How to Have a Better Sense of Humor (W/ Dan Harris and Guests) | How to Be a Better Human | TED

Overview

This episode explores the transformative power of humor in various aspects of life, from mindfulness and foraging to storytelling and activism. Through conversations with diverse guests, it highlights how humor can foster connection, resilience, and a deeper appreciation for the absurdity of life.

Notable Quotes

- If you're looking at your mind, it's chaos, it's embarrassing, it's humiliating—but after a while, you can learn to laugh at it. — Dan Harris, on the intersection of mindfulness and humor.

- Life is delightful, it is often icky, and there are usually bugs. That’s life. — Alexis Nikole Nelson, on the humor in foraging.

- We are freaks, we are fragile, and we all survived. — Dave Nadelberg, on the catharsis of laughing at our younger selves.

😂 The Connection Between Mindfulness and Comedy

- Dan Harris explains how mindfulness and comedy share a focus on observation and presence. Both require noticing the absurdities of life, which often go unnoticed in autopilot mode.

- Meditation, he notes, reveals the ridiculous nature of the mind, making it impossible to take oneself too seriously.

- Harris recounts how mindfulness can amplify humor by helping comedians notice and channel their judgments into jokes rather than being controlled by them.

🌱 Finding Humor in Unexpected Places: Foraging and Nature

- Alexis Nikole Nelson shares how foraging often surprises and delights onlookers, turning apprehension into curiosity.

- She reflects on society’s disconnection from food origins, recounting humorous moments like children being horrified that lettuce grows in dirt.

- Nelson embraces the icky yet delightful aspects of foraging, finding joy in the bugs and dirt that are part of life’s cycle.

🎭 Everyday Spectacle and the Art of Noticing

- Lear deBessonet celebrates the humor and wonder in everyday life, from subway performers to quirky street acts like the Squirrel Lady.

- She emphasizes the importance of noticing these moments and incorporating them into storytelling, creating a bridge between the mundane and the spectacular.

- Host Chris Duffy recalls his childhood obsession with the Squirrel Lady, calling her performance one of the greatest pieces of art he’s ever seen.

📖 Transforming Embarrassment into Art

- Dave Nadelberg and Neil Katcher, creators of Mortified, discuss how sharing cringeworthy teenage journal entries transforms private shame into public laughter.

- They highlight the muscle of learning to laugh at oneself, turning vulnerability into strength.

- The duo’s mantra—“We are freaks, we are fragile, and we all survived”—underscores the universal nature of imperfection and resilience.

🌍 Humor as a Tool for Resilience and Humanity

- Aziz Abu-Sarah uses humor to challenge stereotypes and humanize Palestinians, showing that they are more than victims of conflict.

- He shares how humor helps him cope with heavy topics, offering moments of release and connection amidst tragedy.

- Abu-Sarah emphasizes the importance of seeing people as multidimensional, with dreams and humor, to combat dehumanization.