I love, love LOVE this quote and have been using it almost ad nauseum since I first heard it about 10 years ago. It basically means that although our jokes aren’t meant to be taken completely seriously, they still reveal a lot of truth about us as they show what we value and believe. For example, a person who jokes about being fat probably actually feels that way (at least somewhat) about him/herself. Likewise, people who make jokes (though perhaps lighthearted in tone) about the fiasco involving the website of the Affordable Care Act (as hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley recently just did on the CMAs), are making some kind of a statement against it.
I LOVE jokes, I LOVE humor, and I LOVE wordplay. But not everything in our world is worthy of being included in our jokes. I personally will NEVER make a joke that hints of racism, abuse, discrimination, or pornography even in the slightest (read more here!). We must be careful to not cross that line of propriety, and use humor wisely and tactfully.
Text-to-self Connection:
1. What kind of things do you like to find humor in? Why?
2. What sorts of topics are off-limits for jokes? Why?
to get off the computer for a little bit! Go for a walk, go do a load of laundry, go volunteer at a nursing home, go call your sister, go read your scriptures, go plan your week. And the list goes on, and on.
Seriously folks, we are TOO ONLINE these days! I very much appreciate that you read my blog, but the OUTERnet can be even better than the INTERnet.
The song is VERY interesting. The melody/guitar itself is hauntingly beautiful, but the words are contradicting the story-teller’s true convictions (unreliable narrators are FASCINATING). You see, Johnny is lonely and trying to convince himself that he can engage in self-destructive behaviors (drugs, women, etc.) and it won’t effect him. Sad.
Have done my own version of “Who Says.” And I will DEFINITELY include it soon…
PS. The check wasn’t for a ton. And also it will not even begin to cover the costs of medical expenses I will incur from the pending thunderbolt of blasphemy I will shortly receive due to my comparing myself to Brad Paisley.
When it comes to our world and its issues, there is a lot to say!
… And a lot to criticize
There are absolutely times when it’s important to speak plainly and even harshly. To reprove with sharpness (Doctrine and Covenants 121:43) , and to not beat around the bush (From what I understand, my grandfather Ernest Wilkinson often preferred this approach.).
So I occasionally will speak harshly (but still intelligently!) about subjects, but my passion does not overrule my logic (and vice versa).
And there are certain topics that Katherine simply will not explore in a comedic way (humor is great, but out of bounds can be dangerous, obscene, and grossly offensive).
You will never see any joke on my blog about racism, abuse, pornography, or violence.
And it is NOT that I am afraid of alienating readers (although I do seek to maintain them!). It is that those jokes are not a part of my life AT ALL, and therefore most certainly will not be part of my blog.
However, when it comes to less serious (but still important!) issues like modesty, time spent on Facebook, and dating, things that are relevant to many people but are especially present in my psyche as a Mormon living in Provo, I like to (try to) be funny! I often think deeply about the issue (let it cook in the crock-pot of my mind for a while), but usually say very little. It’s that whole “economy of words” things again.
Sure I know how to write 15 page papers, but in this case, I think that often the less said, the better. Brevity IS the soul of wit, ya’ll!As long as what you are saying is funny, uplifting, entertaining, honest, but still speaks an important truth and sparks discussion and thought, I believe that often the point gets across most clearly and perfectly. The idea of “truth in jest” shows up in almost all of my posts, and it is the core of my approach to satire.
(2 Shakespeare references in 1 paragraph-not bad!)
Two of my greatest influences in this respect are Ellen DeGeneres and Brad Paisley. Both are brilliant comedians and satirists (Brad is also extremely good looking and could shred a guitar to pieces), but are NOT preachy or unkind. They respect the intelligence of their audience. And I believe this is what makes them so good. Check out these two examples:
Well done, you two. Well done. Thanks so much for your inspiration.
And now back to the woman of the hour…
My satire may not be perfect, but it is funny, witty, occasionally sexy, intelligent, clean, refreshing, and overall pretty darn awesome, if Ido say so myself.
“There is much truth in jest!”
I love, love LOVE this quote and have been using it almost ad nauseum since I first heard it about 10 years ago. It basically means that although our jokes aren’t meant to be taken completely seriously, they still reveal a lot of truth about us as they show what we value and believe. For example, a person who jokes about being fat probably actually feels that way (at least somewhat) about him/herself. Likewise, people who make jokes (though perhaps lighthearted in tone) about the fiasco involving the website of the Affordable Care Act (as hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley recently just did on the CMAs), are making some kind of a statement against it.
