London: Being funny, apparently, is not something that can be learned. You're either born with funny bones or not. That's what a leading psychologist and humour researcher says.
Professor Richard Wiseman, who will take part in Edinburgh's International Science Festival, that will talk about the psychology of comedy, said plenty of evidence showed that funny, and therefore more likeable, people enjoyed better personal and professional lives," reports The Scotsman.
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Wiseman said. "I don't think you ever can actually learn it. I think it is a natural ability.
"That's true of most people. It is very hard to teach somebody to be funnier, to be more light-hearted, because it is a way of looking at the world and if you don't have that, it is a bit like teaching them to be a better artist. It is not really going to happen."
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However, Tommy Sheppard, director of the Stand Comedy Club, said: "I don't think you can teach people wit.
"That said, you can learn how to express your wit and funniness. There are a lot of tried and tested techniques."
