Humor is an almost physiological response to fear.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Humor often arises as a physical reaction to scary situations.
- In plain terms
- We laugh when we are scared.
- What can you take from it?
- Laughter can be a defense mechanism against fear.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When have you laughed while scared?
- Is laughter always funny?
Another view
Not all humor comes from fear.
More from Kurt Vonnegut
Here is a lesson in creative writing. First rule: Do not use semicolons. They are transvestite hermaphrodites representing absolutely nothing. All they do is s…
Permalink to quote #204 I think that novels that leave out technology misrepresent life as badly as Victorians misrepresented life by leaving out sex.
Permalink to quote #206 [Vietnam] only made billionaires out of millionaires. [Iraq] is making trillionaires out of billionaires. Now I call that progress.
Permalink to quote #203
Related quotes
I don't think there would be many jokes, if there weren't constant frustration and fear and so forth. It's a response to bad troubles like crime.
Kurt VonnegutKurt Vonnegut quote #19 Woman: Do come along quick, there's a house on fire. Fire Chief: A house on fire? Just a moment, lady - what's the address? Woman: Grimshaw Street. Fire Chief:…
Robb WiltonRobb Wilton quote #1 Nec speres aliquid nec extimescas, exarmaueris impotentis iram; at quisquis trepidus pauet uel optat, quod non sit stabilis suique iuris, abiecit clipeum locoq…
Ancius BoethiusAncius Boethius quote #2