Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

A thought provoking question for you all...

profile picture
theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
This is not an assignment or any kind of homework. My friend showed me a quote the other day that I thought was very interesting. I will post later on but I don't what to sway anyone's answers with the quote.

So the question is, Why does humor exist?
Feb 19 2013 2:30PM
1 3
profile picture
Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,469
To get girls in bed
Feb 19 2013 2:32PM
0 0
profile picture
theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
fuck it ill post it now cause I'm gonna get too many of these answers.

"Well, I have this theory that basically the fundamental reason for humor is a...human need to deal with the fact that the world is irrational and dangerous and random and that it ends in death. ...Penguins don't know that, which is why so few penguins get into the humor field. I'm not saying they're not funny, but, you know, just being professional. But animals in general just don't seem to figure that out. But humans figured [this out] - I mean, even though I live a wonderful, good life, I could be killed at any minute or horrible things could happen. And even if everything goes great, I'm going to die, probably without any teeth. So there are two basic ways that we deal with that. One is religion - OK, it's not really going to end, and it's going to go on and on. And the other is to find humor in it, to laugh at it. I really think that most jokes in the end, when we laugh, we are releasing a tension that we feel about something that's a little scarier and incongruous and insane about our lives around us. So that's my humor theory."
- Dave Barry
Feb 19 2013 2:37PM
0 0
profile picture
onLINE
Posts: 1013 - Karma: 423

a question for OP.

how many shitty threads can you possibly make? Its getting out of control.

Feb 19 2013 2:41PM
0 0
profile picture
smooter
Posts: 1121 - Karma: 1,368
To help us cope with the shittiness of the world
Feb 19 2013 2:43PM
0 0
profile picture
Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
So that the British will always be better at at least one thing then any other nation.
Feb 19 2013 2:44PM
0 0
profile picture
theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
A question to you. Fuck off. If you don't like them don't click on them. And yes I am aware that's not a question. Go fuck yourself.
Feb 19 2013 2:45PM
0 0
profile picture
onLINE
Posts: 1013 - Karma: 423
you didnt answer my question....but for real you should make another thread about how mad you are right now.
Feb 19 2013 2:52PM
0 0
profile picture
Bateman
Posts: 8591 - Karma: 8,600
You're going to have to back this up with some videos, Lawrence.
Feb 19 2013 2:55PM
0 0
profile picture
theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
I will! you should keep your eyes our for it. I will eagerly await for your post about how shitty it is, hope you are as excited as I am.
Feb 19 2013 2:55PM
0 0
profile picture
onLINE
Posts: 1013 - Karma: 423
i will make sure to shit in your shit thread :)
Feb 19 2013 2:57PM
0 0
profile picture
theschneidler
Posts: 2099 - Karma: 355
One fine example of this is The IT Crowd, British version is easily top 3 favorite all time shows, but the verbatim American version is unfunny and wasn't produced because of the awful quality.
Feb 19 2013 2:58PM
0 0
profile picture
ForrestW
Posts: 451 - Karma: 56

evolutionary standpoint:

humor helps people connect with eachother. 

 people who connected well with others survived better.

evolution favors those who survive and passes on their genes.

 humor becomes a staple of cultures throughout the world.

as far as the theory you posted....not so sure about that.

Feb 19 2013 3:05PM
0 0
profile picture
Amadeus.
Posts: 3050 - Karma: 382
this is a thought provoking question for the brain dead.
Feb 19 2013 3:07PM
0 0
profile picture
.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
You really got him there, champ! Wowza.
Feb 19 2013 3:08PM
0 0
profile picture
theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
Click for larger image
Feb 19 2013 3:09PM
0 0
profile picture
Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,896
Hahaha. It's alright. Just stop raiding your mom's medicine cabinet and everything will be fine.

I find this humorous. What does that mean?
Feb 19 2013 3:30PM
0 0
profile picture
theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
It means you find it funny that that picture could imply suicide but you laugh it off in hopes it doesn't. At least thats what I think.

(not suicidal)
Feb 19 2013 3:36PM
0 0
profile picture
Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
this. and the quote op posted made my brain hurt
Feb 19 2013 3:38PM
0 0
profile picture
Hammyslapwagon
Posts: 1261 - Karma: 1,409
Click for larger image
Feb 19 2013 3:38PM
0 0
profile picture
onLINE
Posts: 1013 - Karma: 423
Its an instrument OP uses to fab with while he watches his mom in the shower.
Feb 19 2013 3:50PM
0 0
profile picture
Skavengers303
Posts: 964 - Karma: 192
It seems to me that we find more humor in things that are odd rather then in horrible things like death.

I can see how having triggers that causes us to laugh and have dopamine rushes would help with survival by both connecting with us others and dealing with life, so from an evolutionary perspective i think you're on the right track, however why do we find certain things funny and certain things not funny?

from my understanding, what is considered funny is not completely similar cross-culturally, however there is steady base-line, and that is things considered abnormal to social norms.

so why is that which is abnormal considered funny and do you think that plays a part in why our speices has evolved a sense of humor?


Feb 19 2013 4:28PM
0 0
profile picture
Skavengers303
Posts: 964 - Karma: 192
the British are pretty funny....
Feb 19 2013 4:31PM
0 0
profile picture
Dunnah
Posts: 1215 - Karma: 277
I'm pretty sure all animals have an understanding that the world is dangerous and that's why they all do several things to protect themselves, so saying that the knowledge that the world is irrational/dangerous/random creates humor is a bit irrational in itself.
Feb 19 2013 4:35PM
0 0
profile picture
james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 467
Click for larger image
Feb 19 2013 4:38PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)