SMBC Comics Forum

http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?id=3767

I don't get this joke. What is Bozo-Nuclear supposed to be a reference to? (is it bosons?) Are clowns radioactive? Why magnesium? Literally nothing, other than the title text, is comprehensible to me in this joke.

The number of clowns in the car reaches critical mass. Uncontrolled chain reaction due to nuclear fission. Death.

If the three panels devoted to parachuting clowns was trimmed to allow for more car loading panels, then that may have helped. But it still would have been too vague. A good writer should be able to get their point across despite the high complexity of the content.[*]

Sahan wrote:The number of clowns in the car reaches critical mass. Uncontrolled chain reaction due to nuclear fission. Death.

Clowns (not being radioactive) don't have a critical mass. And the red-button picture implies that it's nuclear fusion. With all due respect, I don't think your reading of the comic is correct.
That, or y'know, I'm way overthinking it.

a1s wrote:

Sahan wrote:The number of clowns in the car reaches critical mass. Uncontrolled chain reaction due to nuclear fission. Death.

Clowns (not being radioactive) don't have a critical mass.

Yes, this constitutes what is known as a "joke".

Apocalyptus wrote:

a1s wrote:

Sahan wrote:The number of clowns in the car reaches critical mass. Uncontrolled chain reaction due to nuclear fission. Death.

Clowns (not being radioactive) don't have a critical mass.

Yes, this constitutes what is known as a "joke".

And clowns are radioactive. They just aren't fissile. At least as far as we know, I don't think anyone has tested it.*

*the last sentence is also a joke. Not a very good one, but still a joke. And yes, I may be nitpicking, but fight pedantry with pedantry.

WORKSNAKES wrote:... But it still would have been too vague. A good writer should be able to get their point across despite the high complexity of the content.[*]

That applies to some technical communication targeted at some audiences.

On the other hand, SMBC is humor designed to entertain a self selected audience. We are used to reading academic literature which is targeted at experts in the field. We are not surprised or saddened when we have to do a little research to understand something.

I prefer comics that aren't afraid to go over my head at times. This means I learn something new.

If humor that may require research scares you, may I suggest Rocky & Bullwinkle, or even SpongeBob SquarePants. Both include abundant humor, some is aimed at adults, some is aimed at children. The humor is structured so that in general the audience members who don't get a joke, won't even realize that they missed one.

hamjudo wrote:On the other hand, SMBC is humor designed to entertain a self selected audience. We are used to reading academic literature which is targeted at experts in the field. We are not surprised or saddened when we have to do a little research to understand something.

I prefer comics that aren't afraid to go over my head at times. This means I learn something new.

Yeah, like Big Bang Theory!

Apocalyptus wrote:

a1s wrote:

Sahan wrote:The number of clowns in the car reaches critical mass. Uncontrolled chain reaction due to nuclear fission. Death.

Clowns (not being radioactive) don't have a critical mass.

Yes, this constitutes what is known as a "joke".

I looked up "joke", as you suggested. And I have to say that if the point was to "transform a tense expectation into nothing", it has been achieved. Bravo, mr. Weiner!

DonRetrasado wrote:

hamjudo wrote:On the other hand, SMBC is humor designed to entertain a self selected audience. We are used to reading academic literature which is targeted at experts in the field. We are not surprised or saddened when we have to do a little research to understand something.

I prefer comics that aren't afraid to go over my head at times. This means I learn something new.

Yeah, like Big Bang Theory!

I laughed at this, at least!

Stupid fucking Big Bang Theory.

Lethal Interjection wrote:

DonRetrasado wrote:

hamjudo wrote:On the other hand, SMBC is humor designed to entertain a self selected audience. We are used to reading academic literature which is targeted at experts in the field. We are not surprised or saddened when we have to do a little research to understand something.

I prefer comics that aren't afraid to go over my head at times. This means I learn something new.

Yeah, like Big Bang Theory!

I laughed at this, at least!

Stupid fucking Big Bang Theory.

*laugh track*

A Bongo-nuclear is a type of nuclear weapon that is made up shell shockers of a Bongo Bomb. A Bongo Bomb is a type of nuclear bomb that is made up of a large number of smaller bombs that are packed into one large bomb casing.

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The reference to bosons in your interpretation is likely correct - bosons are a type of subatomic Snow Rider 3D particle that plays a key role in many physical processes.

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