Apology and a question about humor...
@valentinesdiner (1214)
United States
March 20, 2013 6:23am CST
What role should humor play in a serious discussion of politics?
A recent posting on one of my discussions got me thinking about the role of humor in our postings. 2 years ago I posted that the US should withdraw our ambassador to Canada until they agree to stop sending us cold and snow (by the way, they are at it again today!). I received a shocked reply from a man in the Phiillipines who noted Canadians are normally very kind and polite and we should not go to war with them. I humbly apologize for any misunderstanding - I love Canadians and from Jim Carrey to Kenny Rodgers to Wayne Gretzky, imports from the great white north outweigh any weather problems they give us.
My question is what role should humor play in a serious discussion of politics? I am willing to take the heat (hey, I welcome the 'heat' today) focused on my silly or irreverent postings. Your thoughts?
2 people like this
7 responses
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
20 Mar 13
I think there is always room for humor and even in most serious topics. It lightens the mood. Smiles and laughter are always a good thing. The problem with anything tongue-in-cheek or sarcastic is that you will have those that just take it literal. It happens every time. Just explain to the person that you were being humorous and that is about all you can do. Don't ever stop trying to add smiles to peoples days.
1 person likes this
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
22 Mar 13
well, sid, I guess humor could do a lot few things. Just makes sure that the otehr party recognizes it as a joke and not really an offence. Many people can refer to it as 'banter' but you'll never know how other people can interpret it.
@Bluedoll (16773)
• Canada
20 Mar 13
Today something fell on my car. It is white and fluffy and is everywhere. On the trees it is really pretty but I am sick of the stuff and so am not going out today. Maybe, I will just let it stay where it is until it melts or send it to some American.
The question regarding humour is mixed. Sometimes it can be a welcomed guest or it can be misunderstood. When I think of humour in politics, I think of politicians. My thoughts today do fall on Ronnie Reagan, please notice the name, no disrespect intended. He used humour to defuse situations.
As I recall when the very destructive arms race was being discussed at a very tense table; he asked Mikhai Sergeyevich Gorbachev from the USSR if he would like to go for a walk in the garden. Later after the talks resumed they went much better. When asked about what they had talked about on the garden walk, he replied, flowers.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
20 Mar 13
I'm American and you can send your snow to me if you like. We actually got a good amount over the last couple of days but it was not as exciting as I'd anticipated. I love the snow. Oh but could you please not dump it on my car as I'm a bit tired of brushing it off each time I go out. 
1 person likes this
@Latrivia (2878)
• United States
22 Mar 13
My thoughts? I'd be willing to export our Texas heat to Canada in exchange for an arctic import from them.
Frankly I've become so disillusioned with our political system that I can't see it as anything else but one big joke. I think for those with a little more investment in politics, humor helps assuage political frustrations. It's a welcomed distraction.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136150)
• India
20 Mar 13
Not many here have English as their first language. Obviously that response you got was the result of taking you literally. While humour in politics is welcome the problem will be that not all will understand you.
1 person likes this
@jdawg011 (498)
• Canada
26 Mar 13
To me, it would have been obvious you were joking, but to those who don't understand english as well, they may think you were insulting Canada. Sometimes it is hard to differentiate between a joke/sarcasm and a serious insult.
Anyways, I'll tell our weather to stay up here, we'll see if it listens ;)
@asmawahabbcs (73)
• Pakistan
20 Mar 13
You know that the prob of today's world is that everybody has frustrated because of his prob and the condition of society. At this mechanical time we need some humor and little bit light comedy to be a normal. some people become very serious and they always angry with others and they also disturb other person's life so we should try to be light and if we think that we are in mistake or somebody hurt with our words we should apology hurry.
@natliegleb (5175)
• India
20 Mar 13
That seems to be quite silly and the way thjngs are shaping up are ridiculous
