Why do people want to be funny?

[johnnie]

I always wondered why people try to be funny. Do you think it's because people like funny people? Or is a good wit the sign of intelligence?
Have you ever noticed that a lot of people want to be funny? And some people will go to extremes to be funny, and sometimes they fail miserably.
I was just thinking.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

1. I think you should ask yourself

"why not try to be funny?" I think it was Shaw that said that "Laughter expresses goodwill without being maudlin." That's a good thing in my book.

[johnnie]

8. I have nothing against it

It was just something I was thinking about. I love humor and humorous people. I laugh a good 75% of my day.

[AlCzervik]

2. They like to make people happy which in turn makes them feel good

which is actually kind of self centered when you think about it because really it's about them feeling good.

[skypilot]

7. But what if...

...making people feel bad makes you feel good?:crazy:

[AlCzervik]

24. hmmm, you better talk to Anne Coulter about that.

she's an expert in that area.

[tjdee]

3. People *do* like funny people....that's why.

If you can get a reaction from other people, it's a good feeling.
Having people smile from something you did makes one feel good.

And people like to smile, makes them feel good--so they like funny people.

Some people think they're funny because their families/good friends tell them they are. That's like anything though--I think of the guy on American Idol who was stupefied they didn't want him, when his family said he sounded like Brian McKnight.

[johnnie]

13. I remember that guy on American Idol

It's like my father. He really thinks he is funny, but he isn't. We laugh, but not for the reason he thinks we are...lol.

[tjdee]

23. I had an ex-boyfriend like that.

He was smarter than most people I knew, very cute...but every now and then he'd try to impress me with his comic ability. I laughed because I loved him.

That's why I take my family's compliments with huge grains of salt.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

4. Nervous?

I think a lot of people go really overboard with humor, or their attempts at it, when they're nervous.

Or maybe you're just running into some really twisted attention junkies.

OR, maybe they're funny, and you don't have a sense of humor?

<running away>

[johnnie]

21. Nerves can do it

I think a lot of people are funny. I am just wondering why people go overboard at being funny. Actually, I wondered what people here thought about it.
I like to wonder...

[MissMillie]

5. Because they can't sing or dance?

I give up.... why?

[johnnie]

10. Lol

That made me laugh.

[kick-ass-bob]

6. laughing is good for you.

depression is not.

SO LAUGH DAMMIT!!!
:D

[johnnie]

14. Oh..I'm laughing

Trust me... I'm laughing.

[JimmyJazz]

9. I think a sense of humor is unbelievably

sexy in a man. :) I don't know why - it just is.

[johnnie]

15. Yeah

I get that a lot.

[LoZoccolo]

11. I really don't know.

I remember when I first had that idea that I wanted to make people laugh: I was in the first grade and had a fever so I had to stay in bed, but my dad dug up some of his old Bill Cosby records from the sixties for me to listen to. I remember thinking it was cool that it was his job to make people laugh, and wanted to do that myself. Maybe it's just finding a place for yourself.

I'm through with that now, though. Ever since I've heard Oasis, I've wanted to be a rock star instead.

[johnnie]

17. I didn't know you liked Oasis.

Kidding..of course.
Both jobs would probably be cool to have.

[asthmaticeog]

20. Chase that rock and roll dream LoZoccolo.

And remember, Oasis makes people laugh, too.

[johnnie]

22. LOL

THAT was funny. Why do you try so hard?...Kidding, of course ;)

[jswordy]

12. Failure is in the eye of the beholder. It is the striving that counts.

I'd post Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" speech here, but then I would just get attacked for using a quote from T.R. (been there, done that). But if you want, you can Google it. Awesome speech.

[johnnie]

19. I'll have to Google it

I was just wondering why people want to be funny, not if they strive to be funny. Although that can probably be one in the same.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

25. Why?

I mean, who's got it in for Teddy Roosevelt?

