meet what lives at every depth.
- 5 minutes
- Works on phones
- Alive
Dark Patterns
A guided tour of the tricks websites use to manipulate you.
- 5 minutes
- Works on phones
- Alive