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“The law of levity is allowed to supersede the law of gravity.” ~R.A. Lafferty
The will to humor is the only thing more powerful than the will to power. Those practicing the will to humor are compelled to turn their power outward. First as laughter, second as expiation, and third as prestige.
The progression from laughter to expiation to prestige illustrates how the will to humor can be a profound expression of power. It's not just about control or dominance but about influence, connection, and transformation.
In this light, the will to humor becomes a powerful force, capable of affecting individuals and societies in ways that are both immediate and enduring, potentially even more so than traditional expressions of power due to its ability to engage, heal, and unite.
The power dynamics of humor:
Subversion: Humor can subvert traditional power structures by poking fun at authority, questioning norms, or exposing hypocrisy. This subversive quality of humor can challenge the will to power as traditionally understood, offering an alternative path to influence.
Empowerment: By turning their power outward, those practicing the will to humor empower both themselves and others. They empower themselves by gaining control over their narrative and others by providing them with tools to cope, think critically, or see the world differently.
Risk and Vulnerability: Humor often involves risk; it can offend or fail to amuse. This act of putting oneself out there, risking failure for the sake of laughter or insight, is itself a demonstration of personal power, showcasing confidence, resilience, and creativity.
Another powerful function of the will to humor is to deflate the ego of those in power by reminding them of their own fallibility, while also reminding those who are not in power that power has the tendency to corrupt if it’s not checked and balanced by humility and humor.
The will to humor serves as a critical tool in the dynamics of power, providing a check and balance that is both subtle and profound. Here’s how:
By Deflating the ego of power:
Humanization: By poking fun at leaders or those in authority, humor humanizes them, reminding everyone, including the powerful themselves, of their human limitations and fallibility. This can prevent the mythos of infallibility that often surrounds those in power.
Perspective: Humor offers a perspective that can snap back the often inflated self-view of those in power. It reminds them that no one is above ridicule or critique, which can foster humility or at least a public perception of it.
Public Accountability: Through satire or comedic commentary, humor can hold the powerful accountable in a way that serious critique might not. It can make criticism more accessible and less threatening, yet still pointed enough to cause reflection or change.
By reminding people of power's corruptive nature:
Satire and Parody: These forms of humor often expose the absurdities of power structures or the behaviors of those wielding power. By exaggerating or mimicking these traits, humor highlights how power can lead to corruption or moral degradation.
Reflective Laughter: For those not in power, humor can serve as a reminder of the need for vigilance against corruption. It can be both a warning and an education on how power can corrupt, encouraging a culture of critique and demand for transparency.
Cultural Critique: Humor often reflects societal values and critiques societal norms. By focusing on how power is used or abused, it can contribute to a cultural discourse on the ethics of power, promoting humility as a counterbalance.
By balancing power with humility and humor:
Self-Deprecation: Leaders who use humor, especially self-deprecation, can demonstrate an awareness of their own limitations, which can engender trust and respect. This practice can temper the intoxicating effects of power and leads to prestige.
Encouraging Humility: Humor can foster an environment where humility is seen as a strength rather than a weakness. When leaders laugh at themselves or allow themselves to be the butt of the joke, it sets a tone that encourages humility in others as well.
Social Cohesion: By leveling the field through humor, it reminds everyone that, at the end of the day, we are all human, subject to the same foibles and faults. This can reduce the hierarchical distance that power often creates, promoting a more egalitarian social structure.
Through political satire: Humor often serves as a watchdog, keeping an eye on those in power. It's about fulfilling an important societal function of critique and reflection. Humor is an educational tool we can use to discuss complex issues like power dynamics, democracy, and leadership in a way that's engaging and memorable, making the lessons about the corruptibility of power and the necessity of checks and balances more impactful.
Nonattachment through humor:
The will to humor also keeps one detached in a healthy way (through Buddhist nonattachment), giving one a bird’s eye perspective of the human condition that keeps one ahead of the curve.
Non-Identification: Humor encourages a stance where one does not take themselves or their situations too seriously. This is akin to the Buddhist practice of not identifying too closely with one’s ego or transient conditions, allowing for a lighter, more flexible approach to life’s ups and downs.
Mindfulness: The act of finding humor requires a degree of mindfulness or awareness of the present moment, which is a key practice in Buddhism. Observing life with a humorous lens can be a form of mindfulness that keeps one engaged with reality but not entangled by it.
Impermanence: Humor often deals with the absurdity or unpredictability of life, echoing the Buddhist teaching of impermanence. By laughing at life’s fleeting nature, one implicitly acknowledges and accepts this fundamental truth.
A bird’s eye perspective:
Overview Effect: Like astronauts experiencing the "Overview Effect" when seeing Earth from space, humor can provide a similar broadening of perspective. It allows one to see beyond their immediate concerns to the larger, often comical, patterns of human behavior and existence.
Cognitive shift: Humor shifts one's cognitive framework from being part of the situation to observing it. This shift can lead to insights not just about the situation itself but about one's reactions to it, promoting self-awareness and growth even despite cognitive dissonance.
Strategic advantage: This detached, bird’s eye view can give individuals a strategic advantage in navigating life's complexities. By not being too caught up in the minutiae or social milieux, one can better anticipate, adapt, and respond to changes with creativity and resilience.
Keeping ahead of the curve:
Flexibility: Those who maintain a humorous outlook tend to be more adaptable, as they're not overly attached to outcomes. This flexibility allows them to pivot or innovate when circumstances change, staying ahead rather than being reactive.
Critical thinking: Humor often involves questioning norms and assumptions, which fosters critical thinking. This critical approach can help in identifying trends, questioning the status quo, and predicting shifts in social, cultural, or technological landscapes.
Emotional resilience: Humor as a coping mechanism builds emotional resilience, enabling individuals to handle setbacks with grace. This resilience can be key in maintaining momentum or recovering quickly from failures, keeping one's position or advancing in various endeavors.
Conclusion:
The will to humor offers a unique form of detachment that resonates with Buddhist nonattachment. It provides a perspective that is both a step back from the immediacy of life's trials and a step ahead in understanding broader human conditions and dynamics. This balanced approach can keep individuals ahead of the curve not just in personal growth and resilience but also in social, professional, and creative spheres. Humor becomes a tool not just for survival but for thriving in an ever-changing world, promoting a life lived fully with both depth and levity.
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About the Author:
Gary Z McGee, a former Navy Intelligence Specialist turned philosopher, is the author of Birthday Suit of God and The Looking Glass Man. His works are inspired by the great philosophers of the ages and his wide-awake view of the modern world.
This article (The Will to Humor: Prestige in The Face of Power) was originally created and published by Self-inflicted Philosophy and is printed here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Gary Z McGee and self-inflictedphilosophy.com. It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author bio, and this statement of copyright.
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