Sarcasm - why some people can't handle it

Sarcasm - why some people can't handle it

by A Person | Published on October 20th, 2008, 9:29 am | Life

THE ANATOMY OF SARCASM: RESEARCHERS REVEAL HOW THE BRAIN HANDLES THIS COMPLEX COMMUNICATION

WASHINGTON — The ability to comprehend sarcasm depends upon a carefully orchestrated sequence of complex cognitive skills based in specific parts of the brain. Yeah, right, and I’m the Tooth Fairy. But it’s true: New research details an “anatomy of sarcasm” that explains how the mind puts sharp-tongued words into context. The findings appear in the May issue of Neuropsychology, published by the American Psychological Association (APA).

The Israeli psychologists who conducted the research explain that for sarcasm to score, listeners must grasp the speaker’s intentions in the context of the situation. This calls for sophisticated social thinking and “theory of mind,” or whether we understand that everyone thinks different thoughts. As an example of what happens when “theory of mind” is limited or missing, autistic children have problems interpreting irony, the more general category of social communication into which sarcasm falls.

[SouthernFriedInfidel]

This reminds me of an educational show from PBS that I watched over the weekend. It was "An Examined Life" -- a sort of introductory course in philosophy. The episode I saw was talking about the philosophy of how humans encounter and interpret the world around them. They quoted some German philosopher about phenomenology, and they quoted Sartre on some book he wrote about waking up from sleep...

But all the while I was watching this, I was thinking, "Isn't this subject best left to scientists these days?"

[A Person]

I do think there is a cultural difference too. I grew up in a society where clever sarcasm and understated but deadly satire were mainstream. The humour of Oscar Wilde, Peter Cook, The Goon Show, Monty Python, Rowan Atkinson influences people. You can (or could) listen to a political debate and admire the subtle rhetoric as an art form. Then came Thatcher

[SouthernFriedInfidel]

I do think there is a cultural difference too.

On sarcasm, yes. The methods of expressing and processing it are obviously very dependent on cultural context. I was referring to the matter of the philosophy program (how humans experience the world) being better handled by scientific research. Sorry for the tangent...

[joelgillespie]

I was told a long time ago that the etymology of the word sarcasm was "dog biting flesh." Sarcasm has caused me to hurt people, and I have to be very careful, but it comes O so naturally.

[A Person]

sarcasm

1579, from L.L. sarcasmos, from Gk. sarkasmos "a sneer, jest, taunt, mockery," from sarkazein "to speak bitterly, sneer," lit. "to strip off the flesh," from sarx (gen. sarkos) "flesh," prop. "piece of meat," from PIE base *twerk- "to cut" (cf. Avestan thwares "to cut").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper

Flesh - yes, Dogs no

If it's done well it can be an art form.

[Serendipitous]

Do I see prosciutto or capicola under that plastic wrap?

[A Person]

tear a strip off that

[Matt]

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=9260

Please answer why you are trying to ATTEMPT to violate my privacy. Why do you find this acceptable? Why do your lib friends not have any comment on your actions?

[C. Alice]

http://greensboring.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=9260

Please answer why you are trying to ATTEMPT to violate my privacy. Why do you find this acceptable? Why do your lib friends not have any comment on your actions?

yes, SHAME on you, AP for posting Matt's creepy drag- photo to the group.
That was his little secret- just between him and the cured meats of Giacomo's- an after-hours fling.

[Matt]

whew...stayed up nights trying to be that funny, huh? Makes me wonder how fat you are. I figure 2 bucks at least.

Don't worry, Snaggle is going to be addressed. I'm patient.