');mask-image:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8, ');mask-mode:alpha;-webkit-mask-repeat:no-repeat;mask-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-mask-size:contain;mask-size:contain;-webkit-mask-position:center;mask-position:center;border-radius:0}}.wp-block-latest-comments__comment{line-height:1.1;list-style:none;margin-bottom:1em}.has-avatars .wp-block-latest-comments__comment{min-height:2.25em;list-style:none}.has-avatars .wp-block-latest-comments__comment .wp-block-latest-comments__comment-excerpt,.has-avatars .wp-block-latest-comments__comment .wp-block-latest-comments__comment-meta{margin-left:3.25em}.has-dates .wp-block-latest-comments__comment,.has-excerpts .wp-block-latest-comments__comment{line-height:1.5}.wp-block-latest-comments__comment-excerpt p{font-size:.875em;line-height:1.8;margin:.36em 0 1.4em}.wp-block-latest-comments__comment-date{display:block;font-size:.75em}.wp-block-latest-comments .avatar,.wp-block-latest-comments__comment-avatar{border-radius:1.5em;display:block;float:left;height:2.5em;margin-right:.75em;width:2.5em}.wp-block-latest-posts.alignleft{margin-right:2em}.wp-block-latest-posts.alignright{margin-left:2em}.wp-block-latest-posts.wp-block-latest-posts__list{list-style:none}.wp-block-latest-posts.wp-block-latest-posts__list li{clear:both}.wp-block-latest-posts.is-grid{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;padding:0}.wp-block-latest-posts.is-grid li{margin:0 1.25em 1.25em 0;width:100%}@media (min-width:600px){.wp-block-latest-posts.columns-2 li{width:calc(50% - .625em)}.wp-block-latest-posts.columns-2 li:nth-child(2n){margin-right:0}.wp-block-latest-posts.columns-3 li{width:calc(33.33333% - .83333em)}.wp-block-latest-posts.columns-3 li:nth-child(3n){margin-right:0}.wp-block-latest-posts.columns-4 li{width:calc(25% - .9375em)}.wp-block-latest-posts.columns-4 li:nth-child(4n){margin-right:0}.wp-block-latest-posts.columns-5 li{width:calc(20% - 1em)}.wp-block-latest-posts.columns-5 li:nth-child(5n){margin-right:0}.wp-block-latest-posts.columns-6 li{width:calc(16.66667% - 1.04167em)}.wp-block-latest-posts.columns-6 li:nth-child(6n){margin-right:0}}.wp-block-latest-posts__post-author,.wp-block-latest-posts__post-date{display:block;color:#555;font-size:.8125em}.wp-block-latest-posts__post-excerpt{margin-top:.5em;margin-bottom:1em}.wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image a{display:inline-block}.wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image img{height:auto;width:auto}.wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image.alignleft{margin-right:1em}.wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image.alignright{margin-left:1em}.wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image.aligncenter{margin-bottom:1em;text-align:center}.block-editor-image-alignment-control__row .components-base-control__field{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center}.block-editor-image-alignment-control__row .components-base-control__field .components-base-control__label{margin-bottom:0}ol.has-background,ul.has-background{padding:1.25em 2.375em}.wp-block-media-text{/*!rtl:begin:ignore*/direction:ltr;/*!rtl:end:ignore*/display:-ms-grid;display:grid;-ms-grid-columns:50% 1fr;grid-template-columns:50% 1fr;-ms-grid-rows:auto;grid-template-rows:auto}.wp-block-media-text.has-media-on-the-right{-ms-grid-columns:1fr 50%;grid-template-columns:1fr 50%}.wp-block-media-text.is-vertically-aligned-top .wp-block-media-text__content,.wp-block-media-text.is-vertically-aligned-top .wp-block-media-text__media{-ms-grid-row-align:start;align-self:start}.wp-block-media-text.is-vertically-aligned-center .wp-block-media-text__content,.wp-block-media-text.is-vertically-aligned-center .wp-block-media-text__media,.wp-block-media-text .wp-block-media-text__content,.wp-block-media-text .wp-block-media-text__media{-ms-grid-row-align:center;align-self:center}.wp-block-media-text.is-vertically-aligned-bottom .wp-block-media-text__content,.wp-block-media-text.is-vertically-aligned-bottom .wp-block-media-text__media{-ms-grid-row-align:end;align-self:end}.wp-block-media-text .wp-block-media-text__media{/*!rtl:begin:ignore*/-ms-grid-column:1;grid-column:1;-ms-grid-row:1;grid-row:1;/*!rtl:end:ignore*/margin:0}.wp-block-media-text .wp-block-media-text__content{direction:ltr;/*!rtl:begin:ignore*/-ms-grid-column:2;grid-column:2;-ms-grid-row:1;grid-row:1;/*!rtl:end:ignore*/padding:0 8%;word-break:break-word}.wp-block-media-text.has-media-on-the-right .wp-block-media-text__media{/*!rtl:begin:ignore*/-ms-grid-column:2;grid-column:2;-ms-grid-row:1;grid-row:1 /*!rtl:end:ignore*/}.wp-block-media-text.has-media-on-the-right .wp-block-media-text__content{/*!rtl:begin:ignore*/-ms-grid-column:1;grid-column:1;-ms-grid-row:1;grid-row:1 /*!rtl:end:ignore*/}.wp-block-media-text__media img,.wp-block-media-text__media video{max-width:unset;width:100%;vertical-align:middle}.wp-block-media-text.is-image-fill