Content analysis is a method of analyzing written, verbal, or visual communication messages. Researchers first used it as a method for analyzing hymns, newspaper, magazine articles, advertisements, and political speeches in the 19th century (Harwood & Garry, 2003). During the last few decades, its use has shown steady growth (Neundorf 2002), and content analysis now enjoys a long history of use in communication, journalism, sociology, psychology, and business. Content analysis as a research method provides a systematic and objective means of describing and quantifying phenomena (Krippendorff 1980). Many researchers also recognize it as a method of analyzing documents. Content analysis will allow me to develop theoretical suggestions to enhance understanding of the humor in the Jackass films. Through content analysis, it is possible to distill words into fewer content related categories and then to assume that when classified into the same categories, words, phrases, and the like share similar meanings. Content analysis is a research method for making replicable and valid inferences from data to their context, with the purpose of providing knowledge, new insights, a representation of facts, and a practical guide to action (Krippendorff 1980). My aim will be to produce a condensed yet broad description of the humor phenomenon, including concepts or categories describing the humor phenomenon. Usually the purpose of those concepts or categories is to build up a model,
There are over 7 Billion people in the world each with their own individual thoughts, ideas, and innovations. Based upon this fact, it is evident that there will be disagreements and conflicts amongst peers. In order to present these problems and arguments within the world in an entertaining, but informative way, satires are used. Satire is the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupiditiy or vices particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. Through the use of exaggeration, humor, irony, and a variety of other similar techniques, controversial topics involving things such as politics can easily be presented.
Humorists are often seen as insignificant contributors of society. People consider humorists no more than just “entertainers”, willing to make fun of anything in order to make a crowd laugh, however, has the audience ever contemplated why humorists are the some of the only people who are allowed to critique anything that crosses their mind without consequences? Alain de Botton, claims the vital role of humorist is, “to convey with impunity messages that might be dangerous or impossible to state directly.” I agree with Alain de Botton’s claims, that humorists do hold an important role in society, which is far more than to entertain. They break the ice on delicate topics, communicating the messages to society. Political cartoons and the Colbert
For example, Wong explains that the jokes that comedians offer “are dug painfully out of your own guts” (Para. 8). From this statement, it is clear that, to create jokes, comedians go through intense suffering. This depiction starkly differs from conventional views that regard comedians as happy and contented individuals. While reviewing this notion, a reader would pause and wonder why a comedian entertains people if the comedian is not happy. This inquiry would lead a person to conclude that, to create and deliver jokes, comedians make significant sacrifices for the sake of audiences. Such reflection would cause a reader to view a comedian as a vulnerable individual on whose suffering unwitting audiences thrive. A reader would thus ‘see’ that, although they may not be aware of this, people who constitute audiences for comedians are selfish and cruel. This realization is likely to strongly affect readers at an emotional level. Readers would be ‘frustrated’ with the apparently helpless status of comedians. Further, readers would be ‘angry’ at the people who unwittingly ‘help’ comedians to conceal intense internal suffering. Thanks to these potent emotional reactions, readers would gain added interest in Wong’s arguments. Readers would further scrutinize the article to investigate how society can fail to notice the troubled nature of comedians. While carrying
Modern society allows humorists to touch upon offensive topics without receiving much criticism. As Alain de Botton claimed in his 2004 book, Status Anxiety, humorists’ role is not merely to entertain but “to convey with impunity messages that might be dangerous or impossible to state directly.” De Botton’s argument proves legitimate. Many humorists, such as cartoonists and television hosts, decide to use their humor as a tool to prove an idea or express a belief that cannot be voiced candidly in public.
In Status Anxiety, author de Botton correctly claims that humorists are expected to not only entertain their audience, but to make statements about controversial events that may be too sensitive to say directly and causally present them in a way that is easy for the public to understand. This is demonstrated through various forms of media such as television shows and political cartoons.
The Colbert Report is an American late night talk show, which is a news satire and comedic program. The show illustrates how the comedy and satire genre is important when it comes to informing people about political and controversial topics. The comedic element of the show makes the program entertaining and informative. In comparison to The Harvest of Shame this documentary that was used to inform the American people about a sever issue made people feel bad, it was depressing. The Colbert Report takes boring political issues and makes them interested, which appeals to younger adults. Many young adults do not pay attention to politics because it is boring or too difficult to understand. The show takes a political subject, simplifies it and makes it interesting. For example, in one episode he discusses the 2016 election and makes fun of a statement of Donald Trump, it’s not only funny, but informative. Stephen Colbert is always talking to the audience directly, which creates a better connect with the viewers. Shows like The Colbert Report bring people together to discuss important topics. The comedy and satire of the show is just a technique to reach more people and create a safe environment to discuss these sensitive topics. There are many talk shows that are comedic and satire because it makes the show self-reflexive. In conclusion, genre is a major factor when it comes to creating
Humor has become manifested into nearly all aspects of the secular world. Whether it be in comics, writings, or television, some form of comedy is sure to be seen on a regular basis. It seems the world today depends on a good laugh every now and then, and Alain de Botton argued the purpose of this in his book Status Anxiety. He concluded that humorists are more than just a form of entertainment; They "convey with impunity messages that might be dangerous or impossible to state directly". These men and women are granted some degree of leeway to speak freely and candidly on ultimately any subject for the preservation of societal stability. Their representation of public sentiment results in the people feeling as if what they long to say is finally being heard on a larger platform. Humorists serve the vital role of being a true reflection of public opinion; however, they are not immune to
Texting has become a common way of communicating between peers. It isn’t just used to chat with your friends, it has also become essential in the workplace, creating a bigger connection between work and your personal life. An article was published on The Liberal on the risks of texting, but I actually believe texting is great for us. It has made communication easier and its negative impacts are very avoidable. The risks mentioned in the article are the driving impairments, the physical injuries, and the effect it can have on your grammar. Although these risks seem dangerous, they can be avoided easily.
