Melanie White, an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of New South Wales and an expert on Henri Bergson, dives into the intricate relationship between surprise and laughter. She discusses how humor arises from the clash of expectations and reality, revealing that surprises can either delight or unsettle us. The conversation explores surprising moments in comedy, including Monty Python's innovative sketches, and how these experiences challenge social norms while fostering unity and resilience in the face of life's absurdities.