I was listening to an episode of RadioLab about Laughter recently. As usual, they did a fascinating job of covering the topic from multiple angles. One item stood out for me, though.
They said laughter is a social thing, and that people don't laugh alone. They don't mean when you're home alone watching Letterman, or goofy YouTube videos. In those cases, there's still an external source involved. Their point was that without that, people don't laugh alone -- it's a social thing, and we laugh in the company of others.
But that's where they're wrong. Or maybe I'm weird. Because I DO laugh alone. Do you?
Here's a good example: The other day, it was a beautiful morning outside, and I was driving through the desert. I had the roof down, tunes on, sun was shining, weather was perfect, and I had the winding back road to myself. It was so gorgeous, and so free, that a wave of incredible happiness came over me, and I had to laugh out loud. It wasn't social (I didn't bring imaginary friends that morning). It wasn't something on the radio. It was internal -- joy at a beautiful day that came bubbling to the surface as a laugh.
So that's my question, and it seems important -- do you laugh alone?
I'd hate to think there's a segment of people who don't get this same bubbling happiness, because surely everyone deserves to feel that wonderful sometimes -- so happy you just have to burst out laughing, even if you're alone!
I'd love to hear from anybody out there, so feel free to comment. Please, say you do too, say it's not true...
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Surely it's not just me, right? Or is it one of those things that happens but you're not supposed to admit it, like drinking alone? Maybe I'll go have a glass of wine, too. 
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8 responses so far ↓
1 Sara // Jun 5, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I actually don't think I've ever laughed alone like that. You are lucky!
2 Angela // Jun 6, 2008 at 8:16 am
I've laughed alone like that. I've also laughed alone at something funny I thought of. But to really cut up I have to be around other people -- I've noticed that no comedy is quite so funny as one that other people are laughing at, too.
3 GypsyButterfly // Jun 6, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Like Angela, something humorous has come to mind and I've smiled or chuckled. I can't remember laughing out loud just because of the joy of being, though. I have sung or did a little dance. Doe that count?
You are fortunate to be able to express yourself this way.
4 Deanna Keahey // Jun 6, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Thanks for your replies! It's surprising -- I guess I've just always assumed what was true for me was true for others, too, and it's weird to hear from you that it's not.
As for happy dances? I absolutely think they convey that same feeling
, just in a different way. Maybe some of us do it vocally, and others physically. But hey, as long as you've got that happy feeling going, it's great either way!
Fascinating - and thanks for your comments!
5 Deanna Keahey // Jun 6, 2008 at 8:32 pm
And one more comment - to Angela's note... You're right -- I've never laughed alone so hard my abs were sore -- that takes somebody else to really get it going!
6 Brenda // Jun 8, 2008 at 6:38 am
I have laughed alone because I was laughing at myself.
7 Deanna Keahey // Jun 8, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Brenda - another twist on it! Kind of like laughing at an external source, except that you're it. (-:
8 Sally // Jun 9, 2008 at 9:53 am
Of course I laugh alone. I'm shocked to find out there are people who don't! All you have to do is think of something funny and you laugh out loud! I laugh at myself, I laugh at my pets, I laugh at the squirrels chasing each other up a tree - and yes, I do laugh out loud. I guess we're the lucky ones!
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