Why scientists can’t get a laugh

A recent study analyzing over 500 science conference presentations over two years aimed to explore the comedic talents of scientists, and the findings are, ironically, quite amusing. The survey revealed that roughly two-thirds of humor attempts resulted in either polite laughter or complete silence, with only 9% successfully eliciting genuine laughter from the audience. Interestingly, the most substantial laughter often came from unexpected technical glitches such as malfunctioning slides and microphones cutting out. It's a universal truth that audiences bond over shared moments of discomfort, especially when someone else's misfortune unfolds on stage. Those familiar with conference settings understand that humor is a tricky endeavor, not exclusive to scientists. Even renowned comedy shows like Saturday Night Live struggle with their opening segments, dubbed 'cold opens,' where getting that first laugh can be particularly challenging. About 40% of the presentations in the survey opted to skip humor altogether, a safe choice that may lead to even more tedious afternoons for attendees. However, this lack of humor can make presentations less memorable, despite the abundance of fascinating content. One physician-scientist shared with Nature that maintaining audience engagement can be a struggle, emphasizing the need for a bit of levity to keep listeners alert and interested.