Sarcasm Sucks

The older I get, the less willing I am to put up with sarcasm. I find it an ineffective rhetorical tool, only used by those too angry or too fearful to tell the truth.

In writing, sarcasm is completely inexcusable. Sarcasm is expressed through pitch and inflection. There is no way to denote it in writing (though some people try to use "sarcasm markers" which never takes off), and announcing when characters say things sarcastically, it takes out the sting.

Even in speech, sarcasm always makes you sound like a prick. It's constantly used when people are unhappy and they claim they are having a good time because things are not the way they want. This is also known as passive-aggressive whining, which is not a great way to convince people of things.

Sarcasm also gets wrapped up with 'irony', mostly in the hands of hipsters. But in reality, the "ironic sarcasm" that defines hipsters is also known as cowardice. People who never speak the truth more often than not are afraid of it. They are afraid to expose their real thoughts because they could be insulted based on something they actually care about. And that fear is far sadder than any insult could be.

So, speak the truth. Speak simply when possible and explain enough that the people understand your points. If you feel a need to use sarcasm, look inside and ask yourself why. Would sarcasm make your communication more effective? If the answer is no, don't do it. If you think the answer is yes, then get a second opinion.