I understood (I think) Coug's reaction, and it was a case of pointing out intent and style. If something is charged for us, we can miss satire.
And I'm not sure anything is too serious to joke about. I'm generally irreverant. But the notion that humor is always good-humor is false. As satire can be used to expose our foibles and society's shortcomings, etc... it can be used to be cruel, not funny. How often does someone say something terribly mean and then say "I was only joking"? They weren't. They were dressing a cruel barb in humor, but the intent was the cruel part.
And with humor, there are lines, intent, and timing. Timing can be very important.
I grew up in a sarcastic family. In verbal battles that can be useful and I do like the genre. However, I used it unwisely in personal interactions. When discussion and honest exchange would heal, I threw out sarcastic barbs. It was difficult to unlearn that and to use it as an artform with a purpose, in its place and time.
Sometimes we miss it due to moving to quickly, sometimes due to a closeness to the subject. I think one of those probably the case with Coug, so no big deal. |
