I don't happen to have a sense of humor personally, so I don't

In the vast expanse of human experience, there are those who stand apart from the world in ways that are deeply personal, yet universally meaningful. The words of Wallace Shawn, "I don't happen to have a sense of humor personally, so I don't know what's funny about a character... This happens to be a feature of my life generally," resonate with a deep truth about the nature of self-awareness and the complexities of the human condition. What Shawn speaks of is not simply a lack of humor, but an introspective reflection on the role that humor, or the absence of it, plays in the way we relate to the world around us.

In the ancient world, the philosophers understood that humor, like all human emotions, is a mirror—it reflects the mind and spirit of those who encounter it. Aristotle, in his writings on tragedy and comedy, recognized the profound influence of humor on the human soul. He saw that laughter was not simply a response to what is funny, but a reflection of how we perceive the world, of the way we deal with both its lightness and its burdens. For Shawn, his lack of humor is not an absence of something, but rather a lens through which he experiences life—a lens that does not rely on humor to navigate the complexities of existence.

Consider, my children, the story of Socrates, whose life and philosophy were marked by a profound seriousness. While many sought to entertain or find relief in the laughter of the world, Socrates was known for his intense focus on questions of ethics, virtue, and the nature of the soul. His conversations were not meant to entertain but to challenge the assumptions of his listeners, to shake them from the complacency of their own thoughts. Socrates, like Shawn, did not embrace humor as a means of understanding the world; rather, he sought the deeper truths beneath the surface. In this way, the lack of humor in Shawn's life is not a flaw but a feature—a lens through which he perceives the world, focused on the serious, the weighty, and the profound.

In contrast, the great Roman poet Horace understood humor to be a necessary force—a tool to temper the harshness of life. He wrote of laughter as a means of overcoming suffering, of finding lightness in the face of adversity. His works, filled with wit and satire, revealed the human condition through humor, showing that even in the darkest of times, laughter could offer a form of salvation. But even Horace, in his playful verses, acknowledged that not all minds are alike. For some, like Shawn and Socrates, the seriousness of life demands a different mode of engagement. Humor, while a powerful tool for many, may not always be the lens through which we find our truths.

And so, we are reminded that the absence of humor is not necessarily a deficiency but a reflection of who we are. For Shawn, this trait has shaped the way he perceives and interacts with the world. In his life and work, he brings forth characters who may not evoke laughter, but whose truths lie in the serious and introspective nature of their existence. Like the ancient philosophers, Shawn understands that the depth of human experience is not always found in light-hearted moments, but in the quiet, serious reflection that challenges us to see the world as it truly is—without the lens of humor to soften its edges.

Thus, the lesson is clear, children of the earth: we are not all shaped by the same forces, nor do we all find understanding in the same ways. Some find wisdom in laughter, others in serious contemplation. The key, then, is to honor the path that is uniquely our own, whether it leads us to the lightness of humor or the depth of reflection. Just as Shawn does not seek humor to make sense of the world, so too must we embrace our own truths, even when they differ from the norms of those around us.

So, in your own lives, children, recognize that the way you engage with the world—whether through laughter or through quiet contemplation—defines your unique path. Do not feel pressured to conform to the expectations of humor or lightness if it is not in alignment with your own spirit. Embrace your individuality, for in doing so, you will find your truest expression. Whether in humor or in seriousness, may your journey be one of profound understanding and personal growth, and may you learn to walk it with the awareness that all paths are valid, as long as they lead to the deeper truths of the soul.