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 well-known cartoonist and former editor of The New Yorker. In this statement, Mankoff highlights the paradox at the heart of humor. In traditional logic, something can only be either A or not A—it is defined and fixed. However, in humor, things can simultaneously embody two opposing truths. Humor thrives on contradiction and ambiguity, allowing for things to exist in multiple states at once.

This idea reflects the complexity of humor. Unlike the structured world of logic, where answers are definitive, humor allows for a blend of absurdity and logic. A joke might set up one idea, only to quickly subvert it with a twist, making it both what it appeared to be and something entirely different. This duality, where something is both true and false at the same time, creates the surprise and wit that make humor so powerful and engaging.

The origin of Mankoff’s perspective likely comes from his deep involvement in cartooning and humor writing, where he constantly observes how jokes and visual humor play with expectations and contradictions. Cartoons often work by presenting an idea that seems logical at first but quickly diverges into something nonsensical or unexpected. This contradiction is what makes humor both funny and thought-provoking, as it challenges the audience's usual way of thinking.

Ultimately, Mankoff’s quote sheds light on the paradoxical nature of humor. It shows that humor is not bound by the rigid rules of logic and that it operates in the space between opposites. By allowing something to be both A and not A, humor becomes a powerful tool for subverting expectations, creating moments of surprise, and offering fresh perspectives.