Greatest Quote Ever about Spoofs and Satires

The previous post criticizes "collectors" of tales who push moral ideas back onto stories. People don't always see what something "means" until the something is long past. (That problem is also addressed here.)

The "meaning" of a tale consequently becomes reflective of contemporary thoughts and mores, not those of the past. We react to what we know (or think we know).

Satires and spoofs, for instance, require general acceptance of a "norm" before they work.

The following fantastic quote by Assassination Classroom author, Yusei Matsui, explains why: 

I often use current events and parody in my manga, but that's become a lot more difficult than it used to be. One major reason is the lack of subjects everyone has in common due to the decline in TV viewership. Parodies aren't funny if you use subjects that only a handful of people can relate to.

The diversity of culture is a fine thing, but every now and again, I would like to see the outbreak of a social phenomenon that every Tom, Dick and Harry knows about. For that to happen, I believe TV needs to make a comeback.

Yusei Matsui is too hard on himself. Assassination Classroom depends on--and successfully plays off of--the "norms" of high school, which still exist, thankfully (what would Whedon have done if that wasn't true?!), and which "norms" impressively cross cultural boundaries, despite differences in details. School sports are remarkably consistent. Events like school trips vary but the subsequent expectations, behaviors, and complaints remain relatable.  

People who like to act superior and contemptuous about the mere existence of cultural "norms" should consider, If there is no contextual norm in the first place, nobody is going to care what offends you. 

Or even know.