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The Comedy of Error: why evolution made us laugh
What is humour? Why do we laugh? And why is the root of a good joke almost always error?
Good jokes, bad jokes, clever jokes, dad jokes — the desire to laugh is universal. But why do we find some gags hilarious, whilst others fall flat? Why does explaining a joke make it less amusing rather than more so? Why is laughter contagious, and why did it evolve in the first place?
Using the oldest jokes and the latest science, in The Comedy of Error, Professor Jonathan Silvertown investigates why we laugh: from laughter’s evolutionary origins, to similarities and differences in humour across cultures, and even why being funny makes us sexier.
As this unique book demonstrates, understanding how humour really works can provide endless entertainment.
Good jokes, bad jokes, clever jokes, dad jokes — the desire to laugh is universal. But why do we find some gags hilarious, whilst others fall flat? Why does explaining a joke make it less amusing rather than more so? Why is laughter contagious, and why did it evolve in the first place?
Using the oldest jokes and the latest science, in The Comedy of Error, Professor Jonathan Silvertown investigates why we laugh: from laughter’s evolutionary origins, to similarities and differences in humour across cultures, and even why being funny makes us sexier.
As this unique book demonstrates, understanding how humour really works can provide endless entertainment.
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2020
About the author
Jonathan Silvertown
21 books44 followersJonathan was born and raised in London and his schoolboy nature watching was done while taking furtive short-cuts on cross-country runs across Hampstead Heath. He made much faster progress when running back from Hampstead’s bookshops in time to beat the end of lunch hour bell. His first scientific paper was submitted with an epigraph by Walter de la Mare which the editor removed with a snide comment, and ever since Jonathan has done his best to hide the poetry in his scientific prose. In Orchard Invisible the poet emerges barefaced in the very first line with the words: “Seeds have a mirrored life, the original in nature and another reflected in literature and the imagination.”
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 29, 2020
We have all heard the old adage ”laughter is the best medicine” and there is certainly some truth to that. In Professor Jonathan Silvertown’s new book, The Comedy of Error: Why Evolution Made Us Laugh, he explores the scientific and evolutionary basis for humour in a unique and utterly compelling manner split over a succinct seven chapters. There is comedy in errors. Shakespeare showed us so, though the connection between error and humour has been recognised for millennia. It turns out that errors are much more than just a plot device for humorous tales – they are the very essence of what we find funny. Errors are processed, compared with expectation and those judged humorous ricochet around the brain, producing laughter. Suddenly, with this discovery, the two cultures of science and art have collided and like strangers meeting in a pub, we find them bonding over jokes.
This book is witness to that unexpected and fruitful encounter. We probe the questions it throws up, catch the jokes that fly out and find deeper meaning in frivolity. Why are some errors funny and others not? Why is laughter involuntary and infectious? Laughter is hard-wired into the human psyche, which immediately conjures the question: what good is it? Answering that question is the ultimate purpose of this book. Why did evolution make us laugh? This is an accessible, amusing and thought-provoking read from beginning to end and is definitely a book both comedians and those who enjoy comedy will want to pick up. I learned a multitude of new and fascinating information as Silvertown takes us along with him on a deep dive as he attempts to shine a light on long-standing questions associated with humour and why it is so important in our daily lives. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Scribe for an ARC.
This book is witness to that unexpected and fruitful encounter. We probe the questions it throws up, catch the jokes that fly out and find deeper meaning in frivolity. Why are some errors funny and others not? Why is laughter involuntary and infectious? Laughter is hard-wired into the human psyche, which immediately conjures the question: what good is it? Answering that question is the ultimate purpose of this book. Why did evolution make us laugh? This is an accessible, amusing and thought-provoking read from beginning to end and is definitely a book both comedians and those who enjoy comedy will want to pick up. I learned a multitude of new and fascinating information as Silvertown takes us along with him on a deep dive as he attempts to shine a light on long-standing questions associated with humour and why it is so important in our daily lives. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Scribe for an ARC.
January 29, 2026
Seorang guru bahasa Inggris menuliskan kalimat 'A woman without her man is nothing' di papan tulis, lalu meminta murid-muridnya untuk membubuhkan tanda baca yang tepat pada kalimat tersebut. Seorang murid laki-laki menulis, 'A woman, without her man, is nothing.' Sementara itu, seorang murid perempuan menulis, 'A woman: without her, man is nothing.'
