History Main / TechnoBabble

* ''Webcomic/EightBitTheater'' features a technobabble dialogue in [[http://www.nuklearpower.com/2003/09/25/episode-334-car-talk-and-retribution/ this strip]].
* Lampshaded, in a typically direct way, in [[https://web.archive.org/web/20130817185749/http://antihero.keenspot.com/d/20081103.html this]] ''Webcomic/AntiheroForHire'' strip.

* ''Webcomic/BobAndGeorge'':
** Seen first [[http://www.bobandgeorge.com/archives/010519c here]].
** Shown in [[http://www.bobandgeorge.com/archives/index.php?date=041204 these]] [[http://www.bobandgeorge.com/archives/index.php?date=041205 two]] comics. Keep reading -- a few comics later it culminates nicely with a character exploding due to technobabble overload.

** Done hilariously in [[http://exterminatusnow.comicgenesis.com/d/20100613.html this]] strip. Even better, the ''multiple'' [[WallOfText walls of text]] can be summarized thus:

* ''Webcomic/FarOutThere'' does this [[http://faroutthere.smackjeeves.com/comics/1030261/page-111-show-your-work all]] [[http://faroutthere.smackjeeves.com/comics/1071120/page-211-and-its-not-just-because-its-angry the]] [[http://faroutthere.smackjeeves.com/comics/1071137/page-213-get-on-with-it/ freaking]] [[http://faroutthere.smackjeeves.com/comics/1080531/page-274-and-the-technobabble-flowed-forth time]], though there's usually at least a little [[http://faroutthere.smackjeeves.com/comics/1080537/page-279-just-let-them-play-with-their-toys lampshading]] going on.

* Parodied in [[http://www.irregularwebcomic.net/1503.html this]] ''Webcomic/IrregularWebcomic'' strip; see also the notes at the bottom.

* [[http://www.sandraandwoo.com/2010/10/28/0212-techno-babble/ Completely inverted]] by ''Webcomic/SandraAndWoo''.

* In ''Webcomic/{{Sinfest}}'', [[https://web.archive.org/web/20140209182543/http://sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=3069 Percy uses it to belittle Pooch's discovery.]] (Percy had earlier declared a shoe was an "awesome machine" for him.)
* Parodied in ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'', [[http://sluggy.com/daily.php?date=971008 here]].

* Lampshaded in [[http://wayofthemetagamer.thecomicseries.com/comics/pl/32150 this]] ''Webcomic/TheWayOfTheMetagamer'' comic.

** Lampshaded when Jean Poule tries to [[http://bobadventures.comicgenesis.com/d/20071204.html explain the experiment which produced Molly.]]
** And again when Molly [[http://bobadventures.comicgenesis.com/d/20100713.html tries to explain her newest invention.]]

* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' is also infamous for its technobabble. It doesn't just feature babble about actual technology but about ''meta-physics'' as well, straight down to talking about things like "ego barriers."

-->'''Maya:''' The ego border is frozen in a loop.\\

-->'''Shigeru Aoba:''' We've got an unidentified intruder! Someone's hacking the sub-computer! I'm tracing it!\\

* ''Webcomic/{{Narbonic}}'', which featured such gems as [[https://web.archive.org/web/20071119022116/http://www.webcomicsnation.com/users/narbonic/narbonic/httpdocs/011702.jpg this]], [[http://www.webcomicsnation.com/users/narbonic/091703uncounted.jpg this]], and [[https://web.archive.org/web/20130615033130/http://www.webcomicsnation.com/memberimages/092702.jpg this]]. Note that the author insisted on making the technobabble the most scientifically accurate stuff in the entire comic. Then later somewhat explained after Dave [[spoiler: goes mad, he states that English doesn't have half the words he'd need to explain how mad science works. [[http://www.webcomicsnation.com/wcn/memberimages/121306and_above_all.jpg So he made his own language]].]]

