Poking fun and stigma

[0iD]

Why do we poke fun at people less able than ourselves?

Now I'm not talking Freudian analytics here, or anything of the sort, just why do you do it?

It's part of human nature to want to feel superior, I mean, just watch 5 mins of Kyle (see there I go, poking fun at the less emotionally able).

It's unavoidable imo, we just can't help ourselves.

[abaxas]

To assess or enforce our social standing.

To beleive we are all equal, is in itself, proof that we are not.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

For one moment I thought you were talking about making fun of flower parts!!

[0iD]

For one moment I thought you were talking about making fun of flower parts!!

Tempted to say "pistil off", but I wont. Setting a bad example etc...

[Mutley]

I think we are all innately insecure and suffer from feelings of inadequacy. This is why 'social standing' and 'status' is so important in a society bread on the important of image; something that is so transient.

Pointing out other's apparent deficiencies deflects from your own (real or imagined).

[melon]

I think we are all innately insecure and suffer from feelings of inadequacy. This is why 'social standing' and 'status' is so important in a society bread on the important of image; something that is so transient.

Pointing out other's apparent deficiencies deflects from your own (real or imagined).

I like the last line - well said.

Now wheres my damm thanks ?

m

[kalniel]

I think we are all innately insecure and suffer from feelings of inadequacy. This is why 'social standing' and 'status' is so important in a society bread on the important of image; something that is so transient.

Pointing out other's apparent deficiencies deflects from your own (real or imagined).

Spot on.

[melon]

Sometimes as a heard I think we've developed the understanding that we will instinctively side with those most similar to our form. As such if you've got someone to take the piss out of for been differen't no one will take the piss out of you because everyones already picked one target.

I think its mostly conditioning how that happens, but we do know that people are naturally racist (cba to google them now, but so many studies gauge peoples reactions to the same situations with differing actors), so why not naturally xenophobic.

Ive generally held the theory there are 2 basic types of folk - those who enjoy helping , seeing others succeed ( lets say transcend their obstacles ) and those who do not , but dont acknowledge it because as you said its a habit ( common one )

Then it gets more complicated ie. why you enjoy it which of course requires you to be self aware ( which most arent )

You could argue everything is self serving but that some involve trying to get rid off the self too - which in some paths of life might also require bucking the norm ( good as well as bad learned responses )

Important thing I think is not to take it personally , as you cant change people any way esp if they dont want to themselves.

In that sense discrimination is useful in avoiding certain types who might potentially cause harm due to ignorance or worse intent.

m

[Dingo]

Ive generally held the theory there are 2 basic types of folk - those who enjoy helping , seeing others succeed ( lets say transcend their obstacles ) and those who do not , but dont acknowledge it because as you said its a habit ( common one )

Then it gets more complicated ie. why you enjoy it which of course requires you to be self aware ( which most arent )

You could argue everything is self serving but that some involve trying to get rid off the self too - which in some paths of life might also require bucking the norm ( good as well as bad learned responses )

Important thing I think is not to take it personally , as you cant change people any way esp if they dont want to themselves.

In that sense discrimination is useful in avoiding certain types who might potentially cause harm due to ignorance or worse intent.

m

Ye Gods, most Freudian.....but points to the Hawthorne Studies of the 20's.


Mayo and his descendants must have enjoyed much success (financially primarily) with his blueprint for future workforces, but the truth is, humankind is still merely more than an animal, and as such, displays a pack mentality even to this day.


I'm sure current Governments across the Globe would love to downgrade this pack mentality to a Sheep mentality sometime soon, but until we all watch Eastenders, Coronation Street and dancing on Ice religiously, will have to bide their time for at least another generation!!

[jim]

Who wouldn't want to feel better about themselves? Seeing another person who's worse than you, I suspect, will always boost your own self-image by simple comparison.

I don't get why people feel the need to point it out so dramatically sometimes though (although I'm not claiming to be immune).

I think sometimes it's because you want to be part of the majority - i.e. by poking fun at one person, if everybody laughs with you, then you're at the forefront of a group and thus wield power. And I think it's sometimes to reinforce the earlier point - if everyone in the room thinks that you are somehow superior to another person, it's an even bigger self-image boost.

In those regards, it's an innate psychological reaction, and I can't imagine it's ever going to change. Yes, people will become more aware of certain issues (i.e. sexuality, race, gender) and they won't be so stigmatised, but there will always be things that people can poke fun at others about.

[sammyc]

I think sometimes it's because you want to be part of the majority - i.e. by poking fun at one person, if everybody laughs with you, then you're at the forefront of a group and thus wield power. And I think it's sometimes to reinforce the earlier point - if everyone in the room thinks that you are somehow superior to another person, it's an even bigger self-image boost.

It can have the contrary effect though, seeing people sneering makes them go down in my regard & so they don't actually get the desired 'I'm superior' points off me. Though I'm probably not the right pack demographic that type of person is after impressing.

[melon]

Who wouldn't want to feel better about themselves? Seeing another person who's worse than you, I suspect, will always boost your own self-image by simple comparison.

No, not really IMO , as that still doesnt make me less aware of those who arent or change how I see myself as result - infact if anything its just a cowardly way of addressing your own shortcomings.

Why compare how i see myself to something I regard as s h. . t unless I already thought I was that way myself ?

Its just a good example of deceptive the rational mind is , if you can fool yourself into thinking you are being indiscriminate when judging yourself against something you already know as bad.

Where is the comparison , when you have already predetermined the outcome ?

And what use is there is knowing whats less, unless you know what you have to start with ?

The whole world is suffering , and nothing is constant other than death , so if getting a quick glance at impermanence is your thing , then so be it..

m

[Blitzen]

Its a very interesting debate, and I think that whoever said it deflects from your own deficienies is spot on.

Look at these forums for instance.

Someone makes a statement, and the statement is wide of the mark. 100% guaranteed, someone will retort with the word 'retard'.
Next time it happens, remember this thread, because I will also say with a good degree of certainty, that whoever says it:
a). Cannot express themselves correctly
b). Are of below average intelligence
c). You guessed it........FAR CLOSER to matching the statement than the person they originally directed the comment at

[Mutley]

[snip] Where is the comparison , when you have already predetermined the outcome ? [/snip]

m

I think this is a very important statement, and tends to underpin a significant amount of human interaction. It is rare (and like Blitzen says, use these forums as an example) that a debate started with an open question is actually about a quest to learn more or have your opinion changed; it is usually about reinforcing a point of view, looking for others to agree.

Consider the 'arguments' you might have with others (and by 'argument' I mean the proper definition- an opinion being put forward with supporting evidence, as part of a discussion on a subject). Most arguments consist of two people putting their own opinions forward with little interest in what the other person is proposing, unless it agrees with you. To accept somebody else's argument when it is different yours is to accept that your are/were wrong, and you need to change your position. As we're all insecure to some extent, that is hard to do; it is easier to resort to insults or personal categorisations which mean you can dispense with that person's view.

[Macman]

Stick and Stones may break your bones but names will never hurt you

[Mutley]

Stick and Stones may break your bones but names will never hurt you

Which is something we like to tell our children, but know isn't true.