This Bit by Louis CK is Hilarious; the Psychology Behind It Is Fascinating (NSFW)

Gear Diary is reader-supported. When you buy through links posted on our site, we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

You can learn more by clicking here.

Screenshot 2014 02 09 08 43 45

A post over on TechCrunch includes an embedded bit by Louis CK that is hilarious. It also contains colorful language — you’ve been warned. The article goes on to unpack the psychological maneuvers the comedian employs to get his laughs and make his point. The video is a good laugh, and the post is a fascinating read.

On the surface the bit appears to be Louis CK’s take on “On the one hand… On the other hand”. (Or, as he puts it, “Of course… But maybe.”) So, for example, on the one hand “Children who have nut allergies need to be protected… of course…but maybe…if touching a nut kills you…you’re supposed to die.”

This may, at first, appear to be a cheap throw away joke but there is, as James Altucher goes on to explain, much more to it than that. Altucher goes so far as to make the case that Louis CK employs the same psychological tools used by the Hare Krishnas. The full article, which can be found here, is worth a read.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!


About the Author

Dan Cohen
Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him. Dan is married to Raina Goldberg who is also an avid user of Apple products. They live in New Jersey with their golden doodle Nava.