Ceiling Cat Cartoon Contest
Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 09:44:35 AM PDT
After doing mathematics and science now for close to twenty years, I recently decided to switch gears, and begin preparing the next generation of mathematicians and scientists. So about a month ago I applied for a mathematics teaching position at two private high schools. After interviewing at the first one, the department chairman asked me for a copy of my teaching philosophy. Since I have taught before, I had one, but it was really targeted to university students, and was not specific to mathematics (because I have taught in several fields). So this weekend, I sat down and wrote a teaching philosophy oriented to high school mathematics, one I plan on handing out and discussing with my students on the first day of each course. To end on a light note, I wanted to include a mathematics cartoon on the second page. So I looked around for a copyright-free mathematics cartoon, but was unable to find one I liked. So I made my own...and now I need a little help with it...
Follow me below the fold to give me a hand!
Everyone loves Ceiling Cat. Well, I do, anyway. So I decided Ceiling Cat should embark on a career in mathematics. This is what I came up with:

So I posted this in an open thread comment last night, but as pointed out by jlms_qkw, mathematics would never make Ceiling Cat's head hurt. As jlms_qkw states, Ceiling Cat is "infallible, omnipotent, omniscient, etc."
So the cartoon must be modified, and this diary is a contest to put new words into Ceiling Cat's mouth. In the comments below, please post your contest entries, and at the same time, recommend the entries you like the most. When the number of comments no longer changes--probably by tomorrow, unless the rescue rangers go temporarily insane and rescue this diary tonight or tomorrow--I will choose the comment with the most recommendations and use that suggestion in a new version of the cartoon. The ONLY rule for Ceiling Cat's caption is, it must be appropriate for high schoolers (so nothing sexual, no foul language, etc).
I have my own suggestion, which I will contribute, but I'm hoping someone else has a better one.
So, comment away...and help contribute to preparing the next generation of mathematicians and scientists (you know, the ones who will solve global warming, or create alternative sources of energy, or work in our new nationalized health care system).