Originally posted by: ginak
Taking off on an tangent, I guess laughter is a very individual response which can be induced or inhibited by one's environment. I didnt know this but laughter is supposed to be contagious and it is a social phenomenon. You laugh out more apparently when you are out in a group than when you are alone. Aaah!! Have noticed that and lady you never go off on a tangent that is not related.... and dont we GOG love tangential discussions!
Have you noticed our sense of humor also evolves as we grow up I guess. Children are tickled by simple things, in adolescence it is more about rebelliousness and covering up for awkwardness of the transition in growing up and and as adults our sense of humor is more subtle, more tolerant and less judgmental laughing at common embarassments.
I guess as we grow and learn more and experience more our sense of humor also grows and develops. There is always a certain amount of intelligence involved in getting a joke.
Evolution of humor ... and the transition of the same... explained so beautifully... had my jaws drop in awe ... wondering... this is exactly how we were and how we reacted... I jus loved how you brought out that aspect of humor and our perception of the same undergoes a transition along with our persona through the years , along with the subtle influence of the env around us!
But I guess what is funny to some is not funny to all. Sometimes laughter is restricted to some communities or nations or groups of people and if you happen to belong to those it might not be so funny.
Some may find a joke or situation offensive cos he may have attachment to the principle or person being put down.
Yes, no wonder, the bit about that is often ... quoted....during conversations..."British wit.." ... humor and the way it is enjoyed varies with diff nations and also with the cultures
I guess all in all it is your enviroment, culture, sensitivities, intellect, situations, emotions all coming into play when you laugh. Gosh laughter seems to be serious business after all. Really a complex phenomenon. It sure is ... and what a beautiful way to bring about that fact!!
Thanks Aarti and Sareeta as usual for a thought provoking post and I learnt so much thanks to that. And thanks to you and Aarti for bringing this up... coz I learnt so much too and I cant thank you enough for this bit on evolution of humor , should I say , transition of humor...loved the take!!! 😊
In a lighter vein they say you can actually laugh the pounds away if you dont like to hit the gym because the natural shaking and gestures we make when we laugh, it can be an aerobic workout that lowers blood pressure and increases oxygen intake it seems. Got that from one of those health watch sites!!! Aaah, I have read that bit... well.. the wise jus didnt say it for nothing... that "Laughter is the best medicine".... now did they?!! 😉