Stories Lived. Stories Told.

Absurdity, Anti-Semitism & Shared Humanity | Zev Burton | Part 2


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How can we recognize the complexity of our social worlds by understanding the role of humor in moments of pain, suffering, and oppression?

How might we make space for stories that are different than our own? And how might we begin to see all stories as contributing to the never-ending story of what it means to be human?

What does it mean for people to "have the necessities they need for the opportunity to thrive"? How can we create a better social world that accomplishes this?

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Zev Burton is a student, author, and all-around curious person. Zev graduated with a Bachelor’s in International Security from Georgetown University in 2022. He is now working on a Master’s in Data Science and Analysis. Zev has written a book on the intersection of humor and political events called Two Fish in a Tank: How Jokes Can Give Hope to a Fractured World. Zev also uses his platform on ⁠TikTok⁠ to discuss social issues, focusing on the performance and effects of Anti-Seminitism. 

Today, Abbie and Zev continue their conversation about humor, discussing humor as a societal coping mechanism; the role of parody and satire throughout history; and the distinction between “making light of things” and a type of humor that actually stems from a depth of understanding of pain and suffering as a part of the human experience. Zev talks about humor as a political tool used to educate, empower, and inspire. Abbie considers the conversation through the lens of meaning-making. Zev explains his platform on TikTok and how he hopes to turn “views” into understanding, empathy, and action. Abbie and Zev explore the perspective Zev has developed as a Jewish person (among a number of other identities) and his experience with fighting anti-semitism online. Finally, Abbie and Zev discuss the new stories that Zev is trying to share about Judaism, the struggle to claim space and be heard, and why Zev’s “better social world” is one where everyone has the opportunity to prosper and create.

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Stories Lived. Stories Told. is created, produced & hosted by Abbie VanMeter.

Stories Lived. Stories Told. is an initiative of the CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution.

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Music for Stories Lived. Stories Told. is created by Rik Spann. Find Rik on ⁠YouTube⁠.

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Find Zev on ⁠TikTok⁠.

Buy ⁠Zev's book⁠.


Email me! [email protected]

Follow me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Subscribe on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠

Check out my ⁠⁠website⁠⁠


Learn more about the ⁠⁠CMM Institute.⁠⁠

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Follow the ⁠⁠CosmoTeenz⁠⁠ Fellows' work on Instagram.

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Stories Lived. Stories Told.By Abbie VanMeter and The CMM Institute