[mym1990]

Laughter is a decent signal, but it can be noise if the audience is uncomfortable or trying to please. Does the joke teller count as being part of the audience? I imagine if someone is telling the joke...they must think it is funny, so in most cases at least 1 participant thinks its funny. Sometimes jokes are unintended, maybe a faux pas, and it might be inappropriate for someone to laugh...does it make it not a joke, or does it make it not funny if I cannot laugh?

Lots of layers to this, but I guess the old adage "it depends" is very fitting here!

[jessetemp]

Laughter isn’t a perfect signal, but is the only signal in all the noise you mentioned

[mym1990]

It can get quite interesting in group dynamics between people that really know each other, inside jokes, subtle cleverness, etc...

Humor may be the saving grace of humanity!