A recently published survey examined over 500 science conference presentations spanning two years to assess the humor levels of scientists, an endeavor that is amusing in itself, albeit not the most efficient use of time. The findings were predictable: two-thirds of the humor attempts resulted in either polite chuckles or complete silence, and only 9% were successful enough to make most attendees laugh. The most laughter was, unsurprisingly, triggered by technical mishaps, such as slides not working and microphones failing. (Nothing unites an audience quite like witnessing someone else’s misfortune.)
Anyone who has attended a conference, regardless of the subject, knows that scientists are not alone in facing the challenge of humor. Making people laugh is difficult, especially with an audience that hasn’t been warmed up. Even on SNL, the first segment is called a “cold open” because the audience hasn’t laughed yet, making that initial laugh the hardest to achieve.
Approximately 40% of the presentations steered clear of humor altogether, a safe choice that likely led to a longer afternoon. More intriguingly, science suggests this makes the talks less memorable. “Despite the immense range of fascinating content at conferences, it can be challenging to remain engaged. And by engaged, I mean awake,” a physician-scientist told Nature, which also interviewed one of the study’s eight co-authors.
