Abstract
In this study, humor and the confused feelings of overwhelming happiness, fear, and uncertainty intertwine to reflect Tunisians’ attitudes, beliefs, feelings, and experiences in the aftermath of the revolution. The study adopts a blended netnography/ethnography approach to data collection and analysis. My original data consist of 2 hrs of recorded discussions of 60 Tunisian students and a total of 300 online humorous posts collected from the social network Facebook (FB). The data revealed that Tunisians interacting via FB used two main types of situational humor: Third party insult and Alternate reality. These two types of humor were found to be associated with a variety of psychological and social functions and to serve as effective interpersonal strategies to construct group cohesion, strengthen shared attitudes and beliefs, and develop relational identity.
Highlights
The role of new social media and cyberactivism in the uprisings and revolutions in the Arab world has been the subject of research recently (Al-Nawawy & Khamis, 2012; Khamis, Gold, & Vaughn, 2012; Khamis & Vaughn, 2011)
Talking about the role of social media and technology in the Tunisian revolution, could sound unfair for Tunisians on the ground who believed that the revolution would have happened without social networks, and that it was fueled in response to frustration, unemployment, regional disparities, and corruption
This study focuses on two major types of situational humor, namely, third party insult and alternate reality
Summary
The role of new social media and cyberactivism in the uprisings and revolutions in the Arab world has been the subject of research recently (Al-Nawawy & Khamis, 2012; Khamis, Gold, & Vaughn, 2012; Khamis & Vaughn, 2011). The role of social networks, emerged in the aftermath of Ben Ali’s removal, and it did not contribute to the toppling down of the ex-regime as much as it contributed to the creation of new social bonds and the development of relational identities. As Ben Ali fled the country on January 14, people felt overwhelmed. The humorous posts conveyed more than just statements said to amuse and to entertain. It reflected an overall mood and it could be extrapolated to echo the psychological confusion in the aftermath of the revolution. The mixed feelings of joy, pride, anxiety, and fear gave rise to the Tunisian humor on FB
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