Warning: Dad Science Joke
October 19, 2016 7:49 PM Subscribe
Q: What do you call a theoretical aurochs-bison hybrid that could only be proven by a scientific hybrid of DNA analysis and ancient cave paintings?
A: The Higgs bison.
A: The Higgs bison.
seconding mykescipak on the shirt. It ranks right up with my Mr. Spork and Significant Otter. And you can still buy it!
posted by oneswellfoop at 8:50 PM on October 19, 2016
posted by oneswellfoop at 8:50 PM on October 19, 2016
fshgrl: "That is an amazing, once-in-a-generation opportunity in species nomencalture. I'm so glad they ran with it."
nomencalfture, surely
posted by chavenet at 2:02 AM on October 20, 2016 [2 favorites]
nomencalfture, surely
posted by chavenet at 2:02 AM on October 20, 2016 [2 favorites]
They were going to call it the Higgs Buffalo. However, one of the Lascaux paintings clearly depicts someone washing their hands in one.
posted by iotic at 4:03 AM on October 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by iotic at 4:03 AM on October 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
I love it that the Higgs boson has become the science/cultural reference du jour. For four years now!
posted by heatherlogan at 5:11 AM on October 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by heatherlogan at 5:11 AM on October 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
Impressive theoretical work to be sure, but the hard work was in verifying these results by colliding two european bison at a significant fraction of the speed of light.
posted by sebastienbailard at 5:12 AM on October 20, 2016 [12 favorites]
posted by sebastienbailard at 5:12 AM on October 20, 2016 [12 favorites]
It went extinct due to its habit of quickly decaying into two sparrows flying rapidly in opposite directions.
posted by sfenders at 6:13 AM on October 20, 2016 [11 favorites]
posted by sfenders at 6:13 AM on October 20, 2016 [11 favorites]
Even my dad, who's an expert, knows you can't use the word that's the punchline, IN the setup.
posted by humboldt32 at 9:19 AM on October 20, 2016
posted by humboldt32 at 9:19 AM on October 20, 2016
If at all possible, get yourself to the caves at Niaux, France, to see these paintings before they're closed to the public permanently, like Lascaux is and nearly all the others. Mould spores caused by visitors' breath nearly destroyed Lascaux.
Tours of Niaux are limited to 25 at a time, you walk for 1km into the cave and there is no lighting or fittings, just your own torch. Then you get to the 'Salon Noir' and you can shine your torch on these artworks that were made 13,000 years ago, and your mind goes pop.
posted by Coda Tronca at 9:42 AM on October 20, 2016 [4 favorites]
Tours of Niaux are limited to 25 at a time, you walk for 1km into the cave and there is no lighting or fittings, just your own torch. Then you get to the 'Salon Noir' and you can shine your torch on these artworks that were made 13,000 years ago, and your mind goes pop.
posted by Coda Tronca at 9:42 AM on October 20, 2016 [4 favorites]
« Older What Happened to Eastern Airlines Flight 980? | The teacher that you always wanted Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by fshgrl at 8:15 PM on October 19, 2016 [11 favorites]