The Joy of Satire -- The Information Super Highway Message Board

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

Wednesday, December 24, 10:20:20am

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time ]

Subject: The Joy of Satire

Author:
Pat

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: Monday, October 21, 09:24:08pm
In reply to: Jasmine 's message, ""Hippie Fighters" >:-(" on Saturday, October 19, 10:23:36pm

Jasmine,

Are you suggesting that the 'hippy' lifestyle (if there really is such a thing) is beyond criticism? That strikes me as a rather dangerous position, to be frank.

You say that the people you take to have been targeted by 'Hippy Fighter' are people who "are able to detach themselves from a self destructive society and create a lifestyle that is enjoyable and beneficial to the world". That's a pretty big call, Jasmine; you may be absolutely right, but anyone who makes a claim like that (as your average hippy implicitly does) should expect to have it held up to scrutiny. Just because someone does in fact make a positive contribution to the environment doesn't mean that their belief-systems aren't open to critique.

Let's consider the viewpoint implicit in what you wrote: "Get over your predjudices and embrace the earth... before people like yourselfs [sic] destroy it for everyone". So what you are in effect saying is that anyone who rejects the trappings of hippy culture is environmentally destructive? That's just plain wrong and you know it. There are plenty of ecologically responsible, greenhouse-neutral people out there who don't feel the need to wear dreads, play bongos and adhere to belief in Gaia. For all you know, the writers of informationsuperhwy.net may be thoroughgoing greenies.

The point of satire is that it shows us contradictions we previously couldn't see. That doesn't mean that a satirical piece (and this one in particular) is villificatory or designed to insult. I think 'Hippy Fighter' is relatively tame in that respect. God help you if you ever come up against Mike Munro or the like, Jasmine, if this sort of criticism of the 'hippy lifestyle' affronts you so much.

Regards,
Patrick

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Subject	Author	Date
Re: "Hippie Fighters" >:-(	Simon ISH	Monday, October 21, 10:01:28pm