I'm not sure you copied all of your snippet. If something is countable, then you use the word "many" to describe the quantity. There were many books in the library. No one would spend time counting the books as they are checked out and returned, but at an instant, there are some number of books in the library. On the other hand, laughter cannot be counted, though it can be quantified. The was a sprinkling of laughter after the joke fell flat. Laughter filled the room when the pie hit the clown's face. There was much sadness when the popular leader became ill. Something that can be counted usually can use the modifier "many" as in "many smiles" could be seen while something that cannot be counted typically takes the modifier "much" as in "much money" was made though hard work.