The search for intelligence in other species leads us to watch animals closely, to determine what they do under different circumstances. Because we can't ask them, "what are you thinking about?" we have to watch their reactions to different circumstances, and try to infer what they were thinking. A chimp in a mirror will see food in his beard and pick it out, thus showing that he knows that the hairy face in the glass is actually him. Inference: clear sense of self. A chimp confronted with a piece of food hanging from a string and pulley in the middle of the room will find where the string is tied to the wall, and untie the string, dropping the food. Inference: understanding of space, and logic with mechanical systems.
But comparative behavior studies can also raise questions about our own actions. When a chimp feels threatened or uncomfortable, it will show all it's teeth, and give an exhaling yell, chopped up by an almost rhythmic detention of breath. In short, they laugh. Smile and laugh.
We share over 99% of our genetic code with chimps, so it's safe to say that they're pretty similar to us. And in this case, it's possible to see the connection between our laugh and theirs. When do we laugh? What pushes our buttons? Jokes find social pressure points that make us feel vulnerable or uncomfortable. Stand-up comedians shine a light on our weaknesses, prejudices, social problems. And we laugh. Tickling is effective because it makes us feel nervous, self-conscious, or vulnerable. And getting tickled, we laugh uncontrollably.
If it is true that human laughing is the same as a chimp's, and is a defensive response, then why do we like it? Why do we seek it out?
No comments:
Post a Comment