Why don't people understand satire even when (ironically) you tell them it's satire?

Question

I asked a question on Yahoo here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArDPmfZhOzEs.5.C.wbEFv7sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071031181050AAIQSXX

The question specifically says to read it as satire. The first time I asked the question I removed it because I got answers indicating nobody could tell it was satire. The second time, I made an effort to tell people directly to read the question satirically, and does it make a difference? No. I don't get it. Satire can come in the form of Jerry Seinfeld on TV (not that people can understand it as such) but you try to use it to formulate an interesting question on Yahoo and it's like speaking a foreign language. Why can't people recognize when a question is satirical (which by the way can but does not have to have a satirical answer)?

8472: The question "Do you think it's funny to scare people?" is not all over the place. The question stands as supported by what else was written, which has one specific point: Is this scary stuff really funny? The question was asked on Halloween, get it?

Tabby90:

A sarcastic question is a mocking form of a joke, aka, smart***. On Halloween, a day known for scary things, I mention several that indicate we might think twice about what it means to scare people. That's not sarcastic. It's irony given the relationship to Halloween.

alaisin1: Why would I expect YOU to know what goes beyond an average satirical rant? The people who like to use terms like "rant" are usually scientific thinkers who wouldn't come close to understanding the underlying meaning of what I wrote. Sorry, but bad answer!

Answer 1

I am pretty sure people who watch or participate in Jerry Springer's show do not have the word "satire" in their active vocabulary. Satire streams from whimisical intellegent commentary not paternity brawls of another overweight social welfare recepient.

American culture lacks satirical background - nationally and individually we are unable to produce it or recognize it. Mostly due to lack of intellegence.

Answer 2

I agree that it is a satire in the strictest sense, however I don't think that people will really care. This is awfully reminiscent of the wackiness that goes on the politics Yahoo! Answers section, and people there are sick of it, satirical or not.

People tend not to recognize satire like this because most people view satire as either a completely boldfaced lie that is hilarious like the baby eating essay of Jonathan Swift, or as a comedic art form seen from various comedians.

That satire which is published tends to be of a higher caliber than the average satirical rant, which I think your question is.

Anyway, in answer to that question, yes! I would love to see people stop being sop damned frightened all the time. I think it would be great to see the government and other organizations serve the people (as they were intended) rather than serve themselves.

Answer 3

Many people don't get satire in any form whether expressed as satire or not. Some people are just too literal.

BTW, I don't think your question was satirical or ironic. Just sarcastic. There's a difference. And it wasn't unpopular because it was misunderstood but because you were expressing some unpopular ideas. On Yahoo Answers you will get many insulting responses to unpopular ideas, it's just the way it is.

Answer 4

I see satire in a literary form to expose ridicule or folly. However, if not in the correct context it can be taken as satirical. This can translate to contention, pejorative, and sometimes unusual. It is in the usage.

Answer 5

Because your "question" was all over the place, it confused people.

Satire is suposed to be clear, so that the point is not lost on the reader.

Answer 6

amazing! your present question is satirical, additional comments - a bit cynical & sarcastic! pard'n me please.