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Protean

- 4 months ago

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Superior, Me?

I was reading about Hobbes and he said that laughter is an expression of superiority and power.
While most laugh at those less able or skillful, a great mind only compares themselves with those who are the most able.
After considering this, I have a lot to think about.

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I laugh a lot,,,but I don't necessarily feel superior,,,i love to laugh,,,,i could either laugh or cry,,and i would rather laugh,,,there is a lot to cry about,,,and i don't want to smudge my mascara, ha!

Hobbes was clever, but he was also a bit of a d**k.

I dont know, I laugh at myself a lot what does that mean?

That's deep.
Laughter at the "less able" then would be less of an assertion of oneself than laughing at the one person who is most able to affect your life: yourself!

I wonder if Hobbes affirmation would change that much if rather than laughter being an expression of superiority and power, it was more representative of a desire to rise above, to not be beaten down by anything? Indirectly this could be seen as "superiority and power" over the circumstance: but perhaps help mitigate the potential for wielding laughter cruelly against people?

(BTW, I hope you laughed at that bridge in the background to assert your power and superiority over it. It certainly could not have come up with such a thought-provoking question, even on it's best day!)

I don't think it is necessarily indicative of a feeling of superiority, but it can appear that way if the observer of the laugh is somewhat insecure. It has a calming effect and is a good way to relax your nerves. I think it is generally picked up as positive body language, but it depends on the situation.

Personally..I think it was meant as laughing in the face of adversity..

I don't find too many of our accidents and falls funny. I think it is the nurse in me. I usually say, "Ouch!" "Oh! Are they hurt!" "That was not funny!"

I laugh at actual funny things, like cute animals and children at play. Some comedians make me laugh too, but not at all. I always have to analyze things first.

I think we tend to laugh at the unexpected--and human error happens to fall under this category. So when someone takes a tumble, rather than laughing from a position of superiority, I think it is the unexpected nature of the event. It's also very much a social phenomena. If I hear people laughing I begin to laugh before I'm even in on the joke. Something to do with mirror neurons, I thank.

I think that Hobbes refers to only one possible aspect of laughter...
The social bonding aspect of it can be so much bigger than this - it also works as many other things and can be very physiologically beneficial even when faked.

Http://www.smileofthedecade.co.uk to see more.

What does it mean that I mostly laugh at myself?

Is this a picture of you from your files? You look like Froto from the Hobbit. Hahahahahahahahahaha!

@Protean Colorado Springs

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SoulPancake

Protean

Superior, Me?

artgroove

I laugh a lot,,,but I don't necessarily feel superior,,,i love to laugh,,,,i could either laugh or cry,,and i would rather laugh,,,there is a lot to cry about,,,and i don't want to smudge my mascara, ha!

SaveAmerica

Hobbes was clever, but he was also a bit of a d**k.

imadreamer

I dont know, I laugh at myself a lot what does that mean?

Griz

riwillbe

pain1990

Personally..I think it was meant as laughing in the face of adversity..

RosieFullyRiveted

MichelleBelle

flashbanding

I think that Hobbes refers to only one possible aspect of laughter...
The social bonding aspect of it can be so much bigger than this - it also works as many other things and can be very physiologically beneficial even when faked.

Http://www.smileofthedecade.co.uk to see more.

BasilNova

What does it mean that I mostly laugh at myself?

stinkyhenry

Is this a picture of you from your files? You look like Froto from the Hobbit. Hahahahahahahahahaha!

Superior, Me?

I laugh a lot,,,but I don't necessarily feel superior,,,i love to laugh,,,,i could either laugh or cry,,and i would rather laugh,,,there is a lot to cry about,,,and i don't want to smudge my mascara, ha!

Hobbes was clever, but he was also a bit of a d**k.

I dont know, I laugh at myself a lot what does that mean?

Personally..I think it was meant as laughing in the face of adversity..

I think that Hobbes refers to only one possible aspect of laughter...The social bonding aspect of it can be so much bigger than this - it also works as many other things and can be very physiologically beneficial even when faked.Http://www.smileofthedecade.co.uk to see more.

What does it mean that I mostly laugh at myself?

Is this a picture of you from your files? You look like Froto from the Hobbit. Hahahahahahahahahaha!

What's Next?

I think that Hobbes refers to only one possible aspect of laughter...
The social bonding aspect of it can be so much bigger than this - it also works as many other things and can be very physiologically beneficial even when faked.

Http://www.smileofthedecade.co.uk to see more.