Satire is "the use of ironic humor and sarcasm to expose and criticize corruption, greed and foolishness." Satire is everywhere in our culture; in books, magazines, music, movies TV shows, websites, etc.
1. What satires have you read, heard or seen and what was the message behind the humor?
2. Do you believe that satire is an effect form of social criticism?
3. Can you find examples where a piece of satire has helped bring about change?
The Simpson's: Homer is a nuclear safety inspector and doesn't take his job seriously in the least. Yes, most of the time it's funny too. Huckleberry Finn.
ReplyDeleteAn example of satire that I have read is Harrison Bergeron. The message was how everyone tries to be the same and equal, but it can't always be like that. I do believe that satire is an effective form of social criticism.
ReplyDeleteFamily Guy: the Star Wars series when Stewie as Darth Vader keeps making gay remarks about them ruling of the galaxy. yes, I think it does but it is normally really funny. Tom Souyer.
ReplyDeleteThe Colbert Report is a satire that I watch every night. It is about an idiot Republican, who has his own T.V. show. Yes, satire is a way for people to psychologically get their point across, and with satire it ingrains in our brain deeper than if they were just telling us. One satire that changed the 2008 election, and who our president would be is Tina Fey's SNL parody of Sarah Palin. According to some sources, over 5 million people said that they voted for Obama, based on how Sarah Palin was shown on SNL.
ReplyDeleteSouth Park would be an example of satire when they do the High School Musical episode. I believe Satire is an effective form of social criticism, because it shows what society is really like. http://youtu.be/B0_2oavQOCU
ReplyDeleteI saw a post on tumblr of the queen of England saying "Quick, time to take back the colonies!" The post was meant to make fun of the American government shut down. I think satire can be a very effective way of criticizing almost anything. Tom Souyer is a good example of a satire that changes.
ReplyDeleteThe Book of Mormon (musical). It makes fun of religion (specifically the Mormon religion) and shows how blind religion can make people. I think satires have an effect of society, and I think it is a form of social criticism.
ReplyDeleteI always see SNL. They bring humor out of negative issues. Or they also make fun of issues that we exaggerate.
ReplyDeleteSatire is an effective form of social criticism, because we notice it more than since it's funny.
There's this amazing musical called GodSpell, it was made in the 70's, it basically showed how Christians were acting kid like when it came to religious issues.
South Park is an example of satire that I have seen. South Park constantly makes fun of social issues, which often causes controversy. There's an episode about boarder patrol and it makes fun of how the government was so concerned about illegals moving into the U.S. but in the end everyone realized that without the illegal immigrants there was no one to work jobs that they all took for granted. Satire is a form of social criticism, but without it we wouldn't have the motivation to bring about change. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair is an example of political satire that brought about change.
ReplyDeleteA satire I have seen is "Scary Movie. The humor was that the title didn't reflect the comedy. Yes, I believe satire is an effective form of criticism. "Animal Farm' nrought about change, because it showed the people what was really happening at that time.
ReplyDeleteAn example of sarcasm/ satire is some of the lyrics in Macklmore's Same Love. The song points out how messed up some things are. "And you can be cured with some treatment and religion. Man made rewiring of a pre-dispostion, playing God. Ahh na here we go. America the brave still fears what we don't know." This is a form of social criticism that shows what is going on with gay rights and the church. The church always says that things that give us the power to write our own plans are bad because we are in a way being God. For example, the church discourages birth control because we are controlling when a human life can be brought into the world. They say we are trying to be God by controlling those types of things. The song points out that not always, but sometimes the church's attitude is "You can be cured with some treatment and religion." So in a way they are going against what they teach and they are trying to be God in deciding what is right and wrong.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of any satires that I have read, but there are many shows that contain satire that I watch. Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and even a show called MAD. Most of these show how stupid some things are in life or how we should not have it that way. For example, I remember a show from The Simpsons, how they revealed a brand for an electronic was stupid. The show made fun of Apple. I do think satire is an effective form of criticism, because then everyone could relate to them and understand them. The satire I can think about, is the one that we talk about yesterday, with South Park, and how the Mormon kid moved in their neighborhood. It helped me realize that whatever religion you have doesn't matter, because we are all people.
ReplyDeleteA satire that I have seen is on the Simpsons. The episode is called "Steve Mobs", and it make fun of how obsessive people are when it comes to Apple and their products. I do believe that satire is an effective way of social criticism because it lets us see how stupid our society can be through humor or other forms of that general area, although, I cannot think of any satires that have really changed a certain problem or situation.
