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greg1984's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this was enjoyable and insightful. I liked that when there was a controversial aspect, he would share the strongest arguments from both sides.
The one area I thought was lacking, was on two separate occasions, he mentioned research that showed that negative negative stereotype jokes (e.g. Polish jokes, gay jokes, etc) peaked about a generation after active discrimination/hate crimes began to decline. The stated reason for this then, is these negative stereotype jokes are not a way for society to say "you don't belong" it's a way of saying "you're one of us now, and we feel comfortable joking around you now."
Uhm... I find this highly unconvincing, and Gimbel seems to just accept this argument without any reflection. It seems to me the obvious counter-argument is not that these negative stereotype jokes are a crass way to welcome the new group; but rather, a way of saying, "we know it's no longer socially acceptable to actively discriminate against you, but we want you to remember, you're not really one of us, and we're still better than you."
The one area I thought was lacking, was on two separate occasions, he mentioned research that showed that negative negative stereotype jokes (e.g. Polish jokes, gay jokes, etc) peaked about a generation after active discrimination/hate crimes began to decline. The stated reason for this then, is these negative stereotype jokes are not a way for society to say "you don't belong" it's a way of saying "you're one of us now, and we feel comfortable joking around you now."
Uhm... I find this highly unconvincing, and Gimbel seems to just accept this argument without any reflection. It seems to me the obvious counter-argument is not that these negative stereotype jokes are a crass way to welcome the new group; but rather, a way of saying, "we know it's no longer socially acceptable to actively discriminate against you, but we want you to remember, you're not really one of us, and we're still better than you."
filipmagnus's review against another edition
5.0
The philosophy of humour, it turns out, is a novel and deeply energised field of philosophical thought. Steven Gimbel’s erudite and–yes, funny–account of this area was a joy to read and listen to; from his extensive examination of the six leading theories of humour to a number of ethical questions very much relevant to our own present, Gimbel brought an endless supply of fascinating questions about the role humour plays in our present, past, and future to the fore. Structured in an accessible and clear way, each of the twenty-four lessons was gripping and not a one of them failed to draw at least a chuckle from me.
To those of you who dislike dad jokes, however, might I recommend you TURN AWAY AND SHIELD YOUR EYES, YOU POOR, INNOCENT SUMMER-CHILD!
It’s very much an entry-level course; don’t expect it to be something different. Gimbel drives home the point that “seeing how the sausage gets made” does not diminish the enjoyment you might draw from humour and making jokes; rather, it amplifies the process, offers insight, and no end of further reading for all you nuts who can’t get enough of unravelling the mysteries of humour. My only regret is, I couldn’t experience Gimbel’s teaching first-hand–he sounds an absolute lark!
To those of you who dislike dad jokes, however, might I recommend you TURN AWAY AND SHIELD YOUR EYES, YOU POOR, INNOCENT SUMMER-CHILD!
It’s very much an entry-level course; don’t expect it to be something different. Gimbel drives home the point that “seeing how the sausage gets made” does not diminish the enjoyment you might draw from humour and making jokes; rather, it amplifies the process, offers insight, and no end of further reading for all you nuts who can’t get enough of unravelling the mysteries of humour. My only regret is, I couldn’t experience Gimbel’s teaching first-hand–he sounds an absolute lark!
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