Freedom of Satire
Freedom of speech is a vital aspect of any society that values human rights.
Yet there often comes a day in society when it is not considered civilized to
criticize someone, and that person is frozen out and their position ignored,
even if it is completely valid. Humorists such as Terry Pratchett and Douglas
Adams act as a conduit for public resentment, allowing controversial opinions to
be aired while at the same time tickling people’s senses of humor, making them
laugh and dispelling the brewing anger that leads to violent
insurrection.
One way humorists use their talents to relieve tension is by making fun of
politicians and politics. Characters such as Pratchett’s icily competent
patrician Lord Vetinari and Adams’s drunkenly incompetent galactic president
Zaphod Beeblebrox allow people to laugh off the comparably mild antics of the
politicians in the real world. They may also see their opinions voiced in
socially acceptable way, which allows them to see that their point of view is
being heard. The general satire of politicians also results in a slightly
lighter view of politicians, instead of being taken deathly seriously, behind
their statements you hear the casual irresponsibility of Beeblebrox or the cool
manipulating genius of the Patrician. The humor applied to politics helps people
take it more in stride and helps keep the populace more passive and
docile.
Humorists also often make subtle criticisms of society that that leave the
average citizens feeling entertained but slightly guilty. Terry Pratchett’s
greed-driven Ankh-Morpork and Douglas Adam’s insanely over teched galaxy both
lightly chide our society for its materialism and selfishness. Because they are
seen as acceptable mediums for such criticism they are taken more seriously than
a ranter or haranguer of the masses on street corners. The exaggerated and
hilarious characters serve as perverse reminders of what humans are capable of
being. Societal criticisms from humorists are taken better than those from other
sources.
Humorists play a vital role in society. They can criticize where other would
be cold-shouldered and prosper. They play the masses and vocalise their
discontent, providing an outlet for a gradual dispersal of anger through humor,
rather than a quick dispersal through insurrection. Humorists and satirists are
some of the most important protectors of the freedom of speech in
society.
Freedom of speech is a vital aspect of any society that values human rights.
Yet there often comes a day in society when it is not considered civilized to
criticize someone, and that person is frozen out and their position ignored,
even if it is completely valid. Humorists such as Terry Pratchett and Douglas
Adams act as a conduit for public resentment, allowing controversial opinions to
be aired while at the same time tickling people’s senses of humor, making them
laugh and dispelling the brewing anger that leads to violent
insurrection.
One way humorists use their talents to relieve tension is by making fun of
politicians and politics. Characters such as Pratchett’s icily competent
patrician Lord Vetinari and Adams’s drunkenly incompetent galactic president
Zaphod Beeblebrox allow people to laugh off the comparably mild antics of the
politicians in the real world. They may also see their opinions voiced in
socially acceptable way, which allows them to see that their point of view is
being heard. The general satire of politicians also results in a slightly
lighter view of politicians, instead of being taken deathly seriously, behind
their statements you hear the casual irresponsibility of Beeblebrox or the cool
manipulating genius of the Patrician. The humor applied to politics helps people
take it more in stride and helps keep the populace more passive and
docile.
Humorists also often make subtle criticisms of society that that leave the
average citizens feeling entertained but slightly guilty. Terry Pratchett’s
greed-driven Ankh-Morpork and Douglas Adam’s insanely over teched galaxy both
lightly chide our society for its materialism and selfishness. Because they are
seen as acceptable mediums for such criticism they are taken more seriously than
a ranter or haranguer of the masses on street corners. The exaggerated and
hilarious characters serve as perverse reminders of what humans are capable of
being. Societal criticisms from humorists are taken better than those from other
sources.
Humorists play a vital role in society. They can criticize where other would
be cold-shouldered and prosper. They play the masses and vocalise their
discontent, providing an outlet for a gradual dispersal of anger through humor,
rather than a quick dispersal through insurrection. Humorists and satirists are
some of the most important protectors of the freedom of speech in
society.