Alison Broadbent

Boy I need some help here. An older boy has turned my ds (7 1/2) on
to these movies. Here's one http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=fIzdAacXp6E Here are more graphic and disturbing ones http://
www.stickpage.com/ I've watched some w/ him. Some of the more
brutal w/ lots of swearing, he's decided he didn't want to watch. I
wish these had never been introduced into our home. I find these
movies counter to my feelings about life. They seem to be about
finding humor in being nihilistic. I know he sees them as slipping
on a banana peel kind of funny and I'm bringing an adult's view to
seeing them.

He wants me to watch them or recounts and acts them out. I say, I'm
sorry I just don't find these funny and I know you'd like to share
the humor w/ me. I don't want to shame him about finding humor in
these so I've told him why I don't like them but not gone on about it.

Does anyone have another take on these that might shift my thinking
and might enable me to appreciate the yet unearthed humor or
something else that's eluding me.

OK, let me say it loud and clear. I find these upsetting.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Alison

[email protected]

In a message dated 8/26/2007 12:23:08 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
abzb@... writes:

OK, let me say it loud and clear. I find these upsetting.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Alison


______________________________________________

*I* personally think this is a fine time to really discuss with him why and
how you don't like it, but that you respect or appreciate his enjoyment, but
you'd rather not be a part of that. It may well lead into other conversations
and personal experiences on both your "sides" which may help the whole thing
in the long run.

I hear you, Alison.

Karen



************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Alison Broadbent

> *I* personally think this is a fine time to really discuss with him
> why and
> how you don't like it, but that you respect or appreciate his
> enjoyment, but
> you'd rather not be a part of that

Thanks. That's pretty much in a nutshell what I've said. It's a fine
line bc I'm saying that I don't like seeing people getting hurt is
saying something about him liking it. I've said if you like them,
it's fine to watch but I'd rather not.

It's ironic bc I just bought The Three Stooges movies thinking
he'd like these. I hated these when I saw them as a kid but can see
the attraction. Now it's upped the ante. Boy The Three stooges is
like The Sound of Music compared to this.

A

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 8/26/2007 12:43:33 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
abzb@... writes:

Thanks. That's pretty much in a nutshell what I've said. It's a fine
line bc I'm saying that I don't like seeing people getting hurt is
saying something about him liking it. I've said if you like them,
it's fine to watch but I'd rather not.
I say a lot of, "For me...." and always say, "and that's ok that you like
it..." and then I compare food, lol. I'll let him know how much I love uni and
how much dad doesn't like it, or how much I love a raw tomato and how he hates
them. Both tastes are ok, just different. Seems to be ok. He plays video
games and stuff and computer games that make me wonder, but so far these
analogies and discussions are working quite well. Hope that helps. I'm new at this!
:)



It's ironic bc I just bought The Three Stooges movies thinking
he'd like these. I hated these when I saw them as a kid but can see
the attraction. Now it's upped the ante. Boy The Three stooges is
like The Sound of Music compared to this.

A
Ha, I bet!

Karen








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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Brian & Alexandra Polikowsky

If the first link was "stick figures on crack" Me and my 5 yo ds had a blast and LOL watching it!
Alex


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Alison Broadbent

> If the first link was "stick figures on crack" Me and my 5 yo ds
> had a blast and
> LOL watching it!
> Alex


There were so many. I see this isn't the one that has someone saying
"I've got AIDS" and the other person pointing to him and laughing.
OK, here's the one I thought I had sent. http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=cqsUN0zNQAU&mode=related&search=

I see now the one I originally sent is more tame although I still
don't find it funny. But since you do, maybe you can help me see the
humor. I really would love to have another take on this that may be
eluding me. I've got a pretty decent sense of humor. I even
perform improv! (Said like, was it the Science Guy?- "I have a degree
in science!") I'd love to hear someone else's take on this who does
find it funny. If you feel like it.

Alison






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Brian & Alexandra Polikowsky

I think they are pretty funny. not everything in them but some are hilarious. First of all they are STICK FIGURES not real people can see the why they are funny and I cannot stand the Three Stooges (real people).
Its a matter of personal taste. I loved the French Move "Delicatessen" Did you ever see it? ( Implied Cannibalism!) Very "Noir" but awesome. I cannot stand real violence and I love nature and animals.
But I do find some weird stuff pretty funny like the stick figures. You cannot make people like the same things you do. People have vastly different taste.
I do not think a person that likes "the Three Stooges" has any "problems " and should not like them. I "hate" them. Always did.
Just a comparison for you there.
Alex













[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Brooke Cherry

Our family enjoys the stick figure games on fastgames.com. You get to
shoot arrows at each other and red blood spills out of these stick
figures. I'd rather have my kid experience violence with humorous
stick figures than play it out in real life. It can be funny if you
relax and let go a little.

