There are 10 choices, 12 votes for DeafiningSilence's debate

Is sarcasm negative or positive?

  • sarcasm
    I think it's just funny. Most of the sarcasm I come across is used in humor.
    25%  Voted for by Gyne and Tonic, Weydon, M.Ridgway.
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  • What is sarcasm
    It's usually (if not always?) negative. Why do we have it? Here are some theories:

    1. It's a polite way to state something negative, by stating the positive. ("HOW polite!")
    2. It's a way to ridicule an idea or point-of-view that you mimic. ("You're SO intelligent")
    3. It's a social gesture to back-off a claim you mistakenly said. ("I meant that sarcastically")
    4. It's a way to probe the other person and see if they accept your absurd claim. ("I LOVE to see people get hurt")
    5. It's a cynical way to speak about your unrealized ideals. ("This world is beautiful")

    I often find it difficult to determine whether someone was saying something sarcastic. After all, i don't have their same world view and what they may view as absurd, I may see as plausible.
    16%  Voted for by ExpensiveThinker, endsofbread.
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  • Negative, I Have To Admit
    I have a tendancy to be very sarcastic, but even I have to admit it is negative. I have never heard a sarcastic comment that actually meant something positive, and have most certainly never meant a sarcastic comment that way myself. That being said, we should try not to be offended by a little sarcasm. It's disrespectful, but it's hardly a great crime. And it can be funny at times.
    Voted for by Mairi-Alannah.
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  • Depends on the intent
    Voted for by Energizer Bunny.
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  • Can sarcasm be used both negatively and positively?
    Sarcasm.would you say its negative or positive in both ways depending on how it is meant? I think its negative,it is inteded to wound or upset.what's your say?
    Voted for by DeafiningSilence.
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  • Sarcasm is a testing tool
    it is employed to determine the abilty of the recipiant to recognise logic and rethink thier posision
    Voted for by Dwn.
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  • Literal Translation
    Sarcasm-harsh or bitter derision or irony.
    a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark

    According to this I would have to say sarcasm is definitely negative.
    Voted for by Lost to Apathy.
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  • Hm..It depends
    you can use it for both negative reasons, but mostly I use it just to be funny. I use it as well around people I'm around most of the time, because they know how to receive my sarcasm
    Voted for by WordsofHarmony.
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  • Are you serious Mr. Question Asker?!
    Honestly now, honestly?! Sarcasm can be both if not neutral. Let's not be arrogant / a moron. You could use sarcasm and be a jack ass with it. You can use sarcasm and play nice with negativity. You can use sarcasm in a funny and humorous way that doesn't have to be negative. Whether it really isn't or it's an inside joke / regular joke. Or, you can use sarcasm in a positive way... oh my gosh, how about that! Say you are talking with a friend of yours. A true player, very well liked, easy to meet, and just a fun guy to be around. He sees a cute girl at a party and says, "Dude, she is hands down gorgeous. To bad she hasn't even noticed me". And then you say, "Oh yeah, cause you have such a hard time getting girls to notice you". And then bam! Sarcasm! Positive reinforcement... come on now
    Voted for by frappuchine.
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  • Both.
    Usually negative if you're on the receiving end. However it can be a positive release for the person using it. There are worse ways to handle a thing.
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