Laughter and comedy
Laughter and comedy
idea
Just when in history did men decide that women are not funny?
Women have been witty and bawdy throughout history. It’s only recently that men haven’t been able to see their funny side
by Joy Wiltenburg
Communication and language
idea
Why it takes humour to sustain a long-term relationship
Maintaining a long and happy relationship requires a specific skillset. Learning to laugh at yourself and together is key
by Enrico Gnaulati
Laughter and comedy
guide
How to laugh more
You don’t have to wait to be amused, there are ways to train yourself to enjoy the ‘cheap medicine’ of laughter every day
by Freda Gonot-Schoupinsky
Artists and art history
film
One Kandinsky, one viewer and one guard, in a Moscow power station
Directed by Nastia Korkia
Laughter and comedy
idea
A sense of humour – even a dark one – is a moral virtue
A sense of humour is a moral virtue that can help people flourish, even in dire conditions that are conducive to unhappiness
by Mark Alfano & Mandi Astola
Stories and literature
idea
Party-crashing was a serious business in medieval Arabic tales
More than just a light-hearted figure of fun, the medieval party-crasher had a multi-layered role in Arabic morality tales
by Emily Selove
Laughter and comedy
film
An Orthodox Jew struggles to balance his two callings – religion and comedy
Directed by Jonathan Miller
Laughter and comedy
idea
Absurdist comedy is uniquely brilliant at conveying human pain
On stage as Mr Fruit Salad, I’ve seen how the bizarre and ridiculous can convey deep meaning in a way that resonates
by Joz Norris
Laughter and comedy
idea
When will humorous AIs press our buttons with their jokes?
A sense of humour is a tough test of an AI. Our devices won’t be truly smart until they know how to make us laugh
by Tony Veale