I feel bad for laughing at these... (warning: some NSFW language)

http://politicalirony.com/2011/09/24/late-night-political-hu...

rj

My favorites:

“Protecting young girls from cervical cancer? Rick Perry left himself vulnerable to charges of having a tiny speck of humanity, which is very bad for a Republican candidate. So he announced a new policy for Texas. For every child who gets the HPV vaccine, he will execute two Mexicans.” – Bill Maher

“Rick Perry said, ‘I only took $5,000 from Merck. Are you saying I can be bought for $5,000? I’m offended.’ This is how degraded our politics are. How dare you call me a cheap whore. I will have you know I’m a high-priced whore.” – Bill Maher

“Trying to get today’s Republican to accept basic facts is like trying to get your dog to take a pill. You have to feed them the truth wrapped in a piece of baloney, hold their snout shut, and stroke their throats. And even then, just when you think they’ve swallowed it, they spit it out on the linoleum.” – Bill Maher

I feel bad for laughing at these...
-----

I don't.

“After the debate where the HPV issue came up, Michele Bachmann said she had a discussion with a woman who came to her and said that her daughter had taken the vaccine and had become mentally retarded. And Michele Bachmann said, ‘Mom?’” – Bill Maher




ten

tenworlds: I don't.

“After the debate where the HPV issue came up, Michele Bachmann said she had a discussion with a woman who came to her and said that her daughter had taken the vaccine and had become mentally retarded. And Michele Bachmann said, ‘Mom?’” – Bill Maher

That was my favorite. Then again, MB is in a house district adjacent to mine here in MN.

rj

Humor

Why do our facial muscles constrict to form smiles and why do we expel syllables that are consistent with laughter when we find something to be amusing?

What is it about humor that causes such biological reactions?

"Funny" does have a formula. It can be reduced to redirection. People are carried down a path and, at the "punch line", find themselves consciously in another place entirely and their reaction is to smile and laugh.

Case in point- the typical joke-

"I once knew a man with one leg named Smith"

"Really? What was the name of his other leg?"

Not so good?

Here's what Wikipedia calls the world's funniest joke-

"Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps, "My friend is dead! What can I do?" The operator says "Calm down. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead." There is a silence, then a gun shot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says "OK, now what?""

We, as the audience, follow the story, as expected, to a very ordinary place. The "punch line" is provided and takes us on a logical, yet unlikely and IMMEDIATE, journey to somewhere else- instantly.

It is the immediacy of the change in that ordinarily linear path of comprehension that causes a sudden mental displacement and evokes the physical reaction of smiles and laughter.

But WHY?

What sense does it make that we exhale, utilizing our vocal chords with the universal syllables of "ha" and "hee" when experiencing humor? How has this behavior ever benefited our survival?

"Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson were going camping. They pitched their tent under the stars and went to sleep. Sometime in the middle of the night Holmes woke Watson up and said: "Watson, look up at the sky, and tell me what you see." Watson replied: "I see millions and millions of stars." Holmes said: "And what do you deduce from that?" Watson replied: "Well, if there are millions of stars, and if even a few of those have planets, it’s quite likely there are some planets like Earth out there. And if there are a few planets like Earth out there, there might also be life." And Holmes said: "Watson, you idiot, it means that somebody stole our tent.""

See? There is no disputing that humor is the redirection of calculable linear reasoning to a place that was neither expected nor previously considered- although logical. But why the exhalation of syllables and all the physical attributes included in the execution of laughter?

Laughter is no doubt healthy.

Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
?Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
?Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
?Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Okay, so what causes laughter? What is it about humor that creates the physical reactions and benefits?

Here's what I think-

All matter is made up of atoms. Atoms are made up of sub-atomic particles. Every supposedly solid object is practically 99% empty space. If you took all of the people in the world living today and broke them down to their actual particular selves, you would end up with a mass of sub-atomic particles that are collectively smaller than a sugar cube. The real reality of existence is made up of electrons, protons, and neutrons. Subatomic particles behave according to quantum physics. These subatomic particles are the essence of humor in that they behave logically, yet find themselves occupying immediately different locations and velocities. Such is the way of reality.

Could humor, and our reaction to it, really just be our reaction to a glimpse of the truth of everything?

k

Obviously, if you responded to my last post immediately you haven't yet read this one.

While I'm not certain of the viability of my thoughts in the last post, I am certain that the punch line should have evoked at least a minimal measure of laughter.

