Eradicate Sarcasm

Sometimes in our culture we view sarcasm as witty or humorous; I like to contrast it with irony.One definition of irony is: “the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect” [Oxford Dictonary Online].Personally I find irony very funny as it often points out cultural aspects of our behavior that deserve to be questioned.  George Carlin [link rated R] was a master of pointing out the ironies of our culture that we take for granted every day.Sarcasm is a bit different.  Sarcasm is defined as “the use of irony to mock or convey contempt.”  According to Miriam-Webster’s, sarcasm “comes from the Greek verb, sarkazein, that literally means "to tear flesh like a dog."Essentially, sarcasm is hostility or anger veiled in humor (irony).  Households or organizations where individuals employ sarcasm on a regular basis indicate that this is an environment where there is anger, and it is not safe to express it or talk about it.  Sarcasm is a way of slipping anger under the door without directly addressing it.Sarcasm is a safe anger delivery vehicle because it is deniable.  Often times if you try to talk to someone about it they will say “I was just kidding,” or “I didn’t mean anything by it, it was just a joke.” Sarcasm is never just a joke. When we use it we are angry and suppressing our anger.  At the same time sarcasm stings and can stay with us for a long time. Unresolved it is hurtful.Sarcasm does not support Sanctuary (creating emotional safety for ourselves and others).As we become safer for ourselves and develop our ability to communicate, as we grow, our sarcastic coping mechanisms fall away, we become more able to communicate and take care of ourselves so that we either don’t experience much anger, or we are able to communicate or work with it in productive ways.Sarcasm breeds sarcasm.  When we receive it, or when we are in an environment that values it, we pick it up as a habit and also begin to pick up the contempt and resentment it represents.Lets start a movement. We have nearly eradicated polio.  Lets eradicate sarcasm.  Let’s let it become not cool, not accepted, not a game we all engage in.  I believe that we can do it.  Lets make the world a safer, more open place by eradicating sarcasm.