How Can Humans Use Irony to Break the Algorithm?
By Nancy Nuñez and Emiliano Rodriguez Nuesch
In today’s online world, algorithms decide what we see—and what we care about. They’re designed to keep us clicking, liking, and sharing. But what if we could push back? Irony might be the key.
It’s more than just sarcasm. Irony is a way to challenge what’s expected. It helps us point out what doesn’t make sense, question the status quo, and think twice before reacting.
Example: A climate meme showing multiple Spider-Men pointing at each other uses irony to highlight how everyone shifts blame while no one takes responsibility.
Irony vs. the Algorithm
Algorithms are trained to predict what we’ll do next. They learn our habits and feed us more of the same—whatever keeps us scrolling. But irony throws a wrench into the system.
Irony surprises us. It reveals contradictions. And most importantly, it invites us to reflect—not just react. When we use irony on purpose, it can shake us out of emotional autopilot. It can help us notice when our compassion is being steered—or even manipulated—by what’s trending.
The social media account @themanwhohasitall satirizes gender stereotypes by flipping traditional roles. For instance, posts like: "Working dads: How do you balance your career with fatherhood?" mimic the type of questions typically asked of women, exposing the absurdity and double standards in societal expectations.
Three Ways Irony Can Break the Algorithm
Breaks the pattern – Irony doesn’t play by the rules, and that confuses the algorithm.
Changes how we feel – Instead of pushing outrage or guilt, irony makes us pause and reflect.
Reveals what the system values – Irony can highlight the double standards in what gets visibility online—and what doesn’t.
A study published in the journal New Media & Society analyzes how “ironic memes” can be effective tools for digital literacy. These memes, which often use absurd or contradictory humor, help students develop critical thinking skills to identify and resist online manipulation (Source: “Ironic memes and digital literacies: Exploring identity through multimodal texts”).
In fact, researchers have found that even algorithms struggle to detect irony and sarcasm. A study titled “Sarcasm and Irony Detection in Social Media” explains how complex language can throw off automated systems, making irony a kind of “code” that slips past algorithmic control.
Using Irony for Compassion
Irony can actually help us care better.
In media activism, it can expose the absurdity of which stories go viral.
In humanitarian work, it can challenge stereotypes and spark deeper conversations.
In digital literacy, it can teach people how to spot manipulation—and resist it.
Read our related article on how people are breaking the algorithm with ‘algospeak’—coded language that avoids moderation while spreading awareness: Breaking the algorithm: The rise of 'algospeak' in social media.