Is this ‘satire’?
The following is a summary of all the complaints about this page's content, mostly gleaned from social media, and a satire writer's foolhardy attempt to answer them.
THE COMPLAINTS
Real or fake?: Many articles on this page have confused us. Amid this epidemic of fake news and misinformation, you guys have tried to confuse us even further. Last week I read that it is illegal to criticise reverse sweeps, and I developed an ulcer trying to hold it in. Four days later, I found out it was "satire". Well, let me tell you this, the medical bills are pretty real. I wish I could tell the doctor that it was "satire", and I actually did, but she wasn't fooled. Is that what you are trying to do? Do you want to fool us?
Not enough humour: I have read many of your "satires" and I didn't laugh out loud. Not once. Where is the humour in the humour page? Have you seen Saturday Night Live? You could check that out once in a while.
Not enough animals: Also, have you read Animal Farm? Have you? That is satire, we don't know what you guys are up to. Use your imagination. Just using a fake country name does not cut it.
Insensitive: Our society has so many problems. Actual people suffer. It's not right to poke fun at those issues, but you do it week in, week out. We expect more responsibility from this page.
RESPONSE
Are we trying to fool you? Yes and no. Our real aim in writing "satire" is questioning and ridiculing the status quo. If the status quo is such that ridiculous articles can be taken seriously, then don't hate the player, hate the game. On a serious note, we regret that you ran up real medical bills. We could look at that if you write to accounts@fakedomain.com.
About the humour part, all we can do is apologise. Our only defence is to say that there is so much dark humour doing the rounds in reality, that "satire pieces" and their attempt to ridicule the already ridiculous does not always cut it. Also, SNL has a budget and their writers work full-time.
The Animal Farm thing was also brought to our attention by a high official. We apologise for not being George Orwell. Also, maybe Google "allegory" and "satire".
About the insensitivity thing, our attempt has always been to make fun of others' insensitivities and those who cruelly take advantage of their privileges and others' weaknesses. We are also extremely hurt by the insensitivity you have displayed by questioning our sensitivities.
[Any resemblance of the above complaints to yours is purely coincidental, and like most things on this page, this piece is an attempt to fill up space]