Plato and Platypus Authors Walk Into an Interview with the Innovise Guys

Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein first met as Harvard freshman in 1957. Their book, "Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes" (2007) is presently a best seller in both the humor and philosophy categories. Not bad for a couple of philosophy majors who tried on various careers after graduation. Tom worked with street gangs in Chicago, doctors at Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and dropped in and out of divinity schools. Dan has written jokes for various comedians, including Flip Wilson and Lily Tomlin. Tom lives on Cape Cod with his wife. Dan lives in the Berkshires with his wife. Together, they are also authors of the politically incorrect book of daily affirmations, "Macho Meditations". This interview is littered with jokes (WARNING: some are PG-13) with illustrative examples of how jokes are able to connect to a better understanding of philosophers and their philosophies. Of course, humor is an essential ingredient of creativity and old friends Dan and Tom briskly banter back and forth on their collaboration and also tell the story of their "Aha! Moment" -- that spawned the book idea. Not surprisingly, that moment took place in a light-hearted conversation over a couple of pints in a pub. So successful is this book that their publisher demanded an encore -- the newly published "Aristotle and an Aardvark go to Washington" -- offering humorous insights into political jargon employed by the real jokers in DC. The Innovise Guys assume you will guffaw, chortle, howl, abstractly "he-haw!" and even titter as much as did we through this rousing romp through the thoughtfully theoretical and silly cerebral philosophical phootnotes from Plato to modernity. You'll laugh 'til you think! www.platoandaplatypus.com