I have attended Comedy shows where there is usually an admission fee but I just stumbled on this new one from the Barcelona Comedy Club where admission is free and people are being charged per every joke they laugh at. The Teatreneu, a theater in Barcelona, Spain in partnership with ad agency The Cyranos McCann has changed from charging for admission to charging by laugh. The theater has outfitted each of its seats with a front-facing iPad and PayPerLaugh, an app that uses facial recognition to detect smiles. Ever joke you smile at costs 0.30 euros (about $0.38), with a maximum charge of 24 euros per show (about $30).
This might inevitably lead to the absolute weirdest argument due to variances in each laugh for intensity and validity:
Chuckle
Chortle
Giggle
Grin
Howl
Roar
Shriek
Snicker
Snort
Whoop
Cachinnate
Crow
Guffaw
Titter
Crack up
Roll in the aisles
Split one’s sides
Smirk
Teehee
The theater says that ticket prices have actually gone up as a result — monetary proof that its productions are legitimately funny. Teatreneu says its system is being copied in other venues throughout Spain, too. Seriously looking forward to PAY PER CRY.
