Ha!

Ha!: The Science of When We Laugh and Why [Unabridged] [Audible Audio Edition]

Author: - ISBN: B00JOPQBY6 - Language: English - Format: PDF, EPUB

DESCRIPTION

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.

Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why Scott Weems 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 Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why Science News Scott Weems a neuroscientist takes readers on a wide ranging tour that explains what humor is and why readers should care Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why by Scott Barnes Noble com Review Rules Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked or didn t with others Ha Takes a Serious Look at Humor NYTimes com Mar 17 2014 Patricia Wall The New York Times Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why By Scott Weems Basic Books 288 pages 26 99 Amazon com Customer Reviews Ha The Science of When We Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why at Amazon com Read honest and unbiased product reviews from

DETAILS

• Audible Audio Edition
• Listening Length: 7 hours and 10 minutes
• Program Type: Audiobook
• Version: Unabridged
• Publisher: Audible Studios
• Audible.com Release Date: April 14, 2014
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00JOPQBY6

REVIEWS

15 Reviews Start reading Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why on your Kindle in under a minute Don 39 t have a Kindle Get your Kindle here 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 Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why Magazine issue April 5 2014 Read Science News subscribing members must now establish a separate login relationship Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why The Science of When We Laugh and Why Download torrent subtitles free download Watch Online video Movie Download eBook Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why ISBN 0465031706 by Scott Weems for freeHa The Science of When We Laugh and Why by Scott Weems 2014 ISBN 0465031706 English 256 pages EPUB 3 MB Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why by hide captionCognitive neuroscientist Scott Weems is the author of Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why Download Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why or any other file from Books category HTTP download also available at fast speeds Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why free ebook download Views 256 Catalogue Get tons of free books on Getbookee Author s free books download NPR coverage of Ha The Science of When We Laugh and Why by Scott Weems News author interviews critics 39 picks and more Skip to Main Content Toggle

While author Scott Weems is a cognitive neuroscientist, the book is more psychology and sociology than biochemistry. Indeed, aside from some mention of brain anatomy and the neurotransmitter dopamine, no other familiarity of biology is necessary to enjoy this wide-angle treatise. The book allows us to examine what we know or thought we knew about humor. It reminds us how our sense of humor changes as we age, how different ethnic groups regard jokes, how men differ from women in appreciating certain jokes. He analyzes the structure and function of jokes and humor and relates many psychological findings. Merely 200 pages in length plus notes for the more scholarly, the reader is entertained by examples of humor and of recent historical events, as TV's Jeopardy! star Jennings's comments after being defeated by IBM's Watson supercomputer. We learn that rats 'laugh' (not in my laboratory when I had to inject them) and that the sound of dog laughter can calm a kennel. Why some people enjoy horror movies and others don't is explained. Other than some rare anomaly, laughter is indeed a health-inducing process, and this too is described. Political outlook and a sense of humor correlate. (I will leave you do find whether directly or inversely.) Thus, while being amused by the various forms of humor, puns, absurdities, the breaking of taboos, surprises, and clever jokes, the reader will learn about one aspect of consciousness-mind and brain processes that makes life enjoyable. As pointed out, humor is subversive. There are some life lessons here.

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