Make 'em Laugh

"Seriousness is not a virtue. It would be a heresy, but a much more sensible heresy, to say that seriousness is a vice. It is really a natural trend or lapse into taking one's self gravely, because it is the easiest thing to do. It is much easier to write a good Times leading article than a good joke. For solemnity flows out of men naturally, but laughter is a leap. It is easy to be heavy; hard to be light. Satan fell by the force of gravity." - GKC, Orthodoxy

I sometimes get accused of being too serious. It's true, it happens. Generally it happens when I'm not partaking in crude jokes. That's fine by me. Most who know me know I am far from serious, and least serious about myself.

I like to laugh. I laugh at life and the simple things. I laugh at my kids developing a sense of humor. I laugh at the "People of Walmart". I laugh at jokes; and fun shows. I like Psych.

Another of my favorite shows (and possibly favorite of my viewing career) is Phineas & Ferb. 2 genius kids build outrageous things on there summer vacation. The sister relentlessly tries to bust them and it somehow disappears before the mom shows up. Throw in a secret agent platypus, evil scientist and wacky music numbers. While a "kid's show", it's a show where kids will not get 1/2 the jokes.

Swiss Family Phineas

It's the brainchild of 2 of the writers from "The Family Guy" which was a very funny show but generally lewd. Beyond generally, nearly always lewd & crude.

They kept the funny and lost the vulgar-ness.


There is something special about laughter. Special in that it's unique to humanity. You don't see animals playing jokes on each other. Gorillas aren't pretending to talk on the banana phone despite ample opportunities for the gag. There is play amongst learning & growing animals but these are generally sharpening skills.

Laughter is also special in that it breaks free. While your laughing, for a moment the anchors of the world let go. For an instant the curtain is lifted.

Laughter is a sharp tool. It can cut you free from the gravity of the world. It can also cut people and send them crashing down. I want to laugh with people, and slightly at them if they are laughing too. I try hard to not ridicule. I try hard not to cause or contribute to people being ridiculed. The cost is too high and their is no proper payback or making up for it. It sacrifices honor, trust and respect for pride, power and popularity. I'm not always successful but this is my aim.

I guess I am serious about trying to treat people right. I'm also serious about my identity as a child of God, which lets me laugh at myself. If you can laugh at yourself you're always on the inside of the joke.