Humor is the tendency of particular cognitive experiences to provoke laughter and provide entertainment. The term “humor” is derived from the humoral medicine of ancient Greeks, which taught that the balance of fluids in the human body known as humors controlled human health and emotions. People all around the world, irrespective of age and culture, respond to humor. Most people have a sense of humor, which is the ability that they possess to smile, be amused, or laugh at something funny. The event which each individual finds humorous varies from person to person depending up on the culture, geographical location, maturity, level of education, intelligence, and content. For example, young children may find humor in cartoons such as Tom and Jerry that they watch whereas more sophisticated forms of humor like satires require an understanding of its social meaning and context, thus making them appealing to a more mature audience.
While there is no general agreement on what is funny, researchers have identified three theories about what one may find funny. Let’s take a look at the three theories that are generally associated with humor:
This is when logic and familiarity are replaced by things that normally don’t go together. This theory is one of the most basic elements of humor.
This theory describes that when we laugh find humor in others misfortune, mistakes, or stupidity because of detachment. Slipping on a banana peel or falling down the stairs can be quite embarrassing when it happens to you, but when the same thing happens to someone else, it can be quite funny.
It helps to explain how laughter helps to release tension during emotional moments. Relief theory happens all the time in movies where tension is high and laughter helps people cope up with stressful situations.
Lately, researchers have identified a fourth theory known as the Benign Violation theory, endorsed by Peter McGraw, which attempts to explain the existence of humor. This theory states that, “humor only occurs when something seems wrong, unsettling, or threatening, but simultaneously seems ok, acceptable, or safe.” Humor can be used as a method that helps in easily engaging in social interaction by cutting through that awkward, uncomfortable, or uneasy feeling of social interactions.
As far as humor is concerned, people have different views and opinions about it. Some say that humor should not be explained but then there are others that counteract this view by stating that humor, although explained, does not necessarily lose its sense of humor. Humor is often used to make light of a difficult or stressful situation and also to brighten up a social gathering. Humor provides a positive and an enjoyable experience.
In this way, depending on various factors, one can understand in a better way what humor is and the theories related to it.
Basketball is among the top most popular sports both played by and viewed with great enthusiasm not only by Americans but people across the world as well.
Here is some interesting basketball trivia for basketball aficionados.
The origins of basketball can be traced all the way back to the year 1891, when a gym teacher by the name of James Naismith was looking for some interesting ways to keep the students in his gym class occupied during their physical education sessions when it happened to be a rainy day.
The present hoops consist of a metal ring to which an open net is attached came to be designed much later. The earliest baskets used for playing basketball were the baskets used for keeping peaches in grocery stores. After every ball went into the basket, it would have to be retrieved before the game could continue. It was only in the early years of the 20th century that the metal hoops were introduced.
Several rules of basketball were actually adaptations of the rules of a game played by children called “ducks and stones,” in which a large stone was placed at a height, say on a wall or the stump of a broken tree. This was guarded by a defender from the others who would throw rocks, known colloquially as “ducks” in an attempt to topple the stone.
Before the present basketball was designed, players earlier used soccer balls to play basketball. They would apply soot over their palms in order to gain a firmer grip on the soccer ball.
The National Basketball Association, popularly known as the NBA, was only constituted in 1975 post a merger of the National Basketball League and the Basketball Association of America.
The record for the largest number of spectators ever is held by the NBA all star basketball game. This game was held at the Cowboy Stadium in 2010. This game attracted over one hundred thousand spectators.
Women’s basketball was included as a medal sport in the 1970 Olympics, it has gained great popularity since then.
The first ever all women collegiate game of basketball was held in 1893 at Smith College, MA. However, since at that point of time, it was considered socially inappropriate for men to watch women playing basketball, all the doors to the stadium were locked and make spectators forbidden from entering.
During the course of an average basketball game, most NBA players chalk up at least four miles of running.
Here’s one last basketball fun fact. Not only do most NBA players run over four miles in one game, they also train so intensely that most players can quite easily jump to a height of nearly 28 to 30 inches, or over two feet from the ground.
There’s just something about a classic pick up truck. As far as stature and power, the following trucks led the way as far as impressive styling, engine power, hauling and off road capabilities that, no doubt, inspired the design of many pickups on the road today.
Here’s our list of the six most tried and true pickup trucks in history:
When I was a kid, all the cool teens had a Ford Bronco, but those with a limited edition Baja Bronco were king of the road. Why? As far as off-roading capabilities, the Baja offered a powerful 302-cid V8 paired with a C4 automatic, plus drivers got a impressive boost due to the high cut rear wheel wells and flares, which left ample room for huge tires. The Baja screamed daring adventure roll cage and special enhancements made to offer heavy-duty suspension.
Ford longed to take their classic F150 off-road, but it took until 2009 for them to create the Raptor, a pick up that offered smooth driving and handling and four-wheeling on even the most extreme desert terrain. Not to mention, this truck could haul an 8000-pound trailer. No problem! Offered in a SuperCrew cab and SuperCab configuration, the Raptor also featured a 4WD system based on the standard F-150, plus urethane bump stops and internal-bypass Fox Racing shocks, which allowed for smooth-riding suspension over the roughest roads and highest jumps.
More of a conversion kit than a model truck, Napco (otherwise known as the Northwest Auto Parts Company) made up for the fact that 1950s pickups didn’t come in 4WD (opposed from Dodge). So Napco designed a 4WD offered a conversion kit that let Chevy, Fords, and GMC owners get the 4WD power they longed for. By the year 1957, pick up manufacturers finally caught on and began installing Napco Power-Pak 4WD conversions on their assembly line pick ups.
