Why Do Websites Use Humor in Error Messages?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of humor in error messages on websites and software, exploring various examples and personal experiences with humorous error messages. Participants share their thoughts on the effectiveness and entertainment value of these messages, as well as specific instances they find amusing.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether a specific error message is funny, indicating a subjective interpretation of humor.
  • Several participants express that they find the error messages from icanhascheezburger particularly amusing, with some asking for elaboration on why they are funny.
  • One participant mentions that Google has a history of witty error messages, suggesting a trend in humorous communication in tech.
  • Multiple references are made to a satirical error message from Microsoft Windows Vista, with participants appreciating its humor and commenting on the absurdity of certain error messages.
  • There is a humorous exchange about USB device errors, with a participant joking about the intelligence of computers versus programmers.
  • One participant shares a personal experience with a Windows error message that humorously claims that the error cannot be prevented, highlighting the irony in error handling.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share a positive view of humorous error messages, but there is no consensus on which specific messages are the funniest or why they resonate differently with individuals.

Contextual Notes

Some humor may depend on personal experiences with technology, and interpretations of what is funny can vary widely among participants.

misgfool
I was searching a clip in Youtube and got:

500 Internal Server Error

Sorry, something went wrong.

A team of highly trained monkeys has been dispatched to deal with this situation.

Also, please include the following information in your error report:

Is this really funny?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I just had that too, must be a system wide problem? Had it about 20 mins ago too. Maybe our PC's are entangled. :)
 
I think that the server error message for icanhascheezburger is funnier:

Drtinycat.jpg
 
This is brilliantly satirical:

http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Error_message

“An error occurred when trying to display an error message.”

~ Microsoft Windows Vista on error message

:smile:
 
Math Jeans said:
I think that the server error message for icanhascheezburger is funnier:

Drtinycat.jpg

Uber-sweetness! :!)
 
Math Jeans said:
I think that the server error message for icanhascheezburger is funnier:

I didn't quite get this one. Please, elaborate.
 
The Dagda said:
This is brilliantly satirical:

http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Error_message

“An error occurred when trying to display an error message.”

~ Microsoft Windows Vista on error message

:smile:

Good one. USB devices have brought a lot of those "Keyboard not detected, press enter to continue" type situations.
 
misgfool said:
Good one. USB devices have brought a lot of those "Keyboard not detected, press enter to continue" type situations.

I know it's all very quantum. Computers are not idiots, only the programmers are by definition. GIGO. :smile:
 
  • #10
misgfool said:
I didn't quite get this one. Please, elaborate.

icanhascheezburger.com is the lolcat website.
 
  • #11
Here's a funny one:

popupblocked.png
 
  • #12
Math Jeans said:
icanhascheezburger.com is the lolcat website.
That's a great website, I *LOVE* that kitten!
 
  • #13
I had a windows pop up error message that said click here to learn how to avoid this error in the future. I clicked and it said: This error can not be prevented.
 
  • #14
edward said:
I had a windows pop up error message that said click here to learn how to avoid this error in the future. I clicked and it said: This error can not be prevented.

I suppose that Microsoft didn't want to take the effort to omit the option where it didn't apply.
 
  • #15
The Dagda said:
This is brilliantly satirical:

http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Error_message

“An error occurred when trying to display an error message.”

~ Microsoft Windows Vista on error message

:smile:

From the above link, with caption 'screenshot from a typical PC': http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Image:Errors.png :smile:
 
  • #16
cristo said:
From the above link, with caption 'screenshot from a typical PC': http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Image:Errors.png :smile:

:smile:

800px-Errors.png
 

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