Can 'rape jokes' be funny?

[Anonymous]

Okay... am I the only one drawing parallels between how you say you'll treat a troll giving you shit in your room and how he treated the heckler at his show?

No, I don't think you're the ONLY one. I think I made it pretty obvious what I was trying to say, and I believe I was addressing one of Jolene's post.

You're saying that people should "stop creating a shitstorm," but you're on here complaining about comments you read on Twitter and comments on here. Weren't you just on here earlier telling people that if you don't like what one has to say, don't listen to it?

 

[LadyLuna]

I have not finished reading the thread, but I thought I'd throw out my 2 cents about the situation.

I did not like Tosh the first time I saw his stand-up. He was at the time making fun of how rich white boys think. He did this by just saying what a rich white boy thinks the way the rich white boy would say it if he said it out loud. I did not understand at first that was how the joke was, it had to be explained to me. Having spent a few years in that sort of society, I actually find it appalling, and much prefer the poor but intellectual crowd.

So, he makes fun of how rich white boys think by just saying it as though he's serious, when he's not. He makes fun of other people within this context- saying what he thinks about them as though it's a rich white boy saying it. Thus, the joke is either on the rich white boys who actually do say such things (and some of them do seem to be kinda serious about it) or on the girl he said it to, in that rich white boys would think that about her (not having seen the incident, I can't say which it was).

TL;DR version: he purposely says stuff that people don't like to call attention to the fact that some people actually think that way

 

[Mirra]

Okay... am I the only one drawing parallels between how you say you'll treat a troll giving you shit in your room and how he treated the heckler at his show?

No, I don't think you're the ONLY one. I think I made it pretty obvious what I was trying to say, and I believe I was addressing one of Jolene's post.

You're saying that people should "stop creating a shitstorm," but you're on here complaining about comments you read on Twitter and comments on here. Weren't you just on here earlier telling people that if you don't like what one has to say, don't listen to it?

Oh... sorry. I thought this was a discussion on if rape jokes can ever be funny. Not a shit storm. My apologies.

There was a misunderstanding that escalated to a bit of tension and my opinions seem to be in the minority and are getting some people a little upset but I haven't read anything here that has upset me to a degree that I feel the need to "not listen." Based on how some people have understood my posts, maybe I have pushed some people to that point. Then again maybe I am just that bad at explaining myself.

As for the discussion I mistakenly thought we were having I have good news and other news. The good news is it seems no one thought his response to the heckler was funny. Unfortunately it seems there's disagreement on whether a joke about rape can ever be funny.

 

[AllisonWilder]

Okay... am I the only one drawing parallels between how you say you'll treat a troll giving you shit in your room and how he treated the heckler at his show?

No, I don't think you're the ONLY one. I think I made it pretty obvious what I was trying to say, and I believe I was addressing one of Jolene's post.

You're saying that people should "stop creating a shitstorm," but you're on here complaining about comments you read on Twitter and comments on here. Weren't you just on here earlier telling people that if you don't like what one has to say, don't listen to it?

Oh... sorry. I thought this was a discussion on if rape jokes can ever be funny. Not a shit storm. My apologies.

There was a misunderstanding that escalated to a bit of tension and my opinions seem to be in the minority and are getting some people a little upset but I haven't read anything here that has upset me to a degree that I feel the need to "not listen." Based on how some people have understood my posts, maybe I have pushed some people to that point. Then again maybe I am just that bad at explaining myself.

As for the discussion I mistakenly thought we were having I have good news and other news. The good news is it seems no one thought his response to the heckler was funny. Unfortunately it seems there's disagreement on whether a joke about rape can ever be funny.

I don't believe Jolene said anything about how this has turned into a shitstorm but rather that she thought that her comment would create a shitstorm.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

So... porky pig raping Elmer Fudd wouldn't be funny?

 

[LindseyDoll]

So... porky pig raping Elmer Fudd wouldn't be funny?

Elmer Fudd wouldn't think so

 

[SoTxBob]

I knew this sounded familiar...

 

[KoryMinx]

They are NOT funny nor will they ever be.

“Daniel Tosh perpetuates rape culture and his response to that “heckler” was to silence her, which is what happens when women speak up and demand to be treated as humans with feelings who do not want to be treated as jokes and do not want to have the most humiliating violation of their bodies to be punchlines. As long as Tosh is on the air, men will continue to see nothing wrong with rape and rape culture—and the women who speak out against it are “bitches” and “ignorant sluts”.”
— Kathleen Quinlan

 

[Bocefish]

Daniel Tosh perpetuates rape culture

I don't even know who this guy is. I assume he is some sort of comedian.

I wish all this concern and passion about a joke could be directed towards somewhere it could do something seriously positive. Bitching about it here is like pissing in the wind.

 

[KoryMinx]

"Bitching" about it may prevent people from using rape jokes.

Besides it's a goddamn forum, we'll talk about what we want to talk about.

 

[Bocefish]

"Bitching" about it may prevent people from using rape jokes.

Ya think?

Seriously?

That's your strategy?

GOOD LUCK!

