Laughing at robots:
Laughing at robots:
synthesising humour and cyberparanoia in portrayals of artificial intelligence in Welcome to Night Vale
Author(s): Tereza WalsbergerováSubject(s): Anthropology, Social Sciences, Language and Literature Studies, Customs / Folklore, Theoretical Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Communication studies, Sociology, Pragmatics, Psycholinguistics, Sociolinguistics, Cognitive linguistics, Descriptive linguistics, Theory of Literature
Published by: Krakowskie Towarzystwo Popularyzowania Wiedzy o Komunikacji Językowej Tertium
Keywords: relief theory; artificial intelligence; cyber-paranoia; anxiety; anxiety discharge; sentience-ambiguity; the uncanny valley; paranoid fiction; Welcome to Night Vale;
Summary/Abstract: This article addresses the synthesis of humour and paranoia in portrayals of artificial intelligence (AI) in the popular American podcast Welcome to Night Vale (2012-). It argues that contrary to the Relief Theory, fusing humour and cyber-paranoia does not help release the tension (anxious energy) generated within the narrative. Rather, the synthesis of humour and paranoia maintains suspense by creating within the narratives moments of ambiguity with the potential to leave the reader or audience caught between fear and laughter after the story ends.
Journal: The European Journal of Humour Research
- Issue Year: 6/2018
- Issue No: 3
- Page Range: 1-12
- Page Count: 12
- Language: English