Humor, Shaming, and Public Humiliation: A Deep Dive into the Dark Side of Entertainment

May 28, 2025

In today’s world, humor is not merely a means of laughter and fun—it has become a hidden vehicle for social structures, individual pain, and power dynamics. Certain types of humor—especially those rooted in belittlement, mockery, devaluation, and exclusion—go far beyond harmless entertainment. In this article, we take a deep look into the origins, functions, and consequences of this form of humor through the lenses of individual psychology, social structure, social media, education, and child development.

1. Power, Humor, and Hierarchy: Who Is Laughing at Whom?

Humor based on humiliation often includes a power dynamic. The dominant, normative, or powerful party typically targets those who are different—minorities, vulnerable individuals, or those with alternative lifestyles. These aren’t just jokes; they are tools that reinforce social hierarchies.
By mocking someone under the guise of humor, we reinforce their subordinated position within the system.
For instance, jokes about someone’s appearance or accent damage self-esteem and push individuals further toward the margins. The common defense—“It was just a joke”—only serves to render these power dynamics invisible.

2. The Psychological Face of Humor: What Are We Masking with Laughter?

Jokes built on humiliation or devaluation often stem from psychological defense mechanisms.
Mocking others can be a way to mask one’s own insecurities, alleviate anxiety, or cover up a sense of loss of control. But these behaviors weaken our capacity for empathy—making us numb to the pain of others.

At a collective level, these defenses become normalized. When someone tells a demeaning joke in a group, those who don’t laugh risk being excluded. Humor becomes a silent weapon of social alignment, pressuring people to conform.

3. The Fine Line Between Humor and Mob Attacks in the Age of Social Media

Social media is now one of the most fertile grounds for toxic humor.
Individuals or groups can rapidly become the subject of ridicule, amplified by algorithms. What begins as a “joke” can quickly escalate into a full-scale public shaming—disguised as entertainment.

The phrase “it was just a joke” becomes a convenient way to ignore the psychological destruction inflicted on the target. While it may create momentary entertainment, the long-term consequences include trauma, isolation, and mental health deterioration.
Social media fosters this environment by lowering empathy thresholds and offering anonymity that shields users from accountability.

4. The Role of Humor in Education and Communication with Children

Humor is a powerful tool in education, but when used inappropriately, it can shatter a child's confidence, promote exclusion, and poison the classroom atmosphere.

Humiliating jokes made by teachers—whether directed at students or between them—can directly undermine learning motivation.
Children often model adult behavior.
So when adults joke about a child's physical traits, family background, or learning differences, these jokes become “permission slips” for other children to do the same.

That’s why, especially in communication with children, we must consciously distinguish between being funny and being hurtful.

5. An Alternative Path: Compassionate and Critical Humor

Humor doesn't have to be cruel.
There is a form of humor that critiques contradictions, personal struggles, or power dynamics with intelligence and empathy.

Compassionate humor invites reflection without harming human dignity. Critical humor challenges authority and norms without hurting individuals.
This type of humor can become a force for social transformation. Humor can serve not just to entertain—but also to heal.

Conclusion: Which Way Is Joy Facing?

To understand a society, we must examine what it laughs at.
If our humor is built on humiliation and shaming, this isn’t just a personal issue—it’s a matter of collective conscience.
Content produced in the name of “fun” can leave deep scars on both personal and social levels.

Therefore, rethinking and reshaping humor—individually and collectively—is both possible and necessary.
When we transform humor from a weapon into a bridge, only then do we begin to truly laugh.

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