The Humor Code

The Humor Code is a concept from research exploring what makes things funny across different cultures and individuals. It suggests that humor operates through a balance of two elements: "benign violation" (something that slightly challenges norms without causing harm) and the context that makes it acceptable. Essentially, humor often arises when we perceive a situation as slightly wrong or unexpected but still safe, creating amusement. The code aims to understand how humor transcends cultural boundaries and why certain jokes or comedic moments resonate universally or locally.