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What do you think of sarcasm in online posts? Why do you think it's so common? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 4 days ago by comfy@lemmy.ml to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

17 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Maybe it's just a reddit/Threadiverse thing, maybe it's stronger in political communities, but I constantly see sarcasm everywhere online, far more than anywhere else. Scroll down and you'll even see it here.

Funnily enough, in a vacuum, one might expect online forums to avoid it more, since written text can mask tone and make sarcasm unintentionally ambiguous, to the point where it's common to see people adding tags to clarify. It's not rare to see arguments started when people don't recognise non-literal language.

Is it merely a habit being repeated? Is it a widespread coping mechanism for frustration? Is it simply the lowest form of wit, a simple and popular way to make fun? Is it an effective way to normalise unpopular views with the plausible deniability of just making jokes?

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[–] HubertManne@moist.catsweat.com 11 points 4 days ago (1 children)

for myself I have always been sarcastic and in meatspace was also well known for devils advocate as well. I actually try to curb it as much as I can manage with online because of how what I view as sarcasm seems to be part of a variety of folks actual beliefs.

[–] gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

lol nice, another fellow user of the term “meatspace”. I find the term quite self explanatory, but I often have to explain it to people when I allow it into my vernacular.

[–] HubertManne@moist.catsweat.com 1 points 3 days ago

honestly no other word just sums it up. real world is not as exact and is two words. actuality. not online. none are as satisfying.