what makes something funny?

i've been thinking about this for quite some time now and so i thought i'd throw it down on this blog.

what is it exactly that makes something funny? i mean, truly funny? do you ever watch a specific comedy program or movie on your own and maybe get one or two little chuckles, but then when you watch the same program(s) with a friend or more, laugh your ass off? i encounter this all the time. i could watch an episode of the simpsons by myself with little to no laughter. i could watch the same tv show with 2-3 friends and i could be crying because i think it's so funny.

power in numbers? i'm starting to think so. is it because i feel i'll be judged if i don't laugh because others are? is it because people will think i'm smarter for understanding a quick and witty joke? is there really anything to prove?

i'm also starting to think that it's getting more and more difficult to be keep humour original. a lot of humour derives from movie or television quotes - or at least that's how it seems in my circle of friends, not that there's anything wrong with it. coming up with original stuff is difficult, or maybe i'm just not as funny as i thought i was.

oh well. just thought i'd write it down.

currently listening to: neil young - old man