Variety #2 - Humourous Cheap Shot

The concept of the humourous cheap shot.

Now, where did that line come from? Well, I was just doing what I usually do when I try to come up with something for these columns- I sit down, and stare at the computer screen, and watch that little infuriating object known as the 'cursor' blink on and off. Subjects whizz through my brain, and they are usually examined and dismissed, just plain dismissed, or they get contorted and stretched, and become the literary downpour you read here.

Anyways, I was just sitting and thinking; and then the thought passed through my head- the humourous cheap shot. Then I went back through my collection of writings for the IsC, and came to the interesting conclusion that my humour either involves a) discussion of everyday objects in a not so everyday fashion or b) taking a cheap shot at somebody. And, I fear, b) outnumbers a) by a fair amount.

Originally, I had intended this column to be rather light-hearted; the first one set the tone rather nicely. But, as time went on, it bogged down. Because I think seriously and deliberately a majority of the time, and I don't like the idea of taking cheap shots. Sounds rather hypocritical, considering I do take them. (The 'Blush Meter', par example.) I guess it's the usual good/evil battle that supposedly goes on in everybody's soul.

Maybe it's a sign of society, that we may or may not like cheap shots, but we all, in various forms, take them. Now, the question then becomes, is it morally right? Or, in other words, if fifty million people do it, is it a right thing to do?

Interesting question. Draw your own conclusions.

The ones I draw are rather scary, and I hope I'm wrong.

Of course, it may just be paranoia- after all, a good joke ever now and again isn't that bad.

It's just when the jokes come all the time that indicates something is wrong.

You would think that after ten years, Paramount would finally decide on one version, and stick with it. I'm surprised there isn't a Director's cut of Star Trek V drifting about somewhere, waiting to be packaged with a "NEVER SEEN BEFORE FOOTAGE" emblazoned across the front!

Very dumb question here- why do they put toothpicks in Swiss Army knives? And, why don't they have them on Star Trek? After all, there must be some use for an object that can do six thousand different things!! (Except maybe clean the kitchen sink, but that's what the phaser rifle is for.)

(Now, where did that come from?)