Finally, Punctuation for Sarcasm

[willriker]

http://media.cnbc.com/i/CNBC/Section...rk_cpt_200.jpg

Companies haven’t started hiring in earnest yet, which leaves us in that gray area of the recovery, where people are scrounging around trying to make money off of just about anything.


Source: sarcmark.com
You don't get it, do you. Captain Sarcastic to the rescue!
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Enter Sarcasm Inc. (www.sarcmark.com), a company that aims to make money off of — sarcasm.

Well, isn’t that just great.

For $1.99, you can download software to create a punctuation mark for sarcasm —a swirl with a dot in the middle of it. It can be used on email, word-processing and instant-messaging programs. It’s compatible with most Microsoft software and partially on Apple, as well as on your BlackBerry and most cellphones. To insert it, you hit “control” (or on a Mac, “command”) and “period” at the same time.

The company said it created the punctuation to ensure “equal rights for sarcasm.” Statements, declarations, questions — they all have punctuation. Up until now, sarcasm had nothing, they explain.

“In today’s world with increasing commentary, debate and rhetoric, what better time could there be than NOW, to ensure that no sarcastic message, comment or opinion is left behind,” they write on their web site.

So now, all those geniuses who don’t “get” that you were being sarcastic in that last email, will have it all spelled out for them, without the awkward “haha,” winky emoticon — or worse, “just kidding” — tacked onto the end.

For those new to sarcasm, they offer a few examples to get you started, including “I love my job” and “It must be tough being perfect.”

Think you can handle that, Einstein?

In a commercial on YouTube [GOOG 580.00 -9.85 (-1.67%) ], a superhero with a sarcasm mark on his chest offers a few more zingers. To a man with a toupee, he says: “Excuse me, sir, is that a rodent on your head?” And to a woman running, he says, “Let’s go. A couple more laps, tubby!” before branding them with his sarcasm mark.

The company is also selling T-shirts, mugs, mousepads and other gear. They also offer a newsletter, where you can stay up to date with their brilliant musings.

I imagine the inventors of the period, comma, exclamation and question marks are rolling over in their graves, thinking:

Nice business model, genius.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/34842099

Lets just assume that there is no charge for this, just for a second. What do you guys think? No more will your witty banter be taken the wrong way on forums, emails, or in game. Or just a stupid, useless idea.

I first heard about this while watching the news, eating my Cereal, before heading out to work. I thought it was incredibly useful. I cannot tell you how many times i have seen people's sarcasm misinterpreted on these boards alone, lets not even mention the spam forums. I think it would be very useful.

Then again, i think that paying for this completely kills any chance of it catching on. Its a shame.

[Mizango]

Trolling is an art from.

[Tyche]

An art from where?

[Blabj]

I think you mean a art.

[Blabj]

Wait... Shit.

Meta trolling.

[Rocl]

Trolls trolling trolls trolling trolls.

If you need a punctuation mark for sarcasm, chances are you're a retard.

[willriker]

What, you guys never seen anyone write that sarcasm doesnt translate well on the internet? I seem to see it all the time.

[Mizango]

See.

[Mizango]

Like I said, it's an art from.

[Tyche]

The first 3 replies to this thread are fantastic.

[Mizango]

The first 3 replies to this thread are fantastic.

Indeed. I cant stop laughing.

[Qalbert]

This could be incredibly useful.

[Plow]

this is a brilliant idea

[Plow]

The real question is if I buy this and use it and people quote me, will it break forums?

[willriker]

gdi... i cant tell whats sarcasm in this thread and whats not!

[Charismatic]

What, you guys never seen anyone write that sarcasm doesnt translate well on the internet? I seem to see it all the time.

It really doesn't, in many cases.

[SubzeroDiabolos]

... wat?!?!?!?!

[Acturus]

I first heard about this while watching the news, eating my Cereal, before heading out to work. I thought it was incredibly useful. I cannot tell you how many times i have seen people's sarcasm misinterpreted on these boards alone, lets not even mention the spam forums. I think it would be very useful.

Sarcasm, while difficult in text-based messages, is not impossible to convey. I've always felt that being able to detect it on message boards is part of the welcome 2 interwebs learning curve, and being able to use it in text-based messages is just an expression of talent in being sarcastic.

[Not Kuno]

Finally I can tell if people really appriciate my posts or not.

[Qalbert]

I love your posts.