Kernel is the first of three broad categories describing all aspects of all humor events. Kernel is named for the humor kernel and contains four humor event components associated with the humor kernel itself.

1 Kernel Form is the substance of the clashing kernel elements. Often the elements are words or images, but they can be movements, sounds, tastes, smells, etc. Click Kernel Form for a look at these possibilities.

2 Humor Notes are multiple humor kernels detectable within a single humor event, either at the same time or in close proximity. They’re named after the similar situation with musical notes. Click Humor Notes to examine this humor event component more closely.

3 Kernel Quality measures the degree to which an observer senses a kernel as funny. It’s a measure of intensity, and combines two types of strengths: how much the two elements resonate in the observer’s mind and how strongly they clash. Click Kernel Quality to see a what these measurements look like for a few simple humor examples.

4 Kernel Spectrum uses adjective pairs to classify how nonsense elements and sense elements relate to each other within humor kernels. These pairs are grouped into three major families: the Silly Family, the Contrary Family, and the Improper Family. Click Kernel Spectrum to begin looking these families.

Return to Clash Theory

Continue to the first Kernel component Kernel Form

Skip to the second broad category Context