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John Charles Simon

About

John Charles Simon graduated with a BS from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources. He spent the majority of his 30-year career working throughout the mainland United States, Hawaii, and Guam studying the movements, demography, communication, and reproductive behavior of hundreds of animal species, many designated as threatened or endangered.

In 1996, he became fascinated with laughter as a form of nonverbal communication, and subsequently devoted more than five years to researching and writing his book, Why We Laugh: A New Understanding. In addition to his articles on animal behavior and ecology, John has published on laughter and humor theory in the Israeli Journal of Humor Research and the European Journal of Humour Research and presented at conferences of the International Society for Humor Studies.

He now speaks, writes, and consults on a range of topics, including laughter, humor, their origins and evolution, and the central role each plays in our lives.

Recent Posts
Why Ironic Situations Can Be So Amusing
The notion of irony is often linked to both laughter and humor. What is it about being ironic, or having a plan fall short in a spectacular way, that so often cultivates giddiness?
The Humor that Leaves a Great Impression
Doing impressions is a common technique for inspiring feelings of amusement. Comedians impersonate familiar, everyday individuals, as well as famous ones. Here‘s why it works.
Can We Compare New and Old Theories of Laughter?

New theories of laughter must account for what earlier explanations got right and wrong. The Mutual Vulnerability Theory meshes well with Incongruity and Tension Relief theories.

New theories of laughter must account for what earlier explanations got right and wrong. The Mutual Vulnerability Theory meshes well with Incongruity and Tension Relief theories.

When You Misinterpret the Laughter of Others

We’ve long known that laughter has a dual nature, often sympathetic but sometimes sardonic. A new theory explains why it’s easy to misidentify which motivation is being expressed.

We’ve long known that laughter has a dual nature, often sympathetic but sometimes sardonic. A new theory explains why it’s easy to misidentify which motivation is being expressed.

The Enduring Link Between Laughter and Play

Humans use laughter more frequently than any of the Great Apes. The reason likely relates to its close association with play.

Humans use laughter more frequently than any of the Great Apes. The reason likely relates to its close association with play.

The Amazing Evolution of Amusement

The common ancestor of modern apes and humans likely had a toddler’s sense of humor. As the social lives of our evolutionary lineage became more intricate, we needed laughter more.

The common ancestor of modern apes and humans likely had a toddler’s sense of humor. As the social lives of our evolutionary lineage became more intricate, we needed laughter more.

Exploring Great Ape Games

Captive modern apes have displayed humor and game-playing comparable to human toddlers. This suggests that humor has a long evolutionary history.

Captive modern apes have displayed humor and game-playing comparable to human toddlers. This suggests that humor has a long evolutionary history.

The Origins of Humor

It is thought laughter had its origins in the common ancestor of apes and humans 14 to 18 million years ago. It seems probable that humor was “invented” around the same time.

It is thought laughter had its origins in the common ancestor of apes and humans 14 to 18 million years ago. It seems probable that humor was “invented” around the same time.