Ha!

The Science of When We Laugh and Why

By: Scott Weems

Narrated by: Kalen Allmandinger

Humor, like pornography, is famously difficult to define. We know it when we see it, but is there a way to figure out what we really find funnyand why? In this fascinating investigation into the science of humor and laughter, cognitive neuroscientist Scott Weems uncovers what’s happening in our heads when we giggle, guffaw, or double over with laughter. While we typically think of humor in terms of jokes or comic timing, in Ha! Weems proposes a provocative new model. Humor arises from inner conflict in the brain, he argues, and is part of a larger desire to comprehend a complex world. Showing that the delight that comes with getting” a punchline is closely related to the joy that accompanies the insight to solve a difficult problem, Weems explores why surprise is such an important element in humor, why computers are terrible at recognizing what’s funny, and why it takes so long for a tragedy to become acceptable comedic fodder. From the role of insult jokes to the benefit of laughing for our immune system, Ha! reveals why humor is so idiosyncratic, and why how-to books alone will never help us become funnier people.

Packed with the latest research, illuminating anecdotes, and even a few jokes, Ha! lifts the curtain on this most human of qualities. From the origins of humor in our brains to its life on the standup comedy circuit, this book offers a delightful tour of why humor is so important to our daily lives.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2014 Scott Weems (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Well documented and very interestingly structured

I first started this book with low expectations, but it quickly showed that quite a serious and dedicated amount of work was put into it. If you're looking for an analysis on humor from a statistical and a biological point of view, this may very well be a great start.

interesting!

interesting book. a b c d e f g h i j k l m n

Mostly great!

I really enjoyed this book! My only complaint was the seemingly endless chapter about computers. Good god was that boring. The book would have been so much better without it.

Good place to start in the study of humor

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes

Would you be willing to try another book from Scott Weems? Why or why not?

Probably not

Any additional comments?

I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting when I searched for a book about humor but I wanted a book that would detail the intricacies of humor and learn more about why jokes are funny and how some people can tell them with such ease. This book did not disappoint. The author is sort of a science nerd and I don’t think he is one of the naturally funny people. Even with all his research he isn’t funny in the book even though of course he says this isn’t his aim. But I found it easy to listen to and I learned many of the intricacies that I was looking to learn about. I confirmed a lot of things that I thought to be true already like the role of surprise in jokes. Overall a good book. He goes off on tangents and there is no overall tie in to all the topics he scratches. This is a good place to start if you’re looking for a basis on humor study.

HaHaHa!

I guess not many of us analyze the reasons why we find something funny. Or why different people laugh at different things. I personally will find something totally hilarious, while someone sitting next to me won't even chuckle. Humor is a funny thing I guess. No pun intended. 😆

fyi i heard you on star talk

and immediately found your book on auduble!
thanks for having it available in this format. can't wait to read it! err listen... you know

Boring

A somewhat boring book made worse by an inappropriate choice of performer. The guy reading the book sounds like a computer generated voice and should be employed telling stories to put people to sleep.

Bad science

The author regularly draws conclusions that don't follow from the studies he cites, has nothing but apologia for racist and ableist jokes, confuses irreverent jokes with subversive humor, and makes no mention of the insula on the topic of disgust even in his apologetics of "filthy foreigner" jokes. Whether or not you enjoy the book, it's bad science no matter how you dice it.