I wanted to start by saying what a tremendous honor and a genuine pleasure
tremendous honor and a genuine pleasure
tremendous honor and a genuine pleasure it is to be speaking with you today a
it is to be speaking with you today a
it is to be speaking with you today a tremendous honor and a genuine pleasure
tremendous honor and a genuine pleasure
tremendous honor and a genuine pleasure or to put it another way a tremendous
or to put it another way a tremendous
or to put it another way a tremendous honor and a genuine pleasure and if you
honor and a genuine pleasure and if you
honor and a genuine pleasure and if you haven’t worked it out by now I’m going
haven’t worked it out by now I’m going
haven’t worked it out by now I’m going to be speaking to you about sarcasm you
to be speaking to you about sarcasm you
to be speaking to you about sarcasm you may have noticed well in fact you’ve
may have noticed well in fact you’ve
may have noticed well in fact you’ve been explicitly told that I’m English
been explicitly told that I’m English
been explicitly told that I’m English this used to be a nationality now it’s
this used to be a nationality now it’s
this used to be a nationality now it’s more of an apology and throughout
more of an apology and throughout
more of an apology and throughout history the many things that have been
history the many things that have been
history the many things that have been identified as the English disease skin
identified as the English disease skin
identified as the English disease skin disease scrofula homosexuality during
disease scrofula homosexuality during
disease scrofula homosexuality during the 19th century and more recently
the 19th century and more recently
the 19th century and more recently football hooliganism well the good news
football hooliganism well the good news
football hooliganism well the good news is scrofula is now easily treatable
is scrofula is now easily treatable
is scrofula is now easily treatable homosexuality is nothing to be ashamed
homosexuality is nothing to be ashamed
homosexuality is nothing to be ashamed of and football hooliganism even has
of and football hooliganism even has
of and football hooliganism even has been transformed into a political
been transformed into a political
been transformed into a political movement called brexit but the real
movement called brexit but the real
movement called brexit but the real English disease in my opinion is sarcasm
English disease in my opinion is sarcasm
English disease in my opinion is sarcasm it’s our less exotic version of malaria
it’s our less exotic version of malaria
it’s our less exotic version of malaria when I moved to Latvia ten years ago I
when I moved to Latvia ten years ago I
when I moved to Latvia ten years ago I really hoped that I could escape the
really hoped that I could escape the
really hoped that I could escape the all-encompassing fog of English sarcasm
all-encompassing fog of English sarcasm
all-encompassing fog of English sarcasm but to my dismay it seems to me that
but to my dismay it seems to me that
but to my dismay it seems to me that I’ve acted as some sort of carrier for
I’ve acted as some sort of carrier for
I’ve acted as some sort of carrier for this disease and that Latvians are
this disease and that Latvians are
this disease and that Latvians are becoming more and more sarcastic so in
becoming more and more sarcastic so in
becoming more and more sarcastic so in talking about it today I’m hoping really
talking about it today I’m hoping really
talking about it today I’m hoping really to inoculate you against this pernicious
to inoculate you against this pernicious
to inoculate you against this pernicious disease you’ve still got a chance this
disease you’ve still got a chance this
disease you’ve still got a chance this all came to a head not long ago when I
all came to a head not long ago when I
all came to a head not long ago when I was reading a review someone had written
was reading a review someone had written
was reading a review someone had written of one of my really excellent books
which was on the whole quite a positive
which was on the whole quite a positive review but at the end it was an online
review but at the end it was an online
review but at the end it was an online review there was a comment section and
review there was a comment section and
review there was a comment section and someone had written yeah but what sort
someone had written yeah but what sort
someone had written yeah but what sort of thing does he write and the answer
of thing does he write and the answer
of thing does he write and the answer really dismayed me the answer was he
really dismayed me the answer was he
really dismayed me the answer was he writes sarcasm
writes sarcasm
writes sarcasm well I was very very worried about this
well I was very very worried about this
well I was very very worried about this because I was convinced that I wasn’t
because I was convinced that I wasn’t
because I was convinced that I wasn’t writing sarcasm but I decided to have a
writing sarcasm but I decided to have a
writing sarcasm but I decided to have a look at my writing and my speech and see
look at my writing and my speech and see
look at my writing and my speech and see if I really was sarcastic so at this
