How do you tell the difference between sarcasm and a real question on the Internet?

Question

I thought this question was a joke and answered it with a funny answer, but then after reading the best answer that the asker picked, I have to wonder....

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Av8RGNEq1.BCchyq5KGEkNrty6IX?qid=20070814155600AAM9i4M&show=7#profile-info-VJS8sKFIaa

Answer 1

Criss Cross Christ is a joker. He picked her because her answer was so obviously absurd that he couldn't resist. I wouldn't have been able to either.

Answer 2

Writing sarcasm is actually a difficult thing to do. There usually needs to be some kind of emphasis on certain words. Or it has to be very direct rather than explicit.

An example: Let's say someone asked a question like, "Would it be better on R&S if the Christians fought back against the atheists?" (I'm completely pulling it out of my rear end right now, so forgive me on the poor example.) My sarcastic reply would be, "Yeah. Because THAT would help." If it read, "Yeah, that would help," there'd likely be more confusion.

Hope that makes sense. :)

Oh, and emoticons make all the difference in the world. After sarcastic replies in e-mails, I like to put this emoticon: :|. Let's people know I'm not enthused. :)

Answer 3

I've made mistakes. Some people are so good at scarcasm that I don't always catch it. I think it helps if you know the people. A lot of people on here are close friends, so it's easier for them. When I have doubts, I'll check profiles to see if the profile says something that gives me a clue, or looking at past question to give me a clue, but I don't always have time and not all profiles are open to the public. So, all I can do is wing it and hope for the best. Most people have been nice about it, and I've received nice emails stating it was a joke. :)

atheist

Answer 4

The sarcastic questions often pick the one answer that appears to believe what they are saying. Thats usually an equally sarcastic (in matching the questioners sense of humor) answer but usually a troll trying to mock the christians.

In fact, every fundy I've written to him on the board was in fact a troll pretending to be a christian fundy.

My biggest problem on the R&S board--and avoid that is how I lost my Top Contributor badge--is how many "best answers" say I don't know, or LOL, or 2 points for me. If that answer--which is in fact not even an answer--is best answer, then what is the point of the board? If Sarcastic questions don't even pick the wittiest and sarcastic an answer, but merely I don't know--think how bad the board would look if all answers started being "beats me."

(of course if posted by Dr Sarcasm, you can just jump to the conclusion that its sarcastic) =)

Answer 5

IMO: If the sarcasm is done well, you can't.

As far as I am concerned TOP GRADE sarcasm doesn't even sink in until well after a conversation is done. When it does sink in, there is always a bit of doubt remaining as to whether or not the person was serious.

This is what differentiates sarcasm from scorn.

In the right hands, sarcasm is a fine surgical instrument that can be used either to induce self-examination or to cut.

The way it is used by most people, sarcasm is merely a blunt instrument.
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Answer 6

It can be hard to tell. If a question seems particularly stupid but has no spelling or grammatical errors then it's probably not serious. Real religious nutjobs can't spell.
You can also try looking at the asker's previous questions and answers, if they're not private.

Answer 7

Imaginary, pretend and superficial do no longer persist with. the main distinction is i'm able to communicate approximately something to my information superhighway pal and get an clever reaction. My actual existence friends seem uncomfortable with very own or psychological well being themes.

Answer 8

What to an intelligent person is sarcasm, is a real question from the ignorant. There is no telling unless you know the person.

Answer 9

Don't blame yourself, it's a ridicualous question! Obviously Dinosaurs weren't floating in space. He knew that. She got a best anser because she was playing along. It was a joke.

Answer 10

I thought YOUR question was just the set-up for a joke, and came looking for the punch line.