Where do you draw the line on humor?

[Reflection]

Depends on who you are cracking it with... For instance, you can make any joke you want with uncivilized people like us, but you might get in trouble if you make them in front of the normal public
A general rule of the thumb would be to not make any joke thats making fun of someone else's misery or pain, or something that will make it sound like you are trying to make fun of the other person because you are jealous, or something that has the potential to harm that person or spread a false rumor about him or her.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

I see and get your point. I just support free speech and with that people are given the freedom to joke about whatever they want.

I was trying to make the point that if we start banning things that are offensive then we might start banning things that are less and less offensive (ie, your momma jokes). It's a slippery slope.

I may laugh at an inappropriate joke but it is because it is in a setting where I know there is no malicious intent behind the joke. I am not defending rape and usually the people who hear these types of jokes are typically old enough to know that rape should not be condoned.

So, instead of trying to be more tolerant and understanding of people from different races, experiences, sexualities etc., your preferred method of dealing with these issues is to be able to mock anyone and everyone then it's THEIR problem if they are offended but not yours for being insensitive?

Free speech is a great idea and is especially more prevalent in this social media culture but too many people seem to think that just because they CAN say something, that they SHOULD say something.

Here's something I want to know - in the article below, according to what you are saying about people being allowed to joke about anything - do you believe it was wrong this person lost their job and that no action should have been taken by her company?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/p...asjustinelandedyet-twitter-storm-9020809.html

 

[Blade]

Knock Knock

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

So, instead of trying to be more tolerant and understanding of people from different races, experiences, sexualities etc., your preferred method of dealing with these issues is to be able to mock anyone and everyone then it's THEIR problem if they are offended but not yours for being insensitive?

Free speech is a great idea and is especially more prevalent in this social media culture but too many people seem to think that just because they CAN say something, that they SHOULD say something.

Here's something I want to know - in the article below, according to what you are saying about people being allowed to joke about anything - do you believe it was wrong this person lost their job and that no action should have been taken by her company?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/p...asjustinelandedyet-twitter-storm-9020809.html

Comedians are telling jokes and not sharing points of views. Just because a person is able to mock about a serious problem or a taboo one doesn't mean that it's his beliefs. Fifty years ago, making jokes about sex was by gawd something that people weren't ready for... now it's a dime a dozen and people just don't care for it. However there is always a time and place for everything - if you are a comedian, that's fine to tell those jokes because people are expecting it. If you are a business man that represents a serious company saying something as a racist joke can and should get you in trouble - specially in public. Social awareness is really important for companies nowadays and I get that.

However if you are in a group of friends and someone tells you a racist joke or a rape joke, will you automatically assume that your friend is a racist bastard that should be in jail? No. Because you know that he doesn't believe that and was just something funny.

I've seen a lot of examples of companies working with "dark" material, most recently, Sweden Pepsi made a campaign with Cristiano Ronaldo (the footballer) getting hit by a train and that generated a lot of talk here in Portugal - because people felt insulted by the company and some boycotted their products for a long time - however the company didn't insult the country or whatever, they just made a really dark image with Ronaldo laid in the rail as Sweden (the train) was going to crush him. It was a local marketing strategy that backfired because it was of bad taste, but I can tell you this, that was all thought and created weeks earlier and they found it funny and controversial to go forward with it - We the Portuguese and mostly Ronaldo fans around the world felt insulted because we wanted to, more so than what Pepsi tried to do of course.

Like I told you - offense in comedy is taken more so than it's given. When I make a joke, I'm not expressing my opinions. In fact I have gay friends and black friends and they laugh along if we hear something and as my friends I can tell you this, in my presence I've never seen them suffer from racism or whatever, but if I did I can tell you that I would stand for them and punch some idiot in the face for it. Also I have a really strong hate for rapists yet I'm able to make jokes about it and that is a serious problem so I try to tone it down if by any chance there is someone in my presence that has experienced it - but I for once don't find it offensive because that is not the goal. People just need to be normal people - there is always a place and time for those jokes and if people know that, I'll have no problem with it.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

I don't have the energy to go over everything you said and there are only 2 points I want to pull up.

However if you are in a group of friends and someone tells you a racist joke or a rape joke, will you automatically assume that your friend is a racist bastard that should be in jail? No. Because you know that he doesn't believe that and was just something funny.

This is the point I'm trying to make; these situations shouldn't be treated the same as a common joke, because they are distasteful and not indicative of a forward thinking society, which by now we should be. Free speech is something that should be used for real progressive change, not to poke fun at horrible situations and get a cheap laugh with your mates.

People just need to be normal people - there is always a place and time for those jokes and if people know that, I'll have no problem with it.

See, if people are making these kind of jokes in a certain "place and time" then they know the subject matter is wrong and can land them in trouble if said at any other time. This here suggests to me that you know that there are lines to be drawn in regards to humour but then you wrote an awful lot to justify being able to joke at absolutely anyone's expense.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

This is the point I'm trying to make; these situations shouldn't be treated the same as a common joke, because they are distasteful and not indicative of a forward thinking society, which by now we should be. Free speech is something that should be used for real progressive change, not to poke fun at horrible situations and get a cheap laugh with your mates.

