They laugh because it hurts so much… by AnthonyT

REAL WORLD EVENT DISCUSSIONS

They laugh because it hurts so much…

POSTED BY: ANTHONYT
UPDATED: Saturday, June 19, 2010 09:55
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VIEWED: 780
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Saturday, June 19, 2010 7:04 AM

Freedom is Important because People are Important

Hello,

In Stranger in a Strange Land, a character has a revelation about Human laughter.

He says, "I've found out why people laugh. They laugh because it hurts so much… because it's the only thing that'll make it stop hurting."

And also, "I had thought — I had been told — that a 'funny' thing is a thing of a goodness. It isn't. Not ever is it funny to the person it happens to. Like that sheriff without his pants. The goodness is in the laughing itself. I grok it is a bravery . . . and a sharing… against pain and sorrow and defeat."

And I think it might be true. I recently became alarmed at a tourism ad that poked fun at the British, because that's kind of the opposite of what you want in a tourism ad, and because it could be the start of an anti-British trend.

However, I have seen some humor come out of this that I have enjoyed, and that has served for a moment as an ironic mirror, or to release the pressure of the unremitting despair.

I'll share one. I hope you will, too.

--Anthony

Due to the use of Naomi 3.3.2 Beta web filtering, the following people may need to private-message me if they wish to contact me: Auraptor, Kaneman, Piratenews, Wulfenstar. I apologize for the inconvenience.

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Saturday, June 19, 2010 8:17 AM

NIKI2

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

That is VERY good...you get the award for the first smile of the morning. Unfortunately, it didn't make me actually laugh...it's too on point.

I agree, and thanks; I knew I'd read that somewhere but didn't think of Stranger. I've never forgotten reading that, but I could never remember the specific quote or where it came from. Good old Heinlen; ahead of his time, among other things!

ETA: Well, you get your wish. I called Jim in and let him watch it...he laughed and said "Send me that, will you, I want to send it to Jeff". So there you go.

Hey, Heinlen was right, we gotta laugh sometimes or we'll cry.

Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
signing off

To our President: “Mr. President, you're a god damn, mother fucking liar. Fuck you, you cock sucking community activist piece of shit.... oh, go fuck yourself, Mr. President” ...Raptor

To Anthony, unquestionably the most civil person on this forum: “Go fuck yourself. On this matter, make no mistake. I want you to go fuck yourself long and hard, as well as anyone who agrees with you. I got no use for you. ...Raptor

To Frem: “You miserable piece of shit.” ...Raptor

To Niki: “My guess is it won't just be your ugly face you dislike.....Well, it's true......if you had a soul.” ...Raptor

To Kwicko:" You're the putrid slime which oozes between troll's toes, you're so low.” ...Raptor

...Remember, remember, the ugliest member...

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Saturday, June 19, 2010 9:55 AM

DREAMTROVE

Lol

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