[sudosteph]

I think it's more that humor provides a great vehicle to commiserate with the pain of others, and to explore our own pain semi-safely as well. It's almost always pro-social expression, and is equally so whether it's directed at vain rulers or fickle rolls as fate. It can indeed drive social change (and usually with less violence than fear or anger), but that's not the only reason to embrace humor.

The universe really is funny. It's absurd in so many ways, and the flaws are so obvious, so persistent, and in such contrast with certain authentically sublime experiences and emotions... Until death and pain are no longer mandatory elements of human existence, it will indeed be deeply flawed.