Intention Gets Us To The Other Side: Chicken Crossing the Road

How many times have you been asked: “why did the chicken cross the road?”

I have a recollection of it being that original, staple joke from childhood – an essential for the beginner comedians among the classroom. Too many times have I rolled my eyes at the silly question.

“I don’t know, why?” is typically the default response. If you think about it, the scenario is completely nonsensical … we’re likely never going to fully understand the reasoning behind a chicken’s actions. Really though, the answer has become ever changing. An attempt at a quippy response will often turn out to be futile.

Humor has to evolve, like everything else. A universal punchline leaves no room for thought, and predictability takes away the potential to make new realizations. Putting two things together makes people laugh, especially when they feel silly for never considering something seemingly very simple.

Now, don’t get me wrong. There is absolutely nothing wrong with preferring this kind of wardrobe – Carolyn Bessette Kennedy is my personal pop culture icon (long before that Ryan Murphy show ever aired, mind you). I derive a great amount of inspiration from her outfits, but not solely on account of liking how they looked. Her choices were authentic. She wore these basic, staple pieces in a way that was so personal and true to her it became part of her legacy. It serves as a reminder for the value of individuality.

Choices matter in a time where the humanities are devalued and belittled by entire societal structures. Putting effort and intention into a decision may not seem like much, but it is incredibly powerful.

Maybe my previously stated sports analogy wasn’t the best comparison to use – although I know attire and athletics often intersect. It would be better to be explicit about the fact that both comedy and fashion are art-forms, and art is fundamentally meant to make us feel.