Humor

Abstract Humor is used both to reinforce and to undermine imaginary realities. Disparagement humor reinforces imaginary realities and is an exercise of power by the powerful, whereas subversive humor undermines imaginary realities and is a weapon of the oppressed. Disparagement humor is related to group moral egoism, in that it assumes the imaginary reality that all the people within the ingroup are superior to all the people in the outgroup. The group differences that are the basis of disparagement humor are diverse, ranging from language, food, and skin color to gender, nationality, and religion. Subversive humor is a weapon used by people in oppressed groups to expose and disrupt the imaginary reality of the dominant group. It promotes solidarity and social cohesion among members of oppressed groups and allows them to assert power despite their subordination. Three domains of subversive humor are autocrats and autocracies, racists and racism, and religion and religious figures. The consequences of exercising subversive humor can be dangerous, even fatal, but it is common anyway among oppressed people because it offers both the consolation of mirth and the social bonding effect of knowing that others also reject the lies they are being fed by authorities.