figure.wp-block-media-text__media{height:100%;min-height:250px;background-size:cover}.wp-block-media-text.is-image-fill figure.wp-block-media-text__media>img{position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;padding:0;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);border:0}@media (max-width:600px){.wp-block-media-text.is-stacked-on-mobile{-ms-grid-columns:100%!important;grid-template-columns:100%!important}.wp-block-media-text.is-stacked-on-mobile .wp-block-media-text__media{-ms-grid-column:1;grid-column:1;-ms-grid-row:1;grid-row:1}.wp-block-media-text.is-stacked-on-mobile .wp-block-media-text__content{-ms-grid-column:1;grid-column:1;-ms-grid-row:2;grid-row:2}}.wp-block-navigation:not(.has-background) .wp-block-navigation__container .wp-block-navigation-link:not(.has-text-color){color:#1e1e1e}.wp-block-navigation:not(.has-background) .wp-block-navigation__container .wp-block-navigation__container{background-color:#fff}.items-justified-left>ul{justify-content:flex-start}.items-justified-center>ul{justify-content:center}.items-justified-right>ul{justify-content:flex-end}.wp-block-navigation-link{display:flex;align-items:center;position:relative;margin:0}.wp-block-navigation-link .wp-block-navigation__container:empty{display:none}.wp-block-navigation__container{list-style:none;margin:0;padding-left:0;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap}.is-vertical .wp-block-navigation__container{display:block}.has-child>.wp-block-navigation-link__content{padding-right:.5em}.has-child .wp-block-navigation__container{border:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.15);background-color:inherit;color:inherit;position:absolute;left:0;top:100%;width:-webkit-fit-content;width:-moz-fit-content;width:fit-content;z-index:2;opacity:0;transition:opacity .1s linear;visibility:hidden}.has-child .wp-block-navigation__container>.wp-block-navigation-link>.wp-block-navigation-link__content{flex-grow:1}.has-child .wp-block-navigation__container>.wp-block-navigation-link>.wp-block-navigation-link__submenu-icon{padding-right:.5em}@media (min-width:782px){.has-child .wp-block-navigation__container{left:1.5em}.has-child .wp-block-navigation__container .wp-block-navigation__container{left:100%;top:-1px}.has-child .wp-block-navigation__container .wp-block-navigation__container:before{content:"";position:absolute;right:100%;height:100%;display:block;width:.5em;background:transparent}.has-child .wp-block-navigation__container .wp-block-navigation-link__submenu-icon svg{transform:rotate(0)}}.has-child:hover{cursor:pointer}.has-child:hover>.wp-block-navigation__container{visibility:visible;opacity:1;display:flex;flex-direction:column}.has-child:focus-within{cursor:pointer}.has-child:focus-within>.wp-block-navigation__container{visibility:visible;opacity:1;display:flex;flex-direction:column}.wp-block-navigation-link__content{color:inherit;text-decoration:none;padding:.5em 1em}.wp-block-navigation-link__content+.wp-block-navigation-link__content{padding-top:0}.has-text-color .wp-block-navigation-link__content{color:inherit}.wp-block-navigation-link__label{word-break:normal;overflow-wrap:break-word}.wp-block-navigation-link__submenu-icon{height:inherit;padding:.375em 1em .375em 0}.wp-block-navigation-link__submenu-icon svg{fill:currentColor}@media (min-width:782px){.wp-block-navigation-link__submenu-icon svg{transform:rotate(90deg)}}.is-small-text{font-size:.875em}.is-regular-text{font-size:1em}.is-large-text{font-size:2.25em}.is-larger-text{font-size:3em}.has-drop-cap:not(:focus):first-letter{float:left;font-size:8.4em;line-height:.68;font-weight:100;margin:.05em .1em 0 0;text-transform:uppercase;font-style:normal}p.has-background{padding:1.25em 2.375em}p.has-text-color a{color:inherit}.wp-block-post-author{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap}.wp-block-post-author__byline{width:100%;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-size:.5em}.wp-block-post-author__avatar{margin-right:1em}.wp-block-post-author__bio{margin-bottom:.7em;font-size:.7em}.wp-block-post-author__content{flex-grow:1;flex-basis:0%}.wp-block-post-author__name{font-weight:700;margin:0}.wp-block-pullquote{padding:3em 0;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center}.wp-block-pullquote.alignleft,.wp-block-pullquote.alignright{max-width:290px}.wp-block-pullquote.alignleft p,.wp-block-pullquote.alignright p{font-size:1.25em}.wp-block-pullquote p{font-size:1.75em;line-height:1.6}.wp-block-pullquote cite,.wp-block-pullquote footer{position:relative}.wp-block-pullquote .has-text-color a{color:inherit}.wp-block-pullquote:not(.is-style-solid-color){background:none}.wp-block-pullquote.is-style-solid-color{border:none}.wp-block-pullquote.is-style-solid-color blockquote{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:left;max-width:60%}.wp-block-pullquote.is-style-solid-color blockquote