How Do You Know When Something’s Funny?
How Do You Know When Something’s Funny? The Subtle Science of Laughter, Timing, and Connection Humor is universal — but what’s funny isn’t the same for everyone, everywhere, every time. So how do you know when something’s funny ? This question opens a surprising window into psychology, timing, social signals, and even evolution. If you’ve ever told a joke that bombed (or laughed so hard you cried), you’ve felt just how complex this can be. In this guide, we’ll unpack how your brain detects humor, why context is everything, and how you can read the room to know if something’s truly funny. (This helps you avoid awkward silences — and spark better connections.) The Surprise at the Heart of Humor At its core, humor comes from the brain spotting something unexpected but safe . Researchers call this incongruity theory : your mind predicts a pattern, then something flips it upside down — and your reward is a laugh. A simple pun works this way: your brain follows a sente...