Maybe it’s just a reddit/Threadiverse thing, maybe it’s stronger in political communities, but I constantly see sarcasm everywhere online, far more than anywhere else. Scroll down and you’ll even see it here.
Funnily enough, in a vacuum, one might expect online forums to avoid it more, since written text can mask tone and make sarcasm unintentionally ambiguous, to the point where it’s common to see people adding </s> tags to clarify. It’s not rare to see arguments started when people don’t recognise non-literal language.
Is it merely a habit being repeated? Is it a widespread coping mechanism for frustration? Is it simply the lowest form of wit, a simple and popular way to make fun? Is it an effective way to normalise unpopular views with the plausible deniability of just making jokes?
I am much more sarcastic in real life because it’s easier to read the room and get my point across. It’s a way for me to put some form of entertainment into a frustrating topic and feel smart. But I started using it less and try to actually explain what’s on my mind instead. This not only improves the quality of the discussion but also makes me want to dive deeper into topics so I can better talk about it and maybe even understand/accept opposing views better.