Ken Jennings writes about the comedification of discourse. Credit: MINDY JENNINGS

Ken Jennings writes about the comedification of discourse.

Ken Jennings writes about the comedification of discourse, and signs copies of his new book at Elliott Bay Book Company on Monday. MINDY JENNINGS

Ken Jennings is best known as a record-setting Jeopardy! champion (74 wins, $2.5 million), podcaster, and genial hometown intellectual hero. Until now, his work as a writer has mainly consisted of educationalish books related to his passions for trivia and geography. His latest, however, is an ambitious work of pop sociology for adults.

Planet Funny: How Comedy Took Over Our Culture examines the pervasive and sometimes pernicious degree to which comedy has evolved from an entertainment category into the dominant mode of public and private expression among humans.

Sean Nelson has worked at The Stranger on and off since 1996. He is currently Editor-at-Large. His past job titles included: Assistant Editor, Associate Editor, Film Editor, Copy Editor, Web Editor, Slog...