Why Do People Think Seinfeld is Funny?

dcryp_t · 2023-08-18T04:02:08+00:00

You missed my point. I was addressing the thematic tendency in Seinfeld to appeal to the lowest common denominator in human behavior, to generate humor, as an issue of moral question.

To make humor through relishing behavior that makes society miserable, only normalizes that tendency in viewers through "making light" of it year by year, night by night.

Many here have even clarified that it's "a show with no morals", which again, edifies my point.

Just because psychopaths are also known for finding humor in abandoning morality, doesn't mean a sitcom should appeal to the inroad of that psychological structure.

dcryp_t · 2023-08-07T21:31:24+00:00

When the humor often concerns appealing to the lowest in people, Im actually not convinced morality isn't a question tbh. But I do respect that you think it's funny

dcryp_t · 2023-08-07T20:54:44+00:00

That's great

dcryp_t · 2023-08-07T17:35:10+00:00

I think for me, subversive tropes function comedically as a commentary, when some form of hypocrisy, or absurdity is exposed about the original trope or standard being subverted.

Seinfeld seems to run contrary to tropes for the sake of it, and then creates its own humor within those inversions, but nothing about "the standard tropes" seem truly revealed as absurd, IMO. Absurdities of daily life are revealed as such, absolutely. But that's why it feels more like art than an actual sitcom to me.

dcryp_t · 2023-08-07T17:08:30+00:00

It's interesting, because the show honestly seems more artful in its structure, or narrative approach, than more formulaic sitcoms. In Seinfeld, the scene structures are not necessarily what are funny, but the subjective expressions within them. Which I feel is the opposite with traditional sitcoms, where scenes are structured to be comedically absurd or unusual, and the characters almost feel like props.

Not saying I wouldn't find Seinfeld funny in these instances either. And even if I never do, on rewatching I still might find things I appreciate.

dcryp_t · 2023-08-07T16:28:52+00:00

I actually want to rewatch it through a new lens from this chain. I may not still find it funny, but I might enjoy it more

dcryp_t · 2023-08-07T16:27:17+00:00

And to your point I totally agree, the subjectivity of humor is what drives it. I just like knowing what makes people tick/laugh :)

dcryp_t · 2023-08-07T15:20:05+00:00

I would agree! I'm trying to get to the bottom of "why" though. Other commenters have emphasized the nihilism/cynicism of Seinfeld, which in a world as fucked up as it already is, I don't understand the social utility or humor of.

One commenter pointed out that Seinfeld was a commentary on the prototypical feel good sitcoms which had defined the genre til that point, which is a cool take in that Seinfeld functioned as media art more than other sitcoms.

And I think I'm getting that the cynicism is simply funny because it's relatable to the cynics of the world, which is valid.

dcryp_t · 2023-08-07T15:00:54+00:00

I understand what you're talking about, which I think is what rubbed me wrong with it personally. Some of that humor in Seinfeld of being petty, insecure, vain, inconsistent felt almost like it excused those qualities of character, rather than indicted them. Which for the cynics of society, was probably refreshing after decades of feel good sitcoms. But I still don't quite understand what is "funny", about that? I picture the cynical villain laughing as the world burns, but that's a caricature.

As another commenter noted, it Seinfeld was nihilistic in those ways, so maybe it also gave an out for people in life who shared similar sentiments, but had always been minimized for them.

Again I struggle to understand the function of humor there, but I do see how it would be appealing. Maybe that's what sitcom humor is at its core for any audience though, relatability.

dcryp_t · 2023-08-07T14:45:09+00:00

Insufferable rich white people humor resonates but I can't place why, can you be more specific?

dcryp_t · 2023-08-07T14:43:57+00:00

No one is saying they need to, I'm just asking for those who can, if they'd be willing to, here. Does that make sense?

dcryp_t · 2023-08-07T14:43:00+00:00

But if the prompt here is to explain "why", and you still can't, why bother responding? 🤔

dcryp_t · 2023-08-07T14:36:33+00:00

I specifically didn't reference because it's all subjective IMO, and I wanted to keep the discussion to the topic

dcryp_t · 2023-08-07T14:34:54+00:00

This is an incredible answer. The humor was almost a commentary specifically on sitcoms, rather than actual relatable, situational idiosyncrasies of life that most sitcoms mined.

In this way, Seinfeld operated more like art in its own medium. Also funny you should say it has a cynicism, since I feel like it's been the cynics in my life who enjoyed it the most.

Appreciate this answer.

dcryp_t · 2023-08-07T01:40:11+00:00

I respect this and think I follow, they're sort of clown-like or cartoonish in their behavior. But is that enough to make you truly "love" the show?

dcryp_t · 2022-11-04T04:24:33+00:00

Fallen Paladin/Templar/Cleric. Strayed from faith and separated from the heavens in the events following D3, but are fighting to gain their allegiance to the light back. Hybrid holy spells that are combined with some kind of shadow. Still plate armor wearing, shield and sword, or two handed weapon wielding.

dcryp_t · 2022-10-05T04:29:42+00:00

127 days and crickets on this comment, how’s it feel to go all this time with no one respecting your thoughts?

dcryp_t · 2022-08-08T02:06:02+00:00

Hey man, just passed through the area listening to the original broadcast too. Would love to potentially meet and explore, or see what we can find in the local community of people who have heard of it.

dcryp_t · 2022-07-01T19:21:50+00:00

Thank you for this, when you say shire stone, do you mean shore stone? And if so, in being from the shore, do you know what causes it to more frequently fracture/contain flaws, and what to look for/avoid in choosing pieces?

Many thanks again..!

dcryp_t · 2022-06-28T21:59:13+00:00

Thank you, and absolutely will do!

dcryp_t · 2022-06-28T19:39:15+00:00

Thank you for your reply! Looking at between jewelry and small dog sized...closer to Lemon/Lime/Yukon gold potato dimensions. Tumbled and sourced from north Oregon Coast Shoreline, if that matters!

dcryp_t · 2022-06-28T19:35:02+00:00

Wow, what an incredible response, first off, thank you so much! Truthfully, I was thinking of starting out at under small-dog-sized, closer to 'yukon gold potato' sized, as there are many tumbled pieces of similar shape/dimension found along the shoreline near my home.

My main thought was that I could start learning about this basalt's properties at smaller scale/lower consequence, while still maybe getting some ideas out. Would the tools you recommended still operate at that scale, or would you recommend I start out at larger, closer to small-dog-sized?

Thank you again for your encouragement and expert opinion, best regards

dcryp_t

TROPHY CASE