p{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-size:2em}.wp-block-pullquote.is-style-solid-color blockquote cite{text-transform:none;font-style:normal}.wp-block-pullquote cite{color:inherit}.wp-block-quote.is-large,.wp-block-quote.is-style-large{margin-bottom:1em;padding:0 1em}.wp-block-quote.is-large p,.wp-block-quote.is-style-large p{font-size:1.5em;font-style:italic;line-height:1.6}.wp-block-quote.is-large cite,.wp-block-quote.is-large footer,.wp-block-quote.is-style-large cite,.wp-block-quote.is-style-large footer{font-size:1.125em;text-align:right}.wp-block-rss.alignleft{margin-right:2em}.wp-block-rss.alignright{margin-left:2em}.wp-block-rss.is-grid{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;padding:0;list-style:none}.wp-block-rss.is-grid li{margin:0 1em 1em 0;width:100%}@media (min-width:600px){.wp-block-rss.columns-2 li{width:calc(50% - 1em)}.wp-block-rss.columns-3 li{width:calc(33.33333% - 1em)}.wp-block-rss.columns-4 li{width:calc(25% - 1em)}.wp-block-rss.columns-5 li{width:calc(20% - 1em)}.wp-block-rss.columns-6 li{width:calc(16.66667% - 1em)}}.wp-block-rss__item-author,.wp-block-rss__item-publish-date{display:block;color:#555;font-size:.8125em}.wp-block-search .wp-block-search__inside-wrapper{display:flex;flex:auto;flex-wrap:nowrap;max-width:100%}.wp-block-search .wp-block-search__label{width:100%}.wp-block-search .wp-block-search__input{flex-grow:1;min-width:3em;border:1px solid #949494}.wp-block-search .wp-block-search__button{margin-left:.625em;word-break:normal}.wp-block-search .wp-block-search__button svg{min-width:1.5em;min-height:1.5em}.wp-block-search.wp-block-search__button-only .wp-block-search__button{margin-left:0}.wp-block-search.wp-block-search__button-inside .wp-block-search__inside-wrapper{padding:4px;border:1px solid #949494}.wp-block-search.wp-block-search__button-inside .wp-block-search__inside-wrapper .wp-block-search__input{border-radius:0;border:none;padding:0 0 0 .25em}.wp-block-search.wp-block-search__button-inside .wp-block-search__inside-wrapper .wp-block-search__input:focus{outline:none}.wp-block-search.wp-block-search__button-inside .wp-block-search__inside-wrapper .wp-block-search__button{padding:.125em .5em}.wp-block-separator.is-style-wide{border-bottom-width:1px}.wp-block-separator.is-style-dots{background:none!important;border:none;text-align:center;max-width:none;line-height:1;height:auto}.wp-block-separator.is-style-dots:before{content:"\00b7 \00b7 \00b7";color:currentColor;font-size:1.5em;letter-spacing:2em;padding-left:2em;font-family:serif}.wp-block-custom-logo .aligncenter{display:table}.wp-block-social-links{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;padding-left:0;padding-right:0;text-indent:0;margin-left:0}.wp-block-social-links .wp-social-link a,.wp-block-social-links .wp-social-link a:hover{text-decoration:none;border-bottom:0;box-shadow:none}.wp-social-link{display:block;width:36px;height:36px;border-radius:9999px;margin:0 8px 8px 0;transition:transform .1s ease}@media (prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){.wp-social-link{transition-duration:0s}}.wp-social-link a{padding:6px;display:block;line-height:0;transition:transform .1s ease}.wp-social-link a,.wp-social-link a:active,.wp-social-link a:hover,.wp-social-link a:visited,.wp-social-link svg{color:currentColor;fill:currentColor}.wp-social-link:hover{transform:scale(1.1)}.wp-block-social-links.aligncenter{justify-content:center;display:flex}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link{background-color:#f0f0f0;color:#444}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-amazon{background-color:#f90;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-bandcamp{background-color:#1ea0c3;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-behance{background-color:#0757fe;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-codepen{background-color:#1e1f26;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-deviantart{background-color:#02e49b;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-dribbble{background-color:#e94c89;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-dropbox{background-color:#4280ff;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-etsy{background-color:#f45800;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-facebook{background-color:#1778f2;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-fivehundredpx{background-color:#000;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-flickr{background-color:#0461dd;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-foursquare{background-color:#e65678;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-github{background-color:#24292d;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-goodreads{background-color:#eceadd;color:#382110}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-google{background-color:#ea4434;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-instagram{background