Should We Exercise Some form Censorship in Humor - Term Paper Example

Should we exercise some form censorship in humor? Outline: I. Humor II. Acceptable Level Of Violence III. Hate Humor IV. Freedom Of Speech at any cost V. Acceptable level of censorship (or without a cause) VI. Conclusion VII. Work Cited VIII. Should we exercise some form censorship in humor? Humor is the tendency of the cognitive experiences to provide amusement and provoke laughter. The term originates from the ancient Greek phenomenon that had derivation from the medical science. The term humorous which taught the balance of fluids in a human, is actually the phenomenon that control human emotion and health. Like no two cuisines touch the taste buds of two human in a similar fashion. Likewise, no two individuals digest the humor indifferently or at the same time. A humor that amuses one might be sarcastic to another. Thus, no two souls can digest from the same plate when it comes to Jokes. I believe that censorship is needed when it comes to any media release this includes the humor sightings also. Freedom must be given but of course not at the cost of few individuals or targeted group. It is important that individuals recognize each other differences and do not actively involved in targeting one group to conform to its norms while others feel degraded. Acceptable Level of Violence There are certain limits under which seen or unseen violence should be permissible. Humor is good to the point that it creates least mess for the society. Nevertheless, today we see all negative forms of humor. Even if one ignores the humor itself, the impact that it causes requires well handling to lessen the effect of resulting negativity. Recent children and teenager games especially the T-rated games carries significant level of violence, crude humor, blood, mild language and drunken scenes. The cartoon violence pictures cartoon characters fighting violently and using dangerous equipments. Crude humor is the use of rude jokes related to vulgarity and obscene stuff, non-refined and uneducated jokes. The regular viewing of such offensive material severely distorts the personality traits of youngster who copy and learn whatever they see and hear. Let us see the effect of humor and violence with two studies carried out: Furnham and His followers carried out a study that compared the difference between recalling violence and humor on media. Studies revealed: Moderately humorous ads were recognized and recalled better than the non-humorous ads (Furnham, Gunter, & Walsh, 1998; Krishnan & Mr. Chakravati, 2003). Participants viewing humorous TV programs had better recalling of ads than news viewers program (Furnham and Mori, 2003). Moreover, the studies also reveal that violence ads were recall for a lesser time than humorous ads. Therefore, even if viewer forgets the violent acts still the crude humor would remain in the memory for a longer period. The worst-case scenario would be more display of humorous violent scenes. Another study Potter W. James and Warren, Ron carried out a research that concentrated on effects of media portraying violence in comedy programs. The study base on high incidental rates of violence (especially the verbal forms) depicted in comedy films; especially the combination of minor acts of violence and humor. The study focuses on steps taken to trivialize the presence of violent acts. (Humor as the Camouflage of Televised Violence) Hate Humor: Hate humor is the term used in disgust for certain sections of the society. Usually, the real cause behind hate humor is taking out agony and expressing abhor against certain sects and caste. Such strategy is use with an objective to blur out the identities with which certain groups associate themselves. Example of incidents 1. Humor about Race Humor is bound to stay within certain limits of acceptable norms and ethics as long as it entertain majority with a further condition of not causing harm to minority. The different culture among which the humor faces exposure continues to mend it. At times humor moves ahead while other times it leaves behind the consensus. 2. Humor about Religion The worst form of hate humor that creates severe negative impacts in forms of different protests, severe killing and division of sects is the Humor about religion. Atheists possess the best sense of self-deprecating humor. They take revenge by humiliating other religions when different schools of missionaries make negative remarks against atheist school of thought. The hatred thereby causes laughing; mocking and hatred humor. At any particular period in time, one would always find certain segments of the society objecting certain areas of humor. This is unavoidable unless a complete ban on humor results. Freedom of speech at any cost Humor is an almost physiological response to fear (Vonnegut, 2007). Humor brings on freedom of expression with logic and reason. As Freud thought the primary, function of jokes is allowing expression of morally unacceptable desires. Political humor is desirable not only in coping or resisting under a dictatorship, but even in the day-to-day workings of a democracy. It is because of this free speech that today we see many politicians adhering to a just course of action. The credit of course attributes to the fear of rebuke. Moreover, humor is favored as it definitely has some positive effects. Humor plays a key role in mental health and in physical wellbeing. Studies suggest a certain movement of lungs and internal organs in laughter causes body well-being. On the other hand, humor also allows coping up with stressful situations and events. Nonetheless, in creating humor, too, at times it would be morally acceptable to cause minor level of inconvenience or discomfort for the sake of a laugh, not of course major inconvenience or any intense pain. Acceptable level of censorship (or without a cause) Humor might sound beneficial but it can be cruel and derisive also. There are certain ethical limitations that one should not surpass under any circumstances. Humor should not go without censor check. The censorship would depend not only on the audience in presence but on even those not around. A bias and humor out of hate would definitely results in suffering of certain individuals. In that case if the witness is unmoved by the receivers receptive then he would be describe as unjust. As a result, we could say that certain level of censorship would be acceptable. Moreover, jokes made to target ridicule dictators (as mentioned earlier) if continue without censorship could bring positive results. Such as in the case of Hitler, the use of humor gave feeling of freedom to oppress individualist. On a smaller scale, humor might go uncensored where the objective is to embarrass or wake up bullies. As Mary Hirsch says Humor is the rubber sword that allows one to make a point without drawing any blood. Conclusion Humor is therefore a strong drive for liberalization in our lives and of course clearly boon to humans. Indeed, one who take away anyone sorrow in times of difficulty would be categorize as the doer of goods. Yet it is evident that at times humor could de-range us from acceptable norms, ethics and morals. In that case, it would be categorize as inappropriate. To be able to laugh at things one find amusing is an enjoyable stance and a valuable trait. However, maintaining the given reaction all the time cannot be categorize as a good characteristic. Work Cited 1. Fungam, Humor,(n.d), Violence and Memory: Effects of Television on Recall, from http://www.puc.edu/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/29883/humor-violence-and-memory-tv-recall.pdf 2. Hirsch, Mary (n.d), from http://www.quotationspage.com/search.php3?homesearch=humor&page=3 3. Warren,John, (2010), Humor as the Camouflage of Televised Violence, from http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ573405&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ573405 4. Vonnegut,Kurt. (1922-2007), A Man without a Country, from http://www.quotationspage.com/search.php3?homesearch=humor&page=4 Read More