Why Comedy Might Just be What The World Needs Right Now
Terrorists taking over Afghanistan, a new coronavirus variant, crisis at the boarder, all this and so much more on the next episode of Earth streaming on Peacock.” Doesn’t it feel like every time you open up a streaming service or social media it’s all just doom and end of days all around? There’s so many tragedies going on at once its almost absurd. You almost have to laugh at it all.
We all sort of deserve a break don’t we? Comedy, tragedies oldest and most mighty faugh. A lot of the time the only way to get through hard times is to have a bit of a laugh at the situation. Luckily, comedy can be found in almost every day to day scenario. Hanging out with your friends, that really funny co-worker you have. or any movie starring Ryan Reynolds. Comedy is like a trusty friend, always there when you really need it.
Unfortunately, in todays world there has been an upsurge in the way people can view and interpret media. Which, has become a very large issue especially regarding comedy and jokes as a whole. Comedy is fundamentally subjective, and what some people find funny may be very offensive and displeasing to someone else. In 1980 this didn’t lead to as many problems as it does now. Before disagreeing about whether or not something was funny was done in someones basement between friends. In 2021 that interaction has become wildly different. With how easy it is to critique and interact with media these days. The punishment for telling a joke in poor taste is harsh and swift.
I struggle myself sometimes with crossing the line between funny and offensive. But, I firmly believe you can write a good joke about anything. In the wise words of Daniel Tosh from his Netflix special “People Pleaser” he jokes “Oh, there’s nothing funny about rape, there’s nothing funny about AIDS.’ Uh, yes there is if you write a good joke about it.”
Even with the never ending debate as to what is and isn’t funny goes on. Comedy has been on the rise in the last decade. With Netflix and HBO Max focusing heavily on producing comedic content. With new comedy specials and comedic movies being produced every year we have reached almost a golden era in jokes. There’s so many good quality comedy out there that theres almost not enough time to see it all.
There are also plenty of health benefits associated with laughing and watching comedy. Laughter can heal a lot of problems, short term and long term. Such as stress and anxiety. Laughter can even help boost your immune system! Get in touch with your inner funny bone as we explore what comedy can do for you.
Why Comedy is So Important.
A lot of the times before going to bed I will not allow myself to watch anything but entertainment. If I were to tune into the news to hear how the ozone is burning and our children have no futures. I will lay awake at night and ponder the worlds problems to no end. And it seems like I’m not the only one.
The author of Ha! The Science of When We Laugh and Why, Scott Weems assesses that its perfectly normal to lean on comedy during a tougher time. “It’s easy to go into a pretty negative rabbit hole with news and everything else,” he says. “There’s so much in the world that can make you laugh or cry, and it’s your choice which of those two to do.” Not being able to find the humor in something means we have lost the battle.(1)
Using comedy as a crutch is something we all do whether we admit it or not. But some lucky few get to use that crutch as their career. Local stand up comedian Alexander Brunet laments on the impact comedy has had on his life.
“I’ve always had a really rough childhood growing up. My parents where divorced and we were very poor. Me and my brother used to get bullied all the time because, we went to a richer high school in another neighborhood. As I got older I became more and more tired of it. Alas though, my growth spurt only shot me up from five foot two to five foot six. So, I wasn’t beating anyone up anytime soon. I started to realize though, that if I could outwit people and make everyone laugh no one messes with you. I’ve tried to be the funniest kid in the room ever since.”
Comedy is important to many people in many different ways. From a defense mechanism to a way to cope with different problems. Always make sure to keep in touch with your sense of humor. It may be more powerful than you think.
The Health Benefits
The old saying “Laughter is the best medicine” might actually have a grain of truth in it. A good sense of humor can’t cure all ailments, but data is mounting about the positive things laughter can do.
Whether its catching up with some old friends or watching your favorite comedy show on Netflix. There’s plenty of amazing short term benefits of having a laugh. When you laugh you intake a lot of oxygen rich air really quickly which can stimulate your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain. Laughter also activates and relieves your stress response increasing and decreasing your heart rate. Making for a nice relaxed feeling. Laughing can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.(2)
Surprisingly enough there are also long term health benefits to laughing. Overtime consistently getting in touch with your sense of humor can actually help out your immune system. Having negative thoughts can bring on more stress to your immune system. While vice versa having positive thoughts will actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses. Laughter is also a natural pain killer. That can help lessen severe pain from trauma. Lastly, comedy can improve your mood overtime. An article from the Mayo Clinic titled “Stress relief from laughter? It’s no joke” discusses how developing a sense of humor can help with chronic mental illnesses.(2)
“Many people experience depression, sometimes due to chronic illnesses. Laughter can help lessen your stress, depression and anxiety and may make you feel happier. It can also improve your self-esteem.”(2)
Now just laughing on its own might not solve all of your problems, but when the super serious scientists are telling you a little joking around can go a long way. You might want to see if Dave Chapelle has anything good.
An Argument Against Comedy
Many comedians who have made a name for themselves overtime. Have done so off the backs of very offensive and hurtful jokes. Dave Chapelle just recently faced some backlash after a joke he made in one of his specials about the trans community. Or anything Louie C.K. has said ever.
Begging the question where’s the line between controversial comedy that has us in stitches, and the kind that deserves condemnation? Laughter some of the times can almost be a weapon. It just depends on who its aimed at. A lot of the times humor can come at the expense of something else. in the article “When the lines between offensive comedy and off-limits jokes are blurred” by Siobhan Hegarty talks about how making fun of others can be good or bad
“But it’s one thing for Amy Schumer — with her predominantly female audience — to call out male politicians legislating over women’s bodies, it’s another for an alt-right comic to spout racist rhetoric to a bunch of Neo Nazis.”(3)
Comedy may be a great way to heal and a natural coping mechanism but we must always remember how much power a joke at someones expense can hold. So get out there and explore the wonders comedy has to offer. No one is arguing against that, just make sure that it’s all in good fun!