Tones

by submission

Image Text: I need a lawn, so I can yell at kids to stay off it.

This explanation is by Harm. Harm is a reader of xkcd and explainxkcd. Harm writes explanations. Harm wrote that sentence mentioning that he writes explanations. Harm didn't write the previous sentence.

This comic references the custom ring tones that most cell phones have. While the classic phone made a simple ringing sound, most people tend to change their tones to that of music, sound effects, or quotes (though the simple "buzzing" has grown more popular since this comic was written). Most of the time, these sounds are annoying to everyone within ear-shot except for the receiver.

Since most phones can have a different tone for each potential caller, this can serve as an identifier without having to look at the phone.

The image text pokes fun at the fact that the classic ringing is outdated, and references stereotypical old men that yell at children to stay off of their lawn.