The interesting recipe of humor.

[bobcat]

I was wondering this morning if an AI could ever have a sense of humor. I mean they can certainly tell a joke, and even create a joke never told before, but would they ever laugh if one was told to them? Would they know something's funny?

That got me to thinking about why we laugh or think something's funny. There's a whole industry of stand up comedy, comedy TV shows, cartoons, and just simply watching someone do something that tickles our brain. But what is it that makes us laugh, and even when we do, why does ha, ha, ha come out? Why do some have a great sense of humor, and others, not so much. Is it a gift, or intelligence, or timing, the unexpected? The only thing I know is that it makes us feel good, so maybe it's stress relief. IDK

 

[MACKTEXAS]

Those are interesting thoughts. It's so uplifiting to get a really big laugh that brings tears. We all need that now and then. Yes, I agree, it's a great stress relief - and sometimes, whatever was funny comes back to mind, and I laugh all over again.

Why are some things funny to some people, but not others? I don't like a comedy roast, when a guest of honor is subjected to jokes from a panel of friends and colleagues, or a certain TV show "funniest home videos" which shows people or animals doing supposedly funny things, but they fall or get hurt. I just don't find that funny at all.

But, some Robin Williams movies like "Mrs. Doubtfire" I can watch again and again and still laugh, and at some of the things Jean Stapleton (Edith Bunker) says on "All In The Family."

 

[bobcat]

Those are interesting thoughts. It's so uplifiting to get a really big laugh that brings tears. We all need that now and then. Yes, I agree, it's a great stress relief - and sometimes, whatever was funny comes back to mind, and I laugh all over again.

Why are some things funny to some people, but not others? I don't like a comedy roast, when a guest of honor is subjected to jokes from a panel of friends and colleagues, or a certain TV show "funniest home videos" which shows people or animals doing supposedly funny things, but they fall or get hurt. I just don't find that funny at all.

But, some Robin Williams movies like "Mrs. Doubtfire" I can watch again and again and still laugh, and at some of the things Jean Stapleton (Edith Bunker) says on "All In The Family."

I agree. There seems to be different types of comedy that can make us laugh. I usually like the more witty or dry humor types like Frazier or Bob Newhart, but then again I can laugh at some of the stuff in Dumb and Dumber, and yet they have nothing in common. That being said, if I had to watch the Three Stooges for an hour, I would probably kill myself. I don't know what it is, but it seems there must be some unexpected element of surprise in it that catches us off guard.

Like you, I never cared for the Don Rickles type who was good a roasting people, and yet other's found him funny. Maybe it's just personal taste. I love it when a show has very talented writers. To me, they are very gifted people. You don't need any laugh track to chime in with.