William Paik is a third year Ph.D. student in Rhetoric, Media and Publics. His current research focuses on American right wing humor and comedy from the standpoint of Aesthetic Theory, Affect theory and Phenomenology. He also examines the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in humor writing among comedians. His other research interests include Rhetorical Analysis, Psychoanalysis, American Right Wing Rhetoric, and Asian American studies. Paik has received a Fulbright Study/Research Award examining the Korean-Language stand-up comedy scene in Seoul, South Korea and holds a B.A. in English Literature and American studies from Northwestern University. In his spare time he performs stand-up in Chicago’s comedy scene. He can be contacted at williampaik2028@u.northwestern.edu