 

[Nordling]

"Bitching" about it may prevent people from using rape jokes.

Ya think?

Seriously?

That's your strategy?

GOOD LUCK!

A lot of things I said as a teen and a young man in my 20's I no longer even consider saying. Why? Because of feedback (usually from women) from people who let me know that saying such was considered rude or even nasty. If someone finds you unpleasant, is it civilized to continue acting the same way? Unless one wishes to really be a troll.

We all learn from experience and from each other.

 

[LindseyDoll]

"Bitching" about it may prevent people from using rape jokes.

Ya think?

Seriously?

That's your strategy?

GOOD LUCK!

Wow... you know i kinda thought you were cool Bocefish...
People won't get that something is seriously not ok unless people speak out about it. Isn't there anything people joke about that isn't alright with you?
When something is wrong, and people voice that opinion, those who are socially apt, and seek the companionship of others tend to take other's feelings into account and stop doing it.

If you were raped, would you want people joking about it? Would you want people to act like rape is not a big deal, something to be made light of, funny?

It's sad how people want to defend rape jokes

I'm not arguing with his right to make them, but they are not funny. We should have a right as the audience to say so, and hopefully convince others to think before they speak.

Edit: Thanks Nordling for proving my point before I was finished typing it. You most certainly are cool

 

[Bocefish]

Like I said... I don't know of, nor have I ever heard about this Tosh guy until today. What I said was that I wish all this passion could be better directed than bitching about it here. I don't know him, nor do I know the exact circumstances.

If you knew how I felt about anyone forcing themselves on another person, you wouldn't be questioning me. To me, that is one of the absolute worst things a person could do and if that happened to anyone I cared about, the rapist would not be breathing for very long.

 

[Nordling]

If it disturbs you that people talk about an issue, why not push the "next thread" button, rather than make a snarky comment?

 

[Bocefish]

If it disturbs you that people talk about an issue, why not push the "next thread" button, rather than make a snarky comment?

Because I have an opinion and it's usually pertinent to the topic.

BTW, Mr. Nordling sure has his endless criticisms and kisses/thanks for Foxes ass whenever possible, but has he ever contributed anything original to this forum aside from kissing Foxes ass and the word game?

 

[JickyJuly]

"Bitching" about it may prevent people from using rape jokes.

Ya think?

Seriously?

That's your strategy?

GOOD LUCK!

The world is full of people who are unsure of themselves especially in group settings. If they are uncomfortable with a joke, hearing one person say "Hey. Rape isn't funny." might make them more confident in embracing their own feeling on the subject. There's a weird kind of herd mentality where most people have a hard time being the 1st one to disagree with a situation. Being an opinionated person, you might not be able to relate to those personality types. I will agree that focusing on the person who made the joke isn't going to do much good, but if the outrage over what was said opens communication on rape, good things can come of it.

 

[Nordling]

If it disturbs you that people talk about an issue, why not push the "next thread" button, rather than make a snarky comment?

Because I have an opinion and it's usually pertinent to the topic.

BTW, Mr. Nordling sure has his endless criticisms and kisses/thanks for Foxes ass whenever possible, but has he ever contributed anything original to this forum aside from kissing Foxes ass and the word game?

Quite often you do, and I've often "kissed/thanked" you when such was the case. But here, you're simply being snarky, and suggesting discussion is useless, thus, the obvious answer it go to a thread you're interested in.

When have I criticized Foxie, BTW?

Are you hitting the homemade whiskey?

 

[Bocefish]

"Bitching" about it may prevent people from using rape jokes.

Ya think?

Seriously?

That's your strategy?

GOOD LUCK!

The world is full of people who are unsure of themselves especially in group settings. If they are uncomfortable with a joke, hearing one person say "Hey. Rape isn't funny." might make them more confident in embracing their own feeling on the subject. There's a weird kind of herd mentality where most people have a hard time being the 1st one to disagree with a situation. Being an opinionated person, you might not be able to relate to those personality types. I will agree that focusing on the person who made the joke isn't going to do much good, but if the outrage over what was said opens communication on rape, good things can come of it.

OOPS

Sometimes I'm really stupid when it comes to communication and it's nuances.

 

[Bocefish]

if the outrage over what was said opens communication on rape, good things can come of it.

Rape has never been an issue with any of my family or friends that I know of.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

So... porky pig raping Elmer Fudd wouldn't be funny?

Elmer Fudd wouldn't think so

Ok fair enough.
But Elmer fudd raping daffy duck, now that's funny.

:? Right?

 

[Bocefish]

The mental image of Porky screwing Elmer was funny...

 

[Anonymous]

BTW, Mr. Nordling sure has his endless criticisms and kisses/thanks for Foxes ass whenever possible, but has he ever contributed anything original to this forum aside from kissing Foxes ass and the word game?

Maybe if you treated women with more respect, you'd be a happily married man right now, instead of some old drunk fuck who spends a lot of his time degrading women on a forum? :twocents-02cents: I notice some of the same models and members thanking your posts and often jumping to your defense too, but you don't see me getting butthurt over it. I've thanked a lot of your posts too, so what's the big deal?

