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Ha!, April 2014
Hardcover / e-Book
The Science of When We Laugh and Why
Basic Books
April 2014
On Sale: April 18, 2014
256 pages ISBN: 0465031706 EAN: 9780465031702 Kindle: B00ET7IZFW Hardcover / e-Book
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Non-Fiction
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 funny—and 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.
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