ChrisK
14th May 2010, 06:41
I've been tossing around an idea in my head fairly recently about the nature of comedy and the revolution. I am beginning to wonder if we are ignoring a tool that could be used to raise class consciousness. Based on the history of comedy and such it seems to me that comedy could be used to get our point across without seeming like nuts to ordinary people.
Historically speaking, satire has been used to raise awarness of certain issues. Jonathon Swift wrote A Modest Proposal to raise awarness of the famine in Ireland. Further, Mark Twain satirized racism and ignorance in many of his writings.
Further down the road, the slapstick of Charlie Chaplin was often used to assault the powers of society. He kicks an immigration officer, criticizes modern working conditions and lampoons Hitler. This sort of comedy pushed for people to become more radical in light of the ridiculous nature of the current system.
Even many stand-up comedians seem to be pushing towards a stronger class consiousness. George Carlin loved pointing out how America was a country for the rich to rule over the poor. Bill Hicks would make fun of modern society and end his routines of a vision in which humans take care of each other. And people loved them and often called them tellers of truth. Also, Mark Steel continues to produce comedy and (formerly) produced shows that would show history from a more marxist perspective.
To paraphrase George Carlin, when you get people to laugh they are more receptive to what you have to say. Are we missing out on a tool that could help raise class consiousness and make people more receptive to our ideas? Could comedy be part of the working class culture that could challenge the ruling class culture?
Historically speaking, satire has been used to raise awarness of certain issues. Jonathon Swift wrote A Modest Proposal to raise awarness of the famine in Ireland. Further, Mark Twain satirized racism and ignorance in many of his writings.
Further down the road, the slapstick of Charlie Chaplin was often used to assault the powers of society. He kicks an immigration officer, criticizes modern working conditions and lampoons Hitler. This sort of comedy pushed for people to become more radical in light of the ridiculous nature of the current system.
Even many stand-up comedians seem to be pushing towards a stronger class consiousness. George Carlin loved pointing out how America was a country for the rich to rule over the poor. Bill Hicks would make fun of modern society and end his routines of a vision in which humans take care of each other. And people loved them and often called them tellers of truth. Also, Mark Steel continues to produce comedy and (formerly) produced shows that would show history from a more marxist perspective.
To paraphrase George Carlin, when you get people to laugh they are more receptive to what you have to say. Are we missing out on a tool that could help raise class consiousness and make people more receptive to our ideas? Could comedy be part of the working class culture that could challenge the ruling class culture?