phil@amdcad.UUCP (Phil Ngai) (02/03/86)
In article <428@mmm.UUCP> mrgofor@mmm.UUCP (Michael Ross) writes: > The question: Are ALL jokes offensive in SOME way to SOMEone? >Can anyone supply a joke that is completely inoffensive to anybody >(yet still funny to someone)? Yes, there are plenty of jokes which are inoffensive. Here's three (possibly old ones) 1) A woman dreamt she was talking to God when He sneezed. She didn't know what to say to that. (I didn't get it until I thought of the usual response to a sneeze: God bless you?) 2) Two crazy people are talking to each other. One asks "Are you a Giant fan?" The other replies "No, I'm an airconditioner". 3) It's been discovered that you can get a disease from kissing birds called Chirpes. But don't worry, it's tweetable. I'll add that I wondered the same thing you did once. All three of the examples I gave I heard from women. Is there a correlation? I don't know although I suspect there is. -- If you are seen fixing something, you will be asked to fix it every time it breaks from then on. Phil Ngai +1 408 749 5720 UUCP: {ucbvax,decwrl,ihnp4,allegra}!amdcad!phil ARPA: amdcad!phil@decwrl.dec.com
ins_acae@jhunix.UUCP (Carolyn Ann Ewald) (02/04/86)
> In article <428@mmm.UUCP> mrgofor@mmm.UUCP (Michael Ross) writes: > > The question: Are ALL jokes offensive in SOME way to SOMEone? > >Can anyone supply a joke that is completely inoffensive to anybody > >(yet still funny to someone)? ****Theory: (stated as a question) Is all humor really based on laughing at someone else who is hurt, discomfited, embarrassed, made to look inferior, placed in an undignified situation, etc ? I can't think of a single joke where there isn't someone who is the loser. In the long run, I find that humor is simply the process of laughing at someone who is worse off than we are. (I mean, hey, I *LOVE* the far side, so I accuse myself) Sexual humor is largely a way we poor males have of laughing off our insecurities (I mean, how many jokes have *YOU* heard about being hung like a horse ?!?!) Maybe all humor is simply an interrupted defense mechanism. I have followed the constant venting of spleen back and forth on net.women, and there seems to be good evidence to support my theory: THE ONE PERSON WHO IS GUARANTEED NOT TO LAUGH IS THE BUTT OF THE JOKE. Maybe the key is to simply try to keep our jokes directed at an audience that will be statistically more likely to be appreciative. Maybe compassion and an appreciation of other people's dignity will do the trick. Maybe it's better to just give up our senses of humor and admit the joke's on us. -Ornamental Male *^) -Marcus J Ranum (h462aamjr@gallua.BITNET)
lauran@reed.UUCP (Laura Nepveu) (02/05/86)
In article <9096@amdcad.UUCP> phil@amdcad.UUCP (Phil Ngai) writes: >In article <428@mmm.UUCP> mrgofor@mmm.UUCP (Michael Ross) writes: >> The question: Are ALL jokes offensive in SOME way to SOMEone? >>Can anyone supply a joke that is completely inoffensive to anybody >>(yet still funny to someone)? > >Yes, there are plenty of jokes which are inoffensive. Here's three >(possibly old ones) > >1) A woman dreamt she was talking to God when He sneezed. >She didn't know what to say to that. (I didn't get it until >I thought of the usual response to a sneeze: God bless you?) This may belong in net.religion, but I find this joke offensive on the basis that God is refered to as He. (I'd rather not get into a lengthy discussion on the gender of God that will fail to sway anyone's opinion either way. :-) Besides that would belong in net.religion). ^^^^^ But here's one Chris told me: Why does the ocean roar? You'd roar too if you had crabs on your bottom. Laura
jkr@gitpyr.UUCP (J. Kenneth Riviere) (02/05/86)
