No doubt you've heard about the recently published study on mirroring (and mirror neurons) in contagious laughter; if not, check out Positive Emotions Preferentially Engage an Auditory-Motor "Mirror" System, Warren et al., J Neurosci 2006, or Laughter: It's Catching in Nature. If you don't subscribe to either, here's what's free (besides commentary about it). Nelsonesque ha ha.
But there's comedy and science galore from the Dana Centre UK in the archived webcast What Makes us Laugh? This discussion at the d.cafe, part of London's Science Museum, is big on LOLZ and equally serious about laughter and the brain.
Comments
I remember, some years back, a novelty called a "laugh box". As the name implies, one would turn it on and it would produce a very compelling laugh, continuosly. It was impossible not to laugh after just a few seconds of exposure. Great toy.
Posted by: Eric Juve | December 20, 2006 7:40 PM
Then there's the laugh track on TV, similar idea. Just the sound of laughter is enough.
Hmm, where can I get a laugh box? ;-)
Posted by: Sandra | December 20, 2006 7:58 PM
How about yawning?
Posted by: Dan S. | December 21, 2006 9:18 AM
I remember seeing the myth busters takle the yawning problem - but I think their methods were flawed.. does anyone else remember that episode?
Posted by: steve | December 22, 2006 10:43 AM
Nice links, thanks.
I also like the approaches to laughter taken by Norman Cousins (laughter as healing from chronic disease) and Alan Watts (laughter as profound meditation).
There are even laughter clubs where people gather together to laugh as a group. One person with a particularly infectious laugh starts out, and everyone else can't help themselves.
You might wake up bitter and confused, but if you devote a few moments to a full-hearted belly laugh, your outlook just might pick up.
Posted by: Al Fin | December 28, 2006 3:03 PM