(TS) The advertisement for Bose Headphones displaying the man and the waterfall uses humor and dramatic irony to make readers remember the ad and the headphones they are selling. (C1) Humor is portrayed in this ad in a number of different ways. (E1) This ad uses humor because the man rowing the boat is about to fall to his death down a waterfall and doesn’t even realize it. The fact that the man is so oblivious and the exaggeration of the power of the headphones is what brings up humor in the ad. (R1) The humor in this unrealistic advertisement quickly draws readers attention to make you remember it. The picture stands out and is different from other ads because of the way it uses humor, so the audience is sure to remember
Comedy is an integral part of our daily lives and routines. It can be as simple as telling a joke to our friends to as complicated as a political cartoon depicting a satirical image of a president committing a crime. However, according to author Alain de Botton, comedy is a conduit that is used to express ideas that society is not generally willing to propound in public. It is clear that the role of humorists is not only to humor an audience, but also to provide a channel for the expression of ideas that are not necessarily ones that we would say to the public, making their role crucial to the functionality of society.
Satire is constantly evolving in order to maintain with the times. As technology, culture and humanity change and grow, satire is forced to grow with it. Satire of our modern time is more likely to be found on our phones than on print, more likely on a television than a telegram. By merging with pop culture, in forms of Family Guy and Comedy Central news shows, these forms of satire are able to stay relevant. But, despite the change in medium, the purpose of satire and effect of satire holds true. Modern satire, just as that of past satire, sheds light on the problems of our society through ridicule and mockery, without reinforcing and further cementing the stereotypes and prejudices they are trying to expose.
Today, comedy news shows are becoming progressively more popular, and in so, becoming a new source of information – which may, or may not, be a positive consequence. Most comedians twist the truth in order to connect to people and make them laugh. The article “A Serious Business: What Can Comedy Do?” suggests some comedians “use logic to make painful things make sense” (O’Hara 108). Satirical comedy acts as a relief mechanism in that it comforts people that may be wary about a certain subject, especially in the realm of politics. Similarly, Peter McGraw and Joel Warner discuss how comedy can act as a coping mechanism. The authors conclude that “activists all over the world have been using comedy as a form of political protest” (McGraw & Warner 147). Iain Ellis writes about how political satirists do more than just deliver jokes, they use satire “to expose, ridicule, and–implicitly–call for action and change” (Ellis 152). Ellis contends that comedy can make a difference by its constant presence in our daily lives. Socrates, Plato, and even shows like South Park believe that humor is a way to persuade others. One of the most effective expressions of humor to affect social change has been the inclusion of satire. Although humor often provides people a welcome escape from the burdens of their daily lives, the satirical comedy deconstructs social issues in various ways as a means to persuade the
(Possible sources include television shows, humor magazines, the op/ed section of the newspaper, movies, comic strips, songs, and internet memes.)
Imagine a vast concert hall filled with people. The audience excitedly clamor in anticipation for the main star of this event. The event they paid so much money for, cleared up time in their schedule for, spent time getting to the event for. As the lights dim, the spotlight shines on the center stage. Then an average person emerges on the stage with a thousand eyes’ on him. He only has with a microphone in his hand. Just a typical person, with a normal gait and normal sense of fashion. However, after speaking a few words in the microphone, the crowd bursts into a cacophony of laughter. No matter how ordinary or extraordinary the person, entertainment through humor is universal. Utilizing humor, an extensive language of amusement, to open perspectives and challenge what is conceived right or wrong can be impactful- if done correctly. Dave Sedaris accomplishes that goal when he uses humor to illustrate his dilemma because of his identity. Despite being an accomplished successful comedian, author, radio show host, certain people look down at him as just a homosexual freak. Rather than gravely addressing his opposition, Sedaris utilizes a jovial yet relatable anecdote called “Chicken in a Henhouse”. Incorporating ideas from Ardian Bardon’s “The Philosophy of Humor”, specifically, the three theories of humor: superiority theory, incongruity theory and relief theory, Sedaris argues that the American public stereotypes homosexuals as pedophiles and ,as a result, they feel
Content analysis is a research technique focused on the actual content of media texts including internal features. Du Plooy, GM (2009:261-264) identifies eight creative concepts: • Provoking curiosity- in this creative concept a desire to understand something unusual is provoked by the body copy,’ for an example’, in a Jaguar advertisement the body copy implies that the XF, XJ and XK models of Jaguar do things that machines cannot do.