--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I like playing with that space between…" description: "\"I like playing with that space between laughter and discomfort where your discomfort can also make you laugh, and you're confused about the mixed feeli..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/hari-kondabolu-12177_about_i-like-playing-with-that-space-between-l_3014351.png" --- # I like playing with that space between laughter and… ![“I like playing with that space between laughter and discomfort where your discomfort can also make you laugh, and you're confused about the mixed feelings. That's challenging, and I think that's what makes for some of the best art.” quote by Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/hari-kondabolu-12177_about_i-like-playing-with-that-space-between-l_3014351.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/hari-kondabolu-12177_about_i-like-playing-with-that-space-between-l_3014351.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/hari-kondabolu-12177_about_i-like-playing-with-that-space-between-l_3014351.png) > “I like playing with that space between laughter and discomfort where your discomfort can also make you laugh, and you're confused about the mixed feelings. That's challenging, and I think that's what makes for some of the best art.” [Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He explores the space where laughter meets discomfort, creating art that mixes mixed emotions. **In simple terms:** Finding humor in uneasy moments can produce powerful art. Key Takeaway Embrace discomfort to deepen creative expression. Themes art comedy discomfort emotion creativity Mood provocative thoughtful dynamic Type comedic artistic When to use this quote - stage performance - writing workshop - therapy session - public speaking Key Concepts psychology performance social commentary Questions to Reflect On - How can discomfort enhance humor? - When does it cross a line? A Different Perspective Audience may feel unsettled or offended. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [About](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/) [Also](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/also/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best/) [Best art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-art/) [Between](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/between/) [Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) [Challenging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenging/) [Confused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confused/) [Discomfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discomfort/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Feelings Challenging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings-challenging-4847764/) [I think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-think/) [Laugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laugh/) [Laugh Confused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laugh-confused-2737772/) [Laughing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughing/) [Laughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughter/) [Laughter Discomfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughter-discomfort-4847763/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make/) [Make Laugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-laugh/) [Make you laugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-you-laugh/) [Makes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/makes/) [Mixed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mixed/) [Mixed feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mixed-feelings/) [Playing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing/) [Some](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/some/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Space between](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space-between/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Where](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/where/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) [Your](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your/) ## Related quotes > [“I laugh when i'm hurt. I laugh when i'm confused. I laugh when i'm angry. I laugh because others will laugh as well, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damien-buerger/i-laugh-when-i-m-hurt-i-laugh-when-i-m-confused-i-laugh-when-i-m/) [Damien Buerger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damien-buerger/) > [I usually turn over when ads appear on television. But - very rarely - I am gripped by a particularly beautiful one, and wonder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-roberts/i-usually-turn-over-when-ads-appear-on-television-but-very-rarely-i/) [Alice Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-roberts/) > [Some people have been kind enough to call me a fine artist. I've always called myself an illustrator. I'm not sure what the difference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-rockwell/some-people-have-been-kind-enough-to-call-me-a-fine-artist-i-ve/) [Norman Rockwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-rockwell/) > [ There is no best anything in art. Phillip \[Hoffman\] isn't better than Heath \[Ledger\]; Joaquin \[Phoenix\] isn't better than David \[Strathairn\] or Terence \[Howard\].… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-daniels/there-is-no-best-anything-in-art-phillip-hoffman-isn-t-better-than/) [Jeff Daniels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-daniels/) > [“The chances are that, being a woman, young, And pure, with such a pair of large, calm eyes, You write as well...and ill...upon the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-barrett-browning/the-chances-are-that-being-a-woman-young-and-pure-with-such-a-pair-of/) [Elizabeth Barrett Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-barrett-browning/) > [“The child will leave the nest. The best paint job will crack. The best play will become boring. The best work will grow tedious.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vironika-tugaleva/the-child-will-leave-the-nest-the-best-paint-job-will-crack-the-best/) [Vironika Tugaleva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vironika-tugaleva/) > [“As long as art is understood and valued as an “absolute” activity, it will be a separate, elitist one. Elites presuppose masses. So far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sontag/as-long-as-art-is-understood-and-valued-as-an-absolute-activity-it/) [Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sontag/) > [The best art always comes unbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-pike/the-best-art-always-comes-unbidden/) [Christopher Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-pike/) > [The best art is on the street.