-->'''Dexter''' Now, do you understand...? ''(device turns him into a pig)'' That by combining the positive and negative polarities in sucrose radium... ''(turns into a yak)'' We can excrete the elements from any variety of zitgaforme! ''(turns into an orangutan)'' And unificate them with the superlative repercussions of the magnetic ospium! ''(turns into an ostrich)'' Thusly, this machine should not be USED by a... ''(turns into a hamster)'' ...person of lower intelligence, such as...!
-->''(Dee Dee, still in frog form, laughs with the device in hand)''
-->'''Dexter:''' You're not listening to me! ''(grabs the device and turns Dee Dee into a tiger)'' Now, pay attention!

[[caption-width-right:208:[-[[She's going to need some aspirin after listening to these descriptions.]]-]

[[caption-width-right:208:[-[[She's going to need some aspirin after listening to this description.]]-] ]]

[[caption-width-right:208:[-[[BlahBlahBlah Chatter chatter jargon!]]-] ]]

Any impressive- and [[SesquipedalianLoquaciousness scientific-sounding]], but [[MeaninglessMeaningfulWords ultimately nonsensical]] utterance, full of buzzwords.

Compare to AppliedPhlebotinum and GreenRocks. When technobabble contradicts itself, well, AWizardDidIt. See also BlahBlahBlah, HollywoodHacking and TechnologyPorn. MagiBabble for the fantasy version of this trope. Often the source of an ExpospeakGag; may be SophisticatedAsHell. Particularly ridiculous technobabble may appear to someone with actual expertise as being a technical form of DelusionsOfEloquence, or just have a hysterical or horrifying meaning in the real world. LaymansTerms is the opposite trope. Compare and contrast ProverbialWisdom, for wise or spiritual characters who cannot say anything without cloaking it in riddles, [[HurricaneOfAphorisms proverbs]] and [[TalksLikeASimile flowery metaphors]]. If someone's afraid of the technobabble, see ScaryScienceWords.

--->'''Scientist:''' [[NegativeSpaceWedgie Shiny]] [[HellGate void]] [[AnotherDimension rift]] [[JustForFun/XMeetsY plus]] [[KillSat big]] [[{{BFG}} space]] [[WaveMotionGun gun]] [[OhCrap make]] [[EarthShatteringKaboom world]] [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt go]] [[ApocalypseHow 'splody.]]

-->'''Dexter''' Now, do you understand...? ''(device turns him into a pig)'' That by combining the positive and negative polarities in sucrose radium... ''(turns into a yak)'' We can excrete the elements from any variety of zitgaforme! ''(turns into a gorilla)'' And unificate them with the superlative repercussions of the magnetic ospium! ''(turns into an ostrich)'' Thusly, this machine should not be USED by a... ''(turns into a hamster)'' ...person of lower intelligence, such as...!

* Parodied by the [[http://www.dhmo.org/ Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division]], who claim that the eponymous compound is a dangerous chemical: it's found in cancerous cells, it's extremely addicting, it's found in acid rain, it's a primary contributor to the process of erosion, it can kill when inhaled, it can kill when frozen, it can kill when heated... Although all the terminology used is correct and none of the stated information is false, anyone with basic knowledge in chemistry quickly realizes that "Dihydrogen Monoxide" is actually [[spoiler:water]], and that the possible dangers are either [[MetaphoricallyTrue greatly exaggerated]] or portrayed FromACertainPointOfView. Depressingly, numerous people unfamiliar with chemistry -- including [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dhmo.gif no few elected officials]] -- have actually advocated for a ban of the substance.

* Parodied by the [[http://www.dhmo.org/ Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division]], who claim that the eponymous compound is a dangerous chemical: it's found in cancerous cells, it's extremely addicting, it's found in acid rain, it's a primary contributor to the process of erosion, it can kill when inhaled, it can kill when frozen, it can kill when heated... Although all the terminology used is correct and none of the stated information is false, anyone with basic knowledge in chemistry quickly realizes that "Dihydrogen Monoxide" is actually [[spoiler:water]], and that the possible dangers are either [[HalfTruth greatly exaggerated]] or portrayed FromACertainPointOfView. Depressingly, numerous people unfamiliar with chemistry -- including [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dhmo.gif no few elected officials]] -- have actually advocated for a ban of the substance.

