Why Do We Clap?

TL;DR

Clapping is a way for individuals to express admiration and approval, originating from an overflow of enthusiasm. It has become a social norm and a form of applause to show appreciation for performances. The rise of digital applause substitutes, like liking and sharing online, may be a result of the increasing availability of entertainment and individual consumption.

Transcript

Hey, Vsauce. Michael here. The loudest clap ever recorded clocked in at 113 decibels. And the world record for fastest clapping was recently set at 802 claps per minute. Clapping is the most common human body noise others are meant to hear that doesn't involve the vocal cords. It's a great built-in percussion instrument. But clapping has also becom... Read More

Key Insights

• 💨 Clapping originated from an overflow of enthusiasm and a way to burn off excess energy.
• 💨 Clapping became a social norm and a way to show admiration collectively.
• 😄 Clapping is considered the default gesture of admiration due to its loudness, ease, and democratic nature.
• 😮 The rise of digital applause substitutes reflects the increasing availability of entertainment and individual consumption.
• 🙈 Online actions like liking and sharing can be seen as digital applause substitutes that join the collective gesture.
• 👏 Clapping has historically been encouraged and coded into western etiquette as a civic duty.
• 💨 Clapping is a way for individuals to become part of a super organism called "The Crowd."

Questions & Answers

Q: Why do humans clap?

Humans clap to show admiration and approval. It is a way to express enthusiasm and burn off excess energy. Clapping is a built-in percussion instrument and a common gesture in groups during performances.

Q: How did clapping become an expected behavior in Western etiquette?

Clapping became coded into western etiquette as a way to show admiration collectively. It is a form of applauding and has been historically encouraged by authorities. It is considered a civic duty and a proper way for the masses to express their admiration for leaders.

Q: Why is clapping seen as the default gesture of admiration?

Clapping is arguably the loudest, easiest, and most democratic gesture of admiration. Unlike vocalizations, claps do not reveal information about the clapper's gender or size. It is also less disruptive than other gestures like stomping or waving objects.

Q: How has the rise of recordings and digital media affected applause?

The availability of recorded music and digital media has allowed people to be an audience of one, consuming entertainment alone. While applause is still present at live performances, online actions like liking, sharing, and retweeting act as digital applause substitutes and join the collective gesture.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Clapping is a common human body noise used to express admiration and approval, often seen during performances.

• The impulse to clap may have originated from an overflow of enthusiasm and a way to burn off extra energy.

• Clapping became a social norm and a form of applause due to its loudness, ease, and democratic nature.

• The rise of digital applause substitutes, such as liking and sharing online, may be a result of the increasing availability of entertainment and individual consumption.