March 19th, 2010 / 12:44 pm
Craft Notes & Technology

SarcMark, it’s awesome

Sarcasm, Inc. has patented a “SarcMark,” a punctuation mark which looks like a recoiled question mark, to signify sarcasm. Of their 3rd “Core Belief,” they proclaim “For centuries, questions and exclamations have had their own punctuation marks. It’s time that sarcasm is treated equally!” Wow, that’s pretty cool how they used that antiquated exclamation mark. Yah, these guys are not only cutting-edge grammarians, but great entrepreneurs.

Isn’t it funny how this sentence raises a question without a question mark. Or how “the decapitated man still flinched” is arguably more effective than “the decapitated man still flinched!” Intent, when implicit, is a sharper, smoother cut. The author’s story lies not on the page, but in the reader’s mind.

Christ, I just wish I could download the SarcMark, because without it, without that fucking awesome SarcMark I cannot be sarcastic! I can only be excited — with or without any marks signifying those feelings — so, so excited.

Tags:

80 Comments

  1. reynard

      i’m confused about your tone here, jimmy

  2. reynard

      i’m confused about your tone here, jimmy

  3. Lincoln

      I remember seeing this before and kind of having my mind blown that these guys seem to think that any “zinger” or mean comment is “sarcasm.” It what universe is telling a jogger to “couple more laps, tubby!” sarcasm?

      I don’t think there is a single moment of sarcasm in that video unless the whole thing is some meta-sarcasm by not being sarcastic.

  4. Lincoln

      I remember seeing this before and kind of having my mind blown that these guys seem to think that any “zinger” or mean comment is “sarcasm.” It what universe is telling a jogger to “couple more laps, tubby!” sarcasm?

      I don’t think there is a single moment of sarcasm in that video unless the whole thing is some meta-sarcasm by not being sarcastic.

  5. Neil

      What we really need is Professor Frink’s Sarcasm Meter.

  6. Neil

      What we really need is Professor Frink’s Sarcasm Meter.

  7. ce.

      If this became widespread, the internet would be unbearable to read. I’m really glad it’s a stupid idea.

  8. ce.

      If this became widespread, the internet would be unbearable to read. I’m really glad it’s a stupid idea.

  9. Alex

      Why is anyone paying attention to something called Sarcasm, Inc.? That’s the best name for that organization/site/circlejerk, I’m certain of it.

  10. Alex

      Why is anyone paying attention to something called Sarcasm, Inc.? That’s the best name for that organization/site/circlejerk, I’m certain of it.

  11. Nathan Tyree

      It’s beyond stupid. I’m with you (I also hate emoticons and stuff)

  12. Nathan Tyree

      It’s beyond stupid. I’m with you (I also hate emoticons and stuff)

  13. Nathaniel Otting

      reynard, are you kidding me.

      Jimmy Chen, you’ve done it again. Seriously! High hilarity. Ahgh. I mean that. And this: your post on how many refreshes is my favorite post, but you and Adam could have coordinated better:

      http://walserandco.wordpress.com/2010/03/19/bookstores-co/

      “Let us begin with the punctuations that are not. Of these the one but the first and the most the completely most uninteresting is…”

      & also:

      As there was never any question there was never any answer. (Everybody’s Autobiography)
      Suppose no one asked a question, what would be the answer. (Useful Knowledge, one of my favorites)

      but ironically(?): “What is the answer?” [ I was silent ] “In that case, what is the question?” (Alice B. Toklas, What Is Remembered)

  14. Nathaniel Otting

      reynard, are you kidding me.

      Jimmy Chen, you’ve done it again. Seriously! High hilarity. Ahgh. I mean that. And this: your post on how many refreshes is my favorite post, but you and Adam could have coordinated better:

      http://walserandco.wordpress.com/2010/03/19/bookstores-co/

      “Let us begin with the punctuations that are not. Of these the one but the first and the most the completely most uninteresting is…”

      & also:

      As there was never any question there was never any answer. (Everybody’s Autobiography)
      Suppose no one asked a question, what would be the answer. (Useful Knowledge, one of my favorites)

      but ironically(?): “What is the answer?” [ I was silent ] “In that case, what is the question?” (Alice B. Toklas, What Is Remembered)

  15. ce.

      Someone needs a SarcMark..

  16. ce.

      Someone needs a SarcMark..

  17. Jimmy Chen

      wait, are you kidding me? it’s obvious reynard was being sarcastic. now, are you being sarcastic? i’m confused.

      ha, that mash up was great, thanks for linking.

  18. Jimmy Chen

      wait, are you kidding me? it’s obvious reynard was being sarcastic. now, are you being sarcastic? i’m confused.

      ha, that mash up was great, thanks for linking.

  19. Jhon Baker

      What BS – does anyone remember the interrobang? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interrobang
      this reminds me of that – why is it so difficult to learn to use the language as it is instead of mindlessly reinventing – or are they trying to be the modern Shakespeare?
      Or should I simply say – “Awesome, now why didn’t I think of that.”