Compare to AppliedPhlebotinum and GreenRocks. When technobabble contradicts itself, well, AWizardDidIt. See also BlahBlahBlah, HollywoodHacking and TechnologyPorn. MagiBabble for the fantasy version of this trope. Often the source of an ExpospeakGag; may be SophisticatedAsHell. Particularly ridiculous technobabble may appear to someone with actual expertise as being a technical form of DelusionsOfEloquence, or just have a hysterical or horrifying meaning in the real world. LaymansTerms is the opposite trope. Compare and contrast ProverbialWisdom, for wise or spiritual characters who cannot say anything without cloaking it in riddles, [[HurricaneOfAphorisms proverbs]] and [[TalksLikeASimile flowery metaphors]].

* Played to death and [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] in ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya''.

-->'''Sayaka:''' Aphrodite A Immediate activation! number 1. Number 2. Number 3. Check! All Green! Retention bolt, begin release!

-->'''Trillian:''' Zaphod, can we stabilise X zero zero five four seven by splitting our flight path tangentially across the summate vector of nine G X seven eight with a five degree inertial correction?\\

* In ''[[FanFic/SovereignGFCOrigins Origins]]'', this is [[ExploitedTrope exploited]] by Slade Stevens, the head of S&S Munitions. He knows what he's saying is meaningless, but he ''also'' knows that nobody has the knowledge to contradict him, resulting in his being accepted as an expert.

* Every commercial for shampoo, face creams, etc that make up any old scientific-sounding mumbo-jumbo to sound like they are terribly advanced and especially effective. [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] in the shampoo commercial that points out "Here's the science bit."

* Technobabble in ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' tends to run afoul of the UnspokenPlanGuarantee; if any use of technology is described it will fail or be foiled, necessitating [[IndyPloy on-the-spot improvisation]] that involves PercussiveMaintenance, FrickinLaserBeams, or [[AWizardDidIt just science that happens to be weird]]. The entire three-way poison cure between Agatha, Gil and Tavrek is a good example, as it was full of babbling Sparks getting owned by FinaglesLaw.

* Parody: [[http://starslip.com/2005/05/25/starslip-number-3/ this]] ''Webcomic/{{Starslip}}'' strip.

** The anti-matter bombs in ''Virtue's Last Reward'' are specifically given an entire scene dedicated to explaining how they work, using real world science. This includes what anti-matter is, what anti-matter annihilation entails (this part is justified in-universe as a needed explanation for Quark, since he's just a child), then how the bombs utilize this, and how you work out the joules of energy generated by a detonation by taking the amount of matter and anti-matter, and using [[UsefulNotes/AlbertEinstein Einstein's]] Theory of Relativity.[[note]]The most amazing part of this is how they manage to make what is basically a science lesson not only seem seamless and not like it's out of place, but also [{{Edutainment fairly entertaining}}. It's specifically the game's way of taking a spirited jab at one of [[FairPlayWhodunnit Knox's 10 Commandments]], "No hitherto undiscovered poisons may be used, nor any appliance which will need a long scientific explanation", as referenced in the game's secret files.[[/note]]

* ''TabletopGame/GeniusTheTransgression'': Actually represented in the rules, and known as Jabir. A [[MadScientist Genius]] who tries to talk about any kind of science will find that they have suddenly stopped making sense.

