The problem with punching up and punching down

Colin Quinn, Kurt Metzger, and more on the different mentalities of comedians and activists.

Colin Quinn on race, comedy and political correctness is a solid interview.

Punching up, punching down! Once again, these terms were not created by humorous people. Activists are activists. They are great and a big part of American society. Humorists and activists don’t very often meld. Humorists and activists have two very different mentalities. Activists are very sincere, very positive. That’s how activists should be. Humorists are supposed to look at everything and see the bullshit in all sides. This is my opinion. We are not supposed to see 100 percent right and wrong. Everything is middle ground. Everything is hypocrisy in all people and all situations.

Kurt Metzger on WTF had an interesting exchange with Marc Maron (around 15:30in) about how people who talk about “punching up” are actually condescending.