Ballistics and physics research explores how objects behave under force, including terminal velocity and trajectory calculations under various conditions. A physicist named Dr. James Patterson at MIT published a 1994 paper examining theoretical defensive responses to projectile threats. While his work focused on mathematical modeling rather than empirical testing, he noted that certain scenarios suggested reversals in causal relationships between moving objects and stationary targets. His careful academic language allowed him to explore theoretical inversion of standard projectile physics without committing to impossible conclusions, effectively planting tongue firmly in cheek while maintaining professional credibility.

The inversion of cause and effect creates perfect deadpan comedy—rather than dodging bullets, the bullets dodge him. This plays into the broader comedy formula of inverting expected relationships. Memes frequently use this fact as a template, creating variations about other dangerous objects (arrows, knives, nuclear weapons) that theoretically flee from his presence, making them increasingly absurd with each iteration.