FUNNY JOKE POLITICS

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FUNNY JOKE POLITICS

• How how not to use humor in communications

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Being funny can...

• dethrone deflate an opponent
• allow you to say things you couldnt with a
  straight face
• puncture an argument
• make messages much easier to pass along broadly
• deflect criticism, show humanity

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When does it work?

• Rarely.

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When does it not work?

• Often.

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Why?

• Care too much dont want to make light
• Comedy is bad at communicating new ideas
• Focus is too specific no entry point
• Wrong messenger
• Also its really, really hard

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How? Meet them half way

• Need to find a shared premise common ground
• The more surprising, the funnier

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Formulas for funny

• Ridiculing character
• Pushing argument to extreme
• Translate to human speak sociological or
  psychological
• Connect to pop culture
• Juxtapose Language A with Message B

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Ridiculing character
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Push argument extreme
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Push argument extreme
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Push argument extreme
http//www.youtube.com/watch?vh7bzdj9RlG4
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Push argument extreme
http//www.youtube.com/watch?vE7X8u5IEEBc
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Translate to human speak
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Explain with pop culture
http//www.youtube.com/watch?v0nqtL-P8kzo
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Language A, Message B
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Language A, Message B
http//www.youtube.com/watch?v3gwqEneBKUs
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But, really, how?

• Dont go with first idea brainstorm 10 more
• Commit.
• Context matters find something to copy
• Dont underestimate the power of swearing,
  kittens, and sex

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You dont have to be funny

• Best as a mindset, not a format
• Just be interesting.

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Good people

• Andy Cobb andrewtcobb_at_ca.rr.com
• Lee Stranahan lee_at_stranahan.com
• Andrew Boyd andrewontheroad_at_gmail.com
• Robert Greenwald Brave New Films