[jswordy]

28. Oh geez, I posted that quote before and got nailed by...

....like 10 people IN A ROW who called him a neocon fascist, a template for GWB, ripped his policies, etc., etc.,etc. and excoriated me for posting the quote. Here, "the pump is always primed," as they say.

:rofl:

To me, it just isn't worth it anymore.

Helluva speech, though. Made in 1910, nine years before his death.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

38. Oh, fuck 'em

They're just idiotic.

I suppose that bastard Republican, Lincoln, is to be shunned, as well.

Idiotic.

And, yes, he made a few really great speeches.

[Zenlitened]

16. Because grooming each other for ticks...

... is no longer viewed as a socially bonding activity.

[johnnie]

18. Jeb and georgie?

Actually, that's a pretty good observation you have there.

[Zenlitened]

41. Thanks. I think looking at primate behavior can sometimes reveal a lot...

... about the things we ourselves -- human primates -- do.

And that's not meant to be a slam, as in "oh, we're nothing but naked apes." We are somehow 'more' than the apes, no question about it. But we arrived at where we are by following the same path for much of the way.

[bertha katzenengel]

26. I don't know. I am funny without trying.

If I do say so myself. I crack people up and love to do it. :shrug:

[johnnie]

37. I crack myself up more than I do others

But as long as I'm laughing..all is well in my world. :)

[crispini]

27. Yes, people like funny people.

And it's nice to laugh, and it's nice to make people laugh.

Besides, as someone said above, a funny guy is 10 kinds of sexy. And if someone can laugh at themselves and laugh at situations then that person is so much easier to be around. Serious people who are always over-analysing stuff are hard to be around.

"Life is so short. We are travelers in the universe. We come from the infinite and we are journeying into the infinite. What is there to do but amuse ourselves as much as possible?" -- Charles Ludlam

[jswordy]

30. *shocked* You... mean... they... don't... like...

people WHO RANT ALL THE FRICKIN' TIME!?!?!?!?

DU SHOCKER OF THE DAY!!!!

:rofl:

[RandomKoolzip]

29. Are you referring to this thread?:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x2949562#2949870

If so...right the fuck on, chiquito!

[jswordy]

32. ROFL!!!! HILARIOUS THREAD!!!! ROFL!!!! I also...

...like how you worked it in here! LOL!

[johnnie]

33. No, no particular thread

But I thought that one was pretty funny.

[RandomKoolzip]

34. Ah. Okay....I just want you to know that I was grasping for a copycat

thread....that's why it was totally incomprehensible.

[johnnie]

36. Oh, I knew it was

It was a good copycat though. There weren't many avenues to go with that one. I am a copycat thread fan, so I like to see them. The more off the wall the better if you ask me.

[SnowGoose]

31. "Only the truth is funny"

This was a routine by comedian Rick Reynolds, some time ago (if you ever see it, do yourself a huge favor and snag it). It made me think, though, that for something to be funny, there has to be a bridge of understanding between the sender and receiver.

It doesn't necessarily even require a common spoken language, but simply the ability to identify with the other's reality.

Maybe people try to be funny because there's a fundamental emptiness in being an isolated consciousness trapped in a skull, and humans seem to try to cross that chasm in every way that works: communities, religious affiliations, romantic relationships, sex, sports team fetishes, Oasis fetishes, DU, even.... free republic. Yes, even though I've never actually gone there, I'm pretty confident that they are human beings (I didn't say "pleasant" or "enlightened" human beings).

Or maybe I'm full of crap (again).

[johnnie]

35. I like your answer

"Oasis fetish"..LOL.
Interesting though about not even requiring a common spoken language. Sort of like music.

[alexisfree]

39. ha

you are funny...

[RagingInMiami]

40. I like to think I can be funny

And a lot of times I make myself laugh, and when I do, I just want to share the joke.

But many times people don't get it. Their sense of humor is not as warped or weird as mine.

I do enjoy making people laugh cause it makes me feel good. It helps the ego, but I also enjoy just making people happy. The world needs more laughter.