Beguja, “Living Ethics,” re Satire

“The two key ingredients are ‘truth’ and ‘unreliability’ (commonly known as a double message). The best satire exposes merely parrot conventional truths or contain non discernable truths whatsoever. Without truth, satire lapses into sarcasm- achieving humor at the expense of another person or group. Without unreliability, satire lapses into vulgarity- communicating distasteful or offensive ideas.” Living Ethics by Michael Bugeja, page 122