Why sarcasm?

Question

We all know that sarcasm is the lowest form of humour, and that it generally lacks intelligence or imagination (except in the case of Troll Shark, who has elevated it to a wonderful art form). But time and again, I see it used in the responses here. Sure, the trolls use it, but I'm really not directing this at them...I'm directing it at the intelligent women who frequent this forum. Why do you use sarcasm in your responses? If you know that it will not differentiate you from those you seem to loathe or those for whom you have no respect, why do you stoop to their level?

EDIT: I completely agree with many...and also find clever sarcasm very entertaining...but never the kind that intentionally hurts another.

Lioness - Fear not LOL...
Ember - Sorry, wasn't meant to offend..
Wrack - Beautifully stated...
Melimar - Nope about the pool boy...lol

Answer 1

I've worked in lawfirms, hedgefunds, and Fortune 50 corporations, and have met people with power, money, brains, and once in a while some combination of the three.

I've worked alongside people who were way smarter than me and people who only thought they were, and after many years have begun to be able to tell the difference.

Truly intelligent people don't need to be arrogant, pretentious, or snide in order to persuade. They are secure enough in their power of reasoning to rely on it to the exclusion of sarcasm, bullying, or insults. Sure, they keep you on your toes mentally, but you respect them for it, because they respect you in a way the insecure bullies cannot.

The jerks actually fear you, because despite whatever power, rank, prestige, or wealth they have, they're inwardly terrified that you or someone else will find out that they're not nearly as smart as they want you to think they are.

Answer 2

It relies upon on how that's used i assume. If somebody is being severe and somebody says some thing sarcastic it must be stressful and further rather offensively. yet on different circumstances while somebody is fooling around and makes use of sarcasm, that's humorous. relies upon on the situation. :) i in my opinion like to apply sarcasm. i'm an extremely sarcastic guy or woman :]

Answer 3

I use sarcasm for several reasons:

1. Sometimes its just funny.

2. Sometimes I'm just in that kind of mood.

3. Sometimes I feel like swearing at the stupidity or cruelty or abusiveness or plain meanness I see on this sight and can't stop myself from commenting so sarcasm is the most appropriate thing I can safely say.

By the way, I think sarcasm, done well, is absolutely witty so I guess its a personal taste thing.

Answer 4

My favorite answers to this commonly asked question...

"Why is sarcasm the lowest form of wit?"

"Because intellectuals said so, and when were they ever wrong?"


"I tend to think that wit is the highest form of sarcasm."


"Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit only to those who have never mastered the art, and those who always fall victim to it."


In so many words, it's a matter of opinion, what pray tell would you consider the highest form?

Outside of Troll Shark, which trolls use sarcasm?

"If you know that it will not differentiate you from those you seem to loathe or those for whom you have no respect, why do you stoop to their level?"

Considering the majority of trolls on this forum are not intelligent enough to even use this so-called lowest form, I suppose that means I am differentiating myself.

Also you answered your own question, Why? no respect, zero.

Answer 5

I would answer this question with sarcasm in spite. But, insulting the level of sarcasm on the humor scale is a serious matter.

Sarcasm is great. As with most forms of humor, there's good and bad. If done well, sarcasm is great.

Answer 6

Sarcasm is a form of irony, and being a solid pessimist I find it helps me to relieve frustrastion or anger in a somewhat passive agressive manner. I use it often with my 15 year old son, who has the problem of cutting off his own head just to spite his neck! I find that 'stooping to his level' allows him to see the error of his ways in a more non-confrontational, funny way.

I approve of wikipedia's definition:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcasm

Also, without sarcasm we'd be missing out on some hilarious satiracal books and films! Personally, I think that it does differantiate you from other posters responses, merely because its pointing out an ironic fact in a humorous (if not often dry) form! Not to mention, throwing around facts in a straightforward way gets boring after awhile!


P.S. IMO, 'knock-knock' jokes are the lowest form of wit, lol!!

Answer 7

I by no means think I am on the level of Troll Shark, but I love sarcasm. It just works for me as I use it for humor instead of anger.

I don't see it as stooping - I see this as fun. It's lively; otherwise I wouldn't keep trudging back.

EDIT - this wouldn't have anything to do with the Pool Boy remark would it? :)

Answer 8

i use it because i'm sarcastic normally.
and sometimes it makes the point better, esp when the person asking doesn't really care what the answerers say.

also, i don't consider sarcasm the "lowest form of humour"
and i don't see how using sarcasm makes it so that i can't be differentiated from someone people loath & disrespect.

i think i'm a bit offended.

Answer 9

Sarcasm is the lowest form of humor? That's news to me. Don't tell Ron White.

Answer 10

I completely disagree with your definition of sarcasm. Not everyone could be sarcastic, because it takes certain level of intelligence to pull it off. Simpletons hate sarcasm, because they do not understand it and usually find themselves at loss when confronted with it.