Humor in America has faced significant challenges in recent years, with many arguing that political correctness and ideological rigidity have stifled free expression and laughter. Figures like Ben Shapiro and Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon highlight how satire now walks a tightrope between comedy and controversy in today’s polarized climate.
The push for hyper-sensitivity, particularly on college campuses and in progressive circles, has led to a culture where jokes are scrutinized for potential offense rather than enjoyed as lighthearted commentary. Comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock have avoided college gigs due to audiences being “triggered” by edgy material. This shift aligns with Neil Postman’s warning that fanaticism—whether ideological or moral—chokes humor by rejecting the “validity of two contradictory truths”.
Conservative satire outlet The Babylon Bee has become a flashpoint in this debate. After being banned from Twitter in 2022 for labeling Admiral Rachel Levine “Man of the Year,” the site was reinstated under Elon Musk’s free-speech policies. CEO Seth Dillon argues that modern comedy must “punch up” at powerful institutions pushing radical ideologies, even as critics accuse the Bee of “punching down” at marginalized groups. Their headlines, like mocking Kamala Harris as the “first black woman to destroy the world economy,” blend absurdity with cultural critique—often predicting real-world events weeks later.
Philosopher Roger Scruton warned that humor acts as a “safety valve” in diverse societies, allowing people to laugh at differences rather than weaponize them. Ethnic jokes, once a unifying force in America’s melting pot, are now labeled harmful stereotypes. This loss risks deepening divisions, as societies without self-deprecating wit become “fraught with danger”.
In an era where headlines about “triple-maskers” or gender ideology become reality overnight, satire struggles to outpace absurdity. Dillon notes that exaggerating reality for laughs is increasingly difficult when “reality catches up to you” within weeks. The Bee’s jokes—like Delta adding tennis balls for female pilots—highlight how even slapstick humor now carries political weight.
While some claim negative humor breeds toxicity, critics argue that policing laughter erodes free speech and mutual understanding. As Shapiro and Dillon emphasize, comedy remains a vital tool for questioning authority—but only if audiences retain the humility to laugh at themselves.
