Smooth Dunk | Bluesky

Transcript5 panel comic

Panel 1: Pink guy saying: I just made a silly joke!

Panel 2: Pink guy turns to see a door swing open, revealing a Weird Greenish Guy in the doorway

Panels 3-5: Weird greenish guy begins to walk towards Pink Guy in a very creepy manner. He says: I’m Gonna take it SERIOUSLY

By panel 5 Weird Guy has Pink Guy in a death grip. He’s going to throttle him for having the audacity to tell a silly joke on social media

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[–] 39 points 3 months ago (21 children)

My litmus test is i ask "what is the joke?" If theres a clever turn of phrase or twist to expectations I chuckle to myself and move on. If I cant figure out what the clever turn of phrase or twist in expectation is, or the punchline being some kind of -ism or -phobia then yeah I'm gonna take it seriously. Unfortunately making jokes where the punchline is racism, sexism, homophoboa, transphobia, or any other kind of punching down gets a lot of engagement and responses.

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  • [–] 8 points 3 months ago (2 children)

    What if the point if the joke is to make fun of racists for genuinely having those views?

    I sometimes put on a voice and give a conservative sounding statement and optionally end with my normal voice "or something like that" - where while I honestly mean to make fun if those views; if there is something wrong about that, I would like to be corrected, if that's okay to ask

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  • [+] 8 points 3 months ago (8 children)
  • [–] 6 points 3 months ago (7 children)

    I've found self deprecating humor or telling stories about fucked up shit happening to you is rarely funny and usually elicits more of a awkward fake laugh and/or pity vibe than a belly laugh vibe.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 months ago* (4 children)
  • [–] 1 point 3 months ago (3 children)
  • [–] 1 point 3 months ago (2 children)

    Most good comedy are stories about something fucked up, usually where the comedian is being self-deprecating.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 months ago (1 child)

    Do you have any evidence that thats the case?

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  • [–] 2 points 3 months ago*

    It's such a pervasive observable reality in comedy I'm struggling not to just say "watch a comedian." Really, any comedian.

    Recently, we could go with John Mulaney's performance about his drug use and rehab experience, something he continues to reference in his new series. There's James Acaster who's done entire shows that mix absurdism and heavy sarcasm with self deprecation. Patton Oswart did a fairly famous bit on him and his daughter dealing with the death of his wife. Pete Davidson's performances are about his drug use and lack of self respect.

    The entire show Seinfield and every character in it. Curb Your Enthusiasm which is about the creator of Seinfield, who made the show inspired by himself, his lack of boundaries and social awareness. The show Barry is 200% dark humor.

    I could go on, but I'd be naming most comedies and comedians.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 months ago (4 children)

    What does taking those things seriously change as far as your response is concerned? If you mean 'I try to correct that person's behavior' then that seems like a losing battle that's also adding to the engagement you mentioned. If you mean 'I downvote and move on' then that seems like a sensible choice.

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  • [–] 15 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (3 children)

    My actual response depends on the situation and how i'm feeling at any given moment. Usually its just ignore and move on, sometimes I'm feeling in a "be snarky online" mood.

    What does it change? Eh maybe someone somewhere will see the pushback on the -ism/-phobia and rethink. I'm not saying it does, it probably doesn't most of the time, but I'm forever realistically optimistic and recognize I need to put in the work to make real that optimism.

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  • [–] 12 points 3 months ago (1 child)

    Eh maybe someone somewhere will see the pushback and on the -ism/-phobia and rethink.

    I do it for the groups that are being targeted by the "joke" as well. To show them that other people don't agree with it.

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  • [–] 5 points 3 months ago

    Eh maybe someone somewhere will see the pushback on the -ism/-phobia and rethink.

    Surprisingly, sometimes, it actually does work and make someone rethink their stance when you rebuff a hateful comment online. It’s incredibly rare, and even rarer that you find out it happened, but I have seen first-hand proof of people changing their views due to comment sections.

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