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Science is deemed a very serious discipline that is quite incompatible with humor. And rightly so, as it requires composure and concentration to gather data, analyze, interpret, and test it so discoveries and innovations that we live with today can be made. However, sometimes it can be beneficial to combine the two, especially when learning about it so the information doesn’t go in one ear and out the other.

The Facebook group “The Darker Side Of Science” has mastered doing exactly so—blending fun and science. Bored Panda has gathered their best posts in the list below, which is full of “bad experiments, worse scientists, studies you wish to god you could unsee, and much, much more.” Scroll down to find them, and don’t forget to upvote the ones you found to be unexpectedly dark.

While you’re at it, make sure to check out a conversation with science comedian Brian Malow, who kindly agreed to tell us the secret to combining comedy with science.

#2

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Riya Singh Report

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Khavrinen
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my Dad was in college he worked one summer in a forest fire lookout tower. When he practiced his clarinet every day, he'd spread out a handful of birdseed and nuts, and soon birds and chipmunks learned to come for food when they heard him practicing. That's right, my Dad was a Disney princess.

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“No! Do not attempt to combine science with humor! It’s far too dangerous. It should be left only to professionals, like me! Oh, sorry, I was being territorial. It’s a reflex,” jokes science comedian Brian Malow

“Of course, science can be combined with humor! In fact, they are a perfect marriage. Science and humor are more similar than most people realize. They are both about finding patterns and connections leading to discovery and surprise," this time he seriously says.

#5

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rebmasel Report

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Jo Maxwell
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2 weeks ago

This comment has been deleted.

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#6

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Riya Singh Report

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SCamp
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Welcome to Trump-MAGA land, the same loons that brought you such Darwin Award winning views as The 2020 election was a cheat, Yes you can inject detergent as an antiviral, The Moon Landing is fake, Jan 6 was a peaceful Love in, Nazis are OK, Dictators are OK, In Fact Russia is pretty Damn Good, Guns are Great, and Extreme Right Wing Christianity is Great, and Did I say Nazis are Great? Oh, and the Government Controls the Weather, don’t forget that

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Malow likes to compare jokes to Newton’s Third Law of Motion, as for every action there’s an equal and opposite reaction. “Science and comedy have this in common!” he says.

“So, if you’re a scientist, you already have the same basic skills for being funny. The key is to be yourself. Don’t TRY to be a comedian. Just be yourself and let your personality shine through, with a little passion, humanity, and humor.”

#7

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RodLacroix Report

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Tucker Cahooter
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And of course he couldn't just buy the Magenta alone, he had to buy the Blue, Yellow and Black too.

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#8

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Claudia Perelli Hentschel Report

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Chicken Nugget
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And they save money too, if you've got a recently deceased relative! Or if you live close to a graveyard and have a shovel!

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#9

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DKThomp Report

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Tucker Cahooter
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ahh, the good old days, when politicians trusted the experts instead of wanting them tarred and feathered

Tiger
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ve never understood that - people are “experts” because they’ve spend years and years of their lives studying and researching a certain subject. And then ignorant, uneducated people can come along and say “yeah I don’t understand that so I obviously know better than you.” Covid was a great textbook example of this.

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Child of the Stars
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The same thing happened with Y2K. It never became the problem it could've been because people listened to the computer geeks and took precautions. Amazing what DOESN'T happen when you listen to the smart, educated people.

Aerial (Any pronouns/Canadian/Jewish)
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lots of disaster stories start with people ignoring the scientists, do they not? So there's clearly a right answer here.

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UKGrandad
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As for the ozone layer, so for COVID. Same stupid people spouting the same stupid nonsense: "The government said we need to take precautions and have vaccines or COVID will kill nearly everyone, so we took precautions and had vaccines but it was a waste of time because nearly everyone lived". It's the driver behind the whole anti-vax movement: why should we get all these vaccines when hardly anybody gets the diseases any more? Too many people with lights on but nobody home 🤪

CP
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When nothing bad happens because of science no one notices. Y2K was the same thing. People today think it was a hoax and not a ton of people spending long hours fixing the problem, because nothing happened.

