Or is it?
We are conditioned to examine our world within the framework society provides us and in doing so it is possible to end up doing something that's quite simply crazy. However, according to Carey in the reading for class this week, by creating irony we are, as a society, caused to reexamine our communications within this new light. The Monty Python sketches and movies of the 70s and 80s challenged some of the longest standing aspects of British reality with a combination of irony and sheer lunacy. Nothing was sacred and they lampooned everything from religion, to royalty, to politics and everything in between. The skit above is a perfect example, as it reminds us of the ridiculous things we pay for and the bizarre ways we spend our time.
Even today, these sketches resonate both comically and intellectually. For example, I challenge anyone not to think of Monty Python's "dead parrott" sketch the next time they have less than helpful service from a store clerk and also look at how you respond. Carey says we are constantly building, breaking down and repairing our society and irony is an effective way of finding the oddities in our culture that we can maybe reassess.
In keeping with International Communications, I'll leave you by linking to one more Monty Python sketch on the dangers of translation.
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