How to Write Satire in a World That’s Already a Parody of Itself

The Satire Singularity Problem

We’ve reached a point where reality outpaces satire daily. When a former reality TV star becomes president or billionaires fight over social media platforms, how can satire compete? The answer: go meta.

Step 1: Embrace the Absurd

Example: “In today’s news, Congress debated whether to classify memes as a form of currency while ignoring the actual economy.” Just report reality with a straight face.

Step 2: Use the ‘This Is Fine’ Approach

Describe dystopian realities as perfectly normal. “Amazon announced its new ‘Smile Recognition’ feature that automatically charges your account when you look happy about a product.”

Step 3: Predict the Next Absurdity

Stay one step ahead: “Coming in 2024: Tesla releases self-aware toaster that tweets political opinions.”

Advanced Techniques

1. The ‘Documentary Style’

Present satire as sober journalism: “Our investigative team looks at why no one under 30 can afford homes (Hint: It’s all those avocado toast 401k plans).”

2. The ‘Corporate Dystopia’

“Google announces new ‘Ad Blocker Blocker Blocker’ that plays ads directly on your retina.”

3. The ‘Historical Parallel’

“Much like Nero fiddled while Rome burned, today’s leaders are busy posting TikToks during the climate crisis.”

Conclusion

When reality becomes satire, your job isn’t to exaggerate – it’s to curate. Just shine a light on the madness and get out of the way.