The essence of humor often lies not in making jokes but in the ability to appreciate and laugh at them. Emulating figures like Jimmy Kimmel or Jimmy Fallon by actively engaging in laughter can be an accessible entry point into humor for those who may not see themselves as funny. This approach fosters connection and rapport, as laughing at someone’s jokes can significantly endear you to them. The belief that humor is an innate trait is challenged, emphasizing that anyone can cultivate a comedic presence through positivity and joy in laughter.
What is the evolutionary purpose of laughter? What’s the difference between Swedish depression and American depression? And why aren’t aliens interested in abducting Mike?
- SOURCES:
- Jennifer Aaker, professor of marketing at Stanford University.
- Judd Apatow, film director, screenwriter, and comedian.
- Fredrik Backman, author.
- Naomi Bagdonas, lecturer in management at Stanford University.
- James Corden, actor, comedian, and former late-night television host.
- Dick Costolo, former C.E.O. of Twitter.
- Carol Dweck, professor of psychology at Stanford University.
- Jimmy Fallon, comedian and late-night television host.
- Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University.
- Jimmy Kimmel, comedian and late-night television host.
- Larry LaPrise, 20th-century American singer-songwriter.
- Jerry Seinfeld, comedian, actor, and writer.
- RESOURCES:
- "Fredrik Backman on Creative Anxiety and Procrastination," by Fredrik Backman (Simon & Schuster Centennial Celebration, 2024).
- "The Relative Importance of Joke and Audience Characteristics in Eliciting Amusement," by Hannes Rosenbusch, Anthony M. Evans, and Marcel Zeelenberg (Psychological Science, 2022).
- "The 100-Million-Year Origin Story of Laughter and Humor," by Dean Russell (Endless Thread, 2022).
- Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life (And How Anyone Can Harness It. Even You.), by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas (2021).
- "What Makes Things Funny? An Integrative Review of the Antecedents of Laughter and Amusement," by Caleb Warren, Adam Barsky, and A. Peter McGraw (Personality and Social Psychology Review, 2020).
- Sick in the Head: Conversations About Life and Comedy, by Judd Apatow (2015).
- How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie (1936).