Humor

 

    I was talking to my brother yesterday and the subject of humor came up.  Sometimes it seems what might be funny to one person is not very humorous to another.  Or it might be that things that we have done in the past, which we thought were very embarrassing then, have now become very humorous when we relate them to others. 

     Some thoughts that are found at the website https://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/why-do-we-find-things-funny/ might be of interest to you.  In part, the write states:

     “I’m too young to have ever seen Lenny Bruce perform live, but I love his work and it has often made me wonder: Why do we find things funny? It’s a philosophical as well as scientific question: Why do some comments, including jokes, quips, or extended stories, provoke joy and laughter, while others do not? Or, to be more concrete, why do we have the same reaction to a quip made by Lenny Bruce as to one made by Henny Youngman? Youngman was the comic who spoke the immortal line “Take my wife . . . please,” the kind of one-liner that’s now rare but in its day caused audiences to howl. Humor may have adapted to modern tastes, like other forms of entertainment, but this doesn’t explain why something funny to one person isn’t to another, or why something that’s hilarious in one decade is trite and stale in another.” 

     The article goes to discuss “The Serious Science of Humor.”  It seems that there have been many studies on the subject of laughter and what seems to make people laugh.  The answer to some of the questions raised by laughter cannot be truly understood.

     Humor is very likely to mean different things to different people depending upon the subject, the time period, and even the gender of the person.  I remember the Three Stooges and the comedy they performed decades ago.  Most people will say that MEN understand the humor that was portrayed by their antics, but that most WOMEN don’t.  All I know is, for me they were funny!

     Then again, the humor may be likely to be seen in certain situations when the antics involve someone else and not yourself.  When another person gets the proverbial “pie in the face” (you may have to research this simple humor) it is funny!  But, when it is YOU who would get the “pie in the face,” it is embarrassing!  I think you can see the difference.

     Of course, the humor changes with the changing of time.  This could be the literal passage of time of merely the passing of your own years.  What you once thought to be humorous has now become something mundane or ordinary.  Perhaps this suggests there is a physiological aspect to what we find to be humorous.

     Regardless of what you find to be humorous, it seems that this ability to laugh, to enjoy a “lighter” side to various situations, is very unique to the human creature.  Although it is enjoyable to have a good laugh with family and friends, many have shown that there are health benefits related to laughter.  A very interesting article can be found at https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm 

    “With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.”

     At times however, it appears that some people take themselves too seriously.  They have not allowed themselves to enjoy the humorous antics of their own lives and the things that they do.  Humans are simply amazing creatures, but therein lies our greatest difficulty to deal with ourselves: The fact that we’re only human!

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"Our Creator is a God of humor.

If you don't think so, look in a mirror!"