Christian Golden
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In America, we had a very influential radio personality. Back in the 90s, he started laying the groundwork with a concept he called "the four pillars of deceit." He told his slack-jawed listeners (they called themselves "Dittoheads" without a trace of self-awareness) that Government, Science and Medicine, Academia and the Media were no longer to be trusted. It worked.

Susie Elle
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They expect the hole in the ozone layer above Australia to be gone by 2050

Rayne OfSalt
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have our fingers crossed on that one. Until then, if'n anyone visits our shores, the first thing you need to do on arrival is buy the strongest SPF sunscreen you can find and slather it on like you're marinating dinner. The stuff you have at home is not made for our sunlight.

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Linda Riebel
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks for shutting down that ignoranus. (misspelled on purpose)

MsPlants
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and now we have people in power that think wind power renewable energy is bad because the wind turbines will slow the wind down and eventually stop it.... I am not kidding. it was an american senator or congressman I cant remember which. and dont get me started when they start talking about laws regarding womens bodies and they get the science wrong like women cant get pregnant from rape...

Philly Bob
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also the one who spouted against solar panels because they would use up all of the sun.

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NewBird
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whenever anyone mentions this I am compelled to remind people that the hole in the ozone layer primarily impacted rich white people and fixing it involved changing a few specific pieces of technology. Climate change disproportionately (at first at least) is impacting poorer brown people and to fix it would mean changing everything. What that says for our ability to fix climate change and biodiversity loss is... not good.

Cyndielouwhoo
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How would the hole in the ozone layer have only impacted rich people? I mean, we're all on the same planet.

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Wim Cossement
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The inventor, the biggest mass murderer ever (so it's no communist but a CAPITALIST), already knew. Same goes for leaded fuel. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Midgley_Jr. But he was killed by one of his own inventions, yay!!!

Vicki Perizzolo
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Except now we're trashing the climate so fast it'll just open that nasty scab right off and we're back to before step 1

Ron Man
Community Member
2 weeks ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

That's actually not what happened. Scientists found out that ozone is created by sunlight hitting our atmosphere. The 2 places(north and south) on the Earth that get the least amount of sunlight due to the axis tilt, are where the holes are. Still are. They didn't go away.

OhnoI’vebeencensored
Community Member
2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The ozone holes form over the poles (especially South Pole) as these are where the stratosphere gets sufficiently cold for optimum reactions between ozone and CFCs. The holes are slowly recovering but will take decades to go away due to the very long lifetime of CFCs in the atmosphere. I don’t know what Ron Man has been reading but it sounds like half-truths at best.

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For those who worry about credibility when mixing humor and science, Malow says that scientists don’t need to become comedians or clowns. They just need to relax, be themselves, and let their sense of humor shine through a bit.

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“I give science communication seminars and workshops aimed at helping scientists communicate with the public. And, first of all, I’m not encouraging scientists to become comedians or clowns. You don’t need to be telling JOKES, per se. And there are some easy ways for a scientist to add a little humor to a presentation: You can share a funny quotation or cartoon, for instance. As long as it’s on topic and can lead into your subject,” explains Malow.

#10

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Dontrell Black Report

“There is no reason you can’t be credible and also have a personality and sense of humor. Scientists are actually human, even if some people don’t realize it. For the most part, I advocate for scientists to be prepared, focused, and relaxed on stage— so the best side of their personality can shine through, along with some passion, humanity and even humor. Just be yourself and let the humor emerge naturally; don’t try to force it. And being funny and likable will help make audiences more receptive and interested in what you have to say.”

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Lost Panda
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have seen this a few times, the movie a lot more... I JUST got this joke...

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Malow himself tries to balance scientific accuracy with entertainment by providing actual facts and avoiding misinformation at all costs. “I would only talk about certain science myths and misconceptions if I’m going to address them and make sure we all know they aren’t true. I don’t find it limiting to be scientifically accurate. And I love turning people onto science ideas. And the truth is usually more interesting than any fiction.”

