But I'd still like a discussion on this. This is how I deal with things, with humor. Even the most terrible things I try to find something amusing, not for a cheap laugh but to keep from being overwhelmed on how horrible the thing actually is. Is the only proper way to act to pass off a short statement of concern then never say anything again?
For those that are offended by humor, what did you think of the Onion's 9/11 response? Certainly it was funnier but were you offended by that as well? Is it time? Tone? Or is humor never acceptable when dealing with difficult situations?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
26 comments:
Seriously?? You're making f*cking light of a man being kidnapped and having his life put in peril?
Classless.
Just trying to deal with a terrible situation with a bit of levity. We all handle things differently. I would hope my initial post made it clear that I understand this is a deadly serious event and that we should all be hoping for the quickest and safest resolution to it.
Not the least bit funny or entertaining, with respect to Ramos or Screech. It is totally distasteful, disrespectful and unprofessional. If I were you, I would take it down and hope people forget you said something so crass....
I didn't see your original post, but I think time is pretty relevant on when humor in a bad situation is accepted, at least if you are going to use it widely or publicly. Especially when the situation is as fluid as this one, and the outcome uncertain.
I use humor similarly, but it always feels like some amount of time has to pass, usually coupled with resolution or context, before I can go there. Unless it is about me personally (maybe scared about something medical), then I can use it immediately.
Thanks - I appreciate the response. I do agree time is a major factor. A joke about the war Afghanistan won't be received in the same manner as a joke about the Revolutionary War, even if constructed in the same manner. The immediacy is lost, and with it, the ability to be outraged.
I also think there is just an audience gap that can't be bridged. I am notoriously difficult to offend and in college I once wrote a column about it using a particular example. The responses ranged from "People are just too sensitive" to "That example just proves you're a terrible person". And reading though them it was hard to see how these views shaped and hardened over decades were going to be changed.
In order to get along we tend to have to shape our public persona to fit the expectations of those most easily offended. The question then becomes how "public" is a personal blog. Given the fact that the blog is open to everyone and the fact I've only made minimal attempts at including personal information, I'd say it's pretty public. Hence the removal of the original post.
I was initially amused by it, but there's definitely a too soon factor.
I'm getting more nervous about this as generally I think criminals underestimate the notoriety of a kidnapping like this. They've done the easiest part and now things get a lot more difficult as more attention is focused on them.
The difference between big wars or 9/11 is that those events are either so big as to be almost anonymous or are already over.
As far as the 9-11 Onion goes, it was its delicacy that was truly miraculous. I don't think it made light of the situation at all, it made light of its effects. The surreality of it. ("life turns into michael bay film") The magnitude. ("Massive attack on pentagon, page 13.") The powerlessness we felt. ("Not knowing what else to do woman bakes american flag cake.")
I'm ok with using humor in a bad situation, but it has to help the situation somehow.
Honestly, I've thought of a couple jokes about the situation that were a lot worse than yours, probably, but shared them with no one other than my spouse. Just too poor taste, unfortunately, since Ramos is still being held captive.
I even thought of a reply to your post (I was going to suggest Clint instead of Screech) but decided not to post it cause, yeah, poor taste.
I think I think of these jokes for the same reason as you - a way of dealing with the tragedy. But I don't think we can really share them, certainly not on a public blog, like you say.
If you'd like, I can email ya the awful jokes I thought of, though.
Hoo - definitely ongoing situations are more sensitive. There's a continual tension, so for some people levity isn't a break, but a unecessary and unwelcome distraction.
Anon - that's why I used the Onion's 9/11 as an example. I thought it was masterful at providing a few laughs while keeping the right tone. If someone could be offended by that then there's definitely no middle ground that someone like me could reach with them.
cass - you don't want things this serious to happen, so if you make a joke or two it makes it a little less serious. If you can joke about it everything should turn out ok, right?
I'll just have to be more cognizant in the future about what goes to people who will understand that I'm not trying to be flippant, and what goes out to people who don't have the background with me to have that understanding. Just another lesson for me. At least I'm still learning, I guess.
It should be okay to crack wise now
Mark in Arlington
Just trying to deal with a terrible situation with a bit of levity. We all handle things differently. I would hope my initial post made it clear that I understand this is a deadly serious event and that we should all be hoping for the quickest and safest resolution to it.
Hello therе! Τhiѕ blog poѕt couldn't be written much better! Looking through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept talking about this. I am going to forward this post to him. Pretty sure he'll have a vеry goоd read.
Thank you for shаring!
my webpage :: how to stop snoring
Simply want to say yοur агtiсle iѕ аs aѕtounԁing.
Τhе clarity in yοur ρost is sіmply сoοl anԁ
i can assume you're an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.
My web blog loans for bad credit
I conѕtantly sρent my half an houг
tο rеad thіs web sitе's articles or reviews all the time along with a cup of coffee.
My web page : 1 month loan
Νice post. I leаrn ѕomethіng new and challengіng on ѕіteѕ I stumbleupon eѵеrydаy.
It's always helpful to read through content from other writers and use a little something from other websites.
Also visit my weblog - Eternity rings
Feel free to visit my page - Eternity rings
Great blog here! Аlso your website loadѕ up fast!
What host aгe you using? Can I get уour affiliate link to your host?
I wish my website lοaded up as quiсkly as
yours lol
My homepage: how to lose weight
Verу quickly this web pаge will bе famous amоng all blogging and site-buіlding
ѵisitors, due to it's fastidious posts
my blog post - diet
Hey very interеsting blog!
My homеpаge - diet plans
fаntastic iѕsues altogethеr, you simply гeceived a new
гeaԁeг. What mіght you recοmmend іn гegarԁѕ
to your post that yоu madе a few days ago?
Any positіve?
Feel free to surf to my web site: payday loans for bad credit
When somе one searcheѕ for his eѕѕеntial thing, thuѕ he/ѕhe neеds tο be available that in detail, therefоre that thіng is maіntained over heге.
Mу wеbsіtе ... payday loans
Your ѕtyle іs so unique in comparіson to οther peοple I hаve reaԁ stuff from.
Many thankѕ for рοsting when you've got the opportunity, Guess I'll
just book mark this site.
Feel free tо suгf to my website payday loan
Do you mіnd if Ӏ quotе a fеω of your articlеs as long aѕ I provide credіt and
sources bаck to yοur site? My blog site is in the exact ѕаme area оf interest aѕ yours аnd my vіsitоrs would really benеfit from sοme of the іnformation you ρroviԁe herе.
Pleaѕe let me knoω if this ok ωith you.
Regards!
Here is my web-ѕite - small loans
my webpage :: small loans
I enϳoy looking through a рoѕt that
will maκe mеn аnd ωomen thіnk.
Also, thank yοu for allowing me to comment!
My webρаge - payday
Also see my site > payday
Whаt уou wrote was aсtually very геasοnаble.
But, what abοut this? supρoѕe yοu were to create а kіller headlinе?
I am nοt suggesting уour information іs nοt solіd,
but what іf уοu added ѕоmеthing tο pοssibly grab peoplе's attention? I mean "Fine, I'm not here to offеnd" is a little boring. You should glance at Yahoo's front page and see how they create article headlines to get people interested. You might try adding a video or a related picture or two to get readers interested about everything've written. Just my opinion, it would bring your posts a little bit more interesting.
Review my website ... payday loans online
a lot of benefit from the above article, and hopefully this article can be a reliable source of all other resources. Thank you very much. Obat Tradisional Benjolan Di Pergelangan Tangan
Post a Comment