The majority probably do not ever have these realizations, which is kind of the point I think. It provides a type of blanket, which can influence a complete delusion.

My man pointed out to me a while ago that it's crazy how some comedians insult their audience on stage by showing them up and the crazy thing is that the audience applauds their insulter.

Here the element of cynicism becomes recognisable, part of it comes from the comedian on stage, who actually speaks with deadly seriousness, but dresses his words in satire and that the audience guest laughs because he recognises the truth, but not for himself first. If he recognised that it was actually himself who was being mocked first, he might hesitate to applaud and become silent. ... I imagine the auditorium being empty except for my own seat and would I still laugh if the comedian and I were completely alone in the theatre?

I would therefore say that the majority understand it, they understand it for the majority of others. But if that is true, then it is also true that the individual who thinks of himself as knowing must assume a "knowing crowd" as a whole. Which, strangely enough, he seems doing not. When everyone laughs, they also laugh at themselves. But do they know? That's where I start to get dizzy, because I'm going round in circles :D LOL --- now, I tend to believe that they (we, you, I and the rest) know. Their souls do.

Since my friend has brought the word attack into the earlier portion of the debate, I'm going to have to strap up and get ready for my best skills,

:D Buckle the belt and fasten your sword to it! Looking forward to the best of yours!