Phil Ngai writes: >Michael Ross writes: >> The question: Are ALL jokes offensive in SOME way to SOMEone? > >Yes, there are plenty of jokes which are inoffensive. Here's three >(possibly old ones) > >1) A woman dreamt she was talking to God when He sneezed. >She didn't know what to say to that. (I didn't get it until >I thought of the usual response to a sneeze: God bless you?) > >2) Two crazy people are talking to each other. One asks "Are you >a Giant fan?" The other replies "No, I'm an airconditioner". > >3) It's been discovered that you can get a disease from kissing birds >called Chirpes. But don't worry, it's tweetable. > > Phil Ngai +1 408 749 5720 I would argue that all of these could be construed as offensive to someone. The first might upset a religious person (implying that God might have a need to sneeze could suggest a somewhat less than perfect being), the second could be construed as being derogatory to people with mental problems, the third is a terrible pun which offends many people (that is the point of the joke, isn't it? Isn't it supposed to be a pun on the Tweetie Bird cartoon character's name?). Which brings me to the point which prompted me to post this article: why are puns considered to be offensive? I have come to the conclusion that puns are considered painful to the listeners since there is at least a subconsious understanding that there cannot be humor unless it involves pain for someone. Since puns do not explicitly degrade, insult, or otherwise hurt anyone the pain involved must be experienced by the listeners. Just a thought. -- J. Kenneth Riviere (JoKeR) Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332 ...!{akgua,allegra,amd,hplabs,ihnp4,seismo,ut-ngp}!gatech!gitpyr!jkr "I'd rather be conservative than bigoted, but I'd rather be *dead* than conservative!" -Kate from _Kate_and_Allie_
clyde@reed.UUCP (Clyde Bryja) (02/05/86)
> In article <428@mmm.UUCP> mrgofor@mmm.UUCP (Michael Ross) writes: > > The question: Are ALL jokes offensive in SOME way to SOMEone? > >Can anyone supply a joke that is completely inoffensive to anybody > >(yet still funny to someone)? > > Yes, there are plenty of jokes which are inoffensive. Here's three > (possibly old ones) > > 1) A woman dreamt she was talking to God when He sneezed. > She didn't know what to say to that. (I didn't get it until > I thought of the usual response to a sneeze: God bless you?) Of the three examples, I believe that this one is the least likely by far to offend anyone. Nevertheless, those who believe in either zero or two+ gods could find the very expression "God bless you" to be offensive (I don't see why they'd have any reason to, but I can easily imagine a few people being disturbed by this). I also personally know people who really object to the use of a capital 'G' in the spelling of the Judeo-Christian god (but, of course, this objection disappears when the joke is told orally). > 2) Two crazy people are talking to each other. One asks "Are you > a Giant fan?" The other replies "No, I'm an airconditioner". I'm afraid that this could easily (perhaps rightly) be regarded as perpetuating the stereotype that all mentally ill people think that they are something/someone else. Also, for those who are affected by the problem of mental illness, this joke may be seen to show gross insensitivity toward mentally ill people. The problems of the mentally ill are serious, and not funny. Some (nay, MANY) people find the idea of drawing any kind of humour out of a sad/serious set of circumstances to be very offensive and repugnant. > 3) It's been discovered that you can get a disease from kissing birds > called Chirpes. But don't worry, it's tweetable. The parallel to herpes here is just too much. Those who have been affected in some way by that very unfunny disease may be very offended by this joke. The reason is the same as before. It seems to be very hard not to make a joke that offends some people. I suspect that only those that are very distanced from human events/ experience are able to fit the bill. With that theory in mind, I throw the following example to the wind. Can anyone find a reason why this simple joke would offend anyone? Q: What did one rock say to the other rock? A: Nothing. Rocks can't speak. -- +++++++++++ "For Easter Day is Christmas time, Clyde Bryja And far away is near, Box 21, Reed College And two and two is more than four, Portland, OR 97202 And over there is here."
