Feces, flatulence and fornication

by Yayaati Joshi

[box]S***, F***, A** H*** – when did humor become all about bodily functions? Yayaati Joshi writes an interesting piece about our changing perceptions on what is funny.[/box]

A few years ago, humour, even in its cheapest form, was devoid of any blatant references to activities of a more personal nature. Allusions to ‘toilet humour’, which for some reason, is deemed coruscating now, were far and few – the references being looked down upon as humour of lower standard – left for the inane enjoyment of the not-so-refined people. But the gradual acceptance of such humour has left me wondering – are we accepting a more primal taste when it comes to humour?

Overhearing the casual chatter of people of my age group, I was surprised (not pleasantly) and disgusted to hear the banter about their excretion habits. It then dawned on me that a discussion on excretion was incomplete without the accompanying conversation of flatulence. One usually precedes the other or in cases of over consumption one can follow the other. Having re-learnt (without any intentions to do so) this biological phenomenon as an unintended recipient, I thought of my inhibitions to discuss the “unmentionables”.

Another tryst with some guiltless eavesdropping brought me home to the ease with which one’s intimate moments are discussed. It’s almost as if one is discussing the mundane household chore. You do it; I do it – let’s discuss how it’s done best. I am married; I have tips to share with you. No, I don’t mind. Let others listen to it. Who cares? We all do it, don’t we? So what’s the harm in discussing it?

Fewer eyebrows are now raised on scatological innuendos, whether they are in books, or in the television.

Here’s my guess on how humour developed to its present distasteful form. In the beginning, when the earth began to be inhabited by humans, man may have realised that laughing, in its simplest form, is an activity meant to please one and others. But what was the subject of the humour? Well, it had to be anything that could evoke mirth. As human beings advanced technologically, anthropologically, and socially, man learnt that few things are to be a part of one’s private domain. Some things are to be ‘hidden’ from everyone – to be done behind closed doors. This gave him the sense that an exposé of another man’s private domain will be a source of masochistic pleasure to the others. This schadenfreude, however, mustn’t have gained social acceptability. This way, the path for the dissemination of refined humour in films and popular media must have been formed. The passage of time, however, doesn’t leave anything in its original state. Now, at a time when the creative cells of comedians (and people in general) are depleting, a convenient standard has been accepted. Anything goes.

This new-found standard has lowered the expectations so vastly that the poorest form of hilarity is becoming acceptable day by day. I shudder to think of a time when someone’s sneeze would be the cause of amusement to others. Consequently, in get-togethers, instead of witty remarks, will belching be considered an appropriate comic act? Or perhaps, will the act of being excused, for powdering one’s nose, be something to be laughed at? One can only hope that this despicable culture of humour doesn’t get worse. If it does, it will be such a shame.

Yayaati Joshi is a man with simple tastes and intense beliefs. Contrary to the bling associated with the capital city, he prefers the company of close friends, an engaging book or an Alfred Hitchcock movie. His placid demeanour is often mistaken for reticence; Yayaati is a self- proclaimed loner, whose recent pursuits include his foray as a budding writer. Yayaati blogs at http://rantingsofadelusionalmind.wordpress.com

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