Are you intelligent, but unable to "get" simple jokes, etc.?

[Descartes]

People often get frustrated with me, because even though I can grasp most complex things rather easily, I miss the punchline of simple jokes, meaning of simple aphorisms, etc.. It's not that I try to analyze things, and I don't openly offer my criticism until asked to think about it, it's just that things with simple meaning escape me.

Also, the things I find humorous, usually no one else does. I'll sometimes be so humored by something that I can't stop sporadically laughing for hours (often this happens in a business meeting, not good), but when others are joking about things, I often have to fake laughter so as not to appear anti-social or arrogant.

Conversely, I am very passionate and excited about the things I talk about, jokes I try to tell, etc., and there are few who seem to really pay attention or find it funny.

Anyone else empathize?

 

[jhu]

yeah, i'm intelligent but i can't grasp things like 'higher mathematics', or 'quantum mechanics', or 'biomechanical engineering'

 

[vthorts]

I have a friend like that. He is probably the smartest guy I know, but he has a different sence of humor. I think he looks so deep into everything without even knowing it. We tell simple jokes and he gets it, but doesn't think it is that funny. I don't know if there is a whole lot you can do but try not too look into the simple things. I guess try to think like a kid again!

 

[Descartes]

I don't try to look deep into things all the time, that's the problem.

They just sent me this picture with a joke, and since I didn't find it at all amusing, I thought for sure I "didn't get it." Oh well.

 

[GasX]

Just because you think you are smart doesn't make it so. Maybe you are a complete moron an are just trying to rationalize not getting mainstream humor...

 

[Descartes]

<< Just because you think you are smart doesn't make it so. Maybe you are a complete moron an are just trying to rationalize not getting mainstream humor... >>



Thanks for the comment. I'll take note. I bet you enjoyed the movie Half Baked, eh?

 

[PliotronX]

<< People often get frustrated with me, because even though I can grasp most complex things rather easily, I miss the punchline of simple jokes, meaning of simple aphorisms, etc.. It's not that I try to analyze things, and I don't openly offer my criticism until asked to think about it, it's just that things with simple meaning escape me.

Also, the things I find humorous, usually no one else does. I'll sometimes be so humored by something that I can't stop sporadically laughing for hours (often this happens in a business meeting, not good), but when others are joking about things, I often have to fake laughter so as not to appear anti-social or arrogant.

Conversely, I am very passionate and excited about the things I talk about, jokes I try to tell, etc., and there are few who seem to really pay attention or find it funny.

Anyone else empathize? >>



I don't get it.

 

[Elledan]

'Mainstream' humor is usually not funny at all. The reason why it's supposed to be funny is too obvious which is exactly why I don't find it funny.

I don't have problems with understanding simple concepts, though.

BTW jhu, those three topics you mentioned are pretty easy to understand. Are you certain you're indeed 'intelligent'?

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I find most people who consider themselves intelligent are mainly trivia buffs who know details. I find the real intelligent people are the ones who can grasp a concept and derrive the required details from that.

 

[DumbGuy]

Half Baked was funny as hell!!!!

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

huh?





average intelligence is pretty scarey....

 

[emonkey]

Well youre not abnormal if thats what youre worried about. As far as humor goes, there are several levels. The bottom rung is the LCD (lowest common denominator) which finds the annoying and weak drew carrey jokes to be hilarious. And the upper levels are the ones that find satire and puns in the clever writings of distinguished authors and usually laugh alone. So you probably are about average (if youre a socal native) and below average for a regular person. Dont sweat it. You'll find your crowd that will probably be pretty similar to you in jokes and humor.

 

[Descartes]

Some of you are trying to obfuscate the meaning of my post, so I changed the title

The point of my post was not to reaffirm my intelligence, or try to &quot;rationalize&quot; my not &quot;getting&quot; the &quot;mainstream humor.&quot; There's actually a book written about this sort of thing titled, &quot;The Fear Factor&quot; (I believe), that talks about how some people are able to easily grasp complex ideas, but often skip over the simple ones.

Einstein thought he was mentally challenged for a large portion of his child and teenage years (I think maybe even into his early 20's, not sure).

 

[GasX]

If you needed me to put a after my post, you may have problems getting what emonkey calls upper level humour.

 

[yellowperil]

There are different types of intelligence. You might be intelligent in abstract ideas or crystallized knowledge, but not possess that 'common sense' intelligence (in fact, I think this occurs a lot). Such is the fate of many of us nerds.

 

[Clinotus]

The essence of a &quot;simple&quot; joke is the ability to relate to a situation and see the foolishness or absurdity of it. It you can't relate to something you obviously can't get the joke. I dont think it reflects badly on you; it's what we call Book Smart, Street Stupid.

 

[kcklla]

<< Just because you think you are smart doesn't make it so. Maybe you are a complete moron an are just trying to rationalize not getting mainstream humor... >>



I know a few people like this

 

[pulse8]

<< I find most people who consider themselves intelligent are mainly trivia buffs who know details. I find the real intelligent people are the ones who can grasp a concept and derrive the required details from that. >>



Ditto.

 

[Descartes]

<< If you needed me to put a after my post, you may have problems getting what emonkey calls upper level humour. >>



Doh! Sorry

It's not that I'm lacking in common sense, it's just that I don't find what so many seem to find humorous, so I feel like I just don't &quot;get it.&quot; I could watch an episode of some sitcom, and not laugh once, whereas others may laugh the entire time.

Some sitcoms that do (or at least did at one time) make me laugh:

- Ally McBeal (when Fish and John go at it, I'm laughing the entire time.)
- Will &amp; Grace (I like Karen)

I do usually find dry/sarcastic humor more entertaining, but that's just me. It's the obvious slapstick comedy that usually leaves me w/ a blank look.

 

[Milhouse99]

i got the same problem =)

 

[linuxboy]

actually, the reason you don't find modern humor funny is because.. get ready for this...

It simply isn't. That or I suffer from the same problem as you and can't understand it. eh...