Anti semitism aside, this is probably one of the clearest examples of how much humor is *not* about cleverness.
Tension and release ONLY.
“I’m not gonna say what race .. it was this race.”
First phrase builds tension thru expectation. Second phrase subverts expectation and releases the tension thru excellent timing and delivery. That’s it. It can be THIS dumb and be funny.
Okay now listen to this. This is so so succinct - a fully contained joke within itself. Perfection.
Just 15 words. But the last two words transform the ENTIRE first thirteen - the absolute essence of what “punchline” means. Learn from this.
I’m seeing some Kanye discourse (I.e. on the man himself). I don’t care that much. I’m a big fan but he’s deeply unwell, motherless and an absolute idiot about most things
I’m literally talking *only* about/from my own soapbox here: the ineffable mystery of how laughter works 🙏🏽
Here’s another example of how laughter works. Unlike Kanye imo, this man is a conscious master of this craft. Watch him play the tension and release game with the DUMBEST MATERIAL OF ALL TIME
Going back to this clip, I was just realizing a word everyone should know and that *everyone* can access, probably one of the most foundational concepts of comedy is MISDIRECTION.
Kanye isn’t doing it intentionally. But see how it works even otherwise.
@AskYatharth Btw Yatharth, idk if you read this thread, but this is the master at work. Probably the capstone on the thesis that laughter is NOT about cleverness
the important thing to realize is
A) ayn rand captures something very precious about being alive. she respects the ineffability of life experience and thus naturally connects with brilliant, misunderstood, sensitive and neurodivergent folks.
and many people who thirst for A, don't realize they are swallowing B in the process.
and it's not their fault because Rand literally connects them together ALL the time.
"one can't love man without hating most of the creatures who pretend to bear his name" is a literal quote
the trigger warning that everyone should really have access to for this stuff is:
ayn rand is full of anger and hatred for the vast majority of humanity. this is a person carrying an astounding amount of vitriol. it oozes from every other word on the page.
Kindness makes a person feel good in a way no other quality really approaches.
Talent won’t do it. Status won’t. Money doesn’t. Having emotional vocabulary doesn’t. Therapy speak won’t. Even a history of prior interactions.
Kindness + calm has an unmatched emotional signature.
When you’re with a truly large hearted and kind person, a part of you just relaxes and opens up and *feels good* in a way that leaves an indelible impression on you.
It’ll bring a smile to your face to even think of this person.
Thanks be experienced it a few times and I’m always grateful for such things people.
Btw to maybe state the obvious, I’m talking about something pretty foundationally different from “niceness.”
Kindness is an active outward inclusion. Niceness is a passive absence of rudeness.