Why Stand-Up Comedy Is Good For The Soul
It’s 2017; we might not have expected it but we’ve devolved into a sensitive society. People tend to deflect opinions and conversations in which they don’t agree with, accelerating and reinforcing the parochial stereotypes of us as a society. Without a safe medium for us to express ourselves through, we often tend to reduce ourselves to brutish behaviors, allowing ourselves to become completely unhinged due to differing opinions. Fortunately, there is a safe medium, and there has been for many years.
Despite the widespread popularity of comedy, we generally don’t appreciate the authenticity that is the foundation of most jokes. Comedy is often cast aside, not regarded as a respectable occupation. Under the clever guise, the jokes spit out by comedians are often harsh truths, wrapped in a playful veil.
Some of comedy’s greatest legends often relish in their own work, cleverly writing opinions on controversial subjects that’ll make even the harshest of opponents chuckle. Being able to write about hot issues whilst not making anyone retaliate showcases an insane amount of communication that delves deeper than most people think. Child molestation is a sensitive subject, often triggering harsh reactions from society as a whole. Louie C.K. performed a monologue for SNL, in which he rationalized that molesting children must be REALLY good for molesters to repeatedly commit despite the consequences. Dragging the audience through the dark, unexplored waters of the conversation surrounding child molestation and provoking only positive reactions showcases the mental prowess possessed by elite comedians. Being able to set collective fears aside and bring everyone to a primal sense of hilarity is a skill not honed by many.
It’s a common mistake to not recognize the reality behind what is being said, and it’s understandable. It’s completely fine to not realize the ulterior motive behind what’s often seen as shallow laughs. Most people can benefit from a laugh, and everyone can benefit from hearing the truth.
