Ha!: The Science of When We Laugh and Why Hardcover
Author: Visit Amazon's Scott Weems Page - ISBN: 0465031706 - Language: English - Format: PDF, EPUB
DESCRIPTION
From Booklist
Here’s an interesting idea: humor (and what the author calls its “most common symptom,” laughter) is a consequence of having a brain that relies on conflict. Weems, a neuroscientist, explores what goes on inside our cranium when something makes us laugh; he also explores the essence of humor itself (Why can we tell when something’s funny, but a computer cannot?), why we laugh longer and harder at some things than we do at others, and how a healthy sense of humor can help us have a healthy body. If, as the author suggests, humor results from conflict in the brain, then certain things follow from that: we laugh loudest at stereotypes because we know on some level that they’re wrong, even if we find them amusing; we cackle when we’re surprised because our perceptions have been suddenly altered. Considering its subject, the book is a bit dry, but then it’s not a humor book; it’s a serious book about the neuroscience of humor. --David Pitt
Review
“[A] fascinating new book.... Weems makes the argument that jokes have deep sources in our human needs and psychologies. Human life is complex, not simple, although we have simple needs (food, sex, safety, sleep, friendship, etc.). Humor is a response to inevitable conflict. The humor isn’t in the joke; it is in the attitudes of those telling and hearing the joke. The same joke will be funny sometimes to some people and entirely fail to rouse a response to different people at different times.”
—Alva Noë, NPR’s 13.7 blog
“Weems’s central idea is that humor and laughter are by-products of the complex workings of the brain, rather than a separate function seated in some funniness control center. Drawing on both current neuroscience research and amusing anecdote, the author steers clear of reductionism and builds his case that humor is more diffuse and complex than other emotions and perceptions.”
—The Scientist
“In Ha!, cognitive neuroscientist Scott Weems analyzes how the punchline of a great joke, like a mini ‘eureka!’ moment, takes us by surprise and reframes our thinking. Humor, Weems argues, draws on our appetite for solving problems and helps us establish some order in a disordered world.... [I]lluminate[s] the inner workings of humor with a verve that befits the subject.”
—Psychology Today
“Mirth, points out cognitive neuroscientist Scott Weems, is still something of a conundrum—but one well worth cracking. His journey through the jovial looks in turn at what it is, what it is for and why we should cultivate it.”
—Nature
“Neuroscientist Scott Weems applies the scientific method to the human funny bone to find out what makes us laugh. He discovers that laughter is one way the brain deals with the discomfort of a particularly inappropriate joke, or the surprise of an unexpected punchline.”
—Discover
“[A] stimulating overview of what researchers have learned about why we laugh.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Weems renders extensive research accessible for a wide audience.... Humor is a difficult, subjective topic of study, and while Weems doesn’t present major conclusions, the information is interesting and the commentary insightful.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Weems, a neuroscientist, explores what goes on inside our cranium when something makes us laugh; he also explores the essence of humor itself (Why can we tell when something’s funny, but a computer cannot?), why we laugh longer and harder at some things than we do at others, and how a healthy sense of humor can help us have a healthy body.”
—Booklist Online
"Move over, Henri Bergson, Weems explains the science of laughter way more charmingly. Our neurons are still cracking up."
—Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein, authors of Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar
"Scott Weems' Ha! is an excellent, non-technical and engaging introduction to the field of humor studies and a much needed book…. Clear, entertaining, and full of personal anecdotes that enliven the discussion."
—Salvatore Attardo, Dean of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts, Texas A&M University, and editor-in-chief of Humor
“Scott Weems' book Ha! is a superb explanation of humor that is simultaneously entertaining and informative. I enjoyed every page, and at the end came away with new insight into what really makes things funny.”
—James A. Reggia, Professor of Computer Science, University of Maryland
—Alva Noë, NPR’s 13.7 blog
“Weems’s central idea is that humor and laughter are by-products of the complex workings of the brain, rather than a separate function seated in some funniness control center. Drawing on both current neuroscience research and amusing anecdote, the author steers clear of reductionism and builds his case that humor is more diffuse and complex than other emotions and perceptions.”
—The Scientist
“In Ha!, cognitive neuroscientist Scott Weems analyzes how the punchline of a great joke, like a mini ‘eureka!’ moment, takes us by surprise and reframes our thinking. Humor, Weems argues, draws on our appetite for solving problems and helps us establish some order in a disordered world.... [I]lluminate[s] the inner workings of humor with a verve that befits the subject.”
—Psychology Today
“Mirth, points out cognitive neuroscientist Scott Weems, is still something of a conundrum—but one well worth cracking. His journey through the jovial looks in turn at what it is, what it is for and why we should cultivate it.”
—Nature
“Neuroscientist Scott Weems applies the scientific method to the human funny bone to find out what makes us laugh. He discovers that laughter is one way the brain deals with the discomfort of a particularly inappropriate joke, or the surprise of an unexpected punchline.”
—Discover
“[A] stimulating overview of what researchers have learned about why we laugh.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Weems renders extensive research accessible for a wide audience.... Humor is a difficult, subjective topic of study, and while Weems doesn’t present major conclusions, the information is interesting and the commentary insightful.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Weems, a neuroscientist, explores what goes on inside our cranium when something makes us laugh; he also explores the essence of humor itself (Why can we tell when something’s funny, but a computer cannot?), why we laugh longer and harder at some things than we do at others, and how a healthy sense of humor can help us have a healthy body.”
—Booklist Online
"Move over, Henri Bergson, Weems explains the science of laughter way more charmingly. Our neurons are still cracking up."
—Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein, authors of Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar
"Scott Weems' Ha! is an excellent, non-technical and engaging introduction to the field of humor studies and a much needed book…. Clear, entertaining, and full of personal anecdotes that enliven the discussion."
—Salvatore Attardo, Dean of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts, Texas A&M University, and editor-in-chief of Humor
“Scott Weems' book Ha! is a superb explanation of humor that is simultaneously entertaining and informative. I enjoyed every page, and at the end came away with new insight into what really makes things funny.”
—James A. Reggia, Professor of Computer Science, University of Maryland
See all Editorial Reviews
DETAILS
- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: Basic Books (March 4, 2014)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0465031706
- ISBN-13: 978-0465031702
- Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
- Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
- Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,954 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Humor > Doctors & Medicine
- #22 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Humor > Self-Help & Psychology
- #29 in Books > Medical Books > Psychology > Cognitive
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Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why Scott Weems on Amazon com FREE shipping on qualifying offers Humor like pornography is famously difficult to define 15 Reviews Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why To view this video download Flash Player Format Hardcover Available in NOOK Book eBook Hardcover Humor like pornography Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why Pub Date 3 4 2014 Publisher Basic Books hide captionCognitive neuroscientist Scott Weems is the author of Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why Basic Books AZ Hardcover 9780465031702 230pp Publication Date March 2014 Scott Weems 39 book HA explores the science of when we laugh and why Shop for Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why Hardcover Get free shipping on orders over 50 at Overstock com Your Online Books Outlet Store Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why Scott Weems Basic Hardcover Fiction Hardcover Nonfiction Mass Market Top 10 Overall Trade Paper Children 39 s Authors Hardcover 26 99 30 00 CAN ISBN 3 4 2014 Basic Books ISBN 10 0465031706 Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why An entertaining tour of the science 256 pages EPUB 3 MB Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why by Scott Weems 2014 ISBN 0 Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why And Download Ha Download Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why or any other file from Books category HTTP download also available at fast speeds Q A Community Browse
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