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FUNNY JOKE POLITICS. How & how not to use humor in communications. Being funny can. dethrone & deflate an opponent allow you to say things you couldn’t with a straight face puncture an argument make messages much easier to pass along broadly deflect criticism, show humanity.
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FUNNY JOKE POLITICS • How & how not to use humor in communications
Being funny can... • dethrone & deflate an opponent • allow you to say things you couldn’t with a straight face • puncture an argument • make messages much easier to pass along broadly • deflect criticism, show humanity
When does it work? • Rarely.
When does it not work? • Often.
Why? • Care too much; don’t want to make light • Comedy is bad at communicating new ideas • Focus is too specific; no entry point • Wrong messenger • Also: it’s really, really hard
How? Meet them half way • Need to find a shared premise: common ground • The more surprising, the funnier
Formulas for funny • Ridiculing character • Pushing argument to extreme • Translate to human speak: sociological or psychological • Connect to pop culture • Juxtapose Language A with Message B
Push argument extreme http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7bzdj9RlG4
Push argument extreme http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7X8u5IEEBc
Explain with pop culture http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nqtL-P8kzo
Language A, Message B http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gwqEneBKUs
But, really, how? • Don’t go with first idea — brainstorm 10 more • Commit. • Context matters — find something to copy • Don’t underestimate the power of swearing, kittens, and sex
You don’t have to be funny • Best as a mindset, not a format • Just be interesting.
Good people • Andy Cobb — andrewtcobb@ca.rr.com • Lee Stranahan — lee@stranahan.com • Andrew Boyd — andrewontheroad@gmail.com • Robert Greenwald — Brave New Films