Saya membaca nukilan tersebut dari The Comedy of Error sambil terkekeh-kekeh. Oh, s-s-sebentar, apa menurut kalian lelucon tadi justru tidak lucu sama sekali? Oke, oke, tidak masalah. Sebab itulah persisnya yang dipertanyakan oleh Jonathan Silvertown dalam bukunya; tentang mengapa kita menganggap sebuah lelucon sangat lucu, sementara yang lain tidak; tentang mengapa menjelaskan sebuah lelucon justru membuat lelucon itu jadi kurang lucu; juga tentang engapa tawa bisa menular, dan mengapa tawa berevolusi sejak awal.
Di dalam buku ini, Silvertown menyelidiki penyebab kita tertawa; mulai dari asal-usul evolusi tawa, hingga persamaan dan perbedaan humor di berbagai budaya, dan bahkan mengapa menjadi lucu membuat seseorang terlihat lebih seksi.
Secara naluriah, kita semua pasti mengetahui dua hal tentang tawa: pertama, bahwa tawa adalah fenomena sosial, dan kedua, bahwa tawa bukan hanya tentang humor saja, tetapi hanya mungkin terjadi ketika manusia sedang ingin bersenang-senang. Makanya, seseorang mustahil akan tertawa mendengar lawakan Komeng ketika lehernya sedang diinjak.
Komedian hebat seperti W.C. Fields (1880-1946) pernah menulis: “Hal yang paling lucu dari komedi adalah bahwa Anda tidak pernah tahu mengapa orang tertawa. Saya tahu apa yang membuat mereka tertawa, tetapi untuk mencoba memahami alasannya sama saja seperti mencoba mengambil belut dari bak berisi air.” Senada dengan itu, Arthur Smith juga pernah menulis: “Ada tiga aturan dasar tentang komedi. Sayangnya, tak ada satu pun yang bisa mengingatnya.”
Selera humor kebanyakan orang juga tak lepas dari konstruksi budaya. Misalnya, lelucon di awal paragraf tadi mungkin akan terdengar lucu kalau kita sedikit paham tentang feminisme dan minimal mengerti sedikit kosakata dalam bahasa Inggris. Orang-orang yang sudah terliterasi dengan isu tentang keberagamaan, misalnya, akan mudah tersinggung dengan lelucon berbau rasisme. Atau, orang-orang yang merasa agamis, mungkin sulit tertawa dengan lelucon yang menjurus ke atah seksualitas. Sekarang mari kita tes dengan mengutip lawakan dari komedian Rodney Dangerfield (1921-2004):
“Seorang gadis meneleponku suatu hari sambil berkata, 'Datanglah kemari. Di rumahku sedang tidak ada orang.' Lalu aku datang ke sana. Ternyata benar-benar tidak ada orang di rumahnya.”
Pada akhirnya, humor adalah seni yang sangat subjektif. Seno Gumira Ajidarma dalam buku Antara Tawa dan Bahaya pernah menyatakan bahwa teori humor klasik maupun kontemporer membenarkan berpihaknya humor, baik secara tak sadar ketika melucu maupun ketika dengan sadar melakukan kritik, karena harus ada yang ditertawakan.
Saya membaca nukilan tersebut dari The Comedy of Error sambil terkekeh-kekeh. Oh, s-s-sebentar, apa menurut kalian lelucon tadi justru tidak lucu sama sekali? Oke, oke, tidak masalah. Sebab itulah persisnya yang dipertanyakan oleh Jonathan Silvertown dalam bukunya; tentang mengapa kita menganggap sebuah lelucon sangat lucu, sementara yang lain tidak; tentang mengapa menjelaskan sebuah lelucon justru membuat lelucon itu jadi kurang lucu; juga tentang engapa tawa bisa menular, dan mengapa tawa berevolusi sejak awal.
Di dalam buku ini, Silvertown menyelidiki penyebab kita tertawa; mulai dari asal-usul evolusi tawa, hingga persamaan dan perbedaan humor di berbagai budaya, dan bahkan mengapa menjadi lucu membuat seseorang terlihat lebih seksi.
