Why Don't I Get the 'Occam's Razor' Joke?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the humor (or lack thereof) in a joke involving Occam's Razor and the phrase "I am a genius in any given debate." Participants express confusion about the joke's intended humor and explore various interpretations and reactions to it.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion about the joke and do not find it funny, questioning the humor behind it.
  • Several comments point out spelling errors in the joke, such as "genius" and "principle," suggesting these may contribute to its perceived lack of humor.
  • One participant proposes that the awkward phrasing of "I am a genius in any given debate" might be part of the joke's humor.
  • Another participant suggests that using Occam's Razor would imply one is not a genius in debates, adding a layer of irony to the statement.
  • Some participants reflect on social dynamics, noting that people may exaggerate the humor of a joke to appear smarter or to fit in with a group.
  • A few participants mention that they enjoy the absurdity of trying to explain a joke that others find funny, even if they themselves do not understand it.
  • One participant humorously claims to be confused by the joke and the accompanying picture, indicating that the visual aid did not clarify the humor for them.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not agree on the humor of the joke, with multiple competing views on its interpretation and effectiveness. Many express that they do not find it funny, while others speculate on why it might be perceived as humorous.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the humor may depend on social context and the dynamics of the group sharing the joke, which could influence individual perceptions of its funniness.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring humor in intellectual contexts, the social dynamics of joke-telling, or those curious about the interpretations of Occam's Razor in casual conversation.

Topher925
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If someone wrote down a statement saying "I'm using the principal of occam's razor, I am a genious in any given debate", would you laugh? Apparently this is suppose to be a really funny joke according to my friends but I just don't get it and they won't explain it to me either. :frown:
 
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Topher925 said:
If someone wrote down a statement saying "I'm using the principal of occam's razor, I am a genious in any given debate", would you laugh? Apparently this is suppose to be a really funny joke according to my friends but I just don't get it and they won't explain it to me either. :frown:

I guess I am dumb too. I don't see the funny. Does that make you feel better?
 
Maybe it has something to do with genius being spelled wrong.
 
Or "principle."
 
I noticed that too but apparently there's something else funny about it.
 
The simplest solution for me is that I am always right, I think that it has something to do with that.
 
Your friends might be thinking that the expression "I am a genius in any given debate" is awkwardly phrased. To me it doesn't sound especially funny.
 
Topher925 said:
If someone wrote down a statement saying "I'm using the principal of occam's razor, I am a genious in any given debate", would you laugh? Apparently this is suppose to be a really funny joke according to my friends but I just don't get it and they won't explain it to me either. :frown:

You either need:

  • better friends, or
  • to drink more when your current friends tell jokes.
 
I think that's what he meant:

chickenrazor.jpg
 
  • #10
lisab said:
You either need:

  • better friends, or
  • to drink more when your current friends tell jokes.

Yes, possibly both.

I think that's what he meant:

This very well could be what she meant. I think the joke is a lot funnier with the picture. I'll have to ask her to see if that's what she meant.
 
  • #11
Still not funny. I think they're just trying to sound smart by acting perplexed at the idea that someone doesn't understand it.
Sometimes when people hear a joke like that, they'll act like it's way funnier than it really is, to make sure everyone knows that they understood the joke, and then act like it's hard to believe anyone else couldn't get it, to make it look like for them to understand it was an easy task.
 
  • #12
Topher925 said:
"I'm using the principal of occam's razor, I am a genious in any given debate:

Mmmm...I get it, but that's not very funny.
 
  • #13
If I were guessing at the line with two obvious typos, I'd think they were suggesting that they're suggesting that they're deploying the simplest and therefore most obvious idea and that's that they're a genius at debate. Therefore, I dunno, any resistance or argument with them is futile? Why bother arguing with them when it's point-blank they're always right? Something like that?
 
  • #14
eh, because by using occam's razor, one would naturally conclude that one is NOT a genius in any given debate ?
 
  • #15
Proton Soup said:
eh, because by using occam's razor, one would naturally conclude that one is NOT a genius in any given debate ?

Yeah I guess, but...humor fail.
 
  • #16
Being totally serious here: stop hanging out with other nerds. I can't stand to be around people like me. They make jokes like this and then I have to go drink until I don't remember it.
 
  • #17
leroyjenkens said:
Still not funny. I think they're just trying to sound smart by acting perplexed at the idea that someone doesn't understand it.
Sometimes when people hear a joke like that, they'll act like it's way funnier than it really is, to make sure everyone knows that they understood the joke, and then act like it's hard to believe anyone else couldn't get it, to make it look like for them to understand it was an easy task.

My friends and I are somewhat like this. We tell stupid jokes that most people are not likely to get. It then becomes even more funny because you just told a stupid joke and thought it was hilarious. Then your friend sees you laughing uncontrollably over a stupid joke and starts laughing at you for thinking it is so funny. Enter third person who has no idea what you two think is so funny which snow balls the hilarity and at which point you might tease more out of it by messing with the third person.

Personally I enjoy taking someone seriously when they tell a stupid joke. Its fun to watch them try to explain it and get frustrated.
 
  • #18
Topher925 said:
If someone wrote down a statement saying "I'm using the principal of occam's razor, I am a genious in any given debate", would you laugh? Apparently this is suppose to be a really funny joke according to my friends but I just don't get it and they won't explain it to me either. :frown:

im not the brightest guy but i think its cause they spelled genius incorrectly. did they actually write the joke out to you? or is that how you personally spell genius? that's my take!

but what do i i know i have the spatial skills of a moron so idk =p.
 
  • #19
what said:
I think that's what he meant:

chickenrazor.jpg

i don't understand it? whos occam anyways?
 
  • #20
  • #21
Guess what?

I'm so dumb, that, I was confused at the joke, and then the picture I guess was supposed to help.

*people on forum before pic*
"That's not funny"

*after pic*
"Ohhhhhh. That makes so much sense. still not funny"

*me, before and after*
"Um."
 
  • #22
I might be with you there... the picture was funny but with or without it, I don't get the joke.
 
  • #23
GreatEscapist said:
Guess what?

I'm so dumb, that, I was confused at the joke, and then the picture I guess was supposed to help.

*people on forum before pic*
"That's not funny"

*after pic*
"Ohhhhhh. That makes so much sense. still not funny"

*me, before and after*
"Um."

Uh, yeah. The people who said it was comprehensible after the picture, weren't saying it was clearer because of the picture.
 
  • #24
GeorginaS said:
Uh, yeah. The people who said it was comprehensible after the picture, weren't saying it was clearer because of the picture.

Well, whatever. :P
I dub this a dumb joke, since I don't get it. *puts a dumb joke stamp on it*
 
  • #25
GreatEscapist said:
Well, whatever. :P

That is always such an excellent, award-winning come back. So neener neener to you too. :P
 
  • #26
GeorginaS said:
That is always such an excellent, award-winning come back. So neener neener to you too. :P

Oh, it's a very clever comeback. Certainly the best.
 
  • #27
"It's just been revoked"
 
Last edited:
  • #28
It was probably funny because they were making fun of you and you didnt even notice... Nice friends btw.
 
  • #29
Topher925 said:
Why am I so dumb?

Because you're so hot?:-p
 
  • #30
This is the proper response: [PLAIN]http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/7049/stopnotbeingfunnysp3.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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