Why it KLICked
“Perhaps no one has mastered the art of storytelling better than comedians,” Morgan Housel wrote in his latest work.
I recently wrote about why the best stories win, partly based on conversations I’ve been having for several years now. Coincidentally, that’s one of the central themes in Morgan’s book which I recommend.
“[Comedians] are the best thought leaders because they understand how the world works, but they want to make you laugh rather than make themselves feel smart,” he continued.
“They take insights from psychology, sociology, politics, and every other dry field and squeeze out amazing stories.”
This is true on so many levels. As a lover of beautiful writing and theatre, it’s one reason I admire satire. It is truth cloaked in humor. It disarms, enlightens, and entertains all at once.
And you’d see this done over and again by almost everyone who served you stories that tickle and provoke.
Trevor Noah, Basket Mouth, Elnathan John, Dave Chappelle, Madea, as embodied by Tyler Perry, and several others. They have become masterful in showing us ourselves, reminding us of our truths, and making us laugh at ourselves.
When done well, comedy and satire may help us see society - exactly as it is.
It’s one of the reasons I attend the annual show put together by my brother, Koyejo. Comedy is Koye’s business, and he tells me he doesn’t joke with his business. I find that funny. In celebrating satire and arts, he reflects our flaws and idiosyncrasies and makes us dance and laugh while doing so.
Comedians like Koye understand something that eludes many academic researchers. They understand the art of storytelling at its core. As Morgan rightly points out, this is what makes them sell out arenas while an academic researcher who discovers a great insight about social behavior can go unnoticed.
I've heard this too many times: if you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll ‘kill’ you. I hope the Irish playwright and critic, Bernard Shaw is right. However, if the trials of Chappelle are anything to think about, then, this may not be completely true. Regardless, we live in interesting times.
This year, Koye’s comedy concert hits the main stage at the MKO International Stadium. I’ll be traveling there to support him. So, if you are in town, I’m extending this open invitation. Come around and be my guest. Details here.