Withdrawn funding and a visit from the research ethics committee.
Okay, here’s my attempt at a “Joke Poo” version of that joke, titled appropriately:
Joke Poo: What do you get when combining a librarian and a parrot?
Forbidden knowledge, a loud argument about Dewey Decimal categorization, and a lifetime ban from the British Library.
Alright, let’s dissect this delightfully dark joke.
Core Elements:
- Juxtaposition: The joke relies on the absurd combination of two very different animals: a hedgehog (spiky, terrestrial) and an octopus (tentacled, aquatic). This incongruity immediately sets up the potential for humor.
- Subversion of Expectation: We expect a punchline that’s either a portmanteau name (“Hedgehogtopus!”) or a description of a hybrid creature. Instead, we get a bureaucratic and ethical consequence.
- Irony: The joke uses the premise of genetic experimentation to comment on the ethical concerns surrounding animal research, especially in scenarios that would likely produce a being that would suffer.
- Dark Humor: The punchline implies the experiment was so problematic it triggered serious repercussions, which is funny because it is something that should be taken seriously.
Interesting Tidbits:
- Hedgehogs: A hedgehog’s quills are modified hairs, not like a porcupine’s quills, which are barbs. While adorable, handling a hedgehog incorrectly can result in a painful prick.
- Octopuses: Octopuses are incredibly intelligent invertebrates with a complex nervous system, distributed throughout their body (including their arms). Some species exhibit problem-solving skills and even tool use. This makes their use in invasive experimentation quite contentious.
- Research Ethics Committees: These committees are crucial for ensuring animal welfare in research. They evaluate proposals to minimize harm and ensure that the research is justified and necessary.
New Humor Creation:
Option 1: Extended Punchline (Expanding on the original joke):
What do you get when combining a hedgehog and an octopus?
Withdrawn funding and a visit from the research ethics committee. Turns out, eight arms weren’t enough to sign the informed consent form on behalf of the very disgruntled, spiky subject. Also, the attempts to potty train it were a complete disaster. Imagine the clean-up with that quill coverage.
Option 2: A Witty Observation (Building on the ethical aspect):
It’s funny how the most innovative scientific breakthroughs often start with a simple question… like, “How many quills can an octopus shed before it constitutes a biohazard?”
Option 3: A New Joke (Similar structure, different animal absurdity):
What do you get when you cross a goldfish with a centipede?
A lot of tiny shoes and absolutely no way to get them all on before feeding time. And a very confused existential crisis for the fish.
Option 4: A “Did You Know?” With a Twist:
Did you know that octopuses have three hearts? Which means a rejected research grant proposal breaks their heart… three times.
The original joke’s power comes from the unexpected shift from bizarre animal mashup to the mundane reality of research oversight. These new jokes and observations try to maintain that element of surprise and absurdity, while also playing with the specific traits of the animals involved.