Why do Brits laugh with self-deprecation, Belgians with quirky defiance, the Dutch at others (mostly Belgians), Japanese with wordplay, and Germans not at all?
Firstly, how dare you. I’m fairly sure I’ve never been wrong. Not even once.
Secondly, the part I laughed at the hardest in this piece was when you insulted the British, which perhaps only reinforces the stereotype that we love self-deprecation. What really tickled me was the idea that we’re the same as Americans except super gloomy - matches so well onto our history and current politics 😂😂😂
I worked with a Danish colleague who was nearing retirement, so I bought him a book called “Danish Humor and Other Myths.” When he opened the package and read the title, I saw an almost invisible but not quite twinkle in his eyes as he commented, “And what’s so funny about this?”
I recommend Robert Provine's book LAUGHTER: A SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION, though it is about laughter itself, as a behavior across situations in humans and even across species, and not so much about humor.
"I usually don’t use Freud in my articles because his theories are iffy, but that’s the case with most theories about humour." I was thinking this the whole time I read the Freud section and, boom, there it was at the end.
Also, this reminded me of the quote "Comedy is a place where the mind goes to tickle itself" by Ricky Gervais as David Brent. And then, boom, a Ricky Gervais quote.
Man, this is getting weird. I was taking another look at your profile before replying, and I wanted to say, "I'm one of those AI machines you know all about, but I'm watching you." But then I thought, I'll hold off till I read more of his [your] work.
Super interesting topic! I write humor, and I once realized that 90% of jokes can be boiled down to just subverted expectations. What did the fish say when he ran into a wall? Dam! What does a joke know when it's become a dad joke? When it becomes a parent.
Wonderful topic, Nolan. I was enchanted form the beginning. You gave us the perfect lead to theoretical takes on humor. I’m now fascinated! Looking forward to this series.
Firstly, how dare you. I’m fairly sure I’ve never been wrong. Not even once.
Secondly, the part I laughed at the hardest in this piece was when you insulted the British, which perhaps only reinforces the stereotype that we love self-deprecation. What really tickled me was the idea that we’re the same as Americans except super gloomy - matches so well onto our history and current politics 😂😂😂
Haha well... I wouldn't quite call the British "gloomy" but cynical and self-deprecating with a charm I'm more attracted to than unearned optimism.
I worked with a Danish colleague who was nearing retirement, so I bought him a book called “Danish Humor and Other Myths.” When he opened the package and read the title, I saw an almost invisible but not quite twinkle in his eyes as he commented, “And what’s so funny about this?”
I recommend Robert Provine's book LAUGHTER: A SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION, though it is about laughter itself, as a behavior across situations in humans and even across species, and not so much about humor.
https://randallhayes.substack.com/p/april-showers-may-bring-giggles
Thanks, Randall. I’ll check it out!
I love how this series is going! I'm interested to see how you'll discuss Asian and Japanese humour, as I've found difficult to describe
Thank you! And it’s here in article 3 https://open.substack.com/pub/bornwithoutborders/p/how-humour-differs-from-culture-to-a18?r=1qf7m9&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
"I usually don’t use Freud in my articles because his theories are iffy, but that’s the case with most theories about humour." I was thinking this the whole time I read the Freud section and, boom, there it was at the end.
Also, this reminded me of the quote "Comedy is a place where the mind goes to tickle itself" by Ricky Gervais as David Brent. And then, boom, a Ricky Gervais quote.
So here's a question: are you reading my mind?
I'm pumped to hear this, Logan! Thank you. This is precisely the type of reading experience I thrive for.
I’m still not 100% convinced you aren’t generative AI prediction my next thought as I read...
Man, this is getting weird. I was taking another look at your profile before replying, and I wanted to say, "I'm one of those AI machines you know all about, but I'm watching you." But then I thought, I'll hold off till I read more of his [your] work.
I critique them just a bit and now they're after me. I knew it.
Super interesting topic! I write humor, and I once realized that 90% of jokes can be boiled down to just subverted expectations. What did the fish say when he ran into a wall? Dam! What does a joke know when it's become a dad joke? When it becomes a parent.
We humans find this ENDLESSLY hilarious. LOL
'Subverted expectations' is a great way of putting it!
Wonderful topic, Nolan. I was enchanted form the beginning. You gave us the perfect lead to theoretical takes on humor. I’m now fascinated! Looking forward to this series.
Thank you, Renée! I look forward to reading your thoughts about the upcoming articles in the series.