in_the_media

Judging humor

Media Outlet: 

The New Yorker

When it comes to humor, everyone is his or her own judge. That is, unless you are an actual judge with an actual case involving humor and the law. Laura Little, a law professor at Temple’s Beasley School of Law, has concentrated recently on the legal regulation of humor. “Humor scholars have toiled to find the essence of humor, the quality that transforms a communication into something that inspires laughter. Most agree that incongruity is a necessary part of all comedy,” she said.