--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Comedy as dissent or any art form as…" description: "\"Comedy as dissent or any art form as dissent is going to be our last safety valve.\" — Varun Grover" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a46/varun-grover-22849_art_comedy-as-dissent-or-any-art-form-as-dis_578594.jpg" --- # Comedy as dissent or any art form as dissent is going to… ![“Comedy as dissent or any art form as dissent is going to be our last safety valve.” quote by Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a46/varun-grover-22849_art_comedy-as-dissent-or-any-art-form-as-dis_578594.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a46/varun-grover-22849_art_comedy-as-dissent-or-any-art-form-as-dis_578594.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a46/varun-grover-22849_art_comedy-as-dissent-or-any-art-form-as-dis_578594.jpg) > “Comedy as dissent or any art form as dissent is going to be our last safety valve.” [Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He warns that using comedy or art as dissent can become the last outlet for critique, implying a loss of other freedoms. **In simple terms:** Comedy as dissent may become our final outlet for critique. Key Takeaway Protect artistic freedom. Themes censorship political critique artistic expression Mood critical urgent Type political philosophical When to use this quote - stand‑up shows - satirical writing - online memes - theatrical performances Key Concepts free speech social commentary creative resistance Questions to Reflect On - What alternatives exist when art is suppressed? - How can artists ensure their dissent leads to action? A Different Perspective Reliance on art alone may not change systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-form/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Dissent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dissent/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Safety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safety/) ## Related quotes > [I think both comedy and dissent are liberating, for the listener as well!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/i-think-both-comedy-and-dissent-are-liberating-for-the-listener-as/) [Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) > [So instead of acknowledging applause, I stand there unmoving while they take part in the boldest form of dissent they can manage. Silence. Which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/so-instead-of-acknowledging-applause-i-stand-there-unmoving-while/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [The writing you allude to is a form of dissent, but it's also expressive of the need to evolve beyond what is turgid and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cusk/the-writing-you-allude-to-is-a-form-of-dissent-but-it-s-also/) [Rachel Cusk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cusk/) > [“the boldest form of dissent they can manage. Silence. Which says we do not agree. We do not condone. All of this is wrong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/the-boldest-form-of-dissent-they-can-manage-silence-which-says-we-do/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Dissent in art is a fundamental right. But if it is dissent about a book, a piece of art, and if you don't like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shabana-azmi/dissent-in-art-is-a-fundamental-right-but-if-it-is-dissent-about-a/) [Shabana Azmi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shabana-azmi/) > [In religion, it is not the sycophants or those who cling most faithfully to the status quo who are ultimately praised. It is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/in-religion-it-is-not-the-sycophants-or-those-who-cling-most/) [Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/) > [“I am aware that many object to the severity of my language; but is there not cause for severity? I will be as harsh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lloyd-garrison/i-am-aware-that-many-object-to-the-severity-of-my-language-but-is/) [William Lloyd Garrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lloyd-garrison/) > [America was born of revolt, flourished in dissent, became great through experimentation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-steele-commager/america-was-born-of-revolt-flourished-in-dissent-became-great-through/) [Henry Steele Commager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-steele-commager/) > [In America, you can segregate the people, but the problems will travel. From slavery to equal rights, from state suppression of dissent to crime,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/june-jordan/in-america-you-can-segregate-the-people-but-the-problems-will-travel/) [June Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/june-jordan/) > [It is dissent from government policies which defines the true Patriot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/it-is-dissent-from-government-policies-which-defines-the-true-patriot/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [The original crime of niggers and lesbians is that they prefer themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/the-original-crime-of-niggers-and-lesbians-is-that-they-prefer/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [I find myself frequently placed where I dare give neither assent nor dissent to propositions that are submitted to me; for there is danger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-g-white/i-find-myself-frequently-placed-where-i-dare-give-neither-assent-nor/) [Ellen G. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-g-white/) > [Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/never-be-afraid-to-raise-your-voice-for-honesty-and-truth-and/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [If you want to live a meaningfully better life, you're going to have to make the dangerous choice to dissent. A life lived meaningfully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umair-haque/if-you-want-to-live-a-meaningfully-better-life-you-re-going-to-have/) [Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umair-haque/) > [Majority decisions tend to be made without engaging the systematic thought and critical thinking skills of the individuals in the group. Given the force…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/majority-decisions-tend-to-be-made-without-engaging-the-systematic/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Varun Grover > [People who are privileged can take more risks because of that safety shield that privilege provides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/people-who-are-privileged-can-take-more-risks-because-of-that-safety/) [Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) > [My only success is that I am alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/my-only-success-is-that-i-am-alive/) [Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) > [We critique all politicians who are in power, whenever there's a talking point.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/we-critique-all-politicians-who-are-in-power-whenever-there-s-a/) [Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) > [British comedian Imran Yusuf is fantastic and so is Shazia Mirza, also London-based.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/british-comedian-imran-yusuf-is-fantastic-and-so-is-shazia-mirza-also/) [Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) > [Sometimes people don't want to laugh because it's wrong to laugh at their own establishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/sometimes-people-don-t-want-to-laugh-because-it-s-wrong-to-laugh-at/) [Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) > [If you start imagining an audience for yourself, you don't do justice to the job. You fall into that trap of a self-image.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/if-you-start-imagining-an-audience-for-yourself-you-don-t-do-justice/) [Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) > [I like to dissociate myself from the person I was even three hours ago. It's a natural requirement to be a writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/i-like-to-dissociate-myself-from-the-person-i-was-even-three-hours/) [Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) > [I don't think changing minds is possible with just comedy. It's too much to expect from your own art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/i-don-t-think-changing-minds-is-possible-with-just-comedy-it-s-too/) [Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) > [I don't think stand-up comedy is becoming too serious, in fact, I wish it was. We are still mostly doing frivolous stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/i-don-t-think-stand-up-comedy-is-becoming-too-serious-in-fact-i-wish/) [Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) > [There's a lot of ordinariness, and people tend to play to the same regressive tropes - sexism, patriarchy, unkindness to the oppressed. Comedy shouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/there-s-a-lot-of-ordinariness-and-people-tend-to-play-to-the-same/) [Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) > [You cannot have the same kind of character again and again in every season or every stage of your life. You change, people change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/you-cannot-have-the-same-kind-of-character-again-and-again-in-every/) [Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) > [When a new government comes, even the detractors want to give them a chance because they have been voted in by the people of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/when-a-new-government-comes-even-the-detractors-want-to-give-them-a/) [Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) > [Speaking in Hindi has helped me a lot as I can tell my stories with the exact idiom in which they come to me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/speaking-in-hindi-has-helped-me-a-lot-as-i-can-tell-my-stories-with/) [Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) > [I don't understand why people who have the most power, say people like Amitabh Bachchan, are silent on most issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/i-don-t-understand-why-people-who-have-the-most-power-say-people-like/) [Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) > [I think both comedy and dissent are liberating, for the listener as well!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/i-think-both-comedy-and-dissent-are-liberating-for-the-listener-as/) [Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) [Explore all 27 Varun Grover quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Comedy as dissent or any art form as dissent is going to be our last safety valve.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Varun Grover" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/comedy-as-dissent-or-any-art-form-as-dissent-is-going-to-be-our-last/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/comedy-as-dissent-or-any-art-form-as-dissent-is-going-to-be-our-last/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a46/varun-grover-22849_art_comedy-as-dissent-or-any-art-form-as-dis_578594.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a46/varun-grover-22849_art_comedy-as-dissent-or-any-art-form-as-dis_578594.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a46/varun-grover-22849_art_comedy-as-dissent-or-any-art-form-as-dis_578594.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Comedy as dissent or any art form as dissent is going to be our last safety valve.” — Varun Grover", "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": "Varun Grover", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Comedy as dissent or any art...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/comedy-as-dissent-or-any-art-form-as-dissent-is-going-to-be-our-last/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/comedy-as-dissent-or-any-art-form-as-dissent-is-going-to-be-our-last/#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 } } ] } ```