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A thought provoking question for you all...

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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,634
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?
12 years ago
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Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,472
To get girls in bed
12 years ago
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,634
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
12 years ago
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onLINE
Posts: 1013 - Karma: 423

a question for OP.

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

12 years ago
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smooter
Posts: 1121 - Karma: 1,368
To help us cope with the shittiness of the world
12 years ago
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,311
So that the British will always be better at at least one thing then any other nation.
12 years ago
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,634
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.
12 years ago
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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.
12 years ago
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Bateman
Posts: 8593 - Karma: 8,600
You're going to have to back this up with some videos, Lawrence.
12 years ago
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,634
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.
12 years ago
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onLINE
Posts: 1013 - Karma: 423
i will make sure to shit in your shit thread :)
12 years ago
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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.
12 years ago
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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.

12 years ago
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Amadeus.
Posts: 3050 - Karma: 383
this is a thought provoking question for the brain dead.
12 years ago
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
You really got him there, champ! Wowza.
12 years ago
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,634
Click for larger image
12 years ago
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,903
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?
12 years ago
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,634
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)
12 years ago
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
this. and the quote op posted made my brain hurt
12 years ago
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Hammyslapwagon
Posts: 1261 - Karma: 1,411
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12 years ago
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onLINE
Posts: 1013 - Karma: 423
Its an instrument OP uses to fab with while he watches his mom in the shower.
12 years ago
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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?


12 years ago
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Skavengers303
Posts: 964 - Karma: 192
the British are pretty funny....
12 years ago
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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.
12 years ago
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james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 464
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12 years ago
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