43 min

Science of Laughter The Infinite Monkey Cage

    • Science

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

The Science of Laughter
Brian Cox and Robin Ince return for a new series of science/comedy chat. They are joined on stage, appropriately enough, by comedian Frank Skinner, as they look at the science of what makes us laugh, why we laugh at all, and whether humour and laughter are uniquely human traits. Joining the panel are experts in what makes us chuckle, Prof Sophie Scott and Professor Richard Wiseman. They look at why laughter is not only an ancient human trait that goes a long way to making us the social animal we are today, but that rats and apes also enjoy a good chuckle. They discover whether science can come up with the perfect joke and why a joke with the punchline "quack" is funnier than one with the punchline "moo".
Producer: Alexandra Feachem

The Science of Laughter
Brian Cox and Robin Ince return for a new series of science/comedy chat. They are joined on stage, appropriately enough, by comedian Frank Skinner, as they look at the science of what makes us laugh, why we laugh at all, and whether humour and laughter are uniquely human traits. Joining the panel are experts in what makes us chuckle, Prof Sophie Scott and Professor Richard Wiseman. They look at why laughter is not only an ancient human trait that goes a long way to making us the social animal we are today, but that rats and apes also enjoy a good chuckle. They discover whether science can come up with the perfect joke and why a joke with the punchline "quack" is funnier than one with the punchline "moo".
Producer: Alexandra Feachem

43 min

Top Podcasts In Science

Sanjaa’s Podcast
Sanjaadroj
PODLOGY Podcast
PODLOGY Podcast
Overheard at National Geographic
National Geographic
Radiolab
WNYC Studios
How to Think Like a Psychologist
Stanford Continuing Studies Program
The Future of Everything
Stanford Engineering

More by BBC

6 Minute English
BBC Radio
The English We Speak
BBC Radio
6 Minute Vocabulary
BBC Radio
Global News Podcast
BBC World Service
6 Minute Grammar
BBC Radio
BBC Learning English Drama
BBC Radio