ACEP ID:

Humanities at the Bedside

Humor - Session B

Science deconstructs humor: What makes some things funny?

http://theconversation.com/science-deconstructs-humor-what-makes-some-things-funny-64414

Discussion. Emergency medicine exists in a particularly stressful  environment that is substantially different from other areas of the hospital. The nature of our specialty, predicated on the “open door policy” brings us into contact with a range of people, personalities and problems. What aspects of emergency medicine lend itself to a wider use of humorous expressions: writing, parody videos and blogs? Why do you think this is so? Do you believe it brings greater insight or distance?

Exercise: Read https://la.utexas.edu/users/jmciver/357L/WileECoyoteVACME.htm which takes an oft controversial topic of medicine and applies it to a classic childhood cartoon. Describe a particular part of emergency medicine that is a source of frustration, anxiety or stress. Could you imagine a parody or satirical piece based off of this? Can you make it funny without "making fun."


 

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