Sarcasm is often labelled (wrongly in my view) as the ‘lowest form of wit’ So with so many people hating on sarcasm, how has the lowest form of wit managed to get academics talking? Well Harvard Business School, Columbia Business School and Insead (“the Business School for the World”) have produced a paper with the modest title, The Highest Form of Intelligence: Sarcasm Increases Creativity for Both Expressers and Recipients.
Sarcasm is apparently healthy because making and understanding sarcastic comments forces the brain to switch to abstract thinking, which boosts creativity. While Oscar Wilde wasn’t a fan, this new research points to sarcasm as a higher form of thought. Would the same people who condemn sarcasm also condemn the comedy stylings of Fawlty Towers, Blackadder or even The Thick Of It? I highly doubt it. People’s issue with sarcasm stems from their inability to grasp it.
“The verbal dexterity and imagination required to craft it – and for an audience to “get it” – is incredibly challenging. It is the sincerest form of flattery in a way, as you always assume your “victim” is going see that behind the barb is some respect, even affection.” In essence, you should be flattered that someone is attacking you with a dose of sarcasm, because their attack is predicated on the understanding that you’re clever enough to get it.
The workplace has often been a heavy breeding ground for sarcasm as people attempt to deal with difficult colleagues. I for one think that sarcasm does not just have a place at work, it’s absolutely essential. Being straight up rude to a colleague is obviously frowned upon, but a dose of sarcasm can relieve tension without the need for ranting and raving. Going back to the intelligence angle, you often find that the stupidest people in an office are often the ones that resort to bullying and blatant rudeness.
Researchers have also warned that management strategies designed to eliminate sarcasm from workplaces may have detrimental effects on productivity and profits. Meaning it is good for business and business owners, as it pays for your employees to be sarcastic and it keeps them creative, making it a win win situation. Kudos to Vitralthred
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