“There’s a crack in everything”: Richard Fidler on the art of absurdity
Jul 10, 2024
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Richard Fidler, a best-selling author and host of Conversations, dives into the rich interplay between comedy and absurdity. He discusses how humor reveals the futility of serious attempts and societal norms. Fidler highlights comedy’s role in resilience, especially in oppressive climates, sharing anecdotes from Czech history. He also explores the mechanics of absurdist comedy, analyzing iconic shows like Seinfeld while emphasizing laughter's power to connect us and challenge authority amidst life's ridiculousness. Get ready for a thought-provoking and hilarious journey!
Comedy serves as a vital lens for navigating life, offering coping mechanisms for absurdities and tragedies we face.
Absurdity arises from clashes between expectations and reality, highlighting the unpredictable nature of existence through comedic scenarios.
Humor transcends boundaries and challenges social norms, reinforcing community bonds while exposing deeper truths about human relationships.
Deep dives
The Necessity of Comedy
Comedy is framed not just as an entertainment genre but as a vital lens through which humans navigate their lives. It serves as a mechanism for coping with the inherent absurdities and tragedies of existence, reminding us that even in dire circumstances, humor can arise. The discussion highlights that this instinct for comedy emerges from deep within the human spirit, showcasing an essential drive to find levity amid struggle. Silliness, for instance, is explored as something profound that contributes to our flourishing, asserting that there is necessity in what might initially appear trivial.
Absurdity and Human Desire
Absurdity is identified as a critical aspect of comedy, illustrating the disconnect between human desires and the reality of the world. The notion that the absurd emerges when our expectations clash with actual outcomes is emphasized, as seen in comedic scenarios that highlight life’s unpredictable nature. For example, the contrast between a dignified person and a trivial circumstance reveals laughter’s potential to emerge from human folly. This gap serves as fertile ground for comedy, suggesting that recognizing the absurdity can lead to a more genuine understanding of our shared experiences.
The Boundaries of Comedy
An important aspect of humor is its boundary-crossing nature, where comedy often thrives in transgression and challenge to social norms. The podcast discusses how moments of inappropriate laughter can expose the fragility of order and authority, thereby reflecting deeper truths about human relationships and societal structures. By examining comedic elements in existing works, such as how situations devolve into farce, the idea that laughter can destabilize rigid hierarchies is proposed. This insight indicates that comedy not only entertains but also reinforces the community bond through shared laughter.
Comedy as a Reflection of Society
Comedy is posed as a revolutionary tool, revealing insights into societal absurdities while simultaneously underscoring the significance of social conventions. The conversation delves into the interplay of comedy and existential frustration, suggesting comedians often serve as societal critics who illuminate the absurdity of life. Notably, the discussion references examples from renowned shows, such as 'Seinfeld' and 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', which explore the complexities of human interactions in a seemingly indifferent universe. This reflection demonstrates that comedy can catalyze deeper conversations about authority, norms, and shared human experiences.
Humor as an Expression of Brokenness
Humor is ultimately portrayed as a vehicle for recognizing and coping with human flaws and brokenness. The conversation suggests that the presence of absurdity in comedy allows for a shared acknowledgment of our vulnerabilities, forming a sense of collective understanding in the face of life's absurdities. It highlights the importance of self-implication in comedy, where shared laughter in moments of failure creates a bond that transcends individual shortcomings. By embracing brokenness, humor enables a richer appreciation of our humanity, reinforcing the notion that art and laughter often emerge from our imperfections.
Comedy happens when something occurs that makes visible just how futile are our most earnest efforts, and how superficial are our solemnities, our moments of greatest seriousness and decorum — hence the deep connection between comedy, absurdity and tragedy.
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