Take Away The Comic Relief

   John Morreall offers a “comprehensive philosophy of humor.” While the reading might not have been extremely interesting, there were some things to take away from the reading.

   The greatest thing worth remembering is to laugh. Laughter itself provides so many benefits, whether that be physical or emotional.  According to Morreall, “comedy fosters a more rational, crucial, creative attitude that is more adaptive.” It is important to remember that there are health benefits to laughter. After laughter, “the stress chemicals epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, and DOPAC are reduced, along with muscle tension, blood pressure, and heart rate” (Morreall 81). Additionally, laughter reduces “heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, and stress chemicals” (Morreall 66). Humor can also be used in conflict. It helps reduce “defensiveness but diffuses conflict” (Morreall 117). From personal experience, moments of tension can be broken from laughter. Sometimes, we let ourselves become carried away in tense moments and laughter can snap you back to reality.  If laughing can provide all of these benefits, I think it important to remember to laugh and laugh often.

   Another important thing to remember is the negative ethics of humor. I think it is so important to realize that while humor has many benefits it has negative effects. While Morreall points out the eight traditional negative ethics in Chapter Five, there are certain ones that stand out to me. Morreall’s first point, ‘humor is insincere,’ is so prevalent in today’s society. Many times I have heard outlandish comments with a “just kidding” tacked on the end. There are times when people genuinely are kidding, but there are times when they are not. Either way, these comments come off as insincere and hurt other people. The other harmful effect that stands out to me is the way humor “disengages us cogniftively from the object of amusement.”  Morreall shares different views “that the tellers of sexist and racist jokes promote prejudice”(Morreall 105). While I do not agree with Morreall on all points, I agree that sexist and racist jokes will always hurts someone. But, I believe that almost any joke can hurt someone. Any laughter done out of spite is damaging. So, while laughing is beneficial, you must know its limits.

  The last important thing I pulled from Comic Relief was the comic wisdom pulled from the last chapter. Morreall breaks down his comic wisdom in ten points. Below I listed the ones I find most meaningful.

1.       Don’t be like these comic butts. Instead, be honest about your strengths and weaknesses, and show integrity in how you talk and act.

3.       Be wary of people trying to persuade you to think or act in a way that will benefit them.

4.       When you face a problem avoid anger, resentment, and self-pity. Keep your cool and think.

6.       Each person counts for one. Everybody has a perspective, a story to tell, a contribution to make.

I feel like this are important reminders that I could use in my daily life. It is easy to get caught up in life and the moment but taking a step back and remembering these things could diffuse conflicts. I'm taking away these three main ideas from Comic Relief as things to remember.