Humour – Funny but efficient way of supporting online innovation activities

D.Sc. Miia Kosonen, ISPIM 10.6.2014

Inspiration for the study

“In our brains, humour is the easiest route to the area where we are open and willing to share.”

Bettina von Stamm, ISPIM 2013

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/1981_People_Pix.jpg

Inspiration for the study: but what happens when we ”collaborate” online?

www.in2communications.com/Portals/108729/images/the-most-boring-content-of-all-time.jpg

Humour, creativity and learning

• Re-targets attention• Increases psychological safety• Relieves stress

…online and offline! University researchers once voted for their favorite actor. Huge

Grant won.

Humour onlineWhen, how and from which sources? How is it present in online innovation environments?

aggressive, controlling humour affiliative and self-enhancing humour

Humour sources in online innovation

• Professional stereotypes

• Previous community interactions

• Common knowledge• Ideating as such

pbs.twimg.com/media/Bcgc0qDIQAApQTs.jpg

Humour types in online innovation

Joking HumanizingPosting funny pics, videos, stories Creating non-official profiles

Output-centered Impossible designs, ”mad ideas”

Conversational StorytellingSpontaneous conversations and content Making fun of shared background, events and

history; professional or user stereotypes

Storytelling humour in memes: professional stereotypes

whatmyfriendsthinkido.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/What-my-Friends-think-I-do-scientists.jpg

Implications for IM and hosts of online platforms

• Four sources and five humour types identified• Pay attention to humour online• Feed funny content, not only information• In community design, support ”being human”

and engaging in humorous exchanges • Identify applicable humour types and social

lead users!

Thank you!

Collaborate to study online humour more in detail? Twitter: MiiaKosonen

Email: koomikoo@gmail.com