Why do most jokes in science talks bomb? A new survey finds only 9% succeed, and hiccups get the loudest laughs.
Why scientists can’t get a laugh: A new survey asked how often scientists make people laugh during their talks.
Over 500 science talks were watched over two years. Two out of three jokes just got quiet or polite laughs.
Only 9 out of every 100 jokes really made the crowd laugh. The biggest laughs usually came from mistakes like slides not working.
Staying awake at these talks can be hard. Jokes make talks more fun and easier to remember.
Scientists should keep trying to be funnier. Even if some jokes fall flat, being light and friendly helps people pay attention.