I just heard a lively discussion on the Diane Rehm show on NPR. David Denby has published a book titled, "Snark: It's Mean, It's Personal, and It's Ruining our Conversation." While recognizing the virtues of satire and irony, among other forms of speech used as humor, he defines snarking (currently very popular) as insider language poking fun at "the other" that has particular meaning to the insiders, for the purpose of putting down. He gives value or credibility to some instances of snarking, if they represent specific positions.
I think he walks on thin ice, since the line between OK and Not-OK snarking is so thin. But his observation is very useful, and calls me to think honestly about how much my opinions on public issues, the news, politics are formed by this rather passive-aggressive, clever, entertaining style of not-saying.
What do you think? Is snark ruining our conversation? Are we losing our ability to use language effectively to say precisely what we mean?
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Abundance Street in New Orleans
where Tony's house sits (see April 28 post)
2 comments:
Snark is really only okay if you know everyone in the audience agrees with you. Since that rarely happens, it is rarely okay.
This is because snark is an admittedly unfair way to state something. "Did you hear Obama lifted the gag rule? God forbid we actually protect the life of the unborn! They can't even vote."
"Did you hear that Brewer wants to cut education funding? Right, I guess 49th in the country in education spending isn't low enough! I guess kids can't vote."
Doesn't exactly open the door to a conversation about either of this critical issues. In fact, it makes it clear that the speaker has no interest in hearing a counter opinion. And what is worse, if you try to engage in a discussion, the speaker can just retreat behind, "Oh, I know, I was just kidding. You're right it is more complicated than that." And we're done.
I think Jim's right. The other pitfall of the snarky comment is that when it's said amongst your friends you look clever. If it's said with people you don't know within hearing range, you sound... snarky.
We want to be clever for being snarky, but we don't want people to think of us as snarky. That should make us uncomfortable.
I'm probably as guilty as anyone...
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