Comedy: The Art of Mocking Reality

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I've always enjoyed writing humour. I think I realised I was actually funny back when AOL was a thing, and as a "reg" in the Houston chat room I would see an onslaught of conscious stupidity and juvenile angst. It was glorious, like sitting atop a golden hill, looking down with insidious rapture, at this boundless gaggle of blundering drolls.

And, at the time, I was just getting into Bill Hicks. His comedy was so shameless and dark, and genius. It got me through some rough times.

So, I would watch these people and just be amazed, and yet almost ashamed that I'm part of a species that is considered as "intelligent life"... people that could easily be used as a controlled variable in an experiment aimed at disproving human intelligence as an innate contingency.

I believe, though, that there is potential genius in everyone; it's all a matter of applying yourself and believing in yourself.

But when a generation of teens and twenty-year-olds are demonstrating a level of intelligence equal to an orangutan there are two roads you can take, depending on the circumstances. One road is to work diligently and compassionately to ensure future generations won't be hukd on foniks; to ensure that they grow up with actual eagerness to learn and be amazing and successful.

The other road, however, is to completely destroy them through comedy. Why? Because comedy is the art of mocking reality. It's not supposed to be safe and PC and unoffensive. It's supposed to grab you by the neck and shove your head into the toilet and show you how full of shit life can be; and that the best way to get through it is to lighten the fuck up, relax, and laugh at this mess. If you don't, or if you won't, then you'll just be miserable and wallow in how unfair it all is.

Don't internalise your shit; get it out, point and laugh at it, and then flush it and walk away feeling relieved.

The best comedy always comes from life struggles, whether it's our own or everyone else's. There are definitely lines that you may not want to cross, but for the most part you have to take the piss on anything or anyone. And it doesn't require you to be bigoted about it, either. You look at a situation, you try to find how absurd it is, and you turn that absurdity into hilarity.

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There needs to be more trans comics, making lite of social justice issues, setting people at ease as they realize they are actually laughing at jokes said by someone they were told to be afraid of.

And I don't have a problem using typical "triggering" terms, because it's really a choice to be triggered and offended. I will say the T word in a set, or things like "I Am She-Man, Mistress Of The Tumblrverse!"

If you use words and phrases that your average homophobe or transphobe would use, but without the underlying hostility, it lowers their guard and in turn lessens their fear of you. Once they understand that you're not the freak they thought you were then a sense of respect starts to seep into their brains.

We can't expect the world to magically understand what being trans is, and expect people to talk to us with specificity or in a special tone of voice; not if we ever want to witness that respect and compassion begin to surface, and then to experience it from people you'd never think had it in them. The "special snowflake" attitude many of us have is one of the biggest reasons we don't progress like we should. It annoys people, and it reinforces their contempt. We have to — for lack of better phrasing — descend down to their level, use their language, but do so in a way that shows them how none of it bothers us. Even if it does, act like it doesn't.

Anti-SJW trans vlogger Blaire White made a very important point in one of her videos; that if anyone, trans people should have a thicker skin in this world, not a thinner one. Throw away your Give A Fuck card, and just live your life, be happy, and press on. That doesn't mean being passive and allowing the oppression of our community to continue. It's choosing not to be a victim, and to not give them such emotional power over us. It's bullying 101.

To me, the best way to dilute and dissolve hostility is to temper it with humour. You're actually letting bigotry win by getting offended (which then often proceeds to aggressive contempt), because that's exactly the kind of response bigots hope for. Turn that shit around. Transmute their hate into hilarity. If we keep doing what we're doing not a damn thing will change.

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I'm essentially living proof that I can talk about common courtesy and decency with complete genuineness one minute and then go on a shocking rampage of dark humor the next.

That's because comedy is a performance, and not always a direct reflection of one's character, beliefs, or personality. They might influence the material to some degree, but mainly to provide a general platform for said material.

Comedy in standup fashion or in written word is basically like an outlet for channeling the Shadow Self in a healthy, constructive way. Being offended by something a comic says is kind of ridiculous, and the joke ends up being on you for doing so.

So, if you're that sensitive then you should probably just stick to slapstick movies and evening sitcoms.

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Comedy is pretty much making fun of yourself and others like yourself and making people laugh. It does two things though. It allows the person and others like the comedian to accept the circumstances and pretty much force others not like us to at least acknowledge us. People laugh it induces certain chemicals in the brain and they enjoy it. If we can make jokes about ourselves then that plus the chemical reactions in the brain of the audience concretes in their psyche that we are self confident about ourselves and on a psychological level makes it real and actually OK. Much like Mexican comedians addressing stereotypes and allowing people to laugh at those and actually see how stupid it is to see people as Stereotypes. Same with black comics using the N word and addressing those stereotypes.

