Hot Buttons: Talk show topics

THE WORLD'S FUNNIEST JOKE

The world's funniest joke was unveiled by scientists at the end of the largest study of humor ever undertaken, The Edinburgh Evening News reports.

The experiment, conducted by psychologist Dr. Richard Wiseman, of the University of Hertfordshire, England, via the Web site LaughLab, attracted more than 40,000 jokes and almost 2 million votes.

"We find jokes funny for lots of different reasons. They sometimes make us feel superior to others, reduce the emotional impact of anxiety-provoking situations or surprise us because of some kind of incongruity," Wiseman says.

According to Wiseman, people from different cultures find different things funny, but the "funniest joke has universal appeal."

The joke, submitted by 31-year-old English psychiatrist Gurpal Gosall is: "Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps: 'My friend is dead! What can I do?' The operator says: 'Calm down, I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead.' There is a silence, then a shot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says: 'OK, now what?'"

-- Do you think it's funny?

-- If not, do you feel out of touch with the rest of the world?

DO NOTHING

Concord Coalition Executive Director Robert Bixby says changing demographics make the current pay-as-you-go Social Security system fiscally unsustainable and generationally inequitable over the long-term.

"Suppose a bill promised retirement benefits would be cut by 16 percent for today's 30-year olds, by 29 percent for today's 20-year olds, and by 35 percent for today's newborns?" he asks.

"Alternatively, payroll taxes would suddenly go up by 34 percent in 2041. How many would support such a bill? None, I suspect. And yet, these are the grim choices under the 'Do Nothing Plan,'" Bixby says.

Bixby wonders why Social Security reform plans engender heated debate but the Do Nothing Plan -- which is currently in effect -- engenders little outrage. The Concord Coalition is a nonpartisan, grass roots organization dedicated to fiscal policy.

-- Why is it people seem to care about future generations when it comes to the environment but not when it comes to Social Security?

-- Why is doing nothing always less controversial than any kind of change?

THE KING STILL REIGNS

According to E! Online, the King of Rock effectively rules over half the planet today, with his latest album commanding the charts of 17 different countries. Not bad for a guy who left the building, so to speak, 25 years ago.

Elvis Presley's "30 No. 1 Hits" -- all his chart-topping singles -- currently sits on top of the album listings in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada, Belgium, Argentina, New Zealand, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Brazil, Chile, Austria, Spain, Switzerland, Australia and the United Arab Emirates.

Elvis is the only person ever to be inducted into three musical halls of fame -- rock, gospel, country -- and the man who has scored more Top 10 pop singles and gold and platinum awards than any other artist.

Even now, Elvis tunes are becoming hits. "A Little Less Conversation," remixed by Junkie XL for a Nike World Cup commercial, became a hit over the summer, reaching No. 1 in several countries.

-- So what is it about Elvis that crosses so many cultures?

-- Elvis won three Grammy awards for gospel music. Why did he do so well with the public?