After all, it met the stated criteria.

k

That being said...

What about it?

k

See? There is no disputing that humor is the redirection of calculable linear reasoning to a place that was neither expected nor previously considered- although logical. But why the exhalation of syllables and all the physical attributes included in the execution of laughter?


one form of humor..... but all?
puns?
LOLcats?
??


Laughter is no doubt healthy.


it's definitely SOMEthing.
i noticed recently that nearly all of certain kinds of ads are pretty much just people laughing: Beer ads; Dating site ads; ???




Could humor, and our reaction to it, really just be our reaction to a glimpse of the truth of everything?


no. it's just some evolutionary thing like red-hair & freckles

While I'm not certain of the viability of my thoughts in the last post, I am certain that the punch line should have evoked at least a minimal measure of laughter.

After all, it met the stated criteria.


the last line?

raises another criterion of humor -- something just wacky that sounds like it's intended to be serious can go either Way.

funny that you picked up on a threat from Sep-2011.

one form of humor..... but all?
puns?

Of course!

"Captain Aubrey: "Do you see those two weevils, Doctor?...Which would you choose?"
Dr. Maturin: "Neither. There's not a scrap of difference between them. They're the same species of Curculio."
Captain Aubrey: "If you had to choose. If you were forced to make a choice. If there were no other option."
Dr. Maturin: "Well, then, if you're going to push me. I would choose the right-hand weevil. It has significant advantage in both length and breadth."
Captain Aubrey: "There, I have you!...Do you not know that in the Service, one must always choose the lesser of two weevils?"

A pun, and a particularly good one, serving the cause of misdirection that my post described.


Could humor, and our reaction to it, really just be our reaction to a glimpse of the truth of everything?

_______________________________________________


no. it's just some evolutionary thing like red-hair & freckles

But humor is universal (with some psychological variances) while red hair and freckles are not.

k

funny that you picked up on a threat from Sep-2011.

Funny? Hmm..

k

raises another criterion of humor -- something just wacky that sounds like it's intended to be serious can go either Way.

Yup- funny is as funny does.

k

Here's what I think-

All matter is made up of atoms. Atoms are made up of sub-atomic particles. Every supposedly solid object is practically 99% empty space. If you took all of the people in the world living today and broke them down to their actual particular selves, you would end up with a mass of sub-atomic particles that are collectively smaller than a sugar cube. The real reality of existence is made up of electrons, protons, and neutrons. Subatomic particles behave according to quantum physics. These subatomic particles are the essence of humor in that they behave logically, yet find themselves occupying immediately different locations and velocities. Such is the way of reality.

Could humor, and our reaction to it, really just be our reaction to a glimpse of the truth of everything?

Step away from the bong. I repeat: Step away from the bong.

Step away from the bong. I repeat: Step away from the bong.

funny.

k

Could humor, and our reaction to it, really just be our reaction to a glimpse of the truth of everything?

Step away from the bong. I repeat: Step away from the bong.


meh ... it's xMas, cut the guy some ice

no. it's just some evolutionary thing like red-hair & freckles

But humor is universal (with some psychological variances) while red hair and freckles are not.


I think you know what I meant

(>:

Why do our facial muscles constrict to form smiles and why do we expel syllables that are consistent with laughter when we find something to be amusing?



Oy, khalou! There you go again.

Why do our facial muscles constrict to form smiles....?

Shaking my head here.

...expel syllables that are consistent with laughter...?

Really?
Are you implying that it's not really laughter at all - but only "consistent" with laughter?

Why not just ask, "Why do we laugh when we find something amusing?"

(Twenty-seven words cut down to 9.)

Why on earth do you always write as though you have an allotment of words that just have to be used up before you die? I swear, if I gave you a map showing how to get from your house to the nearest hospital, you would take the most convoluted, lengthy route possible while you bled to death.

Double oy.

AM

The best definition of humor I have seen goes like this:

Humor is the derailing of a train of thought.

Count Upp

...expel syllables that are consistent with laughter...?

Really?
Are you implying that it's not really laughter at all - but only "consistent" with laughter?

Why not just ask, "Why do we laugh when we find something amusing?"

I needed to be more precise than that. With that sequence of sentences, I'm wasn't so much curious about why we laugh as I am about why laughter is universally expressed in the particular way that it is. What, in our evolutionary past, was accomplished by the involuntary vocalization of a succession of the syllable "ha" (or something very much like it)? I'm sure its related to the also universal emotionally communicative phenomena of facial expressions, but that purpose is pretty self evident.

