Try a little bubbly
Elbrich Fennema | August 2009 issue Photograph: Pieter de Swart "Laughter kills fear," writes Umberto Eco in his novel The Name of the Rose, which probably explains why laughing is considered healthy. When fear arises in the kitchen, it tends to be about the fear of failure. A simple Read More...
“Laughter can set people free”
Marco Visscher | August 2009 issue Ron Jenkins Photograph: Franziska Blattner Does laughter have a socio-political impact? "For ages, comedy has been used as a liberating tool for people, especially in oppressive regimes, to confront, ridicule and criticize the powerful." For example? "I Read More...
How people with brain injuries can benefit from laughter
Mary Desmond Pinkowish | August 2009 issue The benefits of humor are obvious at the Gateway Café, a project of the University of Rhode Island for adults with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The Gateway has an open-door policy for people with head injuries, who are invited to spend time and connect Read More...
Ode's list of favorite funny movies
Editors | August 2009 issue Watching Marx Brothers movies helped Norman Cousins cope with a painful illness, a process he described in Anatomy of an Illness. Here are Ode’s recommendations if you’re feeling sick, tired, or just plain in need of a pick-me-up: Bridget Jones's Diary Mark Darcy to Read More...
A field guide to the different forms of laughter
Editors | August 2009 issue Image: istockphoto.com/JoanVicent Belly laugh: Involuntary and intoxicating paroxysm that bypasses the laughter centers of the brain to go directly to the funny bone, in the vicinity of the solar plexus. Cackle: Especially pronounced in cartoon witches and villains, Read More...
Share your favorite funny videos
Ode Editors | August 2009 issue To share your favorite funny videos, join Ode’s YouTube group at http://www.youtube.com/group/OdeLaughter. Here’s a selection of footage that’s sure to raise a Read More...
Mocking the news is hard work at satirical newspaper The Onion
Carolyn Steel | August 2009 issue Onion writer Todd Hanson, in a lighter moment. Photograph: Carol R. Hartsell How do humor writers deal with the constant pressure of trying to be funny on deadline? "Mocking each other and having dangerous levels of psychiatric pathologies is probably the main Read More...