Joke Appropriateness Debate

Discussions center on whether a specific remark was intended as a joke, defenses against those who take it seriously or downvote it, and debates over the acceptability and tastefulness of such humor in Hacker News comments.

📉 Falling 0.3x Politics & Society
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Keywords

OP IMO FWIW BTW CEO AIDS joke humor jokes funny fun bandwidth asses recognize laughing thoughtful

Sample Comments

stronglikedan Feb 4, 2022 View on HN

people like to punctuate stories with topical humor sometimes. it's a joke, not a personal attack

stareatgoats Nov 13, 2020 View on HN

It is a joke. Some people may find it difficult to joke about (the desensitization problem), but not everyone evidently. As a joke, it has some sinister merit IMO.

pbhjpbhj Nov 5, 2016 View on HN

Personally I don't mind some jokes here but I can't see what the joke is you're trying to make. If it was a clearly funny comment it perhaps wouldn't fair as badly.

Khao Sep 17, 2015 View on HN

Because those who comment that it's bad simply missed the joke and are taking this seriously.

scott_s Dec 4, 2013 View on HN

It is possible for people to understand that you are joking, yet not like it and consider it conversational noise.

noobermin Nov 27, 2015 View on HN

Perhaps some people can't take a joke. FWIW, I upvoted you.

anjc Aug 19, 2016 View on HN

You don't have to find it funny. That doesn't make it not a joke.

philk Sep 1, 2010 View on HN

It is possible to maintain a sense of humor and joke about something without actually condoning it.

backspace_ Dec 19, 2024 View on HN

Careful, people here might look down on that kind of joke!

neilv Jun 20, 2024 View on HN

I clarified for people who didn't recognize the joke. Do you discourage that?