Brooke


--- In [email protected], "Brian & Alexandra
Polikowsky" <polykow@...> wrote:
>
> If the first link was "stick figures on crack" Me and my 5 yo ds
had a blast and LOL watching it!
> Alex
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Alison Broadbent

> I'd rather have my kid experience violence with humorous
> stick figures than play it out in real life. It can be funny if you
> relax and let go a little.
>
> Brooke

Violence is not what concerns me. I agree that playing that game
can be a is a safe place to experience this. I didn't explain it
well in my 1st post. In the subsequent post I explained my challenge
in the stick figure movie: a guy saying he has AIDS and the other
figure laughing and then in the movie something similar happening w/
someone in a wheel chair. So I was hoping someone who found the
humor in these things could maybe help me see it in another way.

I'm sure relaxing and letting go is always a good thing.
Unfortunately, I'm not so sure that's what's in the way of me seeing
the humor. I'm reaching out for a view not available to me right
now. And maybe it is just one of those things that it either hits
your funny bone or not. It's hard to dissect humor but I thought I'd
put it out there just like hearing others take on tv, when you've got
your old conceptions about it.

Alison (who may be beating a dead horse)

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

I know this won't be well-written, but I'm hoping that my point will
get across (I'm slammed for time right now!). I also did not watch the
clips you're talking about---no time.

Often when we fear/are uncomforatble with something, we will try to
make it less powerful. We can do that by dismissing it, by embracing
it, by making fun of it---among other tactics.

Take a quick look at schools (because of the loop we're on <g>)---as
unschoolers, we dismiss it. We live life as if school didn't exist.

Some folks embrace it---pouring their hearts and souls into it---even
though it's not for them.

Comedians and artists have GREAT ways of making fun of it. How do you
think that makes teachers and 'A' students feel?

During the plague a zillion years ago, some ran; some stayed and helped
others through it; some made fun, threw parties, and lived each day as
their last.

AIDS is hard to embrace (such an ugly disease), but many folks do
that---work tirelessly to help. Many more will dismiss it. Seems that
the majority will make fun of it---as if that will keep it away from
them---or maybe they're just relieved it's NOT them.

Wheelchair---same thing: who wants to end up in one? Keep it at a
distance with humor: "Better you than me, buddy!"

Some people naturally come with or develop better tools to deal with
what makes them uncomfortable.

I don't think your children will necessarily enjoy that kind of humor
forever (although it's certainly possible!). But they should be allowed
to explore thsose emotions with your help.

There will be some things that will make their insides curdle a
bit---and that's worth examining. But if you're not there, they can't
ask your opinion/seek your help/crawl in your lap when it gets too
intense. They need to know you're there for them even with regards to
this---that you find revolting/disgusting/in poor taste.

~Kelly, who can find humor in almost anything and who likes the Three
Stooges, the Banana Splits, Family Guy, Futurama, Monty Python, Rocky
Horror, Eating Raul,.... I just like to LAUGH! <G>

Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
http://www.LiveandLearnConference.org

-----Original Message-----
From: Alison Broadbent <abzb@...>

Violence is not what concerns me. I agree that playing that game
can be a is a safe place to experience this. I didn't explain it
well in my 1st post. In the subsequent post I explained my challenge
in the stick figure movie: a guy saying he has AIDS and the other
figure laughing and then in the movie something similar happening w/
someone in a wheel chair. So I was hoping someone who found the
humor in these things could maybe help me see it in another way.

I'm sure relaxing and letting go is always a good thing.
Unfortunately, I'm not so sure that's what's in the way of me seeing
the humor. I'm reaching out for a view not available to me right
now. And maybe it is just one of those things that it either hits
your funny bone or not. It's hard to dissect humor but I thought I'd
put it out there just like hearing others take on tv, when you've got
your old conceptions about it.

