Bad Comedians: Funny OR Offensive?
Before the class on bad comedians it did not cross my mind that some may find jokes offensive. I thought they were generally accepted, however after reading fellow weblogs I come to realise that maybe some jokes appear offensive. I think all jokes are fine and people should be able to speak freely whether they are joking or being serious about a topic as long as they do not physically or mentally harm anyone, hurting someones feelings is merely petty. I support Sigmund Freud that:
"The need for (tendentious) jokes is a response to social expectations, prevent us from directly insulting others or broaching taboo subjects. By touching on these difficult topics, the joke does important work, as it alleviates the inhibition of the joker and addresses the taboo while also keeping it in place. Laughing is the audible signal that the energy required for 'cathexis', the accumulation of energy around an idea, has been lifted and can now be dispersed in a pleasurable fashion".
Some people would say and I would have said before I attended the lecture that if people take ethnic, religious or sexist jokes funny personally and find them offensive they should get a sense of humour. But I see that jokes have an element of truth even though this truth may not be in the structure of the joke, which is what the listener will find funny, but in the underlining principle of the joke. Alternatively, if the are strong in their religion idealistic nothing will 'get to them' and if not ignore it they will see the funny side. Comedy is just another perspective/angle at looking at the world just like philosophy etc.
Take a look at the jokes on this link!
http://www.comedy-zone.net/jokes/laugh/religion/index.htm
Before the class on bad comedians it did not cross my mind that some may find jokes offensive. I thought they were generally accepted, however after reading fellow weblogs I come to realise that maybe some jokes appear offensive. I think all jokes are fine and people should be able to speak freely whether they are joking or being serious about a topic as long as they do not physically or mentally harm anyone, hurting someones feelings is merely petty. I support Sigmund Freud that:"The need for (tendentious) jokes is a response to social expectations, prevent us from directly insulting others or broaching taboo subjects. By touching on these difficult topics, the joke does important work, as it alleviates the inhibition of the joker and addresses the taboo while also keeping it in place. Laughing is the audible signal that the energy required for 'cathexis', the accumulation of energy around an idea, has been lifted and can now be dispersed in a pleasurable fashion".
Some people would say and I would have said before I attended the lecture that if people take ethnic, religious or sexist jokes funny personally and find them offensive they should get a sense of humour. But I see that jokes have an element of truth even though this truth may not be in the structure of the joke, which is what the listener will find funny, but in the underlining principle of the joke. Alternatively, if the are strong in their religion idealistic nothing will 'get to them' and if not ignore it they will see the funny side. Comedy is just another perspective/angle at looking at the world just like philosophy etc.
Take a look at the jokes on this link!
http://www.comedy-zone.net/jokes/laugh/religion/index.htm
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