if I really was sarcastic so at this
if I really was sarcastic so at this point in a presentation is traditional
point in a presentation is traditional
point in a presentation is traditional either to do some clicky stuff but the
either to do some clicky stuff but the
either to do some clicky stuff but the good news is I can’t do powerpoints I’ve
good news is I can’t do powerpoints I’ve
good news is I can’t do powerpoints I’ve only got two slides or to read out a
only got two slides or to read out a
only got two slides or to read out a dictionary definition of the subject
dictionary definition of the subject
dictionary definition of the subject that we’re talking about I’m a
that we’re talking about I’m a
that we’re talking about I’m a traditionalist so I’m going to read out
traditionalist so I’m going to read out
traditionalist so I’m going to read out the dictionary definition and looking at
the dictionary definition and looking at
the dictionary definition and looking at dictionary definitions of sarcasm you
dictionary definitions of sarcasm you
dictionary definitions of sarcasm you immediately hit one of the problem
immediately hit one of the problem
immediately hit one of the problem problems which is that people give it
problems which is that people give it
problems which is that people give it far more credit than it really deserves
far more credit than it really deserves
far more credit than it really deserves they talk about things like satire irony
they talk about things like satire irony
they talk about things like satire irony wit it’s my contention that satire that
wit it’s my contention that satire that
wit it’s my contention that satire that sarcasm is not satirical it’s not witty
sarcasm is not satirical it’s not witty
sarcasm is not satirical it’s not witty and it’s not particularly ironic it’s
and it’s not particularly ironic it’s
and it’s not particularly ironic it’s something a lot cruder simpler and less
something a lot cruder simpler and less
something a lot cruder simpler and less likeable than that but let’s turn to one
likeable than that but let’s turn to one
likeable than that but let’s turn to one of the typical dictionary definitions
of the typical dictionary definitions
of the typical dictionary definitions which is one of the better ones actually
which is one of the better ones actually
which is one of the better ones actually sarcasm the use of remarks that clearly
sarcasm the use of remarks that clearly
sarcasm the use of remarks that clearly mean the opposite of what they say made
mean the opposite of what they say made
mean the opposite of what they say made in order to hurt someone’s feelings or
in order to hurt someone’s feelings or
in order to hurt someone’s feelings or to criticize something in a humorous way
to criticize something in a humorous way
to criticize something in a humorous way but even that’s a little bit strange
but even that’s a little bit strange
but even that’s a little bit strange it’s something which is hurtful but
it’s something which is hurtful but
it’s something which is hurtful but which is also humorous I think we need a
which is also humorous I think we need a
which is also humorous I think we need a better definition of sarcasm there’s
better definition of sarcasm there’s
better definition of sarcasm there’s very little academic literature been
very little academic literature been
very little academic literature been produced about sarcasm the best thing
produced about sarcasm the best thing
produced about sarcasm the best thing that I could find is a book published in
that I could find is a book published in
that I could find is a book published in 1998 by an academic called John Haines
1998 by an academic called John Haines
1998 by an academic called John Haines it’s called talk is cheap Haines
it’s called talk is cheap Haines
it’s called talk is cheap Haines considers all sorts of different
considers all sorts of different
considers all sorts of different varieties of insincere language there’s
varieties of insincere language there’s
varieties of insincere language there’s things like a euphemism understatement
things like a euphemism understatement
things like a euphemism understatement overstatement banter politeness prayers
overstatement banter politeness prayers
overstatement banter politeness prayers even just asking someone how are you in
even just asking someone how are you in
even just asking someone how are you in the senses insincere language we’re not
the senses insincere language we’re not
the senses insincere language we’re not really interested in their health we’re
really interested in their health we’re
really interested in their health we’re just getting the social interaction
just getting the social interaction
just getting the social interaction going but Haines has what I think is
going but Haines has what I think is
going but Haines has what I think is pretty good definition of sarcasm
pretty good definition of sarcasm
pretty good definition of sarcasm sarcasm is a particularly transparent
sarcasm is a particularly transparent
sarcasm is a particularly transparent variety of cheap talk or hot air insofar
variety of cheap talk or hot air insofar
variety of cheap talk or hot air insofar as the speaker is overtly meaning and
