Poll: Which Group of People You Should Never Make Fun Of?

[Droopie]

Make fun of whoever you like. Yeah, there'll be social consequences if you go too far in context[footnote]I mean something like making jokes about someone when you're already aware that they're uncomfortable with it, which is just a careless and rude thing to do. For example, it may be okay to make rape jokes in general, but if you do it around or about a rape victim without them being okay with it, you're an asshole. Basically, if it's a sensitive topic, you should make sure your audience is okay with taking it lightly. Some people aren't, and that's fine. Their wishes should be respected.[/footnote], but absolutely no one and no thing should be off limits to a joke. Certain audiences are okay with certain types of humor, so cater to them by that. So long as you're not generalization the "rules" of comedy by one group's preferences.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Context matters, plenty of groups have lots of baggage thrust upon them, and you're not fooling anyone if you claim not to know this.

Making fun of something someone has not control over is is generally not a good idea.

However, there's a massive difference between criticising someone and making jokes at their expense.

 

[EternallyBored]

Considering you defined "making fun of" as including criticizing and disagreeing with, I would imagine apart from joke answers, you aren't going to find anyone here that seriously advocates that there is a group that should "never" be made fun of.

The massively broad definition you've put forth is kind of absurd, do you actually think there are any regular posters on this site that think there are groups that should never be criticized or disagreed with?

 

[Casual Shinji]

Well, is there a group of people that should be taken serious 100% of the time? ... Exactly.

No one should be mocked constantly, just as no one should be revered constantly.

 

[The Lunatic]

Everyone is fair game as far as I'm concerned.

People need to learn to take a joke, regardless of what group they fall into.

 

[ErrrorWayz]

Everyone is fair game as far as I'm concerned.

People need to learn to take a joke, regardless of what group they fall into.

How do you make fun of suicidal rape victims? And why?

You'd make fun of them with a joke, as you would with anyone else. You'd hope no one would make a joke but to suggest they should be protected in someway, beyond normally social repercussions, would be a step too far I'd say.

 

[madwarper]

You should never say anything mean about the illiterate. You should write that stuff down.

 

[Aerosteam]

Everyone is fair game.

Except people who are dying, expected to die soon or recently passed away. That's my no-go zone.

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

People shouldn't be ridiculing or " making fun" of people in general, especially not due to their race, sexuality, disability or anything like that. Yes, people should treat others with respect by default. Yes, treat everyone like a special snowflake as default, especially until you get to know them better to understand whether or not you are being offensive to them. Now say your friend is laughing ridiculously sounding and their drink comes out their nose, that is something you can give them a bit of hell over, but it is situational. Making jokes about peoples race, gender sex or disability though isn't in good fun and is not even funny, it just makes you an asshole. The world could do with less assholes and more empathy.

 

[pookie101]

there is a very simple rule of stand up comedy that should apply to general life as well.. always punch up not down.

feel free to make fun of those stronger, in power, more privileged than you personally but you are just a scum sucking bully if you pick on people weaker than you

 

[the December King]

there is a very simple rule of stand up comedy that should apply to general life as well.. always punch up not down.

feel free to make fun of those stronger, in power, more privileged than you personally but you are just a scum sucking bully if you pick on people weaker than you

While that rule might be a good way to live for non-comedians, it is not necessarily a standard rule for professional comics. Otherwise... white male comics would never crack jokes about, well, anybody. But they definitely do.

Picking on people, sure- but that's not necessarily comedy, as you say, that's bullying. And even then, I'll bet some comedians can do it, and make it hilarious. Talent levels should definitely be considered when talking about this kind of humor, just as personal tastes should be.

 

[Phasmal]

Gamers. So, your answer is "White Males".

If I had meant "White Males", I would have said "White Males".
I am sure I do not need to explain that "Gamer" and "White Male" are not interchangeable.

As for you funsie answer, if you were an evil SJW. You wouldn't honestly believe that you should never make fun of anyone. You would believe that white people and men are acceptable targets.

If you say so. I don't keep up with the rules of what makes you an SJW any more. I figured I had earned my lifetime membership by wanting more and better female characters in video games.

 

[KissingSunlight]

I want to thank everyone who have responded so far.

I guess my first reaction is to be happy that a overwhelming majority voted "No Sacred Cows". However, that feeling is tempered by the fact that doesn't reflect what I see everyday when I go online. You know the headlines, clickbaits, and online comments that I am referring to. It's "This Is Sexist!" and "That Is Racist!". So, I am really surprised that neither gender nor race options have a single vote.

I guess that support my theory that polls are not the best way to gauge honest reactions to a subject. Especially, from the people who voted "Nobody Should Be Made Fun Of". Like I replied to Phasmal, I doubt that answer extends to white people and men. After all, as one person pointed out, it's about punching up. So, no bad tactics. Just bad targets.

I would like to give people who voted "Nobody Should Be Made Of" some benefit of the doubt. Maybe, in your zeal to make sure that nobody's feelings get hurt. You ignore the intentions and context of what was said. As a result, you are insulting to people who you think are being offensive. I'm not doubting your intentions. Just your results.

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

Gamers. They'll throw an internet hissy fit the likes of which rarely seen when any other group is made fun of.