-color:#f00075;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-lastfm{background-color:#e21b24;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-linkedin{background-color:#0d66c2;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-mastodon{background-color:#3288d4;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-medium{background-color:#02ab6c;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-meetup{background-color:#f6405f;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-pinterest{background-color:#e60122;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-pocket{background-color:#ef4155;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-reddit{background-color:#fe4500;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-skype{background-color:#0478d7;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-snapchat{background-color:#fefc00;color:#fff;stroke:#000}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-soundcloud{background-color:#ff5600;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-spotify{background-color:#1bd760;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-tumblr{background-color:#011835;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-twitch{background-color:#6440a4;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-twitter{background-color:#1da1f2;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-vimeo{background-color:#1eb7ea;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-vk{background-color:#4680c2;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-wordpress{background-color:#3499cd;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-yelp{background-color:#d32422;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links:not(.is-style-logos-only) .wp-social-link-youtube{background-color:red;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link{background:none;padding:4px}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link svg{width:28px;height:28px}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-amazon{color:#f90}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-bandcamp{color:#1ea0c3}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-behance{color:#0757fe}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-codepen{color:#1e1f26}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-deviantart{color:#02e49b}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-dribbble{color:#e94c89}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-dropbox{color:#4280ff}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-etsy{color:#f45800}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-facebook{color:#1778f2}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-fivehundredpx{color:#000}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-flickr{color:#0461dd}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-foursquare{color:#e65678}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-github{color:#24292d}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-goodreads{color:#382110}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-google{color:#ea4434}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-instagram{color:#f00075}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-lastfm{color:#e21b24}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-linkedin{color:#0d66c2}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-mastodon{color:#3288d4}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-medium{color:#02ab6c}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-meetup{color:#f6405f}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-pinterest{color:#e60122}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-pocket{color:#ef4155}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-reddit{color:#fe4500}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-skype{color:#0478d7}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-snapchat{color:#fff;stroke:#000}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-soundcloud{color:#ff5600}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-spotify{color:#1bd760}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-tumblr{color:#011835}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-twitch{color:#6440a4}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-twitter{color:#1da1f2}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-vimeo{color:#1eb7ea}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-vk{color:#4680c2}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-wordpress{color:#3499cd}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-yelp{background-color:#d32422;color:#fff}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-logos-only .wp-social-link-youtube{color:red}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-pill-shape .wp-social-link{width:auto}.wp-block-social-links.is-style-pill-shape .wp-social-link