--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For storytelling purposes, there has to…" description: "\"For storytelling purposes, there has to be conflict, but that doesn't mean the people have to be mean. I've never liked mean-spirited comedy.\" — Michae..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdf/michael-schur-12718_comedy_for-storytelling-purposes-there-has-to-b_1293867.jpg" --- # For storytelling purposes, there has to be conflict, but… ![“For storytelling purposes, there has to be conflict, but that doesn't mean the people have to be mean. I've never liked mean-spirited comedy.” quote by Michael Schur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdf/michael-schur-12718_comedy_for-storytelling-purposes-there-has-to-b_1293867.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdf/michael-schur-12718_comedy_for-storytelling-purposes-there-has-to-b_1293867.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdf/michael-schur-12718_comedy_for-storytelling-purposes-there-has-to-b_1293867.jpg) > “For storytelling purposes, there has to be conflict, but that doesn't mean the people have to be mean. I've never liked mean-spirited comedy.” [Michael Schur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-schur/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Conflict drives narrative, yet characters need not be unkind; the author prefers humor without cruelty. **In simple terms:** Storytelling needs conflict, not cruelty. Key Takeaway Create tension without malice. Themes storytelling conflict humor Mood analytical lighthearted Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - scriptwriting - stand‑up comedy - team dynamics Key Concepts narrative theory ethical comedy Questions to Reflect On - How can conflict be constructive? - What makes humor kind yet funny? A Different Perspective Avoiding cruelty may weaken dramatic stakes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Conflict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conflict/) [Conflict Doesn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conflict-doesn-1067683/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Liked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liked/) [Liked Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liked-mean-1320344/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Mean people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean-people/) [Mean spirited](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean-spirited/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Spirited](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirited/) [Spirited Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirited-comedy-4224304/) [Storytelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storytelling/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [When we believe or say we have been offended, we usually mean we feel insulted, mistreated, snubbed, or disrespected. 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