chang|e one’s mind

you ever notice that things a lot funnier when other people are around?  i can’t remember the last time i was at home watching tv and “lol-ing”.  it just doesn’t happen.  it’s as if your sense of humor dies with the absence of friends.  i could be watching something by myself and not laughing, but if i watch the same thing with someone else, i’ll be laughing uncontrollably.  what’s up with that?

do we actually find the content funny?  maybe.  maybe not.  if it was funny, wouldn’t we laugh even it was by ourselves?  but if it’s not funny, why do we laugh when other people are present?  my guess is, other people make something funny.  or, other people are necessary to express our laughter.  laughter is just wasted when it is only kept to ourselves.  part of the joy of laughter is sharing it with someone else, even if you’re laughing at them.

i had a roommate once that would yell and scream at the tv when watching a basketball game when i was in the other room.  i wondered if he’d still yell at the tv even if i wasn’t in the apartment.  i came the conclusion that he would.  for me, i’m a little different.  i need someone there in order for me to be expressive.  if no one is there, i’m pretty expressionless.  the only exceptions are: playing video games and driving.  even if i’m by myself, i will express my frustration and anger at the tv or other cars without anyone around.

so i do think that the things we don’t laugh at by ourselves are funny, it’s just that to fully express our feelings, we need other people there to join in.