Notification of palatable personality traits (moved from Politics & Current Events)

[Nocapszy]

It's come to my attention that many, often, otherwise undesirable things, are brandished as favorable aspects of personality.

You hear a lot of people saying "I'm too lazy to do it" and then belch a little laugh like it's funny to be lazy.

When did this start? Why is it perpetuated?

Or there's this fun one -- if you're in gradeschool, you've certainly heard the teacher say, while drawing a diagram on the chalkboard they'll say "and if you'll excuse my horrible art skills" or perhaps they'll quip about how "if I were a good artist, I wouldn't be teaching" and of course, everyone in the class chuckles.

How is that funny? I don't understand it.

Or the worst of them all you'll hear people talk about how crazy they are.
Idiots...
If they were actually crazy they'd be scared shitless.
This probably has a lot to do with arrogance. Too much self-security.

If this backwards dub applies to a male being 'secure enough with his masculinity' to engage in any feminine actvity, then certainly accusing yourself of being crazy means, in fact that you're so certain of your mental health, it borders on the very thing you're sure you're not.

Can someone maybe explain this to me?
Or maybe just give some other examples I don't care.

[nolla]

It's actually insecurity. When the teacher jokes right away, then the students won't be able to joke. It would seem stupid to do so. I use this same strategy when someone asks me about some subject that I'm not comfortable talking about. When I answer with joke, it will take something away from the subject. The joke usually is telling my true feelings about the subject, but at the same time masking it so that the other person doesn't know if it is true or not. But again, it would seem silly if they persisted on the subject.

If this backwards dub applies to a male being 'secure enough with his masculinity' to engage in any feminine actvity, then certainly accusing yourself of being crazy means, in fact that you're so certain of your mental health, it borders on the very thing you're sure you're not.

The masculine-feminine thing isn't the same thing. The gender roles haven't got anything to do with real self-confidence, since they are mostly made up by society, and you don't need society to feel confident.

[The_Liquid_Laser]

Desirable traits are in some sense arbitrary. Everyone has different ideas about the traits that are most desirable. We can make jokes about the traits other people tell us are desirable when we don't hold them as such ourselves.

[Jack Flak]

Self deprication lightens the mood and amuses people. That's why comedians do it.

[Xander]

No one is perfect... if you can see your own flaws what is your reaction?

To note them? Okay that's fine..
To worry about them? Pointless, see above.
To improve upon them? Fine but that doesn't rule out any other reaction in addition to that.
To laugh at them and about them? Well it certainly beats worrying.

[Oberon]

It's inoculation. If you point out your own flaws, it pre-empts other people from doing it.

[Jennifer]

It's inoculation. If you point out your own flaws, it pre-empts other people from doing it.

Definitely one effective strategy.

[Nocapszy]

Self deprication lightens the mood and amuses people. That's why comedians do it.

Self depreciation? These people are obviously lying.

No one admits to being actually crazy. That's the whole reason for the DSM and that diagnostic panel.

They're pretending. Because it's funny?
How is that funny?

[Jack Flak]

People admit to being actually lazy. Exaggeration is often involved, yes.

[Lateralus]

Self depreciation? These people are obviously lying.

No one admits to being actually crazy. That's the whole reason for the DSM and that diagnostic panel.

They're pretending. Because it's funny?
How is that funny?
You might want to look around for your sense of humor. It looks like you lost it.

[Nocapszy]

Desirable traits are in some sense arbitrary. Understood. My latest kick is about arbitrary human decision and presumed knowledge/maxims etc.

I was referencing the popular current state of affairs, which seems to contain these few things, which, when actually present are abhorrent things to possess. According the the Flak, it's a provision of comic relief to inaccurately confess failure to live up to the standard.

[Nocapszy]

You might want to look around for your sense of humor. It looks like you lost it.

How about you find me a new one -- can you explain how it's funny?

[Jack Flak]

What am I like a clown to you?

[Nocapszy]

You don't give me much option to think otherwise.

[Jack Flak]

I'm here for your F'n amusement, is that it?

[Lateralus]

No can do. Explaining why it's funny would require me to invest more into this thread than I think it's worth.

[The_Liquid_Laser]

Understood. My latest kick is about arbitrary human decision and presumed knowledge/maxims etc.

I was referencing the popular current state of affairs, which seems to contain these few things, which, when actually present are abhorrent things to possess. According the the Flak, it's a provision of comic relief to inaccurately confess failure to live up to the standard.

One principle in comedy is that loss of status is funny. For example a man dressing as a woman is intrinsically funnier than a woman dressing as a man. The woman who dresses as a man is empowered. The man who dresses as a woman is humiliated. Those comedies that feature a woman dressing as a man only work by humiliating the other men. They lose status by foolishly believing the woman is male. Also a lot of TV comedies feature a foolish man (Simpsons, Family Guy, etc...). It's funny because of the perceived loss of status.