Jimmy Higgins
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CHICAGO, IL -- Many in America and Europe are desperately hoping that the small tourism submarine that went missing is found before it is estimated the people on board will run out of air. However, in offices in Illinois, writers for The Onion are desperately trying to maintain the grasp on decency and good taste.
While the families of those on the sub are struggling with the disspair of not knowing what the fate of their loved ones are, many writers are struggling with not putting to paper the funny, but terribly inappropriate thoughts they have had come to mind during this tragic incident.
"People never think about us," noted Tom Abrams, a lead editor with The Onion. "People are always thinking about the victims or their families, but they never think of us."
The untold story in some disasters is that of the comic writer. People who are paid to find humor where it isn't as obvious. While certain circumstances like the mass murder at Sandy Hook make coming up with humor impossible, the recent tourism sub incident doesn't make things as easy.
"The first thing that comes to mind is Subway," stated Calum Inderi, a writer at The Onion for the last three years. "It is a reflex, but you think, can I link in a $5 foot long joke in here. The info coming out regarding how cheap the sub was, just makes the Subway store related humor all the more plausible. But you try to stop, but then you can't. It becomes very emotional and difficult when you are staring at a computer monitor, laughing about the plight of people lost at sea."
The possible avenues for jokes can be endless, especially when an incident occurs that is adjacent to comedy. Seamen, Subway, the cheapness of the tourist sub, the nearly predicted outcome for the ship, the $250,000 cost to ride, prime numbers verses Fibonacci seriesbeing better for periodic hammering of the hull, all provide avenues of uproarious laughter in a time of solace.
"I'm usually at the therapists around times like these," said Abrams. "The therapist laughing at the jokes makes me feel better that I'm not a bad human being, but that only goes so far. I'm usually crying in tears of laughter and pain when reviewing the photoshops."
While the families of those on the sub are struggling with the disspair of not knowing what the fate of their loved ones are, many writers are struggling with not putting to paper the funny, but terribly inappropriate thoughts they have had come to mind during this tragic incident.
"People never think about us," noted Tom Abrams, a lead editor with The Onion. "People are always thinking about the victims or their families, but they never think of us."
The untold story in some disasters is that of the comic writer. People who are paid to find humor where it isn't as obvious. While certain circumstances like the mass murder at Sandy Hook make coming up with humor impossible, the recent tourism sub incident doesn't make things as easy.
"The first thing that comes to mind is Subway," stated Calum Inderi, a writer at The Onion for the last three years. "It is a reflex, but you think, can I link in a $5 foot long joke in here. The info coming out regarding how cheap the sub was, just makes the Subway store related humor all the more plausible. But you try to stop, but then you can't. It becomes very emotional and difficult when you are staring at a computer monitor, laughing about the plight of people lost at sea."
The possible avenues for jokes can be endless, especially when an incident occurs that is adjacent to comedy. Seamen, Subway, the cheapness of the tourist sub, the nearly predicted outcome for the ship, the $250,000 cost to ride, prime numbers verses Fibonacci seriesbeing better for periodic hammering of the hull, all provide avenues of uproarious laughter in a time of solace.
"I'm usually at the therapists around times like these," said Abrams. "The therapist laughing at the jokes makes me feel better that I'm not a bad human being, but that only goes so far. I'm usually crying in tears of laughter and pain when reviewing the photoshops."
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