  20. Jhon Baker

      What BS – does anyone remember the interrobang? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interrobang
      this reminds me of that – why is it so difficult to learn to use the language as it is instead of mindlessly reinventing – or are they trying to be the modern Shakespeare?
      Or should I simply say – “Awesome, now why didn’t I think of that.”

  21. Jimmy Chen

      interracial gangbang‽

      you’re sick

  22. Jimmy Chen

      interracial gangbang‽

      you’re sick

  23. ce.

      Also, before they went and created their own symbol for sarcasm, they probably should have done some quick research: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exclamation_mark

      “In writing and often subtitles, especially in British English, a (!) symbol (an exclamation mark within parentheses) implies that a character has made an obviously sarcastic comment eg: “Ooh, a sarcasm detector. Oh, that’s a really useful invention(!)”[7]”

  24. ce.

      Also, before they went and created their own symbol for sarcasm, they probably should have done some quick research: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exclamation_mark

      “In writing and often subtitles, especially in British English, a (!) symbol (an exclamation mark within parentheses) implies that a character has made an obviously sarcastic comment eg: “Ooh, a sarcasm detector. Oh, that’s a really useful invention(!)”[7]”

  25. Gian
  26. Gian
  27. ce.

      I like that it’s also called a “snark.”

  28. ce.

      I like that it’s also called a “snark.”

  29. Lincoln

      No one cares about the British though.

  30. Lincoln

      No one cares about the British though.

  31. OpenSarcasm

      Down with the SarcMark!

      Punctuation for sarcasm must be free, standards-compliant, and historically accurate. Join the revolution to free sarcasm from the capitalist chains of the SarcMark by punctuating your sarcastic comments with ¡

      More info at http://opensarcasm.org.

      Sarcasm for the people!

  32. OpenSarcasm

      Down with the SarcMark!

      Punctuation for sarcasm must be free, standards-compliant, and historically accurate. Join the revolution to free sarcasm from the capitalist chains of the SarcMark by punctuating your sarcastic comments with ¡

      More info at http://opensarcasm.org.

      Sarcasm for the people!

  33. Jimmy Chen

      sarcastic ¡Espanol!

  34. Jimmy Chen

      sarcastic ¡Espanol!

  35. OpenSarcasm

      The semantic difference is clarified by the placement.

      “!Que bueno¡” (sarcastic) versus “¡Que bueno!” (excited).

  36. OpenSarcasm

      The semantic difference is clarified by the placement.

      “!Que bueno¡” (sarcastic) versus “¡Que bueno!” (excited).

  37. Jimmy Chen

      what if the excitement is sarcastic?

  38. Jimmy Chen

      what if the excitement is sarcastic?

  39. OpenSarcasm

      That’s absurd¡

      Seriously though, sarcastic exclamations should be punctuated like this: “Oh, great!¡”

      And sarcastic questions like this: “Did she say that?¡”

  40. OpenSarcasm

      That’s absurd¡

      Seriously though, sarcastic exclamations should be punctuated like this: “Oh, great!¡”

      And sarcastic questions like this: “Did she say that?¡”

  41. davidpeak

      fawlty towers was a pretty good show

  42. davidpeak

      fawlty towers was a pretty good show

  43. ce.

      So true. Cleese is a genius.

  44. ce.

      So true. Cleese is a genius.

  45. Nathan Tyree

      League of Gentlemen

      Funniest thing ever

  46. Nathan Tyree

      League of Gentlemen

      Funniest thing ever

  47. Amy McDaniel

      i prefer a good old winky face emoticon for sarcasm

  48. Amy McDaniel

      i prefer a good old winky face emoticon for sarcasm

  49. Amy McDaniel

      i mean, that’s how i show saracasm out loud, is by winking. every time ;)

  50. Amy McDaniel

      i mean, that’s how i show saracasm out loud, is by winking. every time ;)

  51. Nathaniel Otting

      ce.–Not me. Was sincere as can be. Except of course when I was kidding about Reynard (great name, btw, like the Fox) kidding. Jimmy, yes, it was obvious (to me at least), but no less clever & so I thought it would interesting to pile sarcasm on sarcasm. Guess I needed a SarcMark to pull it off.

      Point: your post and Reynard’s reply made me laugh. Out loud. There should be a sign for _that_.

      P.S. Glad you liked the mash up. I *loved* the original(s). Trying to find my copy of Roadside Picnic so I can send it to Normal’s for a giveaway. You should come give a lecture at Walser & Co. when it opens…

  52. Nathaniel Otting

      ce.–Not me. Was sincere as can be. Except of course when I was kidding about Reynard (great name, btw, like the Fox) kidding. Jimmy, yes, it was obvious (to me at least), but no less clever & so I thought it would interesting to pile sarcasm on sarcasm. Guess I needed a SarcMark to pull it off.

      Point: your post and Reynard’s reply made me laugh. Out loud. There should be a sign for _that_.

      P.S. Glad you liked the mash up. I *loved* the original(s). Trying to find my copy of Roadside Picnic so I can send it to Normal’s for a giveaway. You should come give a lecture at Walser & Co. when it opens…

  53. Nathaniel Otting

      Re-insert below.

