LibraryScenariosWhen humor loses power through historical distance
Scenario

When humor loses power through historical distance

My Zimbabwean dad's political jokes from the 80s still make me laugh but I can't repeat them without a history lesson and by then the momentum is dead.

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More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

The comedic gold from your family's past requires so much contextualization that its immediate impact is diluted.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with African comedy traditions?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.