My Two Cents on Humor and Respect
So I've gotten thinking about this disconnect that there seems to be between respect, and irreverential humor. Why do some people get offended, while others laugh? I don't remember many times in my life where I've felt offended by a joke told in various media, or to me personally. I never seem to even equate a joke to disrespect when some jokes might be deemed demeaning or disrespectful. I think it boils down to understanding, confidence, and taste.
I don't know exactly why I don't get offended, but atleast subconciously this is what I think happens. When I am told a joke, or I am going to see a comedy at the movies or on TV, my mind switches gears to a totally different speed. I judge what I am seeing and hearing by a different set of criteria. After all, I'm not critiquing foreign policy, I just want to laugh, or not. I throw out all my JUDGEMENTS of the world, society, norms, and attitudes, and in place of those things are QUALITIES I find in comedy: delivery, timing, satire, irreverence, content, and commentary on society to name a few. If what I am experiencing has enough of these qualities in whatever combination, I laugh. I have no idea what will make me laugh or not til I see it (although I know anything with Tim Allen in it will not). I may soon after think about what I experienced and think "wow, that wasn't too 'tasteful'," But that isn't the point of comedy. Comedy isn't about bad or good taste, that is a societal concern. Comedy is for making someone laugh. Have you ever seen anyone say something totally serious while laughing? "We think... hahaha... that North... ha... Korea... chuckle... may have a nuclear bomb! HAHAHA." It doesn't work. Truth or seriousness, and comedy can not coexist.
While some may say that behind every joke is a little truth, I say "Who cares?" A joke about Mormons being tightwads does have some truth to it. I am a Mormon. Yes, I am a tightwad sometimes. Tightwad = bad, but I don't care because I can make fun of myself. I am short, and people make short jokes all the time. I don't laugh because they are rarely funny to me, but I wouldn't ever be offended by them. There's a certain level of confidence there. I am NOT the most confident guy, so don't get me wrong.
If you can't take a joke at face value, as pure and simple nonsense, then you don't get the point of comedy and should cease critiquing ALL comedy. If you don't understand nuclear physics, then don't try to explain to me how an atom is split.
***This is in no way a direct assault on anything anyone has said on this blog. The creator of this blog assumes full responsibility for all content of this blog. Do not eat this blog. Do not stand next to this blog.***
I don't know exactly why I don't get offended, but atleast subconciously this is what I think happens. When I am told a joke, or I am going to see a comedy at the movies or on TV, my mind switches gears to a totally different speed. I judge what I am seeing and hearing by a different set of criteria. After all, I'm not critiquing foreign policy, I just want to laugh, or not. I throw out all my JUDGEMENTS of the world, society, norms, and attitudes, and in place of those things are QUALITIES I find in comedy: delivery, timing, satire, irreverence, content, and commentary on society to name a few. If what I am experiencing has enough of these qualities in whatever combination, I laugh. I have no idea what will make me laugh or not til I see it (although I know anything with Tim Allen in it will not). I may soon after think about what I experienced and think "wow, that wasn't too 'tasteful'," But that isn't the point of comedy. Comedy isn't about bad or good taste, that is a societal concern. Comedy is for making someone laugh. Have you ever seen anyone say something totally serious while laughing? "We think... hahaha... that North... ha... Korea... chuckle... may have a nuclear bomb! HAHAHA." It doesn't work. Truth or seriousness, and comedy can not coexist.
While some may say that behind every joke is a little truth, I say "Who cares?" A joke about Mormons being tightwads does have some truth to it. I am a Mormon. Yes, I am a tightwad sometimes. Tightwad = bad, but I don't care because I can make fun of myself. I am short, and people make short jokes all the time. I don't laugh because they are rarely funny to me, but I wouldn't ever be offended by them. There's a certain level of confidence there. I am NOT the most confident guy, so don't get me wrong.
If you can't take a joke at face value, as pure and simple nonsense, then you don't get the point of comedy and should cease critiquing ALL comedy. If you don't understand nuclear physics, then don't try to explain to me how an atom is split.
***This is in no way a direct assault on anything anyone has said on this blog. The creator of this blog assumes full responsibility for all content of this blog. Do not eat this blog. Do not stand next to this blog.***
posted by El Dorko at 4/11/2006 01:00:00 PM
2 Comments:
GOOD POINT! I like what you have said, and that is just that. We need to realize that a comedy is a satyre on life. It is too easy for us to deem it as an assault on beliefs or even morality. It mocks what people take so seriously. So people lighten up, that's what the entire genre is there for. Comedy. Thanks Dorko
I think some people expect to be offended, so they look for ways to be offended. It probably has alot to do with the environment in which you grew up. I didn't grow up with people attacking me so it usually takes me a few days of thinking about a conversation to realize the person was talking trash.
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