Hachette provides comprehensive global distribution services in the following territories:
Ha!
The Science of When We Laugh and Why
Contributors
By Scott Weems
Formats and Prices
- On Sale
- Mar 4, 2014
- Page Count
- 288 pages
- Publisher
- Basic Books
- ISBN-13
- 9780465080809
Price
$17.99Price
$22.99 CADFormat
Format:
- ebook $17.99 $22.99 CAD
- Hardcover $28.00 $35.00 CAD
Buy from Other Retailers:
Humor, like pornography, is famously difficult to define. We know it when we see it, but is there a way to figure out what we really find funny — and why?
In this fascinating investigation into the science of humor and laughter, cognitive neuroscientist Scott Weems uncovers what’s happening in our heads when we giggle, guffaw, or double over with laughter. While we typically think of humor in terms of jokes or comic timing, in Ha! Weems proposes a provocative new model. Humor arises from inner conflict in the brain, he argues, and is part of a larger desire to comprehend a complex world. Showing that the delight that comes with “getting” a punchline is closely related to the joy that accompanies the insight to solve a difficult problem, Weems explores why surprise is such an important element in humor, why computers are terrible at recognizing what’s funny, and why it takes so long for a tragedy to become acceptable comedic fodder. From the role of insult jokes to the benefit of laughing for our immune system, Ha! reveals why humor is so idiosyncratic, and why how-to books alone will never help us become funnier people.
Packed with the latest research, illuminating anecdotes, and even a few jokes, Ha! lifts the curtain on this most human of qualities. From the origins of humor in our brains to its life on the standup comedy circuit, this book offers a delightful tour of why humor is so important to our daily lives.
You May Also Like
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
