Laughter is The Common Ground During Divisive Times

“A wonderful thing about laughter is that it just destroys any kind of system dividing people”

— John Cleese

The above picture is that of my 87-year-old father-in-law being seemingly asphyxiated by a vine in Airlie Gardens, Wilmington NC. Probably for a lawsuit settlement. A beautiful garden, to be sure.

Laughter and smiles are powerful ways people bond. It has the power to disarm and de-escalate tense situations. Humor can be used to address the elephant in the room without seeming too rude.

“If you are going to tell people the truth you had better make them laugh, or they will kill you.”

— Oscar Wilde

In essence, this quote suggests that delivering difficult or uncomfortable truths to people can be met with resistance or hostility. However, if you can present these truths in a humorous or entertaining way, it may make the message more palatable and less likely to provoke a negative reaction.

“Comedy always works best when it is mean-spirited”

— John Cleese

Laughter or smiling indicates an unhostile mood and a sense of easiness. People are more likely to trust someone who is smiling over someone who is scowling or frowning.

Laughter is contagious as well and can have a domino effect on those around you. Psychologically, it only takes a few people to brighten their community.

It seems division is on every front these days, especially in regard to politics. Politics has its way of seeping into everything we do, however.

People seem to disagree on everything these days, especially on social media. People hide behind computer screens and rant about what is wrong with their country, or other groups of people.

Social Media has a way of dehumanizing human interaction in a way that eliminates the character of people, with the only thing often taken into account being the opinion of another unknown entity. Nothing else matters.

It is essential that society learns better forms of communication, and humor, wit, and tact are great ways to achieve this.

Differences in opinion are greeted with hostility, at least in my experience. Especially on the internet, where you do not have to look the opposite party in the eyes.

Humor ought not just to be injected into social media. Although it has been, it is usually done so in quite a backhanded kind of way. Often missing the actual humor element.

Difficulties in the workplace can be easily addressed without arguments or raising voices. All it takes is for someone to be emotionally detached from the engagement enough to inject a little humor, which is not always such an easy task.

Body language and humor are universal languages. Humor as a form of communication has more pros than cons such as:

1. Shared Positive Emotions: Laughter and humor trigger the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. When we laugh together, we experience positive emotions simultaneously, creating a shared emotional connection.
2. Stress Reduction: Humor is an effective stress reliever. When we share funny moments or jokes with others, it helps reduce stress and anxiety, making social interactions more comfortable and enjoyable.
3. Enhanced Communication: Humor can break down communication barriers. It helps to convey complex or sensitive messages in a more light-hearted and approachable way. When people share a laugh, they often feel more open and receptive to each other’s ideas and perspectives.
4. Icebreaker: Humor acts as a social icebreaker, especially in unfamiliar or awkward situations. A well-timed joke can ease tension, making it easier for people to connect and engage with each other.
5. Building Trust: Sharing humor, including self-deprecating humor, can demonstrate vulnerability and authenticity. When we’re willing to laugh at ourselves, it can build trust by showing that we’re not trying to appear perfect or infallible.
6. Shared Experiences: When people laugh together, they create shared memories and experiences. Inside jokes and humorous stories become part of the social fabric, reinforcing a sense of togetherness and belonging.
7. Enhanced Social Bonding: Psychologically, laughter and humor create a positive association with the people with whom we share those experiences. This association strengthens social bonds and encourages us to seek out those individuals for future interactions.
8. Cultural and Social Norms: Different cultures and social groups have their own unique humor styles and norms. Sharing in-group humor can help individuals feel like they belong to a specific cultural or social community.
9. Conflict Resolution: Humor can be a powerful tool for resolving conflicts and diffusing tense situations. Using humor to address disagreements can help people see the lighter side of the issue and find common ground.
10. Increased Attraction: Studies have shown that people are often attracted to those who make them laugh. A good sense of humor can be seen as an attractive quality in both friendships and romantic relationships.

Division is everywhere. It is here in America, in Ukraine and Russia, in Azerbaijan and Armenia, in post-apartheid South Africa, and just about everywhere else in the world.

I’d like to think that humor could resolve diplomatic issues, but humor seems to fall flat in the face of bureaucracy.

People seem to take to the streets in armed protests and riots sooner than resolve our differences with patience and understanding. Rather than appreciate the other opinion, we dig our feet in the ground and press back with all our might.

I would rather see people engaging in healthy discussion rather than indifference or bigotry.

There seems to be a serious break in effective communication, and the only way we can address this is through uniting on our common ground.

Until we can find our logical common ground, laughter and global inclusion can carry us the rest of the way.

Not only is laughter a bonding tool, but it also makes us as individuals happier.

Just the act of smiling will cause our brains to release feel-good hormones such as serotonin and dopamine. We can essentially put ourselves in better moods by simply smiling at others. The reciprocity of a smile can lift even the coldest of hearts.

Even cold people are just that, people. Something made them cold, but I like to believe that no person is beyond redemption or help.

“If I can get you to laugh with me, you like me better, which makes you more open to my ideas. And if I can persuade you to laugh at the particular point I make, by laughing at it you acknowledge its truth.”

— John Cleese, writer for Monty Python

Footnotes:

A man went into a seafood restaurant and asked for a lobster tail. The waitress smiled sweetly and said, “Once upon a time there was this handsome lobster…”

Thanks for reading!