[082349872349872]

Some activities are highly theoretical: you learn the principles of operation, and maybe how they break down into elements, practice briefly, and then execute at a high level.

Other activities are highly practical: you can learn the theory via a brief rundown, but executing at a high level takes years to decades of practice.

My theory of theory of humour is that humour is in the latter category.

[namaria]

Most likely humor is just not one thing but many and seeking a unifying theory about something that isn't a unity won't yield anything.

[lee-rhapsody]

This is the most useful comment in the whole thread.