The Importance of Humor in Challenging Times

Have you ever tried the online game Connections by the New York Times? This popular game, which is approaching its second anniversary, features 16 words that are grouped into sets of four. The objective is to identify the common theme that links each group of words.

For instance, words like "essential," "intelligent," "world-class," and "humble" could form a category describing how certain people perceive publications like Dagens Nyheter.

Connections has a unique way of evoking strong emotions in players. It can make one feel incredibly smart when one recognizes that terms such as "crossword," "rainbow," "grimace," and "semblance" all relate to medieval weaponry. Conversely, it can also lead to feelings of frustration and inadequacy when one fails to see that "kayak," "mom," "level," and "race car" are all palindromes.

This game stirs up a variety of reactions, as seen in numerous online headlines: "Why NYT's Connections Makes You Feel Bad," "The Most Controversial Game on the Internet," and "I Hate This Game So Much!" This emotional rollercoaster is part of its design; much like a clever pun, the more adept the game is, the more intense the player's feelings can become.

However, there exists another category of individuals who take to social media to express their discontent. They often post similar comments daily, such as: "I found the connection in 'fascism,' 'Trump,' 'right-wing extremism,' and 'New York Times'," or "It's great that the NYT can joke around while THE WORLD IS BURNING!"

Such sentiments are not new. These individuals often remain silently judgmental in environments where others find enjoyment and laughter. Eventually, their discontent surfaces with statements like, "That's really not funny! And how can you all feel good when so many are suffering, especially me?"

In response to this, the answer is straightforward: humor, lightheartedness, and casual entertainment can be precisely what is needed to maintain one's sanity and empower individuals to speak out when it truly matters. The day humanity loses the ability to laugh in the face of adversity may be a day when hope is lost entirely.

Explore more opinion pieces that delve into societal issues, such as those related to popular music and its cultural implications.