You Can't Make Fun of That!

"You Can't Make Fun of That!"

How many times have we heard this declarative and overtly dramatic statement? What would make someone say this? Maybe we are guilty of saying this to others for things that we thought were crass, offensive or just plain rude and rough around the edges. Who gets to define what or who we can make fun of and do they even have a legitimate authority in telling you to stop making fun of something? 

Turn the other cheek. Some people might say. If it upsets you, then turn away and let it go especially if it is a joke. Do you or anyone else around you have a responsibility in mitigating the level of humor in a certain context? Ok there might be some merit to this in some circumstances. If someone is making a "rude" joke at the expense of someone else or to simply push the buttons of another then maybe a quick pull aside than a reactionary statement might be a better statement in trying to cut down the explosive drama. But if you are making fun of something in a casual and lackadaisical way, then who is to say that you CAN'T make of one what is questioned?

What are we projecting when we are reacting?

"Don't punch down". Some people use this statement as way to say that you cannot make fun of people or situations where someone is oppressed, victim or disadvantaged in a societal context. But what is the motive and principle of this statement? It is obviously just as declarative and demanding as the "You can't make fun of that" statement. Ideally this works better on a case by case basis. If someone makes a joke that upsets you, then you can simply tell them that you do not appreciate it. If they get upset or feel entitled then it is a good signifier to walk away or even give some time to see if the person changes. You don't need to make a loud declarative statement for every little thing that upsets you. Feel it out. Don't resist it. Let it move through your body. Let it inform you. It is quite possibly for the "better". 

Take a couple laps and LAUGH it off.

If a joke upsets you, are you really upset about what was just said or are you really just making it more about YOU?

Part of the ideology of the Totalitarian Humor Enforcement Brigade (T.H.E.B) exists on a hierarchy that they want to define. It's mostly for and by a power structure to control what they want to be said. Imagine being so militant in trying to "define" humor that you almost ironically become the butt of the joke. Most of their ideological hierarchy hinges on their self perceived ladder of oppression. How contrived. How Soviet in nature. To box off humor into a box of allowable opinion is not only fatalistic, but can create more dissonance and suffering in the world around us.

The World is playground. It is an infinite material generator. We may trip and scuff our knees from time to time, but we can get up and laugh it off. We can come from a place of playfulness and love. We can come from a place of, dare I say, Fun! 

Making fun of someone or something is just that. Making FUN. You make light of something more serious in the real world. It takes the edge off. Like it is suppose to do. There is already so much stress and suffering in the world that we tend to lose our sense of playfulness and sense of humor. Humor can be a great and even healthy coping mechanism in recognizing the unpredictable and almost absurd nature to life itself. Making fun of things also requires attention and critical thinking in order to formulate the punch line or joke. It is creativity incarnate. It is the ability to observe and make light of things that we may take too seriously as a society or individually. Comedy is a form of therapy and understanding that breaks the barriers of our mechanistic minds. It opens up our perceptions and challenges the modernity that we have built among us. 

Some jokes hit and some miss. That's part of the business ain't it? Comedy is about pushing boundaries and stumbling upon what might or might not be funny. You find it offensive? Ok. That's great. Own it and find something that activates the humor bone within your meat vehicle. It's all about context. When you go to a comedy show, you are there for just that. Most of the time that person is getting paid and that is their job. You enter the rules when you enter the club. Don't want to play? Simply leave. It's not that difficult. 

You might find something funny. The other person might not. Who is to say is wrong? Who is to say what you should laugh at?

What is to be said about people who want to police humor?

It comes down to how we see ourselves. What authority do we have in telling me people that we can't make fun of something? What makes us react in ugly and defensive ways? Granted it is all about context. There are plenty of scenarios where making a fart joke at a funeral might not be the best venue or situation to make jokes at. Some people will try to make fun of everything. They adopt a certain visceral and intrusive personality. It can turn into a crutch. It can turn into a shield or coping mechanism from not facing real issues. But this is why we must listen, be direct and observe with non-judgmental eyes. There will always be exceptions to the "rules". If you keep failing at being funny, then that is the perfect time to step back and see why it isn't working. You make a risk benefit analysis and assess what might or might not work in a room of strangers, friends or family. We are amazingly adaptive creatures that can adjust to so many settings and circumstances. What are you bringing to the table with humor? What would be the BEST thing to make fun of within the context of where you are?

Maybe there is something "off" with us if we aren't laughing?

Are we making more fun or are we making more misery?

Check yourself. Make fun of yourself. Laugh at the world around you. Take a deep breath and laugh at the amazingness that we are alive and able to even laugh in the first place. 

DG