At its core, comedy is about disruption. Something goes wrong, and we watch characters scramble to restore order—often in hilariously ineffective ways. A person slips on a banana peel. A couple squabbles over a simple miscommunication. A coworker schemes up a ridiculous plan to outsmart their boss. Jokes are conflict dressed up in drama and charm; without tension or high stakes, they fall flat. Comedy thrives not just on punchlines, but on conflict—it gives us something to resolve or react to.

More than entertainment, comedy allows us to explore conflict and other uncomfortable truths from a safe distance: social taboos, strained relationships, personal failures, and even grief. By exaggerating or reframing conflict, comedians invite us to laugh at things we might otherwise avoid. Think of how "The Office" uses workplace awkwardness, or how stand-up comedians tap into personal trauma and convert it into punchlines that everyone can relate to.

This psychological distance makes comedy a coping mechanism. Laughter can diffuse anxiety, make........

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