Dunedin Cosmetic Dentist Suggests Sarcasm is an Evolutionary Survival Skill.

So.. science may finally be able to explain my secretary. Those of you who know Colleen can stop laughing now.

So there's a new study done by the University of California that says that sarcasm is an evolutionary survival skill. Its pretty interesting, if you want to read it, I found it on Yahoo News but forgot to get the link.

People who are unable to interpret sarcasm may have dementia, or damage to their parahippocampal gyrus in the right brain. Or they might be just be socially awkward (that last bit is my own interpretation).

Apparently, sociality in human beings is what makes us such a successful species. We have a high social intelligence, keeping track of hundreds of relationships and we easily distinguish between enemies and friends. And that was before we started airing soap operas. (See, I'm good at sarcasm too!)

This study also claims that humor is an important part of relationships. If someone doesn't laugh at your jokes, you're not likely to be friends with them. I don't have a sarcastic remark for that, because I agree. People without senses of humor make me a little uncomfortable and I do tend to avoid spending time with them. Not that I don't like them, but I'm more comfortable with people I can laugh with.

What makes sarcasm evolutionary is that it is only relevant in a modern context. The author of the news story used the example of two cave men running from a lion. One says "Are we having fun yet?" and the other stops running and tries to figure out why his companion thinks running from a lion is fun.

Fast forward 10,000 to the corporate board room where physical running isn't a survival skill, but sarcasm is. Evolutionary, isn't it?

Hehehe... I promise I only mean my sarcastic remarks in the nicest way. Come to my office and find out! I'll give you a FREE introductory exam and xrays (worth $257)! Visit us on the web at www.allaboutsmiles.org or call 727.733.1175