Snark-Free Zone
Posted by Cottontimer on 07 Dec 2005 | Tagged as: Blogging, Our World, Thoughts
Since when did it become fashionable to be snarky? Being snarky and sarcastic was cool as a teenager, but now it just seems petty and annoying. To use snark as a way to gain attention and popularity doesn’t appeal to me in the least. Extremism makes the most noise but it’s still noise.
In particular, the rise of mommy blogs proclaiming themselves to be the queen of snark turns me off. Bashing one’s own family or fellow parents, however lovingly or in the name of fun, can still hurt. I can’t count the number of times I’ve teased someone only to have her take it as jibing.
I’m no goody-two-shoes. I can see the hypocrisy in a situation or note the ridiculousness of people’s behavior. Cynism is a part of my filter too. When it comes to my relationships with other people, though, I don’t rely on snark to get me “in.” I try instead (and don’t always manage) to understand things from their point of view rather than rolling my eyes and criticizing them.
Snarkiness is en vogue now. It makes me chuckle on occasion but it’s more likely to make me wince. Encouraging snark by promoting it to stardom doesn’t make for a nice world and I, for one, don’t intend to join in. No one will gain my respect and admiration by being funny at the expense of others. My friends will be those people who do their best to cultivate love, compassion, patience, and generosity.
Related Posts:
Being Edgy...
If your comment doesn't show up immediately, it's probably in moderation. I will approve it as soon as I can! Thanks for your patience.
16 Comments
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
I’m trying hard not to come across as snarky anymore, especially to my husband. Considering that he now reads my blog that’s even more important! My internal thoughts just tend to be snarky though, I guess I’m just a cynical person by nature. My household growing up was full of sarcasm, usually in good fun. But it certainly trained me in thinking cynically.
Hear, hear!!!
kimmellee: I didn’t say that the thoughts in my head were always nice. hehehe But I do try to control what is made public.
lizardek: Your blog is a safe snark-free zone too.
I think sometimes people mistake being snarky for sounding intelligent. They rant and rave and think they’re being clever. I find it horribly boring, though.
I’ve avoided it. I belong to a couple of LJ knitting communities, and there is an entire Knitting Snark community. I haven’t once visited, even though my friend told me that I would “be good at it.” Snark is not a talent that I wish to cultivate… I think people sometimes confuse wit and sarcasm, which feeds back into what gracefruit was saying.
Hmmm, sounds like creeping curmudgeon disease. It’s hard to shake once you are infected.
gracefruit: Good point. And here I thought they just enjoyed being buttheads.
Congogirl: I would feel so insulted to be told that I’d be good at snark. I’m glad you didn’t want to practice your supposed skill.
mdmhvonpa: I’ve got the cure – isolation.
Snark is the new black!
Wha–? And I thought my snarkiness was part of my charm.
Was definitely snarky as a teenager. In fact, was Queen of Snark. But one day, checked myself and quit. Ever since then, snarkiness (mine or others) leaves a real bad taste in my mouth. Oh, I am not completely cured. Once in a blue moon, I do slip up. Am no saint after all.
Abigail: And black it certainly is – black and blue once I’m through with ‘em!
Maria: Then you are not quite charming enough!
parentingjoy: As with most things, snark can be fun in moderation. But some seem to make it an occupation which just makes me want to run the other way.
I do suppose people who snark alot have very low self esteem… no?
Mona: I’m not so sure about that, actually. It’s like when people say bullies have low self-esteem…there’s some evidence to the contrary. Snark works to some extent so I can see why people who have it in them don’t want to change. Me, I just get too tired trying to be snarky.
While I can’t say I’ve never succumbed to snarkiness in my online writings, it just seems like such a waste of time to spend one’s energy focusing on trashing other people.
I personally am trying to shift my focus and perspective in life towards those things that perpetuate things of hope and positive space. Could do better, but hey, goals are good things
qadira: I don’t think you’re snarky at all! I’m not saying we should all walk around with halos and wings, but I’m sure we can all use a reminder to be a little gentler esp. when it comes to words in public spaces.
[...] Barry was telling me the other day that he wanted the bloggers at the wurk network to write edgier material. At first, I wasn’t even really sure what he was talking about. Did he want us to be snarky? You know how I feel about that. [...]