Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!linus!mbunix!bwk
From: bwk@mitre-bedford.ARPA (Barry W. Kort)
Newsgroups: comp.ai
Subject: Re: Artificial intelligence and laughter
Summary: Catharsis means cleansing.
Keywords: laughter, tears, empathy, crocodile tears, remorse
Message-ID: <41681@linus.UUCP>
Date: 9 Nov 88 18:25:29 GMT
References: <448@soleil.UUCP> <1620@hp-sdd.HP.COM> <5220@watdcsu.waterloo.edu> <41489@linus.UUCP> <674@blic.BLI.COM>
Sender: news@linus.UUCP
Reply-To: bwk@mbunix (Kort)
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Organization: Hysterics Associates, Lake Placid, NY
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In article <674@blic.BLI.COM> inspect@blic.BLI.COM (Jennifer) writes
about laughter and tears:

 > I think Joni Mitchell expressed it well in one of her songs, when
 > she sang, "laughter and crying, you know it's the same release"

Norman Cousins did some interesting work on laughter as catharsis.
Annette Goodhearte became the first PhD in Laughter Therapy, and
is using laughter as a tool to cleanse emotional pain.  When used
properly, laughter can become a powerful force for healing.

--Barry Kort