Dealing with "bad" thoughts with humor

[flan2dave]

I wonder if it's true that people use humor as a means to disable the power of otherwise troubling, dark, bad, misappropriate, etc. thoughts. Let's assume these thoughts fall into the category that you would define as better left unthought (I'm afraid this isn't flexible enough either, because somebody might say "but that's restrictive!" Well, let's say the thoughts are also distracting, breaks your concentration, and are pointless). OR, perhaps the thoughts are ok but if revealed in a tactless way it will be damaging from an interrelationship standpoint.

My question is, again, do people put these thoughts in a humurous context in order to minimize their weight, to liberate themselves from the discomfort these thoughts would otherwise cause? Could it be that the source of many jokes at, say, a party, stems precisely from this process? For instance, people joke a LOT about sex. I think that is a reflection of how uncomfortable poeple are with those type of thoughts.

[jittus rye]

I don't joke to myself about bad thoughts, nothing should be left unthought. In a social situation though, jokes are common way to keep from being considered odd.

For example:
"Wow Bruce you're kinky."
"Ohh yeah."
"What's your sexual fantasy?"
The subject in question simply responds with something perposterous.
"Monkeys, running on the beach, in skirts."

[int]

I do it. Absolutely. If I don't like somebody I'll make jokes of their statements in an "Alpha dog" mentality so my position is made clear. I'll joke about sex (because I'm comfortable with it) because it helps others become comfortable when a taboo topic is brought up humourously, if it needs to be.

I joke about my own low points and the stupid mistakes I take seriously. 7 1/2 years of college? WTF? Jumping into new life-changing projects without thinking of everything? Hey, why not? Don't even ask me about work...I've got so much on the line right now it's scary.

I figure if I can't laugh at myself, what's the point? It's a pathetic tactic, but it works for me. It's better than sulking and staying on that path (which I guess I do anyways, I just use the humour to give me a little boost).

[antireconciler]

I think in some cases, at least, humor is an evasion tactic when you aren't totally comfortable with something or yourself. If you were totally at peace with the subject, wouldn't you talk about it normally? I think it is common for people to joke at there own expense to connect with other people, but something's just not right about that to me. I rarely connect with people that way or allow myself to be connected to that way. It says something negative about how that person feel's about him/herself. I think it's about self-acceptance.

I can understand not taking things too seriously, though. If I'm all worked up and serious about something, I've probably got it all wrong.

Edit: It's the same story when people joke at other's expense too.

[int]

RE: Other's

Unless I really have something against them (only 3 people in my life so far) will I take this tactic innappropriately.

RE: Self Acceptance

What if it's part of the learning, dealing, and realizing your "owness" (I like inventing words)?