By now you’ve probably heard of it: the satirical new TV series that pokes fun at hipster tree-huggers living in Portland. Well look, I guess I kind of fit in that category, minus the living in Portland bit. A lot of people I know fit in that category, too. And a lot of people I know are pretty put off by the show.

But come on…What fun is life if we can’t laugh at ourselves? Since you’re here reading this blog I assume that you, like me, have occasionally:

1. Shaken your fist at a Hummer taking up TWO parking spots in the Walmart lot.

2. Scolded ATVers under your breath as they whiz past you on your once-pristine walking trail.

3. Cursed yourself and turned red in the face when you realize in the checkout line at the co-op that you’ve forgotten your homemade reusable t-shirt bags.

4. Do I really need to continue? We all know how we do.

But really, I’m a pretty laid-back “tree-hugger”. Or at least I have a good healthy amount of self-awareness about myself. I am well aware that the rest of the world might find some of my environmentalist antics to be obnoxious…but the feeling is mutual: I find their gas-guzzling-the-world-owes-me-something lifestyle to be super obnoxious too.

The thing is, when we all get ultra-serious about our respective causes, we become counter-productive. No one wants to listen to an outraged hippie on their recyclable soap-box, condemning anyone who has ever driven a car. Even though what they’re saying is important, the message gets lost in the delivery.

I have found that nothing warms your opponents hearts like a good joke. If we can stop taking ourselves so dang seriously and just laugh together, I think we’d find that the communication channels would open up. Those persons previously put off by the hippie-yelling-and-screaming might actually be willing to listen and discuss ideas when the hippie turns out to be an approachable and likable person whom they can find a common ground with.

That common ground, many times, is humor. And that’s why Portlandia is so friggen awesome. Enjoy.