The forum discussion highlights various favorite jokes shared by scientists in 2013, showcasing humor within the scientific community. Notable jokes include a play on theoretical physicists' detachment from reality, as recounted by Jeff Forshaw, a professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Manchester. The jokes reflect a blend of scientific concepts and everyday situations, emphasizing the lighter side of physics and the camaraderie among scientists. The discussion also references a joke involving an electron, illustrating the clever use of scientific terminology in humor.
PREREQUISITESThis discussion is beneficial for physicists, science communicators, educators, and anyone interested in the intersection of humor and science, particularly within the physics community.
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