Actually if you let people laugh about something, they come out with a more positive outlook on the subject than being argumentative with an audience and coming across as a victim or angry. Laughter is the best medicine and way more affective than anger. 

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Aug 17, 2016 0:34:07 GMT 8 @jamie said:

Actually if you let people laugh about something, they come out with a more positive outlook on the subject than being argumentative with an audience and coming across as a victim or angry. Laughter is the best medicine and way more affective than anger. 

YES. And as I said, "setting people at ease as they realize they are actually laughing at jokes said by someone they were told to be afraid of." The media onslaught of bathroom fears and Caitlyn Jenner being an idiot makes people think we're all a bunch of dangerous and perverted freaks, so I thought I would do my part as a comic and help people lower their defenses. If you berate them with PC terminology and how 'cis people just need to blahbityblah' then they're going to stay closed off and hostile; but if you come down to their level and show them a sticks-and-stones attitude with a grin they'll be like "huh.. you're not so bad."

One bit that I'm doing is saying, "So, I went into the ladies' room earlier...(short pause) to PEE... like you do. Or maybe you don't... maybe you have a scat thing... maybe you like to... rub out on the hands-free dryer. The dynamics of that... I don't even.. that's not hot... I mean, it probably is... literally. But... Anyway, I push open the stall door, and immediately I'm greeted by someone's nasty butt-truffle...there it is, wistful and yearning... Really? Ladies? Just once can I be surprise-assaulted by scented rainbows and tiny unicorns? I believe in miracles. Please flush."

So I've made lite of Bathroomgate and made fun of one of their own nasty flaws.

Maybe continue with this: "I'm glad this isn't a child-friendly establishment. I just... I can't have them around me.... noo, it's not a court order...You guys... come on...okay... You see cute and lovable... I see tiny sociopath. That's not love in their eyes, that's a dark agenda. *kid voice* "will you play with me?" STOP SCANNING MY BRAIN!

People ask me if I want my own... I like my life. Weird, right? No emotional obligations, a sense of purpose, and my own pint of Häagen Dazs in the freezer next to the ziplock mystery bag that's probably slowly becoming sentient. You don't have one of those? But really, when someone asks me that what I really hear is *in annoying new mother voice* 'So, River... do you think you might want to have a couple of leaky tumors someday?...' uh, no. 'Well, you say that noww... but one dayyyy...' Yuck.

Alright, it's not that bad... don't stone me just yet.

I'm guessing some of you were initially thinking, "she's evil! she wants to touch my kids!" but then I trip you up with that bit, and now it's like, "she's evil! she don't want to touch my kids!" Who's the sicko now? Kid-lovers, all of you. Gross."

Whether or not those bits get any laughs, I have no idea, but I have to try.

[Deleted]

Aug 22, 2016 13:12:51 GMT 8 @illuminess said:

Aug 17, 2016 0:34:07 GMT 8 @jamie said:

Actually if you let people laugh about something, they come out with a more positive outlook on the subject than being argumentative with an audience and coming across as a victim or angry. Laughter is the best medicine and way more affective than anger. 

YES. And as I said, "setting people at ease as they realize they are actually laughing at jokes said by someone they were told to be afraid of." The media onslaught of bathroom fears and Caitlyn Jenner being an idiot makes people think we're all a bunch of dangerous and perverted freaks, so I thought I would do my part as a comic and help people lower their defenses. If you berate them with PC terminology and how 'cis people just need to blahbityblah' then they're going to stay closed off and hostile; but if you come down to their level and show them a sticks-and-stones attitude with a grin they'll be like "huh.. you're not so bad."

One bit that I'm doing is saying, "So, I went into the ladies' room earlier...(short pause) to PEE... like you do. Or maybe you don't... maybe you have a scat thing... maybe you like to... rub out on the hands-free dryer. The dynamics of that... I don't even.. that's not hot... I mean, it probably is... literally. But... Anyway, I push open the stall door, and immediately I'm greeted by someone's nasty butt-truffle...there it is, wistful and yearning... Really? Ladies? Just once can I be surprise-assaulted by scented rainbows and tiny unicorns? I believe in miracles. Please flush."

So I've made lite of Bathroomgate and made fun of one of their own nasty flaws.

Maybe continue with this: "I'm glad this isn't a child-friendly establishment. I just... I can't have them around me.... noo, it's not a court order...You guys... come on...okay... You see cute and lovable... I see tiny sociopath. That's not love in their eyes, that's a dark agenda. *kid voice* "will you play with me?" STOP SCANNING MY BRAIN!

