I was recently sent a Financial Times article by my brilliant friend Jon Holmes – a man who knows a thing or two about intelligent humour and who was, fittingly, a terrific guest on The Humourology Podcast.
The piece, Life is Too Important Not to Laugh At It, by Jemima Kelly, struck a particularly powerful chord with me.
Kelly deftly explores a key concern of our age: that humour is under threat. But not from censors or cancel culture – from pomposity, from populist posturing, and, perhaps most dangerously, from performative “joking” that masks manipulation.
She writes about Donald Trump’s habit of dismissing inflammatory statements with a shrug and a sneer: “You mean they can’t take a joke?” But, as Kelly points out, this isn’t comedy – it’s trolling. It’s not meant to evoke laughter; it’s a smokescreen for provocation, obfuscation and ego. That’s not Humourology. That’s hubris dressed up as humour.
I’ve spent years studying how laughter lights up the brain, disarms tension, and builds bridges between people. Real humour reveals vulnerability; it’s rooted in truth. When used authentically, it’s one of the most powerful tools in the communicator’s toolkit. But when wielded cynically, it becomes a weapon – and the results are divisive, not delightful.
Jemima Kelly puts it brilliantly: “Being keenly aware of the preciousness of life is not incompatible with pointing out its absurdity.” In fact, I’d go one step further — it’s essential. In times of crisis, humour can be a lifeline. It can connect, heal, and release the pressure valve when the world feels overwhelming.
And yet, as the article points out, we’re in a “laughter deficit.” According to Sky’s polling, nearly half of Britons can’t remember the last time they laughed out loud. That’s not just sad – it’s serious. Laughter boosts our immune systems, improves pain tolerance, and enhances social bonding.
As the late Pope Francis put it
“When it becomes hard to cry seriously or to laugh passionately, then we really are on the downhill slope.”
So, what can we do about it?
As a society, we need to stop treating humour as trivial. We need to reclaim it – not as distraction, but as a necessary part of serious thinking, feeling, and leading. I’ve said many times that humour is not the enemy of gravitas – it’s the gateway to it.
As the brilliant researcher Abilio Almeida says in the piece,
“There’s often a big gap between those who truly think – who usually laugh a lot – and those who merely want to appear thinkers, and for that very reason, rarely laugh.”
So let’s think – and let’s laugh. Here are three practical ways to put more Humourology into your life:
1. Take humour seriously – and use it deliberately.
Whether you’re a leader, a speaker or simply a citizen of this overstimulated world, humour can help you cut through. It’s not about cracking jokes; it’s about showing humanity.
2. Don’t confuse trolling for comedy.
Just because someone smirks doesn’t mean they’re being funny. Real humour brings people in. Trolling, even when dressed as “just a joke,” drives people apart.
3. Laugh out loud — daily.
Find the things that make you giggle, snort or chuckle. Watch a stand-up special, call your funniest friend, or revisit a favourite comedy. It’s not indulgence – it’s self-care.
Because in the end, Oscar Wilde was right:
“life is far too important not to laugh at it.”
See you next Tuesday.
Warmest,
Paul x
