It's All in the Mind, You Know

'I'm a Joke and So are You: Reflections on Humour and Humanity' by Robin Ince

Stand up comedy has blossomed in recent decades.  There seems to be a stand-up for every sense of humour, be it silly, surreal, relatable or satirical.  But is there a particular psychology that links these performers and makes certain people predestined for this strange, diverse and nomadic profession?  This is the question explored by comedian and presenter Robin Ince in 'I'm a Joke and So are You'.

In 'I'm a Joke...', Ince looks at what makes a stand-up comedian, but it definitely isn't a 'how to' guide for wannabe amusement artistes.  Based on interviews with experts in psychology and neurology as well as input from big names in the industry like Barry Cryer, Jo Brand and Ricky Gervais, Ince picks apart various assumptions about what makes a comedian, with interesting results.  As well as tackling old clichés like having a traumatic childhood and a peculiarity in the brain, he looks at how identity, creativity, insecurity, taboos, anxiety and mental health all influence and form this unique collection of creatives and entertainers.

'I'm a Joke...' is one of the most interesting and accessible books about psychology and creativity that I've ever read.  It sounds like a narrow topic area, something that should only appeal to comedy obsessives or hopeful amateurs, but I thought it was much broader than that.  Ince already has form in this area as the 'everyman' part of the 'Infinite Monkey Cage' presenting team, and knows what he's doing when it comes to bringing highbrow science back down to earth.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and thoroughly recommend it to anyone with an interest in how the creative and performing mind works.  

Now, what next...?

'I'm a Joke and So are You: Reflections on Humour and Humanity' by Robin Ince was published in paperback by Atlantic Books in 2018.