Laughter

[WildHairedWoman]

Originally Posted by JosephineBloggs

Yes, very needed at times like these especially. I knew someone recently that was still making us laugh even though she'd only got a few days left in this life. Was an inspiration!

I see you posted this in April of 2019, a year ago, so I am curious what you meant then about "at times like these".

[Starman]

Originally Posted by sky123

Especially when ISIS/Mass Murderers commit horrendous crimes and laugh at their actions

A Zen Buddhist koan: "Love is harmony even in discord." It takes some contemplation. Definitely there are people who laugh at other people's pain. 90% of the videos on the T.V. show, Americas Funniest Videos, are videos of people crashing into things or getting hit with something, and most who watch those videos laugh at them.

We used to laugh at alcoholics, falling down drunks were once considered humorous to many in the U.S. and elsewhere. The Three Stooges and other "slap-stick" comedy performers often involved people hitting and punching each other, and most in the public got belly laughs out of that. As I mentioned in my OP there are also people who have "nervous" laughter. We often laugh at things that are out of place or unusual.

"Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a condition that's characterized by episodes of sudden uncontrollable and inappropriate laughing or crying. Pseudobulbar affect typically occurs in people with certain neurological conditions or injuries, which might affect the way the brain controls emotion." This statement from a medical book reminds me of the fictional movie character "The Joker."

But genuine wholehearted laughter can short circuit our thoughts, and for at least the moment, take us to another place. Laughter can be healing, and it can definitely be used to manage pain, but it can also be used to intimidate others. We can use laughter in many ways, and unfortunately, there are those who find joy in others pain. People do get laughs at the expense of other people.

[JosephineB]

Originally Posted by WildHairedWoman

I see you posted this in April of 2019, a year ago, so I am curious what you meant then about "at times like these".

I joined this forum in April 2019. But thank you for the excuse to post Foo Fighters - Times Like These

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVm8jPBhmMU

Nice to see you back on the forum.

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by Starman

But genuine wholehearted laughter can short circuit our thoughts, and for at least the moment, take us to another place. Laughter can be healing, and it can definitely be used to manage pain, but it can also be used to intimidate others. We can use laughter in many ways, and unfortunately, there are those who find joy in others pain. People do get laughs at the expense of other people.

I agree, genuine, wholehearted laughter can, in some cases, be the best medicine.

[inavalan]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

I agree, genuine, wholehearted laughter can, in some cases, be the best medicine.

As Reader's Digest claimed for long time

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by inavalan

As Reader's Digest claimed for long time

               SPOT ON!

[Starman]

A thread on laughter might include some humor to help readers to experience the topic of this thread:

THE SENILITY PRAYER
God grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones that I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.

GETTING OLDER
Now that I'm older (but refuse to grow up) here's what I've discovered....
ONE - I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it.
TWO - My wild oats have turned into prunes and All Bran.
THREE - I finally got my head together, now my body is falling apart.
FOUR - Funny, I don't remember being absent minded.
FIVE - All reports are in, life is now officially unfair.
SIX - If all is not lost, where is it?
SEVEN - It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser.
EIGHT - Some days you are the dog, some days you're the hydrant.
NINE - I wish the buck stopped here, I sure could use a few.
TEN - Kids in the back seat cause accidents.
ELEVEN - Accidents in the back seat cause kids.
TWELVE - It's hard to make a come back when you haven't been anywhere.
THIRTEEN - The only time the world beats a path to your door is when you're in the bathroom.
FOURTEEN - If God wanted me to touch my toes, he would have put them on my knees.
FIFTEEN - When I'm finally holding all the cards, why does everyone decide to play chess?
SIXTEEN - It's not hard to meet expenses...they're everywhere.
SEVENTEEN - The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
EIGHTEEN - These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about the hereafter...
I go somewhere to get something and then wonder what I'm here after.
NINETEEN- I still look at the ladies but can't remember why I'm looking.
TWENTY - I know I am getting older because when I walk my arms move faster than my legs.
TWENTY-ONE- What I used to do all night long, now takes me all night long to do.
TWENTY-TWO - I AM UNABLE TO REMEMBER IF I POSTED THIS BEFORE OR NOT,
OR WHO SENT IT TO ME, OR DID I JUST IMAGINE THE WHOLE THING.

[Starman]

Link failed.

[inavalan]

Originally Posted by Starman

A thread on laughter might include some humor to help readers to experience the topic of this thread:

THE SENILITY PRAYER
God grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones that I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.

GETTING OLDER
Now that I'm older (but refuse to grow up) here's what I've discovered....
ONE - I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it.
TWO - My wild oats have turned into prunes and All Bran.
THREE - I finally got my head together, now my body is falling apart.
FOUR - Funny, I don't remember being absent minded.
FIVE - All reports are in, life is now officially unfair.
SIX - If all is not lost, where is it?
SEVEN - It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser.
EIGHT - Some days you are the dog, some days you're the hydrant.
NINE - I wish the buck stopped here, I sure could use a few.
TEN - Kids in the back seat cause accidents.
ELEVEN - Accidents in the back seat cause kids.
TWELVE - It's hard to make a come back when you haven't been anywhere.
THIRTEEN - The only time the world beats a path to your door is when you're in the bathroom.
FOURTEEN - If God wanted me to touch my toes, he would have put them on my knees.
FIFTEEN - When I'm finally holding all the cards, why does everyone decide to play chess?
SIXTEEN - It's not hard to meet expenses...they're everywhere.
SEVENTEEN - The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
EIGHTEEN - These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about the hereafter...
I go somewhere to get something and then wonder what I'm here after.
NINETEEN- I still look at the ladies but can't remember why I'm looking.
TWENTY - I know I am getting older because when I walk my arms move faster than my legs.
TWENTY-ONE- What I used to do all night long, now takes me all night long to do.
TWENTY-TWO - I AM UNABLE TO REMEMBER IF I POSTED THIS BEFORE OR NOT,
OR WHO SENT IT TO ME, OR DID I JUST IMAGINE THE WHOLE THING.

You're kidding ...

[Starman]

Originally Posted by inavalan

You're kidding ...

As a so-called "senior citizen" surely I am. After all this is a thread on laughter.