Here is the Chain of Credit for the Essay on Merriment in our Mirth...

Stanford University's Rene Girard developed the original theory
for unilateral transactions that aren't funny anymore.

One of his students, Gil Bailie wrote a terrific book presenting
Girard's model together with rich examples drawn from history,
literature, and scriptures.  

John Dear and other peace activists in Pax Christi absorbed Girard's
work, which is entirely concordant and consistent with the teachings
of Jesus (and Buddha and Gandhi and all other faiths).

A friend of ours, John Hines, invited Barry Kort to a Pax Christi
retreat led by John Dear.  When Barry spoke of his struggle and
his concerns, three people from Pax Christi advised him to read
Gil Bailie's book.

When Barry got back from the Pax Christi retreat, he told Nancy
Williams there was a book they had advised him to read.  Nancy
found it on Amazon, along with the related work of Rene Girard. 
She devoured it first and clued Barry in.  It was Nancy who first
explained to Barry the elements of the 5-stage model.

Barry finally read Bailie's book, which Nancy purchased and gave him.

Barry says, "I'm a scientist.  I look for theories that really explain
stuff.  This one knocked my socks off."

Bill Mason then showed Barry how to extend the same model to Parody.
Please credit everyone through whose grace this insightful theory came
to our awareness.