a{padding-left:16px;padding-right:16px}.wp-block-spacer{clear:both}p.wp-block-subhead{font-size:1.1em;font-style:italic;opacity:.75}.wp-block-table{overflow-x:auto}.wp-block-table table{width:100%}.wp-block-table .has-fixed-layout{table-layout:fixed;width:100%}.wp-block-table .has-fixed-layout td,.wp-block-table .has-fixed-layout th{word-break:break-word}.wp-block-table.aligncenter,.wp-block-table.alignleft,.wp-block-table.alignright{display:table;width:auto}.wp-block-table.aligncenter td,.wp-block-table.aligncenter th,.wp-block-table.alignleft td,.wp-block-table.alignleft th,.wp-block-table.alignright td,.wp-block-table.alignright th{word-break:break-word}.wp-block-table .has-subtle-light-gray-background-color{background-color:#f3f4f5}.wp-block-table .has-subtle-pale-green-background-color{background-color:#e9fbe5}.wp-block-table .has-subtle-pale-blue-background-color{background-color:#e7f5fe}.wp-block-table .has-subtle-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:#fcf0ef}.wp-block-table.is-style-stripes{border-spacing:0;border-collapse:inherit;background-color:transparent;border-bottom:1px solid #f0f0f0}.wp-block-table.is-style-stripes tbody tr:nth-child(odd){background-color:#f0f0f0}.wp-block-table.is-style-stripes.has-subtle-light-gray-background-color tbody tr:nth-child(odd){background-color:#f3f4f5}.wp-block-table.is-style-stripes.has-subtle-pale-green-background-color tbody tr:nth-child(odd){background-color:#e9fbe5}.wp-block-table.is-style-stripes.has-subtle-pale-blue-background-color tbody tr:nth-child(odd){background-color:#e7f5fe}.wp-block-table.is-style-stripes.has-subtle-pale-pink-background-color tbody tr:nth-child(odd){background-color:#fcf0ef}.wp-block-table.is-style-stripes td,.wp-block-table.is-style-stripes th{border-color:transparent}.wp-block-text-columns,.wp-block-text-columns.aligncenter{display:flex}.wp-block-text-columns .wp-block-column{margin:0 1em;padding:0}.wp-block-text-columns .wp-block-column:first-child{margin-left:0}.wp-block-text-columns .wp-block-column:last-child{margin-right:0}.wp-block-text-columns.columns-2 .wp-block-column{width:50%}.wp-block-text-columns.columns-3 .wp-block-column{width:33.33333%}.wp-block-text-columns.columns-4 .wp-block-column{width:25%}.wp-block-video{margin-left:0;margin-right:0}.wp-block-video video{max-width:100%}@supports (position:sticky){.wp-block-video [poster]{-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover}}.wp-block-video.aligncenter{text-align:center}.wp-block-video figcaption{margin-top:.5em;margin-bottom:1em}.wp-block-post-featured-image a{display:inline-block}:root .has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:#f78da7}:root .has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color:#cf2e2e}:root .has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color:#ff6900}:root .has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color:#fcb900}:root .has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:#7bdcb5}:root .has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:#00d084}:root .has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:#8ed1fc}:root .has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:#0693e3}:root .has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color:#9b51e0}:root .has-white-background-color{background-color:#fff}:root .has-very-light-gray-background-color{background-color:#eee}:root .has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color:#abb8c3}:root .has-very-dark-gray-background-color{background-color:#313131}:root .has-black-background-color{background-color:#000}:root .has-pale-pink-color{color:#f78da7}:root .has-vivid-red-color{color:#cf2e2e}:root .has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color:#ff6900}:root .has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color:#fcb900}:root .has-light-green-cyan-color{color:#7bdcb5}:root .has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color:#00d084}:root .has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color:#8ed1fc}:root .has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color:#0693e3}:root .has-vivid-purple-color{color:#9b51e0}:root .has-white-color{color:#fff}:root .has-very-light-gray-color{color:#eee}:root .has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color:#abb8c3}:root .has-very-dark-gray-color{color:#313131}:root .has-black-color{color:#000}:root .has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0693e3,#9b51e0)}:root .has-vivid-green-cyan-to-vivid-cyan-blue-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#00d084,#0693e3)}:root .has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#7adcb4,#00d082)}:root .has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fcb900,#ff6900)}:root .has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#ff6900,#cf2e2e)}:root .has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#eee,#a9b8c3)}:root .has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#4aeadc,#9778d1 20%,#cf2aba 40%,#ee2c82 60%,#fb6962 80%,#fef84c)}:root .has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffceec,#9896f0)}:root .has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fecda5,#fe2d2d 50%,#6b003e)}:root .has-purple-crush-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#34e2e4,#4721fb 50%,#ab1dfe)}:root .has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffcb70,#c751c0 50%,#4158d0)}:root .has-hazy-dawn-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#faaca8,#dad0ec)}:root .has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fff5cb,#b6e3d4 50%,#33a7b5)}:root .has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#caf880,#71ce7e)}:root .has-subdued-olive-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fafae1,#67a671)}:root .has-atomic-cream-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fdd79a,#004a59)}:root .has-nightshade-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#330968,#31cdcf)}:root .has-midnight-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381,#2874fc)}:root .has-link-color a{color:#00e;color:var(--wp--style--color--link,#00e)}.has-small-font-size{font-size:.8125em}.has-normal-font-size,.has-regular-font-size{font-size:1em}.has-medium-font-size{font-size:1.25em}.has-large-font-size{font-size:2.25em}.has-huge-font-size,.has-larger-font-size{font-size:2.625em}.has-text-align-center{text-align:center}.has-text-align-left{text-align:left}.has-text-align-right{text-align:right}#end-resizable-editor-section{display:none}.aligncenter{clear:both}
Skip to content Advanced Reading Course | Humor Advanced Reading Course | Humor
Selected Text Source: The Coursebook, For and Against
Unit 30: “The most important of all human qualities is a sense of humor”
VIDEO Biologically, there is only one quality which distinguishes us from animals: the ability to laugh. In a universe which appears to be utterly devoid of humor , we enjoy this supreme luxury. And it is a luxury, for unlike any other bodily process, laughter does not seem to serve a biologically useful purpose. In a divided world, laughter is a unifying force. Human beings oppose each other on a great many issues. We all share the ability to laugh. And laughter, in turn , depends on that most complex and subtle of all human qualities: a sense of humor . Certain comic stereotypes have a universal appeal . This can best be seen from the world-wide popularity of Charlie Chaplin’s early films. The little man at odds with society never fails to amuse no matter which country we come from. As that great commentator on human affairs, Dr Samuel Johnson, once remarked, ‘Men have been wise in very different modes; but they have always laughed in the same way.’
A sense of humor may take various forms and laughter may be anything from a refined tinkle to an earthquaking roar, but the effect is always the same. Humor helps us to maintain a correct sense of values. If we can see the funny side, we never make the mistake of taking ourselves too seriously. We are always reminded that tragedy is not really far removed from comedy, so we never get a lop-sided view of things.
This is one of the chief functions of satire and irony. Human pain and suffering are so grim; we hover so often on the brink of war; life realities are usually enough to plunge us into total despair . In such circumstances, cartoons and satirical accounts of somber events redress the balance. They take the wind out of pompous and arrogant people who have lost their sense of proportion. They enable us to see that many of our most profound actions are merely comic or absurd . We laugh when a great satirist like Swift writes about war in Gulliver’s Travels. The Lilliputians and their neighbors attack each other because they can’t agree which end to break an egg. We laugh because we are meant to laugh; but we are meant to weep too. It is no wonder that any satire is wholly banned. It is too powerful a weapon to be allowed to flourish .
The sense of humor must be singled out as man’s most important quality because it is associated with laughter. And laughter, in turn , is associated with happiness. Courage, determination, initiative – these are qualities we share with other forms of life. But the sense of humor is uniquely human. If happiness is one of the great goals of life, then it is the sense of humor that provides the key.
Advanced Reading Course | Humor
Advanced Reading Course | Humor
Categories For and Against
Tags advanced reading , at odds with , Charlie Chaplin , Devoid of , For and Against , Gulliver’s Travels , human pain , human suffering , in turn , irony , irony of situation , lopsided view , on the brink of war , reading comprehension , redress the balance , Samuel Johnson , satire , sense of humor , single out , somber event , take the wind out of , total despair , unifying force , world-wide popularity
Post navigation