Pope Francis meets with comedians at the Apostolic Palace on June 14, 2024, in Vatican City.
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Catholic theologians and monastics have always encouraged humor, emphasizing its power to heal and bring cultures together.
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Ever find bloopers funnier than the show? I research psychology, and here is the science behind your laughter.
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Laughter is one of the healthiest things a child can do, but it means very different things at different stages of brain development.
Comedian Chuck Nice and his daughter crack jokes in a video about a serious topic: climate change.
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Jokes can be a healing contagion as they expose hypocrisy, spark laughter and open minds.
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Laughter is one of the most ubiquitous and pleasurable things humans do, which is why companies online want to know what we find funny.
A well-deployed laugh can help grease a social interaction, even if nothing is funny.
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Laughter is so fundamental that animals like chimps, rats and dogs share the ability with humans. But in people it serves more serious social functions than just letting others know you’re having fun.
We do not laugh at the other’s suffering or distress; we react to the other’s surprise, incongruity and bewildered expression, having deciphered that he or she is not in distress and has not really hurt themselves.
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A clinical psychologist explains what has the potential to trigger our usually well-meaning laughter.
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Could laughter be a survival mechanism?
Connecting can mean sharing a hearty laugh.
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Psychology researchers know what kinds of behavior enhance feelings of social connection.
A mini break with a humorous meme can take the momentary edge off during a stressful time.
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Social media during the pandemic is not all doom scrolling and despair. Lighter memes have psychological benefits.
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It may seem strange to seek humour in the face of disaster, but our need to do so is ancient.
It’s hard to beat a good laugh with a friend.
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Whether in the form of a discreet titter or a full-on roar, laughter comes with many benefits for physical and mental health.
Argentine cartoonist Joaquin Salvador Lavado, who passed away on September 30, also known as “Quino” poses with his comic strip character Mafalda.
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Through his work, the Argentinian cartoonist Joaquin Salvador Lavado Tejon, known to all as Quino, engaged in pointed social critique on a range of topics that are even more relevant today.
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One thing that makes the current situation unique is that it is not a single event in a specific place and time. Humour is a coping strategy.
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Dads have taken over TikTok since social isolation began. More than a way to kill time at home, laughter and fun dancing times can build family bonds, reduce stress and cultivate a resilient mindset.
Have I Got News for You’s Ian Hislop and guest Zoe Lyons on a recent episode filmed in isolation.
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With no in-studio audiences, the Laff Box should be used more by comedy shows.
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A study of Batek hunter-gatherers from Malaysia shows how laughter can shape our ethical values.
Funny haha.
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The way you and your partner use humour can shape your relationship, and even break it up.
There are many reasons why those who laugh and can make others laugh are attractive mates.
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Why are we so serious about not being too serious? The philosophy of humour has the answer.
John Oliver presents Last Week Tonight. Is he merely preaching to converted?
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We may be living in a golden age of satire, but comedy has always struggled to communicate across political divides. Much of today’s satire may be preaching to the choir.