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What's the definition of comedy? Banana. - Addison Anderson

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TEDEd Animation

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What makes us giggle and guffaw? The inability to define comedy is its very appeal; it is defined by its defiance of definition. Addison Anderson riffs on the philosophy of Henri Bergson and Aristotle to elucidate how a definition draws borders while comedy breaks them down.

Let’s say you figure out the actual definition and essential criteria of comedy and thus know whether anything qualifies as funny or not. Now explain why people laugh at what’s funny.

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Addison Anderson
  • Director Anton Bogaty
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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