Democracy through Satire

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Recommended: Satire in today's contemporary culture

2008 was an historic election year. Beyond the president-elect being the first African-American to be elected to office, the election was more heavily consumed by the media and by the general public than by any before. Through all sorts of different mediums, including the internet, television, and print, the campaigns and the media pushed information on the public. One of the largest ways this was done was via the art of satire. Satire, as defined by the dictionary, is, “The use of wit to criticize behavior.” Both political parties in the 2008 election had their share of material to make fun of the other’s candidate. Many critics of satire find it to be a waste of time, one which often masquerades as valid news.

This brings to mind Steven Johnson’s idea of a “sleeper curve” from his book Everything Bad is Good for You. In short, a “sleeper curve” is a term Johnson borrowed from the film Sleeper, where a man, frozen in 1973, is unfrozen in 2173 and refuses to eat cream pies and hot fudge on the premise that they are bad for him, even though they are proven to have nutritional merit by 2173. The “sleeper curve” refers to the idea that many things considered “bad” have benefits.

How can satire apply to this “sleeper curve” in the case of political satire? Simply put, satire is more interesting to a broader spectrum of people than almost any other form of communication. By creating satire, comedians can generate interest in the political process, something that otherwise would not compel many Americans. Of course, there are more benefits to satire than that. It not only creates interest, but it also brings a new or different viewpoint to light.

Nothing shows how satire can create interest better than the overwhelming acceptance o...

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...lie Gibson Interviews Sarah Palin Charlie Gibson. 11 September 2008.

Palin, Sarah. Palin on Foreign Policy - CBS News Katie Couric. 25 September 2008.

Silva, Mark. Swamp Politics. 28 September 2008. 18 November 2008 .

The New York Times. Vice-Presidential Debate - Biden and Palin - Transcript - Election Guide 2008 - The New York Times. 2 October 2008. 18 November 2008 .

Tina Fey Sarah Palin Video Full Transcript | Cdin Org's Blog - Welcome! :) Stay Awhile - Let's Trip the Light Fantastic! 5 October 2008. 18 November 2008 .

VengaProductions. YouTube - Hey Sarah Palin (with lyrics/subtitles). 29 September 2008. 18 November 2008 .

Wainhouse, Olivia. Satire Important in Politics, Profs Say - Campus. 11 11 2008. 31 November 2008 .

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