Oh for gods' sakes

[serai]

Is there anyone around here besides me who still has a sense of humor about things like PUNKd?

It's a JOKE. Nobody GETS HURT. All that happens is some people THINK something happened that DIDN'T. And then they FIND OUT. That's it, people!


When I was a kid, there was a show called Candid Camera. It was essentially the same thing, except that the "victims" were ordinary people, not celebrities, and the show had a microscopic budget compared to PUNKd. There were no houses blowing up. Instead, what you got were people reacting to talking mailboxes, or choreographed crowds that wouldn't let them pass, or things like that. It was funny then, and it's funny now.

Christ in a sidecar. The world is getting grimmer and more horrid every day. Where's the harm in fooling somebody and then letting them know they've been fooled? It's incredible how thin-skinned people have gotten, and how unwilling to take a joke. Especially when it isn't even on them!!


*goes back to watch promo again* I sure hope somebody captures the whole segment. I'd really love to see this!

Comments

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

We all react differently to things, and I understand why people like those programs and find them funny. They bother me in a way I can't explain. Maybe it's truly because I don't have much of a sense of humor, but I wasn't trying to hurt anyone by saying that I don't find them funny. I was just stating my feelings. Maybe I am thin skinnned. It hurts a little that you're angry about something that is not meant to disrespect anyone's sense of humor, and I feel like I must have hurt you unintentionally. If so, I apologize and hope we can agree to disagree.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Sweetheart, you're a nice person, but I feel I have to say this in order to clarify my position: that is exactly what I'm talking about. I'm not hurt. Know why? Because nothing about this situation could hurt me. What I am is exasperated.

Why has it become so common to assume woundedness and pain when it has not occurred? Why do so many people jump to conclusions about the effects of things like this, and why do those conclusions so often involve injury? It's humor. It's not meant to be taken seriously. Therefore, what's the point in getting upset about any of it?

I've seen this kind of thing happen in fandom before, and it's interesting that the reactions of the fans are so often much more negative and hand-wringing than that of the people involved. I'd bet a hefty sum that when Elijah found out he'd been punked, he didn't sit down and start crying about being hurt. He probably laughed his ass off.

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

You're probably right, and I'm glad to know we're okay. You know, I may be projecting my own personality on others when I assume they may be hurt by things I say. I'm too sensitive, and I've been told I'm overprotective. Some of that's my age, some of it comes from my uprbringing, some from my Cancerian personality, and some from the losses I've dealt with in the past few years. I find myself feeling much more for others than I ever did when I was younger, and wanting to be gentle with their feelings, and to try to protect everyone. I've always been a "mama," even when I was a little girl myself, and I still tend try to mother everyone. Just ask my 40 year old daughter, who laughs at me when I tell her to drive carefully, or to watch out for that car when we start to cross the street. I bet Elijha laughed his ass off too. He's got a great sense of humor.