Modified On January 13, 2009
Have a peek inside the head of Mikita Brottman, Ph.D, as he explores the mysteries of laughter in a piece he wrote for FilmInFocus.com back in September, entitled “Laughter Is The Worst Medicine.”
…I do enjoy comedies, but I enjoy them quietly. This usually means watching a DVD in the peace and calm of my own home, where I am not disturbed by other people’s laughter. You’ve probably noticed that it’s almost impossible to sit through a blockbuster comedy in a movie theater without being assailed on all fronts by public yelps and hee-haws. In my case, this laughter inevitably draws attention away from the film until I find myself focusing entirely on the laughers around me, like an ornithologist identifying various birds by their song.
He’s the author of a book entitled “Funny Peculiar: Gershon Legman and the Psychopathology of Humor.” It appears that it is quite possible to write a book about humor while utterly lacking the ability to laugh or tolerate the sound of your fellow man’s laughter. It’s a peculiar personality disorder.
Doctor Killjoy concludes:
Finally, anyone who thinks I should just lighten up and relax ought to bear in mind that there have been times when for a civilized person to crack up in public would have seemed as rude as public spitting (or smoking) today. In 1774, Lord Chesterfield, a connoisseur of proper social etiquette, advised his son: “loud laughter is the mirth of the mob, who are only pleased with silly things… A man of parts and fashion is therefore only seen to smile, but never heard to laugh.”
This cat needs to lighten up and relax– regardless of what Lord Chesterfield said. Or have a drink or three.
We just hope he despises comedy clubs as much as he hates going to a funny movie. He’s the guy who sits in the front row and doesn’t crack a smile the entire show.
H/T to Brothers Judd Blog.