Sicheng Zhang Everyone has laughed before. It doesn’t matter what nationality they are, we can all laugh in one way or another. A bunch of mad lads from Radio Lab did an experiment, and even got a rat to start laughing and recorded it! So, why do we laugh? When we laugh, what we first feel is the pressure coming from our lungs. When we feel that pressure, we try as much as possible to get it out. That’s why when we laugh, we mostly look like we’re choking! Laughing is what a large amount of happiness produces. When that happiness gets to be a large amount, we need to let it out, and very quickly! Then we start laughing. Well then, why do we laugh at people doing silly things? A general opinion is that our ancient ancestors, when they started thinking, and using sticks and stones to ward off wild beast, that is when and where it started. Being stronger than others meant that we were less likely to be killed. And being alive is a happy thing, right? So when we see someone doing something silly, the ancient DNA from our ancestors reminds us what the person did is less likely to survive back then. When we start to recall and get happy, we get a bit too happy and can’t stop laughing. Laughing can be seen also as a mockery. People acknowledge that they think or feel more superior to the person who is being mocked. This ought to make the other person angry; however, in the end, this is bullying and it’s to make the other person agitated. But as they say, “The winner gets the last laugh!” So, I wouldn’t be too quick to laugh first and ridicule others. Laughing is a way to release happiness. But also, large amounts of it can help with our pent-up emotions. Other sources of happiness come from marriage and births. Laughing is a way to let out happiness quickly and in a funny-choking way! So, let’s hone on this skill. | 