  54. Nathaniel Otting

      Re-insert below.

  55. reynard

      i think i’m going to spend today working on the snarkmarc™

  56. reynard

      i think i’m going to spend today working on the snarkmarc™

  57. Vaughan Simons

      I refuse to comment on this post, on the grounds that I am (a) British and (b) middle class, and therefore have a fundamental inability to say anything without sounding sarcastic, even if I am being completely sincere. Anyone I know will tell you this.

  58. Vaughan Simons

      I refuse to comment on this post, on the grounds that I am (a) British and (b) middle class, and therefore have a fundamental inability to say anything without sounding sarcastic, even if I am being completely sincere. Anyone I know will tell you this.

  59. Sean

      I love sarcasm.

      But have learned, as a teacher, to avoid.

      I also think that’s fair.

      You can’t always assume your audience. And sarcasm is like any sort of humor. Subjective. It is NOT a useful teaching device (some learn this late, and I talk to you instructors, lecturers, contract peeps–I say peeps because I have been there).

      For bars, living rooms, disc golf rounds, beer–sarcasm rules and is endearing. It implies wit. Wit implies intellect. Intellect is attractive (to me).

      I HATE emoticons. Have never actually used one.

      But I’m not totally against this one (slippery slope…) or the idea.

      New rules apply to new communication.

  60. Sean

      I love sarcasm.

      But have learned, as a teacher, to avoid.

      I also think that’s fair.

      You can’t always assume your audience. And sarcasm is like any sort of humor. Subjective. It is NOT a useful teaching device (some learn this late, and I talk to you instructors, lecturers, contract peeps–I say peeps because I have been there).

      For bars, living rooms, disc golf rounds, beer–sarcasm rules and is endearing. It implies wit. Wit implies intellect. Intellect is attractive (to me).

      I HATE emoticons. Have never actually used one.

      But I’m not totally against this one (slippery slope…) or the idea.

      New rules apply to new communication.

  61. Jhon Baker

      the interracial part or the gangbang part? because without the violence and all the people involved I think it sounds a little sexy.

      After further review I agree with my initial remark about this at symbol looking forgettable brain fart.

  62. Jhon Baker

      the interracial part or the gangbang part? because without the violence and all the people involved I think it sounds a little sexy.

      After further review I agree with my initial remark about this at symbol looking forgettable brain fart.

  63. Jhon Baker

      I think a poem using every punctuation mark available except for the interrobang and the sarcmark is in order. I mean, fuck the sarcmark – that is the title, fuck the sarcmark.

  64. Jhon Baker

      I think a poem using every punctuation mark available except for the interrobang and the sarcmark is in order. I mean, fuck the sarcmark – that is the title, fuck the sarcmark.

  65. Miette

      Erm. Does anybody else see a third-trimester, dropped-and-turned, locked-and-loaded foetus in that mark? Cause there’s nothing funny– or even sarcastic– about -that.- and yet now I can see nothing but.

  66. Miette

      Erm. Does anybody else see a third-trimester, dropped-and-turned, locked-and-loaded foetus in that mark? Cause there’s nothing funny– or even sarcastic– about -that.- and yet now I can see nothing but.

  67. Nathaniel Otting

      This comment makes a lot of sense now. Thanks, Blake (or Jimmy)

  68. Nathaniel Otting

      This comment makes a lot of sense now. Thanks, Blake (or Jimmy)

  69. sarcmarc is annoying « miss miller's musings

      […] jokes. You should work on your delivery, not invent the html equivalent of an applause sign. sarc marc Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Best Invention Ever!This will be my […]

  70. Merzmensch

      It’s weird you have to pay for sarcasm, I thought it were for free…

  71. Merzmensch

      It’s weird you have to pay for sarcasm, I thought it were for free…

  72. mimi

      The most attractive traits, to me, are:
      1. kindness & compassion
      2. a sense of humor
      3. intellect
      (Not necessarily in that order. Not sure of the order. ????)
      sarcasm is endearing – heart

      The best kind of humor (including sarcasm) is witty but not unkind. Funny to those who “get it”. Not-hurtful to those who don’t.

      My favorite emoticon (the only one I use) is the one that looks like a cartoon chicken with a neutral facial expression.

  73. mimi

      The most attractive traits, to me, are:
      1. kindness & compassion
      2. a sense of humor
      3. intellect
      (Not necessarily in that order. Not sure of the order. ????)
      sarcasm is endearing – heart

      The best kind of humor (including sarcasm) is witty but not unkind. Funny to those who “get it”. Not-hurtful to those who don’t.

      My favorite emoticon (the only one I use) is the one that looks like a cartoon chicken with a neutral facial expression.

  74. zusya

      ₩Ë↕ЯÐ

      / ۩

  75. zusya

      ₩Ë↕ЯÐ

      / ۩

  76. Online Book Store and News - In the News: SarcMark, The People’s Poet

      […] The SarcMark lets you punctuate your sarcasm. […]

  77. Frank Pilozzo
  78. Frank Pilozzo
  79. captain
  80. captain