Dark Humor and Shock Comedy – How far is too far?

hip hop bunny hop · 03-19-2012, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forward To Death

Traditionally, if the person takes similar humor in return without getting all upset, it helps a lot.

I concur; if someone tries to be edgy in a certain regard, but maintains their own holy cows, it annoys me to no end. I've a special dislike for a certain breed of Atheists who enjoy mocking the Christian religion, yet maintain a devout faith in egalitarianism.

Alfred · 03-19-2012, 10:15 PM

I'm definitely a fan of dark, shocking humor, so I'm not exactly sure where I draw the line.

Forward To Death · 03-19-2012, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedestrian

I think the biggest deciding factor in whether or not to tell a joke in poor taste is your audience. The key to getting away with black humour is to know your audience and when it's appropriate to toe the line.

This is also true, though sometimes it's not common sense. I have a jewish friend who laughs at holocaust jokes, and tells some of the best ones I've ever heard. Sometimes it takes being embarrassed to figure out what your audience finds tasteful/distasteful.

Paedantic Basterd · 03-19-2012, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forward To Death

This is also true, though sometimes it's not common sense. I have a jewish friend who laughs at holocaust jokes, and tells some of the best ones I've ever heard. Sometimes it takes being embarrassed to figure out what your audience finds tasteful/distasteful.

I think it does just take common sense, honestly. I know which of my friends I can tell a rude joke to, and I didn't discover it through trial and error. I observed their sense of humour, the jokes they've told and the comedies they enjoy, and have concluded where to draw the line. I would tell an off-colour joke to my best friend, but I wouldn't stand up in a bar and say it without expecting backlash.

**Janszoon** · 03-19-2012, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hip hop bunny hop

I concur; if someone tries to be edgy in a certain regard, but maintains their own holy cows, it annoys me to no end. I've a special dislike for a certain breed of Atheists who enjoy mocking the Christian religion, yet maintain a devout faith in egalitarianism.

Sounds like you either don't know what "egalitarianism" means or you don't know what "atheism" means. Maybe both.

Forward To Death · 03-19-2012, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedestrian

I think it does just take common sense, honestly. I know which of my friends I can tell a rude joke to, and I didn't discover it through trial and error. I observed their sense of humour, the jokes they've told and the comedies they enjoy, and have concluded where to draw the line. I would tell an off-colour joke to my best friend, but I wouldn't stand up in a bar and say it without expecting backlash.

It's different for everyone though, life throws you curveballs in a lot of different ways. Some people have outrageous sense of humor but will get defensive about some random thing. I don't think common sense applies all the time.

Paedantic Basterd · 03-19-2012, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forward To Death

It's different for everyone though, life throws you curveballs in a lot of different ways. Some people have outrageous sense of humor but will get defensive about some random thing. I don't think common sense applies all the time.

The point I am ultimately trying to make is that you don't tell an offensive joke to a varied and unknown group of people, and then get butthurt when you piss them off.

That's the royal "you". I don't intend for you to feel that I mean this personally.

Forward To Death · 03-19-2012, 10:31 PM

Agreed, I don't even curse in front of people I don't know. I respect people's beliefs and stuff, even if its not my cup of tea.

Electrophonic Tonic · 03-19-2012, 10:32 PM

"I like to cross my own line of decency from time to time. It allows me to know I still have one." -Daniel Tosh

In a weird way, comedy can remind us of the horrors and evils of society my trivializing them. If we find ourselves offended by such topics, then doesn't that mean we care enough to do something to prevent such things from happening?

On the other hand: don't we as people naturally seek out stuff like this? We stop and look at car crashes, stand outside and gaze at house fires as families losing their homes and memories? So, if someone laughs at a Holocaust/rape/racist joke: are they really any different?

Paedantic Basterd · 03-19-2012, 10:34 PM

On the receiving end: some of my favourite humour is outside the realm of general acceptability, but not only is there a context for everything, but my knowledge of the person telling it is vital as to whether or not I think they mean to do harm with it.

03-19-2012, 10:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
Alfred one big soul Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 5,096	I'm definitely a fan of dark, shocking humor, so I'm not exactly sure where I draw the line. __________________ LAST.FM / VINYL COLLECTION / RYM

03-19-2012, 10:31 PM	#18 (permalink)
Forward To Death Trolier Than Thou Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,336	Agreed, I don't even curse in front of people I don't know. I respect people's beliefs and stuff, even if its not my cup of tea.

03-19-2012, 10:32 PM	#19 (permalink)
Electrophonic Tonic Your Ad Here Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 876	"I like to cross my own line of decency from time to time. It allows me to know I still have one." -Daniel Tosh In a weird way, comedy can remind us of the horrors and evils of society my trivializing them. If we find ourselves offended by such topics, then doesn't that mean we care enough to do something to prevent such things from happening? On the other hand: don't we as people naturally seek out stuff like this? We stop and look at car crashes, stand outside and gaze at house fires as families losing their homes and memories? So, if someone laughs at a Holocaust/rape/racist joke: are they really any different?

03-19-2012, 10:34 PM	#20 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	On the receiving end: some of my favourite humour is outside the realm of general acceptability, but not only is there a context for everything, but my knowledge of the person telling it is vital as to whether or not I think they mean to do harm with it.