I didn't want to derail the "Current Viewing" thread, but I disagreed with a few comments there, so here I am.
(The topic feels familiar... is there already a thread?)
If something is funny, our first reaction is laughter. Our second reaction is usually quite different. But, we cannot blame ourselves for that. That's what laughter is. It's an instant reaction. You can't fake real laughter. You can "fake" it, but that doesn't count, because we know it's not real.
We don't get a say in what makes us laugh. No matter what it is.
Laughter is cruelty. There is always a butt of the joke. A victim. Someone to blame. (At this point I should mention Steven Wright, who is unique.)
So when we realise what we just laughed at, and think, "oh wait a minute", we then think, "was that ok? Was it over the mark? If that was about me, would I be offended?"
Well, the last one, no-one actually asks*. After we are wondering whether something is 'allowed' to be funny, we think, "that might offend 'them'". OK, we don't. I don't.
Because, generally, "they" can take care of themselves. And when "they" can't, that's the right time to be offended.
I'm not going to continue at the moment, but I will gladly be disagreed with.
*The only reason to be offended at a joke, is the context. And the implication. And the point of origin. And the viaducts. And the timing.
(The topic feels familiar... is there already a thread?)
If something is funny, our first reaction is laughter. Our second reaction is usually quite different. But, we cannot blame ourselves for that. That's what laughter is. It's an instant reaction. You can't fake real laughter. You can "fake" it, but that doesn't count, because we know it's not real.
We don't get a say in what makes us laugh. No matter what it is.
Laughter is cruelty. There is always a butt of the joke. A victim. Someone to blame. (At this point I should mention Steven Wright, who is unique.)
So when we realise what we just laughed at, and think, "oh wait a minute", we then think, "was that ok? Was it over the mark? If that was about me, would I be offended?"
Well, the last one, no-one actually asks*. After we are wondering whether something is 'allowed' to be funny, we think, "that might offend 'them'". OK, we don't. I don't.
Because, generally, "they" can take care of themselves. And when "they" can't, that's the right time to be offended.
I'm not going to continue at the moment, but I will gladly be disagreed with.
*The only reason to be offended at a joke, is the context. And the implication. And the point of origin. And the viaducts. And the timing.
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