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/the-best-art-is-on-the-street/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [There is no best anything in art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-daniels/there-is-no-best-anything-in-art/) [Jeff Daniels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-daniels/) > [First thought is best in Art, second in other matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/first-thought-is-best-in-art-second-in-other-matters/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [I've zeroed in on what you would call action and excellence... Everybody who does anything to try to succeed has to give the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/i-ve-zeroed-in-on-what-you-would-call-action-and-excellence-everybody/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [I will say that a lot of art, some of the best art, has very powerful and meaningful messages behind it, and the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abbi-jacobson/i-will-say-that-a-lot-of-art-some-of-the-best-art-has-very-powerful/) [Abbi Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abbi-jacobson/) > [At its best, what art does is, it points to who we as human beings and what we as human beings value. And if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kehinde-wiley/at-its-best-what-art-does-is-it-points-to-who-we-as-human-beings-and/) [Kehinde Wiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kehinde-wiley/) > [If art is singular expression, then by nature, the best art is controversial. But when art stirs debate for reasons besides its artistic integrity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/if-art-is-singular-expression-then-by-nature-the-best-art-is/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) ## More by Hari Kondabolu > [Seattle is a place I've lived only a couple of years, but I feel like I've been adopted by this city. It's like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/seattle-is-a-place-i-ve-lived-only-a-couple-of-years-but-i-feel-like/) [Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) > [I have had vegan Thanksgiving of tofurkey and soy gravy. And it's not to say that Thanksgiving will ever justify the genocide of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/i-have-had-vegan-thanksgiving-of-tofurkey-and-soy-gravy-and-it-s-not/) [Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) > [The words we use have weight. Whether it's in a conversation with a friend or something said publicly on stage or broadcast. And as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/the-words-we-use-have-weight-whether-it-s-in-a-conversation-with-a/) [Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) > [Telling me that I’m obsessed with talking about racism in America is like telling me I’m obsessed with swimming when I’m drowning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/telling-me-that-i-m-obsessed-with-talking-about-racism-in-america-is/) [Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) > [I've been approached after shows from people who said, 'I don't agree with anything you said, but I laughed the whole way through.' That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/i-ve-been-approached-after-shows-from-people-who-said-i-don-t-agree/) [Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) > [Just give us 50 years where we're the only ones who are allowed to profit from art, and then you can do whoever you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/just-give-us-50-years-where-we-re-the-only-ones-who-are-allowed-to/) [Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) > [There are some dogs that are gigantic that look like they shouldn't be in existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/there-are-some-dogs-that-are-gigantic-that-look-like-they-shouldn-t/) [Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) > [Both my parents are immigrants. I've seen different struggles they've had. There's a reason you don't see me using accents. I don't do impressions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/both-my-parents-are-immigrants-i-ve-seen-different-struggles-they-ve/) [Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) > [I would love the opportunity to create my own program. I feel like a TV show with a format of monologue with lots of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/i-would-love-the-opportunity-to-create-my-own-program-i-feel-like-a/) [Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) > [I never learned how to tie my shoes, and I was mocked for that. I still don't know how to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/i-never-learned-how-to-tie-my-shoes-and-i-was-mocked-for-that-i-still/) [Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) > [I'm not a politician, I'm not an ideologue, I'm not an organizer anymore. I'm a human being sharing ideas, and those ideas have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/i-m-not-a-politician-i-m-not-an-ideologue-i-m-not-an-organizer/) [Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) > [We've never had a female President in this country, which I find stunning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/we-ve-never-had-a-female-president-in-this-country-which-i-find/) [Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) > [Politics and sports are the same thing in some ways. I like sports; I don't like the sports aspect of politics. The conventions are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/politics-and-sports-are-the-same-thing-in-some-ways-i-like-sports-i/) [Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) > [I don't tie my shoes right. I tie them the way you would tie a gift, like a bow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/i-don-t-tie-my-shoes-right-i-tie-them-the-way-you-would-tie-a-gift/) [Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) > [I don't drink before shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/i-don-t-drink-before-shows/) [Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) [Explore all 56 Hari Kondabolu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) ## More About quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [With 'Pretty Girls,' I saw the opportunity to talk not just about crime but what crime leaves behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/with-pretty-girls-i-saw-the-opportunity-to-talk-not-just-about-crime/) [Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/) > [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-learned-a-lot-about-myself-at-oakmont/) [Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/) [Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [There are a lot of kids out there copying and distributing movies - not because they care about seeing the movies or sharing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/there-are-a-lot-of-kids-out-there-copying-and-distributing-movies-not/) [John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) [Browse all 26,122 About quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I like playing with that space between laughter and discomfort where your discomfort can also make you laugh, and you're confused about the mixed feelings. That's challenging, and I think that's what makes for some of the best art.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Hari Kondabolu" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/i-like-playing-with-that-space-between-laughter-and-discomfort-where/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "About" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/i-like-playing-with-that-space-between-laughter-and-discomfort-where/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/hari-kondabolu-12177_about_i-like-playing-with-that-space-between-l_3014351.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/hari-kondabolu-12177_about_i-like-playing-with-that-space-between-l_3014351.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/hari-kondabolu-12177_about_i-like-playing-with-that-space-between-l_3014351.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I like playing with that space between laughter and discomfort where your discomfort can also make you…” — Hari Kondabolu", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Hari Kondabolu", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I like playing with that space...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/i-like-playing-with-that-space-between-laughter-and-discomfort-where/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/i-like-playing-with-that-space-between-laughter-and-discomfort-where/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```