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> None of These Theories Seem Adequate Agreed, theories are testable, all of these theories are easily disprovable, in fact we can construct test jokes that ab
by aranchelk 3y ago
> None of These Theories Seem Adequate
Agreed, theories are testable, all of these theories are easily disprovable, in fact we can construct test jokes that abide by all of them and are still deeply unfunny.
One of the most counterintuitive elements of humor is breaking the flow by saying a wrong word and then correcting one’s self completely tanks jokes.
I have a comedian in mind who does this at least once per his weekly show — cue a grown from the audience and polite applause — it’s a friendly crowd.
Explain this and I think you’re on your way to a proper theory.
- naasking 3y ago> in fact we can construct test jokes that abide by all of them and are still deeply unfunny They could be necessary rules, but not sufficient. Necessary in the sense that, can you construct a joke that doesn't abide by one of the rules, but is still funny?
- aranchelk 3y agoIf it’s a rule that I can break and make a funny joke or follow and make an unfunny joke, I don’t think it can (even colloquially) be called a “rule” — maybe a predictive element, maybe nothing.