Why Do Humorists Use Comedy?

The world unfailingly evolves in an attempt to improve and advance humanity. As new discoveries are made, perceptions are altered, and people are left with a choice to either accept societal transformations, or stand against them. Looking back, this trend can be seen in virtually every aspect of history. During the Renaissance, people either accepted the new secularist views or rejected them in favor of the church, and amid the Scientific Revolution, people either supported new discoveries, or disregarded them because they falsified their interpretation of the Bible. One of the great catalysts of these transformations that allows a greater range of acceptance is humor. Humorists serve a vital role in society as they use comedy as a medium for the transmission of new ideas and information, and employ the functions of laughter and satire to push the limits of acceptability. Twentieth century French philosopher, Henri Bergson, was influential during World War II and the Age of Anxiety with his theories on intuition and the process of laughter. He describes laughter and comedy as a way to distance oneself from the mechanization of everyday life. As industrialization swept across the continent, one of the greatest …show more content…
When comedians utilize sarcasm or irony in their performances, some people may fail to pick up on their actual message. Similarly, satirical pieces can be deceptive and difficult to decode, leaving some readers confused and unsure of the true meaning. Despite these common faults, humorists are still essential in society because of the way they maintain the characteristics of humanity, push the limits of acceptability, and unify people under a certain cause. Without humorists, boundaries will never be broken, radical ideas will never be introduced, and society will become completely mechanized with the autonomous nature of everyday