Anyone Quote by Simon Rich
“I try not to write jokes that are mean. I try my best to write jokes that are pretty universal and jokes that don't attack anyone. I know I often fall short of that and end up taking unfair swipes at people, but I try not to.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, Simon Rich, 2020
Comedy should aim for inclusivity, avoiding targeting specific groups, though achieving perfect universality is challenging.
In simple terms: Write jokes that don’t hurt anyone.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize empathy in humor.
Themes
comedy
inclusivity
ethics
writing
Mood
thoughtful
lighthearted
Type
comedic
reflective
When to use this quote
- stand‑up routines
- scriptwriting
- online memes
- public speaking
Key Concepts
Humor theory
social responsibility
audience awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- Can humor be truly neutral?
- How do audiences interpret “universal” jokes?
A Different Perspective
Humor often reflects societal biases, making neutrality hard.
![“I was never a cool person; in fact, cool people have always made fun of me. That’s why I loved [the Robert Cormier YA novel] The Chocolate War - because the cool kids (not the establishment) were the villains. I totally identified with that.” quote by Simon Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/503/simon-rich-25140_chocolate_i-was-never-a-cool-person-in-fact-cool-p_620335.jpg)
