Two theoretical physicists are lost at the top of a mountain. Theoretical physicist No 1 pulls out a map and peruses it for a while. Then he turns to theoretical physicist No 2 and says: "Hey, I've figured it out. I know where we are."
"Where are we then?"
"Do you see that mountain over there?"
"Yes."
"Well… THAT'S where we are."
I heard this joke at a physics conference in Les Arcs (I was at the top of a mountain skiing at the time, so it was quite apt). It was explained to me that it was first told by a Nobel prize-winning experimental physicist by way of indicating how out-of-touch with the real world theoretical physicists can sometimes be.
Jeff Forshaw, professor of physics and astronomy, University of Manchester
The funniest scientific joke of 2013 was a chemistry joke: "Why did the chemist fall in love? Because he found the perfect combination."
Yes, there were several jokes from famous scientists in 2013. For example, renowned physicist Stephen Hawking joked: "Why was the computer cold? Because it left its Windows open."
One of the top biology jokes from 2013 was: "Why did the plant go to therapy? Because it had low self-leaf esteem."
Yes, famous comedian and science enthusiast Bill Nye had a joke in 2013: "Why did the photon check into a hotel? Because it needed some rest and energy."
The most popular joke from a scientist in 2013 was from astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson: "Why did the math book look so sad? Because it had too many problems."