On a slightly more serious note, it's less about who "you should never make fun of" and more about how people should learn how to actually tell jokes. So much internet humour is "Look at this offensive thing I said! YOU TRIGGERED?" ... and that was literally never funny. I'm sure there's a right way to make a joke about almost anything, but so many people are offended when their bad humour results in people rightfully telling them they suck.

EDIT: Oh, and for funsies, I'm voting "you should never make fun of anyone". Partially because it's just nice and partially because I'm an evil SJW.

Gamers. So, your answer is "White Males". As for you funsie answer, if you were an evil SJW. You wouldn't honestly believe that you should never make fun of anyone. You would believe that white people and men are acceptable targets.

Nub scrubs think they can game.. sheesh.

I have been a gamer longer than most here, and I am in no way shape or form a "white male". White males are not "gamers", they wish they were gamers, we all know that far more Asians not only make and play MORE games than white males, and we ALSO know Asians are better at them.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2036844/why-gamers-in-asia-are-the-worlds-best-esport-athletes.html

No, that isn't racist, that is a fact.
ALSO More women play video games anyhow..

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/18/52-percent-people-playing-games-women-industry-doesnt-know

The people who should be made fun of are people who think it is fun to make fun of people for stupid reasons.

 

[Saltyk]

You should be able to make jokes about anyone. And you frankly shouldn't be afraid to make those jokes around the people you are joking about. People should be able to take a joke. By giving people special exemption you only encourage divisions between people.

Some insist that you shouldn't punch down, but I disagree. Can you think of a better time to hit someone then when they're on the ground? Punch everyone!

There are limits to this, of course, and times you shouldn't mock people. But that doesn't mean that you should never ever make jokes about some people. We're all equal in comedy. And comedy gets people talking. And when people talk, they can come to understandings and work to fix what problems exist.

By saying you don't want certain people to be made fun of, you're telling me you think those people are children. That they can't handle a joke. And that you don't want people to acknowledge them or their problems.

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

I want to thank everyone who have responded so far.

I guess my first reaction is to be happy that a overwhelming majority voted "No Sacred Cows". However, that feeling is tempered by the fact that doesn't reflect what I see everyday when I go online. You know the headlines, clickbaits, and online comments that I am referring to. It's "This Is Sexist!" and "That Is Racist!". So, I am really surprised that neither gender nor race options have a single vote.

I guess that support my theory that polls are not the best way to gauge honest reactions to a subject. Especially, from the people who voted "Nobody Should Be Made Fun Of". Like I replied to Phasmal, I doubt that answer extends to white people and men. After all, as one person pointed out, it's about punching up. So, no bad tactics. Just bad targets.

I would like to give people who voted "Nobody Should Be Made Of" some benefit of the doubt. Maybe, in your zeal to make sure that nobody's feelings get hurt. You ignore the intentions and context of what was said. As a result, you are insulting to people who you think are being offensive. I'm not doubting your intentions. Just your results.

Why would it be okay to make fun of white men for being white men? People make fun of people for saying and doing stupid things, not because they are white men. Being a white man does not mean you have to be racist, ignorant, sexist, angry, self absorbed ect.. it is when people behave in such ways that people make fun of them instead. There are plenty of white men who are not any of those things and don't get made fun of. Chances are people are making fun of something you are doing, not because of your race.


You also have to consider the " showing by example" method of trying to get one's point across. Often people say and do things they do not actually literally mean, but instead are attempting to have you learn by " showing you how it feels to have the same done to you". for example, you have people who are made fun of how they look just for being black, of course no one likes to have that happen to them.To show a " white male" how it feels would be to make fun of them for being white in the same manner that they made fun of someone for being black.They do it to prove a point, not that they actually mean it.

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

You should be able to make jokes about anyone. And you frankly shouldn't be afraid to make those jokes around the people you are joking about. People should be able to take a joke. By giving people special exemption you only encourage divisions between people.

Some insist that you shouldn't punch down, but I disagree. Can you think of a better time to hit someone then when they're on the ground? Punch everyone!

There are limits to this, of course, and times you shouldn't mock people. But that doesn't mean that you should never ever make jokes about some people. We're all equal in comedy. And comedy gets people talking. And when people talk, they can come to understandings and work to fix what problems exist.

By saying you don't want certain people to be made fun of, you're telling me you think those people are children. That they can't handle a joke. And that you don't want people to acknowledge them or their problems.

Do you think it is appropriate to make fun of someone who is disabled, has a birth defect, due to the color of their skin, or some other thing they have no control over? That is how you start much larger conflicts, such as making fun of a mentally disabled person, they take it wrong, kill themselves then say their brother kills you.. yea that is not a good example to set at all for improving society as a whole... this in history has led to fights, murders, wars.. it is a horrible idea.

 

[The Lunatic]

Everyone is fair game as far as I'm concerned.

People need to learn to take a joke, regardless of what group they fall into.

How do you make fun of suicidal rape victims? And why?

Probably some sort of joke about how despite their situation, they still have "White Privilege".

As for, "Why", well, you just asked me to. I don't really have much of a habit of doing it myself. Then again, I don't know many suicidal rape victims.