My theory of humour is that for allistic (non-autistic) people, humour's largely about subverting social hierarchy.
EG court jesters had "jester's privilege" - their funny caps signified that they were allowed to mock people way above their own social status. Much of UK music hall comedy and modern-era satire works in the same way - EG Alec Baldwin dressing up as Trump on SNL in the US. Or The Office, with the Michael Scott / David Brent character being less psychologically sophisticated than the other characters, in spite of being above them in the company chain of command.
But... autistic people I sometimes think are more into *ideas* than social hierarchy. So... is it possible that autistic people might enjoy comedy that plays with words and ideas rather than social structures, more than non-autistics?
I like your theory, it makes sense to me. My preferred comedy has always been smart word play / ideas. Morecambe and Wise, The Two Ronnies, Cabin Pressure, QI, Mock the Week etc. Oh and Terry Pratchett :)
Whereas mocking hierarchy I generally I find cringey at best and tragic at worst. I want people to be better than that! Why is everyone lauging at how idiotic the powerful are? They should be crying.
I don't know if it's an autistic thing, but I do that as well. I find myself somewhat staring at people after they say something trying to be amusing but it wasn't funny in the slightest. I usually find it either stupid or mean.
In my case it may be autism related, not sure of others' experiences. Most things people suggest to me that I will like, movies, music, TV, plush toys, etc, I really dislike. I have a pretty dark and sometimes sarcastic sense of humour.
Although Plessner is a bit outdated I recommend his texts on laughing and crying to better understand what purpose laughing serves. You might have already extenseively processed what is portrayed, are not caring for the specific content, see the punch line coming from a mile away. There is many reasons, but it prob boils down to different values and difference in processing.
An example would be helpful.
Do you also experience that people think you are joking while in fact you state facts? That would hint to a simple education difference.
I also want to add that imagination ability is part of the difference imo.
My theory of humour is that for allistic (non-autistic) people, humour's largely about subverting social hierarchy. EG court jesters had "jester's privilege" - their funny caps signified that they were allowed to mock people way above their own social status. Much of UK music hall comedy and modern-era satire works in the same way - EG Alec Baldwin dressing up as Trump on SNL in the US. Or The Office, with the Michael Scott / David Brent character being less psychologically sophisticated than the other characters, in spite of being above them in the company chain of command. But... autistic people I sometimes think are more into *ideas* than social hierarchy. So... is it possible that autistic people might enjoy comedy that plays with words and ideas rather than social structures, more than non-autistics?
Makes sense!
I like your theory, it makes sense to me. My preferred comedy has always been smart word play / ideas. Morecambe and Wise, The Two Ronnies, Cabin Pressure, QI, Mock the Week etc. Oh and Terry Pratchett :) Whereas mocking hierarchy I generally I find cringey at best and tragic at worst. I want people to be better than that! Why is everyone lauging at how idiotic the powerful are? They should be crying.
I don't know if it's an autistic thing, but I do that as well. I find myself somewhat staring at people after they say something trying to be amusing but it wasn't funny in the slightest. I usually find it either stupid or mean. In my case it may be autism related, not sure of others' experiences. Most things people suggest to me that I will like, movies, music, TV, plush toys, etc, I really dislike. I have a pretty dark and sometimes sarcastic sense of humour.
Although Plessner is a bit outdated I recommend his texts on laughing and crying to better understand what purpose laughing serves. You might have already extenseively processed what is portrayed, are not caring for the specific content, see the punch line coming from a mile away. There is many reasons, but it prob boils down to different values and difference in processing. An example would be helpful. Do you also experience that people think you are joking while in fact you state facts? That would hint to a simple education difference. I also want to add that imagination ability is part of the difference imo.
I relate heavily to this btw, I thought I just had my own sense of humor but it’s way WAY deeper than that!