Alison (who may be beating a dead horse)

________________________________________________________________________
Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! -
http://mail.aol.com

Brian & Alexandra Polikowsky

Alison,
I don't particularly found the AIDS part funny ( I lost a brother to AIDS) but ... Why do YOU have to find it funny? If you son does than that is OK. You don't have to. You probably find some things funny that he does not.

Alex



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Ren Allen

~~You probably find some things funny that he does not.~~

I think Alison (correct me if I'm wrong) was simply trying to get a
viewpoint from someone who DID see it as funny to try and understand
the humor that she didn't see. To expand her understanding.

I think some "humor" is about making ourselves feel more powerful
about things we don't have any control over. I personally don't like
mocking disabilities or diseases...things that hurt people. Though
there is a comedian that makes fun of everything and everyone under
the sun and I find him hilarious. He does it in such a way that he is
mockingly funny but also paying homage (if that makes sense).

I find myself laughing at things that I think "ooh, I really should
NOT be laughing about this". Some comedians have that talent.:)

Ren
learninginfreedom.com

Melissa

Ren, I feel that way every time I watch Mind of Mencia. I should NOT
be laughing...but he is so funny.
We also watched the Colbert Report last night and they had this poor
guy who'd been wrongly imprisoned for 26 years. Of course, Colbert
made it ridiculous. it's so sad, but I love how they use humor to
make a point.

Melissa
Mom to Josh (12), Breanna (10), Emily (8), Rachel (7), Sam (6), Dan
(4), and Avari Rose (19 months)

share our lives at
http://360.yahoo.com/multimomma



On Aug 28, 2007, at 10:03 AM, Ren Allen wrote:
>
>
> I find myself laughing at things that I think "ooh, I really should
> NOT be laughing about this". Some comedians have that talent.:)
>
> Ren
> learninginfreedom.com
>
>
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Brian & Alexandra Polikowsky

Yes I know, I was just trying to say it is OK if we don't get what other prople find funny.
I don;t write as well as you all ( my excuse is that english is my second languagelol) and I am always NAK . So I write short.
Alex








----- Original Message -----
From: Ren Allen
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 10:03 AM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Re: stick figure movies


~~You probably find some things funny that he does not.~~

I think Alison (correct me if I'm wrong) was simply trying to get a
viewpoint from someone who DID see it as funny to try and understand
the humor that she didn't see. To expand her understanding.

I think some "humor" is about making ourselves feel more powerful
about things we don't have any control over. I personally don't like
mocking disabilities or diseases...things that hurt people. Though
there is a comedian that makes fun of everything and everyone under
the sun and I find him hilarious. He does it in such a way that he is
mockingly funny but also paying homage (if that makes sense).

I find myself laughing at things that I think "ooh, I really should
NOT be laughing about this". Some comedians have that talent.:)

Ren
learninginfreedom.com





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

wisdomalways5

Maybe it is like the show south park where they make fun of
EVERYBODY and it is funny to see the wierd stuff about different
groups. I think the first reponse of people is to laugh at people
who are different or strange or whatever but to laugh in a comedy
situation is FUNNY where in real life it is not the same.

That is why comedy is funny but different people think different
comedy is funny. I call a lot of movies "boy funny" because it is
mostly boys who think it is funny or at least my son and husband
think it is funny but I think it is just plain dumb- but that does
not change that it is funny to them.



--- In [email protected], Alison Broadbent
<abzb@...> wrote:
>
> > I'd rather have my kid experience violence with humorous
> > stick figures than play it out in real life. It can be funny if
you
> > relax and let go a little.
> >
> > Brooke
>
> Violence is not what concerns me. I agree that playing that
game
> can be a is a safe place to experience this. I didn't explain it
> well in my 1st post. In the subsequent post I explained my
challenge
> in the stick figure movie: a guy saying he has AIDS and the
other
> figure laughing and then in the movie something similar happening
w/
> someone in a wheel chair. So I was hoping someone who found the
> humor in these things could maybe help me see it in another way.
>
> I'm sure relaxing and letting go is always a good thing.
> Unfortunately, I'm not so sure that's what's in the way of me
seeing
> the humor. I'm reaching out for a view not available to me right
> now. And maybe it is just one of those things that it either
hits
> your funny bone or not. It's hard to dissect humor but I thought
I'd
> put it out there just like hearing others take on tv, when you've
got
> your old conceptions about it.
>
> Alison (who may be beating a dead horse)
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Alison Broadbent

Thank you Kelly for your response. That does help me wade through
this issue that's obviously colored by my own experience. As w/
everything it's a process of separating my own stuff to be able to
see more possibilities. You helped. Boy now that AIDS thing is
really funny! No just kidding. But it helps me to navigate through
this.

