Here at Ideas, Not Identity, I am a writer who believes that unfortunately, ideas are no longer separate from the individual saying them. This leaves many people fearful of raising questions or even mentioning topics deemed controversial.

I firmly believe that a writer or speaker should be judged based on the points they raise, and not on who they are as a person.

I have therefore set up this page to discuss topics that many feel too afraid to talk about. I hope by reading and responding to me, barriers can be broken down, discussions can begin, and progress can be made towards removing the taboo certain modern day issues possess.

Why is modern day comedy awful?

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What happened to comedy?

I’m not sure if you’ve heard recently, but Donald Trump is an orange man with funny hair. Have you heard? You may also be unaware that Boris Johnson too, can look strange. And MY oh my when the two are next to each other! With all that hair, just there flapping around! Have you heard this? No? Or maybe that Jeremy Corbyn looks a bit different to other politicians? No? Dressed kind of like a teacher, instead of wearing a suit? If not, then OH BOY do I have a new experience that will blow your mind, right out from under that rock. It’s called Channel 4. Minimal effort, maximum effect. I’m pretty sure that’s the middle name of Nish Kumar. That effect of course, being to make eighteen-year-old, Politics and International Relations students giggle themselves to death. Because if you hadn’t heard, they voted labour. And they hate the Tories.

I was always told to write about that I know. And I know how much I hate modern day, crappy, leftist, hogwash ‘comedy’. Have you ever sat with your legs dangling over a chair, and hit your knee in a way that shoots your leg forwards- the Patella Tendon reflex? Well it appears that I have uncovered a new, similar reflex in young Labour voters, who grew up in middle-class, Conservative households. When presented with footage of a Mock the Week panel, whose average age barely pushes twenty-five - brought up only by the eternal Mr O’Briain and Mr Dennis - tearing into any Conservative MP, they are physically incapable of not leaping to their feet, clapping, cheering and chanting “oh, Jeremy Corbyn!”. Give it a rest will you. Poor Dara and Hugh just want to get through the filming so they can sit together and YouTube “Frankie Boyle top 10 Mock the Week moments”.

However, even such iconic comedians of legendary status have begun to cash in on this baffling way to instantly get an audience on your side. Billy Connolly on his final farewell funny business, after settling the crowd’s applause as he meandered onto stage, sipped his water, and uttered, “So, Donald Trump”. The way it was miraculously met with instant cheers and whoops as loud as ever just goes to show how easy it is to attempt comedy in this modern era. What’s happened? Am I missing something? The mocking of appearance of course can cause laughter, and with the comical juxtaposition of extreme political power in the hands of a president that mimics a wet egg rolled around on a barbershop’s floor, I understand how jokes of course will be apparent. Oh no. Did I just?... Is shit wit and bland comedy contagious? Oh god… let’s hope BBC 2 don’t read this, or I’ll be offered a new satirical, political panel show. At least Ed Gamble will be able to pay his rent for a while.

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