ReplyDeleteA satire that I have seen, which is also my favorite show, is Family Guy. In almost every episode, there is some form of satire. Family Guy always makes fn of modern society problems in a very humorous way. In a lot of their episodes, they make fun of Asians being bad drivers. Also, there is an episode when they make people at a government office, for example like a BMV, act so ignorant and difficult. Also when George Bush could not be found after Hurricane Katrina. I do think that satire is an effect of social criticism. It related to real life situations so people can realize what is going on in the world, in a modern way. People can realize how dumb our society can be by examples of satire. Although I can't find a piece that has brought about change, satire has gave a better understanding to many people around the world.
ReplyDeleteI always see satire in the skits on SNL where they make fun of presidents or presidential candidates. They always make fun of the issues surrounding them or how they handle a certain situation or even their general demeanor. I think satire is effective in social criticism because it makes it palatable to the public but I don't think that it should be the only source of public criticism because satire doesn't give the audience much choice on to agree or disagree they all just agree of what is being said. For example I find that the presidential candidate that SNL makes the most fun of never win and that changes the way people think.
ReplyDeleteA great example of satire is in the lyrics of the Green Day song, "20th Century Breakdown". From the beginning of the song, the lyrics speak of the realities of the lead singer's (Billy Joe Armstrong) childhood. About how he was born in a town, surrounded by industry and the Nixon Administration. As the song progresses, we see how the mistakes made by the corrupt politicians of the late 60's and 70's have evolved in to the current generation of american politics. For example: the current government shutdown. While also showing the consequences of the american youth, thanks to these corrupt frauds. I do believe that satire is a very effective form of criticism, because it reveals the truth about things that are all around us. But not only does it expose negative aspects of life, it also makes fun of it, in order for people to understand it in a different light. One piece of satire that i believe that brought about change in society, was the South Park episode "Osama Bin Laden Has Farty Pants". It came out at a time when the country was at its knees. 9/11 just happened, and thousands of americans feared for what was going to happen next. But after the episode was released, it raised peoples spirits due to the comedy, and the depiction of Osama Bin Laden as a crazy lunatic, with little to no intelligence. Which ironically was somewhat true. However, it gave the people of the United States hope that there was a light at the end of the cave of doom, and terror.
ReplyDeleteSome shows that I've seen that contain satire would be The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live and SNL. For Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel they usually make fun of something that is going on during their monologues. Recently they have incorporated something about the government shutdown in their show. I do believe that satire is effective and that it is a form of social criticism
ReplyDeleteA great example of satire would be Saturday Night Live's skit, Weekend Update with Seth Meyers. Throughout the skit's 'news cast' he brings in guests that represent real people that are important in politics, pop culture, or anyone else of importance in that period of time.To put it bluntly, he makes fun of them using the actors. I do feel satires are an effective form of social criticism. Just talking about why you dislike something that's going on, or trying to express your opinion on a subject, won't really get you anywhere; people rarely listen. Although with satires, they may be humorous, but they bring out the truth in a way which people understand. I can't really think of an example where a satire has brought about change, but I'm sure few if not many have.
ReplyDeleteHuckleberry Finn is an example of satire because throughout the novel Mark Twain uses satire to make fun of the world around him. And to make fun of American people. Or When Twain uses Satire to make fun of a women who is said to be a "good christian women" but yet she owns slaves. Yes I believe that satire is an effect form of social criticism.
ReplyDeleteAn example of satire is The Boondocks. It expresses social and political commentary in an amusing way. It exposes racial issues throughout America by over exaggerating each character. Satire is an effective form of criticism because it allows people to look at themselves and the issues around the world and examine and think about them differently. I think satire has helped bring change in society in politics.
ReplyDeleteSatire is all around us. Although I don't think I have ever read any satire , I have seen a lot in movies and tv shows. In the show Ellen, She always has video clips of satires that are hilarious and most of them make fun of online dating. I believe satire has brought change to our society because it makes people realize how dumb they truly sound and act. There is no reason for people to get mad at Satire because it is just stating the truth. That is my personal opinion.
ReplyDeleteExamples of satire are SNL, Ellen, Family Guy, and the Simpons. All of these shows somehow incorporate a serious modern day issue and put a humorous, ridiculous twist on it. I believe satire is an effective form of social critism because it helps people see how they are acting, in most cases, in other people's points of view. I think that once people see what other people think of them they may change the way they act or think.
ReplyDeleteOne current issue that is currently being made fun of a lot right now on tumblr is the government shut down. Post after post featuring things from bashing the use of Fahrenheit to England threatening to reclaim the colonies. Tumblr is a huge source of satire for a lot of current events and it makes you realize just how ridiculous it sounds when you say "the government shut down". I think that we need satire as a way to step back and see things from a new perspective. They also allow for some comic relief in tense situations.