Secara naluriah, kita semua pasti mengetahui dua hal tentang tawa: pertama, bahwa tawa adalah fenomena sosial, dan kedua, bahwa tawa bukan hanya tentang humor saja, tetapi hanya mungkin terjadi ketika manusia sedang ingin bersenang-senang. Makanya, seseorang mustahil akan tertawa mendengar lawakan Komeng ketika lehernya sedang diinjak.
Komedian hebat seperti W.C. Fields (1880-1946) pernah menulis: “Hal yang paling lucu dari komedi adalah bahwa Anda tidak pernah tahu mengapa orang tertawa. Saya tahu apa yang membuat mereka tertawa, tetapi untuk mencoba memahami alasannya sama saja seperti mencoba mengambil belut dari bak berisi air.” Senada dengan itu, Arthur Smith juga pernah menulis: “Ada tiga aturan dasar tentang komedi. Sayangnya, tak ada satu pun yang bisa mengingatnya.”
Selera humor kebanyakan orang juga tak lepas dari konstruksi budaya. Misalnya, lelucon di awal paragraf tadi mungkin akan terdengar lucu kalau kita sedikit paham tentang feminisme dan minimal mengerti sedikit kosakata dalam bahasa Inggris. Orang-orang yang sudah terliterasi dengan isu tentang keberagamaan, misalnya, akan mudah tersinggung dengan lelucon berbau rasisme. Atau, orang-orang yang merasa agamis, mungkin sulit tertawa dengan lelucon yang menjurus ke atah seksualitas. Sekarang mari kita tes dengan mengutip lawakan dari komedian Rodney Dangerfield (1921-2004):
“Seorang gadis meneleponku suatu hari sambil berkata, 'Datanglah kemari. Di rumahku sedang tidak ada orang.' Lalu aku datang ke sana. Ternyata benar-benar tidak ada orang di rumahnya.”
Pada akhirnya, humor adalah seni yang sangat subjektif. Seno Gumira Ajidarma dalam buku Antara Tawa dan Bahaya pernah menyatakan bahwa teori humor klasik maupun kontemporer membenarkan berpihaknya humor, baik secara tak sadar ketika melucu maupun ketika dengan sadar melakukan kritik, karena harus ada yang ditertawakan.
February 8, 2021
I received this book as a surprise Christmas present and, being a big fan of comedy and all its workings, wondered exactly what the author would uncover.
Jonathan takes the reader on an engaging laugher trip, going right back into human evolution to postulate how and when humour might have become a human trait.
These chapters were definitely the most interesting, and it was fascinating too how Jonathan examined the links between laughter and love - and how we bond with others and endear them to us by sharing a similar sense of humour.
It’s a well-written and researched book, but I would have loved for it to go even deeper - looking perhaps at the use of irony, stand-up comedy and observational humour, which is what is most popular with today’s comedians.
But, having said that, this book was an entertaining read - and is suitably peppered throughout was appropriately groan-inducing jokes.
Definitely worth a look if you’re serious about laughter.
Jonathan takes the reader on an engaging laugher trip, going right back into human evolution to postulate how and when humour might have become a human trait.
These chapters were definitely the most interesting, and it was fascinating too how Jonathan examined the links between laughter and love - and how we bond with others and endear them to us by sharing a similar sense of humour.
It’s a well-written and researched book, but I would have loved for it to go even deeper - looking perhaps at the use of irony, stand-up comedy and observational humour, which is what is most popular with today’s comedians.
But, having said that, this book was an entertaining read - and is suitably peppered throughout was appropriately groan-inducing jokes.
Definitely worth a look if you’re serious about laughter.
April 8, 2023
this book attempted to explain why we laugh and now nothing is funny anymore 🥲🥲
Anyway, the author mapped out different types of humour and dissected why they tickle — which I was really curious about!! But it struggled to hold my interest and I felt a little bored halfway through (maybe cause there were lotsa namedrops that I weren’t familiar with). Orrr maybe cause jokes are just better left unexplained haha.
Anyway, the author mapped out different types of humour and dissected why they tickle — which I was really curious about!! But it struggled to hold my interest and I felt a little bored halfway through (maybe cause there were lotsa namedrops that I weren’t familiar with). Orrr maybe cause jokes are just better left unexplained haha.
