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;void(0)) “Funny thing happened on the way back to the camp. We saw a springbok and shot it in the stomach, causing parts of its intestines to pop out. This caused him to jump and kick before finally falling to his death.” This is a story (paraphrased) told to an anthropologist by a Kalahari Bushman. While telling the story the Bushman and his colleagues could hardly contain themselves. They doubled over in side-splitting laughter at the imagery of the helpless springbok writhing and jumping in pain just before dying. In their culture people do not believe that animals experience feelings like humans. They believe that they are only trying to “act human” when they exhibit feelings of pain or contentment, thus it is comical to observe. When the anthropologist told the Bushmen one of Western culture’s popular mother-in-law jokes he received blank stares followed by questions as to why one would have such disrespect for one’s mother-in-law. What this does indicate is that all cultures have their own concept of humor. Laughter is a motor reflex produced by the coordinated contraction of 15 facial muscles in a stereotyped pattern and accompanied by altered breathing. It has no apparent biological purpose, however, its only function seems to be to provide relief from tension. Laughter has a tendency to interrupt the serious manner in which we look at certain unpleasant events in our lives. Noted Zoologist, Konrad Lorenz, in his book, “On Aggression”, states: “It is my belief that a man sufficiently gifted with humor is in small danger of succumbing to flattering delusions about himself because he cannot help perceiving what a pompous ass he would become if he did.” Delusions of inferiority can be just as detrimental to society. Those of us who work in the helping professions are all too aware of that. Once, while running an Anger Management group I informed the new members that, in order to get a certificate of completion of the course, I would like each of them to try and write a humorous version of an incident that caused them considerable anger and frustration in the past. The function of the exercise is to get the client to see the time function of anger (how most strong emotions tend to subside with time for most of us), and it also tries to get the client to look at a situation more objectively. This request not only caused much grumbling and protest, but a few people actually signed themselves out of the group. When a comedian tells a story he sets out to create a certain tension in his listeners, which mounts as the narrative progresses. However, just before the climax, the comedian throws in a twist that is so illogical that it causes laughter. It may not surprise you to know that some of the most successful people in the world have suffered with some kind of affliction or another at some point in their lives. What about those that actually used their affliction to work to their benefit? Did you know that President Abraham Lincoln suffered with what would be considered, by today’s standards, recurrent Major Depressive Disorder? Obviously, there was very little in the way of professional treatment for depression in those days, in fact the name “depression” was not part of the language for the condition. It is said that Lincoln actually used his depressive episodes to sit down and write riveting speeches and become one of the best humorists in his constituency. He could keep his constituents in stitches with humorous anecdotes that endeared him to the common man and to his fellow legislators. Many of his jokes were directed at himself. So, “Who got jokes?” If you’re human you got jokes. We all have jokes. In fact, let me leave you with one a friend told me last Christmas: “Someone sent me a cuckoo clock for Christmas. In this time of terrorism I became suspicious when I heard ticking coming from inside the box. I stuck it in a pail of water. So, I now have the only clock where the cuckoo comes out every hour gargling!” Well --- you had to be there. Oh yeah, don't forget your autographed copy of “The Ackee Chronicles”. Tony VanSluytman - the Author  Newsletter Directory The Aton Project - Home Page Tony VanSluytman info Tony VanSluytman - the Author | Return Home | The BOOK DOCTOR | The BANYON NETWORK | The Banyon Buzz Newsletters | The Aton Project Newsletters | Contact Us | |
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