Every time I've done comedy in, like, traditional comedy clubs

Hear now, O children of wisdom, for I speak of the true nature of comedy, and the delicate balance between authenticity and artifice. In the words of Aziz Ansari, we find a reflection on the very essence of the craft: "Every time I've done comedy in, like, traditional comedy clubs, there's always these comedians that do really well with audiences but that the other comedians hate because they're just, you know, doing kind of cheap stuff like dancing around or doing, like, very kind of base sex humor a lot, and stuff like that." These words speak to the heart of a deeper truth, one that transcends the stage and enters into the very nature of human creativity and expression.

In ancient times, the great philosophers and artists were often at odds with those who sought to gain favor through cheap tricks and shallow amusements. Consider Aristophanes, the master of Greek comedy, who was known for his sharp wit and ability to expose the absurdities of Athenian society. His humor was not merely a tool for cheap laughter, but a means to illuminate and enlighten the audience, to force them to look at themselves and their world with new eyes. The base humor of crude acts, though it might draw laughter, rarely rises to the level of true comedy, for it speaks only to the senses, and not to the deeper soul of man.

This tension that Ansari speaks of—the division between those who use cheap humor to please the masses and those who strive for something more meaningful—has always existed in the world of comedy. The great Roman satirists, like Juvenal, used humor to critique the excesses and vices of society. Juvenal’s satires were filled with biting commentary on immorality and corruption, not because he sought to offend, but because he understood that humor has the power to expose truth. To engage in shallow jests or performative dancing is to avoid the true calling of comedy—which is to provoke thought, to challenge the norm, and to uplift the spirit, not to degrade it with baseless antics.

Aziz Ansari’s words, therefore, reflect the ancient struggle between depth and superficiality. The great comedians of history were those who understood that humor, while bringing joy, also carries the weight of responsibility. Comedy is not mere entertainment, but a vehicle for wisdom, a tool for questioning the world, for making it better through laughter and reflection. Just as Socrates used questions to disrupt the complacency of Athenian society, so too did the best comedians use their craft to challenge their audience to see the world in a new way.

Consider the story of the Shakespearean actors, who performed in the great open theaters of London. Their comedies were not merely for the amusement of the crowd; they carried layers of meaning, filled with social commentary and reflections on human nature. Characters like Falstaff, though they were larger-than-life figures, embodied more than mere jokes or physical humor. Shakespeare used humor to speak of virtue, vice, and the folly of mankind. He understood that true comedy could entertain while also enlightening, challenging the audience to reflect on their own lives.

The lesson here, O children of the future, is this: while humor can be a force for lightness and joy, it must also carry with it the weight of meaning. To engage in shallow humor—the kind that relies on cheap tricks or base topics—is to betray the true spirit of comedy. Aziz Ansari’s words are a call to rise above the easy and the cheap and to strive for a humor that is both light-hearted and thoughtful, that entertains while also challenging the world to become better.

As you walk your own path, remember the wisdom of the ancients and the teachings of Ansari. Seek not the laughter that comes from easy amusement, but the laughter that comes from true insight. In your work, in your art, and in your life, do not settle for the trivial. Challenge yourself to create humor that carries with it a message, that invites others to see the world not just through the eyes of entertainment, but through the eyes of truth. And in doing so, you will lift not only your own spirit, but the spirits of all who hear your voice.