as the speaker is overtly meaning and
as the speaker is overtly meaning and saying the opposite of what he or she
saying the opposite of what he or she
saying the opposite of what he or she claims to be saying so it’s a game of
claims to be saying so it’s a game of
claims to be saying so it’s a game of opposites black equals white good equals
opposites black equals white good equals
opposites black equals white good equals bad but it’s also avoidance of meaning
bad but it’s also avoidance of meaning
bad but it’s also avoidance of meaning you’re saying something which supposedly
you’re saying something which supposedly
you’re saying something which supposedly is the opposite of your meaning but
is the opposite of your meaning but
is the opposite of your meaning but you’re also denying your meaning at the
you’re also denying your meaning at the
you’re also denying your meaning at the same time this is what puts sarcasm in a
same time this is what puts sarcasm in a
same time this is what puts sarcasm in a category of its own compared to other
category of its own compared to other
category of its own compared to other forms of insincere language it denies
forms of insincere language it denies
forms of insincere language it denies its own content thus our caste which is
its own content thus our caste which is
its own content thus our caste which is the technical term but I prefer Sark
the technical term but I prefer Sark
the technical term but I prefer Sark assist because it sounds a little bit
assist because it sounds a little bit
assist because it sounds a little bit funnier they only say what they do not
funnier they only say what they do not
funnier they only say what they do not believe and this in my opinion cannot be
believe and this in my opinion cannot be
believe and this in my opinion cannot be a healthy state of affairs now the first
a healthy state of affairs now the first
a healthy state of affairs now the first thing we need to clear up is the
thing we need to clear up is the
thing we need to clear up is the difference between sarcasm and irony
difference between sarcasm and irony
difference between sarcasm and irony irony I think can reach into quite rich
irony I think can reach into quite rich
irony I think can reach into quite rich and paradoxical areas of human
and paradoxical areas of human
and paradoxical areas of human expression it can reach into self
expression it can reach into self
expression it can reach into self deprecation it can reach into all sorts
deprecation it can reach into all sorts
deprecation it can reach into all sorts of the areas of the absurd which sarcasm
of the areas of the absurd which sarcasm
of the areas of the absurd which sarcasm with its black equals white good equals
with its black equals white good equals
with its black equals white good equals bad it simply does not and hainan has a
bad it simply does not and hainan has a
bad it simply does not and hainan has a very good sort of rubric here that we
very good sort of rubric here that we
very good sort of rubric here that we can use for identifying whether
can use for identifying whether
can use for identifying whether something is sarcastic or ironic
something is sarcastic or ironic
something is sarcastic or ironic so situations can be ironic but only
so situations can be ironic but only
so situations can be ironic but only people can be sarcastic
people can be sarcastic
people can be sarcastic so let’s take an example you might say
so let’s take an example you might say
so let’s take an example you might say this guy on the stage is cleverer than
this guy on the stage is cleverer than
this guy on the stage is cleverer than the Rieger born philosopher sir isaiah
the Rieger born philosopher sir isaiah
the Rieger born philosopher sir isaiah berlin you’d probably say it
berlin you’d probably say it
berlin you’d probably say it sarcastically in order to hurt my
sarcastically in order to hurt my
sarcastically in order to hurt my feelings so that’s sarcasm for irony I
feelings so that’s sarcasm for irony I
feelings so that’s sarcasm for irony I could say well ironically a year ago I
could say well ironically a year ago I
could say well ironically a year ago I was sitting exactly where you’re sitting
was sitting exactly where you’re sitting
was sitting exactly where you’re sitting now on sir isaiah berlin day watching a
now on sir isaiah berlin day watching a
now on sir isaiah berlin day watching a film about sir isaiah berlin which made
film about sir isaiah berlin which made
film about sir isaiah berlin which made me realize how much cleverer he was in
me realize how much cleverer he was in
me realize how much cleverer he was in me so sarcasm is present tense only
me so sarcasm is present tense only
me so sarcasm is present tense only irony refers to some previous event or
irony refers to some previous event or
irony refers to some previous event or previously established fact therefore I
previously established fact therefore I
previously established fact therefore I would claim that irony is cleverer than
would claim that irony is cleverer than
would claim that irony is cleverer than sarcasm just as Isaiah Berlin is
sarcasm just as Isaiah Berlin is
sarcasm just as Isaiah Berlin is cleverer than me now one quotation that
