210. What Makes a Good Sense of Humor?
No Stupid Questions
Laughter: The Fabric of Social Survival
Laughter serves a crucial adaptive function centered around social connections rather than immediate survival needs like escape from predators. While emotions like fear facilitate survival in critical moments, the long-term benefit lies in being part of a social group that provides support. Historical context reveals that humor and laughter have evolved over millions of years, with distinctions observed between species; for instance, chimpanzees primarily laugh through physical interaction while humans derive amusement from storytelling. This evolution emphasizes the importance of vocalizations in play among various animals, underscoring laughter as a bonding mechanism that enhances communal ties.
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