Junto Humor

I just got back from Ben Canocha & Chris Yeh's Q2 version of SV Junto where we talked for 90 minutes about humor.  My only question to you, if I didn't see you there, is why weren't you there?  (Presuming you're in the Bay Area of course.)

I mean that question sincerely.  The conversation was fantastic, again.  Last quarter we talked about happiness, this quarter we talked about humor.  Again there was an relatively eclectic bunch gathered coming at things from a variety of perspectives.

Here are some of my takeaways:

1. Honesty is the path to humor:  Granted this was one of the last things said by Anne-Marie Fowler but it was near the top of the most insightful.  She's right.  Honesty is the path to understanding and ultimately the realization that no matter how real things seem, they aren't real and sharing the realization of that dichotomy is connecting and very humorous (and relaxing by the way).
2. Big companies aren't funny:  There seems to be an indirect relationship between size of company and humor (the bigger you get, the funnier you ain't).  We discussed the prevalence of long, boring jokes told by CEO's and the like who have "proven themselves".  Of course, they haven't proven they are funny, just proven they are somewhat successful.
3. Humor meant to connect can divide:  Jackie Danicki made a very interesting comment about how americans often use self-deprecating humor as a way to "fit in" over in the uk.  That very humor may in fact unwittingly be too intimate for europeans in general.  I found that an interesting take on cultural differences and humor (beyond the "what's funny in one culture isn't funny in another" take).
4. Some people just aren't funny:  This one I happen to disagree with because I think everyone can be funny.  Jeff Kutash talked about the ability to observe normal every day things using a ever so slightly skewed perspective as a means to be humorous.  I found out later that he, like me had done stand-up comedy.
   
   I suggested that anyone of us has the ability to observe things and be attentive (when Zoe was born I saw proof of that).  One member of the gang suggested that he had worked with someone who had never been funny.  Just because everyone else didn't think he was funny, doesn't mean he wasn't.
   
   Which, by the way, brings up an interesting point, if you think you're funny are you humorous?  I think in most ways that was the slogan of my stand up comedy career!
5. Humor and PC:  We touched on how to be careful about the way we use humor.  At the same time, when we call things out humorously, even if done inappropriately, it's an opportunity for us to learn more about each other.  If someone makes an "inappropriate" joke, let's not judge it, let's talk about it.
6. Interesting Hiring Practices:  Catherine Hutton, who was hilarious I thought..., mentioned that she requires people who work for her to think that she's funny.  I'm not applying for a job or anything with her, but at least I know that I would be qualified on that aspect.
7. Best Joke:  I asked the very predictable question on what's the funniest joke you've ever heard.  Score one for Jackie Danicki telling the best:
   
   A catholic priest and a rabbi are standing on the street and a young boy walked by.
   
   The catholic priest said:  "I'd like to screw him."
   The rabbi said:  "Out of what?"
   
   Top notch.

We didn't really come out of the day with a ton of "to-do's" thank goodness.  In fact that's what the Junto is really about, just discussing issues that are outside the norm and hearing interesting people's point of view on them.

For me, laughter is the one time in my life that I am CERTAIN I'm present.  If I'm laughing at a joke that is not at someone else's expense I laugh, first at the joke, then I continue laughing because of how GREAT it feels.  I can feel it even more when there are others around who join in the laughter.  I used to remind myself to laugh every day, thank goodness I don't have to anymore because I do....multiple times every day.

Even after most folks left, Jackie, Ben, Kristie Wells and I had a zippy discussion on an unrelated issue.  The cool thing is, like the lunch I got a ton out of it.  That's why I go to the quarterly Junto meetings and strongly encourage you to do the same if you are in the area.

Oh, one last thing:

What did Spock find in the Enterprise bathroom?

The Captain's log.

Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week.  Try the veal!

Comments

[Sarah]

Dear Sir/Madam,

I would like to ask for your help with the GCSE that I am involved in. I attend St Paul’s Academy, and I am 15 years old. I am doing a project on humour.

The questions that I would like to ask you are;

Why is humour so important in our lives?
What makes us laugh?
Do you think that humour is important aspect in our lives?

I would like you to share some of your opinions if you have time. I would be able to use them as a source of data for my coursework.

Thank you very much for your time. It is much appreciated.

Yours Sincerely
Sarah

[BrabUterb]

Nao poderia ser por nenhum meio qualquer sua pequena empresa complementares para ser encontrado no contemporânea vender situacao, que muitas vezes pode corresponder-se com o principal helpfulness com grande contato criado por online gratis anuncios classificados|revista. No da India contexto de uso, voce poderia trazer trazer baixo em ter sem custo jornal revista a considerar vende em essencia cada coisinha com handphones a melhor contratos e, alem disso com Investimentos imobiliarios se quiser viagens e ferias.
empregos Caminhoes classificados da tribuna do norte numero de on line portais que sera que destina-se a proferir oferecer-lhe a oportunidade possivel alcancar pessoas via em todo o mundo e ate mesmo alvo determinadas Numero de pessoas especialmente em uma sem precedentes caminho. O subcontinente indiano lista sites de classificados gratuitos nao so dar-lhe todo o seu colossal influxo in visitantes do site Internet mas tambem vai especial seu anuncio para dirigiu grupo de compradores, para que voce receber popular bons resultados.

Sempre i foi para ajuda-lo descobrir parceiros . publicacao revistas sobre ciberespaco destino web, vamos descobrir factores esta simplesmente porque: - Se voce selecionar publicar nenhum custo Classificados na internet, talvez uma vez eliminar regiao centrada e, conseqüentemente fisicaproblemas Se voce esta pensando dialogo ou ajuda barato e, conseqüentemente urgente interacao para o seu prospectivo cliente e, portanto, e de correio braziliense classificados voce - sobre - um especial diploma E como quem distribuir total anuncios, provavelmente tera um conveyancing acesso este especificas que Forte particular comunidade Parte e que e essencialmente e geralmente reconhecido por inumeras online baseado world wide web


Muitos todas as Totalmente gratis Identificado da India globo lugares sempre especial engenharia com sofisticado visitante programa o que e normalmente dado baixo em divirta-se jogando para voce apropriadamente juiz qualquer sujeicao serem expostos da gazeta do povo classificados rotulado que voce escolher e impressao. A simplicidade do China Shortlist Free sitios classificados world wide web Prestadores de anuncios tambem , ao mesmo tempo se comporta como um enorme forca motriz tambem e novamente seu facilidades explicar seu produto ou servico alternativamente ofertas e corrigir pix. No entanto, se Mas uma vez voce Entrada gratuito anuncios classificados ou, simplesmente, pedaco de escrita gratuito propagandas, recall mercadolivre celular sort postar in precisas categoria, anuncie gratis tambem, acabara errar na sua ericado cargo em alcancando mais eficiente pessoas hoje