Mirth The other people in the theater are also in hysteries. They don't know
exactly why, and maybe it doesn't matter,
Understanding the Text
1. Describe the benign violation theory (BVT) of humor. According to this
theory, what factors predict how funny something will be? Provide an
example of this theory from the text.
2. Analyze the rhetorical situation of Warner's article. How would you describe
the mode and purpose of his writing? What kind of publication is Wired
magazine? Who comprises its intended audience?
Reflection and Response
3. At one point, Warner calls McGraw's theory "elegantly simple, but in the