The Pros and Cons of Sarcasm

Just a note I posted on facebook.

First of all, I'll provide a brief definition of the word; for those of you who who've been living under a rock (retarded starfish-like people) for most of your life, and have no understanding of what sarcasm means or entails.

Sarcasm: n.
1: a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain
2: a) a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual
b) the use or language of sarcasm
Etymology: French or Late Latin; French sarcasme, from Late Latin sarcasmos, from Greek sarkasmos, from sarkazein to tear flesh, bite the lips in rage, sneer, from sark-, sarx flesh; probably akin to Avestan thwarəs- to cut

It's synonymous with 'wit'. It's just a slightly cruder, if not meaner, cousin of the term.


On to the pros and cons.
(Disclaimer: the opinions and views demonstrated in this note are solely those of the author and should not be taken to heart as actual/official findings or beliefs. Offense should not be taken, as the note is not intended to harm or offend -much.)


PRO
-You can separate the strongminded from the weakminded with but a well placed sarcastic remark.
CON
-You can also wind up with a black eye if not handled correctly, you've not assessed the situation as well as you initially thought. i.e Weak mind, strong fist.


PRO
-You know what you're talking about even if your adversary/victim does not. The use of irony introduces an element of humour which may make the criticism seem more polite and less aggressive.
CON
-However, understanding the subtlety of this usage requires second-order interpretation of the speaker's intentions. Which idiots lack, and if you're alone and no one with the same caliber mind is around, it detracts from the hilarity of the moment. Recounting the moment to someone isn't as good as having the person there to share it.


PRO
-You can sound sincere, even if you're not. "Oh joy."
CON
-The recipient of the remark takes the remark at face value as enthusiasm, or worse, a compliment.


PRO
-Sarcasm is synonymous with wit.
CON
-It's also been referred to as the lowest form of wit.
(Albeit by imbeciles whose feelings -what is that?- are hurt or something equally gay.)


PRO
-It is awesome in every non-sarcastic sense of the word.
CON
-Not everyone thinks so, but they don't matter do they?
(Just kidding, you do, you matter a great deal. -classic example of sarcasm-)




There are a lot more pros (and for the sake of diplomacy, cons as well) that have not been mentioned, but when one is stretched for time one has to cut the good things in life short to be continued at a more suitable time.

Until then, I leave with you another example of a biting sarcastic remark.
"What? No one hates you, people just don't see the lighter side to your unlikable qualities, therefore not liking you very much."

P.S. If you have any suggestions feel free to comment with them, be it a pro, a con, or both. Unless of course you had trouble reading the note, then I don't think you have enough brain capacity to do so. So do yourself a favour and don't stress yourself.