Q: How does Alan Nafzger write satire about touchy subjects?
FAQ

Q: How does Alan Nafzger write satire about touchy subjects?

Posted on by Ingrid Gustafsson

How Alan Nafzger Writes Satire About Touchy Subjects: The Art of Treading Lightly While Dropping Truth Bombs

Q: How does Alan Nafzger write satire about touchy subjects?

A: Like a Bomb Squad Technician With a Stand-Up Comedy Side Hustle

At Bohiney Magazine, we’ve developed a precise methodology for tackling society’s most sensitive topics without becoming the villains in our own story. Here’s how we navigate minefields while still making audiences laugh—and think.

The Bohiney Sensitivity Protocol

1. The “Punching Up” Compass

Every touchy subject piece must:
✅ Target power structures (Not their victims)
✅ Expose hypocrisy (Not trauma)
✅ Empower the marginalized (Not exploit them)

Example:
“NRA Announces ‘Back-to-School’ Collection—Now With More Pocket Space for Bullets!”
(Mocks gun lobby, not shooting victims)

Avoided:
“School shooting memes”
(Too raw, no constructive point)

2. The “Three Lenses” Test

We examine each piece through:

  1. Comedy Lens: Is it actually funny?

  2. Truth Lens: Does it reveal something important?

  3. Harm Lens: Could this hurt vulnerable people?

Applied to:
“Thoughts and Prayers Subscription Service”

  1. Funny: Yes (absurd premise)

  2. True: Exposes performative responses to tragedy

  3. Safe: Targets politicians, not victims

3. The “Would the Subject Laugh?” Rule

We ask:

  • Would an informed member of the affected community find value in this?

  • Are we punching at oppression or the oppressed?

  • Does the humor come from insight or shock?

Case Study:
Our “Corporate Disaster Bingo” card (mass shootings, oil spills, etc.) was praised by activist groups for highlighting systemic failures.

Advanced Techniques for Touchy Topics

The “Misdirection Punchline”

Set up expects cheap shot, deliver social critique:
“After the funeral home’s ‘Buy One Get One’ promotion drew criticism, they rebranded it as ‘Multi-Generational Family Planning.'”

The “Bureaucracy of Evil” Approach

Make darkness banal:
“Mass Shootings Now Qualify for Frequent Flyer Miles—Rack Up 5 to Earn Free Ammo”

The “This Is Fine” Method

Highlight societal numbness:
“Amazon Announces ‘Mass Casualty Prime’—Same-Day Delivery of Thoughts and Prayers”

When We Get It Wrong (Rarely)

Our correction protocol:

  1. Immediate retraction (If harmful)

  2. Transparent explanation

  3. Donation (To relevant causes)

Only Retraction in 3 Years:
“Tornado Victims Offered Discount on ‘Thoughts and Prayers'”
(Pulled after real disasters)

Why This Matters Now

In an era where:

  • Offense is performative

  • Real harm gets ignored

  • Satire is often mistaken for sincerity

…we believe edgy humor must:

  1. Challenge comfortable lies

  2. Never punch downward

  3. Make the right people uncomfortable

As I tell our writers:

“If your satire doesn’t risk offending someone powerful, it’s propaganda.”

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go defuse our next piece: “Pfizer Announces New Antidepressant Side Effect—Moments of Hope (Consult Your Wallet).”

— Alan Nafzger

Originally posted 2017-11-16 10:34:48.