Science deconstructs humor: What makes some things funny?

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 themselves 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 this piece, 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 on this? Can you make it funny without "making fun."

 

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