"A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle." - Irina Dunn
Surreal humor (or Absurdism) is comedy that violates causal reasoning. It creates situations that are logically impossible or bizarre.
The Monty Python Effect
Monty Python made surrealism mainstream. They would end a sketch about accountants by having a giant cartoon foot smash them. Or they would have a "Ministry of Silly Walks." There was no social commentary; just pure, unadulterated wackiness.
The Non-Sequitur
The core tool of surrealism is the non-sequitur (Latin for "it does not follow"). * Q: "How many surrealists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?" * A: "Fish."
The brain works hard to find a connection. When it fails completely, it "short circuits" and laughs. It's a release of the tension of trying to make sense of the world.
Gen Z Humor
Modern internet humor is heavily surreal. "Deep fried" memes, E, and Shrek edits are all Neo-Dadaist art. In a chaotic world, maybe logic is overrated.