&gt;<i>I think it&#x27;s the asymmetry of the relationship. Pranking another human is an interaction of equals.</i><p>A tennis match is an interaction of equals (if you&#x27;re at a comparable skill level).<p>Pranking hardly, since the prankster knows things the other person does not, and even puts elaborate plots and props against his prank target.<p>And of course some pranksters have whole teams to help them out (e.g. some college prank where 3 persons prank another etc). Or even whole crews, as in TV pranks.<p>Is Aston Kutcher inhuman for doing Punk&#x27;d?<p>The reason I don&#x27;t consider it inhuman (inherently I mean, sometimes it can be when overboard) is that while it causes a little stress&#x2F;surprise etc, it&#x27;s usually good natured, and don&#x27;t mean to do actual harm to the target.