contrails
Here’s a recurring thought I’ve had: What kind of sense of humor would you say you have? Sure, we’ve all taken those personality tests that categorize your sense of humor based on 14 thousand factors, but the reality I think can be reduced down further than that, specifically into two categories: Reflexive humor and spontaneous humor.
Spontaneous humorists are most often those we’d label “funny” or folks with “a good sense of humor.” What the moniker refers to is their ability to generate a laugh without any outside catalyst. In other words, they can elicit a laugh seemingly out of thin air, just by being themselves. These are the good storytellers, the pranksters and the class clowns. They usually don’t mind being the center of attention because they’re confident in their ability to entertain.
Reflexive humorists, on the other hand, usually need something to which to respond in order to generate a laugh. An unusual situation will arise, something unexpected will happen, any number of things, and through a well-timed quip or expression in response, the reflexive humorist will elicit a laugh. Paradoxically, these folks are often the observational stand-up comedians, those who, through their perspective on the world around them can make the frustrating or bizarre seem funny. They’re usually more reserved, not always comfortable being the focus of attention all the time, but only when they can wield their sense of humor quickly and effectively, get a laugh and then retreat out of the spotlight.
I’ll wager most of us fall into one of those two categories. Myself, I’m a reflexive humorist (which isn’t to say I’m roaringly funny, but on the rare chance that I do get a laugh it’s usually in response to something). I’ve wished many times that I were a member of the first category, but it doesn’t seem to be my lot. Thoughts?
I definitely think I have a reflexive sense of humor. The thing is, I often play my own straight man, so (both over IMs and in real life) people sometimes don’t even know that I’m joking (which I find all the more amusing). But I have always thought my humor tends to be akin to a topical comedian you mention – the type who reads the paper, comments on a particular absurd news story of the day, and raises an eyebrow to underscore the absurdity of the human condidtion.
I’m not sure. Probably spontaneous. What do you think?
reflexive, hands down.
Without a doubt, reflexive.
My brother and one of the guys I work with would be the first, non-stop hilarity from no where.
Reflexive…I think…yeah
I think you probably have as much chance as anyone here of being a balance of the two, which means that your sense of humor is very versatile. I’ve seen you come up with your own humor and make very funny comments on random situations/events.
Good thinking there, kipper. I, too, have often pondered the differences between the two…especially while i was rooming with Steve at ASU. We are very clear cut, extreme examples of the two concepts described above. Worked out well, as he was often outgoing and spontaneously humorous and i enjoyed the material with which to respond. It’s kind of hard sometimes, though, not feeling like i could be very funny on my own. Occasionally i am, but not very often. I enjoy responding.
Seems like it would be difficult to find a purely spontaneous humorist as defined above, dont you think? Although i have known a few pure reflexive humorists who are unparalleled in their art. Few spontaneous humorists can do both well, and vice versa. I would imagine that instead of truly responding like a reflexive humorist would, spontaneous humorists sort of recreate something that depends less on what came before and stands more on it’s own in conjunction with what was previously going on. Anyways, my brain is getting too tired to think of it at length.
You are definately a reflexive humorist, with the random occasional spontaneous humor usually coming from some very interesting and entertaining quirks of personality. There. I think that sums it up quite nicely. Have a great day!
(Oh, and this is officially the beginning of week 5 of having the Mazda in the shop in Charlotte. Grr.)
Stephen is definitely the prototype for the spontaneous humorist. And I remeber you and I having a conversation similar to this once wherein you mentioned how you’d sit at the back of the class and mumble the responsive quips that other would say more loudly, and so on and so forth…
Hope the ‘7 comes back soon!