# Jokes, in response to moderation etc **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [February 19, 2022, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768 "2022-02-19T02:40:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/221 "2022-02-23T18:08:58Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I appreciate your forthcoming concise list that everyone will agree upon describing which groups which persons can joke about in which settings, and which groups which persons cannot. Thanks in advance. I appreciate that you already understand what I have stated about how context matters. There are an infinite number of contexts. Basics are simple. Jokes that reinforce stereotypes upon historically disadvantaged or oppressed groups usually not a good idea. If you have good reason to believe that someone in the room will be hurt by the joke think about whether or not hurting that person is a desired outcome. Sometimes taking someone down a notch is the desired outcome so maybe. Know the room. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/222 "2022-02-23T18:15:10Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I suspect attorneys find themselves parsing everything with an adversarial legal mindset, even when that’s entirely inappropriate and ought to get their clip moved down. This likely suggests ignorance as to much lawyerly thinking. Rather than having an adversarial mindset, perhaps they wish to ensure that everyone agrees on their definitions, and to distinguish between subjective perceptions and objective factors. Such thinking is not limited to lawyers. In debate, the FIRST thing raised is one’s definitions. Lawyers understand the importance of clarity. Nonlawyers are generally quite comfortable talking past each other, using vaguely defined terms and relying on their personal opinions, preferences and recollections. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/223 "2022-02-23T18:21:10Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > So, how do you distinguish between an asshole racist joke, and an oppressive one? > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > In general, jokes that reinforce negative stereotypes of a group **that has faced historical oppression and that currently faces oppression in the society in which the joke is told** can serve in a very small way to normalize oppressive attitudes and structures. (emphasis in original) ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/224 "2022-02-23T18:21:50Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Lawyers understand the importance of clarity. Nonlawyers are generally quite comfortable talking past each other, using vaguely defined terms and relying on their personal opinions, preferences and recollections. I’m glad to see you eschewing stereotypes, Dinsdale! ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/225 "2022-02-23T18:23:34Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > That said it’s just a gag. I make a sensational potato salad. Yeah, I think potato salad and some of the other things that were mentioned in the article were applicable to people of any race. The plastic covered furniture thing is certainly also a white trope. More along the lines of really old peoples furniture tho. And, sorry, nobody makes a good potato salad, much less a sensational one. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/226 "2022-02-23T18:30:38Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Know the room. I guess different persons might perceive this “room” differently - perhaps on a continuum ranging from a raucous open exchange of diverse opinions, and one more aimed at giving priority to those who are most easily offended. Or a room in which persons can either object to or ignore messages they disagree with, vs one where persons desire certain messages to be prohibited. That’s fine. WRT to lawyer jokes, if you prick us, do we not bleed? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/227 "2022-02-23T18:34:31Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > (emphasis in original) So, just to be clear. Are you saying all racist jokes are BOTH asshole AND oppressive? Whereas lawyer jokes are merely asshole? I honestly misunderstood you to suggest that some racist joes were asshole jokes, and some were oppressive (the view I take.) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/228 "2022-02-23T18:35:24Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > giving priority to those who are most easily offended I think this represents a misunderstanding. It’s not about who is easily offended, as a “this person” thing. It’s about which groups tend to be subjected to offensive content about themselves. We don’t have a plethora of jokes about women castrating men here. We do have a plethora of jokes about men raping women. Coincidence? Of course not. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/229 "2022-02-23T18:47:12Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I think this represents a misunderstanding. It’s not about who is easily offended, as a “this person” thing. It’s about which groups tend to be subjected to offensive content about themselves. Sure. And I never said these boards were at the extreme of a continuum. But within every group, different people will have different perceptions of what is or isn’t funny/acceptable/fighting words/etc. In desiring to encourage a civil exchange of disparate views, I acknowledge the desirability of skewing towards the snowflake end to encourage them to express their views. On the whole, these boards do an exceptional job of balancing different sensibilities. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/230 "2022-02-23T19:48:43Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > skewing towards the snowflake end Honestly I read those who melt down over being told that some groups of jokes that they are used to being able to tell are not acceptable here as being the snowflake end. They are just so used to every room being a room catering to their specific sensitivities that a different room is hard to accept. The choice is to not skew to those snowflakes. If I warm you do you not melt? 😃 Analyzing humor is rarely funny and I’m thinking the lawyer discussion is already pretty well litigated. But it is worth understanding what motivates lawyer jokes. Obviously it is not to dehumanize and further other an oppressed group or to by way of jokes justify violence against lawyers. It’s the simple fact that the system often allows the more powerful to hire the biggest lawyer guns and those outside of the top 0.1% are left fairly powerless. It’s the fact that there are frivolous suits that serve no function other than greed. Is every lawyer a mercenary who will use their skills to work the system in whatever direction pays them the most? Of course not. There are those referenced who work diligently defending human rights at great risk, who heroically take on immigration cases for little money, and other noble cause. Those who help the rank and file do necessary things. But enough people have experienced lawyers that way that the jokes exist as a means to fight back. Even while overall the profession is highly respected. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/231 "2022-02-23T20:07:06Z")
_My_ lawyer is a great guy. _Your_ lawyer is an evil prick. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/232 "2022-02-23T20:26:51Z")
