Although intelligence, bravery, and perspicacity are just some attributes I hold great reverence for, nothing makes me lose respect for a person faster than an inability to laugh at oneself. This was something that I was unable to do when I was younger and sometimes still struggle with. When I was a kid, I’d often callously mock other children for things that were of no importance just to make myself feel better. As I grew up, I experienced the same mocking and I realized that disparagement isn’t funny. It’s neither fun for the bully nor the victim. The bully may think it’s funny, but it’s really not, it’s just a way to derive power due to another person losing it. So, when I experienced such mockery, I always made sure to preemptively ridicule myself so that they wouldn’t get the satisfaction. Soon, self-derision became embedded into my temperament and I started to like when I poked fun at myself. Obviously, when it comes to comedy, there’s always an elusive but known line between uncomfortable and funny, and I learned that it worries people when you poke fun at yourself too much. I also learned that it was important to not only tease myself, but also those close to me. Much like how Voltaire criticized Louis XIV and his absolutist government to evince its flaws, I believe that lightly criticizing in a jovial manner can help people realize things they did wrong without having them feel bad. In all, I believe the thing that makes me laugh the most is when someone makes fun of themselves or engages in light banter with those close to them.

This is one of my favorite comedians whose entire comedy career is centered around self-deprecating jokes.