#17

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Lost Panda
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So that's what those are! I used to pick those leaves off as kids and poke my brother with them.

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We were also curious to know if he ever found a scientific topic that felt too complex or unfunny to joke about throughout his career. “The National Science Foundation once asked me to develop some climate change material—and it was a challenge! Sometimes it’s hard to see past the tragedy to find the humor. But eventually, I found some funny angles on a bunch of climate topics,” he shared.

#20

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Butcher C. Cazzoti Report

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SCamp
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When the bod of one was first taken back to England from Australia a coupla hundy years ago, the lads at the Royal Geographic Society thought it was a wind-up. They thought it was fake

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#21

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CaucasianJames Report

However, he believes that anything can be approached with humor if the right angle can be found. “Even delicate topics can be poked fun at if your approach isn’t mean-spirited. That’s one of the keys. Comedy doesn’t have to come at the expense of others. Don’t punch down. I don’t mock science or scientists….I find a way to celebrate science because I love it. And I’ve found that I’m able to draw people into science with my sense of humor.”

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#24

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drmistercody Report

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It really is the best technology we have. The trick is to lock up the carbon in the form of biomass. You grow the trees. You harvest the trees. You lock up the wood in a form where it's not going to return to the environment as CO2 again. Maybe as buildings and housing.

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Malow strongly agrees that comedy can inspire more people to engage with science. “Look at how successful Neil deGrasse Tyson has been. He’s an astrophysicist but he loves comedy and he’s funny himself. He also features comedians like me on his show, and he’s built a fan base of millions. 

At my own science comedy shows, sometimes an audience member might believe that science is hard or boring. But if I can keep them entertained and interested—and laughing—for an hour, then maybe I could change their mind just a little bit. One thing I like to say is that music is not just for musicians, art is not just for artists, and science is not just for scientists!” 

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#25

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Nathan Boulton Report

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Auntriarch
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Zoom back tens of thousands of years: this stew tastes nice but the hooves are sticking my teeth together 💡

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Lastly, I want to leave you with one of Malow’s jokes that proves that science and humor can be a compatible combination.

“I noticed whenever my mom would lose weight, my dad would gain weight. And when my dad lost weight, my mom gained weight. It’s like the conservation of mass - within our family! You never actually lose weight… you just give it to someone else. Fat can be neither created nor destroyed. It’s one of the basic laws of the universe.”

And make sure to tune in on the History Channel in November, where he will be appearing on a TV show called “The Unbelievable," hosted by Dan Aykroyd.

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#28

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Riya Singh Report

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B C
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just submitted a lit review. Screw this post. You couldn't give me a single hour to recover, could you BP?

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#30

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Surya Menggolo Report

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CP
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As Chris rock said," here's a horoscope for everyone. Aquarius your gonna die...".

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#31

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Science Page Report

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CK
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, there were some good old days, but only for a select few groups of people at certain times. There are some people who have it pretty good even when the world is generally awful.

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#39

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Claudia Perelli Hentschel Report

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Angela B
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It will be a "Flatasf@#*kosaurus" in a few seconds when it hits that bridge in the background

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#41

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Dontrell Black Report

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Janissary35680
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Don't bite my head off, mister." Mutters under breath, "She'll do it."

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#44

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Claudia Perelli Hentschel Report

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deejak
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Huh. Wonder who my stomach growls at during lectures or meetings even tho I'm not hungry at all.

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#45

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IFLScience Report

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Aidan Campbell
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Rimmer, there's nothing out there, you know. There's nobody out there. No alien monsters, no Zargon warships, no beautiful blondes with beehive hairdos who say, "Show me some more of this Earth thing called kissing." There's just you, me, the Cat, and a lot of floating smegging rocks. That's it. Finito."

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#50

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KakapoJay Report

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Passerby
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait, what? On a probably unrelated note, the diagram is very cute. I would get this as a shirt if there were one.

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Note: this post originally had 70 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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