hollombe@ttidcc.UUCP (The Polymath) (02/06/86)
In article <1726@jhunix.UUCP> ins_acae@jhunix.UUCP (Carolyn Ann Ewald) writes: >> In article <428@mmm.UUCP> mrgofor@mmm.UUCP (Michael Ross) writes: >> > The question: Are ALL jokes offensive in SOME way to SOMEone? >> >Can anyone supply a joke that is completely inoffensive to anybody >> >(yet still funny to someone)? > > ****Theory: (stated as a question) Is all humor really based >on laughing at someone else who is hurt, discomfited, embarrassed, >made to look inferior, placed in an undignified situation, etc ? > > I can't think of a single joke where there isn't someone who is >the loser... Try listening to George Carlin or Robin Williams some time. Lots of humor with no one hurt. ("Flammable, inflammable, non-inflammable -- why are there three? Seems like two words could cover that concept pretty well." -- G. Carlin). > ... THE ONE PERSON WHO IS GUARANTEED >NOT TO LAUGH IS THE BUTT OF THE JOKE. This is highly situational. Also depends on the person involved. Just three days ago a friend played a joke on me in public. Sparing the long details, it caused me some consternation and embarrassment in front of a group of friends. The point being that no one laughed harder than I when the joke was revealed. (A definite gotcha). I've noticed the ability to laugh at one's self is definitely lacking in some of the posters to this news group. It's not the humor but the lack of a sense of humor that seems to cause problems. In other words: Lighten up, damnit! Life is much too important to be taken seriously. -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_ The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe) Citicorp(+)TTI 3100 Ocean Park Blvd. Geniuses are people so lazy they Santa Monica, CA 90405 do everything right the first time. (213) 450-9111, ext. 2483 {philabs,randvax,trwrb,vortex}!ttidca!ttidcc!hollombe
jmr@motown.UUCP (John M. Ritter) (02/06/86)
[ *** ] >>>In article <428@mmm.UUCP> mrgofor@mmm.UUCP (Michael Ross) writes: >>> The question: Are ALL jokes offensive in SOME way to SOMEone? >>>Can anyone supply a joke that is completely inoffensive to anybody >>>(yet still funny to someone)? >>Yes, there are plenty of jokes which are inoffensive. Here's three >>1) A woman dreamt she was talking to God when He sneezed. >>She didn't know what to say to that. (I didn't get it until >>I thought of the usual response to a sneeze: God bless you?) In article <2451@reed.UUCP> lauran@reed.UUCP (Laura Nepveu) writes: >This may belong in net.religion, but I find this joke offensive >on the basis that God is referred to as He. >But here's one Chris told me: >Why does the ocean roar? >You'd roar too if you had crabs on your bottom. Good Grief!! Give it a rest! Hate to tell you Laura, you can't take it, but you can dish it out!! :-) I find this joke offensive because it attacks those persons who have/had/ may get hemorrhoids. It also offends those people who have bottoms by attacking their personal hygiene. How about this joke: Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side. No! No! No!! This offends farmers insinuating that they do not care properly for their livestock. Why would a chicken be in the road if it were not for delinquency on the part of the farmer? The fact is, Michael Ross it right. You tell a joke and by God^H^H^H Goodness you can make it offend anybody! (alomost offended somebody there...) If you haven't noticed by now, this whole discussion should be moved back to net.jokes because, you guessed it, it *IS* becoming a joke! Gee, I hope I didn't offend anyone... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "I enjoy working with human beings, and John M. Ritter have stimulating relationships with them." Allied-Signal Inc. - HAL 9000 Corporate Tax Department {bellcore,harpo,ihnp4,infopro,princeton,sys1}!motown!jmr ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
kort@hounx.UUCP (B.KORT) (02/06/86)
JoKeR wonders why puns are offensive. As an incurable lifelong punster, I have discovered that some people are offended by puns. One person I met, who was especially offended by them, turned out to be dyslexic, with an associated language deficiency. Her inability to return pun for pun was a great source of distress to her, even though I had no expectations to that effect. If someone thinks you're playing catch with them, it's best not to toss them a ball that they can't toss back. I'm sadder but wiser for the experience. I'm sure she'll learn to toss back the ball in time. But puns aren't just for hams or low brows. They make you stout and are good for what ails you. --Barry Kort
ed@mtxinu.UUCP (Ed Gould) (02/06/86)
In article <132@ttidcc.UUCP> hollombe@ttidcc.UUCP (The Polymath) writes: >Try listening to George Carlin or Robin Williams some time. Lots of humor >with no one hurt. ("Flammable, inflammable, non-inflammable -- why are >there three? Seems like two words could cover that concept pretty well." >-- G. Carlin). Carlin, maybe, but not Williams. While I like much of his humor, a lot of the rest is *very* racist - usually at the expense of Asians. -- Ed Gould mt Xinu, 2910 Seventh St., Berkeley, CA 94710 USA {ucbvax,decvax}!mtxinu!ed +1 415 644 0146 "A man of quality is not threatened by a woman of equality."
ldd4@ihlpl.UUCP (Mirek) (02/06/86)
> > In article <428@mmm.UUCP> mrgofor@mmm.UUCP (Michael Ross) writes: > > > The question: Are ALL jokes offensive in SOME way to SOMEone? > > >Can anyone supply a joke that is completely inoffensive to anybody > > >(yet still funny to someone)? > Can anyone find a reason why this > simple joke would offend anyone? > > Q: What did one rock say to the other rock? > A: Nothing. Rocks can't speak. > > You may think this is not offensive, but i wouldn't take it for granite.
figmo@lll-crg.UUCP (02/07/86)
In article <523@mtxinu.UUCP>, ed@mtxinu.UUCP (Ed Gould) writes: > Carlin, maybe, but not Williams. While I like much of his humor, a lot > of the rest is *very* racist - usually at the expense of Asians. > This past summer, I spent an hour or so watching and listening to Robin Williams at a comedy marathon at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Most of his jokes were about kids -- especially HIS child. The only one who could have gotten offended by his jokes was Dolly Parton; he made a few jokes about how HER kid would react to its first feeding ("Wow! Kilimanjaro!"). I wasn't aware that Dolly Parton was Asian. --Lynn :-)
leo@cca.UUCP (Louise Osterman) (02/07/86)
> >1) A woman dreamt she was talking to God when He sneezed. > >She didn't know what to say to that. (I didn't get it until > >I thought of the usual response to a sneeze: God bless you?) > > This may belong in net.religion, but I find this joke offensive > on the basis that God is refered to as He. (I'd rather not > get into a lengthy discussion on the gender of God that will > fail to sway anyone's opinion either way. :-) Besides that > would belong in net.religion). > ^^^^^ Yeah, it probably does belong in net.religion, but I don't read it. I am an atheist so "God's" gender is irrelevant to me. To those of you to whom it does matter, I remember reading in the Bible a line about gender - "I am neither he nor she; I am who I am." All the Bible totin', Bible bangin' types who traditionally put women in second place thinkin' God was a manly man and women are not on the same par ought to spend some time readin' what their god said to them. > > Laura Louise E. Osterman Computer Corporation of America I disclaim nothing. It's all mine.
john@frog.UUCP (John Woods, Software) (02/07/86)
> It seems to be very hard not to make a joke that offends some people. > I suspect that only those that are very distanced from human events/ > experience are able to fit the bill. With that theory in mind, I throw > the following example to the wind. Can anyone find a reason why this > simple joke would offend anyone? > > Q: What did one rock say to the other rock? > A: Nothing. Rocks can't speak. > It offends me. It isn't funny, and it is the conclusion of a line of argument that basically denies all humor. However, since the humorless won't accept that, I propose the following alternate explanation: it is offensive because the recipient of the joke has been set up to expect something, which has been cruelly denied by the joke teller. And if you take that tack, then just about ALL jokes are offensive. Now that we have removed humor as an outlet of human emotion, can we get back to killing each other? -- John Woods, Charles River Data Systems, Framingham MA, (617) 626-1101 ...!decvax!frog!john, ...!mit-eddie!jfw, jfw%mit-ccc@MIT-XX.ARPA This space dedicated to Challenger and her crew, Francis R. Scobee, Michael J. Smith, Ellison S. Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Ronald E. McNair, Gregory B. Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe. "...and slipped the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God."
mrgofor@mmm.UUCP (MKR) (02/07/86)
In article <2453@reed.UUCP> clyde@reed.UUCP (Clyde Bryja) writes: >. Can anyone find a reason why this >simple joke would offend anyone? > > Q: What did one rock say to the other rock? > A: Nothing. Rocks can't speak. > Hey, BUDDY! What do you think I am? Some kinda MORON? Of course I know that rocks can't talk, and you are a consummate JERK for implying that I didn't know that. You make me look like an IDIOT for not knowing that, when in fact I REALLY DID KNOW IT! REALLY!! You jerk, you're just lucky you're there and I'm here. Boy-oh-boy-oh-boy! Grrr... Seriously, though - I loved your explanations of why those other three jokes were offensive. --MKR
okunewck@gondor.UUCP (Philip E. OKunewick) (02/07/86)
In article <2453@reed.UUCP> clyde@reed.UUCP (Clyde Bryja) writes: >... >It seems to be very hard not to make a joke that offends some people. >I suspect that only those that are very distanced from human events/ >experience are able to fit the bill. With that theory in mind, I throw >the following example to the wind. Can anyone find a reason why this >simple joke would offend anyone? > > Q: What did one rock say to the other rock? > A: Nothing. Rocks can't speak. Now, this could have three implications. It could refer to the Hudson variety, in which case you are probably a sick puppy. (Don't worry, I've told R.H. jokes myself - I, too, am a sick puppy.) Matter of fact, going back to the logic used in the 'change for a ten in the men's room stall' flames, it probably IS a R.H. joke told by a Hare Krishna to discredit the actors' guild. It could also be taken badly by a serious palentologist or geologist, who learns about the past by 'Listening' to rocks. (Rocks have many tales to tell, you just have to know how to ask the questions.) It may be inferred that the originator of this joke has a poor view of geology and is probably a creationist. It also could refer to the intelligence level (or lack thereof) of the listener. By believing, even for a moment, that rocks COULD speak, it implies that the listener may not have both oars in the water. (No offense to sailors intended there.) I'm sorry, Clyde. Your attitude is prejudiced and inacceptable. Your sense of humor leaves a LOT to be desired. (Like a sense of humor, for starters.) Okay - ya want an inoffensive joke? You got it! F: Haqt siw duyun legs, fuoes, lin woued't qo tp hws it ctyrah? A: E ulsjesfwt wohh a uocuel. ---Duck ============================================================================= These views are not yours, and probably do not reflect mine either. ============================================================================= Hey, you think I don't have a sense of humor? YOU'RE the one who took this flame seriously!
