Is there a language of laughter?

CrowdScience

BBC

Science, Technology

4.8 • 985 Ratings

🗓️ 16 September 2022

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Laugh and the world laughs with you, or so you might think. But watch any good comedian on TV by yourself and chances are you’ll laugh a lot less than if you were sat in a lively comedy crowd watching the same comedian in the flesh.

But why is that? Do people from different cultures and corners of the world all laugh at the same things? These are questions raised by CrowdScience listener Samuel in Ghana who wonders why he’s always cracking up more easily than those around him. Presenter Caroline Steel digs into whether it’s our personality, the people around us, or the atmosphere of the room that determines how much we giggle, following neuroscience and psychology on a global trail in search of a good laugh.

Producer: Richard Walker Presenter: Caroline Steel

[Image: Two Women laughing. Credit: Getty Images]

Transcript

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0:00.0	Take some time for yourself with soothing classical music from the mindful mix, the Science of
0:07.0	Happiness Podcast.
0:08.0	For the last 20 years I've dedicated my career to exploring the science of living a happier more meaningful life and I want
0:14.4	to share that science with you.
0:16.1	And just one thing, deep calm with Michael Mosley.
0:19.4	I want to help you tap in to your hidden relaxation response system and open the door to that
0:25.4	calmer place within. Listen on BBC Sounds.
0:31.7	What's up y'all I'm Renee Montgomery and my podcast Untold Legends
0:35.4	Ora is available now. I'm looking back on the life of one of the most
0:40.3	extraordinary black female sports stars of the 20th century whose name has been
0:46.0	all but forgotten or Washington stay listening at the end of this podcast to find out
0:51.9	more listening at the end of this podcast to find out more. This is going to be her first head deck you in Amsterdam. It's always good, with planned.
1:06.0	We've crammed the lineup tonight,
1:08.0	it's always good to have people coming in doing their first thing,
1:10.0	because it always brings special energy.
1:11.0	You're going to love it.
1:12.0	Please welcome Caroline Steele.
1:14.0	You're listening to crowd science on the BBC World Service. I'm Caroline Steele and right now I'm standing on stage in front of an audience about to do stand-up comedy.
1:30.0	Can I get a cheer please?
1:32.0	That was to prove that you are really there.
1:36.0	And now can I get a laugh please?
1:38.0	Ta!
	...

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