I don't have hard numbers about this, but the impression I get is that the amount of eyeballs you get from being on the humor shelf at Barnes & Noble - it is almost insignificant.

In this quote, Randall Munroe is reflecting on the limited visibility and impact of having a book categorized under the humor section at a large bookstore like Barnes & Noble. He mentions that although he doesn’t have hard numbers to back up his claim, his impression is that books placed in the humor section don’t receive much attention, or have a relatively insignificant number of eyeballs—a colloquial way of saying "viewers" or "readers."

Munroe is drawing attention to the fact that in a massive bookstore, such as Barnes & Noble, the placement of a book on a specific shelf, like the humor section, might not guarantee it much visibility. The humor section may be overlooked by potential readers compared to other genres, or simply too crowded with competition, making it harder for individual books to stand out. His statement suggests that, despite a book's content, its success may rely heavily on more than just being placed in the right section.

The quote also speaks to the idea that visibility in the traditional book retail space doesn’t always equate to widespread success or recognition. In the age of digital media and online platforms, the conventional methods of promoting a book by shelf placement might not be as effective as they once were. Munroe seems to be hinting at the broader shift in how books gain attention, with factors like social media, online reviews, or word-of-mouth playing a larger role.

Ultimately, Randall Munroe’s quote offers a commentary on the modern book industry, where shelf placement alone isn’t necessarily enough to draw attention. It reflects the evolving dynamics of how books are discovered and appreciated, showing that traditional retail strategies may no longer hold the same power they once did in driving an audience's interest.