* Subverted completely with ''VisualNovel/NineHoursNinePersonsNineDoors'' and the sequel, ''VisualNovel/VirtuesLastReward''. The abilities of espers and those who throw their consciousnesses through time could have easily been handwaved with vague explanations about telepathy and mental time travel. Instead, everything is explained in complete length, pulling from real world scientific theories and phenomena, such as morphegenetic field theory, Minkowski space, the many-worlds interpretation, and schrodinger's cat, to name a few. In the end, everything in the series seems to have gone out of its way to purposefully avoid using technobabble at pretty much any point, despite it being very sci-fi-like in nature.
** The anti-matter bombs in ''Virtue's Last Reward'' are specifically given an entire scene dedicated to explaining how they work, using real world science. This includes anti-matter is, what anti-matter annihilation entails (this part is justified in-universe as a needed explanation for Quark, since he's just a child), then how the bombs utilize this, and how you work out the joules of energy generated by a detonation by taking the amount of matter and anti-matter, and using [[UsefulNotes/AlbertEinstein Eisten's]] E=MC^2.[[note]]The most amazing part of this, is how they manage to make what is basically a science lesson not only seem seamless and not like it's out of place, but also fairly entertaining. It's specifically the game's way of taking a spirited jab at one of [[FairPlayWhodunnit "Knox's 10 commandments"]], "no hitherto undiscovered poisons may be used, nor any appliance which will need a long scientific explanation", as referenced in the game's secret files.[[/note]]

** Also, from "Kif Gets Knocked Up a Notch:"

** The anti-matter bombs in ''Virtue's Last Reward'' are specifically given an entire scene dedicated to explaining how they work, using real world science. This includes anti-matter is, what anti-matter annihilation entails (this part is justified in-universe as a needed explanation for Quark, since he's just a child), then how the bombs utilize this, and how you work out the joules of energy generated by a detonation by taking the amount of matter and anti-matter, and using [[UsefulNotes/AlbertEinstein Eisten's]] E=MC^2.[[note]]The most amazing part of this, is how they manage to make what is basically a science lesson not only seem seamless and not like it's out of place, but also fairly entertaining. It's specifically the game's way of taking a spirited jab at one of [[FairPlayWhodunnit"Knox's 10 commandments"]], "no hitherto undiscovered poisons may be used, nor any appliance which will need a long scientific explanation", as referenced in the game's secret files.[[/note]]

* Subverted in ''Webcomic/KidRadd'', where the otherwise brilliant MadScientist has a huge blind spot for technobabble. "The sensors are picking up some '''stuff!'''"
* Parody: [[http://starslip.com/2005/05/25/starslip-number-3/ this]] ''Webcomic/{{Starslip}}'' strip.
* Parodied as well in [[http://www.irregularwebcomic.net/1503.html this]] ''Webcomic/IrregularWebcomic'' strip; see also the notes at the bottom.

* Parodied in ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'', [[http://sluggy.com/daily.php?date=971008 here]].
* ''{{Webcomic/Intragalactic}}'' did a parody of technobabble in a footnote [[http://intragalacticcomic.com/2008/11/21/021-magic-2d-space-map/ here]]: "It wouldn't seem like you could chart space on a two-dimensional screen like this. Until you remember that at large distances space functions as a flat surface due to the exponentially increasing effects of gravity as we near the Planck time. Subspace anomaly nanoprobes wormhole."
** Also in ''Muertitos'' by the same author [[http://muertitos.comicgenesis.com/d/20080306.html here]]: "The trauma has rendered her catatonic, clinically vegetative, and medicine saline doctor viral!"

* Lampshaded in ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob'' when Jean Poule tries to [[http://bobadventures.comicgenesis.com/d/20071204.html explain the experiment which produced Molly.]]
** And again when Molly [[http://bobadventures.comicgenesis.com/d/20100713.html tries to explain her newest invention.]]
* Lampshade firmly hung in ''Webcomic/KeychainOfCreation'' with the character of Nova, an Alchemical Exalt. Specifically, in her fight with Misho [[http://keychain.patternspider.net/archive/koc0148.html here]]. Misho's usually the go-to guy for MagiBabble about {{Magitek}}, but Nova's particularly bad about it, especially since her stuff is more "tek" than "magi."
* ''Webcomic/{{Narbonic}}'', which featured such gems as [[https://web.archive.org/web/20071119022116/http://www.webcomicsnation.com/users/narbonic/narbonic/httpdocs/011702.jpg this]], [[http://www.webcomicsnation.com/users/narbonic/091703uncounted.jpg this]], and [[https://web.archive.org/web/20130615033130/http://www.webcomicsnation.com/memberimages/092702.jpg this]].
** Note that the author insisted on making the technobabble the most scientifically accurate stuff in the entire comic.
** Then later somewhat explained after Dave [[spoiler: goes mad, he states that English doesn't have half the words he'd need to explain how mad science works. [[http://www.webcomicsnation.com/wcn/memberimages/121306and_above_all.jpg So he made his own language]].]]
* ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'': [[LampshadeHanging "Jargon]] [[MagicalComputer computers]] [[MagicFromTechnology technical wizardry]] [[BlahBlahBlah babble]] [[http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=519 jargon."]]

