It's Not My Lot Today And It's Yours Tomorrow

One of the prevailing criticisms of humor as a mode of socio-political judgment is that it does not provide any material action. That is, humor can serve as a social and political palliative, a means for placating even our darkest demons, but it cannot exorcise (or exercise) them out of existence. Let me be clear in saying that such is quite possibly one of humor's most powerful qualities (its means for placating... and, by extension, calling into question those very social and political mores that undergird the actions that may or may not be taken in a particular context). Thus, I do not completely buy the premise, especially considering the an enactment of humorous discourse can be as motivating and mobilizing as a speech, nevermind the fact that humor as critique enables changes of attitudes and reconsideration of givens, arguably the roots of action (or inaction). Then again, critics are right to, perhaps, expect more of humor and to hold "the comic's" feet to the fire. But let us not burn it in effigy before recognizing its embodiment, first in ideas, then in action. Especially when such a comic as the one below drives at a serious political point...and especially when the rhetoric of figures like Glenn Beck humorlessly laughs its way both to the bank and to the political battlefield. Indeed, we might do well to consider humor as our lot today so that action can likewise be ours tomorrow.



Image Credit: John Darkow / Columbia Daily Tribune