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There several purposes in being an internet parodist:

There several purposes in being an internet parodist:

* Some parodists find it entertaining to espouse a caricatured viewpoint with which they disagree, particularly if they can find someone on the opposing side who mistakes them for the real thing. They can then emotionally and intellectually manipulate that person, proving to themselves that they are smart and the other person is stupid. This behavior is analogous to the common schoolyard behavior of lying to a fellow student about something potentially believable (like "I went bowling last night"), and then laughing at them when they believe you. Since this type of parodist presents a plausable case, they are onlly taking pleasure at others' good faith.

* Some parodists find it entertaining to espouse a caricatured viewpoint with which they disagree, particularly if they can find someone on the opposing side who mistakes them for the real thing. They can then emotionally and intellectually manipulate that person, proving to themselves that they are smart and the other person is stupid. This behavior is analogous to the common schoolyard behavior of lying to a fellow student about something potentially believable (like "I went bowling last night"), and then laughing at them when they believe you. Since this type of parodist presents a plausible case, they are only taking pleasure at others' good faith.

* Some internet parodists seek to prove [[Poe's law]], which states that it is impossible to parody certain extreme points of view without somebody mistaking the parody for the real thing. The fact that some people are unable to distinguish between a genuine believer and a parodist does ''not'' prove there is no difference between the two, or that the point of view in question is somehow invalid. On the contrary some people will erroneously interpret the facts in any ambiguous situation. Thus, Poe's law is not a reflection on the point of view being parodied, so much as on the individuals who lack the critical thinking skills to distinguish fact from fiction.

* Some internet parodists seek to prove [[Poe's law]], which states that it is impossible to parody certain extreme points of view without somebody mistaking the parody for the real thing. The fact that some people are unable to distinguish between a genuine believer and a parodist does ''not'' prove there is no difference between the two, or that the point of view in question is somehow invalid. On the contrary some people will erroneously interpret the facts in any ambiguous situation. Thus, Poe's law is not a reflection on the point of view being parodied, so much as on the individuals who lack the critical thinking skills to distinguish fact from fiction.

* Some internet parodists seek to demonstrate the existence of a [[double standard]] among the group they are parodying.  For example, a parodist might go onto a conservative forum and behave inappropriately, insulting other users while spouting traditionally conservative ideas, in an effort to prove that conservatives hold a double standard -- allowing "conservatives" to do things they would never permit liberals to do. While such a demonstration might show that particular ''people'' hold a double standard, it would be overgeneralization to conclude that ''conservatives in general'' are hypocritical.  For that reason, this form of parody is a [[logical fallacy]].

* Some internet parodists seek to demonstrate the existence of a [[double standard]] among the group they are parodying.  For example, a parodist might go onto a conservative forum and behave inappropriately, insulting other users while spouting traditionally conservative ideas, in an effort to prove that conservatives hold a double standard -- allowing "conservatives" to do things they would never permit liberals to do. While such a demonstration might show that particular ''people'' hold a double standard, it would be overgeneralization to conclude that ''conservatives in general'' are hypocritical.  For that reason, this form of parody is a [[logical fallacy]].