“The Internet” went mad yesterday when it thought that Sheryl Crow had suggested a limit on the use of toilet paper. I feel justified in saying “the internet” when even the BBC reports such a silly story.
I never thought that the original blog (or is that “bog”?) post sounded entirely serious. There are several give-aways, including the reported reaction of her younger brother to her scheme. Nevertheless, the “blogsphere” seems to have missed the joke entirely. She has had to point it out herself.
Of course, the same thing occurs all the time in the study of history. Franklin, it is often reported, suggested that the Turkey and not the Eagle should be the symbol of America. Well, so he did – almost – in a letter to a young relative that was intended to be entertaining, educating and witty. Not that you’d guess it from many accounts.
There’s only one solution: manditory “sarcasm” tags, which will cause the content to be hidden from any web browser operated by journalists or in nations known to be lacking a sense of humour.