by Glorybuckets September 10, 2018
Get the Poe’s mug.Similar to Murphy's Law, Poe's Law concerns internet debates, particularly regarding religion or politics.
"Without a winking smiley or other blatant display of humor, it is impossible to create a parody of Fundamentalism that SOMEONE won't mistake for the real thing."
In other words, No matter how bizzare, outrageous, or just plain idiotic a parody of a Fundamentalist may seem, there will always be someone who cannot tell that it is a parody, having seen similar REAL ideas from real religious/political Fundamentalists.
"Without a winking smiley or other blatant display of humor, it is impossible to create a parody of Fundamentalism that SOMEONE won't mistake for the real thing."
In other words, No matter how bizzare, outrageous, or just plain idiotic a parody of a Fundamentalist may seem, there will always be someone who cannot tell that it is a parody, having seen similar REAL ideas from real religious/political Fundamentalists.
The following is an actual Internet post to Biblically defend a flat Earth:
"All I was saying was that either the earth is flat, and the bible is correct, or the earth is round, and the bible is incorect, i'm going to study the issue more and deside for myself which route I want to take. Either Atheist evolutionist, who agrees with all of mainstream sciences, or flat earth litteral bible believer.
I'm leaning toward being an atheist, because if I can't believe the bible to be completly litteraly true, then I can't believe Jesus when he speaks about heaven, etc..
That would make the moon landing a fake, and pretty much all of modern science false..."
Response:
"That's it, I'm claiming Poe's Law on this guy."
"All I was saying was that either the earth is flat, and the bible is correct, or the earth is round, and the bible is incorect, i'm going to study the issue more and deside for myself which route I want to take. Either Atheist evolutionist, who agrees with all of mainstream sciences, or flat earth litteral bible believer.
I'm leaning toward being an atheist, because if I can't believe the bible to be completly litteraly true, then I can't believe Jesus when he speaks about heaven, etc..
That would make the moon landing a fake, and pretty much all of modern science false..."
Response:
"That's it, I'm claiming Poe's Law on this guy."
by Nathan Poe September 4, 2008
Get the Poe's Law mug.Related Words
poe slap • Poe’s • Poe's Corollary • Poe's Defense • Poe's Elevator • Poe’s Law • poe's lawl • Poe's Paradox • poe'size • Sarah Poe
Fundamentalist: "God killed all of the babies and little kids in the Flood because he loves them all."
Normal Person #1: "All right, I'm calling Poe's Law."
Normal Person #2: "Nope, this nut is for real. Poe's Corollary."
Normal Person #1: "All right, I'm calling Poe's Law."
Normal Person #2: "Nope, this nut is for real. Poe's Corollary."
by Sleeker August 17, 2008
Get the Poe's Corollary mug.In any fundamentalist group where Poe's Law applies, a paradox exists where any new idea (or person) sufficiently fundamentalist to be accepted by the group is likely to be so ridiculous that it risks being rejected as a parody (or parodist).
Conservapedia: "Reasonable Explanations for Atheism - Moral depravity, ... poor relationship with father, ... scientism."
New Conservative member (who honestly believes this): "They could also be demons sent by Satan to try to convert our children so they'll go to hell."
Conservapedia: "You're not funny. Parodies have no place here."
Atheist member: "HAH! Poe's Paradox!"
New Conservative member (who honestly believes this): "They could also be demons sent by Satan to try to convert our children so they'll go to hell."
Conservapedia: "You're not funny. Parodies have no place here."
Atheist member: "HAH! Poe's Paradox!"
by Sleeker February 15, 2009
Get the Poe's Paradox mug.An attempt to deflect criticism of one's own stupidity for being unable to discern between satire and reality onto the supposed stupidity of a group, particularly one that is looked down upon by current company, by invoking Poe's Law. When someone is called out for responding seriously to an obvious troll or satire, they will attempt to explain that their failure to comprehend the source was not due to their own lack of reading ability, but because there are individuals within that group that are so crazy, stupid, or devious that it could have actually been legitimate.
Person A: I can't believe this Jonathan Swift guy wanted to eat babies!
Person B: That was a satire, dumbass.
Person A: Hah! Isn't that funny? Those intellectual elites are so cold and inhumane that when one of them talks about cannibalism, you can't even tell if he's joking!
Person B: Poe's Defense? Really?
Person B: That was a satire, dumbass.
Person A: Hah! Isn't that funny? Those intellectual elites are so cold and inhumane that when one of them talks about cannibalism, you can't even tell if he's joking!
Person B: Poe's Defense? Really?
by urbankludge55 July 9, 2010
Get the Poe's Defense mug.A writing expressing that, without obvious pointers, it is impossible to understand sarcasm. Commonly used whenever someone fails to understand a joke and makes themself look like a retard.
Anon one: Alligators are some of the most friendly animals on earth!
Anon two: Alligators will fucking kill you
Anon one: sarcasm dumbass
Anon two: fucking Poe's Law
Anon two: Alligators will fucking kill you
Anon one: sarcasm dumbass
Anon two: fucking Poe's Law
by Ysgramoths February 12, 2017
Get the Poe's Law mug.The hilarious experience of watching someone interact with a satire but clearly not get it even though it may be an obvious satire.
To the person in question the satire may seem to be the real thing and thus be a case of poe's law. However, to others the satire may seem entirely obvious and they are having a laugh about it. This laugh is poe's lawl.
To the person in question the satire may seem to be the real thing and thus be a case of poe's law. However, to others the satire may seem entirely obvious and they are having a laugh about it. This laugh is poe's lawl.
You ever read some of the comments on the Marijuana makes you violent facebook page? Poe's lawl all up in the comments section.
by tea dog November 3, 2013
Get the poe's lawl mug.