Sophie Scott: Why we laugh

http://www.ted.com/talks/sophie_scott_why_we_laugh#t-1011409

(Abstract)

Did you know that you're 30 times more likely to laugh if you're with somebody else than if you're alone? Cognitive neuroscientist Sophie Scott shares this and other surprising facts about laughter in this fast-paced, action-packed and, yes, hilarious dash through the science of cracking up.

Opinion:

I never stopped to think if laughing does transmit information. This Ted, let us see that people automatically classify heard laughter. Once we can see laughter it is always meaningful.

Everybody can distinguish, most of the time, a real and involuntary laugh from a posed and voluntary laugh. We know it, consciously or unconsciously. Older people laugh more often in a real way because according to Sophie Scott they are the ones that understand laughing better.

Nevertheless, the most important thing to know is that laughing has many healthy effects. That’s why we should all look at laugh as often as possible in a real way. The true laugh will make us happy and sincere. Two adjectives that can change the worst world into a better world.