05.14.10

Why I’m Funnier On Facebook

Posted in Humor~Health & Goals, Humor~Social Media at 6:05 pm by Dr. Trina Hess

Ever wonder why this blog is so boring?
Well, I figured it out. It’s because there’s no interaction. There’s no conversation like there is in a comedy show.

If you saw me performing live comedy, you would wonder who it is writing this boring blog. But if you think this is boring, you should read my dissertation. Even my advisor didn’t laugh.

My problem is, when I see a keyboard, I turn into Professor Wordsmart. Technical. Scientific. Precise. I know a lot of things. Things that no one wants to read because they are so bored to death by the very (clever) words I am giving them.

I lose what humor is supposed to bring out in me. AWARENESS. Of the environment I’m in. Awareness of my audience I’m writing this stuff for. But I can’t help it; I just get into the zone and can’t get back out.

This is the danger zone, because it quickly and quietly leads us into the stress zone. For me, it’s writing. That’s what gets me focused, zoned-out, and self-absorbed. Maybe for you it’s your job. The demands of your after-work schedule. Cooking.

Yours could even be a great and fun and rewarding activity. It could be something like painting or drawing or sports–something that puts you into what Mihály Csíkszentmihályi terms the flow state.
(There I go again).

The best comedy puts me and (I’m always hoping) the audience in this same state. But when it’s an activity like my writing at the keyboard, or your poring over financial documents or measuring a blueprint, it’s personal. Too personal.

We lose something else that humor is known for. CONNECTION. We disconnect from interpersonal interaction, and we are less funny.

How can we remedy this serious situation? For me, I go to Facebook. There, it’s a lot easier to be funny because the forum is set up for conversation. All social media is a virtual stage, with some people smiling quietly, others yelling (typing) their comments, and others adding their own stories and humor.

Maybe you could look for ways to include others to make a conversation where there was none before. Humor needs you +. Sure you can make yourself laugh, but when one other person confirms it, then you are officially funny.

Join me in the conversation on Facebook to help me be funnier, and to get YOU out of YOUR zone!

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