Funny, How?

Is humor useful in scientific talks?. Depending on the audience, a scientific talk can go like a scene taken out of Goodfellas. You either get a very interested group or you can meet a sea of blank stares that will make you feel like no one has any idea of what you are talking about. Some useful tips: try find out as much about your audience as you can and craft the talk carefully. If that’s impossible, prepare a funny story or two that helps relax the group. I have found that if you start preaching, you’ll lose people quickly (unless you are in a room full of experts and even then). With a good anecdote you may catch interest. But it better be good. Otherwise, you’ll end up staring at weirder faces for the rest of the time. Some of the most memorable talks I can recall mixed humor and science cleverly. This is more art than science. See what works and keep it. Throw out lines that fall flat. Change it from time to time or everyone will know your repertoire.