> I think Alison (correct me if I'm wrong) was simply trying to get a
> viewpoint from someone who DID see it as funny to try and understand
> the humor that she didn't see. To expand her understanding.... Ren

And Ren, thank you! Yes, that was what what I was looking for.
Feels good to be gotten.

Alison

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Meredith

--- In [email protected], "wisdomalways5"
<wisdom1133@...> wrote:
> That is why comedy is funny but different people think different
> comedy is funny. I call a lot of movies "boy funny" because it is
> mostly boys who think it is funny or at least my son and husband
> think it is funny but I think it is just plain dumb- but that does
> not change that it is funny to them.

I've been gradually learning to appreciate certain kinds of "physical
comedy" more, thanks to Mo (and unschooling). I still can't say I'm a
fan of a lot of the slapstick sort of physical comedy, but just
recently I've noticed a shift in my own thinking on this subject. Ray
and I were talking about an ad for the new "Mr Bean" movie - he really
wants to see it and thinks it looks hysterical. I don't think it looks
funny at all But! I'm facinated by the skill of Rowan Atkinson (the
actor who plays Mr Bean). He's clearly very talented within this genre.

Personally I've found it helpful to think about and research some of
the ideas behind physical comedy and also the grotesque as "genuine"
art forms. That has helped me move away from my somewhat snooty "I
don't get it" attitude - I still don't "get it" very often, but I can
see that as a lack of understanding on my part.

Here's a clip from wikipedia on the subject of slapstick:

""Though the term is often used pejoratively, the performance of
slapstick comedy--based on exquisite timing and unerring calculation of
execution, character reaction, and audience laughter--is considered
among the more difficult tasks facing a live performer.""
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slapstick

Facinating.

---Meredith (Mo 6, Ray 13)

Marjorie Adams

I have to say that I usually don't like slapstick at all. I enjoy most types of comedy but just don't think slapstick is funny. HOWEVER Rowan Atkinson AKA "Mr. Bean" is often stupidly and hilariously funny. But I will say that if I didn't find that to be the case, he is worth watching with my kids because of the enjoyment they get out of it...
Marge

Meredith wrote:
I've been gradually learning to appreciate certain kinds of "physical
comedy" more, thanks to Mo (and unschooling) . I still can't say I'm a
fan of a lot of the slapstick sort of physical comedy, but just
recently I've noticed a shift in my own thinking on this subject. Ray
and I were talking about an ad for the new "Mr Bean" movie - he really
wants to see it and thinks it looks hysterical. I don't think it looks
funny at all But! I'm facinated by the skill of Rowan Atkinson (the
actor who plays Mr Bean). He's clearly very talented within this genre.




---------------------------------
Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha!
Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Debra Rossing

We just went and saw Mr. Bean's Holiday this week and laughed and
laughed and laughed - the commercials and previews do NOT do it justice.
There's also an interview with Rowan Atkinson in a recent Time magazine
(either this week or last week). And, in another cool connection,
MythBusters several seasons back did a test of something that was done
in a Mr. Bean episode - where he painted a room by using explosives in a
can of paint. it was totally Busted - but it was fun (any time
MythBusters can use explosives they're really happy - I loved last
week's "viewer's suggestions" episodes where a kid wrote in and said
"Blow up my parents' car", so they did! They had the kid there on the
show, and the car, and did not one but TWO explosions - one Hollywood
style, lots of flames not much destruction and then the real "this is
what lots of explosives really do" explosion that basically turned the
car into confetti).

Deb


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

maya9

If you want to experience absolutely MASTER physical comedy, go watch
anything with the Umbilical Brothers (http://www.umbilicalbrothers.com/)
in it. They have (had?) a kids show on Noggin called the Upside Down
Show, and they played the Sydney Opera House (they are from Australia)
with a show called Speedmouse (not a kid's thing) and New York with a
show called Thwak. They are unbelievable. If you want to really grok
the difficulty and perfection of slapstick, they will blow your mind and
make you laugh hilariously. I PROMISE. It is worth the $15 bucks to
get the Speedmouse DVD from down under if you can't find a copy anywhere
else. I swear, these guys are fantastic! I would be SHOCKED if any
person with a pulse didn't find them funny.
Maya