Reading "50 Funniest American Authors" compilation of short stories I have become more in tune with myself in what I define as "funny".
The humor within the short stories that were written pre-1950, involved quite a bit of depth, elaboration and detail. For something to be funny it has to appeal to the mind and the senses. Sadly, for me, I enjoy the simplicity of humor. What I've noticed with the readings within "50 Funniest American Authors" are as the stories become more and more modern and in tune with today's sense of comedy, I am more understanding.
What I really struggled with was the language of stories written prior to a time when I wasn't alive or society wasn't as progressive as I know it to be, if that makes sense. Going back to all the readings within the book, I was very emotionally involved and even let out a chuckle for the stories of today. Short segments about boyfriends and The Onion were both things I wouldn't necessarily say I relate to, but they relate to the culture I've grown up with and allow my mind to not over compensate the humor with over analysis. Authors such as Mark Twain, O. Henry, Parker and White were extremely difficult for me to laugh it, much less enjoy.
What I've noticed from the works of these "older" authors is that many of these stories are not frankly just in touch with what I find humorous. What I find humorous? Various things. These stories however established that I'm not very in tune with the various subject matters and screwball situations the characters in these author's stories got into.
I will say that I love wit and much of that could be found within the text and many times the language used by these authors, there is much wit embedded within the text but it seems so cluttered with how drawn out these stories are and the excessive detail used, as well. It's complicated and over done in my view and really takes away from the humorous substance because I feel as if I should be doing a rhetorical analysis of these short stories for my AP English class back in high school.
It seems like it's just me that feels this way though. Maybe I'm bitter towards these author's because I just honestly can't appreciate their works, or maybe I just feel that humor is much less substance and a lot more punch line. Like I said before, it's not that I don't want to enjoy these stories, I just in all honesty cannot.
I enjoy a good reading of Shakespeare, but when I know what this book is dedicated to funny authors and I'm looking to find the humor within it... and I can't, that's a bit of an issue for myself. As we read more into "50 Funniest American Authors" I will attempt to read these stories with more of an open mind, but seeing as how this is my second go-round, I'm not sure if that's possible.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Morreall's Most Important
There many points made my Morreall that I absolutely agree with, and some points that were clearly blown out of proportion. What really found me though was that humor is ambiguous, healthy and allows one to be open-minded. All very important that come together to help come closer in defining what humor means.
1) Humor is ambiguous
Humor cannot be defined as one set terminology. Yes, humor is the reason behind laughter, but those causes of laughter all come in different forms and ways that are interpreted differently by any individual. Humor is forever developing. Comparing the type of humor present over a century ago is incomparable to the way humor is interpreted now. We've moved away from the long and elusive short stories to the the short and simplistic that has the punch line thrown in our face. As culture moves in one direction humor goes right along with it, developing along side language, culture and technology.
2) Humor is healthy
I definitely stand by the many health benefits of laughing. The physiological benefits of increased blood circulation to the heart, being able to prevent high blood pressure and energizing the body. "Hearty laughter involves several areas of the brain and nervous system, and many muscle groups." Burning calories is also another fantastic benefit of laughing. One study shows that 15 minutes of laughter can burn 40 calories, further proving how beneficial and how much of a physical process laughter is. Humor is not limited to only physiological benefits though. The emotional aspects of laughing are great, as well. It feels to good to laugh and when with others, even better. Allowing one to be happier and more satisfied.
3) Humor allows for open-mindedness
This last takeaway from Morreall really struck me. While I've noticed humor really can't be defined by just a few terms because humor is interpreted by individuals in various ways that it unique to their own emotions and psychological state; it does involve having an open-mind. Having the ability to laugh at yourself, with others and about a variety of subjects really is important. Humor can many times cross boundaries, push limits and appeal to a variety emotions. Keeping an open mind when dealing with humor is one of the key aspects to having growth within oneself, allowing one to grow emotionally and being able to place oneself out of ones own personal comfort zone to understand someone or something else on another level.
Humor cannot be defined as one set terminology. Yes, humor is the reason behind laughter, but those causes of laughter all come in different forms and ways that are interpreted differently by any individual. Humor is forever developing. Comparing the type of humor present over a century ago is incomparable to the way humor is interpreted now. We've moved away from the long and elusive short stories to the the short and simplistic that has the punch line thrown in our face. As culture moves in one direction humor goes right along with it, developing along side language, culture and technology.
