Serious question: Were you ever funny?
I do make people laugh sometimes, though I tend to be more literal and stick to meaning than absurdness in conversation.
Ask HN: How can I learn to be funny?
11–15 of 15 posts
Re: Ask HN: How can I learn to be funny?
#12"Dying is easy. Comedy is difficult." "If you don't have a sense of humor, don't try to be funny." If you just want to be good at conversation and social stuff, get a copy of "How to Win Friends and Influence People" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_Win_Friends_and_Influen... It's cheesy but it works. That said, if you are really after being funny, then know that the essense of comedy is timing . Being funny is m…
Thanks for the reading suggestions. I had Asimov's sci-fi stuff in my reading list, and learning he's got comedy writing will definitely make me get acquainted with his work now even more quickly.
Re: Ask HN: How can I learn to be funny?
#130. Have more conversations with more groups of people. 1. Notice the things that make you laugh or you find witty in conversations. Keep a journal if necessary. 2. Steal liberally.* If the comments are highly situational, think of ways to generalize, or imagine similar situations where you could use similar material.* 3. Focus on people's reactions when you tell those stolen jokes. 4. Once you can get a reaction with…
Thanks for your suggestions. I find the journal idea pretty awesome. I'm very methodic when setting my mind to learn something new.
Re: Ask HN: How can I learn to be funny?
#14I did a course in script writing for film and TV. There was a considerable amount of work on how to structure for comedy. The best part of the course was that homework was to watch TV, comedy shows in particular and de-construct them. The key to being funny is to be aware, notice things and see the unexpected, etc. The funniest material is adapted from real-life events with a sprinkling of whimsy added. Telling jokes…
> The best part of the course was that homework was to watch TV, comedy shows in particular and de-construct them.
This sound very intersting. Could you share an example of such work?
Re: Ask HN: How can I learn to be funny?
#15Hang out with people that are funnier than you... If you don't know any people that are funnier than you, then go to comedy clubs on amateur nights. If you go on a night when a professional comedian is performing, while he might be funny, chances are you won't be able to meet him or hang out with him afterwards. On amateur nights, you should be able to meet everyone afterwards. Find the funny amateurs, meet them, ask…
This seems like a good plan too. It has helped me to become a better musician just by playing music with good musicians. I would call it learning by osmosis.