Has The Internet Changed Our Sense Of Humour?

The internet has had a significant impact on our sense of humour in various ways. Despite evolving tastes and mediums, humour endures as an essential aspect of human connection and expression.

While the internet has changed the format of comedy, the core elements of humour, such as relatability, wit, and observational comedy, remain largely unchanged. Humour evolves with time, yet its essence remains in personal experiences and relatable observations. People still seek out humour that resonates with their own experiences and emotions, regardless of the medium through which it’s delivered.

 

How Has Our Humour Changed Since The Internet?

 

The influence of the internet on our sense of humour is striking, altering both how comedy is created and what audiences find amusing.

Firstly, the internet has democratized comedy, allowing anyone with a smartphone or computer to potentially reach a global audience. This means that the line between amateur and professional comedians has blurred, with audiences becoming more sceptical and demanding of humour.

Secondly, the shock factor in comedy has diminished as the internet has exposed people to a wide variety of content, making it harder to surprise or shock viewers. What once shocked audiences on television or at live performances is now common on the internet. As a result, comedy relies less on shock value and more on other comedic elements.

Thirdly, audiences are now more informed and fragmented, thanks to the abundance of online content and niche communities. This necessitates comedians to constantly innovate and tailor their material to diverse audience segments.

Comedy has also become increasingly participatory, with fans now expecting to engage with and contribute to comedic content. This is usually done by method of crowdsourced content or interactive experiences.

Lastly, the internet has led to shorter attention spans among comedy fans, affecting the format and delivery of comedy. Consumers seem to favour quick, punchy content over longer formats. Quick, easily digestible content like funny pictures tends to thrive online, while longer videos struggle to retain viewers’ interest.

 

UK Comedy Startups To Keep An Eye On

 

Offkey

 

 

Offkey is a production company founded by Steve Whiteley in 2014. Specialising in comedy content, they began with a YouTube channel featuring sketches that gained traction on platforms like Buzzfeed and The Huffington Post. Since then, Offkey has expanded to produce scripted work for Channel 4 and BBC Radio 4, earning nominations and awards at prestigious events like the British Comedy Awards and Cannes YDA.

Their success includes screenings at BAFTA and Oscar qualifying film festivals and millions of views on social media.

 

Meta Comedy Club

 

 

The Meta Comedy Club is an innovative venture blending comedy with blockchain technology, set to revolutionise live entertainment in the Metaverse. They offer unique virtual events, collaborations with NFT communities, and live streams featuring professional comedians.

With features like live comedy events, celebrity hosts, and free NFT community events, they aim to create a vibrant space for comedy enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. Stay tuned for updates on their upcoming club launch and exclusive sneak peeks.

 

The Comedy Crowd

 

 

The Comedy Crowd is a platform dedicated to empowering independent comedy creators. They believe in the diversity of comedic voices and aim to provide a space for originality and variety. With over 9000 creators and growing, they offer opportunities for talented individuals to share their unique comedic perspectives.

Their mission is to challenge traditional comedy formats by embracing new ideas and giving creators the chance to showcase the funny side of life.

 

Usmile

 

 

Usmile is a social network dedicated to sharing funny content. Founded in early 2014, it was created as a response to the increasing popularity of funny videos, articles, memes, and gifs on platforms like Vine, Facebook, BuzzFeed, Giphy, and 9gag. Users, known as Usmilers, can share laughs with their community through user-generated content.

The platform welcomes everyone, from casual users to professional YouTubers and comedians, fostering connections based on shared humour. Posts are organised into categories and tags, allowing users to explore specific topics. Usmile provides a space for sharing humorous content that users may not feel comfortable posting on other social media platforms. Currently, Usmile is expanding its features to build communities within universities and high schools, aiming to unite people through laughter.