View Full Version : Humor and Simplism in Art


nicholas1M7
03-02-07, 12:59 PM
Simplism is the reduction of meaning and depth to the least possible order. I am not referring to mathematical reduction, although one might mistake it for that.

The idea is that the simplest elements of a system are better analysed, manipulated, compiled and ordered. Which is why memory keys tend to work depending on one's ability to ascertain and manipulate specific elements.

Emotion creates meaning and value where there is none and a dream-state results. However, there is no meaning, so whatever art that has depth is no more valuable to art with a minimum of depth. Humor is "superficial and shallow", no matter how complicated it is. Humor is coherent, and results in laughter if executed properly. But laughter is not an emotion-laden reaction because one can still be completely aware of truth as opposed to being in the dream-state of chemistry and feeling.

Truth, despite the brutality, fear and doubt which prevents it, is something we should all strive toward.

Coherence and meaning are two separate concepts. There can still be order in the absence of meaning. Chaos is incoherence.

Coherence is the interrelation between identities. Meaning is the personal value and implications we derive from them.

The art that is a product of cliche and imitation is more truthful and simplistic than the meaningful art developed from the dream-states of chemistry and feeling.

Fraggle Rocker
03-03-07, 10:10 PM
Humor is "superficial and shallow", no matter how complicated it is. Humor is coherent, and results in laughter if executed properly. But laughter is not an emotion-laden reaction because one can still be completely aware of truth as opposed to being in the dream-state of chemistry and feeling.Whoa whoa whoa hold it right there Nick. I most strongly dispute your conclusion and therefore the reasoning that got you there. Reaction to something humorous, whether it is the sound of laughter or simply internal, is at least a fleeting moment of happiness. It triggers endorphin release and the entire chemistry of an emotional episode.

Puns are second-order humor because they are not just humor expressed in language but humor about language, yet even puns make people laugh and feel happy for a moment.
Truth, despite the brutality, fear and doubt which prevents it, is something we should all strive toward.You sound like some sort of ascetic: "Shy away from artifacts that contrive to elicit feelings and steer toward natural events that elicit them in a more honest way." In other words, humor is an illegitimate emotion even though it's one we all seem to be programmed with.
The art that is a product of cliche and imitation is more truthful and simplistic than the meaningful art developed from the dream-states of chemistry and feeling.You lost me there. That sounds like the kinds of things we used to say in the 1960s when we were sure-enough in a dream state induced by chemistry.