Eh, I think a lot of people like to think their lawyer is an evil prick, and that that is a good thing. (n.b. Dad was a lawyer, and not a prick at all. Two brothers are lawyers, one is not a prick, the other is a bit (but not evil as far as I can tell.) ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/233 "2022-02-23T20:37:41Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Honestly I read those who melt down over being told that some groups of jokes that they are used to being able to tell are not acceptable here as being the snowflake end. They are just so used to every room being a room catering to their specific sensitivities that a different room is hard to accept. I agree with that. It really is most often the sense I get of what’s going on in such discussions. – I do think that some of the lawyer jokes may be motivated by fear: the joke teller figures that if they wind up in court, they’re likely to come out of it poorly, whether or not they were at fault. But it does occur to me to wonder: are jokes that attack lawyers more commonly told by those less privileged, or is it the other way around? ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/234 "2022-02-23T23:53:51Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > You might find that stereoptype funny. It’s pretty lame and boring at this point. It’s pretty played out. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/235 "2022-02-24T00:15:21Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Actually, I’ve always taken that quote as a compliment. It’s spoken by a revolutionary who wants to tear down established order, appropriate other people’s property, and so on. > > In a weird way, it’s a recognition that lawyers have a crucial role in protecting people’s rights, and the first thing a violent revolutionary needs to do is get rid of them. So that’s one interpretation. And I’m no Shakespeare scholar. But those more learned than I am think that take is one attractive to lawyers and judges but not necessarily clearly supported by the text. > **[Let’s Kill All the Lawyers! Shakespeare (Might Have) Meant It](https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-journal/lets-kill-all-the-lawyers-shakespeare-might-have-meant-it/)** > > In the article , “ The First Thing We Do, Let’s Get Shakespeare Right! ”1 J.B. Hopkins concludes that Shakespeare’s line, “Let’s kill all the lawyers,” is, contrary to its facial meaning, a statement in praise of lawyers, not in derogation of them.... > [@](#): > > … It may be a blatant Elizabethan “lawyer joke.”18 Shakespeare places comic characters in many of his works, generally to provide a break in the more serious action. Assuming an audience made up of lawyers, judges and others acquainted with the judicial process, all of them on a night out and ready to be entertained, such a line might have drawn snickers and chuckles both from them and from other members of the audience who knew they were in attendance. In parts of the scene obviously intended to be comic, Cade begins to show himself a pompous fool in talking of himself as the fount of English law, while Dick fawningly supports him by saying, “the laws of England may come out of your mouth.” The comic aspects of this scene are enhanced by three stage whisper asides from other players. One says, “T’will be sore law.” Another adds, “It will be stinking law,” and a third concludes, “Then we are like to have biting statutes unless his teeth be pulled out.”19 … > … A fourth interpretation is the most probable. The passage is the dramatization of a historical event without any intention of either praising or vilifying lawyers. We know that Shakespeare was writing a play. We know that it was one of his earlier efforts, written before he became well-established. We know that the play was a historical drama. We know that, in order to heighten the interest of his audience, he took extensive liberty with actual historical fact, combining the historical rebellions of Jack Cade and Wat Tyler into a single stage event in order to construct a more powerful dramatic conflict, and perhaps used them as comic foils as well. We know that the historical rebels involved in the Wat Tyler rebellion did indeed view lawyers as oppressors, not as protectors of liberty, that they did, indeed, attempt to “kill all the lawyers,” and that Shakespeare was reflecting their view in his play in order to increase dramatic conflict. Shakespeare intended neither to praise nor to condemn lawyers. He intended to reproduce, for his audience, a historically documented rebellion, and he conflated historical accounts of Tyler’s and Cade’s rebellions for dramatic effect. Beyond that, the assertion that Shakespeare intended either to praise or to condemn lawyers is a deconstructed conclusion based on idiosyncratic, political interpretation. To read more into the line is to engraft on it our own political predilections, not to extract the meanings put there by William Shakespeare. … Personally I go with it being a lawyer joke. Aimed as a jibe at lawyers present and given that Shakespeare also was appealing to low brow crowds with c-word puns and the like, also for those in the audience who experienced lawyers as indeed defending the rights of wealthy property owners, but not theirs. I’d bet on it having been a laugh line in the room it was played in. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/236 "2022-02-24T03:39:21Z")
Jokes? ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2022, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/237 "2022-02-25T03:55:40Z")
A post was merged into an existing topic: [More Jokes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-jokes/848629/1580) ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/238 "2022-02-24T13:04:48Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Honestly I read those who melt down over being told that some groups of jokes that they are used to being able to tell are not acceptable here as being the snowflake end. They are just so used to every room being a room catering to their specific sensitivities that a different room is hard to accept. The choice is to not skew to those snowflakes. Excellent point, IMHO. We tend to associate “snowflake” with “put-down (unfair or not) of a social justice warrior as overly sensitive,” but it works equally well — better, I think, for its challenge of assumptions — as an equivalent observation about many of the privileged. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/239 "2022-02-24T13:19:29Z")
Garrison Keillor once told this joke: “Why does Michael Jackson like twenty-eight-year-olds?” “Because there’s twenty of them.” Serious question - would this be a no-no here on the Dope, as it alludes to inappropriate touching of children? Or is it okay because it’s about the likely behavior of a celebrity? Or because it doesn’t mention rape, really, but more a fondness? Anyway, I thought it was interesting that the Bard of the Prairies didn’t give if a second thought (nor his audience). This would have been circa 2005. (I think it’s a clever and funny play on words). ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768/240 "2022-02-24T15:06:09Z")
_So I’m chatting to this 14 year old on the Internet…_ _She is funny, flirty, sexy and intelligent and now she’s telling me she’s an undercover cop. How cool is that at her age!_ Here’s a recent one from that thread. Now, I think that’s a pretty funny joke. But I could imagine folk finding that AT LEAST as inappropriate as a fireman suggesting a woman ought to have sex with him to be rescued. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768.md?page=13)