Laughing at Nothing: Humor as a Response to Nihilism

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L AUGHING AT NOTHING L A U G H I N G A T N O T H I N G Humor as a Response to Nihilism JOHN MARMYSZ S tat e U n i ve r s i t y o f N ew Yo rk P re s s Published by State University of New York Press, Albany© 2003 State University of New York All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher. For information, address State University of New York Press, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207 Production, Laurie Searl Marketing, Jennifer Giovani Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Marmysz, John, 1964– Laughing at nothing : humor as a response to nihilism / by John Marmysz. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7914-5839-3 (alk. paper) — ISBN 0-7914-5840-7 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Nihilism (Philosophy) 2. Comic, The. I. Title. B828.3.M265 2003 149'.8—dc21 2003042561 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ...