What do you think about self-irony? I
think it can be totally great! But what about when people
say or post these kinds of things and label it as self-irony:
”What can you do when you're as dumb
as me?”
”Don't blame me, blame my genes.”
”You can't expect me to do math with
this gabbage as my brain.”
I don't think this is self-irony. It's
self-pity. These are just excuses not to try your best, because they
imply that you are not responsible of your shortcomings. It's the
world that is to blame, you're just a victim. If you're powerless to
begin with, then obviously it's everyone elses' mistake to expect
anything from you.
I don't think this is self-irony
either:
”Life is so much more interesting
when you're as crazy as me.”
”If I didn't do stupid things, I
would never have any fun.”
”I'm not insane, you just don't
understand my genius.”
I guess, in the right context, these
could mean a healthy notion
that your flaws and strengths are connected. But usually those things
are phrased differently, they aren't overly simplified like these. In
fact, these usually imply that the negative side of a trait doesn't
exist, that it's all positive and other people just don't see it.
It's an ego thing; when you can't admit a flaw, you make it an
”identity”.
I
think self-irony is something that shows you don't take yourself very
seriously. And all of these phrases do the exact opposite.
Real
self-irony would look something like this:
”Haha,
I wonder who left the fridge door open again?”
”If
my room was any messier, I wouldn't find my bed.”
”I'd
deserve a medal for my efforts at being late.”
Self-irony
implies that you actually admit your flaws but don't think they're
too serious to laugh at. It's supposed to make others find them funny
as well, not pity you because the world doesn't excuse your flaws, or
envy you because your flaws are somehow better than theirs. It's
supposed to say something along the lines: ”I know I messed up, and
I'll try to do better, but at least we've got something to laugh at.”
Um,
random morning thought. This may sound like it had a specific
trigger, but I don't think it did.
I
always end posts so well. (Even though that's not irony but
sarcasm...)
Good
day!
(Yes, those are Hetalia characters.)
