Who Is To Judge The Difference Between, Humor, Sarcasm, Ridicule, etc?

If you had two friends and made fun of both but only one thought it was hurtful while the other thought it was funny what should you do? This struck me as we hear of the Allah issue all over the news after hearing moderates say they thought showing the cartoon was not good. I know this issue could last forever because it boils down to the interpreter, what you feel is funny does not make it so but you still have "intention" and if the intention is not to harm is it harmful?

rhinefire said:

If you had two friends and made fun of both but only one thought it was hurtful while the other thought it was funny what should you do? This struck me as we hear of the Allah issue all over the news after hearing moderates say they thought showing the cartoon was not good. I know this issue could last forever because it boils down to the interpreter, what you feel is funny does not make it so but you still have "intention" and if the intention is not to harm is it harmful?

Click to expand...

I recently posted a video. Some found it humorous, some were appalled by the behavior within the video, while a small minority found it offensive for me to even post the video. I had no intent to offend, but I understood that some may be offended. It's a judgment call as to whether or not you want to censor yourself to possibly avoid offending someone.

The way I see it, if you self-censor on those grounds, you'll never say anything important, funny or interesting.

Of course, there's a time and place for everything. And maybe it's not a good idea to pick on a sensitive friend, because you value that friendship despite his/her sensitivity.

Well, what I do is modify my own behavior to fit the person I am interacting with. Some people are much more capable of having an honest and adult relationship, than others.

rhinefire said:

If you had two friends and made fun of both but only one thought it was hurtful while the other thought it was funny what should you do? This struck me as we hear of the Allah issue all over the news after hearing moderates say they thought showing the cartoon was not good. I know this issue could last forever because it boils down to the interpreter, what you feel is funny does not make it so but you still have "intention" and if the intention is not to harm is it harmful?

Click to expand...

With personal freedom comes personal responsibility. The obvious answer to your question (who is to judge,,,?) is that each individual will judge for themself what they experience as they interpret it.

The issue then becomes would (should?) you change what you say based on the current audience because you percieve that the audience will be offended by your real opinion/message? Most politicians do this constantly and have perfected the technique to such an extent that they can be said to be for all three sides of a given issue yet somewhat against it too.

While I may "mind my manners" I will not alter my behavior (or message) significantly based on who I may be addressing. Since I willl never be able to please everyone then I will just stick to pleasing (being?) myself.

Pro tip: If your wife/girlfriend asks you if she looks fat in a certain pair of jeans, you'd be well advised to answer her differently than you might one of your buddies.

soot said:

Pro tip: If your wife/girlfriend asks you if she looks fat in a certain pair of jeans, you'd be well advised to answer her differently than you might one of your buddies.

Click to expand...

Pro tip 2: If one of your buddies asks you that question, he may have more in common with your wife than previously realized. Tread cautiously.

rhinefire said:

If you had two friends and made fun of both but only one thought it was hurtful while the other thought it was funny what should you do? This struck me as we hear of the Allah issue all over the news after hearing moderates say they thought showing the cartoon was not good. I know this issue could last forever because it boils down to the interpreter, what you feel is funny does not make it so but you still have "intention" and

if the intention is not to harm is it harmful?

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

All that the world has to go by is what you publish, no one can read your mind and know what you intended to say. :roll:




"Say what you mean and mean what you say."

soot said:

Pro tip: If your wife/girlfriend asks you if she looks fat in a certain pair of jeans, you'd be well advised to answer her differently than you might one of your buddies.

Click to expand...

I have my doubts that one of your buddies would ask if their ass looks fat in a particular pair of jeans. :lol:

lizzie said:

I have my doubts that one of your buddies would ask if their ass looks fat in a particular pair of jeans. :lol:

Click to expand...

You'd be surprised.

I'm known far and wide as a callipygian connoisseur.

soot said:

You'd be surprised.

I'm known far and wide as a callipygian connoisseur.

Click to expand...

Well, you must hang with some unusual guys. I've never once had a man ask me if his ass looked fat. Hell, I won't even ask if my own ass looks fat. I have eyes so that I can know these things without someone else's input. :lol: