To add to this, people broach difficult/awkward/taboo topics through humour a lot. It helps ease the introduction of stuff we'd otherwise get reflexively hoighty about.
Say what you will about the devolution of morals and standards in culture, but I think less censorship around language is a good thing and George Carlin is a great example of pushing PC boundaries using humour (his seven dirty words routine is legendary).
When we lose the right to poke fun at dumb shit, we lose more than just jokes. There's a quote somewhere about 'many a true thing is said in jest.' God help us all if all the jesters are establishment-sanctioned-only, there are only so many seconds of late night 'comedy' I can stand.
To add to this, people broach difficult/awkward/taboo topics through humour a lot. It helps ease the introduction of stuff we'd otherwise get reflexively hoighty about.
Say what you will about the devolution of morals and standards in culture, but I think less censorship around language is a good thing and George Carlin is a great example of pushing PC boundaries using humour (his seven dirty words routine is legendary).
When we lose the right to poke fun at dumb shit, we lose more than just jokes. There's a quote somewhere about 'many a true thing is said in jest.' God help us all if all the jesters are establishment-sanctioned-only, there are only so many seconds of late night 'comedy' I can stand.