2014-12-25
Explanation
The Joke
A scientist presents research on dolphin behavior. The experimental setup involves a dolphin that, when it presses a button, receives tasty salmon. Simultaneously, in a separate tank, a drop of motor oil is released onto another dolphin. The key finding: dolphins in the first tank ate just as much salmon as they could, regardless of the consequences to their fellow dolphins in the other tank. The scientist notes this was true even after they tried "adjusting the dial" -- comparing the consumption curve to gasoline consumption or motor car use over time. The conclusion: "dolphins are f***ers too," implying that dolphins are just as selfishly indifferent to harming others as humans are.
The Humor
Dolphins are popularly perceived as intelligent, gentle, and morally superior creatures. The comic subverts this by designing an experiment that mirrors humanity's relationship with fossil fuels and environmental destruction -- we keep consuming even when we know it harms others (or the planet). The punchline, "dolphins are f***ers too," is the scientist's gleeful conclusion that dolphins are no better than humans when it comes to selfish behavior. The experimental design is itself absurd (why would a dolphin understand or care about motor oil in another tank?), which adds to the comedy. The underlying joke is really about human behavior: we are the dolphins happily pressing the button for salmon while oil pollutes someone else's environment.
References
- Dolphin intelligence and empathy: Dolphins are frequently cited as among the most intelligent and empathetic non-human animals, making them a perfect target for this kind of satirical takedown.
- Tragedy of the commons / environmental economics: The experimental setup is an animal analogy for how humans consume resources (like fossil fuels) knowing that the externalities harm others or the environment.