Why Do You Employ Sarcasm if Ever?

I employ sarcasm because he needs the money to pay for child support. If I don’t employ him, he will be out on the streets.

I use Sarcasm because he’s easy.

It can be very effective when you’re trying to be funny and make a point at the same time. If used too often though it’s damn irritating.

On a side note it definitely seems to be in overuse lately.

Is it not the lingua franca of internet discourse? It facilitates communication across cultural barriers.

I don’t use sarcasm. I don’t like it and I don’t see there’s a benefit if you hurt someone. I can’t differentiate which one is for fun and which one is for personal attack.

I’m extremely sarcastic in ‘real life’. I don’t think I’ve ever given any thought as to why that is… I think I was just raised by sarcastic people. I try very hard not to hurt anyone with it, though.

it is HILARIOUS when used with great wit and perfect comedic timing…..but without the great wit and perfect comedic timing its not the optimal choice when you’re trying to be funny.

I have noticed sarcasm only works around people that use sarcasm as well, since they will pick up on it. Moreover, when trying to convey sarcasm in a written message, there is a very big chance it will be missed and come off as harsh and offending. (that doesn’t always stop me from using it though)

Because it’s the best way to make people notice their own errors and be incredibly obnoxious while doing it.

By the way, here on Fluther we use the tilde ~ to denote sarcasm.
You know, just in case you’re too stupid to know it when you see it. ~ << See what I did there?

The tilde is used very infrequently on Fluther.

because it’s just..the internet

I don’t employ it, it comes naturally.

To make a point especially when folks just don’t get it. For example evolution deniers or climate change deniers.

I’m English…... what do you recon?
Its just a very easy way of being mildly amusing if your feeling particularly lazy… Of course if employed too much or in a nasty way it just exposes the weak mind & comedic talents of the person being sarcastic.

Because its written in small print on my ovaries but mostly because some may rub me the wrong way and I’ll feel like a genie trapped in a bottle. We all know that first wish will bite you in the rear. So careful what you ask for.

I often wonder how it’s prevalence will mess with the heads of non-English speakers and future generations. Say there’s a news story about a mother who kills her kids. Some Internet commenter will inevitably write something like, “Wow, Parent of the Year!”

Will they assume we are monsters or morons?

Sarcasm is the catnip of the English Language and frankly nearly impossible to resist using especial on “am I”, “does he” and homework questions!

I see it as a broader form of inflection.

I think it’s funny.

I use it because people are stupid and don’t catch on when I do use it.

Chronic use of sarcasm is, IMO, a thinly veiled disguise for hidden anger.

Overuse of sarcasm implies superiority and an intent to put down others in a duplicitious way.

I use sarcasm online because I use it in real life, it’s just who I am. Can it be hurtful? Sometimes. Can it be a lighthearted way to make a joke or break a tense mood? Yes (and most of the time, that’s exactly what I intend it to do). I can’t help it that some people have fragile feelings. I do my best to remember to use a ~, but I’m not perfect. If you think I’m being angry or spiteful with my sarcastic remarks, then feel free to ignore me, but I’m not going to stop interacting in my own way.

People use this site in a myriad of different ways. If you don’t like the way a particular user interacts with others, It’s pretty easy just to skip over their comments or questions. There you go, you bastards. ~

Sarcasm? Moi? Nooo…

I agree with skipping whatever holds no appeal, be it a question or a person.

I am still new here this last week so have no experience with anyone on a level of personal ‘style’ yet.

However, I do not think that online interactions are any less of a reason to employ tact, grace & diplomacy as a standard, be it face to face or screen to screen.

“are any less of a reason to employ tact, grace & diplomacy ”
@Coloma – Don’t forget humanism. If we restrict OUR way of/to communication. We deny the collective the understanding of who we really are.

That helps (me) better understand where that person and their reasoning is coming from.

@ChazMaz

There is truth in that undoubtedly…but not an excuse for poor conduct.
In my experiences with the few online forums/discussion sites I have participated in, I have found a high proportion of really emotionally/mentally unhealthy people that seem to thrive on anonymous displays of abuse.

Discrimination is tantamount and that takes time.

He’s got bills to pay

“really emotionally/mentally unhealthy people”

Don’t worry about that here. Our Mods are ruthless. They do a good job of shutting down the trouble makers.

I really think it’s just genetic, for me. I come from a very long line of sarcastic people. I do try to refrain from using it when it’s a serious question. At time, it still creeps in my answers.

It’s incorporated to make a point, usually with humor. Yes, I’m often sarcastic.