“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.
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.”
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.
“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.
“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.”
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.”
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.
