Actually, it's not just mathematicians and physicists. Just about all my friends would be vulnerable to this sort of dastardly trick.

For whatever reason, I'm reminded of a scene out of the recent Dr. Who series. The Doctor gives and extremely elaborate and detailed explanation for why something that looks like a cross between a zombie and a bread machine is trying to gnaw everyone's face off. After two minutes, he stops for a bit, and everyone looks at his (cute, blond, female) companion. She says, "I find it's easier to just wait until he's out of breath and then nod a bit."

Ellen didn't stop laughing for five minutes. No idea why.