Too Funny. Too True.

https://www.google.com/search?q=satire&safe=strict&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwig7-jE7aTdAhUL2FMKHRU0DgQQ_AUICigB&biw=1920&bih=925#imgrc=1hp45RNVHvaiXM:

As I studied Dryden, I had an appreciation for his satire as well as his view on what satire should be. Wit. If there’s no wit, you might as well quit. If not, he will rip you to shreds.
Dryden was a firm believer that if you could cleverly insult someone with the sharp stink of the most subtle of words, then you would have done so effectively and potentially without their knowing. Throw in some humor, and your satire is lovely.
Granted, he is also the same person who used satire to gain revenge; breaking his own rules through a less than subtle satirical heroic-poem. (mock heroic-poem)
Dryden was surrounded by other who also enjoyed writing wit-filled satirical pieces; however, their approach would differ. Shakespeare, who believed, “brevity is the soul of wit,” (Hamlet) took on a more obvious approach in his writing. It was quickly picked up on, but still thoroughly enjoyed by the masses. Difference being: audience.
Today, the audience is different still. Satire is enjoyed by most, but it is not as well hidden as Dryden would like.

Books:

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Movies:

Deadpool directed by Tim Miller

Mean Girls directed by Mark Waters

Shows:

South Park

Saturday Night Live

Each of these examples are flooded with satire. The satirical aspects are not hidden because they are meant to be easily appreciated by all audiences (with certain age restrictions). They address a variety of issues that are historic, but mostly current. They are designed to bring light to those issues in a humorous way so that they may not be taken too seriously, but still get you thinking about them with a bitter taste tied to them. And with an audience that is almost guaranteed to pick up on the witty/over-the-top satirical moments, it has to be true and funny at the same time. Without the humor, people would be offended. Best way to avoid offending people: make them laugh.
Satire & wit are still used to bring forth thing or ideas that people do not agree with, but if it is tied to a humorous, tasteless piece of entertainment then it is totally fine. Not sure Dryden would agree with the style, but he would agree that it gets the point across to its intended audience.

Enlighten Me

When I think of the term enlightenment, I think of a bunch of wannabe fancy dude with deep & profound thoughts. Granted, that may be the more cynical way to look at it. It was genuinely a time of wisdom as people began to focus on reason over religion. Without thinkers such as Locke, Newton, and Voltaire, people would have continued with their devout religious practices/beliefs for years.  

The first thing I remember paying attention to from the enlightenment era is Candide by Voltaire. I know it was a key movement in the 17th-18th centuries, but I tend not to think of it in terms of today, which is unfortunate because it relates to the present rather well.

For example:

1. States are able to make decisions separate from religion.
1. This offers executive decisions to be made in a secular, unbiased way that respects any and all beliefs.
2. Individuals have the right to think/believe for themselves. Ourselves.
1. We no longer have to follow such a traditional stance on anything. We are allowed to have our own opinions and act on them.
3. Rebellion/ Protest is taken seriously and done effectively.
1. Many of the people who stood up for reason in a time of such tradition did so knowing that it was not the social norm. Even today people are standing up for what they believe should become accepted as the norm. It may still be uncomfortable, but it had to start somewhere. And now, it is more accepted and listened to than ever.
2. Specifically, LGBT+. The progress made in support for this group over the past few years has been significant. It has taken a stance against religious-based bias and aims for more secular acceptance. Next step/continuing step - within religion.

(More examples found here)

The list goes on with examples/questions for enlightenment thinkers: Is there a more effective way to teach classes? Should schools be test-oriented? Should we get rid of zoos/aquariums? Is (insert whatever you’d like here) morally acceptable?

The difference is, rather than a select few deciding how to alter what we’ve accepted as the norm due to tradition, its everyday people who are actively looking to make a change.

It’s no longer fancy sciency guys, but anyone who sees something worth changing/accepting/fixing/adding.

If you have time and would like more information on the importance of enlightenment, this video is rather enlightening.