Sarcasm can be use in basically three different ways as I see it.

Some times sarcasm is used as a weapon. It's used by somebody to cut down and belittle others. Some people find this funny (just as long as it isn't aimed at them). Where others tend to find some one who use sarcasm this way as jerks.

Some times sarcasm is use as a shield. It's used by somebody to make fun of themselves or their short comings. It helps them build a wall to hide behind. If they make fun of themselves and their own short coming other are less likely to. some people will find this funny, others will find this pathetic . Where as a few others will worry about why the person is building these walls.

Some times sarcasm is used as humor (these would be the ones who have the charm Lilith is talking about). There is a subtle difference between when it is used as humor and when it is being used as a weapon or a shield. It's not so much in what is being said but how it is said and when it is used. Most people find this funny. Like any humor their are a few who just do get it.

I personally know I've used all three (or at least I hope that I'm use it as humor and am not just getting lucky sometime). I'll be the first to admit I tend to use it as a weapon or a shield more often then I use it as humor.

Jude30 said "Sarcasm is very difficult to do on a message board or any written medium." I know I have said about the same thing myself. Now that I've sat here and thought about it. I wonder if this is true or is it just the written work help show when it really is being used as a weapon or a shield. Making the person more likely to look like a jerk or pathetic. After all when used verbally it said and then done with there will be a memory of it but is easily forgotten. Where when some thing is written down it is there it can be looked at again and again. The only things that can happen to it is it will be erased or destroyed in some way. I know it can be used in the written word it is used in satire quite often. I also know a couple members here who use it quite well.



Now as I sit her and read back what I have written. I wonder if I've delved deeply in to sarcasm or if I've just written and big pile of steaming BS

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"The trouble with the world is that the stupid people are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt" -Bertrand Russell