cleverer than me now one quotation that
cleverer than me now one quotation that everyone in the english-speaking world
everyone in the english-speaking world
everyone in the english-speaking world at least knows about sarcasm is sarcasm
at least knows about sarcasm is sarcasm
at least knows about sarcasm is sarcasm is the lowest form of wit and who said
is the lowest form of wit and who said
is the lowest form of wit and who said it
it
it allegedly oscarwild the man responsible
allegedly oscarwild the man responsible
allegedly oscarwild the man responsible for saying 99% of all witty things ever
for saying 99% of all witty things ever
for saying 99% of all witty things ever if you believe some people and also I
if you believe some people and also I
if you believe some people and also I think the man largely responsible for
think the man largely responsible for
think the man largely responsible for the identification of sarcasm with wit
the identification of sarcasm with wit
the identification of sarcasm with wit which i think is unwarranted now a lot
which i think is unwarranted now a lot
which i think is unwarranted now a lot of people know that quotation but very
of people know that quotation but very
of people know that quotation but very few people know the second half of the
few people know the second half of the
few people know the second half of the quotation which is sarcasm is the lowest
quotation which is sarcasm is the lowest
quotation which is sarcasm is the lowest form of wit but the highest form of
form of wit but the highest form of
form of wit but the highest form of intelligence there are a few variations
intelligence there are a few variations
intelligence there are a few variations on that it’s one of these things that’s
on that it’s one of these things that’s
on that it’s one of these things that’s attributed to wile but no one seems to
attributed to wile but no one seems to
attributed to wile but no one seems to know exactly when or where he said it
know exactly when or where he said it
know exactly when or where he said it but we won’t argue the point at the
but we won’t argue the point at the
but we won’t argue the point at the moment the trouble with that statement
moment the trouble with that statement
moment the trouble with that statement is on the one hand he’s probably being
is on the one hand he’s probably being
is on the one hand he’s probably being sarcastic in which case it kind of
sarcastic in which case it kind of
sarcastic in which case it kind of negates it
negates it
negates it it sounds great again we have like
it sounds great again we have like
it sounds great again we have like highest and lowest lowest form of wit
highest and lowest lowest form of wit
highest and lowest lowest form of wit highest form of intelligence but when
highest form of intelligence but when
highest form of intelligence but when you think about it as a real genuine
you think about it as a real genuine
you think about it as a real genuine statement of belief it’s meaningless and
statement of belief it’s meaningless and
statement of belief it’s meaningless and wild I think has been a form when it
wild I think has been a form when it
wild I think has been a form when it comes to the use of sarcasm to sound
comes to the use of sarcasm to sound
comes to the use of sarcasm to sound clever you just look at some of the
clever you just look at some of the
clever you just look at some of the titles of some of his plays so you’ve
titles of some of his plays so you’ve
titles of some of his plays so you’ve got woman of no importance which is
got woman of no importance which is
got woman of no importance which is about a woman who’s quite important an
about a woman who’s quite important an
about a woman who’s quite important an ideal husband about a husband who’s far
ideal husband about a husband who’s far
ideal husband about a husband who’s far from ideal and his best-known play which
from ideal and his best-known play which
from ideal and his best-known play which at least I’m going to use in this
at least I’m going to use in this
at least I’m going to use in this presentation which is importance of
presentation which is importance of
presentation which is importance of being earnest he’s most famous play
being earnest he’s most famous play
being earnest he’s most famous play trouble of course is when he was
trouble of course is when he was
trouble of course is when he was probably being sarcastic when he said it
probably being sarcastic when he said it
probably being sarcastic when he said it and I’m not so I do think it’s important
and I’m not so I do think it’s important
and I’m not so I do think it’s important to be earnest now now we know what
to be earnest now now we know what
to be earnest now now we know what sarcasm is we need to know how to spot
sarcasm is we need to know how to spot
sarcasm is we need to know how to spot it as we’ve already said it relies upon
it as we’ve already said it relies upon
it as we’ve already said it relies upon the listener to qualify as sarcastic so
the listener to qualify as sarcastic so
the listener to qualify as sarcastic so if I’m being sarcastic and you don’t
if I’m being sarcastic and you don’t
if I’m being sarcastic and you don’t realize I’m being sarcastic I’m not
