Christian Comedian and Songwriter Aaron Wilburn has found much success with his “bless his heart” joke. According to Wilburn, in the southern culture of the USA, the phrase “bless his heart” basically means, “what an idiot.”
Jim went bankrupt. Bless his heart.
Billy got an F in Physics. Bless his heart.
Everyone in this video. Bless their hearts.
That’s funny, right?
Why do we find humor in other people’s misfortune? Why do we enjoy seeing other people miserable? Perhaps its because we’re glad its not happening to us. Perhaps it gives us some sense of revenge of a past wrong-doing. Maybe we remember going through a similar incident ourselves and laugh because we do know what they’re going through. I don’t have the answers on this one. Maybe you do.
My answer…
We all try so hard to be perfect, to do things perfectly, to never appear to be foolish…but that’s impossible.
So when people mess up or get hurt or whatever, we laugh because we know we ALL look stupid one time or another…
So when I laugh at people’s misfortunes, I’m actually saying in my head, “Dude! And I thought I looked like a moron! You win! Way to go…”
See…it’s encouragement…lol
I agree with Abby, to an extent. I think we laugh (generally speaking) for two reasons: pure, unadulterated joy, or when something is funny. So what is funny? I agree with Steve Fisher’s father, Rush Fisher when he postulates in his book “In Search of the Funny Bone” that we laugh at the absurd.
So, someone falling down is absurdity, because it is not “normal” behavior. When a behavior violates our norms, we view it as absurd and that can sometimes be expressed as laughter.
I think there is a third reason we laugh: pride.
Sometimes I laugh rather than cry. My pride won’t let me cry, even though a situation has stirred up strong emotions, so I laugh.
So, sometimes the misfortune of others elicits a laugh rather than compassion, simply because I am afraid I will lose some of my “machismo.”
I know, it’s not a good reason. But, I’m working on it.
-joe
Have you ever considered writing an ebook or guest authoring on other sites?
I have a blog based upon on the same ideas you discuss and
would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers
would enjoy your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me
an email.