Is Cracked Losing Its Juice?

Cracked in and of Itself

            Cracked dot com is usually a happy, crazy, twisted world of ingenious ways to make people laugh and think all at the same time. Articles range from the likely straight into the world of the absurd. Articles such as 5 Deleted Bible Scenes in Which Jesus Kicked Some Ass and I Want to Put My Book Inside You: A Message to New Kindles to some "cutesy" ones like 5 Inspiring Act of Kindness by Terrifying Crime Syndicates and 5 Real Animal Friendships Right Out of a Disney Movie have shown that the site has some range, but not a ton of it. It may be obscure and inviting, but a fellow in a class that I attend found one that made the obscure have some sense. 

Photo By: Chesi - Fotos CC

The Bad Ideas Movies Give Us for Dealing With Bullies

Cracked's 5 Bad Ideas Media Gives Us for Dealing With Bullies

         I'll be honest, I was surprised by this article: Can We Change Bullies? When I looked at it, yes, it did take on a more serious approach than what Cracked is known for. Do I feel that was appropriate for a site that has been based on laughters? Sure, it's like a band that's all heavy metal suddenly hitting you in the side of the face with something surprisingly romantic and soft. (Example, Slipknot's "All Hope Is Gone" album with soft ballads like "Snuff" and "Vermillion Pt. 2".) 

          Another question asked is "Was this done appropriately or was there another approach that could be taken?" Sure, there are plenty of ways to take this, but I think that the Cracked Writer did it in a way that has some humor, but a very serious tone behind it. I don't think this turned people off of the site, but perhaps it has helped the general populous realize that dealing with a bully can be possible, but there are a lot of options that won't work. 

            The examples they use are pop culture references that most people know of, and there is some light warmheartedness, so the article keeps up to some standards, but puts forth more effort to convey a more meaningful message. 
            If people think that the writers of Cracked are getting too depressing over one article, then those few people that aren't deep fans of the site may be lost if they're in it for the laughs. Again, a comparison to music: it would be like fans leaving a musician, say Rhianna, because they decided to try a new direction. I feel that in this case, if they do lose fans, they will gain even more for doing something out of their shell. 

Conclusion

            Although a single Cracked Writer went outside of the box, I don't feel as though the repercussions will be too severe, if there will be any at all. There may be a few fans lost, but there are several to be gained through this serious article. The approach was a viable one, and rather smart option to be lighthearted but also serious. It's addressing an issue that a lot of people have, had, or are putting up with. To that, I say kudos Cracked for taking a shot in the dark and hopefully it turns out for the better.