Mike: Do you know what "optimism" means? Amanda: "The doctrine, or belief, that everything is beautiful, including what is ugly, everything good, especially the bad, and everything right that is wrong". . .that's Ambrose Bierce, by the way. Mike: Hey, that's not a real dictionary you're reading from! What is that? Amanda: It's "The Devil's Dictionary." It's very funny. Ambrose Bierce was a brilliant American satirist. Mike: I should have paid more attention in class. What is satire? Amanda: It's kind of dark humor used to point out problems with something. Some people might use it to avoid getting into trouble for stating their opinion about something directly. Others just use it because it makes more of an impact and is more interesting. Mike: So like instead of saying that we really need more air-conditioning in school, I should write a story showing how some people other than students can't concentrate because it's too hot? Amanda:Something like that. Mike: So does it work well to get the message across? Amanda: Maybe sometimes, but lots of times, the people who agree with the message think the satire is funny, but the people who disagree with it just get mad.