The iconic xkcd comic 'Standards' illustrating how attempts to unify competing technologies often result in just one more competing technology.

A three-panel xkcd comic. Panel 1: 'Situation: There are 14 competing standards.' Panel 2: Two stick figures say '14?! Ridiculous! We need to develop one universal standard that covers everyone's use cases.' 'Yeah!' Panel 3: 'Soon: Situation: There are 15 competing standards.'

HOW STANDARDS PROLIFERATE: (SEE: A/C CHARGERS, CHARACTER ENCODINGS, INSTANT MESSAGING, ETC.) SITUATION: THERE ARE 14 COMPETING STANDARDS. 14?! RIDICULOUS! WE NEED TO DEVELOP ONE UNIVERSAL STANDARD THAT COVERS EVERYONE'S USE CASES. YEAH! SOON: SITUATION: THERE ARE 15 COMPETING STANDARDS.