Stop bringing my name into your little beef with Nordling, and go back to doing what you do best.....posting screenshots that make MFC models look bad, and calling women 'whores'. :thumbleft:

Nordling has contributed a lot to these forums, and is one of the most respectful, pleasant, optimistic people I've ever met. He is a real man who can actually admit when he's wrong and say "I'm sorry" when it's necessary.

As for you...you are too fucking old to keep posting negative, nasty shit on this forum, and then later using the excuse "Well, I was drunk." :roll: That's REAL mature...

 

[Anonymous]

Are you hitting the homemade whiskey?

Don't worry. I'm sure that sometime later today, he'll be back on here with that "Well, I was drunk" excuse again, and we'll all be expected to just sweep shit under the rug. *YAWN*

 

[Anonymous]

Wow... you know i kinda thought you were cool Bocefish...

It's sad how people want to defend rape jokes

I'm not arguing with his right to make them, but they are not funny. We should have a right as the audience to say so, and hopefully convince others to think before they speak.

Edit: Thanks Nordling for proving my point before I was finished typing it. You most certainly are cool

Sometimes Bocefish can be really cool and "hit the nail on the head" with some of his posts, and other times he sounds like an insensitive guy who can't stand or respect women.

And you are right about Nordling.....he is very cool. :thumbleft:

 

[KoryMinx]

If it disturbs you that people talk about an issue, why not push the "next thread" button, rather than make a snarky comment?

Trolls like the attention.

 

[KoryMinx]

"Bitching" about it may prevent people from using rape jokes.

Ya think?

Seriously?

That's your strategy?

GOOD LUCK!

No.

 

[KoryMinx]

Rapists think all men rape, hmm wonder why? Could it be because joking about rape makes it seem so?

Virtually all rapists genuinely believe that all men rape, and other men just keep it hushed up better. And more, these people who really are rapists are constantly reaffirmed in their belief about the rest of mankind being rapists like them by things like rape jokes, that dismiss and normalize the idea of rape.

http://www.shakesville.com/2011/02/penny-arcade-open-thread.html#comment-141696567

 

[VeronicaChaos]

I might get shit for this, but I think ANYTHING can be funny. Here's a perfect example:

Google "Hitler's house". Within the first page, a bunch of images of a house that looks like Hitler. Then there are the Kitlers, the cats that look like Hitler. Here's one of the most hated men ever, and with making fun of him, we strip him of his power. It's a reaffirms that now, after all the pain he's caused, he's nothing but a joke, a mockery. Which is the last thing he ever wanted to be. Personally, after all he did, I find that extremely satisfying.

Then, we have the issue with rape jokes. Personally, I don't consider what Tosh said to actually be a joke because it really um, wasn't, but that's besides the point. It was incredibly distasteful. I made a rape joke last night, and maybe it was offensive, but I thought it was pretty funny. I made a joke about a tentacle bursting through the wall and the girl on the other side raping it, and the tentacle needing to go to therapy afterward. I've been molested, and I don't personally think it's unhealthy to use humor as a way to get over something. Of course rape isn't funny. It's horrible. Just like how dead babies are horrible. Part of the humor of offensive jokes is laughing at yourself for laughing at something so terrible, and also, realizing that a joke and reality are completely different. If people ONLY made jokes instead of acting out the things that happen in them, the world would be a much better place.

I really don't think this argument is any different to the "do violent movies turn watchers into violent people" and "do shooting games turn players into killers" arguments.

That said, I think when it comes down to it, it's all about the nature of the joke, where it's coming from. But that's true of any joke, rape joke or not.

Once I met a guy in a wheelchair who had the MOST positive attitude about it ever. Even moshed with him (and yes, the wheelchair may have cut me up a bit, but totally worth it). He was FULL of wheelchair jokes. Sometimes, with somethings, you just HAVE to laugh, because what other choice do you have?

 

[mynameisbob84]

Rapists think all men rape, hmm wonder why? Could it be because joking about rape makes it seem so?

Virtually all rapists genuinely believe that all men rape, and other men just keep it hushed up better. And more, these people who really are rapists are constantly reaffirmed in their belief about the rest of mankind being rapists like them by things like rape jokes, that dismiss and normalize the idea of rape.

http://www.shakesville.com/2011/02/penny-arcade-open-thread.html#comment-141696567

I'd agree with this to a degree but I think it comes back to what I said yesterday about being responsible with what you joke about. Rape jokes like Tosh's trivialize rape and perpetuate the idea that rape isn't a big deal. I think the above quote definitely applies to jokes like Tosh's.
A joke like George Carlin's though, I don't think it applies.



Carling jokes about rape but the joke comes at the expense of a) the rapist and b) the notion that rape can somehow be blamed on the victim. By joking about it he highlights that joking about something does not mean condoning it; that rapists are fucked in the head; and that society's view on rape and rape victims has become distorted to the point of trivialisation and crucially, that that's not okay.
I don't think the above quote applies to Carlin's joke :twocents-02cents: