I’ve been thinking on forms of social commentary + how to distinguish them. Satire vs bullying is a crucial one. Importantly satire is directed at people greater than, w more power + experience than the author. Comments directed at those w less are no longer satire but bullying.

A fundamental social change has been happening in which are all learning what creating respectful interactions look like. Some worry this means no more room for joking. But joking or satire as a defense can only hold when comments are about those w more power or experience.

When any of us “make jokes” about those more vulnerable than us, we have failed that important distinction and so have actually not made a joke at all. Such comments actually are just mean, and so also a form of bullying.

As any of us grow in our careers, whatever those may be, it becomes even more important to learn and practice these distinctions. Be more respectful. Mentor, foster, and support those w less experience. If we make jokes we must take care who they are about + their likely impact.

“Jokes” on people younger, less experienced, or less advantaged than ourselves can have an enormous negative impact and so are no longer funny. They fail the basic requirements of satire in that way and become merely mean. These are basic considerations to maintain respectfulness

Satire is directed at those in power to keep us from giving too much power to them. Not everyone in the public eye deserves satire. And if you are trying to write satire take care you are being circumspect about your role vs that of who you are writing about.

Sometimes you are actually just writing mean comments rather than revealing deeper truths thru satire. Keeping these distinctions around intent vs impact, respect in humor, your role vs theirs can keep jokes in your life while avoiding your being a real wanker.

Pro-tip: Don’t be a wanker.