realize I’m being sarcastic I’m not
realize I’m being sarcastic I’m not really being sarcastic I’m being a poor
really being sarcastic I’m being a poor
really being sarcastic I’m being a poor communicator just like I’m being right
communicator just like I’m being right
communicator just like I’m being right now so there are two basic forms of
now so there are two basic forms of
now so there are two basic forms of identifying sarcasm there are linguistic
identifying sarcasm there are linguistic
identifying sarcasm there are linguistic and demonstrative terms so linguistic
and demonstrative terms so linguistic
and demonstrative terms so linguistic would be simply placing emphasis or
would be simply placing emphasis or
would be simply placing emphasis or placing what’s called a tag at the
placing what’s called a tag at the
placing what’s called a tag at the beginning or the end of an otherwise
beginning or the end of an otherwise
beginning or the end of an otherwise quite obvious statement so I care about
quite obvious statement so I care about
quite obvious statement so I care about that you could you could do the Wayne’s
that you could you could do the Wayne’s
that you could you could do the Wayne’s World approach I care about that knot
World approach I care about that knot
World approach I care about that knot you can switch the tag to the front I
you can switch the tag to the front I
you can switch the tag to the front I suppose
suppose
suppose I care about that or you can put it at
I care about that or you can put it at
I care about that or you can put it at the front and the back in which case the
the front and the back in which case the
the front and the back in which case the meaning becomes really confused
meaning becomes really confused
meaning becomes really confused not that I care about that or anything
not that I care about that or anything
not that I care about that or anything so basically any marker which draws
so basically any marker which draws
so basically any marker which draws attention to the word spoken rather than
attention to the word spoken rather than
attention to the word spoken rather than the actual meaning of the words will
the actual meaning of the words will
the actual meaning of the words will tend to be interpreted sarcastically and
tend to be interpreted sarcastically and
tend to be interpreted sarcastically and that’s why we find quotation marks when
that’s why we find quotation marks when
that’s why we find quotation marks when they’ve been appropriately used there
they’ve been appropriately used there
they’ve been appropriately used there another tag so amusing
another tag so amusing
another tag so amusing so I care about that or welcome to
so I care about that or welcome to
so I care about that or welcome to Latvia we hope you have a great holiday
the other type of tag which is commonly
the other type of tag which is commonly used would be the demonstrative tag what
used would be the demonstrative tag what
used would be the demonstrative tag what I call the demonstrative tag which is
I call the demonstrative tag which is
I call the demonstrative tag which is like rolling your eyeballs winking so I
like rolling your eyeballs winking so I
like rolling your eyeballs winking so I care about that I care about that I care
care about that I care about that I care
care about that I care about that I care about that it’s like the Monty Python
about that it’s like the Monty Python
about that it’s like the Monty Python nudge-nudge wink-wink say no more
nudge-nudge wink-wink say no more
nudge-nudge wink-wink say no more annoying character he’s intensely
annoying character he’s intensely
annoying character he’s intensely sarcastic and intensely annoying now
sarcastic and intensely annoying now
sarcastic and intensely annoying now let’s take another example and explore
let’s take another example and explore
let’s take another example and explore this symphony of sarcasm that’s at our
this symphony of sarcasm that’s at our
this symphony of sarcasm that’s at our fingertips we’ll take another simple
fingertips we’ll take another simple
fingertips we’ll take another simple statement what a great lecture this is
statement what a great lecture this is
statement what a great lecture this is what a great lecture this is what a
what a great lecture this is what a
what a great lecture this is what a great lecture this is what a great
great lecture this is what a great
great lecture this is what a great lecture this is what a great lecture
lecture this is what a great lecture
lecture this is what a great lecture this is so you can see we can place the
this is so you can see we can place the
this is so you can see we can place the emphasis on pretty much any word there
emphasis on pretty much any word there
emphasis on pretty much any word there and we get the sarcastic effect at least
and we get the sarcastic effect at least
and we get the sarcastic effect at least is is sarcasm proof right or is it now
is is sarcasm proof right or is it now
is is sarcasm proof right or is it now I’m having it hamming it up a bit in my
I’m having it hamming it up a bit in my
I’m having it hamming it up a bit in my delivery but you get the idea and I
delivery but you get the idea and I
delivery but you get the idea and I realize this is quite a lot to take in