People ask me if I want my own... I like my life. Weird, right? No emotional obligations, a sense of purpose, and my own pint of Häagen Dazs in the freezer next to the ziplock mystery bag that's probably slowly becoming sentient. You don't have one of those? But really, when someone asks me that what I really hear is *in annoying new mother voice* 'So, River... do you think you might want to have a couple of leaky tumors someday?...' uh, no. 'Well, you say that noww... but one dayyyy...' Yuck.

Alright, it's not that bad... don't stone me just yet.

I'm guessing some of you were initially thinking, "she's evil! she wants to touch my kids!" but then I trip you up with that bit, and now it's like, "she's evil! she don't want to touch my kids!" Who's the sicko now? Kid-lovers, all of you. Gross."

Whether or not those bits get any laughs, I have no idea, but I have to try.

I think its funny but a lot of cis people may not get some parts of it though. Comedy is about laughing at yoruself and others in a sort of respectable manner but still down in the dirt with the sign of the times and so on.

"Anyway, I push open the stall door, and immediately I'm greeted by someone's nasty butt-truffle..."

You could change this into something like, "I push open the door and am faced with a fucking Anoconda that is coiled around 4 times with the head sticking out of the bowl. I amost peed my panties until I realized it was a turd when the smell hit me. I tried to flush the fucker ten times and then called maintanence and they put it out of order. No worries though because I will just use the next stall and when I walked in I was about to call an exorcist because it looked like it had rained yellow water on the seat and floor. Funny how people that supposedly have to sit to pee can miss the potty and splash all over the place. Sounds more like the horses restroom than the ladys' room. WTF" I guess I ain't the only Tranny in the world. Hint people, if you are gonna use the ladies room, sit to pee. If you are a guy sneaking in to look at least shave those legs, wear a skirt and makeup and sit to pee and poop." Bathroomgate is really good teminalogy to use though.

I personally would leave leaky tumors out unless you are talkiing about the little thing that is still there but rewrite it though. Make people laugh at the little "peni". You make them laugh at it and you can laugh at it or let people laugh at it then it isn't the monster that most people see with trans women. So something like, " I can't even cum anymore. That sux especially when someone else goes down on me. So my Boyriends have told me clear and smooth and all the time my mind is seeing more fireworks than New Years around the world at the same time. Girls. Is this normal to lose your mind like this during the big "O"? Or is this just the "Tranny O"? Regarless its like being high, drunk, Xing, on speed and going to heaven all at once. It blew my mind the first time. If someone finds it can they please return it."

As for the kids and it may get offensive to some but has been in the news. " You worried about your children using the restroom next to me? Well if I have to use the men's room and if your son is over 18 and cute then worry mom and dad. I am going to look. I ain't no saint and only 21 myself. Well if they are 18-70 and have a law degree or brain surgeon and likes trans chicks then meet me backstage so I can let you have my number and have them call me please because comedy sux when you aren't that funny or on SNL. I really need a rich boyfriend or husband. As for young children though, how the hell? They are children, I need a man or woman not a child and besides I don't wear a collar and live in a rectory. By the way. Rectory? Don't that sound close to Rectom? Just sayin'. No no no. I can't compare all preists to child molesters because I don't want to go to hell because there are a lot of good ones out there but always be wary of any preist called Father Chester. You know 'Chester the Molester'? But then again there are Chesters that don't molest. They just sit in their basements and eat Cheatos. But seriously, most molesters will and studies show that trans people are less likelely to molest children than their own parents or family members. So take that. Who are the really bad freaks here? Well we are all freaks but I'm a good freak so peace out and g'night all." Then blow a kiss to the crowd and take your exit.

The thing about comedy and writing comedy is not coming across as angry or hurt but with a What the Fuck attitude and then laugh at the obsurdity of it and then make others laugh. How far you go and how dirty you get depends on the club though. It also depends on if it an establishment that seves beer only or beer and alcohol. It also depends on the area and the community. Just do you homework and research. It is not as much about comedy, LGBT issues or anything else other than marketing yourself. As a matter of fact writing for an audience depends on the outlet in which you are in front of. Like you writing comedy, people want to laugh. For me and metal, people want to be pissed and then identify. But that last part, identify, is what most people want to relate too.

Beware though because in comedy you will have hecklers and if you can shame them without missing a beat then you win. So if a heckler calls you a shemale then ask them what part about you the most they are so attracted to, she or he. If they say niether then tell them you have the key to open their closet. Then go from there. If someone calls you a tranny then tell them you are not a transmission and then ask them if they like a load of gear oil in their mouths and then tell the audience that they are a bigger freak than you are. You could also go dirtier and tell them that you "oil" tastes better than 90 weight because you have had way too many Pina Coladas and pineapple..... well we all know what pinapple does to the taste. I do at least.

But give 'em hell and if someone gives you hell then show them the way.