Silliness and Seriousness

There's degrees of silliness, and certain types I simply have no patience for. Aimless silliness or childish behavior coming out of adults is not funny (either because it's simply not amusing or because it's executed so poorly that it can border on offensive), but things like satire, commentary, or absurd comedy can be silly while still having a point and being mature overall.

I could try to be deep and say that this pressure to not be serious is a cultural defense mechanism for people who have already been conditioned to feel disenfranchised, and the only way they figure to stay sane is to reject any air of seriousness since it won't come to anything. But that's probably way off, and doesn't account for humor as an actual defense mechanism, which normally is not the 'silly' type of humor but more sarcastic or even very very dark (gallows humor and black comedy, for example).

I find the world a dark and miserable place. Silly stuff helps me avoid thinking about how pointless life is.

Silly things are useful for that, but otherwise, they're useless and I hate them.

In my opinion, silliness can be either constructive or destructive. The former is a good thing to have around, but the latter should be discouraged.

It's easier to take people seriously if they are serious or if beneath their jokes or occasional (or even frequent) goofiness I know they are grounded. If I can't find any sense in them then it is hard to relate.
Some very sensible people joke a lot and that's okay too. And it can potentially brighten others days - if it's a positive kind of joking.
It's important to be able to figure out when is appropriate to be silly/goofy and when it is not.

I am a mixture of the two.
Sometimes I want to be serious and talk about life in a cut dry way.
Other times I might joke, and people might think I'm a little off.
Conversationally I like to establish a rapport on the fact both can be serious, and have some humor with serious being the focus since I need somebody who can reason solidly.

TX_Matt said:

Has anyone else experienced this? Why do you think that it almost seems like silliness is promoted in our society, and seriousness is looked down upon?

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I literally have no idea what you're even talking about. In what ways? Do you have examples? Promoted and looked down upon where? In life? Relationships? Politics? Religion? General worldview?

A question like this depends upon the context and situation, it's honestly not something which can be answered unless you're asking us if we have a more pessimistic or a more optimistic outlook.

The problem is there is good silly and bad silly. Good serious and bad serious.

For example:

Someone that takes themselves far too seriously is a BAD serious. It means no only can they not laugh at themselves but have a hissy fit when someone does.

Someone that takes their duty seriously is a good thing. Such as a dad doing anything he has to, to raise his child or a man being a good husband.... etc.


Silliness that doesn't care who is watching but makes them look like a fool for the sake of someone elses smile... IMO can NEVER be classified as a bad thing no matter what form the humor comes in..... usually if it is something that makes them look a fool its childish and stupid.

Silliness that neglects its duties for the sake of "zaniness" is NOT a good thing and is flat out annoying.


I happen to be a very silly person but I am serious when the time calls for it. The truth is life is FAR too short to walk around taking every moment seriously. Yes, there ARE moments in life that DEMAND a serious hand, but there are very few moments that CAN'T be laughed at. Laughter is a gift and a stress reliever. It is what helps to decompress after the stresses of the days, weeks, months, years, decades of living on this planet.

If you look at this world through the ever so serious glasses..... whats the point in waking up in the morning? Its an ugly world out there. Id rather keep my joy and laugh at it.... rather than stress over being powerless to help it. Put me in a position to change the world and you will see serious...... til then, Im gonna make chicken noises in the middle of conversations with strangers just cause.