A lot has changed in our post-September-11th world, leaving many of us confused, hurt, lonely, confused, and hurt. And not only must we wrestle with our feelings surrounding an incomprehensible tragedy, we must learn the new social rules that seem to have sprung up in this new environment.
Sarcasm, it has been widely reported, is no longer funny. Neither is irony. Our moral compass is spinning faster than Linda Blair's head. We need to make some sense of it all. So what follows below is a handy chart that you can clip and take with you, to help you understand what to feel during any given situation.
| Stimulus |
Post Sept. 11th Response |
| Irony |
Not Funny |
| Sarcasm |
Also, Not Funny |
| Puns |
Previously: unfunny. Now: Hillarious. |
| Carrottop |
Still unfunny, but may elicit a "pity laugh" to reflect our new compassion. |
| Musicals |
Tragic |
| Historical Dramas |
Strangely Erotic |
| Yellow |
The New Brown |
| "Ricky Schroeder" |
"Rick Schroeder" |
| The Letter "G" |
Replaced with a small picture of Cookie Monster |
| Flickering Candlelight |
No longer sexy |
| 5000 Watt Flood Light |
Very sexy |
| Poop |
C'mon. Grow up, people |
| Rock, Paper, Scissors |
They are all united against a common enemy |
| The utter moron who scammed his way into the highest office in the land |
Our Great Leader |
| Butter |
Parkay |
| Firefighters, Police Officers |
Heros |
| Coast Guard |
Still Lame |
| Ignorance |
Bliss |
| Ice-Capades |
Kitsch |
| Kitsch |
Ironic |
| Irony |
See Above |