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The psychology of funeral laughter, the dangers of online deals, and the upside to that cringy moment
Psychologists tell us why that giggle at a funeral might be good for you and why the embarrassment you feel afterward is nothing to be ashamed of. We also have some GOOD advice for shopping on social media marketplaces and a kitten that wasted no time finding its person.
Greg Sullivan
July 28, 2025
In partnership with
“Ha, ha, ha, I’m terrified.”
Ever let out a giggle at a funeral? Or laughed uncontrollably after a breakup, during a panic attack, or while staring at a $900 electric bill? You’re not broken, just brilliantly wired for survival. Laughing at the “wrong” time might be your brain’s emergency override system kicking in.
In this story by Erik Barnes, experts unpack why we laugh when everything inside us is screaming to cry. Sometimes it's trauma. Sometimes it's a thing called incongruent affect.
It’s not always pathological. First responders and surgeons are famous for “gallows humor.” Prisoners joke to survive. Our brains toss us an opioid-like endorphin hit because they literally can’t handle the weight of reality.
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"It’s way too easy to get swiped."
When Wyatt found a "70% tread" tire deal on Facebook Marketplace, it seemed like a win. Until Discount Tire told him they were toast. He’d just dropped $500 and now needed a whole new set.
Facebook booted 827 million fake accounts in just three months. Feeling lucky?
Turns out, he’s not alone. In this story by Mark Wales, we dig into the dark side of online bargains, from counterfeit skincare to stolen trucks, and why experts say our outdated consumer laws aren’t keeping up.
What do you trust least on Facebook?It's a lot of fun, but the sus is real. |
Who said, “Get off my plane!”?
In our last issue, we asked which grumpy fictional president delivered this ultimate Executive Order.
The answer? President James Marshall, played by none other than Harrison Ford in Air Force One. ✈️
Only 27.6% of you voted for that answer.
If the other options seemed familiar, they were: President Mitchell is the stand-in POTUS from Dave; President Shepherd is Michael Douglas’s charming commander-in-chief in The American President; and President Whitmore is Bill Pullman’s alien-fighting ex–fighter pilot from Independence Day.
We’ve all blushed at some point.
"Have you no shame?" It’s a biting condemnation. But what if shame, and its awkward cousin, embarrassment, is exactly what keeps us human?
Those cringey moments serve a powerful purpose. Psychologists say embarrassment acts like social glue, inviting empathy, trust, and even forgiveness. It’s the reason we wince when someone else slips up and the reason we root for them afterward.
Blushing after a faux pas doesn’t just mean you care, it tells others they can trust you. People are more likely to bond with someone who owns up to their awkward moments than with someone who shrugs them off or pretends nothing happened.
Learn why the cringe connects us in this story by Erik Barnes, and how to turn your most awkward moments into surprising social wins.
💬 From the group text…
There’s “love at first sight,” and then there’s this heart-melting insta-connection. As one person said, “Velcro kitty engaged!”
Until next time, may all your laughter be for the right reason and your tires well-treaded.