The article High Scientists Insist Earth is Depicted Upside Down Maybe by SatireWire.com is a satire where a group of acclaimed scientists are depicted as proposing theories that the earth is upside down and that everything humans know to be true is actually the opposite. Set in a cannabis café in Amsterdam’s De Wallen district, the scientists are portrayed as behaving in ways that would be atypical of well-known scientists.
The satire makes fun of how scientists discovered that all of the findings and discoveries they’ve made up to now are all untrue. The scientists in the satire claim that the earth may, after all be upside down, that “everything on the surface seems upside down” (“High Scientists”) and that we are “going in the wrong direction” (“High Scientists”). The article goes further, with a hint of sarcasm, to note things such as, if the earth were completely made up of water and humans managed to adapt, then Aquaman would just be a normal guy.
This satire points out how everything is based on humans’ perception and how such perception can sometimes be twisted. For example, how we perceive others to be extra special or to be mediocre just because they’re different from us. It also points out how technology and science seem to be moving us backward instead of forward in terms of progress and development.
The author appealed to the reader’s logos by claiming that the north and south are merely man-made and are artificial and that there is no up or down as demonstrated by Carlsson who leaned forward in his chair and yet was still able to see what’s written on the underside of his chair. The author also appealed to the reader’s pathos – although to contradict it -- by claiming that, contrary to common belief that global warming is caused by man, the scientists in the article proposed that God is the one causing global warming, that he is slowly roasting the earth with the sun’s heat.
Throughout the article, irony is used as the predominant style. Examples are that Aquaman would be seen as “normal” and that Carlsson, a supposedly smart scientist, would mistaken his tie for a snake. Metaphors are also widely used throughout the article, an example of which is the comparison of the earth to a spy. In another paragraph, the earth is also compared to a screaming girl.
Contextual Analysis
Although the article does not indicate a specific author, it is published by the website SatireWire.com, which is known for writing and publishing satires about current events and about local and international issues, whether in the political, social, or environmental arena. The satires published by the site are targeted at audiences who are attuned to the current events in the world and who would appreciate a humorous take on the various issues that we face. In addition, since the articles are available online, a large part of the website’s audience would consist of the youth, particularly the young adults.
Published in the current year, the satire’s publication is quite timely in that we are in a time when technology and science seem to be having the reverse effects, that is, instead of leading to progress and the creation of a better world, it seems to be causing more destruction; hence, it seems like we are moving backward. It also calls attention to the inequality that exists in our society – how we revere the rich, the famous, and the powerful, when really, they’re just like the rest of us. We are all equal. With the metaphor that the earth would scream like a girl, the author also wants to make the reader think about how the earth would complain and indeed, scream like a girl, if only it could.
With this satire, the author aims to provide an entertaining and humorous way of promoting awareness to the reader about the real condition of the world we live in now. With the many undertones in the article, the reader would be prompted to think and to reflect on its meaning and in the process, hopefully come up with the correct conclusions.
Conclusion
In sum, it is important to analyze and understand the messages conveyed by satires. Although presented in a humorous and entertaining manner, the messages they convey are quite serious in nature and are things that would serve as foods for thought for the reader. In addition, the use of satires as a medium for promoting consciousness or awareness about various social, political, and environmental issues is a good way for the author to somehow influence the reader and probably instigate change without having to sound like they’re preaching, which some readers may take the wrong way.
Works Cited
“High Scientists Insist Earth is Depicted Upside Down Maybe.” satirewire.com.
SatireWire, 10 Apr. 2012. Web < http://www.satirewire.com/content1/?p=4171>.
