Gatekeepers of The Paracast

[pong]

I'm beginning to sense there is at least one little kingdom in the Forum--Cryptozoology--where free expression, and especially dark humor, is not tolerated. That's unfortunate. At a time when we're celebrating an important anniversary for the The Paracast, we all might step back and remember what Gene and David gave birth to and intended The Paracast to be: an in-your-face, irreverent and no-holds-barred forum where guests are roasted as well as praised. Where hosts, guests and forum members can say any darn thing they wish as long as it isn't vulgar or profane. And yes, a place where dark humor is often heard and encouraged, not censored. As bad as the situation is in Japan, I think at some point you just have to stop crying and find some small comfort in an old and cherished science fiction movie that came out before the Cryptozoology moderator was born. My recent post did not denigrate the Japanese people. On the contrary, it reminds us that the Japanese are the most resourceful, resilient people in Asia. It is down today, but Japan will recover, rebuild and triumph, just as it has so many times before.

 

[mike]

Censorship is something im sensitive to myself, and i do think its not an abnormal expression of human nature to laugh in the face of adversity.
Its all a matter of perspective, and i see your pov.
Having said that the post in question isnt one i would have made, and i think the perspective needs to be examined here.
There are 18 million people without food water or electricty right now. i dont think many of them would take any comfort in that post, it would from their pov be insensitive to a very high degree.
All i can ask is this, If that were your hometown, your family, friends comfort and livelihood that were in that dire situation, would you think that its funny that someone had sent out a call to superman to save them ?
Its too soon, the tragedy too raw for jokes at this point in time imo.

Humour is a valid tool for coping with tragedy, and i did smile when i read that post, but i also found it a bit offensive coming as it did while the pain and misery was still unfolding in real time.

I did see the funny side (and people will judge me for that as they will), but its not a post i would have made, i personally could not be that insensitive to the suffering going down right now.

There is a time and a place for everything, and while i concede that its valid human nature to use humour to take the pressure off nasty situations, i honestly think your timing was way off in this case

 

[Angel of Ioren]

I guess you didn't like that I closed the thread. Sorry, but I didn't think it was funny, especially when there are so many people suffering and dying. Keep in mind I'm not easily offended and I'm very much a comedy nerd, so I'm all for a good chuckle. In this case, I found it to be a little "too soon" for my taste.

Thanks.

 

[ALPHA ROMEO UNIFORM]

Sending best wishes to the Japanese people and god bless all those who been killed in Japans horrid natural disaster which is still ongoing regards the nuclear stations,

Cheers & Blessings,
BF

 

[Double Nought Spy]

Your poor-taste joke about Godzilla had something to do with cryptozoology? That's not funny either.

 

[Terjarv]

As if they didn't need anymore trouble another reactor just caught on fire...

 

[Ron Collins]

I'm beginning to sense there is at least one little kingdom in the Forum--Cryptozoology--where free expression, and especially dark humor, is not tolerated. That's unfortunate. At a time when we're celebrating an important anniversary for the The Paracast, we all might step back and remember what Gene and David gave birth to and intended The Paracast to be: an in-your-face, irreverent and no-holds-barred forum where guests are roasted as well as praised. Where hosts, guests and forum members can say any darn thing they wish as long as it isn't vulgar or profane. And yes, a place where dark humor is often heard and encouraged, not censored. As bad as the situation is in Japan, I think at some point you just have to stop crying and find some small comfort in an old and cherished science fiction movie that came out before the Cryptozoology moderator was born. My recent post did not denigrate the Japanese people. On the contrary, it reminds us that the Japanese are the most resourceful, resilient people in Asia. It is down today, but Japan will recover, rebuild and triumph, just as it has so many times before.

It was in poor taste and given the extent and status of the tragedy in Japan it should not be tolerated. Period. The moderators do not need to be 100 years old to understand compassion and poor judgment. There is a time for humor, as long as that humor is not purposefully hurtful to others. This wasn't that time. The wounds are too fresh for that kind of stuff. If a moderator doing his job offends you then I'll gladly toss that the "Oh well" basket. Next time exercise better judgement.

 

[pong]

Writing for the heart

If you think my humor is dark or inappropriate, think for a moment about the humor of writer Larry Gelbart. Some of you will recognize the name. Larry told stories about desperate crises in a far-away land; situations that involved struggle, sacrifice, death and grief. His inspired writing also brought hope and smiles to his audience by showing how the human spirit can overcome adversity, even when the deck is stacked against it. Larry touched your life if you ever watched an episode of M.A.S.H., one of the most successful shows in the history of television. Recognized by his peers, Larry's work on M.A.S.H. earned him a Peabody Award and an Emmy. Gene and Chris might be interested to know that Gelbart got his start in radio--in the 1940s--and went on to work with Danny Thomas, Bob Hope, Carl Reiner, Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks and Imogene Coca. Pretty good company, I'd say.

Larry Gelbart (1928-2009)

 

[pixelsmith]

Writing for the heart

I like dark humor too, but your story was not even funny. It probably sounded funny after you smoked that big joint.

 

[Double Nought Spy]

Writing for the heart

pong, Larry would tell you to get a clue, shake his head, and walk away.

 

[Ron Collins]

Writing for the heart

So, let me get this straight. You are comparing a tasteless, humorless, and by many standards an abhorrent forum post to the darkly satirical social commentary of a well respected and accomplished writer? Ok, whatever.

 

[mike]

Pong, that example makes the very same point ppl here have been making.

The Korean War (1950–1953 (Armistice))

The MASH movie was 1970......... the novel on which it was based was from 1968
The TV series premiered in the US on September 17, 1972

People had had the time to get over the horrors of war before they could have a laugh at it.
I think had the TV series premiered in 1951 while peoples boys and girls were still fighting and dying it would not have been well received, and branded insensitive to those who had lost loved ones in the conflict.

That post might be funny10 years from now when the plant has been buried in concrete, the dead buried and the homes and lives of the survivors rebuilt.
Its not approriate while the dead lie on the street, and the people go hungry and thirsty.

I agree with you comedy can have its place in dealing with the nasty things in life, but its about the timing

Comic timing is the use of rhythm, tempo and pausing to enhance comedy and humour. The pacing of the delivery of a joke can have a strong impact on its comedic effect, even altering its meaning

In this case its rendered your joke not funny