November 9, 2020
Jonathan Silvertown’s new book, The Comedy of Error, explores why humans laugh and what purpose it solves. This book is for the intellectually curious and for people who enjoy learning more about the biological and psychological reasons why we weird humans laugh and make jokes. The Comedy of Error is a quick read and will leave you with a new found appreciation of laughter. I will say it is highly academic and not your typical pop-psychology book. The only reason I gave it a three star review is that, at times, I felt like I was back in uni in a psychology 101 class.
January 3, 2021
Two-and-a-half stars for this slight and occasionally amusing book that tries to dive deeper into why we laugh, smile and joke. It didn’t dive as deep into the subject of comedy as I had hoped, however the author’s choice of global jokes to underline his points were excellent whether Rodney Dangerfield, Dorothy Parker or the slew of Jewish gags that populate the last chapter.
April 11, 2024
A fairly light, easy read.
Sets out to explain why we laugh - in evolutionary terms. Sets out some types of humour and takes the opportunity to tell a lot of jokes.
Not entirely convincing. Jarred Diamond was better (e.g. Why is Sex Fun?).
Sets out to explain why we laugh - in evolutionary terms. Sets out some types of humour and takes the opportunity to tell a lot of jokes.
Not entirely convincing. Jarred Diamond was better (e.g. Why is Sex Fun?).
March 15, 2025
Have you thought about what animals laugh, when did we evolve to appreciate humor, differences between cultures when it comes to humor etc…even if you haven’t, this is an enjoyable read. Plus there are a lot of jokes sprinkled in along with the research.
January 12, 2021
Enjoyable and fascinating study of the science behind why we laugh - written in an accessible and humorous way
July 27, 2023
Short and sweet, but informative. Easy to follow, with lots of interesting theories about the evolution and purpose of laughter. A great light read!
December 8, 2024
I don't know why I read this entire stupid book, I found it completely useless. This was neither funny nor insightful. I highly suggest you find something else to read.
Read
October 18, 2020Jonathan Silvertown has written a thoroughly entertaining and erudite extended skit on the evolution of humour.Fiona Capp, Sydney Morning Herald
In The Comedy of Error, Professor Silvertown deploys many of the world’s oldest jokes, coupled with some of our latest science, to unravel the similarities and differences in humour across cultures … [A] clever piece of work.
Ross Fitzgerald, Spectator Australia
This book is funny … I think most people, male or female, will find this book amusing.
The Sunday Times
In The Comedy of Error, Professor Silvertown deploys many of the world’s oldest jokes, coupled with some of our latest science, to unravel the similarities and differences in humour across cultures … [A] clever piece of work.
Ross Fitzgerald, Spectator Australia
This book is funny … I think most people, male or female, will find this book amusing.
The Sunday Times
Read
October 18, 2020Jonathan Silvertown has written a thoroughly entertaining and erudite extended skit on the evolution of humour.Fiona Capp, Sydney Morning Herald
In The Comedy of Error, Professor Silvertown deploys many of the world’s oldest jokes, coupled with some of our latest science, to unravel the similarities and differences in humour across cultures … [A] clever piece of work.
Ross Fitzgerald, Spectator Australia
This book is funny … I think most people, male or female, will find this book amusing.
The Sunday Times
In The Comedy of Error, Professor Silvertown deploys many of the world’s oldest jokes, coupled with some of our latest science, to unravel the similarities and differences in humour across cultures … [A] clever piece of work.
Ross Fitzgerald, Spectator Australia
This book is funny … I think most people, male or female, will find this book amusing.
The Sunday Times
October 8, 2021
An easy breezy read, The Comedy of Error was an entertaining book. Some interesting tidbits, though not super poignant or anything. It was a nice way to pass the time on my holiday!
It gets 3/5 stars because I enjoyed it, but it wasn't anything super special
It gets 3/5 stars because I enjoyed it, but it wasn't anything super special
March 20, 2022
An easy breezy read, The Comedy of Error was an entertaining book. Some interesting tidbits, though not super poignant or anything. It was a nice way to pass the time on my holiday!
It gets 3/5 stars because I enjoyed it, but it wasn't anything super special
It gets 3/5 stars because I enjoyed it, but it wasn't anything super special
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews