I just had to drop this in here:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Science/Sarcasm-is-highbrow-after-all/2005/05/23/1116700652520.html
Sarcasm, irony was such a huge part of the 'verse and it's one of the main reasons folks love Joss's stuff, I think. You can use sarcasm to mock, put others down. But it's interesting to note the article's reference to "social cognition". Sarcasm can seem cruel, but it's also a way to bond, commiserate with your friends.
I've always loved the wise-ass. When I was a little kid, my heros were Bugs Bunny and Spider-Man (wish they'd show some of his wit in the films). Didn't really care for Micky Mouse and Superman"”such straight arrows. Something about it is tied up with empathy, humanity I think. If life's beating you down and you're still sarcastic, you haven't lost all hope yet. That article's reference to the British having highly refined, subtle sarcasm is true, I suppose. You'd think it's mostly cultural.
I do think America has been producing more and more cynical, sarcastic art since the relatively unironic 60's-70's. (Simpsons, Seinfeld, Buffy, etc...) It's related to cynicism and culture as much as raw intelligence. And it comes and goes. Think of the withering wit of Dorothy Parker, Groucho Marx back in the 20's....Back further there's Ambrose Bierce, Mark Twain.
http://www.cynical.ws/parker.php
Giles and Spike and Wesley seemed to have the most insightful, sophisticated put-downs, quips. But there was plenty of mockery to go around. Lilah was a master. Who was the most sarcastic person in the 'verse, I wonder?
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Science/Sarcasm-is-highbrow-after-all/2005/05/23/1116700652520.html
Sarcasm, irony was such a huge part of the 'verse and it's one of the main reasons folks love Joss's stuff, I think. You can use sarcasm to mock, put others down. But it's interesting to note the article's reference to "social cognition". Sarcasm can seem cruel, but it's also a way to bond, commiserate with your friends.
I've always loved the wise-ass. When I was a little kid, my heros were Bugs Bunny and Spider-Man (wish they'd show some of his wit in the films). Didn't really care for Micky Mouse and Superman"”such straight arrows. Something about it is tied up with empathy, humanity I think. If life's beating you down and you're still sarcastic, you haven't lost all hope yet. That article's reference to the British having highly refined, subtle sarcasm is true, I suppose. You'd think it's mostly cultural.
I do think America has been producing more and more cynical, sarcastic art since the relatively unironic 60's-70's. (Simpsons, Seinfeld, Buffy, etc...) It's related to cynicism and culture as much as raw intelligence. And it comes and goes. Think of the withering wit of Dorothy Parker, Groucho Marx back in the 20's....Back further there's Ambrose Bierce, Mark Twain.
http://www.cynical.ws/parker.php
Giles and Spike and Wesley seemed to have the most insightful, sophisticated put-downs, quips. But there was plenty of mockery to go around. Lilah was a master. Who was the most sarcastic person in the 'verse, I wonder?
