Humor: Where Is The Line?

[Yehuda57]

I agree with the general sentiment, but I think it's too broad. There is such a thing as overly-heightened sensitivity, IMO. I also believe that humor is a crucial tool in starting important conversations and destigmatizing many things. There will always be people who are offended by things. The fact that we all know what "microaggressions" are is a testament to the consequences of over-sensitivity.

Of course hypersensitivity can become problematic in its own way. But on the whole, I believe erring on the side of being more sensitive is almost always the prudent approach (I know, my post history doesn't reflect this. Knowing, understanding, and doing...).

The fact that we know microaggressions exist is a good thing. They are real, they can and do cause harm, and just because a large segment of the population has taken them to a twisted extreme doesn't mean we should throw out the concept.

There are so many sayings we will be learning in the next few weeks in Pirkei Avos which can be legitimately translated with terms like "microaggressions".

[zh cohen]

Intent (and properly conveying that intent) is really important in answering this question.

I think the reason this has become a bigger question nowadays it's because of the internet. If you are in a room, and you say a joke, 1 - People can tell from your tone that (or if) you did not have any malicious intent and 2 - if you see someone was offended, you can clarify/apologize. Those are not present online.

[TimT]

If you are in a room, and you say a joke, 1 - People can tell from your tone that (or if) you did not have any malicious intent and 2 - if you see someone was offended, you can clarify/apologize.

Comedians have been fired and/or forced to go on apology tours.

[CountValentine]

Intent (and properly conveying that intent) is really important in answering this question.

Just because one believes there was no ill intent does not mean the joke wasn't hurtful, racist, anti-sematic or a host of other things.

[YitzyS]

Just because one believes there was no ill intent does not mean the joke wasn't hurtful, racist, anti-sematic or a host of other things.

Indeed, but in my perspective, intent is overwhelmingly the largest factor, or at least it should be. If I mean to disparage you, that in itself is offensive. If I love you and didn't mean to offend you, most times you will not be offended.

[TimT]

When is a joke over the line?

Do you mean
A) wrong
B) should suffer consequences

[Lurker]

Do you mean
A) wrong
B) should suffer consequences

I'm not talking about consequences. I mean the point where something is more offensive than funny.

[TimT]

I mean the point where something is more offensive than funny.

The 2 don’t contradict each other. Everybody draws their own line.

[CountValentine]

The 2 don’t contradict each other. Everybody draws their own line.

What does it say about yourself when you laugh at a joke you know is offensive?

[TimT]

What does it say about yourself when you laugh at a joke you know is offensive?

That I haven’t lost my sense of humor yet.

[TimT]

Something Jennifer finds highly offensive, Jill finds mildly offensive, Tom finds it in poor taste, & Mike says everyone should just lighten up. Who’s right ?

[yuneeq]

Humor is in the mind of the beholder. Everyone has different ideas of what they find humorous. I've seen some people say that they enjoy dark humor and it helps them when they're grieving, while this humor can be really insensitive to most others.

As long as the person sharing the joke does not have ill intent there's no reason to be offended. Though they should obviously still be sensitive to who they are sharing the joke with. However a comedian should say whatever they want (with good intent), anyone that is sensitive to their type of humor has the choice not to listen to it.