Too many people use humor as a weapon. They insult, belittle, demean, and use sarcasm as an attack. I’m not sure exactly when this type of humor became so popular. However it is now all over the place -especially on the Internet.
It’s not that I’ve never laughed at sarcastic humor; some of it is really funny. But I see a problem with the overwhelming tendency of many to rely on these types of comments as everyday humor. Snarky, snide comments that reveal little truth and seem instead to be merely a tool for a quick laugh. True comedy is truthful. It reveals life’s absurdities, idiosyncrasies, and the contradictions that occur everyday. At its best this type of comedy allows us to talk about uncomfortable subjects. It puts politically incorrect topics into the light and allows “taboo” subjects to be made fun of.
When used in moderation, this humor is funny, effective and insightful. When overused, it leads to lack of imagination, dull, repetitive insults, and even offensive personal attacks. With all the stupid, hurtful things people say in anger, this type of humor may add more fuel to the fire. I think it’s perfectly fine to use in a comedy club, but should we repeat these jokes elsewhere? Here is a very interesting article from John Kinde: Humor Skills – What people find offensive.
There are so many things in life that are funny simply for their uniqueness and rarity. Good comedy is more about people’s perspectives and their observations of life. I believe adding more positive humor in the world can only be a good thing. Uniting us together by looking at our similarities bonds us together and makes the joke even funnier. I believe in humor I can share with children and grandparents. Imagine using silliness, smiles and positive humor in the workplace, at home, at the store and elsewhere. Positive humor is easy to use, relieves stress and anxiety and can be used anywhere by anyone.
I’m very interested in your take on this subject. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think.
I’m a great believer in silliness, but there is a downside. A lot of people equate silliness with stupidity. I couldn’t disagree more, but that’s not going to change their reaction. So it’s probably a good idea to consider the time and place.
Cheers!