realize this is quite a lot to take in
realize this is quite a lot to take in at one go so I’ve ridden to the rescue
at one go so I’ve ridden to the rescue
at one go so I’ve ridden to the rescue and I’ve come up with a formula an
and I’ve come up with a formula an
and I’ve come up with a formula an equation of sarcasm Newton had his laws
equation of sarcasm Newton had his laws
equation of sarcasm Newton had his laws of motion
of motion
of motion Einstein had his beautiful theory of
Einstein had his beautiful theory of
Einstein had his beautiful theory of relativity and now in a world first here
relativity and now in a world first here
relativity and now in a world first here in Rieger Ted X’s you can be able to
in Rieger Ted X’s you can be able to
in Rieger Ted X’s you can be able to tell your grandchildren that you were
tell your grandchildren that you were
tell your grandchildren that you were here at the revealing of Colliers first
here at the revealing of Colliers first
here at the revealing of Colliers first law of
law of
law of Kasim s it’s quite simple s equals P
Kasim s it’s quite simple s equals P
Kasim s it’s quite simple s equals P divided by I consists of L plus or minus
divided by I consists of L plus or minus
divided by I consists of L plus or minus D where s is sarcasm P is the
D where s is sarcasm P is the
D where s is sarcasm P is the proposition in the negative I is the
proposition in the negative I is the
proposition in the negative I is the indicator consisting of L linguistic or
indicator consisting of L linguistic or
indicator consisting of L linguistic or D demonstrative particles or both it’s
D demonstrative particles or both it’s
D demonstrative particles or both it’s quite simple right there’s an even
quite simple right there’s an even
quite simple right there’s an even easier way to remember it spilled
easier way to remember it spilled
easier way to remember it spilled spilled I’m quite proud of that and I’ll
spilled I’m quite proud of that and I’ll
spilled I’m quite proud of that and I’ll be getting some t-shirts printed which
be getting some t-shirts printed which
be getting some t-shirts printed which would be available in the foyer
would be available in the foyer
would be available in the foyer after the lecture thank you took a long
after the lecture thank you took a long
after the lecture thank you took a long time so why am i anti sarcasm because we
time so why am i anti sarcasm because we
time so why am i anti sarcasm because we Brits we’re supposed to love sarcasm
Brits we’re supposed to love sarcasm
Brits we’re supposed to love sarcasm right well partly it’s because it’s
right well partly it’s because it’s
right well partly it’s because it’s usually quite obvious and boring and
usually quite obvious and boring and
usually quite obvious and boring and partly because it’s very addictive when
partly because it’s very addictive when
partly because it’s very addictive when I looked at my writing after the comment
I looked at my writing after the comment
I looked at my writing after the comment that I saw earlier on I saw that it to
that I saw earlier on I saw that it to
that I saw earlier on I saw that it to my relief it wasn’t particularly
my relief it wasn’t particularly
my relief it wasn’t particularly sarcastic I would say I would say it was
sarcastic I would say I would say it was
sarcastic I would say I would say it was highly ironic but not sarcastic but my
highly ironic but not sarcastic but my
highly ironic but not sarcastic but my conversation definitely was too
conversation definitely was too
conversation definitely was too sarcastic for comfort sometimes Latvian
sarcastic for comfort sometimes Latvian
sarcastic for comfort sometimes Latvian friends tell me that I’m sarcastic and
friends tell me that I’m sarcastic and
friends tell me that I’m sarcastic and they mean it as a compliment I smile and
they mean it as a compliment I smile and
they mean it as a compliment I smile and go along with it but the problem is the
go along with it but the problem is the
go along with it but the problem is the sarcasm is essentially a form of lying
sarcasm is essentially a form of lying
sarcasm is essentially a form of lying it’s a form of saying what you don’t
it’s a form of saying what you don’t
it’s a form of saying what you don’t mean and if you replace the word sarcasm
mean and if you replace the word sarcasm
mean and if you replace the word sarcasm with the word lying and make the same
with the word lying and make the same
with the word lying and make the same sort of statements you get some unusual
sort of statements you get some unusual
sort of statements you get some unusual results so for instance that’s good old
results so for instance that’s good old
results so for instance that’s good old British lying he’s so funny when he lies
British lying he’s so funny when he lies
British lying he’s so funny when he lies how would I describe his character in a
how would I describe his character in a
how would I describe his character in a single word liar so you can see where my
single word liar so you can see where my
single word liar so you can see where my problem is where I’m coming from on this
problem is where I’m coming from on this
