People Falling Down

The purest form of comedy is when a human being falls down. As long as they don't hurt themselves too badly, it's the funniest thing in the world. Why, do you ask, would I find something so simple so enjoyable? Honestly, my sense of humour isn't that juvenile. I appreciate the most sophisticated of stand-up comedians, and well-crafted witty prose. But watching a bipedal blunder, resulting in a close encounter of the concrete kind, speaks volumes of an individual's character.

This is pure comedy because there are no deliberate egos or attitudes involved - just innate ones. You'd think since most humans have been on two legs since around the age of 1, they'd have mastered the rhythmic left-right pedestrian procedure. But nope, regardless of gender, class, or race, people still find ways to fall on their faces, even if it's a leisurely Sunday stroll through the park. And you have all done it. Tripping on a sideway crack. Slipping on ice. Falling up stairs (which has to be one of the biggest human fumbles that exists). And while the initial miscue is definitely laugh-worthy, the immediate reaction thereafter is "GOLD, JERRY!"

How people react to their strutting slip-up speaks volumes about their character. I think the most common response is to laugh it off. This is the easiest and probably least comical thing to do. Although it says, "Hey, I'm laid back. I just totally blew one of the easiest tasks as a human being, but whatever. I'm still alive. I'm glad you got a little chuckle out of it!" That's what I usually do. It's easy, it's funny, and it proves that you really don't take life too seriously. And I really dig that. Because shit, you gotta totally blow it to trip walking up stairs.

Then you have the people that feign some kind of feeble injury. I really don't know what to say about those types. Attention-depraved? Who knows. If you're an able-bodied adolescent or adult, there's no way you can seriously hurt yourself falling a foot and a half to the ground, fully braced. Maybe if you have a prior condition, sure you can mess yourself up. But honestly, suck it up, people. Be happy that you made so many of us smile. That's all the attention we want to give you.

There are many more human reactions we could roll through. But the BEST - the absolute best - are the people who take themselves way too seriously. The egos that crowd out all the rest. You'll know them when you see them tumble. Quick to spring back upright. Dust themselves off as fast as possible. Give a quick glance around to see who was watching. And if someone was, they'll be sure to blame some other person or inanimate object in close proximity. This process alone is what I live to see on the city streets. We are all prone to the most basic human error here, people. No one is immune. Get over yourself.

I could go on about this forever. You might wonder what inspired such a bizarre post; so I'll tell you it's due in large part to a conversation I had with a friend recently, and my fandom of one particular television show - America's Funniest Home Videos. Tune in every Sunday night!

Posted by waub at May 31, 2005 08:38 PM