Cynics Should Check Use of Ironic Sarcasm, Sarcastic Irony
By Cory Forsyth
Opinions Writer

Although I realize what a cliché it is to begin a piece of writing by introducing a well-known word and its definition and then proceeding to analyze this definition in a well-intentioned-yet-desperate search for said word's actual meaning, I'm going to do it anyway. Because I think some strong words are bandied about far too frequently, and often used interchangeably when they shouldn't be. Cynical, then, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, means "disposed to disbelieve in human sincerity or goodness," while a sarcastic remark is one that is "bitterly cutting or caustic," and irony is a "figure of speech in which the intended meaning is opposite of that expressed by the words used." The three are often thoughtlessly interchanged because their definitions are strongly intertwined: A cynic is one who believes that humans are corrupt and uses ironic, sarcastic remarks to express this view. Today's prevailing intellectual expression is a sarcastic sneer.

Cynical use of ironic sarcasm is on the rise, reflecting a disturbing trend that's slowly pervading today's culture in many different circles. Despite the tone of what I've written so far, however, I have no qualms with cynicism, sarcasm or irony (though I have to admit that hanging out with the truly sarcastic can be very trying for me). I even consider myself a cynic. I don't think there's necessarily anything wrong with cynicism. In fact, I think it's fairly healthy. It's the way cynical attitudes, and their concomitant irony and sarcasm, are being used that disturbs me.

If you were paying attention to this article from a critical standpoint as you started reading, you probably noticed that, while I set up the first sentence decrying the sophomoric definition-search-for-meaning essay structure, I used that structure anyway. This seems vaguely ironic (but isn't), vaguely sarcastic, and definitely insincere. I was able to save literary face, first by proving to everyone that I thought it was a lame way of beginning my article but, since I was aware of its inherent lameness, it was alright, in some meta-aware way.

I just realized that if you don't agree with me that starting a paper like I did is kind of a tired idea, most of what I've said seems pretty silly. Lots of people do it, though. Trust me. If you need proof I can show you every paper I wrote sophomore year of high school. At any rate that is only one example and, unfortunately, not the only one.

My problem, then, with this sarcastic attitude is that it removes any inclination toward accountability. Many writers these days seem to use this snide self-undermining style in an attempt to forestall possible criticism. But if you spend all your time writing self-consciously,