Krewson

You can expand that to a national scale, Krewson said.

Ross Luippold: The Onion 's John Krewson Talks 9/11 And Comedy As A Curative Ross Luippold 2010

"For The Onion, when we laugh, it's about laughing despite things happening, or laughing because things should be better," Krewson says.

Ross Luippold: The Onion 's John Krewson Talks 9/11 And Comedy As A Curative Ross Luippold 2010

Krewson has worked for The Onion, America's Finest News Source, since the early '90s when it was located in Madison, WI, and he and the rest of the staff had very recently relocated their offices to Manhattan when the attacks occurred.

Ross Luippold: The Onion 's John Krewson Talks 9/11 And Comedy As A Curative Ross Luippold 2010

Perhaps to blame is the rise of inherently detached "ironic" humor, which Krewson says is "overused, misunderstood, and really what people call sarcasm these days."

Ross Luippold: The Onion 's John Krewson Talks 9/11 And Comedy As A Curative Ross Luippold 2010

On September 10th, Krewson and the rest of The Onion's staff were celebrating at a launch party well into the night, blissfully ignorant that the next week would be "the hardest week" of his life.

Ross Luippold: The Onion 's John Krewson Talks 9/11 And Comedy As A Curative Ross Luippold 2010

Krewson hesitates to even classify exactly what The Onion achieved with its 9/11 issue.

Ross Luippold: The Onion 's John Krewson Talks 9/11 And Comedy As A Curative Ross Luippold 2010

Krewson says that the reaction from readers was so dramatic, it's hard to single out any one response.

Ross Luippold: The Onion 's John Krewson Talks 9/11 And Comedy As A Curative Ross Luippold 2010

And while each and every witness to the tragedy has been healing in his or her own way, Krewson and his co-workers had an even more burdensome challenge: the unenviable task of making people laugh in the aftermath.

Ross Luippold: The Onion 's John Krewson Talks 9/11 And Comedy As A Curative Ross Luippold 2010

"Comedy, when it's done well, has nothing to do with stupidity," Krewson said.

Ross Luippold: The Onion 's John Krewson Talks 9/11 And Comedy As A Curative Ross Luippold 2010

"What we got out of it wasn't laugh-out-loud, split your sides comedy," Krewson says.

Ross Luippold: The Onion 's John Krewson Talks 9/11 And Comedy As A Curative Ross Luippold 2010