Stephen Colbert asks xkcd creator Randall Munroe crazy hypothetical questions, hilarity ensues

"How much does Canada weigh?"

Published September 4, 2014 1:40PM (EDT)

Randall Munroe with Stephen Colbert       (screenshot/The Colbert Report)
Randall Munroe with Stephen Colbert (screenshot/The Colbert Report)

Last night webcomic xkcd creator Randall Munroe appeared on "The Colbert Report" in support of his new book "What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions."

"You explain something complicated with your drawings, and the simplest possible scientific, mathematical or philosophical way," Colbert stated.

So, naturally, Colbert put him through the ringer. He started with some softball questions, inquiring how Munroe came up with the name "xkcd."

Then Colbert moved to the more challenging inquiries, asking, "How much does Canada weigh?" Munroe, the thoughtful science educator, incredibly spits out an answer. Watch below:


By Sarah Gray

Sarah Gray is an assistant editor at Salon, focusing on innovation. Follow @sarahhhgray or email sgray@salon.com.

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Canada Science Stephen Colbert The Colbert Report Video Xkcd