Comments on: Physics Slam

By: Rando

Rando — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 12:49:10 +0000

I found this cartoon hilarious, disconcerting and a little too close to home. Teaching introductory physics in a rural community college has its ups and downs. I do not have a Ph.D. in physics (Only a MS) probably for many reasons: aptitude, discipline, and other interests that compete for my time. But I do have a passion for physics that I can indulge and, hopefully, motivate in others through teaching. I can see in the spotlight someone like myself that desperately wants to share an excitement for physics and I can see in the audience an unfortunate similarity of how many of my students sometimes see me. This makes me both laugh and sigh. Bravo New Yorker! And thanks cvj.

By: sisyphus

sisyphus — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 20:46:32 +0000

Clifford: It’s a tad more thought-provoking for you because it’s a comment on your own commitments. For those of us not in the physics business the serious element is less intensely present. There’s an element of pathos (public speaking is #1 phobia.. and the audience doesn’t really care.) Also an element of cruelty – ‘look at the pathetic geek with his silly papers; it’s his big moment and nobody gives a hoot’.

Hmm.. So, is the ha-ha value of a cartoon/joke a function of the amount of tension created in the set-up related to the velocity of release of that tension in the caption/punch line?

Humor as a serious topic: A person reveals much in his/her sense of humor. Perhaps personality and intelligence could be assessed simply by presenting an individual with an assortment of cartoons.

Psychologists as stand-up comics.

By: Alex R

Alex R — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 15:47:59 +0000

Anyone who thinks that “open mike physics” is an entirely fictional concept has never waded into the swamp of the sci.physics Usenet group…

By: Clifford

Clifford — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 07:41:30 +0000

sisyphus:- I thought it both thought-provoking and funny-haha. And the way you describe it is precisely the way humour can work…. juxtaposition of things in an unexpected way. Does not work for all… But it can work sometimes…. And then there is the serious part of the message too, even if the haha bit does not hit. Good cartoon.

Cygnus…I very much agree. thanks!

Cheers,

-cvj

By: sisyphus

sisyphus — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 07:37:20 +0000

Clifford: I thought it was funny ha-ha. We see the picture. Situation immediately understood: guy in spotlight speaking into a mic to an small and absolutely disinterested group. Already we have ironic tension in the contrast between the spotlight/microphone production value and the unimpressed audience. But we don’t know why this contrast. We move to the caption. Physics! Immediate understanding. Release of tension in a ha-ha. If it resonates with your thoughts and hopes – double ha-ha.

By: Cygnus

Cygnus — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 07:07:44 +0000

The thing is you see, that cartoons(humourous or thought provoking) tend to be extremely culture specific and derive most of their message from minor nuances which are very difficult to translate across socio-cultural differences.
I wasn’t exactly looking for a “funny ha ha”, as you put it, interpretation but unfortunately not knowing what an open-mike event is and having to have that explained to me, the thought behind this picture doesn’t resonate with me the way it perhaps strikes a chord in you.
But you’re right the water is lovely once you wade in deeper, if for the slightly different reason that it’s as much fun looking at how rich language and art are in their huge dependance on minor details. It’s also nice and happy to know that although there are so many thing that are untranslatable and will take years of acculturisation to fully appreciate, there are also things like Physics and Maths which I can discuss with these people at total ease without all these troubles. The internet is lovely that way actually.
Eagerly looking forward to more interesting stuff from you guys cvj.

By: Clifford

Clifford — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 22:08:35 +0000

Ok. Here goes:

Short version: Cartoons are not jokes. Just like comic books are not about folks in tights saving the day. Ok? This has been true for the greater part of a century, actually. (More for the former, a touch less for the latter.)

Long version: Just because something is drawn, and looks like a cartoon, does not mean that it is just a joke you’re supposed to laugh out loud at. The art form has evolved well beyond that. It can be intended to convey any impression or reaction that the spoken word, or the written word, or any other medium for conveying ideas can. The cartoonist, imho, is simply playing with the idea that physics can be the subject of an activity such as a poetry slam, or an open-mike evening….. things which are now commonplace in some cultures. So it is a juxtaposition of two things that are not usually put together in our world….. this can provoke laughter, or it can provoke thought……either way, it works. I for one look forward to the day when it is not unusual to have physics (or any other science) show up in such a context. That is why I like the cartoon. It resonates with that thought and hope that resides in me. It is not neccessarily intended to be funny ha ha. Go deeper, folks – the water’s lovely.

-cvj

By: Cygnus

Cygnus — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 21:23:56 +0000

Um . . . thanks for the explanations everyone. I guess a joke just isn’t much fun unless you “get” it, well anyway . . . I think it’s a pretty ok joke.

By: Jeff Hodges

Jeff Hodges — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 09:17:08 +0000

“Open mike” nights are notorious for completely inattentive audiences while nervous people attempt to perform poetry, music or some form of comedy in front of them. It’s usually darkly lit, and the performer feels very “on the spot” and are, usually, literally in a spot light.

Now that I’ve killed the joke through explanation, I should mention that I liked it.

By: Dissident

Dissident — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 07:52:57 +0000

Clifford, everything’s forgiven. Your sense of humour is even more weird than mine!!!!! I feel your suffering!