problem is where I’m coming from on this one but the biggest problem with the
one but the biggest problem with the
one but the biggest problem with the extended use of sarcasm is that after a
extended use of sarcasm is that after a
extended use of sarcasm is that after a while you stopping noticing that you’re
while you stopping noticing that you’re
while you stopping noticing that you’re being sarcastic it gets even worse
being sarcastic it gets even worse
being sarcastic it gets even worse because if you do want to say something
because if you do want to say something
because if you do want to say something sincerely people won’t believe you when
sincerely people won’t believe you when
sincerely people won’t believe you when you object to it so I’m I I do believe
you object to it so I’m I I do believe
you object to it so I’m I I do believe that honestly and everyone will laugh
that honestly and everyone will laugh
that honestly and everyone will laugh and say look he’s being sarcastic again
and say look he’s being sarcastic again
and say look he’s being sarcastic again so if you’ve caught a dose of this
so if you’ve caught a dose of this
so if you’ve caught a dose of this malarial sarcasm from
malarial sarcasm from
malarial sarcasm from how do we treat it well I’ve got four
how do we treat it well I’ve got four
how do we treat it well I’ve got four quick suggestions the first would be
quick suggestions the first would be
quick suggestions the first would be sincerity simply saying what you mean
sincerity simply saying what you mean
sincerity simply saying what you mean but this is quite problematic it’s kind
but this is quite problematic it’s kind
but this is quite problematic it’s kind of the equivalent of making a drug
of the equivalent of making a drug
of the equivalent of making a drug addict do cold turkey or hiding the
addict do cold turkey or hiding the
addict do cold turkey or hiding the bottles from an alcoholic maybe it’s a
bottles from an alcoholic maybe it’s a
bottles from an alcoholic maybe it’s a bit too hardcore to go into straightaway
bit too hardcore to go into straightaway
bit too hardcore to go into straightaway a second approach would be citation if
a second approach would be citation if
a second approach would be citation if you’re not sure of your own opinion or
you’re not sure of your own opinion or
you’re not sure of your own opinion or just use someone else’s wit by which I
just use someone else’s wit by which I
just use someone else’s wit by which I mean quote poetry scientists
mean quote poetry scientists
mean quote poetry scientists investigators whatever you’ll probably
investigators whatever you’ll probably
investigators whatever you’ll probably find your own opinion and belief about
find your own opinion and belief about
find your own opinion and belief about something forming quite naturally as a
something forming quite naturally as a
something forming quite naturally as a result a third alternative is
result a third alternative is
result a third alternative is imagination just embrace the absurd you
imagination just embrace the absurd you
imagination just embrace the absurd you don’t have to provide a boring answer to
don’t have to provide a boring answer to
don’t have to provide a boring answer to a boring question you stand on your head
a boring question you stand on your head
a boring question you stand on your head freak out anything rather than the tired
freak out anything rather than the tired
freak out anything rather than the tired trick of sarcasm and finally something
trick of sarcasm and finally something
trick of sarcasm and finally something that I would love to see come back is in
that I would love to see come back is in
that I would love to see come back is in the 18th century dramatic technique of
the 18th century dramatic technique of
the 18th century dramatic technique of the aside so where you’d have two actors
the aside so where you’d have two actors
the aside so where you’d have two actors speaking on stage having a conversation
speaking on stage having a conversation
speaking on stage having a conversation and they’d be turning to the audience
and they’d be turning to the audience
and they’d be turning to the audience every now and again and saying what they
every now and again and saying what they
every now and again and saying what they truly feel so for instance I might say
truly feel so for instance I might say
truly feel so for instance I might say to you what do you think of my new book
to you what do you think of my new book
to you what do you think of my new book and you would reply it’s like nothing
and you would reply it’s like nothing
and you would reply it’s like nothing I’ve ever read because I haven’t read it
so is sarcasm always bad well not always
so is sarcasm always bad well not always but it needs to be treated with caution
but it needs to be treated with caution
but it needs to be treated with caution in Japanese culture is a mode of speech
in Japanese culture is a mode of speech
in Japanese culture is a mode of speech called rule cuca nothing to do with
called rule cuca nothing to do with
called rule cuca nothing to do with cakes which is used by young lovers when
cakes which is used by young lovers when
cakes which is used by young lovers when they’re first getting to know each other
