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This forum discussion centers around a collection of science jokes, particularly those involving mathematics and physics. Notable jokes include a mathematician with a dog and cow discussing knot theory, and a play on Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. The humor often relies on advanced concepts such as the Jones polynomial and topological invariants, showcasing a blend of wit and scientific terminology. The conversation also touches on the cultural significance of these jokes within the scientific community.
PREREQUISITESMathematicians, physicists, educators, and anyone interested in the intersection of humor and science will benefit from this discussion.
OK. You had to be there.fresh_42 said:It's about conventions. As ##n## is an integer, ##z## a complex number, ##p## a prime, ##i,j,k## indices or ##A_{ji}## a transposed matrix so is ##ε## in calculus the byword of something arbitrary small, but positive. Uncounted definitions and proofs about convergence, differentiation or continuity start with an ##ε > 0##.
Yes, I am thinking of starting a thread called, 'this is what happens when a mathematician gets hold of *insert thing here.*David Lewis said:OK. You had to be there.
I think the get part is already wrong.BillTre said:
Yep but until they find it we are good. No rabbits and no space ships.BillTre said:
Huh? No rabbits?pinball1970 said:No rabbits [...]
Rabbits a little harder.

I was using a quote from J B S Haldanestrangerep said:Huh? No rabbits?
I know rabbits are hard to keep out and, apparently, the Great Wall of China was built by Emperor Nasi Goreng to "keep out the rabbits", but I'm not sure that applies here. (?)
Air.fresh_42 said:Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen in 1771. What were they breathing before?
I just got thisBillTre said:
Usually it has milk though right?BillTre said:
Vanadium 50 said:Why do power lines hum?
Because they don't know the words.
But Google is the joke.Demystifier said:Actually not a joke, this is what google really gives when you type: "integral of exp(-x^2)".