Facibus On Blogging

That source of all things, Wikipedia, defines parody (or lampoon) as:

… a work that imitates another work in order to ridicule, ironically comment on, or poke some affectionate fun at the work itself, the subject of the work, the author or fictional voice of the parody, or another subject. As literary theorist Linda Hutcheon (2000: 7) puts it, “parody…is imitation with a critical difference, not always at the expense of the parodied text.” Another critic, Simon Dentith (2000: 9), defines parody as “any cultural practice which provides a relatively polemical allusive imitation of another cultural production or practice.”

Lampooning is an old tradition. History records that the Druids of Ancient Ireland were much given to lampooning warriors and kings that crossed them, and it was a terrible thing to be lampooned. While I hope that no-one is harmed as a result of my suggesting this, I believe that lampooning is a mostly harmless activity now - so long as the Golden Rule is applied liberally. In other words, be witty rather than hurtful.

I’ve previously suggested that the Australian blogosphere is currently ripe for political parody. I’d be surprised if there was a government anywhere, at any level, that did not have at least some members worthy of lampooning.

My favourite lampoon sites are:

• 101 Uses for a John Howard: magnificently lampoons both the 101 Uses for a Dead Cat books and Australia’s current Prime Minister.
• John Cow dot Com is a John Chow dot Com parody site. I’ve got one of these planned myself for when I have a bit more time to play with it (or perhaps I’ll just sell it to the highest bidder in true John Chow evil blogger style, but donate the money to charity).
• Colin at Adelaide Green Porridge Cafe usually has something witty and funny to say.

So what would you lampoon if you could? Is it a good blogging style for your niche? Is it a niche you’re attracted to?