Obvious

Mathematicians, as well as their opposite numbers, have responded eagerly -- and repetitively -- to our essay question "Why is it only mathematicians who say 'Why is this obvious?'" More than 80% of the respondents said, "Because." When respondents answered anything with other than "Because," it usually "Why not?" Several of the other answers stood out, for various reasons:

"Because mathematics is the only profession in which the practitioners are intelligent enough to realize that every person on the planet is, basically, an idiot, and therefore might need some time in order to comprehend the perfectly obvious." -- Investigator J.C. Jamison

"The assertion is patently false. Why is this obvious?" -- Investigator B. Kallick

"Given that the abstract algebra professor has red hair, and teaches ring theory, then this is clearly a red hair ring." -- Investigator L. Sherman

"Missing comma. The quote should have been: "Why, is this obvious?" Much more in line with a mathematical professor's image." -- Investigator Felix Finch

"Because math is the only subject where anything is *allowed* to be obvious. In any other science, you have to get a grant, run an experiment, write an excruciatingly equivocated research article, and have it peer-reviewed and published and cited in at least 3 literature overviews. THEN it's obvious." -- Investigator David Lantz