how would you explain laughter to a visitor from an another planet ?

Answer 1

We're assuming they have emotions just like us. It would be necessary to explain emotions first.

Next, we would have to explain that laughter is not used for joyous interactions only. It can also be used to cover embarrasment or nervousness.

Then, a discussion about how laughter varies in usage from one culture to another would be in order. It's not all fun and games.

Humans are difficult creatures, aren't we.

Answer 2

I wonder if laughter isn't contagious, like yawning! I'm not sure it could be "explained' but by example? What would be laughable to a visitor from another planet? Hmmm. I once saw a re-run of The Golden Girls, where they were discussing how to explain the way we have "sex" to an alien. Totally laughable to US. Perhaps what someone suggested--tickling? Something very basic. Interesting question! "Fanciful flight."

Edit: I do NOT think it could be explained intellectually. Hey. Maybe they already know what laughter is!

Answer 3

By trying to explain laughter to a visitor from another planet

Answer 4

If this question is intended to be a joke:
State that laughter is what the visitor does after looking
at our tiny heads.

If this question is not-intended to be a joke:
Laughter is the human bodies natural reflexive response to a
stimulus which hasn't yet been recognized in such a way
that it can be explained with words and is generally
associated with excitation. Excitation is another natural
reflexive response to a stimulus. here, one regression for each why?>

Answer 5

I'm hoping I never get to meet a visitor from another planet but if I did I would probably run away rather than try to explain the finer points of human emotion.

Answer 6

That's a really different question. Love this forum.
Laughter is a trigger -effect that originates from a center in the brain, wired to receive funny stimuli.
It's a phenomenon that helps to balance terror and suffering.
It's a departure from the ordinary way of seeing things so as to off-set our assumptions, in a perversion of regularity.

Answer 7

Laughter is an involuntary action (you can always tell false laughter) to a situation or phrase that you find to be humorous.

Answer 8

Well I would say it is a vocal expression of overwhelming glee, which is often expressed at the telling of a funny joke.
True about the TV and radio being broadcasted into outerspace....somewhere on the edge of the galaxy they are probably just getting the first broadcasts...!

Answer 9

Won't need to. Since our TV has been broadcasted into outerspace for decades, they've been watching Ernie Kovak and Johnny Carson for some time now.

Answer 10

of all things why would you need to explain laughter to a visitor from another planet? what about the ignorance of society? prejudice? poverty? war? crime and so on. HUh! this is such stupid question.