ReplyDeleteAn example of satire would be the Simpsons. I think sometimes satires can be offensive in some was just because it can be ironic, sarcastic humor. South park is also a huge example of satire just because they can sometimes be rude or say negitive comments that can offense the world.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion I think Family Guy and The movie Ted are very satirical because of the crazy humor they both have. In Family guy its very satirical because of the negative comments that are mentioned in it. Ted is very satirical because of the offensive comments but in that movie they make something thats not funny and twist it to where it is funny.
ReplyDeleteNow that I am thinking of it satire can be seen all over the internet and movies or shows. One that I have been coming across a lot is president memes. Not our president but Mexico's president. I become exposed to them through facebook because I have many of my relatives that live in Mexico as friends. The message behind the humor of the memes is to show how bad the people think the new president of Mexico is. I believe that satire can definitely be a form of criticism through the humor. It can give you a good laugh but it can also open up your eyes to the truth.
ReplyDeleteAll of the "Scary Movie" movies are examples of satire. The spend a lot time making fun of what they don't like about other movies. It seems more for entertainment that criticism or need for change.
ReplyDeleteone thing i remember is when carmen from south park and its about how low th eline went down..it was talking about honeybooboo and how their life is but they made it into safire...
ReplyDeleteI've seen satire on t.v shows like "suit life with zack and cody" and there was a lot of funny and sarcasim thing. Yes i do think so because a lot of shows have lame satire. In thats so raven never believe a lil sneaky thief .
ReplyDeleteBanksy (a famous grafitti artist who sells his work for thousands of dollar) sold 6 pieces in new york to an unknowing New Yorker, those 6 pieces are estimated to be worth $127,000. Banksy is making fun of our consumerism and showing us that art is art with a price tag or not.
ReplyDeleteIn the movie Scream 4 there was a scene where this guy is making fun of scary movies and how they usually say "i'll be back" and they end of dying. So another character leaves and says "i'll be back" and he ends up dying. And while that is happening, the other guy is watching a scary movie and is yelling at the tv what the girl should be doing.
ReplyDeleteSouth Park would be a great example of satire because it deals with events that are true but they just make fun of those type of events and make funny comments towards people. I think satire is a social effect because it can effect how people think in many ways in a funny hilarious way.
ReplyDeleteAn example of satire that I have seen was a video on vine. There were a group of boys who were dressed up as girls at a party. They were all sitting down bored and one of the "girls" yelled "MIRROR PICS!" and all of them got excited. The humor behind this is that girls always take mirror pictures and it makes them happy. Yes, I do think satire is a form of social criticism.
ReplyDeletethe satire i believe that ive seen is when on tv shows were they talk about celebrities really bad. most importantly when the hosts are bashing the celebrity for their weight or us the way they look in general. Then the celebrities take this criticism to heart and they start make these changes for example they do plastic surgeryor start to change there appearance
ReplyDeleteAn example of satire would be Family Guy. It mainly focuses on making fun of politicians and celebrities today. Satire has had a major affect on society. Some celebrities have changed because of certain tv shows or books.
ReplyDeleteSaturday Night Live is an example of satire because they made fun of Miley Cyrus. She never changed either. Satire is all over the world.
ReplyDeleteWell I believe that Huckleberry Finn is satire. Also shows like The Soup make fun of celebrities . I think it is an effective way to change people because it makes them notice what they are doing wrong and because it is public they want to change it. I know that magazines made fun of Khloe Kardashian for being fat and she changed because the world provoked her for her weight.
ReplyDeleteThe Simpsons is an example of satire which i really don't watch shows like that. Most of the time satire is hilarious but most times its hurting peoples feelings. In some satire there has been change on some things but not always,
ReplyDeleteI have seen lots of satire on the television.An example is the Show"George Lopez.He is acting and talking like a steotypical Mexican.They always make fun of his head.
ReplyDeleteOne example if satire is exemplified in an episode of the Boondocks. It is a cartoon show similar to South Park. There was one episode that was about the scandal of the famous R&B singer R. Kelly. In this episode they were actually "reenact" the scandal and defend the singer the he was innocent. However, R. Kelly did speak out and the victim as well. The episode was so viral that the satire in the episode was indeed a benefit to his defense.
ReplyDeleteAn example of satire is spongebob. He's different and some people don't treat him the same way as others and they consider him "dumb". They take things to the very extreme and therefore children take these themes into the real world.
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