Hyperbolic humor

This is something personal I need to address, so if you care to, bear with me:
After facing ♥♥♥♥storm after ♥♥♥♥storm in practically every thread I post in nowadays and actually managing to upset someone with it, I really have to ask: Is anyone here sensing the sarcasm? Does anyone understand the exaggeration?

It seems that tons of people take offense at, take too personally, or take too seriously things I say, and I'm wondering why. So lemme just get this all out. I don't mean to come off as going "WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ME INTERNET", but since this does affect how I communicate to people, it needs addressing.

How obvious is it when you see that sort of thing? I'm not trying to make this thread all about me, but right now I am the best example I can give. When I make a post that, say, "rants" about something in a very over-the-top "THIS PISSES ME OFF AND EVERYONE WHO LIKES IT SHOULD FALL OFF A BRIDGE" kind of way, do people really think I'm being serious? Can people really picture me being that way in person, or to someone directly? I have to say, while it seems to me that it's too over-the-top and/or petty to be taken seriously, I am proven wrong time after time.

I use this analogy a lot, but I am not any more serious than the Angry Video Game Nerd. Now let me clarify what that means. Whatever I complain about is usually something that I really do dislike. That much goes without saying. But most people seem to mistake the fervor with which I bash it to be my actual level of hate for it. This is far from true. So if you haven't quite grasped it yet, I love to exaggerate. The Angry Video Game Nerd is made to be a representation of pure frustration and anger. Yet many people mistake the character for what James Rolfe is like in person, and are absolutely stunned to find out that he's quite the opposite. He might hate the games he makes videos about, but he escalates that "hate" to ridiculous proportions for humorous effect. I do the same thing.

So usually I tell people to chill out when it comes to taking things seriously, and it would seem that I'm hypocritical since I "rant" about things so much. However, that's not the case-- this is precisely why I tell people to chill out. People take things too seriously. I admit it's a bit counter-intuitive with the way I go about doing it, but do you get what I mean?

I thought about apologizing for coming off like such a dick all the time, but I find that I cannot. When I'm using extravagant exaggeration, it really should be harmless, but people make a mountain out of my mountain of a molehill.
That is not to say that I haven't ever gotten heated at someone for poor reason. I tend to lose my cool when someone attacks a topic that is very important to me (some people probably know what some of those are), and whenever I'm in a bad mood. So I'd like to apologize to whomever I may have attacked during recent months when it wasn't warranted (although I suppose everyone's idea of "unwarranted" is going to be different). But I do not apologize for my hyperbolic sense of humor.

I'm just making negative things fun. That's what my friend and I always do-- we take the bad things that happen to us and make fun of them. We turn them into something we can laugh about. So by blowing up my dislike for something, it actually turns it into over-the-top, lighthearted fun, rather than just merely complaining about it. It turns into something humorous. Or so it should be taken.

Anyway, this isn't supposed to just be about me (although I really am concerned about how people as a whole take it, since I can't really talk to damn near anyone anymore). How about any of you? Do you guys usually recognize such hyperbole, or do it yourselves? What's your take?

Yes Yes YES

People here always do that. I make an exaggeration or use sarcasm and get the whole Inferiority speech and am called stupid by the Veteran members who here who give themselves some sort of god status.

Sarcasm doesn't translate well over the internet.

Sarcasm is usually indicated by tone of voice, something absent from text-only discussions. Word choice does play a role, but you have to use certain standard phrases for people to pick up on that ("I'm so sure you know what you're doing." sounds sarcastic even in text, "You're good at this." does not.) so I'd recommend using emoticons. They're a good way to indicate what your actual mood and tone is, while still providing a nice contrast with your text to create sarcasm.


It's also proof of a variation of Poe's law. In essence, the internet has taught us that somewhere on Earth is someone who believes ridiculous claim x or is a jerkass for no reason half the time. As such, assuming that people will just know you're joking doesn't work because, 9/10 people who say the same thing aren't joking, and get offended if you assume they are.

Originally Posted by John

Sarcasm doesn't translate well over the internet.

Sarcasm is usually indicated by tone of voice, something absent from text-only discussions. Word choice does play a role, but you have to use certain standard phrases for people to pick up on that ("I'm so sure you know what you're doing." sounds sarcastic even in text, "You're good at this." does not.) so I'd recommend using emoticons. They're a good way to indicate what your actual mood and tone is, while still providing a nice contrast with your text to create sarcasm.

