Today's Highly Scientific Experiment

[ase]

Hypothesis #1: "space n" will always be cooler than just n.
Hypothesis #2: "n in space!" ditto, but can't be combined with #1.
Hypothesis #3: "n on a stick" will also work, but again, combinations are a bad idea.

Results: today's biochem note compression in re:histones: "space supercoiling", "supercoiling in space", "supercoiling on a stick!"

Discussion: if I have to explain why "supercoiling in space" isn't funny, you don't work with enough 3D models. If I have to explain why "supercoiling on a stick!" is funny, you haven't been to a RenFest lately.

Conclusions: Hypothesis #1 and #2 fail for specific case; previous research (norabombay, personal conversation) suggests that successful application is context-dependent. Hypothesis #3 wildly successful, but reinforces #1 and #2 conclusions. Directing further research toward context dependency (social vs. academic fields, subfield specificity, geographic variance, sleep deprivation, degree of inebriation) might refine subjective requirements for maximum efficacy of this and related addition humor (see classic work with fortune cookies and "in bed").

Citations:

ase. "February 28 biochem notes: supercoiling recap, DNA polymerase applications, bioinformatics." Biochemistry Notebook Spring 2006 1 (2006): 32-34.*

norabombay. IM interview series January and February 2006.**

*Obviously, my class notes are scholarly, but not rigorous or peer-reviewed. Just go with it.

**Really. Either need to get the heck out of this fandom or talk to more people in it.

---

And now I have to go do actual studying. Not that I'm flipping about this week's biochem test at all.

Comments

[herewiss13.livejournal.com]

Discussion: if I have to explain why "supercoiling in space" isn't funny, you don't work with enough 3D models.

Actually, I would have thought a lack of the funny would indicate lack of familiarity with the Muppet Show. Although, I suppose, it _should_ be written "N! In! Spaaaaaaace!"

That's much funnier than 3D models. ;-)

[tashok.livejournal.com]

Ase? I love you. Just to share.

--Raven

[ase.livejournal.com]

It doesn't solve my essential problem: when you say, "supercoiling in space" I think, "model projected in javascript box." But yeah, there's a notable lack of muppet saturation in my childhood memories. Muppet babies cartoons, yes; actual muppets, less than there should have been.

On the other hand: "vampires! in! spaaaaace!" (The Madness Season, C.S. Friedman), remains hysterical, and "space [anything from Firefly]!" is pretty good too. Space guns, space ships, etc. "Space vampires" would be really funny, if it weren't for Stargate: Atlantis, where there are space vampires, and they're unintentionally kind of funny sometimes.

[ase.livejournal.com]

Thank you. And what are your spring break plans? We desperately need to chill at some point.

[tashok.livejournal.com]

Staying in New England the first weekend (there's a concert in Boston I'm going to with a few friends).. going backpacking for at least a few days on Assateague. Other than that I'm not really sure yet.

--Raven

[ase.livejournal.com]

This is only going to end in me calling you at an inconvenient time.