What's so funny?

[Lucky 7]

I've seen it a million times and have been on both the sending and recieving end of it, and I still dont understand why we laugh when people get hurt or make simple mistakes. It shouldn't be funny, but for some strange reason it is. How can people be so insensitive?

[Zeugma 440]

First of all, many people are insensitive. They lack empathy and cannot imagine another person's pain when he/she gets hurt or his/her embarassment after a mistake. I'm in this case myself.

I think it's a kind of mental protection : we spontaneously laugh in front of a nonsensical situation, to avoid panicking. I guess it's the same for empathy : persons who really feel something whenever someone gets problems are usually depressed, overwhelmed with feelings that are not theirs.... empathy is painful, and most of us have come to realize it inconsciously.

Making fun out of situations like this might be some mental protection to avoid getting oneself hurt. It's a very selfish way of behaving, but it's in human nature...

[Zedie9]

Another possible explanation is this: I've heard the theory proferred that some laughter is the release of tension. In the case of some accident or pratfall, the possible tension from embarrasment or pain might induce such laughter.


On the other hand, I've also heard the theory that laughter is a form of subtle social aggression, though one could argue that some of its forms of dominance aren't so subtle.

[pikatsu]

Whenever I'm plowing my way trough blizzard on my way to school or something, I can't stop myself from grinning madly. Don't know why, and it really scares the living bunnies outta me. Which is an interesting sight, believe me.

(They tend to return quite quickly, the weather being quite cold, but that's beside the point.)

Which is...

[Lucky 7]

Originally Posted by Zeugma 440

persons who really feel something whenever someone gets problems are usually depressed, overwhelmed with feelings that are not theirs

True. So true. I can't help trying to think through another person's point of view, or wonder "what is their life like?" or "what are thinking right now?". Drives me batty when someone does something insensitve or arrogent cause I cant make any sense out of it.

[Grim]

I laugh at people when they get hurt, as long as it isnt a serious injury....something that leaves a bruise or minor cuts/scrapes is ok to laugh at for me, once I see blood gushing out or a limb bent a way it shouldn't be, I go into shocked mode and if its a friend or relative, eventually I start helping them out...
I don't really know why I laugh at pain though...I enjoy pain a bit, as long as its not a serious injury like above... For example, tis one time I fell off my bike after hitting a big rock, my knee was bleeding pretty good, but it didnt bother me. I looked at myself, looked at my friend that was with me, and couldn't help but laugh at myself.
Actually, I became friends with someone who used to hit me with metal rulers in shop class(You Know Who You Are), at first it bugged me, but then I got used to it, and ultimatly it toughened me up and well I'm gratefull for it.
In conclusion, I must be one messed up person

[Mithrandir]

Well, even though sometimes it's funny I always found stgupid the kind of shows that show footage of people getting hurt. I mean, sometimes those videos aren't even funny and the people on them got hurt.

[Zeugma 440]

Whenever I'm plowing my way trough blizzard on my way to school or something, I can't stop myself from grinning madly. Don't know why, and it really scares the living bunnies outta me. Which is an interesting sight, believe me.

That's the same for me when I physically work to my limits (when climbing a difficult hill by bike or carrying heavy objects). I always think that it is the male, bestial instinct that comes out on these moments : one somehow feels challenged, and wants to win at all costs by using all one's inner resources.
Even effort and pain feel awfully good at moments like this I agree with you, Pikatsu : it's most of the time kinda scary for our "social ego" who looks at this as a spectator

[Kilu]

Originally Posted by Zeugma 440

I agree with you, Pikatsu : it's most of the time kinda scary for our "social ego" who looks at this as a spectator

Jari has no social ego

I often tend to laugh at other peoples small injuries. It's part of human nature. I personally don't know a single person who doesn't laugh on minor mishap that someone else might encounter.

[Lord Draud]

Originally Posted by Grim

Actually, I became friends with someone who used to hit me with metal rulers in shop class(You Know Who You Are), at first it bugged me, but then I got used to it, and ultimatly it toughened me up and well I'm gratefull for it.
In conclusion, I must be one messed up person

heh i know who that was who hit you with metal rulers..IT WAS ME! and yes yes we are very messed up but what is normal?

[Zedie9]

Originally Posted by TheDragonKnight in Controversial Worlds Leaders Thread

well based on the fourm section, i have to say i was expecting a more serious answer, im kinda dissapointed.

So is this thread exempt from such criticism?

[Astrolounge]

Throughout years of watching comedy movies, shows, and books, I have come to the realization that stupidity, injury, nonsense and sadness... IS comedy.
Think of anything funny you have ever seen or heard, and you should be able to see the sadness, or nonsense in it. All humor has something unpleasent or weird in it, it's one of the body's reactions to pain, sadness, or confusion. Oddly enough these are some of the things that, in more serious cases, make us vomit or cry... So laughter may not actually be a form of happiness at all. Interesting.
But I'm sure someone diagrees with me.