The Nature of Jokes

George Carlin, comedian

There's something interesting I've noticed. Jokes, even the small ones, don't disappear after we said them. Let's remember those people who joked around about family, political and religious authorities. Jokes turn into sarcasm, sarcasm turns into negative perception and anger. I recently began to see the power of jokes in my life.

There's a big show broadcasts in Russia for decades and abbreviated as "KVN" (Club of Cheerful and Smart). During the show students from universities all of over the country compete against each other to find out who's the most hilarious. As a result, the young people make fun of almost everything around, even the most sacred such as the institute of marriage.

I've read about George Carlin, sometimes referred as the funniest English speaking comedian. He ridiculed the church and God. He said the following words:

"I have absolutely no sympathy for human beings whatsoever. None. And no matter what kind of problem humans are facing, whether it's natural or man-made, I always hope it gets worse."

Another famous comedian Bill Cosby, was sued on several occasions for sexual assault and using prostitutes repeatedly. Now, does it prove that making jokes somehow turn the joker into the immoral being? No. But it seems to me that the words the person speaks even in order to entertain people have power in his life. I've found that when I joke that I'm the most cool, sexy, and smart (that's funny because it's obvious that I'm not), it somehow degrades me. Conversely, when I admit that I'm not good at all, people start to respect me. A strange tendency, isn't it? When I make fun of people of power, I begin to disregard them. And when I joke about my parents, I argue with them more often.
I know people who are constantly being sarcastic about those who try to aspire to new heights. And when those highlanders fall, not reaching their purpose, the mockers are awaiting them. Highlanders will eventually reach their heights because they belong there, but the mockers will surely be humiliated someday.

So, I see that the jokes play a role in the formation of our worldview. It doesn't mean that we have to condemn them, but that we should be careful in choosing our words.