The demise of laugher

[factseeker88]

At one time there was humor, funny jokes we could laugh at, but not now. Today all we can expect is cynicism, sarcasm, and gotcha. No more knee slapping or gut busting laughter.

“What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is WHAT WE DO.” John Ruskin (1819 - 1900)

 

[Kilgore Trout]

At one time there was humor, funny jokes we could laugh at, but not now. Today all we can expect is cynicism, sarcasm, and gotcha.

That's not true. We can also expect broad, sweeping, useless generalizations put forth by people who are in the habit of talking without thinking.

 

[Gjallarhorn]

...have you heard of Adam Hills?

[youtube]BtW-RtMJkwY[/youtube]
Caution: lighthearted profanity.

But of course you will see what you will see. Beware of confirmation bias.

 

[Curious George]

At one time there was humor, funny jokes we could laugh at, but not now. Today all we can expect is cynicism, sarcasm, and gotcha. No more knee slapping or gut busting laughter.

“What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is WHAT WE DO.” John Ruskin (1819 - 1900)

I laugh wildly still.

 

[Revoltingest]

At one time there was humor, funny jokes we could laugh at, but not now. Today all we can expect is cynicism, sarcasm, and gotcha. No more knee slapping or gut busting laughter.

Perhaps you're spending too much time in the wrong threads, eh?

 

[Vinayaka]

Perhaps you're spending too much time in the wrong threads, eh?

No, I think he has the right idea, eh?

 

[Revoltingest]

No, I think he has the right idea, eh?

Nah, there's much humor around.
What generally changes is the individual's perspective.
It ain't like we live in a fundie Islamic country where humor is frowned upon.
(Yep, there really are those who would suppress humor for religious reasons.)

 

[Vinayaka]

There's as much humour now as ever,
If you can't find it, yore not clever.

 

[factseeker88]

That's not true. We can also expect broad, sweeping, useless generalizations put forth by people who are in the habit of talking without thinking.

Tell me a joke you think is funny. If I laugh, I'll agree with you.

BTW, I can't create my own thoughts, I can only react to stimuli, your post, for example.

“[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is WHAT WE DO.” John Ruskin (1819 - 1900) [/FONT]

 

[factseeker88]

I laugh wildly still.

Tell me one of those jokes and make me laugh, please do. I need it.

“[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is WHAT WE DO.” John Ruskin (1819 - 1900) [/FONT]

 

[LuisDantas]

Generally speaking, I agree with the OP.

There has been a subtle yet noticeable shift in most people's dispositions in the last few decades.

 

[factseeker88]

Generally speaking, I agree with the OP.

There has been a subtle yet noticeable shift in most people's dispositions in the last few decades.

True, that's because of the new wave of cynicism and nihilism.

“[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is WHAT WE DO.” John Ruskin (1819 - 1900) [/FONT]

 

[Debater Slayer]

I think humor is highly subjective, so saying that there's objectively less good humor than there used to be doesn't make sense to me.

A lot of things can make me laugh, so from my point of view, laughter is far from its "demise." It also seems to me that you mentioned sarcasm and cynicism as negative things, but I don't believe that's always the case. I think some of the best humor is based on sarcasm, cynicism, and satire. (Jon Stewart has made me laugh hard at times, for example.)

 

[YmirGF]

True, that's because of the new wave of cynicism and nihilism.

“[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is WHAT WE DO.” John Ruskin (1819 - 1900) [/FONT]

I think it is also a natural result of political correctness squashing freedom of expression. That said, I don't really do jokes, but if you came to visit for a couple of hours I'd have you rolling on the floor. My brain is wired in such a way that a great deal of information just strikes me as funny, so my humor is largely situational. Plus, I never let the opportunity pass to inflict a sight gag on an unwary human animal near me.

 

[factseeker88]

I think it is also a natural result of political correctness squashing freedom of expression. That said, I don't really do jokes, but if you came to visit for a couple of hours I'd have you rolling on the floor. My brain is wired in such a way that a great deal of information just strikes me as funny, so my humor is largely situational. Plus, I never let the opportunity pass to inflict a sight gag on an unwary human animal near me.

Your humor sounds more like cynicism to me, which is all right if it makes you laugh.

“[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is WHAT WE DO.” John Ruskin (1819 - 1900) [/FONT]

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Generally speaking, I agree with the OP.

There has been a subtle yet noticeable shift in most people's dispositions in the last few decades.

How old are you?

 

[factseeker88]

I think humor is highly subjective, so saying that there's objectively less good humor than there used to be doesn't make sense to me.

A lot of things can make me laugh, so from my point of view, laughter is far from its "demise." It also seems to me that you mentioned sarcasm and cynicism as negative things, but I don't believe that's always the case. I think some of the best humor is based on sarcasm, cynicism, and satire. (Jon Stewart has made me laugh hard at times, for example.)

Good, whatever form of humor that makes you laugh is great for you.

“[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is WHAT WE DO.” John Ruskin (1819 - 1900) [/FONT]

 

[Vinayaka]

Here's a situational humour/gag that I used to do, and it did get the secretaries at the school howling.

I was just sitting chatting with the secretaries and as other staff members came through the front office, I'd say, "Hey, nice shoes!" to them, as if I really noticed or meant it. Some people would say, 'thanks, ____ " in all seriousness, as if I was serious. Others would go into some story about where they bought them, or claim they were a gift, or say how old they were. All the time it was just for fun. The secretaries both couldn't help but laugh, and then we got to predicting what the next person would say.

The gig was up when someone came back out of the staff room and heard me say it to the next person coming in. " _____, I thought you said my shoes were the nicest. I felt so special, and now this!!"

If you were there, I think you'd see it as good clean fun.

 

[factseeker88]

Here's a situational humour/gag that I used to do, and it did get the secretaries at the school howling.

I was just sitting chatting with the secretaries and as other staff members came through the front office, I'd say, "Hey, nice shoes!" to them, as if I really noticed or meant it. Some people would say, 'thanks, ____ " in all seriousness, as if I was serious. Others would go into some story about where they bought them, or claim they were a gift, or say how old they were. All the time it was just for fun. The secretaries both couldn't help but laugh, and then we got to predicting what the next person would say.

The gig was up when someone came back out of the staff room and heard me say it to the next person coming in. " _____, I thought you said my shoes were the nicest. I felt so special, and now this!!"

If you were there, I think you'd see it as good clean fun.

Nice try but it just didn't hit my funny bone. My thought might even be, all right, that's enough. Get back to work.

“[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is WHAT WE DO.” John Ruskin (1819 - 1900) [/FONT]

 

[Vinayaka]

Nice try but it just didn't hit my funny bone. My thought might even be, all right, that's enough. Get back to work.

“[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is WHAT WE DO.” John Ruskin (1819 - 1900) [/FONT]

Wasn't meant as a joke, just as a description of how humour comes in many forms. Many people do have a sense of humour still. Unfortunately, there is no university course in 'sense of humour'.

Generally, when students are polled on what they value in teachers, a sense of humour comes right up there.

Same thing for places like dating sights ... 'must have a sense of humour' is right up there.

I have always seen the world as a fun place. But hey, if you don't that's fine too.