Apropos of everything (except the topic of this particular post), I've been meaning to recommend this book to your readers: Humor, Seriously: Why Humor is a Secret Weapon in Business and in Life . . . *And how anyone can harness it. Even you. The authors Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas teach a course called Humor: Serious Business at the Stanford Graduate School of Business School. Aaker is a behavioral scientist by training. In addition to her academic degrees, Bagdonas, was formally trained at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, and on top of teaching the course at Stanford she is an executive coach, teaches improv in San Francisco's county jail, and is a standup comedian.
They teamed up to do a ton of research looking at humor from everywhichaway and then tested and revised their theories. (I know I've gone on too long and can feel y'all's boredom coming from everywhichaway.) This quote sums up the perspective underlying all their work together: "If there's one thing our research makes clear, is that we don't need to take ourselves so seriously to grapple with serious things. . . . The balance between gravity and levity gives power to them both."
My decision to recommend the book on this day is that I saw a perfect example of that point in watching David Letterman interview Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, who happens himself to have been a comedian before becoming president. We get to see the full range of a human being trying to remain a human being in all his dealings, and with two comedians in conversation you know there will be humor. Yes, there is even a brief discussion of the role of humor in any and all circumstances. This episode of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction (Netflix) holds up on so many levels; we meet ordinary citizens on the street and learn common details about life in Ukraine in this uncommon time.
"If there's one thing our research makes clear, is that we don't need to take ourselves so seriously to grapple with serious things. . . . The balance between gravity and levity gives power to them both."
Good stuff. I think about this in terms of shows like Fleabag, Atlanta, Louie, etc. The serious stuff and the funny stuff enhance each other.
Apropos of everything (except the topic of this particular post), I've been meaning to recommend this book to your readers: Humor, Seriously: Why Humor is a Secret Weapon in Business and in Life . . . *And how anyone can harness it. Even you. The authors Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas teach a course called Humor: Serious Business at the Stanford Graduate School of Business School. Aaker is a behavioral scientist by training. In addition to her academic degrees, Bagdonas, was formally trained at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, and on top of teaching the course at Stanford she is an executive coach, teaches improv in San Francisco's county jail, and is a standup comedian.
They teamed up to do a ton of research looking at humor from everywhichaway and then tested and revised their theories. (I know I've gone on too long and can feel y'all's boredom coming from everywhichaway.) This quote sums up the perspective underlying all their work together: "If there's one thing our research makes clear, is that we don't need to take ourselves so seriously to grapple with serious things. . . . The balance between gravity and levity gives power to them both."
My decision to recommend the book on this day is that I saw a perfect example of that point in watching David Letterman interview Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, who happens himself to have been a comedian before becoming president. We get to see the full range of a human being trying to remain a human being in all his dealings, and with two comedians in conversation you know there will be humor. Yes, there is even a brief discussion of the role of humor in any and all circumstances. This episode of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction (Netflix) holds up on so many levels; we meet ordinary citizens on the street and learn common details about life in Ukraine in this uncommon time.
Over and out . . .
"If there's one thing our research makes clear, is that we don't need to take ourselves so seriously to grapple with serious things. . . . The balance between gravity and levity gives power to them both."
Good stuff. I think about this in terms of shows like Fleabag, Atlanta, Louie, etc. The serious stuff and the funny stuff enhance each other.