Spirit Magazine - May 2014 - (Page 42)

Wise Guide What's the value of humor? "Most obviously, it's something that makes us and others feel good," McGraw says. "But a shared sense of humor can also be an indicator of a successful relationship. If you and I laugh at the same things, it says we see the world in a similar way, and we're likely to get along in other, nonhumorous situations." What makes things funny? "It starts with the realization that a negative or threatening situation is actually acceptable or safe. In scenarios like this, which are wrong yet OK, we laugh to indicate to others that the violation is benign- so laughter serves a social purpose." Q+A Laughing Matters Psychologist Peter McGraw explores the intersection of science and humor. 42 SPIRIT MAY 2014 Do you have to be born with comedic talent? "Everybody's funny in their own way, but some people do seem to have an advantage at being broadly funny. They tend to think it's innate, but it can't be, in the same way that any other complex skill isn't. Your ability to play the piano or hit a tennis ball is improved through practice, coaching, and experimentation. That's why the best comedians are older-they've taken years to hone their craft." How can you tell a better joke? "Test it out in advance. Great comics make a joke seem spontaneous, but they know it's going to land because they've told it before. If you tell a joke and it doesn't go so well, don't be afraid to apologize. My standard apology is, 'This is what happens when someone who studies what makes things funny tries to be funny.' I know that if my first joke doesn't get a laugh, my apology will. I've had to say it enough times that I know it works." Peter McGraw is co-author of The Humor Code and runs the Humor Research Lab at the University of Colorado Boulder. Boulder ILLUSTRATION BY ALEX EBEN MEYER

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Spirit Magazine - May 2014

Spirit Magazine - May 2014
Contents
Gary’s Greeting
Gary’s Greeting en Español
Star of the Month
Freedom Story
From the Editor
Your Words
Your Pictures
Media Center
Eat Drink Sleep
Beef up broccoli (the vegan way)
Bunk over in Kennebunkport
Encourage creativity in the workplace
Wise Guide
Strengthen your sense of humor
Numbers
Lengthen locks
Learn a minty-fresh fact
Business
Uncover indie e-books
Share with strangers
The Art of the Veer
The Carousel of Happiness
Your Adventure In Providence
Promotional Series: Spirit of California
Promotional Series: Spirit of New Mexico
Calendar
Find fun on the fly
Fun!
Spotlight
Community Outreach
Products & Services
Flight Service
Terminal Maps
Information
Rapid Rewards and A+ Rewards Partners
Route Map
Sit down with Sarah McLachlan
The “If” List

Spirit Magazine - May 2014