The big problem is that I detest using smileys (often), and I don't want to have to write "=p" after every single thing I post.

It's also proof of a variation of Poe's law. In essence, the internet has taught us that somewhere on Earth is someone who believes ridiculous claim x or is a jerkass for no reason half the time. As such, assuming that people will just know you're joking doesn't work because, 9/10 people who say the same thing aren't joking, and get offended if you assume they are.

That is a problem, now, isn't it... I suppose it is a poor choice to do it on a site with an immature fanbase, too.

Originally Posted by John

Sarcasm doesn't translate well over the internet.

Sarcasm is usually indicated by tone of voice, something absent from text-only discussions. Word choice does play a role, but you have to use certain standard phrases for people to pick up on that ("I'm so sure you know what you're doing." sounds sarcastic even in text, "You're good at this." does not.) so I'd recommend using emoticons. They're a good way to indicate what your actual mood and tone is, while still providing a nice contrast with your text to create sarcasm.

I think I've told Tonchiki something like this before, though you summed it up better. The emoticon thing is pretty useful, and when I'm not being serious I tend to use them more often.

Whenever I'm being silly around here, I do it because I like it, not for the attention. If I get negative attention I just ignore it and do as I please.

I get your humor, and I'm sure a lot of the people on this site do.
If I were you I wouldn't care what the nay-sayers said, but since you do I guess all you can do is implement a viewer warning.

Originally Posted by Dread

I think I've told Tonchiki something like this before, though you summed it up better. The emoticon thing is pretty useful, and when I'm not being serious I tend to use them more often.

Whenever I'm being silly around here, I do it because I like it, not for the attention.

No smileys. That's lame and is out of the question. I am not going to have posts that look like this.

Originally Posted by Catch

I get your humor, and I'm sure a lot of the people on this site do.

If they did, I wouldn't have made this thread.

If I get negative attention I just ignore it and do as I please.

If I were you I wouldn't care what the nay-sayers said, but since you do I guess all you can do is implement a viewer warning.

I already said I don't care what people think about me to a certain extent, but that extent is when it starts interfering with how other people talk to me. Because then nothing is productive and grudges are created for no reason.

It's really random. Some will read your words as if you were standing in front of them, others will simply read your words as what they truly are - text. I feel the same as you do about not constantly using smilies and such, because I feel that my words shouldn't be taken extremely serious anyway. It's text. It's the Internet. Heck, I come off as pretty different compared to when you talk to me online.

As for how I read the Internet and humour, it can vary. Sometimes I read into things too deeply, and so I assume the person is actually pissed or grumpy, and at other times I just see it for what it is; text.

As for you, Tonchiki, I have nothing against the way you type. I've seen enough posts from you, and you don't really come off as aggressive or rude to me. You may sound a little grumpy, but nothing more to me.

Still, as said by John, you should consider emoticons if you really want to make sure you don't get misunderstood. Sometimes I'm too lazy for them, myself. There's nothing wrong or stupid with using them - they're there to express what you feel. Simple.

I myself suspect I've been misunderstood by some members of this site, by the way I used to type and sometimes still do. I can come off as cold or cynical when in fact I'm not. You'd be surprised to truly see the difference when you get to know me and meet me, compared to how I post on ZU.

I do agree that a lot of members on this site probably draw some incorrect conclusions about a "cold" or "cynical" way of typing, which is a pity. I admit I've done it myself, but geez, we're all human when it comes down to things. I guess a lot of people here read a lot into emotions and draw conclusions based on that. It's a pity, but it's not going to change anytime soon.

Socially, I wish we could all just give it a go anyway, despite if the other person seems like a tough nut to crack.

Also, some members on forums value friendship more than they do discussion, and some the other way around. I've always been one for discussion in first-hand, but that doesn't mean I don't give a crap about the people on here. I just don't show it as much as I truly do care. So yeah, depending on why you are here and how you think, that has a lot to do with how you view and use a forum like ZU.

In short: It's the Internet. Different people, different ways. Miscommunication should be expected. I've certainly learned that (and still am) when I've interacted with someone from the Internet online, and the other way around.

