Sunday 11 January 2015

IN DEFENCE OF SATIRE........

As a blog writer and wannabe satirist , I feel obliged to come up with a particular take on the unpleasant aspects of life in the world of bridge , which continue to corrupt this beautiful beautiful game loved and cherished by so many of us.
Writing spoof articles is for me a real cathartic experience . The process provides me with an outlet for my anger. In fact it is anger which drives me to carry on . Anger which has been fuelled by dishonesty , disrespect , snobbery , elitism , hypocrisy , prejudice, ignorance and injustice.
I regard satire as a non-ranting form of criticism and condemnation. It is a civilised way of mocking either those who deserve to be scorned , or  those who have behaved like clowns by making complete fools of themselves. There's is nothing morally wrong with offending people who have offended or harmed others , by their cruel , reckless and unjust acts. Indeed , one effective way to highlight wrongdoings is to ridicule those responsible by means of lampoonery , ridicule and politically incorrect cartoons.  Satire is without doubt the art of getting people to see the truth by means of comic exaggeration and hyperbole. 
In practice I am exercising my right to free speech . If I get people to think about things the way I think , then perhaps I can get them to see that so much of the dark reality , lurking inside the world of bridge , tragically belongs in the theatre of the absurd. In time I hope that bridge players will view my blog not as insane drivel or vindictive ( even toxic ) material ,  but as a testament to the truth about the Human Condition :  the tragic limitations , shortcomings and failings of the human species of which , regretfully , I  am also a member. 
Satire is therefore a genuine and well-meaning attempt to make the pills of hard bitter truths easier to swallow and digest.  

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