Satire

I have just realised the secret of Satire: Basically, you can make the most controversial, sexist, racist, bigoted comments, and then when people complain about it, you just say 'hey, can't you tell I'm just being ironic?' Then these same people suddenly feel so stupid for 'not getting it' that they pretend to understand the complex satirical subtext of your politically incorrect assertions, and they go around saying how clever and ironic you are, and then they write essays, and publish opinion pieces that explore the intricacies of your 'art', in which they carefully dissect every statement you ever make, and hail you as this wonderfully brilliant culture-jammer. 'The voice for our generation' they say. For example, when I make a statement on this blog such as: "why isn't that woman in the kitchen making my dinner?" you need to assume that my comment is actually really insightful social commentary laced with irony and satire (see, that way I can have my cake and eat it too!) So, I have realised there is a very fine line between being clever and being a complete bogan; and that word is: Satire.

Brush With Fame

SHAUN MICALLEF came into the place where I work the other day (The Emporium of Musical Monstrosities), and I was thinking ‘Hey, it’s Shaun Micallef; quick, say something cool and witty to him before he leaves.’ But I couldn’t even summon the courage to make eye contact, and then after 30 seconds he left. I felt like I should have said something, but then what was I supposed to say: “Wow. You’re Shaun Micallef! You’re like my 7th favorite Australian Satirist-slash-Comedian after John Safran and the Chaser team!”