Oh Lord, Spare Me From The Overly Earnest

For someone like me, who strives not to be crushed by the many cruel absurdities the world has to offer, a sense of humour is a key survival mechanism. In that, I suspect I am hardly unique. And yet there are those among us, many striving to accomplish some real good, who go about their tasks grimly, never smiling, their personalities devoid of any suggestion that they are able to laugh at things.

I have known several such people. Harry Potter's invisibility cloak seems a very attractive concept whenever they are in the vicinity.

This morning's Star carries a story of one such person. Kalina Christoff, founder of Humanize Birth, an organization that advocates for “an increase in women having positive, empowered births,” took offense at a video produced by the obstetrics and gynecology wing at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.

While one might wish to debate the artistic and comedic merits of the video, it could best be described as a light-hearted spoof of the life of obstetrical staff, inspired by Psy's Gangham-Style video that has enjoyed over one billion hits on YouTube.

Acting as any organization concerned about its image and fundraising ability would, Sunnybrook has removed the video (although someone else has since uploaded it again, as you will see), but, unfortunately, this act of contrition has not placated Ms Christoff, who is demanding an apology.

Why the deep offense? Says Ms Christoff, a line [from the video] says ‘no matter what, we’ll deliver your baby’ — a lot of women take offense to that because they deliver their babies”.

In any event, watch the video and decide for yourselves:

As for Ms Christoff and her crusading compatriots, I have another video recommendation that might help her and her offended ilk to lighten up. Enjoy: