Comments on: Only the funny shall survive

By: jane

jane — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:41:12 +0000

I read this article recently too and was struggling with it. I agree with Hubbers that being funny suggests intelligence and that connection is the key.

I’d like to see that Rowan Atkinson documentary.

By: Erik R.

Erik R. — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:18:58 +0000

Interesting point, Hubbers. I think you’ve nailed “intelligence” as the factor that separates sarcasm from other humor. Any old hollow-noggin can laugh at someone slipping on a banana peel (beneficial as I explained in the post), but making double entendres and other higher humor could clearly select for intelligence.

Of course you need both brains and brawn to survive well. Just because you can design a more aerodynamic spear doesn’t mean jack if you can’t throw it more than a meter or two. Which is why both qualities are attractive to women.

I saw a wonderful documentary about humor hosted by Rowan Atkinson. He has studied and thought very, very hard about what makes both physical and intellectual humor funny and why.

By: Hubbers

Hubbers — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:01:43 +0000

I can shed some light on this. A few years ago I read an article that said males who can master the dark arts of humour to impress women are more likely to find a mate.

The basic gist is that being funny suggest intelligence which in means you are more likely to survive in challenging situations (or have already survived challenging situations) and that might lead to family survival or their funny/smart genes being passed onto offspring who will also have an increased chance of survival.

Personally I think that cavewomen just picked the handsome cavemen who were good at sports and humour is an evolutionary by-product of “life in the cave” and other sitcom like situations.