If one takes a look at the timeline of comedy, can he/she find humor evolving? I do not yet have a grasp on the history of comedy to make an answer. I merely suspect that humor has been evolving or at least transforming in similar steps that art or music has been through.
Western Art in the modern age has gone through a transformation over the years. At first, in the 17th century, it was realistic paintings that gained the most praise. Then artist began experimenting with new ideas and ways of seeing that led art towards abstraction. The same thing happens with jazz. If one follows its development from swing to bop to free), one can see it aiming towards more freedom and abstraction. Both art and music reached a point where a blank canvas and total improvisation became accepted. Will humor reach a sudden stage too?
History of humor can date back before language. The tickling and social play of nonhuman primates may have formed the origins of laughter. (origins) The first type of non-verbal humor. We can even find these kind of humor in the way monkeys play. Silent films rely on this form of humor. Buster Keaton and Chaplin use exaggerated motions and physical expressions to deliver their humor. Humor today contains a wider variety. Humor can include sarcasm, wit, slapstick, dry humor, irony or absurdity. Let us think about the recent rise in absurd comedies like Aqua Teen Hunger Force or Tim and Eric show. When I watch this sort of comedy I laugh but I am confused. I am not sure why I laughed or even if I am suppose to. Perhaps when people first saw Picasso’s abstract art or heard Miles Davis play free jazz they reacted in a similar way. A sort of nervous appreciation and acceptance of what is going on.
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