Am I Too Serious?

I was thinking about why I find it so difficult to write a humorous article. My first conclusion was that I am just not a funny person, which is, to an extent, probably true (I’ll let the people who know me to judge that one), however, I also thought about how I get really frustrated with people that do not know when to be serious… I have a friend that I have come to know quite closely over the past 5 years or so who was just that type of person: a person who did not know when to be serious – or should I say, he didn’t know when I wanted him to shut the (insert your choice of word here) up – his jokes/silliness quickly lost it’s humorous effect and became pure annoyance. Him and me are still good friends, though, I can only handle him in small doses.

Maybe the fact that I have a limited amount of tolerance for silliness ties in with my value for productiveness. I am by no means the most productive person I know, some people I know may class me as the opposite. I can be quite lazy sometimes, but I get frustrated if nothing seems to be getting done, when something obviously needs to be. I get frustrated when a substantial amount of time, effort and patience is put into something only to find that it comes to nothing.

My understanding is that only serious things have a lasting effect. Jokes get old until it eventually has no value, while serious subjects such as religion and philosophy (just as an example) will be discussed for centuries and get recorded in academic journals for others to examine in the future. Some may argue that good times with jokes and laughter, and fun with friends become memories of ultimate value, or the humorous character in a person finds its irreplaceable value in bringing entertainment and joy. While these are true, only when one can acknowledge it seriously as a necessity in human nature to have these things can it ever find its true value. In other words, the only way to find value in something is by taking it seriously.

Another friend of mine once mentioned to me that he gets disgusted with people who over value their own opinion, especially when a non-intellectual tries to come across as an intellectual. I hope he wasn’t referring to me when he made that statement, however, I cannot class myself as one or the other, that is not for me to judge, besides by what measure can one determine an intellectual? Does one have to be well educated with a certain strength in math or a similar academic subject? Does one have to speak well, with a wide vocabulary? Or does one only have to have good common sense and an ability to argue with substantial reason? Is there really a universal requirement to gain such a classification or is it measured against the judge’s own intellect? If so what does that say about the judge? Does he class himself as an intellectual?

Anyway, basically my point on writing this post was not to take a dig at my two friends but to seriously examine myself, and yes, I want you to take part in this examination and make your judgement, that is why I posted this on the internet (not really). As far as humour goes, in person I am one that enjoys a good joke, however, I find it hard to have respect for someone that only knows how to joke and cannot have a serious conversation. I get tired of these characters. I have a need for good dialogue from time to time.

I have heard someone say “we as human beings should not take ourselves so seriously”. There are two ways of looking at this statement. I would agree with it if it were directed against self-glorification, but I would also argue that some people need to take life more seriously, and therefore themselves, as everyone should know that life is not a party.

Anyway, there’s my meaningless rant about my intolerance towards silliness.

Have a great day.

- The Kyle

P.S. I’ve found that many girls don’t seem to like honest and deep conversations. They’d much rather flirt, and that, unfortunately, is not my strong point… so there goes my hope… (*sigh*).