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13 OCT 2006
Do nothing, say nothing
Must be funny follows the principle of least effort. Jokes end in laughter and nothing remains. So why bother to put anything in? The hoax and the con job create an illusion where the marks think there's something, but there isn't. We don't want to cheat anybody, but we can borrow the hoax formula to create jokes. We create an expectation and the punch line is there's nothing there. A very economical and productive class of jokes, turning nothing into laughter.

Jokes and cons usually involve a lot of fast talking, so how can we say nothing?

Saying nothing gives us secrecy, mystery and intrigue. It's another funny formula, and in fact most jokes depend on secrecy or concealment for their punch line.

We achieve the pinnacle of funny effortlessness when we can do nothing, and say nothing about it. We raise the expectations of hidden treasure. Then we provide as few clues as possible on how to find it, and now it's a game as well as a joke.

How big is funny world? Smile. The punch line is there's nothing there, but we can't say that. Saying nothing and smiling turns it into something, any number of fantasies and rumors.

Do nothing, say nothing, goes higher yet when two funny people get together and they crack each other up before they do or say anything.
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