When Your Teacher Demands 'Selection and Mutation'—So You Give Him Exactly That (and Then Some!)
Ever had a teacher who just wouldn’t let it go? You submit your assignment, only for them to request a tweak… then another… and before you know it, you’re wondering if you’ll ever satisfy their insatiable hunger for bullet points. Well, one engineering major on Reddit decided to comply with a little extra flair—and the results are both hilarious and inspiring.
Let’s journey into a religion class where science, stubbornness, and a dash of petty compliance collide. Spoiler: “Selection and Mutation” have never gotten so much attention.
The Setup: When Science Meets Syllabus Stickler
Our story begins in a religion classroom—not the first place you’d expect to hear a passionate breakdown of the Big Bang Theory and evolution, but hey, some teachers like to keep things interesting. The assignment? Present on the tension between science and religion, tackling big topics like the origins of the universe and the evolution of life.
Cue our protagonist, u/Different_Waltz_9863, an engineering major who knows their way around physics and natural selection. They put together a thorough PowerPoint and a handout, sent them in for the pre-presentation check, and waited for feedback.
But the teacher zeroed in on something missing. Two words: “selection” and “mutation.” Fair enough—those are pretty crucial to any talk about evolution. So, our hero dutifully added the terms to the handout and sent it back.
But apparently, that wasn’t enough.
The Plot Thickens: The PowerPoint Predicament
The teacher now wanted “selection” and “mutation” to appear in the PowerPoint itself. Not just mentioned, but visible—front and center. Our narrator, mildly perplexed (after all, wouldn’t they obviously discuss these concepts?), asked where these words should go. The teacher’s reply: “I’d like an extra film.”
Now, let’s pause to appreciate the vagueness here. What exactly is an “extra film”? A bonus slide? A short video? Maybe a GIF of Darwin tap dancing? (Okay, maybe not.)
But there was no ambiguity in the teacher’s intent: they wanted ironclad proof that the presentation would run the full 20–30 minutes. Apparently, some students had tried to wing it in the past. But this wasn’t their first rodeo—our future engineer was ready to comply, but on their own terms.
Malicious Compliance at Its Finest
So, what did u/Different_Waltz_9863 do? They added an entire extra slide—blank, except for two lonely words: “Selection and Mutation.” No graphics, no context, no clip art of mutating Pokémon. Just the requested terms, in all their minimalist glory.
And then… the magic happened.
Standing before the class—and the ever-watchful teacher—they didn’t just recite bullet points or read text verbatim. They unleashed a 67-minute tour de force, elaborating on evolutionary biology, physics, and the philosophical interplay between science and faith. Not only did they meet the time requirement, they practically doubled it, filling the room with facts and insight “known since fourth grade.”
The teacher’s reaction? Top marks: a solid 15 points, the equivalent of an A+. Mission accomplished, with a side of petty satisfaction.
Takeaways: Petty? Maybe. Brilliant? Absolutely.
What makes this story so satisfying (and so relatable) is its perfect blend of compliance and quiet rebellion. We’ve all had moments when an authority figure doubts our abilities or insists on unnecessary hoops. The urge to say, “Oh, you want this? I’ll give you exactly what you asked for—and then some,” is universal.
In this case, our narrator didn’t just follow the rules—they highlighted their absurdity. The “Selection and Mutation” slide was a wink and a nudge, a gentle reminder that substance matters more than surface. And by delivering a presentation that went above and beyond, they proved that sometimes, a little bit of petty compliance can deliver the best results.
What Can We Learn?
- Communication matters. If you’re not sure what someone wants, ask. (And if they’re vague, sometimes a little creativity is the answer.)
- Don’t underestimate the thoroughness of a STEM major. They might just talk your ear off—and teach you something in the process.
- Sometimes, following the letter of the law—with a wink—can be more powerful than outright defiance.
So, next time someone doubts your expertise or gives a nitpicky request, channel your inner engineering major. Give them what they want—and then show them just how much you know.
Have you ever had to comply with a teacher’s odd demands, or found yourself outsmarting bureaucracy in creative ways? Share your stories in the comments below!
Like this story? Hit share or drop your own tale of academic pettiness! Let’s prove that “Selection and Mutation” aren’t just for biology—they’re for life.
Original Reddit Post: You don't think I'll remember to say two words? okay.