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John Charles Simon

About

John Charles Simon graduated with a BS from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources. He spent the majority of his 30-year career working throughout the mainland United States, Hawaii, and Guam studying the movements, demography, communication, and reproductive behavior of hundreds of animal species, many designated as threatened or endangered.

In 1996, he became fascinated with laughter as a form of nonverbal communication, and subsequently devoted more than five years to researching and writing his book, Why We Laugh: A New Understanding. In addition to his articles on animal behavior and ecology, John has published on laughter and humor theory in the Israeli Journal of Humor Research and the European Journal of Humour Research and presented at conferences of the International Society for Humor Studies.

He now speaks, writes, and consults on a range of topics, including laughter, humor, their origins and evolution, and the central role each plays in our lives.

Recent Posts
The Humor in Horror
In what seems a peculiar mix, laughter and humor are increasingly melded with the genre of horror. A new theory helps us understand the single concept that ties them all together.
What Are You Laughing At Me For?
Laughter can come about because of our own actions, but also those we are close to. When fates are linked, the vulnerabilities revealed by one can affect the status of all.
When Humor Hurts: The Theory of “Joke Capital”

Certain types of humor are thought inappropriate in some circumstances but accepted in others. A new theory seeks to explain what influences such views.

Certain types of humor are thought inappropriate in some circumstances but accepted in others. A new theory seeks to explain what influences such views.

When Humor Hurts: The Ethics of Joking and Comedy

Because humor can sometimes trigger ill feelings, philosophers and scientists are studying the phenomenon to help determine how we can balance free speech and mutual respect.

Because humor can sometimes trigger ill feelings, philosophers and scientists are studying the phenomenon to help determine how we can balance free speech and mutual respect.

When Nothing Plus Nothing Equals Laughter

Laughter usually follows our doing something amusing: spilling a drink, dropping a cookie, missing a plane. But on occasion, doing absolutely nothing can also reveal shortcomings.

Laughter usually follows our doing something amusing: spilling a drink, dropping a cookie, missing a plane. But on occasion, doing absolutely nothing can also reveal shortcomings.

How Pragmatics Informs Humor Theory

An interview with Dr. Salvatore Attardo, an expert in both pragmatics and humor, provides key insights into how context profoundly influences our appreciation of humorous stimuli.

An interview with Dr. Salvatore Attardo, an expert in both pragmatics and humor, provides key insights into how context profoundly influences our appreciation of humorous stimuli.

Your Anticipatory Laughter: The Hilarity of Things to Come

Expressing a sense of mutual vulnerability with laughter usually follows a drop or a rise in status, but sometimes it’s done in anticipation of such a change. Why should that be?

Expressing a sense of mutual vulnerability with laughter usually follows a drop or a rise in status, but sometimes it’s done in anticipation of such a change. Why should that be?

Why Ironic Situations Can Be So Amusing

The notion of irony is often linked to both laughter and humor. What is it about being ironic, or having a plan fall short in a spectacular way, that so often cultivates giddiness?

The notion of irony is often linked to both laughter and humor. What is it about being ironic, or having a plan fall short in a spectacular way, that so often cultivates giddiness?