2013-05-23
Explanation
A woman explains to a man the concept of "Zahavi Handicapping" -- an evolutionary biology principle where an animal develops a trait or behavior that is burdensome in order to signal to potential mates that it is high quality. She uses the example of a peacock: a high-quality peacock can afford to put lots of calories into beautiful plumage, even though it has to eat more and becomes more conspicuous to predators. This signals to peahens that it is a superior mate.
The woman laughs, "Ha! Animals are weird." The man then casually mentions, "Yeah. Hey, did I mention I took on $200,000 in debt for a degree in psychology?" The woman responds enthusiastically, "That is so hot."
The punchline reveals that humans engage in the exact same handicapping behavior they find amusing in animals. Taking on massive student loan debt for a degree with limited earning potential is, in evolutionary terms, analogous to a peacock's extravagant tail -- it demonstrates that you can afford to absorb a massive financial burden and still survive, which paradoxically signals fitness. The woman's attraction to this costly signal proves the very point she was making about animals, while also satirizing the absurd cost of higher education.
The votey panel shows someone asking "Is that an ecology joke?" The woman responds "Do me" and the man confirms "Yep" -- reinforcing the idea that understanding evolutionary biology is itself an attractive (if impractical) signal of intellectual fitness.