Laughter and Politics

I think it might just be a matter of attitude. We approach our problems, America’s problems, with the wrong attitude. It’s not just that we’re nasty with each other for no reason, though it’s part of the problem. It’s also only partly because we aren’t looking to cooperate or collaborate with anyone that doesn’t have exactly the same views we have. Our avoidance of logic and reason is noteworthy, as is our discomfort with admitting when we’re wrong. It’s all part of the problem, but the biggest attitudinal issue might just be the absence of a sense of humor. We need to be able to laugh at ourselves and with one another. There needs to be more of a sense of joy, even when addressing serious pressing problems. There’s plenty of rage, enmity, nastiness, hatred, … but not enough joy, laughter, humor, jokes (even with John Stewart) … and it seems like a void we ought to be able to fill.