Episode 50: Favourite Comedy Specials/ Laughter

It’s our 50th episode! To celebrate this, Asif asks Ali about his top 3 favorite comedy specials (1:31). Ali picks Dave Chapelle’s ‘Killing Them Softly’, Wanda Sykes’ Im’a Be Me’ and Eddie Izzard’s ‘Dress to Kill’ and discusses what makes these specials so good. Then Ali asks Asif about the biological basis of why we develop laughter (32:04). Asif goes over how laughter and humour develops in babies and what they find ‘funny’. Then, Asif talks about the areas of the brain where laughter originates and what areas of the brain when injured can cause you to lose your sense of humour. Finally he discusses the evolutionary basis of why laughter may have developed in humans. 

 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

 

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Show Notes:

• The Man Who Broke the R. Kelly Story—Twice—on Whether This Time Will Be Different: https://slate.com/culture/2021/08/r-kelly-trial-2021-jim-derogatis-interview-abuse-charges.html
• Eddie Izzard clarifies personal feelings on gender fluidity following recent comments: https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a35235936/eddie-izzard-clarifies-gender-fluidity-feelings/
• Meet a scientist with a most delightful job: He studies baby laughter: https://ideas.ted.com/meet-a-scientist-with-a-most-delightful-job-he-studies-baby-laughter/
• The evolutionary origins of laughter are rooted more in survival than enjoyment: https://theconversation.com/the-evolutionary-origins-of-laughter-are-rooted-more-in-survival-than-enjoyment-57750
• Why do humans laugh? The evolutionary biology of laughter: https://slate.com/culture/2014/03/why-do-humans-laugh-the-evolutionary-biology-of-laughter.html
• How Laughter Works: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/laughter2.htm
• Neural correlates of laughter and humour: https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/126/10/2121/314497