rb@ccivax.UUCP (rex ballard) (02/08/86)
In article <9096@amdcad.UUCP> phil@amdcad.UUCP (Phil Ngai) writes: >In article <428@mmm.UUCP> mrgofor@mmm.UUCP (Michael Ross) writes: >> The question: Are ALL jokes offensive in SOME way to SOMEone? >>Can anyone supply a joke that is completely inoffensive to anybody >>(yet still funny to someone)? >Yes, there are plenty of jokes which are inoffensive. Here's three >1) A woman dreamt she was talking to God when He sneezed.... Could offend some religious sects. >2) Two crazy people are talking to each other.... Offensive to 'crazy people', anyone treated for mental illness. >3) It's been discovered that you can get a disease from kissing birds... Offensive to bird lovers, also to for/against beastiality. Comedians know what's funny and why. In essence, humor is the art of giving the audience a 'third person' view of someone elses misfortune. To be funny, the subject must be someone the audience does not identify with at that moment. An audience will very rarely 'laugh at itself'. They will laugh at things they did ten minutes ago, but rarely something they are doing now. There is one joke that is funny, frequently works, and breaks these basic rules. Without warning, tell someone not to laugh. They will eventually start laughing because they don't understand why they shouldn't. The joke immediately becomes offensive to the victim however because, they don't know why they are laughing (you are making fun of their lack of self control). Tickling someone has the same effect. In effect, the humorist is attempting to tickle you psychologically. If you actually thought about what you were laughing at, you would not laugh. I used to be a commedian, but gave it up because it was so offensive. Especially off stage.
rcj@burl.UUCP (Curtis Jackson) (02/08/86)
In article <2453@reed.UUCP> clyde@reed.UUCP (Clyde Bryja) writes: >It seems to be very hard not to make a joke that offends some people. >I suspect that only those that are very distanced from human events/ >experience are able to fit the bill. With that theory in mind, I throw >the following example to the wind. Can anyone find a reason why this >simple joke would offend anyone? > > Q: What did one rock say to the other rock? > A: Nothing. Rocks can't speak. > Other than the very offensive (for a joke) fact that it is not exceptionally funny....no. -- The MAD Programmer -- 919-228-3313 (Cornet 291) alias: Curtis Jackson ...![ ihnp4 ulysses cbosgd mgnetp ]!burl!rcj ...![ ihnp4 cbosgd akgua masscomp ]!clyde!rcj
kort@hounx.UUCP (B.KORT) (02/09/86)
I have a delightful new book by Sheldon Kopp (author of _If You Meet the Buddha on the Road, Kill Him_), entitled _Even a Stone Can Be a Teacher_. The book is both amusing and enlightening, but it's not a funny book. --Barry Kort
evan@pedsgo.UUCP (Evan Marcus) (02/10/86)
Organization : Concurrent Computer Corp. (a P-E subsidiary), Tinton Falls, NJ Keywords: In article <2453@reed.UUCP> clyde@reed.UUCP (Clyde Bryja) writes: ... >It seems to be very hard not to make a joke that offends some people. >I suspect that only those that are very distanced from human events/ >experience are able to fit the bill. With that theory in mind, I throw >the following example to the wind. Can anyone find a reason why this >simple joke would offend anyone? > > Q: What did one rock say to the other rock? > A: Nothing. Rocks can't speak. > Well, what if I were a mute person. I might think you were making fun of my handicap! -- NAME: Evan L. Marcus UUCP: ...{hjuxa!vax135}!petsd!pedsgd!pedsgo!evan USnail: CONCURRENT Computer Corporation (a Perkin-Elmer Company) M/S 308, 106 Apple St., Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 MA BELL:(201) 758-7357 DISCLAIMER: No, not me, uh-uh...I didn't write this. No sirree. QUOTE: A wop bop a lu lah a wop bam boom.
dyer@dec-vaxuum.UUCP (02/10/86)
Re: Offensive Humor_______________________________________________
Our (Massachusetts') own Steve Wright is an excellent comedian
whose humor works very well without denigrating anybody.
