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From: Jim Holsenback
Subject: Speaking of humor
Date: 1 Jun 2016 07:11:19
Message: <574ec2d7$1@news.povray.org>
OK so John mentioned having a sense humor as being helpful during his 
recent battle ... what about sarcasm? I'm not talking about mean 
spiteful comments but something a bit more benign. In a recent 
conversation with a friend she was lamenting about her current life 
situation and how things seemed like they would never change. Repeating 
the same mistakes is the reoccurring theme here ... My response was "So 
hows that been working out for you ... I mean how many times do you need 
to pick up a hot brick before you realize that it's hot!" It seems like 
healthy self assured people usually accept it better than those with a 
fragile personality. BTW: If you believe what you read on the internet 
(and I don't) the general consensus is that sarcasm is the tool of a 
bitter person.

Any opinions about well placed sarcasm?


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From: Thomas de Groot
Subject: Re: Speaking of humor
Date: 1 Jun 2016 07:29:24
Message: <574ec714$1@news.povray.org>
On 1-6-2016 13:11, Jim Holsenback wrote:
> snip]
> BTW: If you believe what you read on the internet
> (and I don't) the general consensus is that sarcasm is the tool of a
> bitter person.

I disagree with the consensus. Sarcasm, irony, are tools to tackle the 
world in a combative way. In my view it should not be destructive but 
constructive in the end. It can be a mirror of reality that helps to 
cope with it.

>
> Any opinions about well placed sarcasm?

Where I worked, sarcasm and irony were widely used as a group process. 
It helped to decrease tensions and, from there, to view things in a 
better perspective and come with better solutions. But initially, it 
always was a means to reduce tension, aggressiveness, helplessness, 
especially in periods of institute changes or hierarchic fencing.

-- 
Thomas


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From: Jim Holsenback
Subject: Re: Speaking of humor
Date: 1 Jun 2016 08:07:30
Message: <574ed002@news.povray.org>
On 6/1/2016 7:29 AM, Thomas de Groot wrote:
> On 1-6-2016 13:11, Jim Holsenback wrote:
>> snip]
>> BTW: If you believe what you read on the internet
>> (and I don't) the general consensus is that sarcasm is the tool of a
>> bitter person.
>
> I disagree with the consensus. Sarcasm, irony, are tools to tackle the
> world in a combative way. In my view it should not be destructive but
> constructive in the end. It can be a mirror of reality that helps to
> cope with it.
>
>>
>> Any opinions about well placed sarcasm?
>
> Where I worked, sarcasm and irony were widely used as a group process.
> It helped to decrease tensions and, from there, to view things in a
> better perspective and come with better solutions. But initially, it
> always was a means to reduce tension, aggressiveness, helplessness,
> especially in periods of institute changes or hierarchic fencing.
>

thanks for that bit of validation ... couldn't have said it better 
myself. it would seem that sarcasm /can/ be used as a form of humor


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From: clipka
Subject: Re: Speaking of humor
Date: 1 Jun 2016 08:40:45
Message: <574ed7cd$1@news.povray.org>
Am 01.06.2016 um 13:11 schrieb Jim Holsenback:
> OK so John mentioned having a sense humor as being helpful during his
> recent battle ... what about sarcasm? I'm not talking about mean
> spiteful comments but something a bit more benign. In a recent
> conversation with a friend she was lamenting about her current life
> situation and how things seemed like they would never change. Repeating
> the same mistakes is the reoccurring theme here ... My response was "So
> hows that been working out for you ... I mean how many times do you need
> to pick up a hot brick before you realize that it's hot!" It seems like
> healthy self assured people usually accept it better than those with a
> fragile personality.

When dealing with people with a healthy self-esteem, addressing their
weaknesses with any kind of humor is fair game.

When dealing with people with damaged self-esteem, I'd strongly advocate
avoiding that, as they'll inevitably interpret it as being made fun of,
thus damaging their self-esteem even more.

That said, I wouldn't necessarily consider your response to be sarcasm
in the strict sense, though I'm at a loss for a better term.
"Witticism", maybe?


> BTW: If you believe what you read on the internet
> (and I don't) the general consensus is that sarcasm is the tool of a
> bitter person.

I'd say sarcasm can be an expression of cynicism, but isn't necessarily.


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From: Bald Eagle
Subject: Re: Speaking of humor
Date: 1 Jun 2016 10:20:00
Message: <web.574eee154d345ab7b488d9aa0@news.povray.org>
"snarky"


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From: Stephen
Subject: Re: Speaking of humor
Date: 2 Jun 2016 03:30:52
Message: <574fe0ac$1@news.povray.org>
On 6/1/2016 12:11 PM, Jim Holsenback wrote:

>
> Any opinions about well placed sarcasm?

It is often said in Britain that Americans don't do irony.
Sarcasm is meant to be hurtful whilst irony is saying the opposite of 
what you really mean for effect or humour. Which mixed in with the 
"graveyard humour" that some professions and people have can be quite 
shocking to people not used to it.


As for your comments I think you were being sarky to her. My usage of 
sarky is that it is a mild form of sarcasm. To illustrate a point in 
your case.

I would not take offence.

-- 

Regards
     Stephen


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From: dick balaska
Subject: Re: Speaking of humor
Date: 2 Jun 2016 05:03:32
Message: <574ff664$1@news.povray.org>
Am 2016-06-01 07:11, also sprach Jim Holsenback:

>
> Any opinions about well placed sarcasm?

Sarcasm is a sign of intelligence.
https://www.google.com/search?q=sarcasm+as+a+sign+of+intelligence
-- 
dik


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From: Jim Holsenback
Subject: Re: Speaking of humor
Date: 2 Jun 2016 08:03:24
Message: <5750208c$1@news.povray.org>
On 6/2/2016 3:30 AM, Stephen wrote:
> On 6/1/2016 12:11 PM, Jim Holsenback wrote:
> As for your comments I think you were being sarky to her. My usage of
> sarky is that it is a mild form of sarcasm. To illustrate a point in
> your case.

hmmm sarky ... never heard that term before.


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From: Jim Holsenback
Subject: Re: Speaking of humor
Date: 2 Jun 2016 08:05:04
Message: <575020f0$1@news.povray.org>
On 6/1/2016 10:15 AM, Bald Eagle wrote:
> "snarky"
>

that's the one that my friend used ... /had/ to beg to differ as i 
wasn't trying to be critical


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From: Jim Holsenback
Subject: Re: Speaking of humor
Date: 2 Jun 2016 08:20:04
Message: <57502474$1@news.povray.org>
On 6/1/2016 8:40 AM, clipka wrote:
> I'd say sarcasm can be an expression of cynicism, but isn't necessarily.

had to think about that for a moment ... given the other responses i'm 
guessing delivery and audience are import factors to consider as well


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