Are humans humorists?

Dr Phil Maffetone

A humorist is an intellectual thinker and performer, using wit, irony, and comedy to observe and comment on human behavior, social norms, and help us steer thru the stressors of life.

When healthy, our brain is wildly creative, cognitively flexible, and full of humor, seeing and feeling the world from different and shifting perspectives. It successfully multitasks mentally and physically, adapting our personalities to new, unexpected, or everchanging situations. 

Among the many examples of humorists are Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, Joni Mitchell, and John Lennon, including athletes like Muhammad Ali. These and others used reason, ethics, and social justice over social unjust norms. Peace and love is an attitude of “we’re all in this together,” conveying unity, empathy, and harmony—rather than the conflict of taking sides and risking division and hostility.

Early human brains likely benefited from being humoristic. They creatively conveyed information to future generations through storytelling, and helping to build societies, even before language. The Ancient Greeks may have first detailed humorist intellect in their performances. Today these traits are still scattered thru society. I continue using natural humor in writing, speaking, music, and cartoons to educate, provoke thought, and amuse—helping to navigate holistically thru an often messy life. It’s a jungle out there. 

The give-and-take of telling stories, an important humorist tool, has always been a powerful brain remedy.

By nature, we are all humorists, beginning early in our lives. Children are innate humorists but often lose some or all of it with social pressures. As adults, we want to maximize joy but too often don't. Bringing out our inner child exposes the humorist within.

Many humorists have humanistic qualities. Humor can help challenge and expose society’s hidden scams, misinformation, and fakeness that can impair intellect and creativity. Humor can integrate satire with rational thought and skepticism about dogmatic beliefs, without excluding personal faith.

Over centuries, scientists, philosophers, priests and others have debated the complex definition of just when brain death occurs. Now, it’s been discovered. It’s simple: Death is when all life’s pleasures are gone.

Among my many humorist creations are the clown cartoon (“Sugar is the New Tobacco” surprisingly published in a scientific journal), the song “Lighten Up Your Load,” and the “Aging…and Happy Birthday?” video. To help bring out our inner child listen to “Wizards Shoes” or see the music video “Life.”

Enjoy! 

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