I don't know of any Robin Williams routines that are racist to
Asian people. Perhaps you are thinking of Eddie Murphy?
<_Jym_>lauran@reed.UUCP (Laura Nepveu) (02/11/86)
In article <6069@cca.UUCP> leo@cca.UUCP (Louise Osterman) writes: >Yeah, it probably does belong in net.religion, but I don't read it. I am an >atheist so "God's" gender is irrelevant to me. To those of you to whom it >does matter, I remember reading in the Bible a line about gender - "I am >neither he nor she; I am who I am." All the Bible totin', Bible bangin' >types who traditionally put women in second place thinkin' God was a manly >man and women are not on the same par ought to spend some time readin' what >their god said to them. > >Louise E. Osterman BRAVO!! Laura
tan@ihlpg.UUCP (Bill Tanenbaum) (02/11/86)
> Okay - ya want an inoffensive joke? You got it! > > F: Haqt siw duyun legs, fuoes, lin woued't qo tp hws it ctyrah? > A: E ulsjesfwt wohh a uocuel. > > ---Duck --------------- Them's fightin' words to us Martians. -- Bill Tanenbaum - AT&T Bell Labs - Naperville IL ihnp4!ihlpg!tan
okunewck@gondor.UUCP (Philip E. OKunewick) (02/13/86)
In article <1619@ihlpg.UUCP> tan@ihlpg.UUCP (Bill Tanenbaum) writes: >> Okay - ya want an inoffensive joke? You got it! >> >> F: Haqt siw duyun legs, fuoes, lin woued't qo tp hws it ctyrah? >> A: E ulsjesfwt wohh a uocuel. >> >> ---Duck >--------------- >Them's fightin' words to us Martians. >-- >Bill Tanenbaum - AT&T Bell Labs - Naperville IL ihnp4!ihlpg!tan Awright, suckah - you're on! But first I must warn you - I'm trained in the Martial arts. ---Duck ============================================================================== DISCLAIMER \dis-'klam-er\ n. A statement which denies having a connection with or responsibility for. ==============================================================================
beth@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP (JB) (02/13/86)
[for those of who who can't tell, i just be jokin' around here] In article <2453@reed.UUCP> clyde@reed.UUCP (Clyde Bryja) writes: >> In article <428@mmm.UUCP> mrgofor@mmm.UUCP (Michael Ross) writes: >> > The question: Are ALL jokes offensive in SOME way to SOMEone? >> >Can anyone supply a joke that is completely inoffensive to anybody >> >(yet still funny to someone)? >> >> [jokes'n'stuff deleted - bdc] >> >It seems to be very hard not to make a joke that offends some people. >I suspect that only those that are very distanced from human events/ >experience are able to fit the bill. With that theory in mind, I throw >the following example to the wind. Can anyone find a reason why this >simple joke would offend anyone? > > Q: What did one rock say to the other rock? > A: Nothing. Rocks can't speak. You insensitive cad! How could you poke fun at poor Rock Hudson, knowing the dreadful way he died? "Rocks can't speak" indeed! Lots of jokes are 99&44/100% inoffensive, but somebody somewhere is bound to take offensive at 'em anyway. (Especially if you dare me to! 8-) -- --JB (Beth Christy, U. of Chicago, ..!ihnp4!gargoyle!sphinx!beth) "I once heard the remainder of a colony of ants, which had been partially obliterated by a cow's foot, seriously discussing the intentions of the gods towards their civilization." -- Archy the Cockroach
utrupin@yale.ARPA (Josh Trupin) (02/14/86)
Summary: Expires: Sender: Followup-To: Keywords: *** Replace this line with your favorite dead baby joke *** > Q: What did one rock say to the other rock? > A: Nothing. Rocks can't speak. "I find this joke cruel, offensive, and possibly deadly." -Linda Evans "This is an example of the insensitivity of the straight community at large" -National Center for AIDS Research Paris, France Josh Trupin Gone from UUCP for a while... Reach me at: trujose@yalevmx.BITNET Or: 1191 Yale Station New Haven, CT 06520