TED Talks Daily Why you should keep a list of what makes you laugh | Chris Duffy
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Mar 14, 2026 
Chris Duffy, comedian, writer, and podcaster behind Humor Me, shares why humor matters. He outlines three pillars of humor and how noticing small, absurd details reveals laughs. He recommends keeping a list of what makes you laugh and treating humor like a muscle. He also talks boundaries, teaching kind humor, and taking low-stakes social risks to spark connection.
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Playground Dad And The Unhelpful Portal
- Chris recounts seeing a very serious dad ride a slide with zero enjoyment and a healthcare portal telling him "log in after some time."
- These tiny, bizarre moments made his list because their absurdity sparked immediate laughter.
Use Self Deprecation To Be Approachable
- Laugh at yourself to appear more approachable and relatable instead of trying to impress with perfection.
- Chris cites dating-app research: women want partners they can laugh with, men often want others to laugh at them.
Choose Kind Laughs Not Bullying
- Avoid cruel teasing: err on kind laughter, let people take the lead, and avoid joking about their true insecurities.
- If worried, practice by laughing with others at their jokes rather than making jokes at them.
