Sarcasm: Good or Evil? (Or is it just so much damn fun being evil that it doesn’t matter?)

I recently received an e-mail “ad” for a new (fake) drug that alleviates sarcasm. While I must admit that it was amusing, I found myself thinking what my life would be without sarcasm. Not pretty.

Firstly, I am sarcastic. A lot. (No really, I wasn’t being sarcastic there!) I love nothing more than hanging out with my friends and getting a good volley going between us. Part of that involves a good bit of this brand of humor. I can take it and I can dish it out. In fact, sarcasm directed at those that don’t get it is completely wasted. I would much prefer to play with a worthy opponent.

Sarcasm is humor. It is funny. Sarcasm is a rejection of a “reality” that is ludicrous. Ludicrous is defined as “Utterly ridiculous because of being absurd, incongruous, impractical or unsuitable”. (Encarta) Does this not call for a bit of justifiable sarcasm?

I must admit that mostly the things that my friends and I knock back and forth are not serious (or real situations) to begin with and therefore the sarcasm is not directed at anyone personally or with much basis in actuality.

Can sarcasm be used for evil? Sure. (But I have NEVER done that! Okay, that was pretty blatant sarcasm.) The really awful thing is that it is STILL kind of funny. However, the effect that it can create is pretty unfunny. I don’t relish creating bad effects in others. (Except that one guy. See, there I go again!)

Here’s an analogy. Both Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader had light sabers, right? One used his for good, and one used his for evil. Sarcasm is a bit like that, don’t ya think? I want to use sarcasm for good, specifically to have a good time with my friends. Sure, there are other things we could do, certainly more constructive things we could do. But I work hard and I willingly and happily donate my time and energy to benefit others on a very regular basis. I earn my loafing time. So sue me if I choose to spend it with my other like-minded friends in pursuit of a good laugh at the expense of the ludicrous, and occasionally that one guy.