* Shown in [[http://www.bobandgeorge.com/archives/index.php?date=041204 these]] [[http://www.bobandgeorge.com/archives/index.php?date=041205 two]] ''Webcomic/BobAndGeorge'' comics.
** Keep reading -- a few comics later it culminates nicely with a character exploding due to technobabble overload.
** They already introduced the trope [[http://www.bobandgeorge.com/archives/010519c a couple of years before]], though.
* Lampshaded in [[http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff200/fv00164.htm this]] ''Webcomic/{{Freefall}}'' strip, among many others. If it includes Florence there's a chance technobabble is going to appear sooner or later. [[http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff200/fv00166.htm She may be speaking Engineer again]] (though what she actually said there actually makes perfect sense if you are a nuclear engineer). However, [[http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff1400/fv01363.htm this]] strip proves that the robots aren't above it either.
** Surprisingly, the third example is just Jargon, although it is mixing religion and quantum mechanics, which is always a [[ItSeemedLikeAGoodIdeaAtTheTime bad idea]].
* Lampshaded in [[http://wayofthemetagamer.thecomicseries.com/comics/pl/32150 this]] ''Webcomic/TheWayOfTheMetagamer'' comic.
* Done hilariously in [[http://exterminatusnow.comicgenesis.com/d/20100613.html this]] ''Webcomic/ExterminatusNow''. Even better, the ''multiple'' [[WallOfText walls of text]] can be summarized thus:
-->'''Scientist:''' [[NegativeSpaceWedgie Shiny]] [[HellGate void]] [[AnotherDimension rift]] [[JustForFun/XMeetsY plus]] [[KillSat big]] [[{{BFG}} space]] [[WaveMotionGun gun]] [[OhCrap make]] [[EarthShatteringKaboom world]] [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt go]] [[ApocalypseHow 'splody.]]

* [[http://www.sandraandwoo.com/2010/10/28/0212-techno-babble/ Completely inverted]] by ''Webcomic/SandraAndWoo''.

* In ''Webcomic/NipAndTuck'', the ShowWithinAShow ''Rebel Cry'' features [[http://www.rhjunior.com/NT/00689.html it, lampshaded.]]

* In ''Webcomic/{{Sinfest}}'', [[https://web.archive.org/web/20140209182543/http://sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=3069 Percy uses it to belittle Pooch's discovery.]] (Percy had earlier declared a shoe was an "awesome machine" for him.)

* Despite being an AffectionateParody of science fiction in general, it's surprisingly rare in ''Webcomic/CommanderKitty''. One of the more notable examples even had [[http://www.commanderkitty.com/2012/11/25/up-your-nose/ the author going on to explain it in the side notes]].
* In ''Webcomic/SturgeonsLaw'', Jenn attempts to cover up her incompetence with [[http://sturgeonslaw.net/comic/serious-equipment/ Star-Trek-style technobabble]], with [[http://sturgeonslaw.net/comic/plan-benjamin/ mixed results]].
* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', Tedd [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=17 uses it]] to explain why drenching the Goo with water will destroy it.
* ''Webcomic/AwfulHospital'' has this as a major plot element. Most characters encountered talk about "spiraling" and "sub-perceptual zones" with the same level of casualness most people would talk about dirty dishes and late night television. Slowly, the readers begin to (sort of) understand concepts like "layers" and "branchination", but the realms are just too massive to understand ''everything'', so we will probably never know what "gleaming" is or what "furlers" actually are.