Psychopathic sense of humour
I was reading Zork’s take on the question of whether psychopaths laugh, and found it to be somewhat lacking. He is a good writer and I recommend everyone check out his blog, which is a unique take on living with psychopathy, but this particular post was disappointing. You see, it’s a very long answer that doesn’t end up saying very much. And it becomes clear by the end that he probably doesn’t have a sense of humour at all, since he can’t give any examples of things he finds funny. So I’m going to try to write a more comprehensive answer in fewer words. Wish me luck.
One thing Zhawq got right is that he admitted he was only speaking for himself; likewise I can only tell you about my own sense of humour. I do not claim to be typical or entirely unique; doubtlessly I’m somewhere between those two extremes. But I have a broad sense of humour. Both in that I instinctively know what makes different people laugh and I myself also find lots of things funny. I have to admit that I don’t always ‘get’ the jokes I tell to keep other people amused, but I know they work and the lack of understanding helps with the deadpan delivery. So I make people laugh both as a means of manipulation and because I enjoy controlling their moods.
For me, puns don’t appeal because they’re too obvious, neither do slapstick (unless very well-choreographed) or shock humour (just try and shock me). Observational humour is uninteresting, unless the person doing the observing is a sick fuck, like George Carlin was.
But what about what I do find funny? I enjoy satire and really anything that ridicules or subverts. Jokes at somebody’s expense, even at my own, are the best. You could say I have a cruel sense of humour and you wouldn’t be wrong, I do take pleasure in mocking those around me; kicking people when they’re down may be bad form, but it sure is funny. On the flip side, I am more than capable at laughing at myself. Self-deprecation is a required social more in British society, so I would stand out if I couldn’t take what I dish out when it comes to piss-taking. Furthermore, one of my favourite genres, satire, is particularly known for allowing the powerless to attack the powerful. Anything that brings politicians and bankers and celebrities and royalty down to everyone else’s level is all good. The Queen’s shit is the same colour as yours and mine, didn’t you know? Similarly, comedy that highlights life’s absurdity and the majority of people’s hypocrisies is good in my books.
The best of the lot, that combines all the humour I love and some of the humour I don’t like, but makes it funny regardless? It’s The Simpsons, mainly episodes from the 90s of course. Especially anything by Conan O’Brien (the babysitter Bart has a crush on; Homer goes to college; the Springfield monorail scam) or John Swartzwelder (Hans Scorpio; the Stonecutters; the softball episode). If you don’t instantly agree with me, I’m not going to try to convince you, but seriously man just go watch The Simpsons.
So there you have it: a concise and, I hope, informative exposé on what I, as a psychopath, happen to find funny. Do I really think this has anything to do with being a psychopath? Well, maybe a bit, but on the whole not really. Just another insight into my life for you to ridicule on Facebook. If you’re shocked that you share my sense of humour, or want to tell me why I suck, leave a comment. If you are Zhawq or one of his representatives, contact my lawyer. Actually, don’t do that. I can’t afford a lawyer.
So, in the absence of anything witty to end with, I’m just going to stop writing. I need to get back to The Simpsons anyway.
Amaterasu Solar 00:41 on May 8, 2015 Permalink |
To save poor Poochie, I will say I am not overly surprised that many psychopaths can have a sense of humor. I might suspect that there are a fair few Whose sense of humor covers rather ugly, deadly, even, scenarios.
And it does not surprise Me that You like the Simpsons. [smile]
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James 15:40 on May 8, 2015 Permalink |
Oh yes, there’s nothing off limits when it comes to humour; it’s either funny or it’s not. Those who say ‘rape is never funny’ just lack imagination.
“And it does not surprise Me that You like the Simpsons.” Only because it’s a very likeable show with a lot of fans. Not everyone likes it, but everyone’s seen it. Detective Amy, your deduction skills are not as impressive as you think!
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Amaterasu Solar 18:29 on May 8, 2015 Permalink |
Detective? Huh? I am not a detective. I absorb information, evaluate it, and arrive at conclusions. So… Care to elaborate on what You had in mind calling Me a detective and then berating Me a bit on talents I don’t believe I was displaying (or even trying to)?
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James 18:56 on May 8, 2015 Permalink |
“I absorb information, evaluate it, and arrive at conclusions.” — which is what detectives do. I wasn’t berating you. Don’t make false accusations.
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Amaterasu Solar 22:11 on May 8, 2015 Permalink |
Not so. A detective actively investigates. While there have been things I have actively investigated in My life, nothing here has quite come to that. Yes, I have asked questions for clarity, but I wait and let the data arrive for processing, in general.
And I said you berated Me a bit – which saying My detective skills are not as impressive as I think seems to qualify for. Do show where I err on My assessment, if You think otherwise. [smile]
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James 03:50 on May 9, 2015 Permalink |
I already showed you, if you had looked instead of getting irritated for no reason. I told you why it shouldn’t surprise you that I like ‘The Simpsons’ and why you predicting I would wasn’t a very difficult assumption to believe. That’s all I was talking about. There is no deeper meaning.
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Amaterasu Solar 08:11 on May 9, 2015 Permalink |
I did not predict. I merely said it does not surprise Me. [smile] And I am far from “irritated.” LOL! Takes vastly more than words on a website to irritate Me.
I think You are trying to read in meaning to My words that is not there. I was just saving Poochie. [grin]
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nowve666 10:17 on December 1, 2015 Permalink |
I love the Simpsons!
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James 07:47 on December 2, 2015 Permalink |
I’d be more shocked if you said you didn’t love the Simpsons.
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Bobisnotmyname 02:11 on March 17, 2017 Permalink |
TLDR but lol poochie’s face is hilarious, huehue gud 1 so i probably shouldn’t comment
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James 00:31 on March 18, 2017 Permalink |
Sorry, you were too late. Poochie’s brains are all over my carpet now.
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Social boundary theory of humour – predictions for psychiatry | Scottish Sceptic 04:59 on August 30, 2017 Permalink |
[…] then I read: Psychopathic sense of humour which more or less said the opposite. Indeed their response to humour was so different, I felt […]
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VB 20:19 on July 12, 2018 Permalink |
Is Meghan Markle a sociopath? She seems to laugh heartily at other people injuring themselves. Like a horseman fell off his horse right in front of her and she laughed. She also laughed when Harry was stung by a bee. She mirrors people, especially Harry’s late mother Diana. She’s appeared in exactly the same outfits. She cuts people off without any explanation.
What do you think?
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James 18:49 on July 13, 2018 Permalink |
I think you’ve got too much time on your hands, following Meghan Markle’s every move like a stalker – James, not logged in.
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James 18:51 on July 13, 2018 Permalink |
I’m now logged in. That was me. Get a life.
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