The Art, Science, and Practice, Practice, Practice of Humor | Bob Mankoff | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Bob Mankoff, cartoon editor of The New Yorker, discusses the humor in cartoons and the role they play in providing a form of entertainment and commentary.

Transcript

it's a great pleasure to introduce Bob mankoff to google barb agreed i go here but I've agreed to come here to help us celebrate the launch of the Google cartoon book which you're holding in your hand bob is a cartoon editor of New Yorker he also teaches a course in humor the University of Michigan he's been the editor for ten years now right and 2... Read More

Key Insights

• 🇳🇨 Cartoons in The New Yorker provide social commentary through humor.
• ❓ The selection process for cartoons involves evaluating humor, originality, and relevance.
• 🎁 Cartoons can offer a different perspective on challenging topics by presenting them in a lighthearted and relatable manner.
• 💦 The visual and textual elements of cartoons work together to create humor.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the selection process work for New Yorker cartoons?

The selection process involves evaluating cartoons based on their humor, originality, and relevance to societal topics. The aim is to choose cartoons that resonate with the readers and provide a unique perspective.

Q: What role do cartoons play in providing social commentary?

Cartoons can act as a form of social commentary by highlighting absurdities, exposing flaws, and challenging societal norms. They offer a lighthearted way to address serious issues and provoke thought and discussion.

Q: How does humor in cartoons differ from other forms of comedy?

Cartoons utilize visual elements, such as drawings and captions, to create humor. They often involve incongruity, exaggeration, and surprise to elicit laughter. Unlike other forms of comedy, cartoons present their humor in a concise and condensed format.

Q: How do cartoons provide a different perspective on challenging topics?

Cartoons offer a unique way to approach challenging topics by presenting them in a lighthearted and relatable manner. By using humor, cartoons can make difficult subjects more approachable and foster dialogue and understanding.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Bob Mankoff talks about his experience as a cartoonist and cartoon editor of The New Yorker.

• He discusses the process of selecting cartoons for publication and the criteria used to evaluate them.

• Mankoff explores the different elements that make cartoons funny and how they can be a form of social commentary.