http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/health/HealthRepublish_1607865.htm

In the article referenced above, Judy Skatssoon discusses a biological trigger for cascades:  laughter. She relates how previous research has shown that laughter instigates beneficial physiological cascades. She then goes on to detail a study that shows that the mere anticipation of laughter (or laughter-causing events) can increase levels of positive hormones. Thus the simple expectation of laughter can cause a cascade. Our discussion of networks in class can be extended to this biological system.

In our most recent lecture, the idea of self-fulfilling expectations was introduced. This concept clearly applies to the cascade demonstrated by the study on laughter. Simply anticipating the humorous event triggered a cascade in the human biological system. As in our discussion of cascades in class, information is passed on by signals. In this case, however, the basic signal being sent is uniform throughout the system.

We now see a crucial difference between the human system and the cascading networks considered in class. In class, we considered cascades within networks of individuals with private signals; in the human body, however, signals are sent from a central source (the brain), and are passed on directly from one cell to another. Thus it seems much more easy to generate a cascade within the network of a person’s cells. In any case, the research shows that laughter is beneficial in more ways than one. We may all do well to engage in more humorous activity; even if you don’t end up having a laugh, the mere expectation may do you good.