Musings: Laughter Is the Best Medicine

If you grew up during the last century, you probably remember what a once very popular magazine called Reader’s’ Digest. It was found everywhere from newsstands to doctors’ offices and waiting rooms of all types, all to help us pass the time. And, along with TV Guide, the Reader’s Digest often occupied the side table by the big living room chair in many American homes. It long was an ubiquitous part of 20th century America. While it exists, it mostly has fallen into obscurity.

The idea of Reader’s Digest was that the editors did the work of reading and digesting longer works for their readers. Much like “Cliff’s Notes” saved the day for student book report writers, the Reader’s Digest offered the gist of a story in short order without the time commitment and of course the richness of the author’s carefully chosen words.