logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
38m 14s

210. What Makes a Good Sense of Humor?

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
About this episode
What is the evolutionary purpose of laughter? What’s the difference between Swedish depression and American depression? And why aren’t aliens interested in abducting Mike? 
Up next
Jan 11
56. Why Is Academic Writing So Bad?
Also: what does your perfect day look like? This episode originally aired on June 13th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. 
39m 13s
Jan 4
55. What Changes Will Stick When the Pandemic Is Gone?
Also: would you take a confirmation-bias vaccine? This episode originally aired on June 6th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. 
37m 33s
Dec 28
54. Do You Really Need a Muse to Be Creative?
Also: is shortsightedness part of human nature? This episode originally aired on May 30th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. 
36m 52s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2021
Ep186 - Jennifer Aaker & Naomi Bagdonas | Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life
<p>Humor is serious business. And that's a fact backed by cold, hard research. Humor builds bonds, defuses tension, boosts innovation, and bolsters resilience through hard times. That's why Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas teach a class called "Humor: Serious Business", at Stanf ... Show More
1h 2m
Aug 2025
Episode 146, The Philosophy of Comedy (Part I - The Nature of Humour)
In 2021, Netflix released His Dark Material, a Christmas stand-up special by Irish–British comedian Jimmy Carr. The show sparked international outrage. Toward the end of the set, Carr delivered what he called a 'career ender' – a joke about the Holocaust, in which he described th ... Show More
54m 18s
May 2015
Episode 67: Funny How?
<p>Dave and Tamler break the cardinal rule of comedy by trying to analyze it. What are the origins and functions of humor? Can a theory explain what makes us laugh? Is humor entirely subjective? Why would anyone find Mr. Bean funny? Plus, we lose some geek cred by confessing some ... Show More
1h 17m
Aug 2025
Episode 146, The Philosophy of Comedy (Part II - The Ethics of Humour)
In 2021, Netflix released His Dark Material, a Christmas stand-up special by Irish–British comedian Jimmy Carr. The show sparked international outrage. Toward the end of the set, Carr delivered what he called a 'career ender' – a joke about the Holocaust, in which he described th ... Show More
37m 44s
Nov 2024
Ep. 208 | Funny Business: The Science and Satire of Humor with Ian Brownhill
Science still hasn’t cracked the code on what humor truly is. While we can’t pinpoint exactly what makes something funny or why we laugh at the strangest moments, we do know that humor plays a powerful role in shaping our relationships, communication, and even how attractive we f ... Show More
36m 1s
Aug 2024
Life, Humour and Comedy in Culture
On this week's episode, we chat with comedian Shawn Chidiac, known on Instagram as "My Parents Are Divorced," Shawn recounts his journey into comedy, beginning with his early attempts to make his stoic mother laugh, which ultimately inspired his career. He discusses his unique ap ... Show More
35m 32s
Jun 2025
160. How to Help Kids Succeed
tail spinning
1 h
Oct 2024
Judd Apatow On: Panic Attacks, His Creative Process, And Why Comedians Are Often So Neurotic
tail spinning
1h 17m
Oct 1
Serpopsychology (WHAT’S CREEPY?) with Frank McAndrew
<p>Are you creepy? How would you know? What’s “creepy” as opposed to scary or eerie? We talk to the pioneer of this research, Serpopsychologist, Dr. Frank McAndrew, a professor emeritus at Knox College. We chat: dates that give you the willies, Weary Willie the Clown, haunted dol ... Show More
1h 9m
Feb 2022
Aba & Preach on Rogan Hit Piece
0:00 - start 4:32 - Rogan 35:18 - Canadian Freedom Convoy 56:00 - Drake, A$AP, Rhianna 1:25:00 - money, fame, and is uncomfortable? 2:07:52 - Tinder Swindler documentary 2:26:30 - Awkwafina Blaccent Flagrant 2 is a comedy podcast that delivers unfiltered, unapologetic, and unruly ... Show More
2h 46m