The Arctic-ificial State

The teacher is going over a map of the United States. This is not a geography lesson, and we’re all high school-aged, so we know all the states. The map is just required for the discussion we’re having.

Teacher: “So then Alaska has the Aleutian islands, that—”

Student #1: “—That’s not real.”

Teacher: “What’s not real?”

Student #1: “Alaska. It’s fake. Nobody actually knows anyone from there. It’s just something the government made up.”

The room bursts into laughter. [Student #1] was speaking seriously, but the class’s reaction is making them seem less confident.

Student #2: “So who’s been sending all the fish and oil then, Bigfoot?”

Student #3: “Where do all the reality shows about Alaskan crab fishing get filmed?”

Student #2: “And Ice Road Truckers! Who are they?!”

Student #3: *In a mocking tone.* “Actors! It’s staged! I’ve never met an Alaskan, have you?”

The teacher pinches the bridge of their nose, trying not to laugh, and gets things back on track.

A few months later, we had a new student join us who just moved from Anchorage, and the jokes started up all over again…