Can Sarcasm or Satire be effective PSYOP?

Some people say I have sarcasm in my genes. Others like my wife buy me T-shirts exclaiming my prowess. Unfortunately sarcasm and its cousin - satire are not universal and what may be intended as good-natured fun may not be received that way.

Simple geographic differences such as New York ‘humor’ can fall flat in places outside the Big City. We have seen the violent consequences of satire with the Charlie Hebdo shooting.

Perhaps the best use of satire and sarcasm is to help us take a step back and look at ourselves. A positive outcome here is some tension reduction and the ability to realize what is important and what simply is not.

Two of my favorite current military sources of both are Duffle Blog (see: http://www.duffelblog.com/2015/11/army-two-mile-scooter-ride-apft/?utm_source=Duffel+Blog+Fans&utm_campaign=d24c817588-Duffel_Blog_Daily&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6d392bc034-d24c817588-23809089&goal=0_6d392bc034-d24c817588-23809089&mc_cid=d24c817588&mc_eid=03375300bc which is the source of the picture and Doctrine Man (see: https://www.facebook.com/DoctrineMan/)

Of course I suspect that if articles from DuffleBlog were taken out of context there would be some people who felt they were true just as ‘commercials’ from Saturday Night Live get a following.

While laughter may not be good PSYOP, it is good for the soul.