I personally know you're not being serious, since I know you enough to know that you use hyperbole for humour (hey, I do as well sometimes).

However, there is the inevitable problem in that text makes it harder to sense whether or not it is humourous or serious, whereas it is easier someone like the AVGN since he can can use the methods of communication that we use in real life, such as tone of voice or body language. These things aren't able to be translated well into text. Some things can work to an extent (i.e. You're amazing at this), but even then it's not going to work all the time, though.

Though, you in particular aren't the rude or obnoxious type, Ton. People shouldn't draw such conclusions about people so readily.

I never take anything I read on the Internet too seriously.

Originally Posted by WillZ4E

I myself suspect I've been misunderstood by some members of this site, by the way I used to type and sometimes still do. I can come off as cold or cynical when in fact I'm not. You'd be surprised to truly see the difference when you get to know me and meet me, compared to how I post on ZU.

I agree; I come off as cold or cynical myself. But you should see me in the chat. I'm friends with pretty much anyone who wants to be friends with me, unless they're completely irrational.

I also agree that you come off as grumpy, Tonchiki, not aggressive. I get a good kick out of some of your posts, in fact, but I do suggest the usage of emoticons. If not, then you'll probably have to keep dealing with these people.

Actually, I just thought of another thing. If you seek emotional stimulation from something (depending on it for happiness, more or less) then you might be bound to read into it way too much, as you could be depending on it to improve your mood. If you already feel emotionally well and interact with people, you read much less into what they say, if at all.

From personal experience, I can say it makes sense. It's psychological. Could be, atleast.

I know I read much less into what someone says if I'm not depending on them for emotional relief. I can read or hear what they're saying very well, and less how they do it. In worse moods, the opposite can be true for me.

Other factors are of course not ruled out, but something interesting to ponder, still.

And this would all be subconciously, if you get what I mean. I doubt people actually knowingly fully struggle to make someone relieve their emotional state. I know that when I do, it's not intentional. It just happens.

Originally Posted by WillZ4E

Still, as said by John, you should consider emoticons if you really want to make sure you don't get misunderstood. Sometimes I'm too lazy for them, myself. There's nothing wrong or stupid with using them - they're there to express what you feel. Simple.

Urgh, absolutely not. They aggravate me too often to use that much. I'll use them occasionally, but only when it's appropriate. Otherwise "=p" would follow almost everything I type nowadays, and it significantly lessens (and/or destroys) the feel of the exaggeration I was going for.

Besides, one good way to tell is if I leave out end punctuation on a sentence. If I do, I'm almost certainly dicking around.

Also, some members on forums value friendship more than they do discussion, and some the other way around. I've always been one for discussion in first-hand, but that doesn't mean I don't give a crap about the people on here. I just don't show it as much as I truly do care. So yeah, depending on why you are here and how you think, that has a lot to do with how you view and use a forum like ZU.

Oh yeah, as far back as I can remember, I haven't given a damn about making "friends" with people on the Internet. It's always about the discussion for me. Granted, there are people I enjoy talking to, but I can't really consider them "friends" because I haven't really met them (as cold as that sounds-- it really isn't supposed to be meant in any mean way).

Originally Posted by Silver

I personally know you're not being serious, since I know you enough to know that you use hyperbole for humour (hey, I do as well sometimes).

Yeah, at least I can bash Symphonia in front of you without you biting my head off, because like anyone with sense, you know it's not personal and I have absolutely nothing against you over a video game preference. But the same can't be said of a good deal of people I've come across here. I guess this is an example of John's mention of Poe's Law... even though I don't judge or bash people based on such preferences, lots of people here do.

However, there is the inevitable problem in that text makes it harder to sense whether or not it is humourous or serious, whereas it is easier someone like the AVGN since he can can use the methods of communication that we use in real life, such as tone of voice or body language. These things aren't able to be translated well into text. Some things can work to an extent (i.e. You're amazing at this), but even then it's not going to work all the time, though.

I can't really say that's entirely true, because a large amount of people do (or did) think the AVGN was his true self. He does have more effective means of communication to dispel that, but he was still largely mistaken. Tons of people even thought that "feud" between himself and the Nostalgia Critic was real, until they both appeared in a video together. He even had to shove disclaimers all over his videos for people to realize they were being satirical.

