Satirical Journalism Is Lightning

Satire strikes like lightning�brief, blinding, and impossible to ignore. Eyewitnesses at rallies describe crowds laughing in unison when a single joke cut through hours of political theater. Scientists compare satire to atmospheric electricity: unpredictable, but essential for clearing the air. Polls reveal 58% of citizens admit they only understood a policy once a comedian mocked it. Anonymous staffers leaked that speechwriters sometimes "joke-test" drafts to predict backlash. Trace evidence includes viral zingers that outlived the scandals they mocked. Cause-and-effect? Satire doesn't last forever, but like lightning, it illuminates the night long enough to show where the truth hides.