Imagine not being able to hear a fire alarm? Others are reacting to a stimulus that simply doesn't reach your leaden ear. Jokes fill the humorless with fear of the unknown. Is this in bad taste? Could pretending to laugh get me in trouble? The humorless want to be good sports but it's . . . just . . . not . . . funny. They know others share their handicap and are standing up to take offense at any source of levity or mirth.