2010-01-30
Explanation
This comic is titled "How to Tell the Difference" and contrasts a "Science Fan" with a "Scientist" by asking each the same question: "How many digits of pi have you memorized?" The science fan enthusiastically replies "1,681. I add a new one every day," while the actual scientist pauses awkwardly before answering "...one?"
The joke highlights the difference between popular enthusiasm for science and actual scientific practice. Memorizing digits of pi is a fun parlor trick that has nothing to do with real scientific work -- scientists typically only need a few digits of pi for any practical calculation. The science fan confuses trivia mastery with scientific understanding, while the real scientist barely bothers with such things because they are irrelevant to doing actual research.
The votey (hidden bonus panel) shows the scientist saying "Hold on. I'''ll look it up," reinforcing the point that a real scientist would simply reference the value rather than waste brainpower memorizing it. This is a recurring theme in SMBC: the gap between the public'''s romanticized image of science and the mundane reality of scientific work.