they’re first getting to know each other
they’re first getting to know each other and they give each other sort of mild
and they give each other sort of mild
and they give each other sort of mild insults to avoid the embarrassment of
insults to avoid the embarrassment of
insults to avoid the embarrassment of genuine feelings of affection but this
genuine feelings of affection but this
genuine feelings of affection but this is like a well-tended little bonsai
is like a well-tended little bonsai
is like a well-tended little bonsai garden compared to the vast bleak
garden compared to the vast bleak
garden compared to the vast bleak moorland of English sarcasm as far as
moorland of English sarcasm as far as
moorland of English sarcasm as far as writers are concerned there are very few
writers are concerned there are very few
writers are concerned there are very few who I think are able to deploy sarcasm
who I think are able to deploy sarcasm
who I think are able to deploy sarcasm in an effective way but one of them is
in an effective way but one of them is
in an effective way but one of them is of one of my heroes Jonathan Swift
of one of my heroes Jonathan Swift
of one of my heroes Jonathan Swift incidentally was also the literary hero
incidentally was also the literary hero
incidentally was also the literary hero of George Orwell not that I’m trying to
of George Orwell not that I’m trying to
of George Orwell not that I’m trying to make you think Swift Orwell Collier
make you think Swift Orwell Collier
make you think Swift Orwell Collier that’s
that’s
that’s last thing on my mind now I’ll give you
last thing on my mind now I’ll give you
last thing on my mind now I’ll give you an example of full strength
an example of full strength
an example of full strength uncut Swiftian sarcasm from a poem
uncut Swiftian sarcasm from a poem
uncut Swiftian sarcasm from a poem written in 1730 with the very sarcastic
written in 1730 with the very sarcastic
written in 1730 with the very sarcastic title an excellent new ballad and for
title an excellent new ballad and for
title an excellent new ballad and for anyone who thinks that Jonathan Swift is
anyone who thinks that Jonathan Swift is
anyone who thinks that Jonathan Swift is a children’s writer and that Gulliver’s
a children’s writer and that Gulliver’s
a children’s writer and that Gulliver’s Travels as a children’s tale you in for
Travels as a children’s tale you in for
Travels as a children’s tale you in for a bit of a shock I’m afraid just absorb
a bit of a shock I’m afraid just absorb
a bit of a shock I’m afraid just absorb these six lines of absolutely dripping
these six lines of absolutely dripping
these six lines of absolutely dripping sarcasm well five lines of sarcasm which
sarcasm well five lines of sarcasm which
sarcasm well five lines of sarcasm which set up the last line which is not
set up the last line which is not
set up the last line which is not sarcastic and has real kick as a result
sarcastic and has real kick as a result
sarcastic and has real kick as a result so an excellent new ballad our brethren
so an excellent new ballad our brethren
so an excellent new ballad our brethren of England who love us so dear and in
of England who love us so dear and in
of England who love us so dear and in all they do for us so kindly demean a
all they do for us so kindly demean a
all they do for us so kindly demean a blessing upon them a census this year
blessing upon them a census this year
blessing upon them a census this year for the good of our church a true
for the good of our church a true
for the good of our church a true English Dean a holy a priest never was
English Dean a holy a priest never was
English Dean a holy a priest never was wrapped up in crepe the worst you can
wrapped up in crepe the worst you can
wrapped up in crepe the worst you can say he committed a rape it’s a swinging
say he committed a rape it’s a swinging
say he committed a rape it’s a swinging indictment of a church which is moving a
indictment of a church which is moving a
indictment of a church which is moving a sex offending priest from parish to
sex offending priest from parish to
sex offending priest from parish to parish to avoid scandal well how do you
parish to avoid scandal well how do you
parish to avoid scandal well how do you react to something like this well you
react to something like this well you
react to something like this well you could write like Swift you could make a
could write like Swift you could make a
could write like Swift you could make a film like spotlights or as I would
film like spotlights or as I would
film like spotlights or as I would recommend you say what you really mean
recommend you say what you really mean
recommend you say what you really mean and what you condemn so in conclusion
and what you condemn so in conclusion
and what you condemn so in conclusion just say yes to sarcasm by which I mean
just say yes to sarcasm by which I mean
just say yes to sarcasm by which I mean no it was a pleasure and an honor
no it was a pleasure and an honor
no it was a pleasure and an honor speaking with you today thank you
speaking with you today thank you
speaking with you today thank you [Applause]
”
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