Thursday, August 1, 2013

Is sarcasm the refuge of losers?

Yes, I know that this question has absolutely nothing to do with Ashtanga (unless sarcasm somehow violates one of the yamas or niyamas, which I doubt). But there's only so much one can say about things like how many types of Ashtanga/Ashtangi there are (I mean, seriously...), and I'm pretty sure you don't want a blow-by-blow account of my practice this morning.

So I thought I'll use this public soapbox of mine to get your response to this question that has been popping up in my head from time to time recently. First, a little background story: Lately, quite a few people around me have been telling me that they can be and enjoy being sarcastic at times. Whenever I hear this, I can't help calling to mind that one line spoken by a character in Little Miss Sunshine: "Sarcasm is the refuge of losers." According to this character, sarcasm is the tool that losers use to bring winners down to their level. If you haven't seen the movie, here's the movie trailer (the line in question comes up at around 0:38--0:39):  


So what do you think? Is sarcasm the refuge of losers? Or is it... something else? Well, actually, maybe I can relate all this to Ashtanga, after all. Here's one more question: If sarcasm is indeed the refuge of losers, does being a loser violate any of the yamas or niyamas?

18 comments:

  1. In one of her posts, dear Claudia renounces both sarcasm and gossip in the effort to avoid all suffering. I admire her, but so far, this is not my calling. As a result, it is likely that I suffer more and that my moula bandha is leaking all the time... Claudia's ten ways to avoid all suffering: http://earthyogi.blogspot.ca/2012/12/10-yoga-ways-to-avoid-all-suffering.html

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    1. Yes, I remember reading that post by Claudia. I generally do not have much of a problem avoiding sarcasm, mainly because I'm not very quick on the uptake, and by the time I think of something sarcastic to say, the moment has already passed :-) As for gossip, it depends on the crowd I'm with; I often try to steer the conversation towards something neutral and non-gossipy if I can.

      Maybe MB leakage is not such a bad thing, if this also means that your MB explodes more often, leading to more revelations from God :-)

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  2. More commentary from David Foster Wallace:

    "I want to convince you that irony, poker-faced silence, and fear of ridicule are distinctive of those features of contemporary U.S. culture (of which cutting-edge fiction is a part) that enjoy any significant relation to the television whose weird pretty hand has my generation by the throat. I'm going to argue that irony and ridicule are entertaining and effective, and that at the same time they are agents of a great despair and stasis in U.S. culture, and that for aspiring fictionists they pose terrifically vexing problems."

    To be entirely au courant, substistute "internet content" for the word "television."

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    1. Irony/sarcasm as an agent of despair and stasis. Very interesting. Definitely something worth pondering here.

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  3. From Pinterest (insert sarcastic remark here):

    A) Sarcasm: The mind's first line of defense against stupid.

    B) Sarcasm: The ability to insult fools without them realizing it.

    It doesn't have to be terribly mean if the recipient has a sense of humor. Case and point: My husband just said "I'm going to bed" a few minutes ago. I said "at 8:53?" He said "I dunno, maybe it's me" I said "who else would it be??" He just worked a 14 hour day and we are both laughing.

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    1. Nice exchange between your husband and you. Yes, having a sense of humor is always useful.

      As for your definition B), some people would say that the whole point of insulting someone is for them to know that they are being insulted. So sarcasm would defeat that purpose.

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    2. Irony is also a well known survival tool in times of existential despair. Concentration camps, wars, marriage... ;)

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    3. Re: definition B) should be edited to mean not giving an opportunity to be accused of having been mean just "ruthlessly helpful":)

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    4. Ruthlessly helpful... I like that :-)

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  4. I do not like or participate in gossip...but, I am known to be sarcastic at times. Its part of my sense of humor when I find myself in a bad situation. In my opinion, our culture is way to serious and get worked up over being PC and ignore the root of a problem. I prefer having a sarcastic/humorous way of looking at life. I prefer it over a "poor me" attitude.

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    1. Yes, I can certainly see how sarcasm/irony is a great way to get people to see something from a very different perspective, and thus shed light on the issue. Many great comedians (George Carlin comes to mind) are masters of sarcasm/irony.

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    2. That's what your preference, rectalcancermyass, and I respect that. But as for me, I favor seriousness over humor any day, especially since improper humor has been used a lot.

      And I don't believe that our culture is way too serious. You see? I learned that there are many people who force humor on those who don't want to laugh, especially if that form of humor is harmful and sadistic. How would those humor fanatics like it if other people forced their sense of humor on them?

      If people don't want to laugh, they should be left alone. But sadly, it seems that most people who different from them want them to jump on their bandwagon.

      I also remember some people who posted "Fuck them if they can't take a joke," online. My response to that is "Fuck you if you can't respect those who can't take a joke! Let them be!"

      As for you, Nobel, don't try and shove your perspective down my throat. I have the freedom to be the way that I want to be. So if you don't want me to take your freedom away from you, don't pressure others into being like you.

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    3. I'm really puzzled... when have I shoved my perspective (or my anything else) down your throat? How can I possibly take away your freedom, anyway? If you seriously disagree with my view on things and don't want to read anything by me... well, just don't read my blog. Pretty simple, don't you think? I don't see what the problem is.

      And by the way, I'm also curious about how you plan on taking my freedom away (Is it just me, or do I detect a threat here?).

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  5. To me, it is the refuge of losers. And the reason that I suggest that is because some people have used sarcasm as a weapon against me online when I was being downright serious, which has been part of my personality ever since I got older.

    You see? When I was younger, many people have used humor as an excuse to antagonize me. And you can bet how mad that made me. Since then, I pretty much rendered myself humorless most of the time, especially since most people nowadays use inappropriate humor as a form of entertainment. It just sickens me.

    If you ask me, I no longer enjoy comedy because of inappropriate humor. Therefore, I favor serious stuff all the time. And if anyone tries any humor on me, I'd likely get violent.

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    1. anonymous - you need help.

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    2. ^ Look who's talking, you insensitive jerk,

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  6. Nobel said" sarcasm/irony is a great way to get people to see something from a very different perspective, and thus shed light on the issue. " I agree except that there is a difference between sarcasm and sarcastic humour! Plain sarcasm without humor can be very damaging and it is negative. But, sarcastic wit disguised in humour can help in a conflict actually..It is all about the degree.

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    1. I'm against sarcasm no matter what.

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