I'd rather be a comedian than a rock star \ stacker news ~culture

I'd rather be a comedian than a rock star

3708 sats \ 16 comments \ @ablunderfilledlife 31 Jan culture

There used to be a stereotype that it was every guy's fantasy to be a rock star. Not mine.

Just like how I cannot play the guitar or the drums, I cannot tell a joke. And yet, I often think about standing on a stage and making people laugh.

I am amazed by the ability to put words together in the right order, at the right time, and get a bodily reaction out of people. If I were to get on stage and try this, I'd mumble and I'd shake, and I'm pretty sure I would go blind for a minute, and it's not just because I don't have any material prepared. It seems like a terrifying thing to do.

Is anyone with me on this? Or do you think more about being a rock star?

view all related items

720 sats \ 3 replies \ @k00b 1 Feb

I go to a lot of open mics. It's a common and understandable desire. It's easier to start being a comedian and harder to be a great comedian than people realize.

Having seen enough comedy and preferring to not depend on an audience to do a craft, I think I'd rather train to sing well (I was lead in a musical at a really young age and miss being able to create nice sounds). That said, I think comedians are musicians in a way. Their instrument is the audience.

195 sats \ 2 replies \ @rheedi0 2 Feb

What was the musical?

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @k00b 2 Feb

It was a school musical not anything major. Searching around, it might have been a musical version of The Reluctant Dragon.

470 sats \ 0 replies \ @rheedi0 2 Feb

Haha that looks great

423 sats \ 1 reply \ @joda 1 Feb

I have no desire to be famous in any way. Almost every aspect of it sucks. Being rich is nice, but you can do that without being famous.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @bief57 1 Feb

totally agree with this

42 sats \ 2 replies \ @DudeJLebowski 1 Feb

I'd rather be a professional golfer than either. What a life.

31 sats \ 0 replies \ @ablunderfilledlife OP 1 Feb

Great answer. Fantastic fantasy.

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @brandonsbytes 1 Feb

This is the only correct answer.

42 sats \ 1 reply \ @SimpleStacker 31 Jan

I'd rather be a rock star, but not for the lifestyle -- I just really wish I could play music with their level of mastery, musicality, and energy.

By contrast, I don't dream much of being a comedian, but I've always had a decent sense of humor and am not afraid of public speaking.

Maybe we're all just wired to desire most the things we have least :)

31 sats \ 0 replies \ @ablunderfilledlife OP 31 Jan

I wouldn't want the lifestyle of a comedian either, just the ability.

That's some strange wiring we have there. If the assumption is true, I wonder what the evolutionary reason for it is. To stoke creativity and exploration maybe? To prompt resource gathering?

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @herschel 31 Jan

I loved writing and recording music, but I hated being on stage. It made me uncomfortable. I like the process. I write stuff all the time that people think is funny, but I'm not getting on stage. Try writing some jokes. That might be good enough.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @ablunderfilledlife OP 31 Jan

Writing might be good enough, that is to say, fulfilling enough. Thanks.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @jtwoodhouse 1 Feb

Get a job at a central bank and you can be a comedian without any of the pressure.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @smuglydawg 1 Feb

Years ago I remember kid to the Joe Rogan podcast and he was talking about getting started in stand up. Remember a part of his story of the highs of performance and then after just still in an empty hotel room.

Definitely an interesting job if you can tell a joke and build a fan base.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Bitman 1 Feb

John Lennon seemed to manage being both.