The interesting thing about humor is that in humor, you - in logic, something is A or not A. In humor, it's both A and not A.

The quote, "The interesting thing about humor is that in humor, you - in logic, something is A or not A. In humor, it's both A and not A," is from Robert Mankoff, a cartoonist and former editor of The New Yorker magazine. In this statement, Mankoff explains a key feature of humor: its ability to defy the usual rules of logic and reasoning. While logical thinking follows the principle that something can either be A or not A (i.e., one thing or its opposite), humor often thrives on contradictions and ambiguities, where something can simultaneously be both A and not A.

Mankoff's insight highlights how humor operates in a realm that transcends strict logical structures. In humor, things are often presented in a way that allows for multiple interpretations or unexpected twists. This duality—where something is both true and false, or makes sense and doesn't—creates the surprise and wit that make humor so effective. For instance, jokes or cartoons may set up an expectation and then break it, leading to a humorous realization that plays with the boundaries of logic and reality.

The origin of this idea comes from Mankoff's experience as a cartoonist and humorist, where he crafted visual jokes that often rely on these paradoxical moments. As someone deeply involved in the art of humor, Mankoff would have observed how humor works by exploiting contradictions, allowing for an unexpected resolution or punchline. His quote reflects his understanding of humor as something that plays on the unexpected, allowing for humor to arise from what seems contradictory or nonsensical.

Ultimately, Mankoff’s quote emphasizes the paradoxical nature of humor, where it breaks the rules of traditional logic. This ability to be both A and not A is what makes humor dynamic and capable of surprising and engaging the audience. It allows humor to exist in the space between certainty and uncertainty, which is what makes it so compelling and enjoyable.