Do Comedians Perform Any Valuable Social Functions?

There was a study done into this very subject at the University of Wisconsin in 1996 - I won't bore you with the entire dissertation, however the significant points to emerge were:

(1) Comedians often impart information about socially important topics, which they have gathered during their research - e.g. GM foods. The setup for their gags often contains useful facts, or focuses more attention on those facts. This is then often used by the public to assess more critically what they are told by the mass media.

(2) The cathartic effect of a prolonged bout of laughter lowers tension and stress - the endorphins released in the brain of the recipient provide a "high" similar to (but without adverse side-effects of) cocaine and other controlled drugs. This has been shown to reduce the incidence of drug taking in the target sample.

(3) The general stimulatory effect of dialog comprehension appears to, at least on a temporary basis, boost the IQ of an audience, as  measured in traditional IQ tests (e.g. Eysenck). More interestingly, the more controversial E.Q. (Emotional Intelligence) is also raised, due to the audience following one train of thought in unison and thereby feeling more socially integrated.

(4) Comedians offer a useful role model against which many people measure themselves, often believing that since it looks easy, it must be easy, and they often repeat gags they have heard on stage in their workplaces the next day. The frustration caused when their fellow workers appear to find little amusement in their "performance" makes them strive all the harder to succeed in their traditional occupations.

(5) Above all, comedians raise the profile of humour as a high-value artefact of human consciousness, facilitating the general population in using it as a tool to defuse socially hazardous situations.

(6) Don't believe all you read - but wouldn't it be great if it was true?