Just in the interests of clarity, I'm not trying to sound smart or superior or, really, anything. I'm just putting these things out there.

k

With that sequence of sentences, I'm wasn't so much curious about why we laugh as I am about why laughter is universally expressed in the particular way that it is. What, in our evolutionary past, was accomplished by the involuntary vocalization of a succession of the syllable "ha" (


the joys of getting old...

i'm almost sure i read something about that recently
but can't recall where or the details.

istr --something about infant-mother communication.
giggling is infant's way of saying, "it's all cool, mum" pre-language
like crying is its way of saying, "bad st***!"

& something similar in the other Apes.



or ..... is that even your question?

istr --something about infant-mother communication.
giggling is infant's way of saying, "it's all cool, mum" pre-language
like crying is its way of saying, "bad st***!"

& something similar in the other Apes.



or ..... is that even your question?

Exactly that sort of thing. Of course, it wasn't the ultimate theme of the original post, but the part that merited scrutiny had to do with exactly what you're addressing.

I believe the current study of these matters is called Evolutionary Psychology or some such. Fascinating stuff for someone like me who is interested in human behavior.

k

Humor is the derailing of a train of thought

That is as fine a definition as I've heard. Thanks-

k

Here's something-

Having characterized laughter's social context, Provine next analyzes acoustical properties of recorded laughter. He finds that "laugh notes" consist of vowel-like syllables of a harmonic with low fundamental frequency and weak sigh-like intervening signals, usually with a homogenous structure and a progressive decrescendo. Evolutionarily, higher primates have a similar vocalization to baby chimps at play. However, the quality of primates' laugh-like sounds is limited by respiratory-vocal coupling, since they are only able to produce 1 vocal syllable per inhalation-exhalation cycle (unlike humans, who can sustain multiple syllables per respiratory cycle).

Similarly, quadrupedal animals require 1 stride per respiratory cycle, while humans may sustain multiple steps per breath. Provine postulates that this human edge in breath control was critical evolutionarily, becoming instrumental in the development of speech by liberating our complex neuromuscular speech apparatus from the more mundane chores of breathing and walking. Further evolutionary theorizing follows in analyses of tickling and laughter's contagion. From student and animal experiments, Provine postulates a role for tickle-induced laughter in the development of social bonds and distinction of nonself stimuli to enable subsequent bodily defense. Laughter's contagiousness, borne out in diverse examples such as St. Vitus' Dance, Beatlemania, "holy laughter" in charismatic Christian sects, and a Tanzanian laughter epidemic, is an evolutionary Achilles' heel, exploitable by corporate America in media laugh tracks and Tickle Me Elmo.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/437544

k

Of course, I suppose the author could have simply said that
"laughter occurs" which would have saved a lot of "words", but I'm thinking that something would have been lost.

k

examples such as St. Vitus' Dance, Beatlemania, "holy laughter" in charismatic Christian sects, and a Tanzanian laughter epidemic, is an evolutionary Achilles' heel, exploitable by corporate America in media laugh tracks and Tickle Me Elmo.



beer and dating ads....


a current favorite of mine:
Sinatra singing in the BG ("Luck be a Lady")
handful of men get off small private jet ...well dressed, but 'diverse' (homage to "Rat Pack")
est. shot: Vegas
the guys walk into a casino are met by an equal number of hookers ...
drinking, laughing, dancing, drinking, laughing, gambling, drinking, laughing, drinking....

love it because, who wouldn't want to be the sort to charter-jet to Vegas for the weekend and think to order 'Escorts' beforehand..

and if drinking the right brand of .... whatever it was is part of the thing ...

and surprising they can show that on the TV


nttawwt!

Of course, I suppose the author could have simply said that
"laughter occurs" which would have saved a lot of "words", but I'm thinking that something would have been lost.

k

------------


I read your excerpt from the author's work and it reads intelligently. Whether or not his theory makes any sense is another question entirely. Not being versed in this sort of thing, I am inclined to take him at his word.

Had he merely said "laughter occurs" he would have been wrong. Laughter doesn't just "occur" - ever. I've never once in my life been just sitting there quietly, thinking of nothing, and burst out in laughter. Laughter is brought about by a thought that we find amusing. Or by a story someone relates that we find funny. Or by the infectious laughter of another. But it never just "occurs".

AM