Though, you in particular aren't the rude or obnoxious type, Ton. People shouldn't draw such conclusions about people so readily.

I dunno, I can still be obnoxious-- that's just a different occurrence than I'm talking about here.

Well... There's nothing wrong with being a dick.

But I enjoy your posts and your misunderstood sense humor. No emoticons.

Originally Posted by Catch

I get your humor, and I'm sure a lot of the people on this site do.
If I were you I wouldn't care what the nay-sayers said, but since you do I guess all you can do is implement a viewer warning.

That is almost exactly what I was about to say. Except that really you don't have to give no kind of warning. I mean this is the Internet. A big pile of everything just floating around on a data cloud. Weather people get offended or take seriously that is with them. Why should we take things seriously in the Internet, if a percentage of the time things in it are not accurate or politically correct. Really no apologizing is needed at all. If there is sarcasm in your pots or not all you could at least do is put the sarcasm in quotes, but why would someone do that if this is the Internet? I believe i just a matter of personal choice to take something on the Internet as offensive or seriously.

To be honest, Tonchiki, I've never misunderstood your humour--I'm just not amused by it. Well, I was for a while. I don't mean that in a you-♥♥♥♥♥-gtfo-I-hate-you kinda way. Just, it gets old after a while, the whole over-the-top thing. I don't think you're a douche or anything like that. In fact, sometimes you make some pretty sound arguments. There are certain topics I'll skip your posts, should I see them, like, I don't know, romance and love? xD But honestly, it's nothing offensive, if repetitive.

Funny thing is I used to think Will was a bit of a grumpy pants xD Alonely too! Now, I just think they're a pair of loveable grumpy pants <333

I don't mind hyperbolic humour/sarcasm or smilies. In fact, I abuse the ♥♥♥♥ out of smilies <_< >_>. It's not really my type of humour, but I've done it from time to time to get a point across.

Originally Posted by Liah

To be honest, Tonchiki, I've never misunderstood your humour--I'm just not amused by it. Well, I was for a while. I don't mean that in a you-♥♥♥♥♥-gtfo-I-hate-you kinda way. Just, it gets old after a while, the whole over-the-top thing. I don't think you're a douche or anything like that. In fact, sometimes you make some pretty sound arguments. There are certain topics I'll skip your posts, should I see them, like, I don't know, romance and love? xD But honestly, it's nothing offensive, if repetitive.

Well of course it's repetitive within those topics because they come up so goddamn often, I say what I think, and people have to pester me about it. It gets old for me, too. I could just ignore those topics myself, but then that's no fun either. It's fun coming off as a love-hating grump.

In fact, sometimes you make some pretty sound arguments.

And what exactly do you mean by that?!?
()
I know, I know, in before "repetitive"

I think we're all guilty of misinterpreting people's words over the Internet, at some point or other. It's what happens when we've got no visual/physical cues, so we have to depend solely on words, and what we might know of the talker's personality, to form a reaction. That's why emoticons or smileys can help, although I agree that they can get a little annoying if used too often.

As for myself, I know I'm more likely to take sarcasm or hyperbolic humour too seriously if I'm in a bad mood.

If I use sarcasm on the internet, I don't care at all, if others understand it or not.

Anyway I find "I'm so sure you know what you're doing." (sarcasm) less hurting than "You suck." Even if everybody knows it's sarcasm. x3

Originally Posted by Tonchiki

I can't really say that's entirely true, because a large amount of people do (or did) think the AVGN was his true self. He does have more effective means of communication to dispel that, but he was still largely mistaken. Tons of people even thought that "feud" between himself and the Nostalgia Critic was real, until they both appeared in a video together. He even had to shove disclaimers all over his videos for people to realize they were being satirical.

To James' defense, though- when he began the AVGN series, he WAS much more himself. the character got more developed and separate from James' true personality as the series went on. If someone is a casual viewer, or only has seen some earlier episodes, they would not be totally out of line to believe that he was actually like that. The first AVGN was basically a game review with a few moments of creative swearing.

But I get what you're saying and if it helps at all, I have a very sarcastic sense of humor myself, and in fact, sometimes I tend to read things and take them in a sarcastic tone even when they're not meant to be (Which means I end up giving some people way too much credit and thinking they're much smarter thanthey are, and when I find out they were serious, I *facepalm* at the utter stupidity.)