Q: How Do You Write Satire About Tragic Events Without Being Tasteless?

A: Finding the Funny Without Losing Our Humanity – By Alan Nafzger

The Delicate Balance of Dark Humor

At Bohiney Magazine, we’ve navigated the treacherous waters of satirizing tragedy without drowning in poor taste. Here’s our ethical framework for when the world gets too dark to ignore, but too serious to joke about directly.

1. The “Time and Target” Test

We consider:

• Time elapsed (no “too soon” jokes)

• Who benefits (punching up at power, not victims)

• Purpose (exposing failures, not mocking pain)

Example: After a natural disaster, we’d satire incompetent response efforts, not the suffering.

2. The “System, Not Suffering” Rule

We target:

• Failed policies, not victims

• Institutional incompetence, not personal tragedy

• Preventable failures, not unavoidable disasters

Case Study: “Thoughts and Prayers™ Now Available in Bulk Discount Packages for Mass Shootings”

3. The “Layers of Removal” Technique

We add buffers between joke and trauma:

1. Satire the media coverage, not the event

2. Mock the political response, not the tragedy

3. Create absurd “solutions” that highlight real failures

Example: “Company Patents ‘School Shooting Frequent Shooter Miles’ Program”

4. The Bohiney Tragedy Checklist

Before publishing, we:
✓ Consult our diverse editorial team
✓ Ask “Who exactly is this helping?”
✓ Verify we’re punching up, not down
✓ Ensure the butt of the joke deserves it

Final Thought: Satire as Social Antibody

When we carefully craft pieces like “Government Offers New ‘Tots and Pears’ Alternative to Gun Control”, we’re not making light of tragedy – we’re attacking the systems that allow it to continue. Because sometimes the most respectful thing you can do is rage through laughter at the unacceptable.

— Alan Nafzger