While GM and Ford enthusiasts may have issue with this truck, one can hardly match the ruggedness of the Dodge Ram of the early 90’s with it’s Cummins diesel engine. In fact, you can still witness the impact of this redesigned Ram on many GM and Ford trucks to this day, with it’s “big rig” styling.
Prior to the Ford F-150, the Highboy was king of the Ford pick up empire. A tough-as-nails truck renowned for it’s ultra-rugged driving capabilities on any terrain, the Highboy was named for its sky-high frame and 35-inch tall tires that was inches taller than any Jeep, Dodge, or GM on the market. After 1977, the Highboy was considered a “Lowboy” as it was constructed at least 2-inches lower, which is why the original pre-1977 model is now considered a collector’s item.
When a celebrity race car driver pairs up with an auto manufacturer, sometimes the results can be disappointing, which was sort of the case when Rod Hall collaborated with Chrysler to birth the Rod Hall Signature Edition Dodge pick up truck. Only 33 of these beauties were made, and despite the Dodge Ram 150 base design, bed-mount light bar and driving lights, and slick pre-runner front and rear bumpers, for some reason Dodge plopped in a whimpy 318-cid V8 with only 170 hp. Despite the fact, this truck continues to be a collector’s item among pick up truck buffs.
The pickup truck is synonymous with America. It’s tough. It works hard. And it has no problem getting dirty to get the job done. This is likely why the pickup truck continues to be among the best selling vehicle in North America. Regardless of if you’re part of team Dodge, Ford, or Chevy, you know that owning a truck offers a truly unique driving experience compared to any sedan, small compact, or even an SUV.
Here are our top reasons to super-size your driving experience to a pickup truck:
If it’s room you desire, ignore any desires to buy a sleek, compact car and turn to a pickup instead. Seriously, a recent Chevy Silverado offers ample legroom and cargo space for a comfortable daily commute or road trip because who wants a leg cramp to start the work day. Passengers can literally stretch their legs out in a roomy four full pickup truck with ample room for tools and everything you need.
Perhaps power and hauling capabilities are your biggest concern when thinking about pickup truck ownership. However, believe it or not safety is a huge benefit of pickup truck ownership. positive! Think about the safety features built in to most full-size trucks—you get a caged cab, vehicle stability, safety seatbelt systems, side impact protection, and even trailer sway control already built into your vehicle.
Sure, if you own a pickup truck you kind of open yourself up to helping every single person you know move house. However, when it comes to hauling your own stuff, you can’t go wrong with a pickup truck. Take a truck like the Chevy Silverado for example, you can suddenly haul up to 12,000 pounds no problem thanks to the impressive torque and horsepower. Suddenly your vehicle can easily transition from work truck to off road camping vehicle of your dreams.
If it’s a boost you want, a pickup is your best bet when it comes to the best visibility on the road. The height of a standard pickup truck cabin permits a view over most other vehicles on the highway. Is that a traffic jam 6 blocks ahead? Luckily, you’ll be able to see it and take a quick detour if you drive a pickup. Not to mention, the cab of a pick up offers the driver and all passengers all-round visibility, front, back and side thanks to huge rear and side-view mirrors.
Leading us into the next reason why trucks are such great vehicles.
Putting aside all jokes about overcompensating, there is little doubt that many individuals choose to drive a pickup for the sheer power it offers. While Ford, Chevy, and GM differ as far as horses under the hood, most current trucks offer between 350- to 440-horsepower (hp) if you consider a Ford F-250 or a Dodge Ram.
Pickup trucks represent the American dream. And while car buyers have vered from SUV to sports coupe over the past few years, pickup truck buffs tend to harken to the past when it comes to sticking with their love of the classic pickup truck. Many of the following classic trucks in good condition sell for a pretty steep price among collectors.
Here are four of the most coveted collectible pickup trucks:
Considered neither a car nor a truck, the Bronco was unique as far a broaching the needs of both a car and a truck driver, which explains it’s motto “the best of both worlds”. This cube shaped truck debuted for 1966 in rudimentary form for a mere $2400 (base model). However, it was the impressively wide (at 92-inches) wheelbase that offered serious off roading, smooth highway driving, and extreme towing capabilities in a single vehicle. Touted literally as a sports car with 4-wheel drive, the Bronco was mounted on coil springs and outfitted with a V8 engine that could literally take drivers from camping to off roading while offering the style and comfort of a family wagon. Today, this year range of Ford Bronco retails for $25k plus.
Behold the inaugural Ford F-series pickup. Think of it as the crown of America’s trucking obsession. Considering this Ford series has ranked in the best-selling for decades, many pickup truck owners are still firmly planted in the Ford camp thanks to this very vehicle. If you’re lucky enough to find a 1948 Ford F1 for sale, you can expect to pay upwards of $30K depending on condition and customizations.
Looking at this truck, there’s little wonder that it was originally designed in the early 1940’s for military purposes. However, the Dodge Power Wagon caught on in the mainstream market due to its ability to travel virtually anywhere. The impressive 4×4 capabilities of this truck was so good that it there were no revisions until it was discontinued in 1968. If you spot one, expect to pay $45k or more!
It was called the “Super” for good reason. This high-option, everyday use pickup truck boosted unique interior design with a/c, tach dash, power brakes and steering, headliners, and tilt columns. Plus, the exterior could be costoumize with special paint and trim. Find one and expect to pay up to $30k for a model in good condition with lots of options.