Laugh Tracks. Laugh Signs. And other unfunny things.

Watch any sitcom and you'll notice the comedic "experts" insert laugh tracks at various "laugh points" throughout the program. I've noticed a recent upsurge in "laughs" at cracks about people who work at fast food joints, Wal-Mart or are clerks, baggers, gardeners, janitors, etc. What's with the elite condescension?

Seriously, what's so funny about any of these occupations? They're needed. They're worthy. And they deserve a lot more respect and a lot less disdain from the so-called "betters" of society. This conditioning to think ill of those who labor hard and long is troubling. A slow and constant drip drip drip of making people who hold these positions (and there are millions) feel like 2nd, 3rd class people is in line with the Hindi Caste system wherein it's perfectly acceptable to minimize another's station in life because that's their karma, life lesson. No wonder so many people are so miserable. The upper caste is pointing their finger and laughing at you.

!LAUGH!
The studio audience bit is a complete farce. You're prepped before the show to laugh out loud and clap when the sign flashes to do so. Like a bunch of trained seals. And yet, folks at home, while watching lets say the very unfunny, mean, acerbic and downright miserable Bill Mahr's Sur"Real" Life Show, will think "hey what he and his guest are saying is funny and insightful and everyone seems to agree and because everyone in the audience is laughing and clapping and having a good time", I must think and laugh the same.

And so, the conditioning of the viewer to think and behave as the "artists" want them to in this new age of "progressives" and moral relativism and there is no evil, save BushCo and the folks who clean your toilets and wash your cars...