Where does the funny come from? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

vrover · 10-13-2004, 08:13 PM

What makes people laugh? One theory is that people laugh to relieve anxiety; when we are very stressed, making noise and breathing quickly can help us to feel better, although that sounds weird >_>.
Robert Heinlein suggests in his classic "Stranger in a Strange Land" that we only laugh when we see something is wrong. I'm inclined to believe this, not only because Robert Heinlein is an excellent author, but because any joke, any funny incident you might think of is, basically, wrong. What I mean by wrong is not fitting with what we are used to: we laugh at a grandmother kicking a baby into the air, because that's not what grandmas do. We laugh at a pun, because it means something that it isn't.

Or perhaps we laugh because we feel appreciation for the maker of the joke, whether an amusing pun or a comical accident. We laugh as a sort of applause. Or maybe we laugh just to show that we understand we should laugh- if we "get" a complex joke, we laugh to show ourselves that we're clever.

What do you think? Oh, and sorry if I ruined all future jokes for you.

Orodinn · 10-14-2004, 02:17 PM

Its an interesting question. Id have to think about it though. You might have more replies if you posted this in the knowledge or general board.

asaris · 10-14-2004, 02:21 PM

Or Philosophy.

gar1976 · 10-17-2004, 05:40 PM

Judging from the recent posts, the funny might not be coming from this board. Maybe next week it will.

yster · 10-18-2004, 11:07 PM

RE: bringing the funny, I could start posting from a different Jack Handey book, if people wanted. I have 3 others. People seemed to be getting a little sick of the spamminess of the one a day, maybe if there is interest I could do a weekly post.

As for what causes laughter, good question. Seems like in an excited stated, we look for cues on how to express our emotions, be it via crying, laughter, etc. Go for laughter all the time, I say. Guy in the movie got chopped in half? Laugh. Failed your driver's test? Laugh it up.
Other than a few odd looks in movie theaters (man, I remember when I laughed out loud when Charlize Theron stabbed herself in the neck in Devil's Advocate, woooo did I get glares), it has served me well.

10-13-2004, 08:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
vrover Upright	Where does the funny come from? What makes people laugh? One theory is that people laugh to relieve anxiety; when we are very stressed, making noise and breathing quickly can help us to feel better, although that sounds weird >_>. Robert Heinlein suggests in his classic "Stranger in a Strange Land" that we only laugh when we see something is wrong. I'm inclined to believe this, not only because Robert Heinlein is an excellent author, but because any joke, any funny incident you might think of is, basically, wrong. What I mean by wrong is not fitting with what we are used to: we laugh at a grandmother kicking a baby into the air, because that's not what grandmas do. We laugh at a pun, because it means something that it isn't. Or perhaps we laugh because we feel appreciation for the maker of the joke, whether an amusing pun or a comical accident. We laugh as a sort of applause. Or maybe we laugh just to show that we understand we should laugh- if we "get" a complex joke, we laugh to show ourselves that we're clever. What do you think? Oh, and sorry if I ruined all future jokes for you. __________________ "Jam!" said the parrot encouragingly.

10-14-2004, 02:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
asaris Mad Philosopher Location: Washington, DC	Or Philosophy. __________________ "Die Deutschen meinen, daß die Kraft sich in Härte und Grausamkeit offenbaren müsse, sie unterwerfen sich dann gerne und mit Bewunderung:[...]. Daß es Kraft giebt in der Milde und Stille, das glauben sie nicht leicht." "The Germans believe that power must reveal itself in hardness and cruelty and then submit themselves gladly and with admiration[...]. They do not believe readily that there is power in meekness and calm." -- Friedrich Nietzsche

10-17-2004, 05:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
gar1976 Custom User Title Location: Lurking. Under the desk.	Judging from the recent posts, the funny might not be coming from this board. Maybe next week it will. __________________ Blistex, in regards to crappy games - They made pong look like a story driven RPG with a dynamic campaign.

10-14-2004, 02:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Orodinn Crazy	Its an interesting question. Id have to think about it though. You might have more replies if you posted this in the knowledge or general board.

10-18-2004, 11:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
yster Tilted	RE: bringing the funny, I could start posting from a different Jack Handey book, if people wanted. I have 3 others. People seemed to be getting a little sick of the spamminess of the one a day, maybe if there is interest I could do a weekly post. As for what causes laughter, good question. Seems like in an excited stated, we look for cues on how to express our emotions, be it via crying, laughter, etc. Go for laughter all the time, I say. Guy in the movie got chopped in half? Laugh. Failed your driver's test? Laugh it up. Other than a few odd looks in movie theaters (man, I remember when I laughed out loud when Charlize Theron stabbed herself in the neck in Devil's Advocate, woooo did I get glares), it has served me well.