Understanding Poe's Law 4 you alll
Poe's law, named after its author Nathan Poe, is an Internet adage reflecting the idea that without a clear indication of the author's intent, it is difficult or impossible to tell the difference between an expression of sincere extremism and a parody of extremism.
Poe's law, in broader form, is:
Without a blatant display of humor, it is impossible to create a parody of extremism or fundamentalism that someone won't mistake for the real thing
Another precedent posted on Usenet dates to 2001. Following the well-known schema of Arthur Clarke's Third law,
Alan Morgan wrote:
"Any sufficiently advanced parody is indistinguishable from a genuine kook."
Some on DU are aware of this law, some are masters of the law and some illustrate Poe's Law.
OK...... continue your postings and searches on the Web.... This class is over.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Is Rush Limbaugh a blow hard or is he the head of the republican party?
Does The Onion produce comedy or do they document the planks of the republican platform?
Does Andy Borowitz write satire or the congressional record?
The republican party shows no intentional blatant display of humor, so are they an extremist group or a parody of a governing body?
I ask this in light of the republican Houses 37 attempt to repeal ACA. I'm not sure if should laugh or get out the torches and pitchforks.
