Austin+S’s+2015+OpEd+Article

=**Why So Serious?**=



I like to think of myself as someone who can see humor in just about anything. As a someone who naturally resorts to sarcasm in almost all conversational instances, I do not take a lot of things too seriously. As a result, I have developed a sense of humor that many find sick and/or twisted, even when they know I am “just kidding around”.

My acceptance of the descriptor “twisted”, has allowed me to learn so much about this particular sense of humor that some look down upon. Where others see purposeless coldheartedness, I see something much different.

The people who typically look down upon the humor deemed “offensive”, are people who have convinced themselves they are of high morals, preventing them from laughing at the negative and cynical remarks of the underlings cracking jokes about “serious issues”. The fabricated empathy they hold true prevents them from understanding the power of these humorous ways of bringing up and addressing real issues. For example:

 What's the difference between a Taliban outpost and a Pakistani Elementary school?  I don't know man, I just fly the drone.

Now, it is obvious that this is a rather tame joke (at least compared to the others I will not be sharing in this assignment). Still, some people may cover their mouths in horror that anyone could joke about something like this. But the fact is, it addresses the issue of some peoples’ lack of concern for the innocent lives of those in the Middle East. A serious topic that deserves serious attention. So thank you to whoever created this brilliant joke that I honestly find hilarious.

..........

I’ll just simply put it out there. I think certain things are hilarious and I am tired of having to filter myself for the sake of perhaps making a few people shake their heads. You can shake your head all you want. Shake your head until it falls off and rolls down the street into the gutter for all I care. If you want to take everything in our often miserable world completely seriously, go for it. Just don’t be upset if I don’t.