Does sarcasm, irony, and sardonic wit simply not exist online?

Question

does electronic media completely obliterate all irony, or is it people's utter lack of imagination, observation and/or humor?

please discuss while i'm off offending other people.

Answer 1

sometimes the message just doesn't get across because you can't tell body language or hear inflection.

otherwise, i'd say a large part of the online community simply has too large a stick up their behinds to laugh at themselves or to ever consider that so much of their very existence is laughable to others.

Answer 2

It's really hard to gauge those things you mentioned over electronic means. Sarcasm and irony don't translate well through and email or instant message. Sometimes the better you know a person it can translate, especially if you use emoticons/smileys. If 2 people are not well-acquainted then its just sometimes impossible to tell if a person is joking or not. My boyfriend and I IM each other when we can't talk (i.e. one of us is in class or at work) and even though I know him pretty well sometimes I still can't tell when he's joking over IM. So be careful and use lots of smileys!

Answer 3

This...from the same man who pondered the depths of English language requesting a comparison statement between the concepts of caca vs. doodoo?

Answer 4

The use of any of these things will surely offend some people and get you reported

Answer 5

I think people need to lighten up and take a time out from all this Politicaly Correct garbage.

Answer 6

All of the above and I am very mock offended by your question really I am...really well not really...you have a very valid point!

Answer 7

Well, it's hard to add tone to your voice on the internet and hard to look at the person so...

Answer 8

people's lack of a brain

Answer 9

I agree

Answer 10

I do have to say that your question encompasses all 3 factors.