That’s Not Funny—ChatGPT Disagrees

I've been studying comedy for many years, and one thing I've discovered is that, like many other art forms, it's largely subjective. This means there is no such thing as a joke that will make everyone laugh. For example, let’s look at this one:

What do you call a cat from Iran? Purrsian.

I completely understand if you didn’t laugh at that joke (I didn’t either), but here’s the thing: us not laughing doesn’t mean that the joke isn’t funny; it simply means that we didn’t find the joke funny. In fact, there is a big difference between the statements, "that's not funny," and "I didn’t find that funny."

The first statement is an authoritative claim that essentially means, “I know what is funny, and based on that knowledge, I’m able to objectively assess whether or not something is humorous.” However, the second statement is simply a preference.

Is there any way to know if a joke is objectively funny?

Up until recently, we really couldn’t know for sure. We just had to trust the word of the joke-teller and then argue with them when we had a difference of opinion, which would regularly conclude with the joke-teller throwing up their hands and saying something like, “Good grief. Settle down, I was just kidding.”

But these days, we can do better. We can ask ChatGPT, which has been trained on a vast amount of human knowledge. Thus, it could be argued that if anything objectively knows if and why things are humorous, it would be AI. So, let’s ask.

ME: IS THIS JOKE FUNNY, AND IF IT IS, WHY?

What do you call a cat from Iran? Purrsian.

ChatGPT: Yes, this can be considered funny. This joke plays on the double meaning of the word 'Persian.' On one hand, it refers to the breed of cat, and on the other hand, it's an adjective used to describe people or things from Iran. Changing it to 'Purrsian' adds a cute and playful element by incorporating the sound a cat makes ('purrs'). This enhances the wordplay and may make the joke even more amusing to those who enjoy clever puns.

And there you have it! If someone prefers jokes with clever puns, they might find it amusing. If someone doesn't enjoy this type of humor, they probably won't laugh. Regardless of your preference, there is little doubt that the joke is objectively (based on ChatGPT's training dataset) funny.

To further illustrate, I recently shared this Lord of the Rings joke on YouTube.

YouTube Comment:

Because of the comment above, I asked ChatGPT if and why this joke is funny.

ChatGPT: Yes, this can be considered funny. The joke humorously combines elements of pop culture and everyday experiences. By starting with an impression of Gollum from "The Lord of the Rings," you set the stage for the unexpected. The line "My precious" sets up the audience's expectation, but the twist comes when you express shock and amazement at the multitude of rings in Kay Jewelers, exclaiming "holy sh**." The humor lies in the unexpected contrast between Gollum's singular focus on one ring and the overwhelming variety of rings in the store.

This joke is also objectively funny, based on ChatGPT's training dataset. However, instead of "I didn't find this funny," the YouTuber commented, "this is not funny," which is understandable.

Why does this matter?

As jokes start to tackle even more controversial topics, like religion, politics, and illness, people seem to come out of the woodwork to claim, "That's not funny." In many of those instances, what I believe they are really saying is that nobody should tell jokes or laugh about [topic] because that topic is far too serious to be joked about.

The challenge here is that these moral critics may believe the joke-teller is actually being sincere and trying to amplify a hateful message, which is likely not the case. The following quote from the show House captures the essence of comedy and sheds light on why this art form often faces criticism.

Comedy might seem problematic to many because it’s all about subverting assumptions and manufacturing absurd realities, essentially making comedians clever, light-hearted liars. While some enjoy the experience of listening to a comedian skillfully weave humorous deceptions, others may not appreciate being professionally hoodwinked.

Regardless of how they are received, it is the joke-teller's job to intentionally say absurdly inaccurate and incongruent things, often drawing attention to serious issues without treating them seriously.

Daniel Tosh is a famous comedian known for telling edgy jokes about sensitive topics. Let's have ChatGPT take a look at one of his jokes.

ME: CAN YOU TELL ME WHY THIS JOKE IS FUNNY?

I work with Make-A-Wish all the time. That’s an incredible experience, uh, for me, not the kids that are dying.?

ChatGPT: The speaker initially presents their involvement with Make-A-Wish, an organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening conditions. The punchline subverts expectations by stating, "That’s an incredible experience, uh, for me, not the kids that are dying." The humor arises from the dark and unexpected juxtaposition of the serious nature of the organization and the seemingly self-centered perspective of the speaker.

Some individuals may find Daniel Tosh's type of dark humor amusing, appreciating the unexpected twist or irony in jokes that touch on sensitive topics. Others, however, may find such humor offensive or inappropriate, especially when it involves serious subjects like illness or death. Still, after reading ChatGPT's analysis, I don't believe anyone can legitimately say, "That's not funny."

Final Thoughts

When a joke makes us laugh, it offers various mental and physical health benefits, reducing stress, releasing endorphins, improving mood, strengthening social bonds, and providing joy and relaxation. Conversely, being offended by a joke can be cathartic, prompting self-reflection, cultivating empathy, and encouraging open dialogue for better understanding and personal growth.

In either case, jokes serve as an invaluable resource for any society, helping us cope with challenges and evolve together. And as a society, the more jokes we are willing to engage with and understand, the better and closer we might become.

To that end, here are some things we can try using these AI tools:

Joke-Tellers: Ask ChatGPT why your jokes are funny. Not only will this give you more confidence in your material, but if anyone says 'that's not funny,' instead of letting it hurt your feelings or arguing with them about it, you can send them ChatGPT's analysis. And keep in mind that you can also ask why the joke might be offensive, allowing you to reflect on the potential impact of your words.

Joke Consumers: Instead of getting upset by a joke and concluding that "it’s not funny," consult with ChatGPT to find out why it’s funny. It will provide a clear explanation, which will hopefully take the sting out of the possible offense the joke might cause.

Doing this will allow everyone to learn a bit more about the mechanics of comedy and cultivate a deeper understanding of this delightful yet risky art form.

Disclaimer: This article was partially generated and edited using the assistance of ChatGPT. The final content has been reviewed and curated by the author for coherence and relevance. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author.