Tom the Dancing Bug by Ruben Bolling for April 08, 2000

Transcript:

NEWS of THE TIMES New Book Blasts Sarcasm Caleb Stanhope's new book has roiled his own generation of sarcastic hipsters. Caleb: Sarcasm is the bastard stepchild of irony. While irony requires some sort of thoughtful, if distanced, stance, sarcasm is merely stating the opposite of what you mean. Stanhope continued, "sarcasm has poisoned our youth. It does not shed light on views; it obscures them in a mocking manner." Guy 1: I'm way into the new 'N Sync cd-- It TOTALLY ROCKS! Guy 2: Really? Guy 1: Yah, RIGHT! Brian Gottlieb, of the center of cultural studies, responded to Stanhope's thesis: Brian: Oh, YEAH! Sarcasm is the DOWNFALL of CIVILIZATION! Oo! Run! It's sarcasm! Stanhope has this to say about Gottlieb... Caleb: Gottlieb's support is OVERWHELMING. It's GREAT to have someone of HIS STATURE is on my side. Wait. Was that... Sarcasm?! Caleb: Moi?! I'm absolutely SINCERE!! I'm DRIPPING with sincerity!! I don't understand. Is your entire book sarcastic? Caleb: Oh, NO! Sarcasm is the principal evil in the WORLD! How could you DOUBt that?