The Problem With Satire

SBS, an Australian news service I linked to once before, is phasing out its comedy (SBS Comedy and The Backburner) division.  It leaves with an article, "Why Satire Needs To Up Its Game," for serious.

Too often, satire has become about satiating the online community’s desire to have their rage validated through a witty takedown or giant rant, rather than expressing a complex idea that might explain, or encourage us to examine, the systemic mechanisms that act as the petri dish for the ideas of those we disagree with. It also sees satire getting cornered into the same topics over and over again, as these get the most traction online. There’s a demand and satire is repetitively meeting it rather than branching out into more exciting territory.

The Satirists and Surrealists Union is taking this report under advisement.