Saturday, November 29, 2014

Beyond Analysis


I have read essays analyzing a variety of topics which, one would think, are incapable or unworthy of serious analysis and am usually impressed by the efforts.

There is, however, one subject which foils all who attempt to explain it.

It's not war or peace or love or hate.

It is humor.

Anyone attempting to analyze humor is on a suicide mission.

Are there any other contenders?

2 comments:

Dan in Philly said...

As has been said, analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog: few are interested and the frog dies.
that being said, a lot of humor depends on unpredictability, which might be why it dies when understood too well. It also explains why comedians seem to have a short shelf life before they fade away and are replaced.

Michael Wade said...

Daniel,

Very well put.

Michael