Slaboj Zizek had something to say apropos this that still troubles me. Former Yugoslavia was obviously built on an uneasy, contrived social balance, but it was

Slaboj Zizek had something to say apropos this that still troubles me. Former Yugoslavia was obviously built on an uneasy, contrived social balance, but it was not beneath the surface. According to Zizek humour was racist, disgusting, commonplace and absolutely accepted part of life. It started to disappear leading up to 1991, replaced by a "chilling political correctness". He suggested that a culture of rude banter was a necessary safety valve, and silence portends violence. It seems plausible, but I've never heard another former Yugoslav confirm that, and Zizek talks a lot of tosh sometimes.