Thanks.
Many people, especially the math-avoidant, are likely to look askance at the title of John Allen Paulos’ “Mathematics and Humor.” Mathematics and humor! What could they possibly have in common?
Quite a bit, as Paulos points out in this unusual, educational, and (yes) enjoyable volume. “Both mathematics and humor are forms of intellectual play,” Paulos writes, “the emphasis in mathematics being more on the intellectual, in humor more on the play.” He continues that there are similar in that “logic, pattern, rules, structure” are vital to both and that the best of both “are economical and explicit.” Just as “the beauty of a mathematical proof depends to a certain extent on its elegance and brevity” a joke is not funny “if it is awkwardly told, is explained in redundant detail, or depends on strained analogies.”
In one chapter, Paulos convincingly argues that jokes and riddles often depend for their humor on an understanding (even if not consciously known) of the axiomatic method, a form of logic that originated in ancient Greek geometry. The axiomatic method takes self-evident statements as self-evident and, using logic, deduced from them less (often much less) obvious statements. Anyone who took high school geometry has some familiarity with the axiomatic method. Paulos explains it at length and those who are math-aversive could very well find their eyes glazing over during this section although it is worth following. His point is about the relationship of incongruity to humor. Two incongruous items, say a screwdriver and a feather, are not funny just because they are juxtaposed together. However, incongruity is funny when it is surprising. Paulos give a classic example in that of the leering old man who asks a prim young lady, “What goes in hard and dry and comes out soft and wet?” The answer is, “Chewing gum.” The building on known “axioms” and the sharply surprising “proof” are the essence of the joke’s humor.
Paulos demonstrates many surprising relationships and parallels between humor and mathematics in subsequent chapters as well as between humor and fields such as grammar and philosophy. The book is not for everyone as some just will not want to follow the math necessary to make these links. “Mathematics and Humor” contains a few jokes but its primary purpose is not to make the reader guffaw or even chuckle but to make him or her realize the unexpected similarities between the subjects of its title.
This quirky book should be read and enjoyed by those of an intellectual bent, those with an interest in either or both of the major subjects it addresses, and even those, like myself, who are math-challenged but like to stretch their minds.
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Sweet indulgence and play - love your life | Vibe Report said,
May 1, 2008 at 6:35 am
GVrooman said,
May 1, 2008 at 3:12 pm
amfortas said,
A typical woman-hating question. It’s not the light bulb that needs changing. It needs ‘empowering’. For too long the patriarchal forces have just thrown light bulbs away and gotten a younger models. No. It is time to stop this bulbsogyny. Paint the room luminous instead. Meanwhile go with your ‘feelings’ to find your way around but don’t you dare put your dirty paws on me you chauvinistic pig !
May 2, 2008 at 2:00 am