2) Humor is healthy
I definitely stand by the many health benefits of laughing. The physiological benefits of increased blood circulation to the heart, being able to prevent high blood pressure and energizing the body. "Hearty laughter involves several areas of the brain and nervous system, and many muscle groups." Burning calories is also another fantastic benefit of laughing. One study shows that 15 minutes of laughter can burn 40 calories, further proving how beneficial and how much of a physical process laughter is. Humor is not limited to only physiological benefits though. The emotional aspects of laughing are great, as well. It feels to good to laugh and when with others, even better. Allowing one to be happier and more satisfied.
3) Humor allows for open-mindedness
This last takeaway from Morreall really struck me. While I've noticed humor really can't be defined by just a few terms because humor is interpreted by individuals in various ways that it unique to their own emotions and psychological state; it does involve having an open-mind. Having the ability to laugh at yourself, with others and about a variety of subjects really is important. Humor can many times cross boundaries, push limits and appeal to a variety emotions. Keeping an open mind when dealing with humor is one of the key aspects to having growth within oneself, allowing one to grow emotionally and being able to place oneself out of ones own personal comfort zone to understand someone or something else on another level.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Undefinable
Morreall's comments for, against and just general comments made towards humor within Comic Relief really took me aback with how unstable and how ridiculously out there some of his viewpoints are towards humor.
Many of his comments seem viable such as humor having negative effects on oneself and society, but many of his concrete reasons as to why humor is negative were met with an ending that stated that "not all humor reflects this" or a rebuttal from some great philosopher that apparently knows better than us all.
What the last three chapters really solidified for me is humor is something that really cannot be defined by the words of one man or through the analysis or examples expressed by the worlds greatest comedians, philosophers or psychologists. Humor is so dependent upon the person experiencing or expressing it, that it is impossible for humor to have a set of established rules that fit seamlessly within the bounds of every joke or reason behind laughter.
While I do agree humor is absolutely a cognitive shift that goes through a process that repeats itself every time laughter is created, the reasoning behind that laughter cannot be defined as offensive, violent or insincere every time laughter is created. What I feel Morreall has created a book that indirectly is something in comparison to a small bible for humor. A guide with quotes, ideas and stories one can pick and choose to help define what humor means to them and find their own reflection within this compilation of comments and analysis.
Chapter 8 is one that I truly appreciate. It reflects what this book is supposed to be, what it is and what it isn't. Lesson 10 really found itself within me emotionally. "Life is complicated and unpredictable. Whatever way you about something now, someone else has a different way, and in a minute you may too. The big picture - if there is one - is not at all clear. As Albert Einstein said, "Our situation on this earth seems strange. Everyone of us appears here, involuntarily and uninvited, for a short stay, without knowing the why and the wherefore." So expect to be surprised, and look for the fun in it."
Humor, as in life, is unpredictable. There are so many things that will be a mystery and leave numerous questions unanswered. Humor is just one of those things. You can't really define it in just a couple of words. New discoveries are made, feelings change, we become more intelligent. So as life is full of surprises, so is humor. Forever developing and growing, becoming more simplistic. More complicated. It is undefinable.
Many of his comments seem viable such as humor having negative effects on oneself and society, but many of his concrete reasons as to why humor is negative were met with an ending that stated that "not all humor reflects this" or a rebuttal from some great philosopher that apparently knows better than us all.
What the last three chapters really solidified for me is humor is something that really cannot be defined by the words of one man or through the analysis or examples expressed by the worlds greatest comedians, philosophers or psychologists. Humor is so dependent upon the person experiencing or expressing it, that it is impossible for humor to have a set of established rules that fit seamlessly within the bounds of every joke or reason behind laughter.
While I do agree humor is absolutely a cognitive shift that goes through a process that repeats itself every time laughter is created, the reasoning behind that laughter cannot be defined as offensive, violent or insincere every time laughter is created. What I feel Morreall has created a book that indirectly is something in comparison to a small bible for humor. A guide with quotes, ideas and stories one can pick and choose to help define what humor means to them and find their own reflection within this compilation of comments and analysis.
Chapter 8 is one that I truly appreciate. It reflects what this book is supposed to be, what it is and what it isn't. Lesson 10 really found itself within me emotionally. "Life is complicated and unpredictable. Whatever way you about something now, someone else has a different way, and in a minute you may too. The big picture - if there is one - is not at all clear. As Albert Einstein said, "Our situation on this earth seems strange. Everyone of us appears here, involuntarily and uninvited, for a short stay, without knowing the why and the wherefore." So expect to be surprised, and look for the fun in it."
Humor, as in life, is unpredictable. There are so many things that will be a mystery and leave numerous questions unanswered. Humor is just one of those things. You can't really define it in just a couple of words. New discoveries are made, feelings change, we become more intelligent. So as life is full of surprises, so is humor. Forever developing and growing, becoming more simplistic. More complicated. It is undefinable.
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