Moves back home with his parents after, I ask "Hey Matt! Whatcha gonna do with that Philosophy Degree?"
Matt replies, "I don't know, I'm still thinking about it."
Joke Poo: The Plumber’s Dilemma
So, my buddy Barry just finished his Master Plumber certification. Moves back in with his parents afterwards. I ask, “Hey Barry! What are you gonna do with that Master Plumber certification?”
Barry replies, “I don’t know, I’m still trying to flush it out.”
Alright, let’s break down this joke and then inject some comedic steroids into it!
Joke Dissection:
- Premise: A friend, Matt, obtains a Philosophy degree. This sets up an expectation of intellectual prowess and perhaps grand plans.
- Punchline: Matt’s response, “I don’t know, I’m still thinking about it,” is ironic because a philosophy graduate should be adept at thinking. It highlights the potential impracticality or indecisiveness often associated (stereotypically) with the field of philosophy.
- Humor Type: Situational irony, with a touch of self-deprecating humor aimed at the perception of philosophy degrees. It also plays on the trope of college graduates moving back home.
Key Elements:
- Philosophy Degree: The symbolic representation of deep thought and critical reasoning.
- Indecisiveness/Lack of Practical Application: The perceived contrast between the philosophical skills learned and their direct application to career or life choices.
- Moving Back Home: the universal experience of graduates struggling to establish themselves independently.
Comedic Enrichment Time!
Let’s use some philosophical trivia to spin a new joke:
New Joke:
I ran into Matt, the Philosophy graduate, at his parent’s place. He was contemplating which brand of oat milk to buy. I asked, “Matt, all that existentialism, and you’re paralyzed by oat milk?”
He sighed, “Yeah, I’m really struggling to reconcile the Categorical Imperative with the Utilitarian arguments for the different calcium fortification levels.”
Why this works:
- Builds on the Original: It references Matt and his philosophy degree, keeping the established context.
- Philosophical Name-Dropping: The inclusion of “Categorical Imperative” (Kant) and “Utilitarian arguments” (Mill) adds a layer of absurdity. It’s over-intellectualizing a mundane decision, further highlighting the disconnect between theoretical knowledge and real-world application.
- Modern Twist: The oat milk choice is a relevant and relatable example of modern decision fatigue.
- Satire: It playfully satirizes both the perceived overthinking of philosophy students and the sometimes-overwhelming choices of modern consumerism.
Bonus Witty Observation:
Did you know that historically, many philosophers were actually independently wealthy? Plato had family money, Nietzsche had a small inheritance. Maybe the real philosophy degree is the friends we make along the way AND the trust fund that allows us to ponder existence without worrying about rent. Makes Matt’s situation a lot less amusing!