The Irony In Life

UU

Hello All!

Isn't it funny how you plan to do something and it literally blows up in your face?! I remember reading an ironic story about a year ago. This man in Italy decided during the start of the BSE scare of beef to become vegetarian for his own health because he was totally afraid of dying. Anyway, years later,he decided to start eating meat again. One evening he took his first bite of steak, choked on it and sadly died. Irony to the extreme, eh?

One can only wonder is it destiny or a higher being (or both) which causes each bit of irony in life. It's rather funny sometimes.

In 1995, Alanis Morisette did her hit single "Ironic". Here are the words:

An old man turned ninety-eight
He won the lottery and died the next day
It's a black fly in your Chardonnay
It's a death row pardon two minutes too late
And isn't it ironic...dontcha think

It's like rain on your wedding day
It's a free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
Who would've thought...it figures

Mr. Play It Safe was afraid to fly
He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids goodbye
He waited his whole damn life to take that flight
And as the plane crashed down he thought
"Well isn't this nice..."
And isn't it ironic...dontcha think

Well life has a funny way of sneaking up on you
When you think everything's okay and everything's going right
And life has a funny way of helping you out when
You think everything's gone wrong and everything blows up
In your face

A traffic jam when you're already late
A no-smoking sign on your cigarette break
It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife
It's meeting the man of my dreams
And then meeting his beautiful wife
And isn't it ironic...dontcha think
A little too ironic...and yeah I really do think...

Anyone with more ironic examples / stories - amusing or tragic. Here's the philosophy questions "Why Is There Irony?" and "What Causes It?"

- Daniel

Galvia

Seeing irony and keeping a sense of humour are our utlimate defenses when challenged by the incomprehensible. My 2c worth.

the real ramon

I've always thought the universe/God/whatever has a penchant for irony and a sense of humour.

Incidentally most of what passes for irony in that song isn't irony, but it's funny nonetheless.

I think the funniest irony would be if JC didn't return at the millenium because Mary was on the pill: you could blame the feminists after-all! (I hope that doesn't offend anyone- It's intended really as a bit of a good natured poke at both sides in the whole contraception-arguement!- the JC I believe existed and have a lot of time for- though I'm an agnostic who takes a bit from everywhere- has a sense of humour and would laugh at the idea! ):)

Yes a sense of humour helps when faced with the incomprehesible- you can either be miserable or laugh at it- your attitude will have so much bearing on your life and how it goes IMO

Goodshape

the real ramon wrote:

Incidentally most of what passes for irony in that song isn't irony, but it's funny nonetheless.

Which is fairly ironic when you think about it.

martoman

The 'freedom' that paid employment presents.

Did anyone ever consider the irony in this.

judomick

anyone think irony is just coincidence with cool name?

simu

judomick wrote:

anyone think irony is just coincidence with cool name?

No.

And which type of irony did you mean, OP?

Goodshape

judomick wrote:

anyone think irony is just coincidence with cool name?

You're thinking of synchronicity.

BlackSabbath

i was expecting something else from this thread. i entered thinking it would be an interesting read then i get alanis morissette lyrics. i was expecting irony in what it is said to be "the" way of life.

simu

BlackSabbath wrote:

i was expecting something else from this thread. i entered thinking it would be an interesting read then i get alanis morissette lyrics.

Yeah, I'm trying to figure out how this thread fits into a philosophy forum yet I can't think of anywhere else to move it... OP?

muesli_offire

Irony: few things more philosophically pertinent. Allegedly. If you want to be paradigmatical about thangs.
This is the Guardian's very brief history of irony:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/weekend/story/0,3605,985375,00.html
Here are two are random articles discussing irony and philosophy:
http://sdcc12.ucsd.edu/~csenger/hgbk2/node6.html
http://www.autodidactproject.org/other/ironydhi.html

UU

Well here is a sample of some ironic situations which I got off Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irony:

Use of irony
The word “irony” is frequently used figuratively, especially in such phrases as “the irony of fate,” of an issue or result that seems to contradict normal expectations derived from the previous state or condition.
[edit]


Situational irony
Players and events coming together in improbable situations creating a tension between expected and real results.

Example:
A shipboard scene of reconciliation and hope for an estranged couple ends with the camera pulling back to reveal a life preserver stenciled “SS Titanic.”
[edit]


Irony of fate
The expression “irony of fate” stems from the notion that the gods (or the Fates) are amusing themselves by toying with the minds of mortals, with deliberate ironic intent. For example:
Ludwig van Beethoven’s loss of hearing;
The 1956 loss by fire of the top of Harvard’s Memorial Hall tower, while being restored by workmen.
American astronaut Gus Grissom's death inside Apollo 1 because of a spacecraft redesign that he had recommended after the former design had nearly cost him his life on the Mercury 4 mission.

Through comic or genuine delusions of grandeur, petty coincidences may loom as irony of fate:
The rain that sets in immediately after one finishes watering one’s garden, following many days of putting off watering in anticipation of rain;

Examples of ironic incidents might involve a highway patrolman receiving a speeding fine, or the death of a Christian killed by a falling cross. In the first case, an incongruity exists between what happens (the person is fined) and what is expected (the person normally fines motorists); in the second case, a strong contrast emerges between the person’s beliefs and his apparent fate.

Basically, irony is a situation where its fate is opposite to its expected fate and may prove to be rather comical or tragic.

Here's a scenario, two fellas both sitting their Leaving Cert. The first fella is very bright and studies very hard to gain the maximum points to get into Medicine. The second fella is a total bum and a waster who is constantly in and out of school, does no study and takes everything nice and easy. In June, both fellas sit the exam - Mr. Studyholic fails every subject and Mr. Waster gets straight A's. That's ironic!

Although, one should make sure not not mix up irony with sarcasm or plain bad luck.

the real ramon

I do think the thread belongs in Philosophy, the way it's questioned, anyway.

Is there an 'Irony Law' to the Universe? Possibly, though I'm unsure. I think it's possible there might be Laws to more than what governs the behaviour of atoms, such as Irony.

Where does it come from if there is? I don't believe in God. but do believe in the Tao (the 'way'), so that would be my guess if Irony is somev kind of law.

Incidentally, what are your views on the subject OP? I get the feeling its something you've been thinking about for a while and probably have some view on. It'd be interesting to know!

Catsmokinpot

the biggest irony of that song is that most if not all of the points she makes in it are not ironic in the least bit

irony is a one armed man hanging off a cliff with itchy balls.

the real ramon

Catsmokinpot wrote:

the biggest irony of that song is that most if not all of the points she makes in it are not ironic in the least bit

Maybe she was trying to outsmart herself and that was the irony:D

Catsmokinpot

probably i can see UU's point though, i think irony is a humourous point of view, when ironic things happen to me theyre usually bad, but in retrospect theyre funny, irony in life helps you deal with the actual bad things that can happen, they make you think "oh well, it could have been worse" and i spose if you can't laugh at irony you'll cry