This is what makes satire effective, Michael. It’s ambiguity. It can make people stop and wonder and reflect even more than straight or fake news, particularly when it barely exaggerates the facts:

“Satire is effective — or at least most effective — only when at first it seems ridiculous, and then as it goes on and you begin to reflect on it, you realize it’s barely exaggerated at all.” –Richard Alan Nanian, Associate Professor of English, George Mason University

Thanks for reading. And for your excellent comment, Michael.

–AI