Researchers craft laughter measurement system to gauge aH

We're pretty certain this isn't the first time researchers have dove in and tried to accurately gauge laughter, but it just might be the most thorough. Gurus at Kansai University have reportedly crafted a machine that can "scientifically measure the quantity of a person's laughter, as well as distinguish between the real and the fake." Apparently, the idea here is to gather such information and use it to "conduct more detailed research into the physiological effects of laughter on the immune system," and it's collected by a series of electrode sensors that monitor "bioelectricity generated by certain muscles that flex when you chuckle." Best of all, they've actually created a unit of measure to quantify their findings (aH), which certainly removes any doubt that all of this is just some elaborate joke.

[Via PinkTentacle, image courtesy of TravellersPoint]

[Anton @ Feb 24th 2008 12:24AM]

Damn, that's creepy!

[electroglyph @ Feb 24th 2008 12:58AM]

That's what I was going to say...

[Flashpoint @ Feb 24th 2008 9:39AM]

I can quantify this story's idea.

87 Kurics.

[phanbouy @ Feb 24th 2008 6:15PM]

Yeah they look like totem poles in a giant Pez dispenser.

[ethana2 @ Feb 24th 2008 11:29PM]

*insert quote from The Office here*

[Abuzar @ Feb 24th 2008 12:34AM]

Family Guy AH level: 256
Bush AH Level: 247
My Comments AH Level: 0

[Anton @ Feb 24th 2008 1:00AM]

lol

[Brandon @ Feb 24th 2008 1:03AM]

You'd be right on that one. :]

[rutsy5 @ Feb 24th 2008 12:55AM]

In other news, Russian scientists have developed an empirical system to empirically quantify happiness. Upon application of their new process, they found the happiest man on earth to be a forty-two year-old man now residing in a Czech mental institution.

[Joel @ Feb 24th 2008 12:56AM]

TBS isn't going to be happy about this.

[egloskerry @ Feb 24th 2008 4:08PM]

Best comment I've seen in a long, long time.

[electroglyph @ Feb 24th 2008 12:58AM]

p.s. Nice OiNK avatar

[Brandon @ Feb 24th 2008 1:09AM]

I bet a technically perfect comedy wouldn't be funny.

[Eptin.mail @ Feb 24th 2008 1:46AM]

Great, now comedians have an actual quota to fulfill!

[cati @ Feb 24th 2008 2:21AM]

We will finally know if sitcoms are funny!

[Tiptup300 @ Feb 24th 2008 4:05AM]

hint: they aren't.

[saunajunkie @ Feb 24th 2008 2:55AM]

perhaps this will have practical applications like giving a solid figure that will let our future robot overlords determine what aH level produces the highest energy efficiency without triggering a dangerous "freedom reflex."

perhaps I've been reading engadget too much...

[Aguiluz @ Feb 24th 2008 8:06AM]

Not really. I have been reading this since May 27th 2006, and I still remember that glory day of discovering Engadget. I don't know if you have "too much of a good thing" though.

[Aguiluz @ Feb 24th 2008 8:06AM]

Not really. I have been reading this since May 27th 2006, and I still remember that glory day of discovering Engadget. I don't know if you have "too much of a good thing" though.

[ethana2 @ Feb 24th 2008 11:28PM]

good as in, "broken forum system with no post edits"?

[sillyrabbit @ Feb 24th 2008 3:27AM]

what are the fundamental units of aH? and how does it relate to the work equals change in energy theorem?

[Aguiluz @ Feb 24th 2008 7:59AM]

I want my happiness (at the moment) unmeasured. Thank you.

[master_sword @ Feb 24th 2008 8:31AM]

the guy in the green shirt looks like he is in pain...

[ethana2 @ Feb 24th 2008 11:24PM]

It's the tights.

[ethana2 @ Feb 24th 2008 11:25PM]

oh.

[k3nt @ Feb 24th 2008 11:18AM]

aHaHaHaHaHaH, lol

[Abuzar @ Feb 24th 2008 2:59PM]

That's some AH level you've got there.

[frankXchange @ Feb 24th 2008 5:19PM]

Ironically, this research will most likely be used by very paranoid people with no sense of humour.

On the other hand, it might be a good way to screen out people at job interviews that have no sense of humour, which means your boss will never go for it.

Are those two guys laughing, or dropping a load in the bushes?

[Matt @ Feb 24th 2008 9:56PM]

People have been able to measure funny forever.
You don't need a number for it.
e.g.
Farting: Very Funny
Disney Channel: Not Funny

But seriously, I can't think of very many things that would make me want to laugh less than "a series of electrode sensors that monitor bioelectricity generated by certain muscles that flex when you chuckle." I think there's a theory that says introducing tools changes the results.

[ethana2 @ Feb 24th 2008 11:31PM]

"measure"
"..don't need a number"

detect != measure. Measuring involves numbers, period.

[ethana2 @ Feb 24th 2008 11:32PM]

Actually, I think you may have been referring to comparison, not detection. Ah well, whatever.

[alex @ Feb 25th 2008 12:54PM]

for a very brief moment i thought the post said via Pink Testicles.