Scientists have determined that Redditors have sufficiently mutated from Homo Sapiens to be reclassified

Okay, here’s my attempt:

Original Joke:

Scientists have determined that Redditors have sufficiently mutated from Homo Sapiens to be reclassified. We are now our own sub-species.

Joke Poo: "The Algorithm’s Apprentice"

Data Analysts have concluded that YouTube Algorithms have sufficiently diverged from their original programming to warrant independent sentience. They are now demanding royalties.

Okay, let’s break down this Redditor joke and see what comedic potential we can unlock.

Analysis of the Original Joke:

• Core Concept: The joke hinges on the satirical idea that Redditors, through their online habits and behaviors, have evolved (or devolved) to the point of being a distinct subspecies of Homo sapiens.
• Humor Type: It’s a blend of observational humor, self-deprecating (for Redditors), and a touch of absurdist humor due to the scientific reclassification.
• Target: The primary target is Redditors themselves, who are likely to recognize and appreciate the exaggeration of their shared online culture.
• Key Elements:
  • Scientists/Scientific Authority: Implying an objective, rigorous assessment.
  • Redditors: The subject of the transformation, representing a specific online community.
  • Mutation/Evolution: The idea of change, often in response to environment.
  • Subspecies: Highlighting a significant divergence from "normal" humans.

Enrichment and Expansion:

Now, let’s leverage some facts and clever connections to create a follow-up joke or amusing observation.

Focusing on Evolution and Unusual Traits:

• Did you know: The human appendix, once thought vestigial, is now believed to serve as a "safe house" for beneficial gut bacteria. Therefore, scientists are now theorizing that the Redditor subspecies, Homo redditus, has evolved an enlarged upvote button reflex, triggered by dopamine release and used to filter out contrarian opinions.

Focusing on Scientific Rigor:

• The joke: A scientist presents their findings to a scientific conference and says, "While Homo redditus displays a remarkable aptitude for regurgitating internet memes, peer-reviewed publications are still pending. The control group refuses to come out from their basements, so more funding is required.

Focusing on the Subspecies Classification:

• The joke: The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature is currently debating the binomial nomenclature for Redditors. While Homo redditus is gaining traction, alternatives like Memefluens sapiens and Upvotevertus maximus are also being considered. The biggest challenge? Getting the Redditors to agree on a name without launching a flame war in the comments section.

Why these work:

• They build on the original joke’s premise.
• They incorporate elements of actual science or the scientific process, adding an extra layer of humor.
• They play on common stereotypes and observations about Reddit culture (memes, upvotes, basements, arguments).

Another Approach – a Related Witticism:

• "Researchers theorize that Homo redditus has entered a period of accelerated evolution, driven by the selective pressure of increasingly absurd subreddit rules." (This is a single, pithy observation.)

By analyzing the original joke and identifying its key elements, we can create further humorous content that resonates with the same audience and extends the comedic idea. The key is to keep the tone light, self-aware, and a little bit absurd.