INCOMPATIBLE CONCEPTS

Medical anthropologist Ann Hale, is studying humour:

She believes jokes rely on the juxtaposition of two mismatched or incompatible concepts.

For example, she tells the joke about the prisoner who plays cards with his wardens. But the prisoner cheats, so they kick him out of prison.

"Prisons have rules that they lock you up," Ms Hale said.

"But if you cheat you get kicked out. So you have two concepts there."

That explains why I find the combined concepts lefty and common sense so funny. Here are two more that are good for a laugh: Bill Maher and funny. How about academic and useful? The possibilities are endless.

Update: Science PhD candidate and literate?