A Satire Too Far Towards Legitimizing Fake News
Memes make misinformation art until they are peddled as facts on social media.
There is nothing inherently wrong with generating fake news and misinformation, so long as it is properly framed as such. Great minds throughout history have been purveyors of hyperbole and falsehoods that we might find indistinguishable from many of the viral misinformation campaigns that persist on contemporary social media platforms. Indeed, the use of satire as an artistic vehicle for exploring irony and contradiction is well established and (generally) acceptable.
Mark Twain is one of the most famous and well-regarded satirists in American history. Much of his work drips with the acceptance of abuse, segregation, and exceptionalism wryly wrapped within comic veneers that exposed extraordinary foundations in hypocrisy. Though perhaps not as deft or prolific as Twain, contemporary satirists have established a significant presence in all forms of contemporary media.
Though there are many examples of active satirists in traditional American print media, the list notably includes Andy Borowitz at The New Yorker and the more recent entrant Alexandra Petri at The Washington Post. Publications such as The Onion and Charlie Hebdo also specifically cater to the art form. Beyond print, Jon…
