Post in Forums
Create a Profile
Upload Pictures
Make Polls
Keep a Journal
Meet Friends
Have Fun
It's FREE!
Sign Up!
Forum Index > Religion & Philosophy
>> Why do we laugh? "We laugh because it hurts."
Reply to Topic
Search Topic
Subscription
Author Message
New Post! Nov 05, 2008 @ 22:24:28#1
6dark6dreams6

Über-Meister
2211 points


Send PM


17/F/hereford, United Kingdom
Join Date: Jun 2007

I was reading Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A.Heinlein (if you have no read this book i strongly recommend it, it's an amazing book!).
The character in this book claimed he understood why humans laugh.

"I've found out why people laugh. They laugh because it hurts... because
it's the only thing that'll make it stop hurting...I had thought a funny thing is a thing of goodness. It isn't. The goodness is in the laughing. I grok it is a bravery...and a sharing...against pain and
sorrow and defeat." p289-290

I believe this holds truth. Think about all the jokes you can remember. The 'punchline' or the height of the joke is the when the cruelty, the sadness, or just plain bad is revealed to the listener (or reader).
The same goes for when see someone do something stupid, like walk into a lamp post, or fall over. We laugh.

Do you agree? If not then why? Why do we laugh? What do we find funny?




"Howsoever men may approach me, even so do I accept them; for, on all sides, whatever path they may choose is mine." (Bhagavad Gita 4:11).
On July 06, 2009
New Post! Nov 05, 2008 @ 22:28:46#2
crazychica
A taste of insanity


TFS Monkey+
41049 points


Send PM


19/F/Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Join Date: Sep 2007

Laughing is an involuntary reaction, possibly related to survival instinct. It could be for any number of reasons. My personal favourite is as a warning for people nearby. It's changed a bit since then obviously.




crazychica said:
To you I walk fast. To me everyone else walks too damn slow!
On February 09, 2010
New Post! Nov 05, 2008 @ 22:38:30#3
6dark6dreams6

Über-Meister
2211 points


Send PM


17/F/hereford, United Kingdom
Join Date: Jun 2007

It never claimed that it wasn't an involuntary reaction. But think about it, there must be some connection between humor and pain/cruelty?




"Howsoever men may approach me, even so do I accept them; for, on all sides, whatever path they may choose is mine." (Bhagavad Gita 4:11).
On July 06, 2009
New Post! Nov 05, 2008 @ 22:39:56#4
crazychica
A taste of insanity


TFS Monkey+
41049 points


Send PM


19/F/Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Join Date: Sep 2007

That's what I was saying. Laughter is believed to be linked to survival instincts. At some point in our evolutionary history, it probably served as a warning.




crazychica said:
To you I walk fast. To me everyone else walks too damn slow!
On February 09, 2010
New Post! Nov 06, 2008 @ 00:46:20#5
Lili
Information Addict


Über-Monkey+
56428 points


Send PM


27/F/Sunshine Land, California
Join Date: Apr 2005

we laugh when something is unexpected and catches by surprise.





"Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime."
On February 09, 2010
Reply to Topic<< Previous Topic | Next Topic >>

Top

TFS Time: Tue 09 Feb 2010 05:25 am CST
Copyright © 2004-2010 Funky Llama Productions, LLC   |   Home   |   Contact   |   Privacy Policy   |   Terms of service

The Forum Site - Your premier source for everything LOGIN REGISTER