That should make you a sad person. People shouldn't also make jokes about a kid that has bad situations at school, because some kids do have that and may find it offensive. People shouldn't joke about "farts" because that is just lack of respect. People shouldn't for sure make jokes about 9/11 or The Holocaust. In all seriousness, people should never make jokes because in one way or another it can offend someone. Jokes about gypsies, black person, jews, homossexuals and what not are racist and offensive. Jokes about religion are distasteful because one should not be allowed to make fun of other person's beliefs. This is also true for politics and sports. I don't like when people make fun of my football club and I get really sour with that.

You are not going forward, you are going backwards in your thinking. People that make jokes about rapes are probably the least of your concerns to actual rape someone because they know the awful situation that it is. A joke is not a social acceptance of a matter. It's just a play with words or a fake story about something. You must be fun at parties.

 

[GI Cake]

To make things clear, I laugh and make rape jokes. Then again I don't deny being a horrible human being.

RockWWF and Silverback however disgust me. Rape jokes are offensive, and rightfully so. They're about rape for shits sake. If you can't handle the fact that we have people in this world that are offended by jokes like that then don't say the joke, or at least nut up and apologize for being a dick bag.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

To make things clear, I laugh and make rape jokes. Then again I don't deny being a horrible human being.

RockWWF and Silverback however disgust me. Rape jokes are offensive, and rightfully so. They're about rape for shits sake. If you can't handle the fact that we have people in this world that are offended by jokes like that then don't say the joke, or at least nut up and apologize for being a dick bag.

Have you even cared to read what I posted? Of course they are offensive. They're considered "dark humor" but then again pretty much everything can be offensive to the remaining 7 billion people in the world.

Now you take offense if you want to. If a person plays with words to make you laugh isn't the same as telling you: "I like rape and think we should all do it". That yes, is disgusting. And no normal human being will say that publicly and if they do, jail is their path. Stupidity. Laughing at a joke and not finding a JOKE (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/joke?s=ts THE DEFINITION GO READ IT) offensive can be done. Talking about the subject isn't the same as making a play of words with it.

 

[One Punch Doug Crashin]

I'm an equal opportunity basher but I draw the line on racist and homophobic jokes.

 

[BaconBits]

If it's funny, it's funny. Doesn't very much matter what subject said joke is about.

 

[GI Cake]

Laughing at a joke and not finding a JOKE offensive can be done. Talking about the subject isn't the same as making a play of words with it.

What is, and what isn't offensive is completely subjective but F.A.T said it best. A person has every right to make a joke about whatever grim and disgusting thing they like. However sitting here and saying "I didn't find it offensive, so neither should you." makes you a pretty shitty human being.

 

[Nate DaMac]

I like rape.

 

[Slash-LN]

I draw the line at the "Orange you glad I didn't say banana?" joke.

Because fuck that joke.

A friend of mine has a 5 year old and that has been his favorite joke for the past 2 years. Kind of funny that you mention it here.

As far as the OP goes as many people have said it depends on the person. I know I've taken things too far sometimes with people and have learned from that to kind of gauge what I say around certain people when it comes to jokes.

My close friends know what to expect from me but a casual friend probably wouldn't at first.

Depending on the closeness of a friend I'd probably be a little bothered if people were making jokes about my family. Close friends can pretty much say whatever they want and I don't care. If I'm meeting someone for the first time I expect them to think about their jokes first as I would do with them.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

That should make you a sad person. People shouldn't also make jokes about a kid that has bad situations at school, because some kids do have that and may find it offensive. People shouldn't joke about "farts" because that is just lack of respect. People shouldn't for sure make jokes about 9/11 or The Holocaust. In all seriousness, people should never make jokes because in one way or another it can offend someone. Jokes about gypsies, black person, jews, homossexuals and what not are racist and offensive. Jokes about religion are distasteful because one should not be allowed to make fun of other person's beliefs. This is also true for politics and sports. I don't like when people make fun of my football club and I get really sour with that.

You are not going forward, you are going backwards in your thinking. People that make jokes about rapes are probably the least of your concerns to actual rape someone because they know the awful situation that it is. A joke is not a social acceptance of a matter. It's just a play with words or a fake story about something. You must be fun at parties.

Man, if you can't see the difference in joking about a natural body reaction that happens to everyone and a violent sexual assault where quite often the victim knows the attacker, then I only hope that one day you do.

Jokes do not need to be offensive to be funny. If someone made a horrible joke that was in bad taste, they'd be told to leave within seconds. I'm sorry that you feel you can only be seen as a fun guy at parties by making insensitive jokes and again I hope that changes for you one day.

If backward thinking means that I'd prefer people to stop making belittling jokes about people seen as different from the norm, then I'm honestly fine with that.

 

[therockiswwf]

To make things clear, I laugh and make rape jokes. Then again I don't deny being a horrible human being.

RockWWF and Silverback however disgust me. Rape jokes are offensive, and rightfully so. They're about rape for shits sake. If you can't handle the fact that we have people in this world that are offended by jokes like that then don't say the joke, or at least nut up and apologize for being a dick bag.

I'm not exactly sure how this fits any of the points I made. I acknowledge the fact that people (including myself) can get offended by certain jokes. However people who go to comedy shows, a place and setting where offensive jokes can happen, then the people should not get angry at the person who said the joke.

I never said all jokes are acceptable in all situations. I did say that all jokes are okay but you should tailor the jokes to the audience.

 

[The Butcher]

I'm fine with anything as long as it's not about Ms. Jenkins. Don't nobody better say nothin' bad about Ms. Jenkins.

 

[LSN80]

Gruesome murder, the death of small children, and rape. None of those, however funny the joke may be, aren't the slightest bit funny to me.