Humor Us | TED Radio Hour

Intro

In this episode of the TED Radio Hour titled “Humor Us,” the power of humor is explored in various aspects of life, including politics, business, and technology. From discussing societal taboos to bridging the gap between humans and machines, this episode delves into the ways humor can be used as a tool for communication and connection.

Main Takeaways

Breaking Taboos with Humor

• NASA giving Sally Ride 100 tampons for a 6-day mission to space
• Marsha Belsky’s song “100 Tampons” went viral during the pandemic
• The song sparked conversations about periods and broke societal taboos
• Humor can be used as a tool to discuss uncomfortable topics

The Power of Computational Humor

• Vinith Misra shares jokes generated by a machine, not written by anyone
• Computational humor could help bridge the gap between people and machines
• Language generation is usually done by humans, as machine generation isn’t reliable enough yet
• Computational humor can get dangerously offensive quickly

Humor in the Workplace

• Levity can be especially useful in tough times at work
• Leaders with a sense of humor tend to be more motivating and admired
• Teams that report to leaders with a sense of humor are more engaged, satisfied, and creative
• Humor is a teachable skill that can be learned and practiced

Science and Comedy

• Kasha Patel applies scientific method to stand-up comedy to make science more approachable
• Combining science and comedy can entertain, inform, and motivate people to learn more
• Science and comedy can be combined to create a unique method of science communication
• Find your preferred method of science communication

Summary

Breaking Taboos with Humor

The episode starts by highlighting the unconventional story of NASA giving Sally Ride 100 tampons for a 6-day mission to space. This led to Marsha Belsky’s viral song “100 Tampons” during the pandemic, which sparked conversations about periods and broke societal taboos. The power of humor in discussing uncomfortable topics is emphasized, as it allows for open dialogue and challenges societal norms.

The Power of Computational Humor

Vinith Misra shares jokes generated by a machine, highlighting the concept of computational humor. While this field has the potential to bridge the gap between people and machines, there are challenges in creating reliably funny jokes. Language generation is typically done by humans, and machine-generated humor can quickly become offensive. Designers have developed rules of thumb to navigate humor in web design, but the philosophical question of whether machines can reliably be funny remains.

Humor in the Workplace

The episode explores the benefits of humor in the workplace. Leaders with a sense of humor are found to be more motivating and admired, while teams under such leaders tend to be more engaged, satisfied, and creative. Humor is considered a teachable skill that can be learned and practiced, with the ability to increase confidence and create a more comfortable and authentic work environment. The importance of recognizing appropriate moments for humor and understanding the dynamics of power is also highlighted.

Science and Comedy

Kasha Patel’s experience as a science rater and stand-up comedian is shared, showcasing the merging of science and comedy. Combining these two seemingly different fields can entertain, inform, and motivate people to learn more about science. Critical thinking skills are applied in science comedy to distinguish fact from myth, making science more approachable. The episode encourages individuals to find their preferred method of science communication and embrace their unique path.

Conclusion

Humor proves to be a powerful tool in breaking taboos, bridging gaps, fostering creativity, and making difficult subjects more approachable. Whether it’s discussing periods, generating jokes through machines, using humor in the workplace, or combining science and comedy, humor has the ability to connect people, challenge norms, and create memorable experiences. By embracing humor, individuals can find joy, authenticity, and a sense of empowerment in their lives.