Chapter 1: The Unexpected Journey into Science Humor

In today's world, where even the most mundane topics can be transformed into sources of humor, I've found myself navigating the quirky realm of science humor.

I’ll take a half-caff macchiato and a side of knowledge, please.

Even though LinkedIn can often feel like a chaotic mix of tech enthusiasts and spammers, I've actually managed to secure two leads for paid writing opportunities by searching for "freelance writer" positions. One of these is with a content mill that I technically write for, if only I had more hours in the day. The other lead is from a humor website named Science Rag.

It wasn't until about two years ago that I realized it was possible to earn money writing brief humorous pieces. I stumbled onto Medium like a weary traveler seeking basic supplies.

What I quickly came to understand, however, is that my sense of humor and the content featured on many humor sites are often worlds apart. This discrepancy likely stems from my age. I grew up enjoying the works of humorists like Dave Barry, Erma Bombeck, and Fran Lebowitz, with more recent influences including David Sedaris and Sam Irby (not to mention a spot-on article by AMRAN GOWANI on Substack).

My humor tends to be conversational and doesn't rely heavily on set-ups, often leading readers down winding paths toward either laughter or poignant realizations—or sometimes both.

People often equate humor with pornography, stating, “You know it when you see it.” However, humor is not an absolute, as many may believe. The content on well-known humor sites usually falls into two categories: (A) it appeals to an audience that laughs simply because they feel they should (think The New Yorker), or (B) it's crafted by city dwellers who meticulously study the site’s guidelines, spending countless hours absorbing its “brand.”

Regrettably, I lack the luxury of being 21 and living in my parents' basement with a fully stocked fridge. I don’t have the time to engage in lengthy discussions with editors about narrative techniques and callbacks. Additionally, I can't afford to pay for feedback on my submissions, which is, believe it or not, a thing.

Dear Bev: In our limited opinion, this submission is subpar. If you pay us $14.99, we’ll explain why we think so.

Is this a form of bribery? It certainly feels that way.

Then there’s Science Rag, a site I’m still unsure about but that compensates its contributors, so they’ll have to endure my submissions like everyone else. Here’s the mission statement of the site:

Science Rag seeks talented writers who can connect contemporary science news with well-crafted comedic concepts. Contributors will receive $40 per article. The goal is to write a 10 to 300-word piece that adds a humorous twist to a real science article. Think of it as a blend of The Onion or Reductress, but focused on science topics.

But why? Who cares? They pay $40.

My initial attempt at Science Rag didn’t go as planned, but I found it amusing nonetheless. Here’s my full submission:

Mutant Sharks Reluctant to Wear Spandex

Despite receiving a telepathic call from Professor Xavier, the mutant sharks residing in the Kavachi underwater “sharkano” have declined to join the X-Men due to their aversion to spandex. A shark representative, using Google Translate, described the suits as “silly,” restrictive at the fins, and unnecessary for creatures capable of surviving a constantly erupting underwater volcano visible from space.

They went on to label the other X-Men “wusses” who wouldn’t last five minutes in a sharkano and challenged them to try, especially the one with the peculiar sideburns. Professor X then glanced at his watch, announced he was late for an appointment to have his chair lubricated, and promptly logged off the call.

NASA captures ‘Sharkcano’ eruption where mutant sharks swim near an underwater volcano (bgr.com)

My first challenge lies in finding fresh science topics, while my second hurdle is grasping the complexities of that science.

Is this endeavor worth $40? Absolutely!

I also maintain a Ko-fi account, a Patreon, or you can...

Chapter 2: The Humor of Science

This official lyric video of Sam Cooke's "What A Wonderful World" encapsulates the beauty and humor in life's simplest moments, reminding us to find joy even in challenging times.

This video features the lyrics to Sam Cooke's "Wonderful World," inviting viewers to reflect on the wonders of life, blending humor and insight seamlessly.